ON LOCATION.

Sandals Emerald Bay....Location Location Location.

2010-04-01T15:40:00.013-04:00

Click on the Images to view the Photo Album.

I think if they put a wooden shack up on this site, the newest property in the Sandals chain, it would have been enough. Well perhaps that's an exaggeration but truth be told, it is really quite hard not to break out into a wide grin when you pass through the absolutely gorgeous lobby, stroll past the massive signature pool (measuring a whopping half an acre!) and venture onto the white sandy beaches and into the turquoise waters that border this resort. I mean seriously, notwithstanding whatever realities await you back home, the mere fact that you could find yourself in this place means that something, somewhere must be A-Ok in your life.

It was an unseasonably chilly weekend when I took the 90 minute flight from Fort Lauderdale airport to Exuma International - the dot of an airport that awaits you in the Exumas. The airport itself is beyond quaint and having passed through the roughly 400 sq feet that took me from arrivals to immigration and on through baggage claim and customs. I was immediately whisked off to Sandals Emerald Bay.

It is remarkable to think that this homegrown, Caribbean brand has taken over a property that no lesser than 'the' Four Seasons had tried and failed to make a success since opening their doors in 2004. So what precisely is "wrong" with the property one might ask? With something like US$15 Million spent in renovations since they took over in November 2009, exactly nothing as far as my eyes could see. From the beautiful, exquisitely appointed lobby, to the charming , cozy and authentic English Pub (playfully named The Drunken Duck) which was built, disassembled and transported from the UK.....and then reassembled by the same crew that built it on site... little or no expense has been spared in getting this property Sandals-ized. There are 5 dining options from the chi-chi Italian cuisine of Il Cielo to the tasty wood-fired oven pizza of Dino's Pizzeria, and with 24/7 room service available via your trusty butler cell, going hungry or thirsty is never an issue.

I can well imagine some arrogant Four Seasons stalwarts indignant that this property is now part of the chain who's tagline boasts "luxury-included" but the truth is from the attentive butlers (the entire resort is butler only), to the charismatic maitre'd at the signature Il Cielo (he's extremely personable and very very good) restaurant to a decor that boasts muted colours, luxurious woods and finishes and incredibly comfortable beds they really have spared little expense in the decor and outfitting. Even the carefully manicured grounds attest to the care and attention that are paid to the 'little details'.

So while you could theoretically, luxuriate in your room or sit by any of the 3-4 pools scattered around the property (including the "quiet pool" - perfect if you have a particularly garrulous plus 1) being waited on hand and foot by your personal butler -- the sheer beauty of the location DEMANDS that you get out and about.... I took an Island Routes speedboat tour around the Exumas which was great fun. I am really not one for 'structured outings' but the father and son crew were extremely personable and I quite enjoyed my tour-cum Bahamas history lesson! At one point it was truly heroic when he leapt off the boat and re-emerged with a gorgeous starfish in his hands.......he seemed to ignore me when I suggested he do the same with the sting ray that was swimming nearby however...go figure! Quite remarkable was the fact that you could actually, in a depth over his standing height, see all the way down to the bottom of the ocean floor well enough to recognize a starfish.

I must say I never thought I could be impressed by coconut trees. While many of us scratch our heads about what the future holds in these uncertain economic times, we ventured upon an island whose sole purpose is to grow coconut trees for the well-heeled who will be building their palatial (Exuma) getaway homes on yet another island; and I thought that ordering that fancy Sake at Sushi Samba was over-indulgent! These 'economically challenged' souls had apparently 'pooled' their resources to purchase the Coconut Tree island and then had these trees brought in and planted.....next I will hear that the coconut water is being sold as 'organic'!

As beautiful a property as this is, I was taken aback by the golf course. Aside from being picture perfect it is simply NOT for the faint of heart. I am not a particularly good golfer except for the swing at the tee box -- I am REALLY quite good at that...(that "particularly" is really taking liberties...LOL but hey).....anyway....this course is beautiful but it's also amusing in a cynical way. I mean no offense to Greg Norman but I would pay to watch him play this course and get par. Not only are some of the holes incredibly long but when you factor in the wind and the size of the various landing areas you would have to walk with about a case of balls just to finish a round (I played 9 holes - trust me) ; I suppose if you're selling balls in the gift shop this is not such a terrible downside . I could really see myself getting hooked on the course though....I mean the back nine was stunning...the vistas, and depending on the tide, time of day and the wind watching the spray drift across the course as the ocean crashes into the rocks below...priceless.

Anyway I should really end the way I should have started.....look at the photos.....Enough said.

(Click on any of the photos to view the photo album.)

Jamaica Jazz Festival: Day 1 - For the Cool in You!

2010-01-29T19:35:00.004-05:00

Kenneth ''Babyface' Edmonds brought the house down last night with a performance on the opening night of the 2010 Jamaica Jazz Festival that has set the bar high....VERY high for those yet to grace the stage at this new venue. The R&B crooner dipped into his tremendous catalog of hits both from his previous albums and from the many many singers who he has written for in the past. His sound was crisp and true and his rapport with the audience (including his requisite 'Yeah Mon's') was engaging and genuine. He was looking as fit as ever and had the women in the audience weak in the knees.....from one song to the other he led them (and many of the men) as they all sang along- word for work and line for line.

Also notable was a splendid set by Joss Stone who kept the audience thoroughly entertained with her rich and powerful voice. That voice simply does not match her diminutive frame and quirky sense of humour. Her passion for her music and pride in her craft were both clearly on display to a Jamaican audience who seemed to thoroughly enjoy her performance.

The Whispers closed the night. That was an unfortunate choice by the promoters. My otherwise 'fond' memories of their (couple of) hits in the 1980s were undermined by the performance.

The decision to relocate the show to Trelawny Multipurpose Venue - despite its less than elegant name - seems to have been sound. There was a nice ambiance for this first night and one awaits with baited breath the acts yet to come. Of course with Erykah Badu there's always the 'X' factor in terms of which EB will show and then I am also very curious to see how the Jazz audience receives Soca Star Machel Montano who is also on the bill for this Friday night.

Welcome 2010!

2010-01-05T18:47:00.007-05:00

As we leave the challenges and opportunities (codenamed stress and anguish) of 2009 there seems to be a loud and collective sigh....an easy fresh breath as we contemplate what this new year and start of a new decade has in store for us individually and collectively.

I was tempted to do a "Best of 2009" list because there were some bright moments amongst the darkness (whoops..."challenges") but then a mix of other demands and a natural desire to be different (ok mainly the procrastination and other demands) thwarted that plan and so here we are on January 5 pontificating about what 2010 has in store......

Certainly the 9 Things I am most looking forward to this year:

Honourable Mention.....
Lauren London....Lauren Lauren Where Art Thou.....from that breathtaking sight to behold to Weeezy's baby mama......ack....what else can I say....we hope to see you back on your A Game....your FINE A-Game!

9: To "Sir" with Chains? Allen Stanford....David Smith.....Time to Pay le Piper?
After living the high and boastful life, and causing many an honest banker (who's "only" crime is to squeeze every last fee out of their clients) great anguish as their otherwise intelligent clients withdrew their underpeforming but safe funds to 're-invest' in these 'schemes' 2010 should be the time when we hear what specific fate is to befall 'Little Bernies' Allen Stanford and David Smith of Olint infamy. Both these characters embraced the good life from their private jets to the profligate spending....with Stanford even earning a spot on the Forbes list of Billionaires. With a shortage of legal dodges remaining and nary a pot to piss in now, we'll see if judgment day (aka sentencing day) greets them both in 2010. Perhaps they'll join their idol Uncle Bernie (Madoff) and at least be able to reminisce together...

8. West Indies Cricket...the saga continues?
As 2010 greets us we sit with bated breath for the next public unveiling of Operation DWIC (Destroy West Indies Cricket) led by Commander J. Hunte. As we await the 2010 version of Ego vs the Team's Best Interests we have to wonder what surprises the goodly Prez will unleash on the already battered fans of West Indies Cricket.....and for good measure I have little doubt the ever battle-ready 'Dinas' Ramnarine (head of WIPA and apparent Guardian of all Player interests) has his own special counter-measures prepped and loaded! Of course I could be wrong....but I'm not......unfortunately.....

7. Buju Banton in Da Slammer - aka Mark Myrie - in another "WTF Moment" the reggae superstar remains locked up in a jail in Tampa having been arrested on a charge of "conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute" 5+ kilos of cocaine...details have been a little sketchy as he seems to have left it in the hands of Jah to determine the outcome. Banton who should be looking forward to 2010 with anticipation due to his recent Grammy nomination now has to start the new decade hoping that all those anti-Gay lyrics don't come back to 'bite him' (proverbially speaking) when he's in the Big House.....hopefully he won't be saying Boom Bye Bye to his freedom!

6. World Cup South Africa....ahh the biggest sporting festival kicks off this Summer down in South Africa. With Liverpool FC on very shaky ground this season (not to mention still without firm plans for a new ground) I can re-invest my loyalty as anticipation for this footballing spectacular! Alas...with no Caribbean teams involved in the Finals this year we'll have to watch without having to ponder the improbable upset victory by a CONCACAF minnow!

5. The Rockhouse Burger.....it isn't quite a 'wonder of the world' (yet...) but I am going to find a way to consume many Rock House Burgers this year....for weeks I have been consumed with the thought of biting into that succulent, juicy, cooked to perfection burger topped with just the right amount of cheese and bacon and wedged in the light and fluffy Coco Bread from this idyllic spot in Negril. I am fortunate to visit some of the places and resorts my work demands but this picturesque little hotel borders on perfection......for 2010 I hope to grab my date (ahmm wife) and jump off the cliff once again....the perfect cover for a Rock House Burger Feast!

4. Dr. Conrad Murray.....Is This It?? The 'alleged' MJ slayer! Yes the infamous Grenadian Doctor (notwithstanding his time spent in Trinidad we're crediting Grenada for his formative years -- judgment, ethics, money management and the like)...who it is said administered the fatal dose that took away our beloved MJ. After all the TMZ and E!news 'exclusives' will 2010 result in Dr. Murray finally being brought to answer before the justice system for his role in the King of Pop's early demise? Note: FYI this is NOT the kind of media attention we want medical doctors bringing to the Caribbean....

3. Speaking of mistakes we'll never forget....Tiger Tiger Tiger Woooooods Ya'lllll! T-shizzle W-T-F. No let's say that again....W-----T-----F were you thinking? Look I'm not getting into the moral debate (that's a definite no win) and I'm not getting into the celebrity v sports star privacy debate either (let's face facts -- when AT&T, Amex, Gatorade, Nike et al were flinging the dough who really cared if it was 100% about the golf stats) but dude......don't get me wrong...I'm still holding strong with my Tiger-wear but seriously.....you could've done better with a blindfold...Im just saying...if you're gonna gamble at least make sure the upside is good.....

2. OCEAN STYLE/ESPN Golf Tournament 2010......well it's my list and pretty close to my top reasons to be excited for 2010 is the 2nd incarnation of our tournament with ESPN at Half Moon in Jamaica. Last year we had an international cast that included the likes of Lennox Lewis and Donovan Bailey, Courtney Walsh, Jeffrey Dujon, Andy Cole, Frank LeBeouf, Shaka Hislop and ESPN executive Bernard Stewart join us for a weekend that also included Bryce Wilson, Sheree Whitfield (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Freddie Leiba, Phillip Bloch and Hair Stylist to the Stars "Q"....this year promises bigger and better over 2 days...we can't wait!

1. OCEAN STYLE TV....is Born!...Yes it is my list.....can't wait to see the vibrancy, beauty and unique brilliance of the glorious Caribbean portrayed through the lens of Ocean Style TV.....where we will bring the best of the best to a Regional and International audience...from fashion to resorts, beauty to events, food to photo shoots.....stay tuned! :-)

Have a fuss, idea, suggestion or something nice to say?
e mail me at: douglas.gordon@oceanstylemagazine.com

For the Life of me..........Ray J?!?

2009-12-08T07:39:00.009-05:00

Our expansion into TV (Ocean Style TV) has required that the limited time I do spend watching television necessitates that I look at various shows to learn more about the format and understand what works, works well and not at all.....in a word, research.

So a couple of days ago I stumbled onto a "hidden gem" called 'For the Love of Ray J' on VH1. Now I have to say early (lest someone starts reading and tunes out early and leave with the wrong impression) that this show is the visual equivalent of watching a train wreck. Horrified, appalled, disgusted and (unfortunately) captivated are words that immediately spring to mind. A friend of mine who I called after 15 minutes of watching this tripe described it as "taking Black people back 20 years". I am not sure I would give it such cultural significance but suffice to say it is absolutely fascinating to me to watch someone this narcissistic try to be serious about his 'journey' of selecting a suitable mate.

I am a fan of Brandy and appreciate her talent. But family ties notwithstanding she needs to keep her love for her brother separate and (far far) apart from any further episodes of this show -- there is nothing positive that can come of her aligning her image with such a fundamentally flawed concept. So for those of you who haven't (for the purposes of research or otherwise) stumbled across this show the concept is: young, rich and single "hottie" (that would be Ray J) is looking for a "woman to spend his life with" (that would be the misguided young women) via a series of evaluations (random at best and while always speaking in terms of long term seems to be predicated on who's willing to 'show Ray the love') through which they are eliminated....and I am assuming the best choice will be left at the end.

Of course Flava Flav should've taken a copyright on how to make black men and women (of varying shades) look retarded and desperate but at least when he displayed his narcissism it was with a healthy dose of humour and, after all, it was Flava Flav (boyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee) so how seriously could you take it..........but in this most recent incarnation of that now-tried (and tired) format we have Ray J acting as love police for his own purposes with these women demeaning themselves and funnily enough not as much by what they do (think Flava Flav -- boyeeeee) as what they say to win his affections and as Ray would say be his 'one (h)undred'.........of course we all know (that is the population with 17+ IQ) none of this could really have any credibility with the stated purpose of the show.....you would have to be a royal idiot to choose a long term mate in this manner.....so that it comes down to 'getting yourself known' and what that 'fame' can translate into after the fact...yes we know all that.....but this show is so sad that it moves past that simple recognition....this megalomaniac is either completely delusional or one helluva a good actor because based on what I have seen, I am convinced that he considers himself such a good catch that these women (a number of which are physically attractive) should, in fact, be embracing this 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to win his vaunted affections.

Of course I don't anticipate being there 'to the end' but like any good train wreck......the question isn't whether there is collateral damage it is knowing that you cannot do anything about it and STILL sticking around to watch.....

Have a fuss, idea, suggestion or something nice to say?
e mail me at: douglas.gordon@oceanstylemagazine.com

SOB.......It's Tanya!

2009-12-08T07:15:00.007-05:00

A couple weeks back on a chilly New York Monday night I made my way to SOB's for what was billed as a night of Fashion with a couple of live performances, most notably headliner Tanya Stephens. Admittedly this was only my second time in SOB's (the first a few months back to watch Trini's Soca Diva Destra give a lively performance) so that while my expectations of good music were well deserved my curiosity as to how a 'fashion show' would be held in the small space of SOBs was also piqued.

I am not really one for 'bashing things' so that suffice to say....a 'fashion show' is not what we viewed.

Host and promoter for the evening David "Squeeze" Annakie of Jamrock did a commendable job of filling up the spot on a Monday night.....and for the most part the patrons looked gainfully employed so that deserves some extra special kudos.......but man oh man......that fashion show was awful.

Notwithstanding the logistical challenges of a space not intended for such a show some of the clothing and (as 'Adorable' on 'For the Love of Ray J' (more on that another time) would say....."OMG".......the 'moggels' were nothing short of awful. While there were a couple of flowers amongst the thorns the truth be told they simply could not save the temptation to sweep it all with one brush. Jamrock is a good magazine which I enjoy reading but this fashion fiasco was NOT a good look.........not trying to hate......I'm just saying.....

So anyway once that part was complete and we enjoyed some laughs from the comedian who was hosting along with Squeeze, it was time for Tanya Stephens. Wearing her trademark sunglasses she took the stage to loud cheers from the packed crowd who had clearly come primarily to see the icon do her thing.....admitting that she hadn't really performed that much in New York in recent times Tanya quickly teased the audience with medleys from some of her many hits from the 90's all the way through to a couple of her latest tracks. It was an engaging performance and shows clearly why she has been a powerhouse in music for so long.....aside from the long catalog of hits, her canny sense of humour, intelligent lyrics and interaction with her audience only seemed to leave the crowd wanting more and more....she left the stage promising that she will be back in New York more often to perform. Her new album will be out this month apparently available for free download.......hopefully more information about that will be available soon.

All in all a good night....what started as a 'nice vibe' and descended into a fashion disaster rose to a musical treat and ended as a night of great music and good vibes......all on a Monday night! Well done Jamrock!

Have a fuss, idea, suggestion or something nice to say?
e-mail me at: douglas.gordon@oceanstylemagazine.com

Reggae Sumfest 2009....it's a WRAP!

2009-07-29T09:54:00.021-04:00

It took a couple of days to recuperate from the adventure that was Reggae Sumfest 2009. Truth be told in an economic environment like the one in which we are presently mired they promoters should be ecstatic with the turnout and the success of the event. In the 3-4 years in which I have attended these were certainly the largest crowds I can recall.

Production wise they need to figure out how to make the band changes faster or to have better entertainment during the band changes....with such a long programme it's agonizing to wait in-between performances….it gives the pain in your feet (from lack of sleep and long nights covering the event) an acute opportunity to be felt.

There were some very noteworthy performances over the Friday and Saturday nights....that is apart from the highly touted performance by Tito J. On Friday night we can say that Keri Hilson brought it.....apart from being beautiful (not a prerequisite for a good performance) she thoroughly entertained the audience and showed off her range of talent -- from a strong voice to some engaging dance moves with her crew. She was also a delight to meet and interview.

While Jazmin Sullivan's vocal performance was impressive I am at a loss as to why her ‘people’ (as Ellen says) didn't wake her up in time to do hair, makeup and wardrobe before she hit the stage. It was actually distracting because it's a long time since I saw someone that accomplished look that dowdy on a stage. I mean Jamaica may not be the Grammy's but that's not a getup I would've recommended beyond the (very) local convenience store! On top of that, of all the performers at the show, her ‘people’ were the least accommodating to the media backstage....go figure. She has a powerful voice and is clearly passionate about her music.......but the (lack of) makeup and the duds were distracting from her impressive vocals.....phew!

The star of Friday night and one of the most memorable performances for the entire weekend was Neyo. He clearly embraces his stardom -- not in a pompous manner but he exudes control on the stage and was clearly teasing the many women in the audience with his on-stage flirting and antics. I was thoroughly impressed with his performance and interaction with the crowd and not the least his dance moves......that he channels MJ is not a new observation but it was incredible to watch how even his little nuances and movement across the stage were influenced by the Gloved Wonder (RIP).

I have to say I was completely busted by the time Friday night was done......the mind is clearly stronger than the body but I wasn't going down without a fight! Not to mention when you look at some of the patrons in the various VIP booths who were there -- some nearly twice my age (wonder how much longer I will get to say that and be honest) -- they were rocking strong until the end every night!! I mean really........I had to remind myself that I am a Trini.....we ARE the energy people!! While I would have loved nothing better than to catch up on some zzz's in preparation for the final night/morning duty called me (not exactly kicking and screaming) to a press conference with Toni Braxton at the Ritz Carlton.

Despite the list of do's and don’ts apparently prepared by TB's 'people' (so we were told) she was quite easy going and seemed quite willing to answer questions (beyond the one per media house) nor did she seem to object to the flash photography (despite that being on the blacklist). Well I have to say it was many many years coming but I was elated to finally get the chance to meet Toni Braxton in person. She was lovely and very friendly......and seemed quite excited about her upcoming performance -- the first performance in a year since her heart problem was first diagnosed (she now has a clean bill of health).

So we lumbered on to the evening's performances.....back at a venue which seemed 'old' at this point such was the wear and tear caused by the fatigue.....at the same time there was a great measure of anticipation for the performances to come this Saturday evening. I have to say there was a perceptible difference in the fashion statements made this Saturday (International Night II) from the Thursday (Dancehall Night). From the (way too) tight and (way too) short garments that pervaded on the Thursday night to an array of designer garb that marked the presence of Jamaica's well-heeled!!

Toni B had some technical challenges - it would seem the monitors at the front of the stage were not functioning properly so that while those in the back could hear well, at the front her vocals were disappearing into the sound of her band......in an effort to 'soldier on' she even did a cameo playing the keyboard herself in an effort to plow ahead (sans the band which was crowding out her vocals on the monitors). While there was some disappointment at not hearing her at full tilt she was sufficiently good to punch her admiration card in my book! I can’t wait for the new album (to be released later this year).......

Also performing on the night was Tito J.......we were originally looking for the Jacksons but that didn’t materialize for whatever reason. Actually speculation was rife earlier as to what / how Tito would to perform when his role with the Jacksons was playing guitar; there was also some early speculation (hope) that he wouldn't do a disservice to MJ with some piss poor rendition of any of his songs. To his credit Tito did his thing. He performed with his Blues band and it was surprisingly entertaining.....his music would seem better suited to Jazz and Blues which is probably what Robert Russell was whispering to him (mid-set) when we saw Tito mouth "W-H-Y" just before they called the performance a wrap! To be fair even if the promoters brought him down for the fanfare and the media hype that was created (which was clearly effective with Good Morning America, Access Hollywood all flying in to cover) (not to mention Ocean Style Magazine - smile) he did a good job.....clearly this is a family that is defined by a couple of incredible talents but which just has an abundance of God-given talent....

I do hope they promoters think seriously about having Tito back for Jazz and Blues I feel confident that the audience there will thoroughly appreciate his music.

The morning was brought home by none other than Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley......who showed why he was a Marley in every sense.......his voice stirs so many memories of his father.....rapper Nas performed with him and there folks is where I sign off on Sumfest 2009. I am hopeful that for 2010 they tighten up the production somewhat so that it flows smoother (and ends earlier) but all in all a commendable production and kudos to the promoters!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS.

2009-07-24T22:07:00.005-04:00

Toni update....Will She Show? So after all the excitement the update as of last night is that there was some drama with her flight and some measure of uncertainty about Toni B's presence on "The Rock"....so that we will be seeking further clarification and RE-CONFIRMATION of her presence at the reggae-fest!

With that one element of uncertainty confronting me head on as I arrived for night one....the bar was raised on what it would take to enjoy the evening's loooooong list of entertainers for the crowd-favourite Dancehall Night! Despite the late start the show proceeded as planned with the favourites upping the energy quotient in the packed house as they performed. Bounty Killer managed to deliver his set without disturbing anyone too much (a far cry from 2008's antics) and there was even a measure of deference from a few of the 'unlikely suspects' to Beenie Man who was celebrating 30 years in the business.

The evening was packed with many remarking that it was the largest crowd they had seen for Sumfest and for that, I have to believe that, one of the biggest winners for 2009 (so far) would have to be Carib Beer and its local distributors CPJ. How (Trinidad-based) Carib beer managed to wrestle the sponsorship for this most Jamaican of Jamaican events away from perennial stalwarts Red Stripe is something that someone somewhere should be explaining by conference call on Monday morning -- but their loss is Carib's gain I imagine as they enjoyed prime positioning throughout the venue and the benefits of exclusivity of sale throughout the venue. Kudos to the Carib team....also showing their corporate marketing prowess was Wray and Nephew with the launch of Jagra (containing 'hungry goat weed') on the main stage with some 15-20 'gyals/dancers' arriving on the back of some screamingly loud motorbikes. (I heard a rumour that the ramp cost an estimated US$50K but if that is true they need to get back the $46K that wasn't used....).

The entertainment was rich. The music was good. The vibe was solid but the outfits....WOWOWOW! How (and more importantly WHY) some of these women get into these outfits is worthy of a much more intelligent debate than I am capable of holding but suffice to say some of these outfits just scream for a good dose of Jagra (or Viagra)......talk about putting your @hit out in the streets!! The only real travesty is that with the show running so late Beenie's performance was curtailed....it was very good but something that I had hoped would really be the 'icing' and completely justify an evening that began at 9pm and came to an end at 7am this morning....a reality that my mind is still fully able to manage but my body is still trying to comprehend...anyway time to head back to the action....and more pointedly....confirm whether Toni is on her way!!

(Personally I think it would be completely justifiable for the Sandals jet which is apparently transporting the Jackson clan into Jamaica to be reassigned to collect TB in Atlanta.......I'll let you know what else I hear!) 24 hours to Tito Jackson's performance on the main stage........................WHOOOOO...

Back in Jamaica....Sumfest Time!

2009-07-21T15:25:00.002-04:00

So it's that time of the year again...Reggae in the Sunshine.....well looking at the lineup it may not be only "Reggae" in the Sunshine and then again with most of that action taking place in the night....it'll really be Reggae in the Night...ahh but I digress....for sure there sure will be some great music this weekend...and how can you go wrong in Montego Bay? In Montego Bay and with Toni Braxton on the line up!! Ahhh Toni. Toni -- we share such a unique and special bond.....some may say that being born on the same date is nothing much to get excited about but I know it forever bonds us....well my enthusiasm to see Ms. Braxton is somewhat subdued after the experience of flying to Tobago from Chicago just to catch her only to hear that she was a no-show...it was devastating! So my 'excitement' is matched with anxiety...will she show?????

Alas what was I saying about digressing....

Sumfest kicks into high gear from Thursday night and I am looking forward to seeing how the "King of Dancehall" Beenie Man plans to showcase his 30 odd years in the business not to mention the other acts on the 3 day billing - from Neyo (not quite Reggae) to Jr. Gong (Reggae Royalty) to the (Michael) Jackson brothers (yeah I don't get it either?!) are going to entertain and bedazzle us all this weekend.

Before the excitement I decided to hit Ocho Rios for a couple of days and see what was on offer at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios.......sipping some drinks on the beach yesterday after 10 torrid days in New York was a great way to catch up on paperwork and I have to say I was pretty impressed with dinner (and especially the service) at their Orchids Restaurant - which offered some interesting Asian-Fusion cuisine - but the definite highlight so far was the 'We are the World' (MJ tribute) that was performed by the managers at the hotel last night as part of their weekly Jamboree.....as Korny (deliberate capital 'k' for emphasis) as it seems as I reminisce and share it really was quite touching to see a whole mix of people singing along while one of the Sandals Associates accompanied the 'singers' with a sign-language rendition.......touching to say the least; my inner MJ was certainly close to busting loose....just glad they didn't follow with Man in the Mirror or it would've been a WRAP!

Well that's about all for now...today was all about plotting and planning how we emerge from the next few days with lots of great editorial for future publication while preserving our sanity and figuring out which pills will ensure we can stay up all night and can still work in the day......this entrepreneurship I PROMISE you isn't all that it's cracked up to be!!

Until the next time I get back to writing in this Blog thing.....Cheers!

Cricket Lovely Cricket..Mound Jamaica 2009

2009-02-11T13:08:00.000-05:00

The West Indies team did the job this past weekend in Jamaica. Reducing the 'mighty English' to a humbling (and dare we say embarrassing) 51 all out - the limeys were at least able to take credit that they avoided the 47 all out that marked the Windies scoreboard 5 years back at their hands.

On a day when Windies pacer Jerome Taylor recorded figures of 5 wickets for 11 runs keeping the English batsmen trapped with consistent line and length for the day, the only thing to complain about was the fact that the enjoyment would come to an end a day prematurely as Captain Chris Gayle's side closed the deal with a day left to spare depriving the Day 5 ticket holders (and the West Indies Cricket Board and Kingston Cricket Club an extra day of revenue).

The English team didn't even appear at the post-match ceremony which was unfortunate. After many years of seeing our defeated warriors suffer the further humiliation of a post-match awards ceremony and declaration of Man of the Match etc etc against the backdrop of some disastrous result.....to realise that attendance at the post match was 'voluntarily' makes you wonder whether some of our fellas are good sports or gluttons for punishment! If it is mandatory though...I do hope that the authorities address it….mind you not the same braniacs that MIRACULOUSLY adjudged Powell out caught behind. Perhaps the pain of their first defeat to the Windies in 17 matches and 9 years was just too ‘bloody much’ for our friends from across the pond who clearly didn’t give a “shite” about sportsmanship – oh well!

Fans from throughout Sabina Park….. from the boxes to the Mound rejoiced at seeing an emphatic (and all too rare) West Indies Test Victory on home soil when the series still mattered. We now watch with baited breath for the 2nd Test which kicks off this weekend in Antigua.

Post match the Mound saw the likes of Captain Chris Gayle, pacer Jerome Taylor, high scorer Ramnesh Sarwan, spinner Sulieman Benn the beautiful Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillips and sprint sensation Usain Bolt (who was engaged in a keen game of dominoes with Courtney Walsh). We kept an eye on Bolt but unlike his fellow Beijing Olympic superstar could not be found 'engaging any young and foolish behaviour' (aka smoking “something” from a bong)......

Socialites and movers and shakers were on hand a plenty.......clearly sharing this time in the Mound as diehard, serious, passionate followers of the game (on and off the field)......some in attendance......Michelle and Gregory Mayne, Zachary “Mr. Jamaica Tourism” Harding (and his gorgeous wife Tamara - sporting a new shortened hairdo), Chris 'Mr. World Cup' Dehring along with wife Alicia (big up T&T) were playing hostesses with the mostess as the celebrities filed into the 'VIP' section and paid their respects en route to the bar; Mr. and Mrs. (to be) Brett Wong were ever present to enjoy the celebrations. Making a ‘guest appearance’ was Dr. Damien Grant who had jetted in from Atlanta for the occasion…..the Peach State will clearly welcome home a happier man for the on field exploits!

Wavell Hinds was also in the 'hizz-house' enjoying the post-game action with his former opening partner Gayle.

The Mound seldom fails to deliver in the ‘eye-food’ department and this weekend was no disappointment. Say no more. (I can’t…..really…its complicated).

Skele Green had the place on point and clearly enjoyed the victory on the cricket strip as well the '$ucce$$' of the day......

Cricket Ambassador and party stand connoisseur Peter Matthews was present (of course) though his uncharacteristically subdued demeanour made you wonder whether he was contemplating the result with extreme glee or (mild-ish) shock; if there's anyone who would have had to ensure the disappointment of some of these previous....hmmm.....results firsthand certainly he would be the most abused.....

While the rest of Sabina had emptied by 430pm as people made their way home......reveling in the glow of victory….the Mound went into party overdrive forcing the powers that be to reopen the bar on at least 3 occasions after it had been 'officially' closed until things finally shut down around 630p…..I couldn't help thinking that had this been Port of Spain - the Trini Posse would have been ramping until at least 9pm....or the last (partygoer) was left standing at the bar-icket.

Reggae Sumfest - a truly great weekend of music (and entertainment)!

2008-07-23T20:04:00.001-04:00

Remember when the name, or at least the "type" of music festival, was synonymous with the genre of music one could expect to hear?! You know….a Jazz Festival was pretty much all Jazz a Reggae show was all reggae…etc etc…yes I know those days are long gone, reflective of a time when taste and attention are both fickle and demanding cousins.

The Reggae Sumfest 2008 edition may not have been a pure "reggae experience" but kudos to the promoters (who celebrated 16 years with this iteration) as it sure was a perfect mix of music for the estimated 35,000 who attended over the three nights.

We know drama in the Caribbean and some may remember that this year marked quite a bit of that regular sunshine staple with the announcement that the 'Red Stripe' Reggae Sumfest was no more as the title and naming sponsor, it was rumoured per the dictates of international parent DIAGEO, was not to invest in the event with its continued promotion of dancehall artistets and their continued, if somewhat tired, bashing of gays. I say tired because notwithstanding the unfortunate and (very) oft-repeated references to guns, gangstas, etc etc some of the other lyrics really seem to tell an engaging story about the tough times for the Jamaican “have nots” of society…….anyway sans the beer company…..the show started on time and despite the 33 (yes THIRTY THREE) acts on the line up for the opening night - the evening ran like clockwork. The promoters know their people and despite the headliners due for the other nights of the festival the largest crowd by far was for this night when dancehall was front and centre….the 15000+ crowd enjoyed a night highlighted by strong performances from Voicemail, Anthony B, Busy Signal, Ninja Man who turned in a classic performance and was accompanied by his “umbrella men” (what could ONLY be described as a bad idea) and Macka Diamond who turned in an extravagant performance taking the crowd to a frenzy when she performed along with Trinidad’s own Soca powerhouse, Patrice Roberts (take note Sumfest organizers….where’s Machel?...bring the Soca in ‘09) the tempo and vibe of the night was only getting better when Vybz Cartel then Elephant Man, who suffered with a wardrobe malfunction that put him flat on his face (note: Ele….with all those kids - who they say you provide very well for btw - at least get one of them to launder the WHITE pants before you perform in them…….NOT COOL!)…anyway as I was saying the night was terrific…and when he arrived on stage and started his set Bounty “ANGRIEST MAN IN DANCEHALL” Killer was very well received…that is until he started referring to Ninja Man’s son as a “fish” and Bennie Man as a “fish” (oh…”fish” refer back to the reason DIAGEO made Red Stripe withdraw) and then a slew of obsenities, threats and other incomprehensible diatribe which seemed only to reinforce the fact that he has some serious anger management issues (seek a referral from Sean Penn…these things can be cured…YES THEY CAN!) which threw a real damper on the evening….the crowd doled out some robust boos however to the point where even “Killa” seemed shocked……Mavado and Assassin followed neither put in a particularly commanding performance and at that point the anticipation was for Beenie Man who was closing the show…..to his great credit Beenie stayed faaar from the stench that had been laid down for him and delivered a memorable performance which was only diminished by the kids he had on stage singing….Note: Beenie what’s cute from a 2/3 and 5/6 yo respectively between 11am – 8pm is not cute beyond 5 minutes at 530am when we want to hear YOU perform……anyway he stayed far from Bounty’s trap his only response being if he’s a fish….then he’s a SNAPPER! (yeah I didn’t get it either)

After closing down the Dancehall night at 7am anticipation was high for the first of the two ‘international’ nights headlined by (young MJB?) Keyshia Cole and Akon. A celebrated night of punctuality and overall production execution meant, invariably, that some slippage was to be expected the following night and while it really wasn’t anything to write home (or report) about….the excellence of the preceding night, shows the capability and is therefore the standard we hope will prevail for the future shows……ie don’t run laaaate! The 30-45 minutes behind was quickly forgiven with a vocal performance of excellence first by Queen Ifrica (who is not only talented it must be said but also quite beautiful) before Keyshia Cole appeared on set….her performance was good and I think she was even a bit surprised by how well the audience knew her work…..her set may have been on point but her exit was another thing altogether….she just sang her last chord and jetted…..the lights went to black and the next thing the audience was following the silhouettes of her backup dancers retrieving their handbags from behing the drums (that was a first) and exiting……the stage was then left to one of the coolest entertainers I’ve come across in a long time Akon and his KONVICT movement…which he explained (he met silence when asked if anyone knew what the konvict movement stood for…an anxious silence….this being Jamaica and memories of Bounty were still fresh from the night before) was about helping to rehab prisoners – certainly a noble and commendable objective…from the outset Akon seemed genuinely happy to be on stage and performing for this audience in Jamaica…..he connected with the crowd quickly and delivered an outstanding musical performance only accentuated by a premeditated decision to make his way from the front of the stage all the way out to the control tower in the middle of the “general” area where he said “all my ghetto people were” in a move that was reminiscent of that made popular by the now deceased Kurt Kobain the Senagalese (how often will I get to write THAT) star was seen repeatedly standing on shoulders amongst the 10,000+ fans and diving into the arms of the fans below…now we know this is not SOP for those in the “melatonin-enriched community” but I am happy to report that he was not dropped either on his way to the tower or back…..that diversion aside (and he did sing a couple of songs in transit) Akon’s performance was solid, true and very well received I would be surprised not to see him a fixture of future shows…..after the audience regrouped from the excitement of Akon then it was on to the dimuitive Jah Cure who could probably offer some serious, first person insight for Akon’s movement……this champion of conscious music delivered a powerful performance that left the crowd rocking…..

After two impressive nights of music and performances I have to say I awoke on Saturday night eager to see what the night of Rootz Underground, (hot) Brick & Lace, Tarrus Riley, T-Pain, Beres Hammond and Lil Wayne had in store….mother nature had a slightly different plan as the skies opened up and poured forth the water so desperately being sought to fight the wildfires in California…...it rained and rained and rained and rained……all day……of course little did we know that the LW side show (more on that later) was providing plenty of warmth for promoters at other locales…..the rain slowed then subsided in the early evening and then seemed to have subsided by 1030pm. The crowd in attendance was clearly affected by the rain but their ranks quickly swelled between 11p – 1230am….serious kudos to the promoters as tractors were bringing in sand and stones to go in the muddied areas while the show proceeded…this made walkways much safer and kept the mud quotient down on the kicks…..Saturday night was another success as T-Pain brought the house down – one patron was overheard saying “wow these are all his songs” – the night rounded out by Etana and Tarrus Riley. You really have to say that no show can go wrong with Beres Hammond. The man knows how to rock a crowd and wears a real passion for his music on his sleeve; you get the feeling that he would (we know he could) go on for hours performing without tiring…his is a rare passion that burns well beyond the “minimum time as per the contract” standard that seems to be the norm in our iPod-driven world…once Beres had finished it was time for Lil Wayne who turned in a solid enough performance....his grill shining brightly every time it was hit by the spotlight….if starting off a little subdued he got the crowd moving as he rapped/sang from his bank of hits…..so from Thursday night’s bountiful action things seemed to have settled nicely…that is until we got the OS inside scoop……which was rich enough that we are now giving Lil Wayne the title of Divo (that’s our name for a male diva)……yes…..

....speaking of d-r-a-m-a.....based on our 'on the ground, round the corner' reports rapper Lil Wayne was quite a handful….We are reliably informed by our private jet sources that on the afternoon he was due to perform at the time they were expecting the jet, that had been secured to ferry the platinum-selling star, to land from Los Angeles checks revealed that it was a) STILL in LA and b) STILL awaiting the arrival of "the man"!

Upon arrival in the land of wood, water and gan** he apparently REFUSED to show his passport at the immigration point (to his credit he could have been confused with Jamaica, Queens and thought he was still in the US?!) essentially stating that ‘they knew who he was and he doesn't have to show his passport’…upon exiting he balked at the luxury vehicles sent to collect him as being inadequate and announced to all and sundry that if he didn’t get the transport he wanted he was offering $100,000 to fly him back to LA immediately (if only I had learned to fly!) and so the story goes.......but that seems to be small potatoes…we were informed that later the said day the proverbial sh*t hit the fan when promoters were explaining that there are strict rules against obscene language and that non-compliance (that would be non-compliance with..ah..universally accepted standards of acceptable vocabulary) were likely to result in a fine (no problem man) or (perish the thought) a night in the Jamaican slammer....PRAM PRAM! The response was along the lines of "Who the f*** did these people think they were talking to...? (Apparently the Ja Parliament hadn’t yet enacted the law that dealt with the ‘Wayne clause’ thereby effecting an exception no doubt due to the millions of albums this man has sold.....tsk tsk tsk)…..anyway long and short (no pun intended)…..his tirade almost put him in serious problems before he had the opportunity to hit the stage…….when he did wayne rocked the crowd (sans expletives) and genuinely seemed to enjoy the response he was getting from the crowd in Montego Bay…..perhaps he didn’t realize that the Caribbean peeps are well versed with the goings on in the US of A! Joining him on stage was Baby who performed with Wayne for the latter part of his set and that went over very well…….

So in closing the chapter on Sumfest 2008…..kudos to all who worked to make it a success….and count us in for 2009….especially if you’re bringing Amy Winehouse….not for the music but the entertainment! PEAAACE!

Technical Headache!

2007-12-03T16:13:00.000-05:00

It seems that our internet hosting company is experiencing some problems....since last Thursday night! According to them they have been experiencing "severe packet loss in our PHX-1 data center" so that now we are waiting for our servers to be moved to their "new state-of-the-art datacenter" that means that our website may continue to be slow as 'traffic licensing office' slow for a little while longer.

This has put a bit of a damper on our plans to unleash our marketing prowess on our (suspecting and unsuspecting) clients, readers and prospects but we continue to believe in the tech gurus and their ability to get all their packets in order! Thereafter you will be better able to see our marketing machinery in action! Of course it is about time.....we've been busy busy busy developing our editorial and distribution and really sort of held back on the marketing a tad. BUT....now that we are satisfied that the content is on track...we're ready to tell all and sundry....of course assuming the packets are accommodating!

We are in the midst of planning a fashion story to be shot in the Caribbean and i think we will try to keep it exclusively Caribbean designers.....there is so much talent in the region that i dont see any reason why we cant represent 100% in this upcoming editorial.......we're not sure which island it is being shot in as yet -- still working out the logistics with the glam squad but once we do we will certainly start scouring around for the right designers though a few come to mind already........

Well that's the update from the world of Ocean Style for now.......really hoping that we get our websites islandevents.com and oceanstylemagazine.com back to 100% within a matter of hours......and this headache subsides.......until.....

First Post...

2007-12-01T20:49:00.000-05:00

Well this is my first foray into "blogging". While I usually pride myself on being relatively quick on the technology uptake it's taken me sometime to finally get cracking and take the plunge with my own blog....well not "my" blog as much as an ocean style blog......

so that you may ask (rightly so) what's going to be different about yet another blog.....maybe very little is the honest answer....the truth is that we get to a number of places which we cover for ocean style and we really dont get the opportunity to share all that we cover in the pages of the magazine so that this will offer an additional medium through which we can share some of those things as well some of the more exciting developments (to us of course) taking place with the publication(s) as we go along.....

so without further ado where i do find the 'post' button?