JAE Magazine - Issue 14 (May 2013) by JAE Magazine

JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

MAY 2013 | JAE Magazine

PromoJAE artwork for Major Lazer’s “Free2013 The Universe” album Magazine | MAY

EDITOR’S NOTE “Chipping down the road...” Farewell to the costumes, the paint, the powder and the spectacle of Carnival. Carnival season 2013 was great and we recap with highlights from various soca events. Live music has always been embedded in Jamaica’s culture and the support and staging of such events has increased. We play a supporting part by showcasing a few events where we were in attendance. International sensation Ricky Blaze was in Jamaica for a short time making musical connections and working on projects. We learned of his many talents, his interest in Jamaica and the artistry of his new mixtape. Health and fitness is always important; learn a thing or two from Zola, International zumba fitness instructor who has a few talents up her sleeve. Free the Universe! The long awaited album has been released. We acknowledge the Internationally acclaimed sound system Major Lazer with their unique skills and creativity to produce popular sounds with a strong Caribbean influence. With summer officially here, see styles and ideas of how to stay trendy this season. Keep connected with us on our Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram. Until next time, walk good.

MENTIONS EDITOR IN CHIEF / CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER Kimberly ‘LatyKim’ Gordon WEB MANAGER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR Shane Jackson LAYOUT & DESIGN LatyKim Shane Jackson DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Henry CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Julian Morrison Kristen-kay Barnaby Shonique Thomas SPECIAL THANKS TO Matthew Henry, Kristia Franklin, Melissa Fullwood, Brooke Hull, Travis Salmon, Javier Dayes, Carlton Beckford, Nicholas Anglin. OPERATIONS AND ASSISTANCE Dewayne Webb Mikhail DaCosta Nicholas Anglin Nigel Walford

Just About Everyone, Just About Everything! - LatyKim

JOIN THE MOVEMENT! SUBSCRIBE NOW AND BE APART OF JAE MAGAZINE IN 2013 JUST ABOUT EVERYONE. JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

COVER: Major Lazer - Free the Universe

CONTENTS

tips to go natural

event highlights

wardrobe remix

Make-Up tips

Gray Owl music Review

Rope-een recommendations

tech minute

simple health tips

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JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

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JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

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JAE Magazine | JANUARY 2013

3 curly girlies

Hair Journeys Kris Kris has been 100% natural (this time around) for 3 years and 4 months. Over the years she’s done her fair share of flip flopping between both natural and texturized hair. But even when she wore it natural, her hair was never truly healthy. She finally decided in August 2009, after 3 years of “edge and crown only” texturizing, that she was definitely over it.

From left to right: Franno, Kris and Meli

ith Kris Jackson as the driving force, these three girls have gotten the wheels turning on the whole natural hair phenomenon. Even if it was already sweeping the world, Jamaica, as always, was a little late to the party. Most women were still in the dark about healthy hair care and transitioning to natural hair. There are a lot more women who would love to take a shot at trying to go natural than you would think, but it’s a big journey that works best with a little guidance and reassurance. So these 3 beautiful, curly-headed girls, armed with research, regimens and results came together and brought the “3 Curly Girlies” blog to life. It’s the right place to go to for good and bad natural hair experiences that you can identify with. You’ll also find all the tips you need to keep your hair just the way you want it; healthy. You can find the blog at www. rootztotipz.com. JAE caught up with the girls and got to know a little about their individual stories. Meli, curly girlie 2 out of 3 wasn’t able to make it when we stopped by, but we’ve got her story her for you just the same.

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“I used all the wrong products, used too much heat and would always end up having to chop it off. My hair was 50% texturized 50% natural and a 100% looking like a hot mess. The front would barely curl anymore from heat damage and something had to be done! ” Kris began her research on Youtube and that’s

3 curly girlies where the journey really got started. She watched videos about natural hair and did some serious experimenting to find out exactly what her hair liked.

“I started loving my hair and embracing the curls, coils, kinks and frizz!” Kris went into her transition gradually, slowing cutting off her damaged and texturized ends and along the way, even coaxed a few friends into starting their own journeys. “I was giving advice to everyone

who would listen, about what they should and shouldn’t use in their hair.”

Kris was getting questions from

all angles and couldn’t leave her house without at least two or three comments or questions about how she got her hair to look the way it did. That’s when her idea for Rootz to Tipz came up and slowly started to materialize. Kris is a selfproclaimed natural hair care pusher and a bona fide advocate for healthy hair.

had taken way more off than was necessary.

“I said sayonara to both him and my locks, lying sad and limp on the salon floor. And looking in the mirror, it hit me. My hair was short. Very short.” Franno wasn’t impressed. “I thought I looked like a boy and was only grateful that in the land of the rising sun, everyone seemed to think that my new do was kawaii (cute)!” Franno’s hair quickly began to grow back and within a few months there was no more love lost for the hair she had left on the floor of the salon in Tokyo. “It was slowly becoming a distant

memory. I was starting to dig my curls.” Franno was already completely in love with her hair, so the opinions of others were of little consequence, but when she returned home late last year, she wasn’t too sure how her ‘new’ hair would be received. However she was pleasantly

“I still have hair ups and downs! And still have a lot to learn, but I’m happy I’m on this journey and every chance I get I encourage others to do the same!”

Franno Unwillingly embarking on a big life journey is what forced Franno to start transitioning to natural hair. In 2010, she moved to Japan to teach English and had no way to get her hair relaxed while she was there. It was a mild curiosity with natural hair and a more than mild desire to avoid her hair from falling out in clumps that prevented her from relaxig it again.

“I decided to let it grow out and see where it took me.” After a year of transitioning, Franno headed for a salon in Tokyo that boasted experience with black hair. She “big chopped” her waist length hair in July 2011 but thought that the Japanese stylist JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

3 curly girlies surprised by the overwhelming number of positive comments from both strangers and friends.

“At almost three years natural now, I am still focused on growth and retention, sticking loyally by the healthy hair care regimen I adopted. It’s still full steam ahead as I continue happily on my natural hair journey.”

Meli

her saved up lunch money, Meli struck gold with Revlon relaxer. “Hair stuck to the burnt raw scalp in one or two places but not to worry! This would in no way kill the pep in my step.” Meli continued to relax her hair as she got older, highlighting and colouring at times, while constantly trying to lose split ends she could never explain. She had regular trims that often turned into cuts, because her hair had gotten so thin she didn’t think it looked good long. However, a few years ago, Meli met Kris. “I was blessed to have an amazing friend enter my life, along with every other helpful truth she ever got me to listen to. “Your curls would be

soooooo cute!” has been the most profound to date.” Kris had worn Meli down, but with her University graduation and photos coming up, the best Meli could do was a 3 month transition test before her hair was freshly relaxed, straight and ‘perfect’ one more time for her photos. During those 3 months, she discovered youtube and the scores of other people living the unlocked natural hair lifestyle; not to mention all the information about transitioning. “The three months were actually

easy. My natural and relaxed ends blended so well!” After getting a taste of the transition period and realizing it was something she could definitely handle, Meli relaxed her hair one last time and hasn’t looked back since. “It’s hard to believe it’s been almost

Before the consistent relaxing that came with burns, scars and pains, Meli, her mom and her helper had tugged at, dragged out and brushed the daylights out of her hair. Unfortunately, brushing, coaxing, frizz controlling and curl defining products just weren’t helping to unlock her hair’s secrets. After her mother forbade the longed for “creamy crack”, Meli took matters into her own hands. Nine years later, after school with

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three years. I am in love with my hair, though I’m still learning everything from products that work to perfect styling technique. My curls are soft and my halo is now cute!” Big hair without the fear of not having every strand in place is now her goal and she can’t imagine even thinking about the idea of using a relaxer again. The only regret she’s got is not listening to her mom and Kris sooner, but everything in it’s own time, she says.

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Patrons were entertained by some of our best local acts at the first instalment of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presentation of Arts in the Park held at Hope Gardens in February.

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REGGAE POSTER COMPETITION Strawberry Hill - Silent Auction

special selection of limited-edition framed posters from the World A Reggae exhibition (2012, National Gallery of Jamaica) were on display at Strawberry Hill in a silent auction on February 24, 2013 to to raise money for Alpha Boys School. The 133 year-old vocational school for boys has done so much for music in Jamaica. Alphaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music programme is known around the world for producing pioneers in jazz, ska, reggae and dancehall. The public got their fill of brunch and unique posters from both juried and specially contributed designs in the International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC) including five posters that have never been available previously. See highlights of some of the pieces that were on display. JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

Above: Some of the pieces that were on display in the house | Below: View from window overlooking Kingston.

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The launch party for Acmatic’s new album “Almost Ep” held recently at topfloor. Check out their latest single “Make her jump”.

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Crowds definitely came out for the the third staging of Live in Kingston on May 4th at Base Kingston in Manor Park. The free show, with a pop up shop by international lifestyle clothing brand Massiv, brought the reggae revival to life with artists like Kelissa, NYLA, Kabaka Pyramind, Chronixx, Jah 9, Jesse Royal and Protoje.

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JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

RICKY BLAZE The Maestro

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ricky blaze

nly in his early 20’s, the Brooklyn native Ricky Blaze has become an innovative and successful producer in music. Over the past few years his classic Reggae & Pop hits have ignited airwaves and kept dancefloors across the globe sizzling. While in his teens, Blaze produced his first record, Ding Dong’s 2006 Dancehall mega smash “Badman Forward, Badman Pull Up.” A few years after he produced Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh” which was a summer

smash hit in 2010. Ricky continued his string of making hits for others with newcomer Chelley’s Billboard chart ascending “Took The Night.” Separate from the producing side of things Blaze wasn’t about to deny himself a chance of being a recording artiste. He had his hit single Feel Free with Jim Jones which was remixed with Nicki Minaj and Red Café. Blaze really cemented himself as an artiste with his affable ode to love “Just You And I.” Upon its release, the song started to

blow up in New York two years ago and even today is still an anthem. “What happened to good songs that made people want to fall in love? The message in the song is something that can Universally resonate. Everybody has been in love. I wanted to talk about certain situations in a relationship where nothing is wrong”, Ricky states. ‘Just You and I’ was the lead cut off Ricky’s debut EP, My Name Is Ricky Blaze released 2011. In speaking about his EP Blaze said, “I just wanted to JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

“I just wanted to be different from what people expect from a guy like me.

be different from what people expect from a guy like me. People expected it to be a Reggae album due to the records I put out in the past. I felt I have to let them understand it’s beyond Reggae. It’s a bigger sound. I’ve grown as an artiste and as a producer.” Since then Ricky has been working on the production side of his career. Having signed with Ultra Records, he has once again collaborated with Jim Jones for one of his latest single ‘Kill Em’. The single is the lead from his new urban mixtape, The Maestro. Ricky revealed in an interview that with The Maestro, he is looking to promote himself as that often-mentioned triple threat - singer, songwriter and producer. Now as a Billboard producer and an established artiste, Ricky’s highly anticipated mixtape has been released. The mixtape is filled with heavy bass kick drums along with cool, R&B/ Pop melodies and reggae vibes that certainly display some of Ricky’s creative production style. The 15-track tape keeps it low on the

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features with only three collaborations from New York emcees Jim Jones, Maino and Talib Kweli. Ricky proves he is more than what fans has labelled him as. As he works in and out of the studio for top notch acts, he still finds time to do all of his visuals such as graphic designing and video directing for his releases. He will be releasing a project entitled “Lightaz” in a deal with EDM powerhouse label Ultra Records sometime this year, and will also develop another collaborative project through Brooklyn hipster label Fool’s Gold, owned by Kanye West’s DJ, A-Trak. When asked how does it feel to be involved in so many good things he said, “I feel it’s a blessing, and just want to continue to make great music for my fans.” Ricky has always been interested in different aspects of music. He learned about DJing at just eight years old. By the time he was thirteen, he was spinning at teen parties and by seventeen he went from just playing records at clubs to

jumping on the mic and hyping up the crowds. He even went on to becoming a party promoter booking major acts. Ricky has produced records for the likes of Jazmine Sullivan (“Luv Back, co-produced with Missy Elliot), Vybz Kartel (“Touch A Button”) and has worked with Major Lazer (“Keep It Going Louder”) and Diplo. He has always worked with the likes of Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Santigold, Akon and more. Ricky Blaze was recently on the island lending his blend of creativity to Denyque’s upcoming EP, Her Name is Denyque. The musician also collaborating with local producers on new rhythms. Blaze expressed that sometimes the production and the creativity part overwhelms him more than being an artiste does. “I’m fearless when trying different things in the studio. My whole thing is experimenting. Have confidence in your talent and there is no limit”, proudly states.

ricky blaze “Sometimes the production and the creativity part overwhelms me more than being an artiste.”

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Artiste: Tyler, The Creator Title: Wolf Theme: Experimental Hip Hop Label: Odd Future/XL Recordings/Sony Music Ent Creativity: Originality: Beats: Overall:

Comments: Some pigeons told me that this album was dope but they roll with chickens and we all know about a chicken’s taste in music. They were actually on point this time though. Great sonics, unpredictable lyrics and lush melodies right throughout, ‘Wolf’ makes it a brand new adventure for music lovers. Take it from an Owl that judges roach-eating humans. Sometimes musicians try too hard to sound good or to prove that they’re worthy of your time but this album proves that having fun is important. Tyler speaking his mind plus the composers breaking all rules without going off the deep end gives a fresh experience for the open minded. Prepare for lift off! Standouts: Jamba, Awkward, Slater ft Frank Ocean, 48, Bimmer, Pigs, Treehome95 ft Eryka Badu & Coco, Tamale. Artiste: Protoje Title: The 8 Year Affair Theme: Acoustic Reggae/80s Reggae Label: Don Corleone Records Creativity: Originality: Beats: Overall:

Comments: The follow up to the highly acclaimed 7 Year Itch! Yaaay! Certainly a project worthy of it’s title. The 8 Year Affair covers a wider spectrum than the previous album in terms of topics, ranging from the Tivoli incursion to confessions of love to that special empress. There’s a great dub influence on the tracks with mystifying echoes on ‘I & I’ and the outro for the second single ‘Kingston Be Wise’. This experimentation created a nice touch to the listening experience as opposed to played out one-drop mixes that smother the radio daily. Even the violin on ‘Come my Way’ also displays unique creative direction because this almost NEVER happens! Local music needs more surprises! (Good ones). This proves there is no textbook approach to making great music aside from the power of practice. The lyrical prowess is up to Diggy’s standard with brand new flows on ‘I & I’ and a much more developed singing voice from Proto on ‘Someone like You’. The 8 Year Affair has great replay value and is a real testimony that “Reggae Nuh Dead”. Standouts: Hail Rastafari, I & I, The 8 Year Affair, Come My Way, Hold You Now.

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Jah 9 (@Jah9)

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Jah 9’s powerful, unapologetic messages with a voice that cuts like a katana gives an undeniable musical experience. Jah 9’s music embodies the term ‘word, sound and power’ playing a vital role in the current ‘Reggae Revival in Jamaica. Songs like ‘New name’ and ‘Preacher Man’ are great examples of her making a difference.

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Machu has a contemporary R&B sound that’s fitting for a flight or a trip to the country. He has songs like ‘Why’ ft Kray-Z and ‘Exposed’ where he portrays his love stories from an uptown boy’s perspective. The best part is that he’s a Jamaican musician stepping away from the norm aesthetically.

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Conkarah has good quality reggae music and is ready to share with the world. His singles ‘Forever’ and ‘Island Girl’ show his down to Earth style that’s missing from too many playlists.

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Conkarah (@Conkarah)

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Machu Ezra (@MachuTweets)

NOTEWORTHY MENTIONS Here are some songs to give a listening ear to: Ninja Man - Ninja Mi Ninja, Major Lazer - Watch Out for this, Prince Zimma by LiedersOfTheNewSchool ft. Prince Zimboo, No maddz – Face my Fear, Jesse Royal – Greedy Babylon, Whine & Kotch – J Capri & Charley Blacks, Acmatic – Make Her Jump.

MAKE HER JUMP JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

MIXTAPES // ALBUMS // MIXTAPES // ALBUMS // MIXTAPES // ALBUMS // MIXTAPES // ALBUMS // MIXTAPES // Check out these albums / mixtapes: Ricky Blaze - THE MAESTRO, Jesse Royal - IN COMES THE SMALL AXE, Acmatic - ALMOST EP, Courtney John - THE COURTNEY JOHN PROJECT

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JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

In a known universe

ears after the zombie apocalypse ravaged the galaxy, Major Lazer went into isolation after bringing peace and order to Earth. With the help of a mysterious shadow government called Cinco he was cryogenically frozen as a safeguard for the future’s wellbeing. Despite a great many years of pursuing peace on the planet, a new threat began to loom on the horizon and the commando was brought out of sleep by the Committee of Five. This intergalactic group faced an opponent that only Major Lazer could defend against: his former superior and commander General Rubbish. Rubbish had come out of deep space hiding with a new weapon, Terror Lazor and was set out to enslave and capture all of Earth’s allies to seize inter-galactic planetary control and then destroy Earth. With dwindling resources to defend Earth and it’s allies, the Committee of Five brought Major Lazer out of cryogenic slumber. He was assigned a partner, the female assassin known only as Knife Fight. Together they set out to FREE THE UNIVERSE, beginning on the fortuitous date of February 19th, 2013.

After releasing their landmark LP ‘Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do’ in 2009, the heroic production duo of Diplo and Switch found themselves boldly marching forwards toward the end of the aughts, conquering major milestones. From 2009 to 2011, the twosome toured extensively across the United States and the world, selling out shows and performing at some of music’s major festivals, including Coachella, Pitchfork, Sasquatch, Outside Lands and Falls Music & Arts Festival. In 2010 Major Lazer released Lazerproof, a free download mixtape with pop sensation La Roux, and Lazers Never Die, an EP featuring two new tracks and three remixes, including one by Thom Yorke. Undoubtedly, one of the foremost breakthroughs for Major Lazer during this time was the production

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collaboration with Beyonce on her massive hit “Run the World (Girls)”, which sampled their track “Pon de Floor”. Beyonce directly sought out Switch and Diplo, recognizing the fact that the duo was creating authentically innovative music and further cementing their status as a production team worthy of worldwide mainstream attention. As 2011 turned to 2012, Switch determined it best to pursue his own path, leaving Diplo in full control of Major Lazer. Now, as the sole executive producer of Major Lazer, Diplo continues to spearhead the current Dancehall revival movement with the recent release of Free The Universe. The recording includes exciting collaborations with Bruno Mars, Tyga, Flux Pavillion, Wynter Gordon, Shaggy, Wyclef, Ezra Koening from Vampire Weekend, Dev and more. Spin called the LP’s first single “Get Free” featuring Amber Coffman of Dirty Projectors, “a meeting point between Jamaica, West Africa, and Brooklyn.” Upon dropping the second single “Jah No Partial” in October 2012 it demonstrated the album’s diversity. Diplo (AKA Wesley Pentz) has risen through the ranks and has asserted himself as one of the most pioneering producers of the time. Through unending curiosity and exploration of the vast multitudes of the world’s musical heritages, Diplo has managed to seamlessly connect the global underground to the audio mainstream. He is the Grammy-nominated founder, owner and head honcho of Mad Decent records, which has not only garnered widespread critical and audience accolades since its inception, but has also deservedly earned a hefty reputation as a vanguard of groundbreaking releases. As Major Lazer, he retreated to Jamaica to team up with producers Ariel Rechtshaid and Dre Skull on Snoop Dogg’s album Snoop Lion “Reincarnated”. Major Lazer was also featured on the title track from No Doubt’s latest comeback album with famed Dancehall artist Busy Signal and released an official remix for Hot Chip’s “Look At Where We Are”.

Diplo crowd surfing at a concert they held in Kingston, Jamaica.

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ajor Lazer’s original plan was to deliver their second album Free the Universe on November 5, 2012 but it didn’t quite turn out that way. The release date was pushed back to February 19th of this year. Then, the album was rescheduled once more for an April 12th release. A small hiccup that they say only gave them time to make what they have planned for the album stronger. Major Lazer head honcho Diplo said in a statement at the time. “We tried extremely hard to keep the date but it was ultimately decided that rushing the album would have been unfair to you and everyone who worked so hard on it.” When Diplo says ‘everyone’ who worked on the album, he really means everyone: Free the Universe’s tracklisting boasts no fewer than 31 collaborators. There’s regular collaborators like Santigold and Flux Pavilion on board, but they’re joined by more intriguing guest stars like Bruno Mars, Peaches and Shaggy. So to be fair, the crew certainly had a few studio visits to coordinate. Not to mention the changes in the group’s own lineup. Diplo’s former partner in crime Switch is no more and Skerrit Bwoy’s found God-so it’s over to new members Jillionaire and Walshy Fire to back the super-producer up.

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“In Jamaica and Trinidad, the sound systems represented their various neighbourhoods...That’s one of my favourite things about being a part of Major Lazer: being on a team again.” -JILLIONAIRE

“The album feels like a party, ... at the same time, it’s a concept album about freeing the universe from mental slavery.” - Diplo

walshy speaks WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING APART OF THE MAJOR LAZER SOUND? It’s a natural blessing, I’m a dj at heart who makes music. So working with fellow djs who also make music is an empowering scenario. No one needs to play anyone elses music anymore. We can all play our own, and that’s what Major Lazer is all about; performing not only our own style of music, but also actually our own music. Major Lazer is also not really a sound in the traditional sense of the word. We have dancers, stage diving, cannons, a light show, etc. It’s a concert.

DESCRIBE MAJOR LAZER AND THE JAMAICAN LINK

Walshy Fire of Major Lazer

Major lazer’s Jamaica link is also natural. I’m Jamaican and have been in the industry for 15 years. The other members have been coming to Jamaica for years as well and worked with several artistes over that time.

DESCRIBE THE RECENT TOUR EXPERIENCE & WHY IS THERE SUCH LOVE FOR THE CARIBBEAN AND JAMAICA? Touring was excellent. Watching Chile’s Dancehall Queen completely dominate the stage was just one of the highlights. It’s an undeniably good feeling to see Dancehall and Reggae music on such a high level all over the world. Sometimes to see how it’s perceived by Jamaicans and by non Jamaicans is weird, Jamaicans don’t perceive high class with it. Jamaicans associate dance music with that. So anything that is classy or intelligent in Jamaica usually has a dance music background playing. While you go to Argentina and Reggae is what you’re listening to when you sip wine at their most expensive restaurants. Is it what it is, but it doesn’t have to be that way, and producing the kind of reggae that creates those moods is a part of my personal movement.

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free the universe Sure enough, the sounds of the Caribbean is what Free the Universe is built on: Reggae, Dancehall, Bounce and Moombahton are all represented here in the stylistically expansive tracklist. So armed with an advance album stream, here is a track-by-track run through; some short and sweet verdicts, overall a very good album. ______________________________________ 1. ‘You’re No Good’ Major Lazer clock up no fewer than four collaborators on track number one: in the driver’s seat is Santigold, backed up by Vybz Kartel, Danielle Haim, & Yasmin. So how does it sound? There are guns cocking, rolling drums and Santi White crooning and chanting while Kartel goes at it. 2. ‘Jet Blue Jet’ Here’s where the dancehall kicks in – if you’re still an Original Don diehard, the frenetic Jet Blue Jet will be for you. There’s another four collaborators on board here: Leftside, GTA, Razz & Biggy. Get ready to bounce. 3. ‘Get Free’ A popular track. Amber Coffman of the Dirty Projectors lends vocals for the breezy Reggae track. It’s easy to switch off and just enjoy Get Free, but give those lyrics a closer listen and the political theme shines through. 4. ‘Jah No Partial’ Reggae meets dubstep on the second single Jah No Partial, a track that has been on highrotation. With Flux Pavilion the guest of honour here, it’s typically bass-driven stuff with that signature Major Lazer Caribbean feel. Diplo says it’s a “mad-as-f*ck revolutionary track that’s our homage to classic Prodigy.”

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5. ‘Wind Up’ One of the more electronic numbers on the album – think bleeps, looped and cut-up vocals and rhyming, anthemic refrains. Wind Up marks the distinctly of the for-the-dancefloor end of things. 6. ‘Scare Me’ Enter Peaches: former school teacher, musical provocateur, and now, Major Lazer collaborator. Scare Me marries as-you’d-expect Peaches lyrics and electroclash with a fun and fast dancehall rhythm. 7. ‘Jessica’ Could this be the best track on the whole album? Quite possibly, but you have to decide for yourself. With it’s distorted, dreamy vocals and Koenig’s repeated declarations of devotions to the girl he loves the most, it’s a million years away from Original Don-style Major Lazer and it’s great. 8. ‘Watch Out For This (Bumaye)’ Just incase Jessica isn’t the best on the album then Watch Out For This (Bumaye) might just be. Trumpets blare in the insanely catchy third single, a certifiable moombahton banger. This one’s best with the volume cranked featuring Busy Signal on the vocals. 9. ‘Keep Cool’ How’s this for an odd pair of collaborators: It Wasn’t Me hitmaker Shaggy duets with electro-pop princess Wynter Gordon. But as with all of Major Lazer’s strange-on-paper guest appearances, Diplo really makes it work. The album’s theme is, as Diplo puts it, about freeing the universe from mental slavery. Here, the theme comes in the context of a relationship:

album review “Freedom I can taste it/and the truth I need to face it/I’ve always been dedicated but I can’t anymore”, Gordon sings at Shaggy. It’s enough to make you forget Dirty Talk ever existed.

vocals. It’s soaring, feel good stuff full of the album’s ‘freedom’ theme. When Wyclef belts out “reach for the stars, first you got to have a vision/if you can see it you can be it”.

10. ‘Sweat’ It’s party time again with the appropriatelytitled, moombah cranker Sweat: Laidback Luke’s stepped on for production and Brit noughties star Ms Dynamite’s on vocals, but it still feels like a very Diplo-led affair.

12. ‘Bubble Butt’ This is a song about bubble butts. It’s hard to believe that’s Bruno Mars – he of mum-pleasing tunes like Just The Way You Are and Marry You – commanding “Stick it out/show the world you got a bubble butt”. Then Tyga steps in to take things beyond the realm of the PG: “I ate the p***y fast, now I’m burpin”. File this one under mindless fun.

11. ‘Reach For The Stars’ Talk about juxtaposition: Reach For The Stars, with none other than Wyclef Jean on

13. ‘Mashup the Dance’ For the album’s penultimate track, it’s a lot of fast-talking laid down over a slow bopping beat. Mashup the Dance made an appearance in Major Lazer’s Holy Ship! set, which should a pretty big tip off about what sort of song this is: one to party to. It might not be an album standout, but it’s nonetheless effective. 14. ‘Playground’ It’s all out Reggae on the impressive album closer Playground. Like the whole of Free the Universe, this is compelling and damn near impossible to fault stuff.

NOW GO FREE THE UNIVERSE FOR YOURSELF! JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

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JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

WARDROBE RE-MIX! By: Shonique D. Thomas

MIX & MINGLE

I never quite understood why girls found shame in “repeating clothes.” That’s one of the fun parts about fashion – getting as many looks as possible out of your wardrobe! The key is learning how to mix-and-match – try pairing items of clothing together that you previously wouldn’t have considered. Learning how to accessorize is also important – very useful in bringing an outfit together and making it more cohesive. When you get really good at remixing, you’ll be able to take an outfit from day to night! Here are a few basic examples:

KEY ELEMENTS • Navy blue & teal polka dot shorts

A 60

DAY:

• Bright yellow cardigan • Red skinny belt • Red flats

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• Mint tank top

NIGHT:

• Teal oversized blazer • Teal Mary-Jane heels

KEY ELEMENTS • Neon yellow peplum top • Multi-coloured abstract print wedge heels

• Coloured statement necklace • Jade tap shorts

• Sky blue skinny belt • White distressed denim (cuffed)

KEY ELEMENTS • Tiger print muscle tee • Black with gold studs

DAY:

• High waist light denim distressed shorts (Thrifted) • Black fedora hat • Black satchel with gold studs • Black flats with gold studs • Black skinny belt with gold studs

NIGHT: • Black leather jacket with gold studs and chains • Black leather leggings with mesh Inserts • Black platform wedges with gold studs

JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

KEY ELEMENTS • Black multi-coloured flower print blazer

• Aquamarine bodycon dress • Black Mary Jane heels

• Mint lace crop top • Black high waist shorts with leather inserts • Mustard yellow bow heels

By: Shonique D. Thomas | Twitter: @She_isKING | Instagram: She_isKing | Tumblr: caughtupinmyreverie.tumblr.com

Zola

Culture Crossing + Zumba

JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

Zola + Culture Crossing

dance but was also on a much bigger mission to represent Latin American music and dance in Germany. Since then Zola’s written, performed and choreographed her own songs and dances, started dance projects for underprivileged teens and she’s won several dance competitions solo, as a choreographer and as a crew dancer too. But one of her biggest steps was when she came across new genres like Dancehall, RnB and Reggae that influenced her music and dance on new levels. After completing her Bachelors in English and Spanish Philosophy and Pedagogy, Zola continued with a Masters in Latin American Studies which led her to the Caribbean and eventually welcomed her to Jamrock. She was so fascinated by our culture and musical landscape she decided to base her Masters thesis on the same. However, her 2011 trip for a two week stay in Jamaica to research Peter Ashbourne’s and Rosina Moder’s “Reggae Opera” has turned into 7 months as she still continues to get wrapped up in the diverse Jamaican culture while taking her own unique style across new boundaries.

ranziska Adriazola, better known as just Zola, is a certified Zumba instructor, accomplished dancer, choreographer and get this-she sings too. Being born in Leipzig Germany then migrating and spending her childhood in Chile, Zola started mixing cultures together from very early on in her life. She started dancing on her own from an early stage too. At the age of 15, she migrated back to Germany to study

MAY 2013 | JAE Magazine

While she’s been on the rock, Zola’s performed as a singer and dancer with The Ashe’ Company, live at Redbones Blues Café and made appearances on Hype TV, TVJ and Smile Jamaica. She’s even taken Zumba to a whole new level for Jamaica, being the first foreign Zumba Instructor to give a Zumba Master class. In between all of that, she’s working on her multilingual music album “Chilled Germaican” that reflects he intense mixture of Chilean, German and Jamaican influences as well as her overlapping love for Reggae, Dancehall, RnB and Reggaeton.

Zumba

+ Zola 8 Reasons to pick up Zumba 1. It’s a huge calorie burner! 2. Zumba tones your whole body, head to toe.

3. Zumba is all dance, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in dancing.

4. You can do it no matter your age. 5. It’s a great way to relieve stress. 6. You can change things up depending on your fitness level.

7. It gives you a greater awareness of your body. (You’ll be sore in places you didn’t even know you had).

8. Zumba is just a lot of fun. You’ll

definitely walk out happier than when you came in. JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

SIMPLE HEALTH tips Your food and physical activity choices each day affect your health â&#x20AC;&#x201D; how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. These tips and ideas are a starting point. You will find a wealth of suggestions here that can help you get started toward a healthy diet. Choose a change that you can make today, and move toward a healthier you.

Drink Cranberry Juice Cranberries contain a substance that appears to keep bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract and has been shown to help prevent UTIs. Because cranberry cocktail is high in sugar, drink unsweetened juice diluted with water or take capsules of powdered cranberry extract.

Drink Mint Tea Ease occasional indigestion by sipping a cup of peppermint tea after your meal. Peppermint improves the flow of bile, which moves food through the digestive tract more quickly. Use peppermint with caution if you have acid reflux; it can make that problem worse.

Eat Broccoli For healthy gums, put this green vegetable on your grocery list. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an excellent source of vitamin C and provides calcium as well, both of which have been linked to lower rates of periodontal disease.

Have Some Honey Research suggests that honey may be more effective than over-the-counter cough syrup at quelling nighttime coughing. Use a medicinal-grade variety such as manuka honey and take up to 2 teaspoonfuls at bedtime.

MAY 2013 | JAE Magazine

Get a Massage Certain trigger points - spots of tension in musculoskeletal tissue -- can cause back pain. Ask a massage therapist or other bodyworker who specializes in myofascial release or neuromuscular therapy to focus on these points during a massage.

UWISERT

More than an Emergency Medical Service

Residence since its inception; however UWISERT is more than Emergency Medical Services. The Public Health Committee is also a very active and integral part of UWISERT. Major activities include; the University’s Annual December World HIV/AIDS week which culminates with their hosting of Red Ribbon Café, the Annual Health in April and UWI’s biannual blood collection drive held in conjunction with the UWI health center. The Public Health Committee has also been active in organizing a series of food and clothing drives for the underprivileged.

UWISERT is a non-profit, volunteer, student-run and student-managed professional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Public Health organization providing basic medical care to the UWI Mona Campus and community. The Emergency Medical Services Committee has traditionally been the most visible and popular aspect of our services. With the assistance of various members of the medical community UWISERT trains and certifies emergency medical responders. UWISERT responders are available from 6pm to 6am on weekdays and for the entire weekend during the school year. UWISERT responders also attend most sporting events on campus to treat injuries that arise. In addition to their training these responders function under the guidance of the medical director and are trained and equipped to rapidly and safely transport patients to the UHWI emergency room when needed. Over the last 9 years UWISERT has trained well over 500 people in basic first aid and CPR, many of whom have been able to take these essential skills back to their communities. UWISERT has treated thousands of patients at various Sporting Events and the Mona Campus Halls of

In April 2012, they launched their most significant public health education initiative to date: our First Annual ‘EMS Week and CPR Day’ with our ‘HandsOnly CPR’ campaign. Championed by the American Heart Association (AHA) and British Heart Foundation (BHF); Hands-Only CPR is recommended for use by the general public and has been proven just as effective as traditional CPR. UWISERT is perhaps one of the first organizations in Jamaica and indeed CARICOM to not only recognize the lifesaving value of ‘Hands-Only CPR’, given the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in our region, but also one of the first organizations to launch such a campaign. UWISERT was founded on Rex Nettleford Hall in 2004 by two medical students Arlington Lightbourne and Trevor Bygrave and Dr. P. Jason Toppin. It also got critical support from Ms. Donna Mae Jackson and Dr. Winsome Segree. UWISERT’s headquarters are on the Rex Nettleford Hall, UWISERT’s ultimate goal is to support the development of emergency medical services throughout the region and to increase the capacity of the wider community to assist in providing care.

JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

Event Planning and Execution with

MSW Events

SW Events, an Event Planning and Execution Company with a difference, piloted by event planning guru, Monique Walcott, has been planning fabulous soirees, both locally and internationally, for the past six years. Monique Walcott is a natural in the event planning industry and because of this ‘born to do it’ character and impeccable meticulousness, she has strengthened her ability to create, plan and execute unparalleled events. “The secret to a successful event is exceptional attention to detail,” states Walcott. Nobody knows this better than Walcott and her team of event coordinators, who are all trained in Event Planning and Management, Marketing Coordination, Décor and Interior Design and further facets of Media and Arts; from baby showers, super sweet sixteen celebrations to significant life milestones, clients can rest assured that every ‘T’ will be crossed and every ‘I’ will be dotted. In addition to MSW Events’ contemporary and elegant style for planning, the team brings unique creativity and a nous of personalization while interminably organizing events without fail, as was evident in the Mystic Moonlight Event Series in St. Ann, with the contributions to the Jamaica 50 Celebrations held in 2012 at the National Stadium being a part of the coordination team, producing efficacious product launches for popular companies such as Guardian Life Limited and executing

MAY 2013 | JAE Magazine

several celebrity weddings under their portfolio. Nevertheless, MSW Events continues to sustain their standard of client-company privilege. Ever the innovators, MSW has recently decided to offer chic, economical wedding packages for the sophisticated yet subtle duo under their “Weddings on a Budget” portfolio. Through a partnership with the picture-perfect Rio Nuevo Village in St. Ann, lovers and their families will enjoy the unforgettable experience of tying the knot with Jamaica’s gorgeous countryside as a backdrop without breaking the bank. The event planners also manage external bookings for the Rio Nuevo Village. Since its establishment, MSW Events has operated from the MSW office in Kingston at 7 Grosvenor Terrace in Manor Park (Kingston 8), and has executed in other parishes as well as outside of Jamaica. The team has learnt through perseverance and solidarity that all events are conceivable. Like MSW Events on Facebook at fb.com/MSWEvents and follow on Twitter and Instagram @MSWEvents. Call (876) 446-2059 or e-mail at mswplanners@gmail.

JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

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MAY 2013 | JAE Magazine

JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

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The team at rope-een.com has again put together some options they recommend for visit. The picks include a variety of food, entertainment, chill and romance spots. Enjoy the selections and you can share your experiences with them on facebook (fb.com/rope.een).

Houseboat Grill Montego-Bay

ELEGANT / ROMANTIC / DINING The Houseboat Grill is an elegant and romantic dining option on the outskirts of Montego Bay.

he setting for this unusual and very laid-back restaurant is a houseboat built around 1960 that floats at permanent anchor from a pier beside Freeport Road. The restaurant can be found moored at the Montego Bay Freeport Village, overlooking the Bogue Lagoon. The restaurant is in a converted houseboat, with tables inside, on the roof and around the decking. Seated outside you can enjoy the marvelous scenery of the hills surrounding Montego Bay. As you arrive

MAY 2013 | JAE Magazine

at the Houseboat you need to be ferried across to the restaurant on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;floating bridgeâ&#x20AC;? which traverses the 10 foot of water between the land and the restaurant. The Houseboat Grill offers a small, specially selected, Caribbean fusion menu which is constantly being updated. When lobster is on the menu you can choose your lobster from a pen which is set in to the floor of the restaurant with a glass lid. There is also a bar on the roof, overlooking the lagoon, which is popular with well heeled Montegonians.

rope-een recommendations

Lucky 38

The Deck

38 Old Hope Road

14 Trafalgar Road, Kgn 5

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

Fromage

8 Hillcrest Ave

BAR / CHILL

SPIRITS / WINE Just by stepping through the doors of Fromage Gourmet Market you will get a feel, and by extension, literally a taste of France.

JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

rope-een recommendations

Fuzion House

Sovereign North Plaza, 29 Barbican Rd.-Bay

Uncorked

Sovereign North Plaza, 29 Barbican Rd.-Bay

BAR / LOUNGE / FOOD & DINING A mixture of Chinese, Japanese, and Mediterranean, with a little Jamaican.

WINES/SNACKS/GIFTS Kingstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier wine, cheese and speciality food shop, recently moved to a more spacious location.

Look out for other recommendations next time around.

MAY 2013 | JAE Magazine

JAE Magazine | MAY 2013

MAY 2013 | JAE Magazine