NEWS

A NEW DIRECTION FOR KES THE BAND

THE BAND, NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT, PREPARES TO RELEASE A LIVE ALBUM AND TO EXPAND THEIR PRESENCE GLOBALLY

WORDS | MIA CADETTE

Kes The Band, best known for songs such is the release of their first live studio album, We as Wotless, Hello, Savannah Grass and Home, in a partnership with Ineffable Records as Stage Gone Bad (with Iwer George), the imprint's first ever soca release. This album has have recently undergone some exciting been borne out of this extraordinary situation that changes. Aiming to expand their international has forced all of us to stop and think about things presence, they have signed with management in a different light. This period has given many of us duo Damon Degraff and Evan Vogel, who are well the time to innovate, be different, and be home… known in the industry for their years of experience and through this the band has captured soca music in launching global artists and brands using in 2020, along with “calypso-inspired melodies, unorthodox approaches. rock riffs and island beats, with hints of reggae”.

Degraff and Vogel plan to bring the band’s soca Kes said, “We miss the energy we get from you sounds into mainstream culture - bringing joy to all when we're on stage and wanted to share the listeners. “With the world going through so many vibes we feel when we're performing. We hope challenges, we believe Kes’ music can bring about this album captures that feeling, and gives us all more unity and positive energy. We are honoured something to look forward to when we could jam to be a part of this next chapter,” say the team. Lead once more.” singer Kes outlined the importance of working We Home will be available to purchase from with a new team who, “share our vision”. various digital platforms, from Friday 28 August

The first step in this journey for Kes The Band 2020.

NEWS

NAILAH ENTERS THE ACADEMY

This year is proving to be another successful one for soca superstar Nailah Blackman, as she's invited to become a member of the Recording Academy’s ‘Class of 2020’. The Recording Academy, which organises the annual Grammy Awards, announced that she is one of the 2,300 musicians, singers, producers and engineers from across the world being invited into the organisation this year.

Once a member, she will be eligible to vote in next year’s Grammy awards, scheduled for January 31, 2021, and to submit her work for consideration. Another amongst the 2020 invitees is rapper and Grammy winner Lil Nas X.

The 2020 Class is one of the Recording Academy’s most diverse, made up of 48% male and 51% female invitees; 51% are under the age of 39.

In a statement on the academy’s website, Chairman and Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr said, “The diverse talents of our music people have never been more relevant and important. We’re constantly reminded of the powerful role music can play in bringing us together, and we’re so excited for our new members to join us on this journey as we strive to give back to music as much as it gives to us."

Blackman, granddaughter of soca creator Ras Shorty I, expressed her excitement and gratitude on social media. RD

ARTS OF CONFLICT - THE DISCOURSE OF NOTTING HILL

London’s Notting Hill Carnival is coming under increasing pressure and attacks from the British press, politicians, police and local residents who consider it an event of conflict.

That was the picture decades ago – and little has changed. This film is the story of that controversial event, from its inception after the 1950s London race riots to its present-day controversies, where it’s still perceived as a carnival of violence.

Focusing on its arts and the darker past from which Notting Hill Carnival emerged, Arts of Conflict seeks to open up a conversation about Carnival’s significance and its origins.

Arts of Conflict may be viewed on Amazon Prime at https://amzn.to/2PnE9m4

NEWS

BUNJI GARLIN AND FAY-ANN LYONS’ FILM DEBUT

Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons-Alverez made the leap from stage to silver screen on July 31, which saw their their debut appearance in the film Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison, a spin-off from Trini-American actor Romany Malco’s series Prison Logic. The movie tells the story of Tijuana Jackson’s quest to become a world-renowned motivational speaker.

Malco, who has had roles in hit movies and TV shows such as 40-year-Old Virgin and Weeds, plays the title character. Also appearing are actor Regina Hall and reality star Tami Roman. Bunji plays the part of Upgrade, Tijuana Jackson’s best friend, whilst Fay-Ann portrays a prison guard working in an inmate reform program.

The 'First Couple of Soca' filmed their roles in March 2017, after Malco reached out to them. Bunji reflected on his time on set in an Instagram post: “@fayannlyons and I had fun with the team out in LA for this one and warning this movie IS NOT FAMILY friendly LOLOL. Plus the straight Trini cussing is the spice Lololol. Have fun and be safe. Much love and thanks brother Romany for having us and letting the Trini side shine bright.”

Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison may be streamed from various platforms, including iTunes, Amazon and Google Play. RD

CARNIVAL IN A BOX

Carnival in a Box is a new, free online website showcasing Carnival arts and culture - in this year when carnivals everywhere have been cancelled. With so many elements of our lives being delivered in cardboard boxes, the project’s creators began to wonder what might be delivered in a box of Carnival.

The team are collecting videos from carnival artists and bands to produce an online parade and virtual gala, adding activities that will bring Carnival home. Also included are music, animation and exciting, experimental, AR (augmented reality).

Alongside the #NHCathome online Notting Hill Carnival, they’re helping to keep the Spirit of Carnival alive and bringing Carnival home this summer. You even have the opportunity to take part; if you would like to send them a video showcasing your work, please email: contact@ carnivalinabox.co.uk

NEWS

ANGOSTURA® LAUNCHES COCOA BITTERS

Angostura’s latest product, ANGOSTURA® Cocoa Bitters, was launched on 29 July in Port of Spain, Trinidad, after years of continuous research and trials. The ANGOSTURA® team, led by Master Blender Carol Homer-Caesar, created the perfect recipe for this latest product using T&T’s indigenous and Trinitario cocoa. Ms. Homer-Caesar said, “We believe our locally cultivated Trinitario cocoa delivers a far superior flavour profile to other geographic regions. Our hope is that our new, expertly crafted, cocoa bitters inspires people to create their own signature cocktail and food recipes to savour and enjoy with family and friends.”

The new product is described as containing top notes of rich, floral and nutty cocoa, combined with an intoxicating infusion of aromatic botanicals and crafted to inspire creativity and experimentation with flavour combinations. It can be used to remix classic cocktails, put a luxurious spin on a main dish or augment a dessert. The bitters pairs perfectly with sweet vermouth or aged spirits like whiskey, rum, cognac and tequila, whilst bringing new layers of depth and complexity to cocktails such as the classic espresso martini. ANGOSTURA® cocoa bitters can innovate your creations.

This timeless brand, which has been flavouring the world for 196 years, has seized an opportunity to inspire mixologists, drinks enthusiasts and home chefs, hoping to ignite their creativity and address an appetite for authenticity and natural ingredients.

ANGOSTURA® cocoa bitters will be exported to several markets, including the UK and Europe. It will also be sold in the USA, where in the introductory phase it will be placed in over 1,200 Walmart stores. DC

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NEWS

EQUIANO-THE WORLD’S FIRST AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN RUM

Global Rum Ambassador, Ian Burrell, and Foursquare’s Richard Seale are on a mission to redefine a four-centuryold industry with unique blends of rum from around the world; Seale is one of the co-creators of Equiano. Described as perfect for mixing, sipping, and savouring, on the nose it delivers tropical warmth alongside notes of dried fruits, such as raisins, combined with sweet toffee, butterscotch, and caramel. Equiano finishes on a medium sweet note with touches of oak, anise, sweet pepper and a hint of bitter orange peel.

Olaudah Equiano was an African entrepreneur, author and abolitionist who was enslaved in Africa, sent to the Caribbean, then sold into England; he eventually bought his freedom by saving the profit he’d made from selling rum. His 1789 autobiography was one of the earliest books published by a Black African writer, and a bestseller in the UK. More importantly, his story contributed to the abolition of slavery.

Of the eponymous rum, Burrell said, “Equiano is an exclusive rum uniquely created by blending two cultures. We take Cognac cask aged rums from Africa and send them to Barbados to be blended

with local aged rums. Once bottled, the final product is sent to the UK. This is a long journey, but an important one as it echoes the path of our namesake, Equiano; this is why we celebrate his name with our rum. This is also why we are donating 5% of our profits to ground level charities that fight for freedom and equality.”

Equiano is a limited batch blend from one of the best emerging distilleries in the world, Gray’s in Mauritius, and the world-renowned Barbadian distillery Foursquare. Bringing these two rum purists together means that Equiano is 100% natural rum, with no spices, colourants, additives or added sugar.

Completely uncompromised, all the rich and deep flavours come from the ex-Cognac and exBourbon casks in which the rum tropically matures, creating an exquisite, modern and matured spirit that is totally unique.

Ian Burrell described it as, “An unadulterated rum that is best appreciated the way that YOU like to drink your spirits. Neat, on the rocks, with your favourite mixer or in a cocktail, this is a rum that you'll discover, enjoy and then share.”

NEWS

FROM CROWN TO COURT

Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, despite her mere 27 years, already has a remarkable trail of successes behind her - across multiple arenas. A former winner of Miss Universe GB, model and track athlete, this young woman recently qualified as a lawyer before diving into Anguillan politics.

In 2018, Kentish-Rogers was crowned Miss Universe GB, making her the first Black winner of the pageant since it began in 1952. Aware of the scale of this achievement, she told Newsbeat at the time: “Now that I’ve won the pageant, I’ve come to the realisation that I’ve not only won the pageant as Dee-Ann, but as a black woman.”

Kentish-Rogers entered this British beauty competition as a dark-skinned woman with dreadlocks. In response to being asked whether she would consider taking down or straightening her hair for the competition, to avoid association with negative connotations attached to having dreadlocks, she refused, saying, “I felt it was very important for me to represent my cultural identity and to represent myself on this platform.” As a result of her strength in this, Kentish-Rogers said that she received several messages after the pageant from others with locs, saying that her win feels like “a win for them”.

Subsequently, Kentish-Rogers qualified as a barrister, before standing for election in Anguilla

for the Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM). She defeated Victor Banks, the long-standing political leader of Anguilla United Front (AUF), in the Valley South constituency and, after the APM won the general election in June 2020, she became the Honourable Minister of Social Development and Education. MC

SMALL AXE

Small Axe, an anthology series developed by Oscar-winning writer and director Steve McQueen, will be released later this year; the first episode is in remembrance of the 1970 Mangrove March. Set in the late 1960s to the mid 1980s, Small Axe, which consists of five hour-long stories, focuses on the profound experiences of London’s Caribbean community - heavily defined as they were by the need for constant resilience amidst experiences of racist opposition and discrimination.