Caribbean Times 12.02.2016

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20 MUSIC Caribbean Times | December 1-14, 2016 Christianity/Rastafarian song by Sasha/ By Anthony Turner One of the hottest songs currently making the rounds on reggae radio in Jamaica is 'Sticky Situation' that was recorded by reggae turn gospel artiste Sasha and Rastafarian DJ Chuck Fenda. The song is a playful banter that talks about a possible relationship between the two and the conflicts that could accompanies such a union. 'Yes it is a controversial song but it is a real situation that many people face that we need to talk about' Sasha told Caribbean Times. In explaining how the song materialized Sasha said 'Me and Chuck Fenda link up and started reasoning about doing a song together and I came up with the idea about the subject Christianity/Rastafarian. We went into the studio and hooked Chuck Fenda Stirs Controversy up with Marvin and Black Pearl the producers and we created the tune" she noted. "If you really look in the churches, 80 percent of the congregation are females, 15 percent are married men and 5 percent are single men. When single christian women go out there and face the world, they meet men with different beliefs and different cultures....Knowing the Church and the principles, I believe that with God, all things are possible. Just maybe that individual can be taught the way of Christianity and have a change of heart if given a chance rather than shutting the door on them. I am basically putting a mike under a situation that many people face and they are afraid to talk about. People fall in love and their beliefs keep them separated" she reasoned. In 2004 Sasha had one of the biggest tracks globally with "I'm Still In Love With You," a duet with Sean Paul for his Dutty Rock album on Atlantic Records. I am basically putting a mike under a situation that many people face and they are afraid to talk about. People fall in love and their beliefs keep them separated. The song topped reggae charts and peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Sasha recently returned from performances in Canada, England, Italy and Dubai. She is currently in Jamaica recording tracks for a soon to be completed new album. Parang in the diaspora By Gerry Hopkin, JD Parang, Soca Parang and Chutney Parang, are seasonal, folk musical genres of the southern Caribbean, annually performed, listened to and danced to, from the beginning of October to the end of December. Uniquely orchestrated in Trinidad and Tobago initially, as a result of the influence of the Spaniards who governed from 1498 to 1797, as well as through contact with Venezuelans who migrated to this twin-island state in the 19th century, this genre has evolved and bifurcated. Soca Parang and Chutney Parang, evolved from Parang, while incorporating other musical influences, thus making it a rich confluence of rhythms, harmonizations, orchestrations, storytelling, expressive gestures and dance moves. The English lyrics of the Soca Parang and Chutney Parang, are not always centered on the purpose of the season (the nativity), which tends to be the case with the mostly Biblical, Spanish lyrics of original Parang. Nevertheless, Soca and Chutney Parang stylistically maintain most of the basic musical structures of Parang with some variations, while they both generally impart melodious narratives about the merriment of the season and the current ‘brango’ happenings of local life. In fact, the word “Parang” is derived from “Parranda,” a Spanish word meaning “merrymaking.” In the Caribbean today, Parang, Soca Parang and Chutney Parang are most evident in Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada (especially in Carriacou), Venequela, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados and Guyana; while in the Diaspora, these genres are enjoyed especially in New York, mostly by Trinidadians, Gre- “So get your dancing shoes ready, along with the ham, the black cake, the pastels, the bun, the rum, the ginger beer and the sorrel -- as we Parang our way to Christmas, without forgetting the reason for the season.” nadians, Vincentians and Bajans, who collectively perpetuate the religiosity, the sweetness and the niceness of these genres. Simply put, Parang and Pa- Continued on page 21
SPORTS Controversial sports program may be linked to lawyer’s assassination 21 Caribbean Times | December 1-14, 2016 PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- In June 2012, the former People's Partnership government in Trinidad and Tobago, led by then prime minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar, launched a program called “Rio 2016: The Journey Begins Now”, which was drafted and created by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee and then advisor to the prime minister, Gary Griffith, to assist local athletes representing Trinidad and Tobago in the Rio Olympics. However, the entire design and implementation of the program changed when the project was handed over to the ministry of sport, resulting in the then minister of sport, Anil Roberts, taking the program to help and educate underprivileged young men in society, under a new name: Lifesport. What started out as a worthy and benevolent social program was transformed by questionable management into a vehicle for murders, money laundering of hundreds of millions of dollars of state funds and financing of criminals by government for illegal purposes. Now it appears that the 2014 assassination of prominent local lawyer, former senator Dana Seetahal, may be linked to individuals financed by the Lifesport program, which was riddled with claims of criminals running the program and hundreds of millions of dollars being diverted to criminals to purchase arms and contraband -- some of the many issues that Seetahal was investigating. Seetahal was a former state prosecutor, senior counsel, a down to earth individual, a woman who made everyone she interacted with feel special, a prosecutor who developed one of the strongest legal portfolios in Trinidad and Tobago by heading some of the highest profile cases in the nation, but at the same time developing a list of potential, political and powerful enemies. Her frequently expressed and strongly held principles resonated with many in Trinidad and Tobago, especially in relation to extreme inequality, which corrupts politics, hinders economic growth and stifles social mobility; it fuels crimes and violent conflicts; it touches a moral nerve in threatening the very existence of mankind, the very health of democracies. When political and economic power is captured by weak elites, they undermine the institutions necessary for a fair and unbiased society. Critically, the rapid rise The late Dana Seetahal of extreme economic inequality stands in the way of eliminating global poverty. On May 3, 2014, minutes before midnight, security video footage showed Seetahal leaving the Ma Pau Casino, nestled among other bars, clubs and eateries in the middle class environment of Woodbrook, Port of Spain. She was a frequent visitor to the casino, as one of her very few forms of relaxation. Driving her Volkswagen Toureg SUV, Seetahal headed towards Wrightson Road in Port of Spain and her apartment in One Woodbrook Place. However, her short drive home was interrupted when a Nissan Wingroad wagon suddenly stopped in front of her, coming to an abrupt stop in front of the Woodbrook youth facility on Hamilton Holder Street, a complex of mainly grey buildings with a basketball court and soccer field. A panel van pulled alongside Seetahal’s Volkswagen and two men emerged, one carrying a pistol and the other a 5.56 calibre assault rifle. This high powered rifle is a weapon used by NATO forces and is designed exclusively for military use. Seetahal was shot five times. Twice in the head, twice on her right forearm, which she lifted to protect herself, and once in the chest. She was shot at such close range that there was visible gunshot residue on her face. The quiet neighbourhood was shocked out of bed by the sounds of crackling gunfire. At 12:05 am on May 4, 2014, Seetahal was dead, the victim of a brutal murder described as a local JFK assassination. A mathematician has theorised that, Continued on page 26 PARANG Continued from page 20 ranging, are to Christmas in Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, what traditional carols and community caroling are to Christmas in America. Today, Parang shows have become an anticipated feature of the Christmas experience in New York and elsewhere for Parang lovers, thanks to a great extent to the organizing contributions of Trinidadian-American, Thomas “Captain” Jacobs, his colleagues and other like-minded promoters. Thirty years ago, Jacobs forged the establishment of the Brooklyn Parang Association, which stages Parang and Soca Parang shows annually, in conjunction with the collective known as Five Boro Parang Lovers. According to Jacobs, the objective is “to maintain a sense of cultural continuity and connection” for Caribbean Parang lovers living in the Diaspora. Dubbed “The Original Parang Festival-Wild Meat Style,” this year’s show is carded for December 3rd, at Tropical Paradise Ballroom in Brooklyn. This year, one of the hottest Caribbean bands playing Parang and Soca Parang in Brooklyn is Todo En Uno Caribeño (All in One Caribbean), led by Lennox Picou and Merlita London-Picou, who back in late October released the song, “We Paranging,” which very quickly became one of the best 2016 Soca Parang hits in Trinidad & Tobago. This song was produced by Lennox, with lyrics written by Barnett “Preacher” Henry, and arrangements done by Dr. Leston Paul. The background singers are Cheryl Vincent (aka Cheryl V) and Keith “Designer” Prescott. Over the years, several bands and solo artistes singing Parang and it’s derivative genres, have graced audiences in New York. This list has included the likes of Todo En Uno Caribeño, Los Tocadores, San Jose Serenaders, Los Pajaros, Lara Brothers, Parang Queen Daisy Voisin with La Divina Pastora, Las Reinas de La Cancion Parang Band, King Ajamu, Adesh Samaroo, Toronto Scrunter, Lennox Picou, Cheryl V and Merlita London-Picou. Todo En Uno Caribeño will be doing a live performance on December 3rd, at the Royal Empress Banquet Hall in Queens. “So get your dancing shoes ready, along with the ham, the black cake, the pastels, the bun, the rum, the ginger beer and the sorrel -- as we Parang our way to Christmas, without forgetting the reason for the season,” says Caribbean Times publisher, Mike Babwar, himself a parrandero.
Page 1 and 2: Times Times One People Under The Su
Page 3 and 4: NEWS 3 Extrajudicial killings in Ja
Page 5 and 6: 5 Medical-Surgical Foot Center Spec
Page 7 and 8: NEWS 7 Caribbean welcomes 2.1 milli
Page 9 and 10: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 9 WHY SO MUCH
Page 11 and 12: HEALTH 11 What Prince Harry could t
Page 13 and 14: 13 PROMOTE YOURSELF, YOUR BUSINESS
Page 15 and 16: 15 Caribbean Times | December 1-14,
Page 17 and 18: ENTERTAINMENT 17 Caribbean Times |
Page 19: 19 Trinbago Express SHIPPING SERVIC
Page 23 and 24: NEWS 23 Students from Dominica and
Page 25 and 26: AWARDS Continued from page 23 Ramki
Page 27 and 28: 27 KINGS AUTO REPAIR BRAKES | SUSPE

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