REGGAE STAR FACTOR - FINALS 2015

By Coral Consciouslee
4th September 2015

So another season ends...and what a phenomenal ending!!

Right now X Factor is on our TVs and some of us have watched and complained about either the lack of talent or the lack of black people getting the recognition they deserve. So last year Launchpad Music decided to launch our very own Reggae Star Factor.

I only attended the finals of Season 1, I remember writing at the time of how well organised and professional it was. However, having attended 4 of the 6 weeks in Season 2, I realised how important it is to support this venture.

Can you imagine the organisation it takes to put on one show let alone 6 meaning 1 each week? The venue, the tickets, the contestants, the judges, the band, the comperes, the rehearsals, the guest artists, the phone calls, the marketing and of course.....The criticism.

Much has been said of how "wicked" the finals were and how well deserving Jo Caesar was and indeed she was, but to really appreciate what has been achieved more support really is needed. I could elaborate about the beautiful voices of the contestants, the tightness of the band, the challenges the judges faced of who would go through to the next week, the professionalism and outstanding showmanship of the comperes, but it really was one of those situations where you had to be there....Each week.

Something has begun which if supported and acknowledged will have a massive impact and leave a lasting legacy for others to take up. Congratulations to Jack Reuben and all involved, I expect and know I will hear great things and hope to always be able to support.

WINNER: Jo Caesar

REGGAE STAR FACTOR: HEAT 4

By Coral Consciouslee
21st August 2015

 

We got to the Shaw Theatre, literally minutes before the show started. Once again, pleased to say the show started on time. Also was good to note that attendance was very much better than the week before.

At the risk of sounding like a groupie, Bobo El Numero Uno did a superb job of welcoming and warming up the crowd before recording of the show got underway, afterwhich he was joined by the equally professional Elayne Smith. To be honest these two comperes could quite easily have had a show for themselves! Their banter and easy flow with the audience and contestants was an entertainment in itself. I honestly couldn't stop laughing and applauding.

The standard of competition was very high indeed. Knowing only three would be going through to the semi finals, personally I thought there were four. I didn't envy the judges at all! The semi finals is definitely going to be close.The band was tight and clear. I love watching the bass player! Bitty McLean on stage.....excuse me whilst I reminisce again.....Bitty McLean on stage.....

There is so much that I could write about, but suffice to say that when I say you are getting one heck of show from start to finish each week, it really is true! Although attendance is improving each week, support is still needed. The ultimate aim is to find, recognise and acknowledge talented reggae singers in the UK - there are some real diamonds out there! 

I applaud Jack Reuben and all the team at ReggaeStar Factor for producing a well organised and well presented show, which I am sure will last for years to come. He said to me last night that this is just the beginning. 

One of the definitions I found for the word "support":
"...to uphold (a person, cause, policy, etc.) by aid, countenance, one's vote, etc.; back;

RFUK ARTIST OF THE WEEK - WINSOME MONCRIEFFE-MITCHEL

By Coral Consciouslee
12th August 2015

Seeing this beautiful woman on stage is stunning enough, she has all the glamour from stars of yesteryear. Having read her musical history I have a newfound respect for her perseverance and courage in continuing her musical legacy. 

BIOGRAPHY

Winsome I am sure came out of her mother womb singing as she sings constantly even replies to a question with a song.

At the tender age of six Winsome remember participating in her school primary school production to Eye Level from the Van der Vaulk movie. She also danced to I can see clearly now by Johnny Nash.

She continued singing and dancing in school productions throughout her school life. She would be seen constantly holding a brush at break time pretending to be an artist on Top of the pops back in the 70’s
Winsome greatest influences are from the reggae genre and are Marcia Griffiths, Carroll Thompson and Louisa Marks, she also adores Whitney Houston, Mary J Blige and Keisha Cole

She entered a few talent competitions in Birmingham where she hails from received a recording contract at 17 after wining a singing competition at Tasha’s which never came to fruition. 

She was later introduced to Mr laurel Aitkin’s the ska legend from the sixties well known for the tune “ Guilty of loving you” Michelle Sutherland and Winsome formed a duo called Sugar and Spice and recorded their first tune called Sweet Loving for Mr Aitkins which reached No 2 in the Black Echoes reggae charts. Sugar and Spice enjoyed success and was touring nationally performing regularly.

Some of Winsome’s foundest moments are as follows:-
• Having Carol Thompson one of her favourites and the great Ruby Turner from Birmingham judge her at the competitions that she won.
• Backing Judy Boucher at the London Palladium singer of the great No 1 “I can’t be with you tonight”
• Supporting and backing the great Louis Marks at the Hummingbird Night Club in Birmingham
•Performing at the Indigo 02 in Greenwich on the Giants of Lover Rock in 2013
•Having a launch for her single, a video and photo shoot all in one day
Winsome decided to move to London in 1984 to seek her fortune and to go on to higher education at the London Southbank . She officially joined the lovers rock band Family Love in 1985, the band gave you hits like Anniversary and Decisions. Winsome left the band in 1990 to start a family. The band decided to reform in 2013 and Winsome released “Tell me why”

Family Love band featuring Winsome Moncrieffe—Mitchell released “Hurting Me” on the 2nd April which is receiving some nice reviews e.g.

A woman can relate to the lyrics
Sounds like the real old time lovers rock
Great original 

Winsome feels she sings for women over thirty who have experienced life and can relate to what she sings about.
Winsome is a strong believer in God and gives thanks daily that she is able to sing and go about her everyday life as she experienced a mini stroke on the 1st April 2014 and has had a wake up call to what could have been.

Her day time job is working with young people age 14 - 17 who are under achieving and are not maximising their full potentials, she sometimes organises workshop or events via performing productions to help increase their motivation and raise their aspirations.

She resides in London with her four children and feels she will continue to sing and dance until there is no life left in her. She often says life is for living, we have one life to live so I am going to live it by loving the life I live and living the life I love. Her favourite lyric by Bob Marley is “One good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain”.

RFUK PRODUCER OF THE WEEK - CARLTON "BUBLERS" OGILVIE

By Coral Consciously
5th August 2015

This is definitely someone on my interview hit list....the producer affectionately known as "Bubblers". When reading his biog I had to scale it down before posting because the list reads like a who's who in the music fraterntiy. I encourage every serious-minded music follower to set aside time and read this summary of his history. Keep your eyes open for my interview coming very soon....

BIOG

Turned professional in the early 80’s. Played and co produced on BARRINGTON LEVI’s songs :- 

HERE I COME
TOO EXPERIENCE
DANCEHALL ROCK
LIVING DANGEROUSLY 

Played and Produced on MAXI PRIEST hit album “BONIFIDE”
which went to No. 1 on the American Billboard Album chart 

Played and Produced on ASWAD hit album “RISE & SHINE” including the hit single “SHINE” 

Went on to work with Sly & Robbie on various album projects, with artistsuch as :- 

SUGGS (Madness)
SIMPLY RED
ANNIE LENNOX (Eurhymics)
MAXI PRIEST
DENNIS BOVELL 

Worked and played on various album projects with ADRIAN SHERWOOD of ON-U SOUND along with Doug Winbush & Skip McDonald of the legendary The Sugerhill Gang & Sinead O’Connor. 

Was the main Recording & Mixing Engineer and one of the producers of the UK based RUFF CUTT MUSIC studio and Record Label. 

producing artist like :- 

GREGORY ISSAAC - MYKAL ROZE - BERES HAMMOND
DON RICARDO – MICHAEL GORDON (Investigators)
FREDDIE McGREGGOR – ANTHONY B – SYLVIA TELLA
MIGHTY DIAMONDS – MYKAL ROSE - GAPPY RANKS
PETER HUNNIGALE – RUDY THOMAS – LLOYD BROWN
DONNA MARIE – J C LODGE – JANET KAY – DON CAMPBELL
LUTAN FYAH – DOBBY DOBSON … 

to name but a few… 

Has played Keyboards on over 15 albums for JETSTAR MUSIC 

And is one of the main nucleus (players) with The UK’s top premier backing band – The RUFF CUTT BAND, who have been backing a whole manner of
Reggae artists since 1981 right up to the present day, from DJ’s to
Singers… Just finished producing an album with VICTOR ROMEO EVANS called “SUPAVIC” 

In the middle of producing an album with PAULETTE TAJAH 

And co-producing a few tracks with REGGAE STAR FACTOR winner 

CHARDEL RHODDEN on the NU-EDGE PRODUCTIONS label

NU-EDGE PRODUCTIONS started about 1984 by “Carlton Ogilvie aka BUBBLERS”. The first release was a track called “PUSH PUSH” by SLIM BATSON which was held off the number 1 

Slot by CLEMENT IRIE’S “BUN & CHEESE”. A further release was with THERESA JAE then everything 

Went a bit quiet due to other commitments. I was doing productions for other people such as BARRINGTON LEVY, MAXI PRIEST. ADRIAN SHERWOOD’S ON-U SOUND label, JET STAR,LEE FRANCIS of SMARTMOVE RECORDS, LLOYD CHARMERS & RUFF CUTT MUSIC to name a few. Plus live stage shows and touring…That kept me busy for quite some time. In late 2011 with the music industry slowing down, I decided to go into my own productions again.I done an album with an artist called EMPRESS AYEOLA Intitled “STRAIGHT TO THE POINT” A brilliant Roots album and a brilliant Roots artist. I Also an album with VICTOR ROMEO EVANS Intitled “SUPERVIC”. licked over “LOVE IS A TREASURE”originally by FREDDIE McKAY and I featured artisrs – CARROL THOMPSOM, GAPPY RANKS, PETER HUNNIGALE, VICTOR ROMEO EVANS, JANET KAY, LLOYD BROWN & LUCIANO. Both album and singles were well received. In 2012 I got seriously ill an was out of the picture for almost 2 years but im getting much better so I’m getting back on track, So I can dedicate more time now to my productions(NU-EDGE PRODUCTIONS) I have a new original riddim called the “BIG FROCK RIDDIM” featuring CARROL THOMPSON, VICTOR ROMEO EVANS, EMPRESS AYEOLA, TRU-IDENTITY, DON CAMPBELL, PAULETTE TAJAH & CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS. Due for release in early Febuary 2015 on Itunes (Download). You can get EMPRESS AYEOLA’s album on Itunes and also the “LOVE IS A TREASURE” series of songs by the artists featured earlier on iTUNES

REGGAE AT THE ROYAL - JULY EDITION

By Coral Consciouslee
31st July 

Some may be wondering why I am writing my second review of a monthly event that I have attended three times now. It was BRILLIANT that's why!!

There was the same intimate atmosphere, the same meeting up of certain friends, artists, etc. However this time it seems there was a freedom in the expression of those who performed. Although I have heard John McLean sing more than once, last night he sang outstandingly, moving on stage with obvious pleasure. His rendition of Ed Sheridan's "Thinking Out Loud" had the crowd in noisy rapture.

So John set us up very nicely for one of my favourite dancers on stage..Winston Reedy. I just love the way he dances and I can testify that the man can still hit those high notes, seemingly as effortlessly as ever. HIs singing whipped the audience into a frenzy, making John bring him back on to the stage for an encore. In total we were treated to six songs!

Last but by all means not least was Carol Vieira (Kofi). For me this was my first time seeing her live and I was mesmerised. She was strong, vibrant, looked great and she belted out her classic songs as if her life depended on it. The audience were right behind her. We cheered, we clapped, we danced! Special mention should be given to the Zaine Band and the backing singers (Errol Nicholson and Singer Mandee) - they delivered.

So nice seeing Barry Boom, Sutara Ji and Audrey Scottcoming out to support. I close by asking you to follow their example and support an outstanding opportunity to hear artists and musicians of a legendary calibre. BIG UP REGGAE AT THE ROYAL.

P.S. Pictures courtesy of Courtney Anglin

CARROLL THOMPSON'S LOVER'S ROCK RELAUNCH

By Coral Consciouslee
30th July 2015

Literally 30 seconds away from Southgate Underground station is The Maze Inn. At the front one would be forgiven for thinking they are entering a small place, but there the deception ends.
If one is coming straight from work or arrives early, there is a simple but effective eating area outside at the back. After sitting there for five minutes you would be forgiven for thinking you were back home in the West Indies. Taste the food and you would swear blind it's true.

Inside is a stylish, spacious and comfortable place, with beautiful red curtains and chandelier-like lighting that gives it a vintage feel. Add the bar which hints at another era, the persistent beat and bass of reggae tune after tune courtesy of Prezedent and the stage is set for the relaunch of Carroll Thompson's Lover's Rock Lounge re-launch. It didn't hurt at all that I was treated like a VIP having my own little alcove to sit in and not spending one penny on drinks - the lady knows how to treat people!

The atmosphere was one of a friendly, warm gathering, which was by no means small. Laughter and chatter mingled with the music, until we were welcomed by the Queen of Lover's Rock herself.

Then it began, the songs that made the legends: Carroll Thompson Paul Dawkins, Heather Haywood, Claudia Fontaine. Leading the listener down memory lane. As they sang, the sign of the future joined them in the form of Cassandra London singing "Just Cool".
Time-wise everything seemed just right and as I left, I was sure that this would be the first of many to come.

The relaunch was successful.

THE LOVER'S ROCK MONOLOGUES

By Coral Consciouslee
26th July 2015

Just got in from a brilliantly entertaining evening with Victor Romero Evans, Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson. 

Fairfield Halls was packed. We made it just in time before the show started. Normally the audience takes time to warm up and get into the show, but not this crowd. We were ready as Victor Romero Evans opened the show, we laughed at every nuance, every word, every flick of his flowing locs. 

For me it was my first time. I was not disappointed, or bored. I listened enthralled as all three described what it was like to be a "Lovers Rocker" back in the day. The clothes that was worn, what our parent's said/thought, the music we listened to, the times we fancied ourselves in love. We were even treated to a three-stage tutorial (he dare not take us any levels further) to what is was like to "rub down" by Victor Romero Evans.!!

Cleverly interwoven into the humour and singing, was the message that we as women, should love ourselves as God created us and not as society dictates we should be. The men were encouraged to appreciate the women. Most importantly we were all encouraged to love each other. We could easily have been sitting in a house on the sofa with a drink in hand, sharing experiences. It takes skill to pull something like that off!! The clapping and cheering carried on long after the singers and musicians left the stage and deservedly so.......

Victor Romero Evans, Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson, I commend you on thinking outside of the box; for taking your years of experience and songs and putting it altogether in a nostalgic, humourous and thoroughly engaging show. As I always say "Please continue xxx"