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Jana Closes The Year With A Bang
The Sunday Gleaner,
December 29, 2002
Chaos, Freelance Writer
Jamaica had an
interesting year where genres outside of reggae,
dancehall and jazz are concerned. Rock reggae band
Downstairs had an up and down year, with performances
that ranged from woeful at the now defunct Colours
Lounge on Molynes Road to excellent during their `Statik`
series of rock-rave parties, first at the Golden Dragon
in Liguanea then at the Chelsea Hotel in New Kingston.
The band is now writing songs for their sophomore album.
A depleted Soul Case put
in a rare appearance at this year`s Calabash Literary
Festival in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, in June, as
did Zinc Fence, which was largely inactive for the late
half of 2002. The group also performed at the `Mind,
Body and Soul Retreat` in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, in July
and the `Bob Marley Karaoke Night, Fashion Show and Ital
Food Festival` in February.
Suzanne Couch was
relatively quiet, with usual understated performances at
the `Miss Jamaica World` coronation and at the Village
Cafe as she promoted her latest CD Lifeline. The same
was true for Della Manley, who had a beautiful show at
Redbones and is working on the songs for her next
release. Jana Bent closed the year with a bang,
releasing her second album Shadow Girl, as well as
recording with deejay Bounty Killer. David Madden
introduced `cyber-ska` in October to positive response.
Mile High had a number of
sterling performances, such as at The Jamaica Beer
Society`s annual `Oktoberfest`, which also featured an
appearance by German polka band Nobody`s Perfekt. Mile
High also experienced something of a line-up change,
with Wayne McGregor leaving because of his law career
and being replaced by Paul Chan. McGregor, however,
still continues to play. The band recently released the
single For You, which was recorded with deejay Royale.
Venues came and went.
Jason Morris of Mile High opened the Colours Lounge at
the Olympia Crowne Hotel, but it was hurt by its Molynes
Road, St. Andrew, location, since people were not
comfortable going there. What used to be Harry`s Bar on
Constant Spring Road, also in St. Andrew, is now the
Weekendz Bar & Bistro and has so far hosted a number of
poetry sessions. The Village Cafe in Liguanea, St.
Andrew, emerged as one of the hottest places of the
moment, especially with their `Open Microphone` Tuesday
nights.
Redbones the Blues Cafe
is popular, with regular literature and poetry-themed
nights, as well as hosting a number of live acts such as
Marcus I and Jana Bent. The cafe's `Movie Night`
also offers an alternative to Palace Amusement's fare.
Carlos` Cafe featured Andrew McIntyre and Andru Donalds
yesterday. The Asylum Nightclub staged a number of
`rave` nights, while the Smirnoff Experience delivered
house and techno music to local parties. Ratio 5:1 took
on a additional dimension, with rock being added to the
event which was staged last Friday.
As stated, it was
an interesting year that promises even more developments
in 2003.
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