WE SPOTLIGHT - Blessed

Traveling the earth, and teaching as he learns

By Stacey Marie Robinson

Music is a powerful force. When you combine tight production, natural skill, positive messages, and an intelligent messenger, its power only multiplies. With all of those elements, and a vibrant talent behind the force, the possibilities for success are limitless.

The music industry in Canada is a difficult one to infiltrate, so those who have earned the respect and displayed the strength to break through barriers have a mighty responsibility to make their fellow Canadians proud. Reggae artist Blessed, aka Peter Skinner, has been ‘blessed’ with this power and with the release of his first full length album in September, was able to share his voice and represent Canada around the world.

“When people go out and support my album, it’s doing more than they would ever imagine,” said Blessed, 32. “It’s not just helping me, but it’s helping the Canadian reggae community and the Canadian music fraternity in general.”

Anyone that knows Blessed’s music can quickly conclude that he has a good heart. His respect for women, love for his country of birth, Jamaica, and awareness of life in general is evident in award-winning songs like “Natural African” and “Reggae Time,” as well as popular tracks like, “Jamaica Land of the Sun” and “Unexpected.” The track closest to his heart, “Final Road,” expresses that although the journey is tough, he will survive, and teach others as he learns.

This is the spirit that has encouraged Canadians to support him, and audiences to accept him at home in Toronto and Montreal, as well as across the ocean in Jamaica, where he performed along with Sizzla and other top reggae artists at, ‘Rise to the Occasion 3’ this past summer.

“I think they just love the energy I bring to the stage,” said Blessed. “They love the music I sing, and the fact that I make positive music. It is uplifting for the community.”

Although the road for Blessed has been a successful one, with two Juno awards, and recognition from the Urban Music Association of Canada, it has been a long journey. Entering the industry requires talent and perseverance, however one of the main obstacles to progress is the lack of money allocated to supporting Canadian music. Blessed was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to shine.

“I strongly believe things don’t happen in life unless they’re meant to be,” said Blessed. “The best part of the process to me was just hearing that the album was going to be released; there have been many false starts. Knowing that the album is out there -- it’s the greatest feeling.”

Blessed’s album is available at Wal-Mart, HMV, Best Buy and Music World; supporters can also connect with him at www.myspace.com/blessedvibes.

“I want people to remember that I did something to help the music go further in Canada. That’s my main goal. I want people to get the respect they deserve, and for people to live off of their music in Canada. I hope I can be remembered for helping to change that in Canada.”

WE DESTINATION – St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands) – The Caribbean’s best kept secret

By Marie Fleming


The largest of the United States Virgin Islands, St. Croix is not only famous for it’s world class scuba diving with some of the world's finest dive spots, but is also a very popular wedding/honeymoon destination. The island offers beautiful landscape, gorgeous beaches, stunning historical architecture, and not to mention the intimate dining and shopping.

St. Croix has flown seven different flags. It has been colonized by Spain, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, the Knights of Malta, Denmark, and the United States.

There are two distinct towns to visit: Christiansted and Frederiksted. In Christiansted, you can browse the many quaint shops filled with jewellery and clothing, or visit the National Historic Site within the one-time Danish West Indies capital. Frederiksted is well known for its tropical Rain Forest and the Whim Greathouse, a plantation restored to its original spender in the early 1700s. The towns of Christiansted and Fredriksted each have their distinctive style and are a must-see.

St. Croix scuba diving is some of the best in the Caribbean... if not the world. It nestles more than 20 dive sites within the largest living reef of any Caribbean island. The most popular being Buck Island Reef, Frederiksted Pier, Salt River and The Wall at Cane Bay.

St. Croix offers a host of activities within a very relaxed island experience, without the crowds normally found at many other Caribbean destinations. Fine hotels, great cuisine, sight-seeing, duty free shopping, beautiful beaches, warm waters, spectacular golf courses, watersports, night life and friendly Caribbean culture complete the menu for the perfect U.S. Virgin Island vacation of a lifetime.



St. Croix Happenings:
December/January - Crucian Christmas Festival
February - St. Croix Orchid Society Annual Show
April - A Taste of St. Croix (Food & Wine Festival)
September - Foreign Film Festival (Whim Plantation Museum)
November - Blue Bay Jazz Fest
December - American Airlines Charity Golf Classic

For info and accommodations visit http://www.visitstcroix.com/. http://www.stcroixtourism.com/ or http://www.st-croix-usvi.com/.

Scuba diving info can also be found at http://www.stcroixscuba.com/.

WE MUSIC - Dr Jay asks 'THE QUESTION'

With black cake, pastelles, ham and chow chow with a tall glass of sorrel plus Parang in the air, that means Christmas is drawing near and the new year is right around the corner; so my thoughts are focused on resolutions. Being a DJ, music is ALWAYS on my mind, so I can't help but think of musical resolutions for the Soca industry. What would YOU like those involved in Soca to resolve to do differently in 2008? Give it some thought nuh? Hmmmmmm, what if...
One thing that comes to mind is collaborations. More specifically, the collabos with artists from other genres of music. What if a Soca artist resolved to only do songs with an artist where the respect is reciprocal? I'm tired of seeing Reggae or Hip Hop artists in Trinidad for Carnival, but they would never invite the same Soca artist to share their stage at their concerts. The relationship really needs to work both ways, ent?

What if bands and artists vowed to change up their performance routine? Once seen at their home countries festival, do you really want to see them perform that EXACT SAME set again here in Toronto and abroad for the rest of the year, until the next carnival season?
What if those with the ability to push music did so without bias towards allegiance or nationality?
What if everyone put their money where their mouth was and actually supported the artists and the producers as opposed to the pirates?

What if promoters and DJ's had a true love for the culture as opposed to a love for the almighty dollar?

What if artists wore their size? Not every male artist should take off their shirt, and not every female artist should wear the skin tight outfits. Not trying to be mean, just stating the obvious...not all bicycle wines should be done in spandex...lol

So with this year drawing to a close, what would your new year's resolution be for the Soca industry? Now THAT is THE QUESTION.

Dr Jay de Soca Prince welcomes your feedback on this topic at thequestion@socatherapy.com

WE MUSIC CHARTS

Top 10 Soca Singles
1. Party Animal - Problem Child
2. Wukking Up - Patrice Roberts
3. Me & You - Don Trent
4. Go Down Low - Zoelah
5. Whining Season - Machel Montano
6. Pressure Boom - Ricky T
7. Whine Up Remix - Kat De Luna ft Elephant Man
8. Turn It Around - Umi Marcano
9. Never Leave Ya - Kerwin Du Bois
10. Right Dey - KES the Band

Top 10 Reggae Singles
1. Sticky - Jah Cure
2. Below The Waist - Queen Ifrica
3. Love & Affection - Pressure
4. She's Royal - Tarrus Riley
5. I'm Waiting - Ce'Cile
6. Blind To You - Collie Buddz
7. Umbrella Remix - Rihanna ft Collie Buddz
8. Tek Weh Yuhself - Mr Vegas
9. Stay With You Remix - Tarrus Riley & Queen Ifrica
10. You Gonna Need Me - Mr Vegas & Jovi Rockwell

Top 10 Parang Singles
1. Anita - Scrunter
2. Puncheon - Merc
3. Muchacha (original) - Crazy
4. Homemade Wine - Scrunter5. Gena - Connector
6. Bottle and Spoon - Lord Relator
7. De Whole Hog - Rebuscar ft Lima Calbio
8. Ay Ay Maria - Singing Francine
9. Black Cake and Sorrel - Da Spirit
10. Spread the Joy - Tocos

Top 10 Caribbean Music Videos
1. She's Royal - Taurus Riley
2. Love & Affection - Pressure
3. Tek Weh Yuhself - Mr Vegas
4. What I Want - Fireball
5. Impossible - Adrian Dutchin
6. On My Mind Remix - Da'Ville & Sean Paul
7. Nah Going Home - Biggie Irie
8. Move That Body - Umi Marcano
9. Mamacita - Collie Buddz
10. Soaking Wet - Lincoln Ward

Charts are based on hit stats from TORONTO-LIME.comPeriod Oct 15-Nov 15 '07

WE SPOTLIGHT - THE BARON

Legend to celebrate a great year with family and friends in Toronto

By Stacey Marie Robinson

It’s been a busy year for the mighty Baron. Since the beginning of 2007, he’s been on the road every weekend, traveling, performing for sold-out crowds, and making sure his fans are musically fulfilled as he keeps the vibes going well into the third decade of his career.

“It’s been very hectic,” said Baron, also known as Timothy Watkins, “since the year start, I’m on the street.”

No matter where he goes, he is greeted with warmth, and hundreds of fans who look forward to hearing his classics, and anticipate his new releases. This New Year’s Eve, he will perform a full 3.5 hour show in Toronto at the Lion Gate Lounge (1957 Kennedy at Progress) backed by Ossie Gurley & De Relatives.

He grew up in Bamboo Village, La Romain, South Trinidad, but Baron is no stranger to Toronto, Canada. He spent three years living in Toronto, and is looking forward to seeing his many friends, family – including his son Richie – and his loyal fans when he returns at the end of the month.

Fans can look forward to hearing favourites at the Baron New Year’s Eve Ball like “This Melody Sweet,” “Doh Rock it So,” “Somebody,” “Buss Up Shut” and his numerous parang hits including, “It’s Christmas.”

Many of Baron’s supporters have grown with him over the years; he’s been present in spirit for holiday celebrations, romantic moments, childhood memories, big shows, family basement parties, and his voice has filled their homes and lives for decades. This calypso crooner, also dubbed the “Sweet Soca Man” can sing anything from traditional Trinidadian songs, to American classics.

His beautiful voice and golden charm keep his career fresh and progressive. Along with touring the world, making frequent stops in fan favourites like Miami, New York, and the Caribbean islands, Baron has also been working hard in the studio. While his next album will not be released until 2008, he is preparing a couple of tracks to give to fans before the end of the year.

“I have two songs that I’m trying to finish, so I can get them prepared and have them played by the DJs on the radio so they can hear it before the album comes out,” said Baron. “Two songs for the season, until the CD is completed, so fans will have an idea of what it’s about, and what it’s like.”

Some artists get to a point in their careers where their accomplishments have been so abundant that even if they never write a new song again, they can still travel, perform the old hits, and entertain their audiences with nostalgic melodies. Baron, however, chooses to keep the momentum going and is dedicated to making new music on a regular basis, keeping him on top of his game.

“This is something that I have loved since I was a child. I grew up in it, singing in church, and singing here and there, and I’ve entertained the world. In another twenty years, once God gives me the health and strength, I’ll still be singing. I’ll still be performing.”

Tickets to hear Baron sing on New Year’s Eve are available for $30 at all Nicey’s locations, and various ticket outlets around the city. Sprinkled in gold and bundled up for the season, Baron looks forward to reuniting with those in Toronto who have helped to make his career a success.
“I love Toronto in the summer, but I can’t take the cold so I run back home. But I love Toronto, period,” Baron said. “I hope that when I get there I will be able to do the best I can, which I always try to do. I hope to see each and everyone of you there on Ole Year’s Night.”

WE SPOTLIGHT - Los Amigos – Friends Passing on the Culture

By Monica Joseph-McIntyre


Los Amigos is a Toronto-based parang group that is keeping Trinidad and Tobago’s traditional Christmas music alive. In Trinidad and Tobago, Christmas without parang would be like having a rum punch without the rum, or the traditional Caribbean “black cake” without the fruits.
Parang -- from the Spanish word “parranda” for merry-making -- is the music played by a group of singers and musicians who move from house to house in T&T, serenading family and friends while being greeted at each house with food and drinks. It is a melodic Venezuelan folk music that has rhythmic similarities to calypso. Los Amigos brings a taste of the music reminiscent of a Caribbean Christmas to expatriates in Toronto.

The 12-member band was formed in 2004, when a group of musician-friends who loved parang got together to preserve the art form here in Toronto.

“Our goal is to keep the tradition of parang music at Christmas alive, and to introduce parang to a younger audience,” says Jamal Ramsumair a.k.a. “Dubble Impack,” the band’s sound technician and spokesperson, who also DJ’s in between sets. “Right now parang is mainly for the older generation of Trinidadians and Tobagonians. They are the ones who grew up with parang and appreciate the music, but the older folks will eventually pass on, so we have to make sure that the tradition of parang music at Christmas is carried on.”

The band’s influences come from the traditional parang groups in Trinidad including the Lara Brothers, La Divina Pastora, San Jose Serenaders, and Daisy Voisin, among many others. They have also been influenced by soca-parang, a fusion of calypso, soca and parang sung by artists like Crazy and Scrunter. Some years ago, artists mixed chutney melodies (soca blended with East Indian music) with parang to create chutney-parang. Los Amigos plays all the different genres of parang, as well as some Latin tunes, and this year they have added some original music composed by one of the band members.

Bandleader and bass player, Fabien Torres, comes from a family of musicians and parang singers, known as “parenderos.” His father led the Unicos, once a popular parang band in Trinidad. Other instruments in the band include cuatro, mandolin, maracas and congas, which give parang its unique flavour. There is also a tenor pan, which adds a touch of steel to the musical ensemble. There are four vocalists including Toronto calypsonian Connector.
Ramsumair says the band’s music is aimed at not just Trinidadians who are familiar with the music, but their children, grandchildren, and people from the other Caribbean islands, and the wider community. “We want to make it so that everybody can enjoy the music,” Ramsumair says.

This year the band has as many as 20 bookings for the Christmas season, playing two or three gigs every weekend. “Los Amigos is the most hired parang band in Toronto,” Ramsumair says.
The band recently released its first CD, “Old Time Christmas,” and on December 15th, will host its own Christmas show at Northern Tropics, in Scarborough.

“We are bringing a real Trini Christmas with all the traditional Christmas foods: pastels, ginger beer, ham and hops,” Ramsumair says.

For more info visit www.myspace.com/losamigosband

WE SPOTLIGHT - Chutney Soca is Terry Gajraj

By Natasha G. Samuels



At the table where we are gathered, sits saffron and green placemats, (reflecting the colors of the flag of India) while the tracks from a Bob Marley CD plays softly in the background, setting the mood for a chat with Terry Gajraj about Indo-Caribbean culture, Chutney Soca and “Berbice River,” his new album. Gajraj is one of the few Guyanese born musicians who have achieved success at the international level.

With lyrics that evoke memories of Guyana, his 1992 album “Guyana Baboo,” remains one of the best selling Indo-Caribbean albums of all times. Gajraj has topped Chutney charts worldwide and has performed for Indo-Caribbean communities in the Caribbean, North America and Europe. Last year, Gajraj also made full-circle back to his Indian originals where he performed at the 7th annual Bollywood Music Awards, the Indian nation’s equivalent to the Grammys.

Ironic that Gajraj would find success as a Chutney Soca artiste after being heavily influenced by Guyana’s assimilation with the Western world’s culture, which included music. As a result, he learned to play the guitar, a stereotypical prerequisite for Country and Western singers, which is what he initially wanted to be.

However, in addition to learning to play the guitar, his family taught him to play traditional Indian musical instruments. He may not have thought it was hip at the time, but he says now he is truly appreciative of the fact that his family introduced the instruments to him. He said, “as I grow and mature I realize… it’s a good thing they taught me, cause I’m so much more into my identity cause this is who I am.”

Chutney he says is a combination or a blend of music from India and the Caribbean. “If you listen to it, it has the beat like Soca or Calypso, but then you have the Indian instruments like the harmonium and the dholak. We also sing in Hindi —not totally, but we do include a few Hindi words in the song[s],” Gajraj said.

Chutney music emerged in the Caribbean amongst East Indians who remained after indentured servitude ended in the early 1900’s. Through music, they recreated segments of the culture they had left behind in their native India using traditional instruments. Later, the tassa drum, which is an Indo Caribbean version of the Indian and Persian precursors, was introduced to accompany the traditional instruments and songs that were almost always sung in Hindi but in the distinctive West Indian dialect and accent.

In the early stages, the local music, as it was called, was mainly devotional songs, folk songs and wedding songs. The music remained confined to the temples and wedding houses until 1958 when Ramdeo Chaitoe of Surinam released an album of devotional music.

In 1960, Drupati released an album of traditional wedding songs, which along with Chaitoe’s music became pop hits in the Indo-Caribbean communities. The two albums united the East Indian communities and also established Indo-Caribbean music as a legitimate art form.
The turning point of Indo Caribbean music came in 1979, when Sundar Popo a Trinidadian, released the song, “Nana & Nani”. Unlike Drupati’s and Caitoe’s, Popo’s song was non-religious but used Hindi words and the traditional instruments in the composition. Thus, Chutney or Indian Soca as some call it, was born.

Gajraj says when he heard Popo’s “Nana and Nani,” he knew it was him. “ [His song] was about local life unlike the lyrics typical of those in Country and Western songs,” he said. He describes Sundar Popo as the Bob Marley of Chutney Music. “Reggae was there but Bob Marley made it popular and more internationally recognized. That’s the same with Sundar Popo,” he said. “The Chutney was there but he kind of brought it more to the forefront,” Gajraj said. Popo became Gajraj’s main influence and his lyrics are often compared with those of Popo.

“Berbice River,” Gajraj’s newest compilation, brings the count to 29-recorded albums since he released “Soca Lambada,” his first album, in 1989.

“Berbice River,” he says is slightly different than his previous albums. The traditional instrumentation of Chutney music can be clearly heard on the album, but influences of reggae, almost a Chutney Reggae flavor, can also be heard on some of the tracks. The reggae influence is unmistakable on tracks like “Guyana, Guyana” and “Bigan Farmer”. “Nasty, Nasty” promises to be a big hit in Soca clubs and “Ayi Yo, Ayi Yo” and “Dance the Maticore” are more traditional in nature, reminiscent of Dropati’s and Ramdeo Chaitoe’s wedding and devotional songs.

For more info visit http://www.terrygajraj.com/

WE PEOPLE - Ma$tamind Productions: Making Beautiful Music Together

By Karen L. Richardson



Over in Brooklyn, there’s a couple mixing business with pleasure, and doing it very well. Shawn Noel and his no-nonsense bride, Natasha, are the dynamic duo behind Ma$tamind Productions. He composes award-winning Soca productions, while she handles the daily grind of management.

First founded in March 2005, the full-service music production and management company already boasts five albums in their catalogue. A Ma$tamind Christmas II is right on time for the holidays. “Ponche de Crème, which is the instrumental track, may be my favourite [on the album], because it reminds me so much of what I used to do growing up,” says Noel. Shawn who grew up in Siparia, Trinidad in a family of Parranderros remembers going house to house at Christmas time playing the cuatro with Dulzura Caliente. His brother, who is the artiste known as Mista Shak, played pan. Mommy sang lead vocals and Daddy played guitar. He’s come a long way from his parang-playing days, and that’s where Natasha comes in.

The couple met in 2003 when Shawn was the keyboardist for the band Asylum. At the time, Natasha Andrews was managing a Brooklyn-based band called Cloud 9. “I didn’t know who he was, but I was in the middle of a meeting and he just sort of barged in. I said, ‘I’m having a meeting, please leave.’ I was rude, as he puts it,” says Natasha about the day she met her husband and teammate.

It was business at first sight. “When I met her, I liked how she handled stuff. She was very business oriented. She’s always coming up with ideas,” says Shawn. “She’s very resourceful and knows how to use whatever is at our disposal to find some way to promote the company through it. Yeah, she’s really the mastermind.”

In the music industry Shawn is known as ‘Da Ma$tamind’, having produced music for Trinidad’s musical elite. That includes A-listers such as Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano and Shurwayne Winchester. Now operating from the US, he has lent his technical expertise to Grenada’s Sheldon Douglas, St. Vincent’s Bomani, and U.S. acts alike. In just shy of three years, the resulting resume is virtually endless.

The team will be releasing their latest CD this month. Da Mastamind Project 3 will be available on iTunes and in stores early December. The compilation is home to an impressive list 2008 Trinidad Carnival releases; from Crazy, to Rikki Jai, Leon Coldero, Pelf, Third Bass and 3Suns. On De Tail Gone, Shawn Noel offers his voice to a humorous poke at women who use hair weave. “We were just sitting here hanging,” says Shawn, “Natasha was on Facebook looking at a group called Save a Horse, Stop Wearing Weave. Patch went home and did some lyrics.” Shawn built the beats.

Natasha builds a healthy home and business by setting boundaries. “It’s very hard being married and running a business. Like Shawn says, ‘I don’t even know what I get into, if yuh is my wife or my manager,’” says Natasha. She insists on sticking to a schedule. The home-business operates during set hours, ensuring one-on-one time for the couple. Shawn praises this structure for preventing work from interfering in their relationship. However, the lines do get crossed sometimes. “A lot of times I just find out about these ideas, because Tasha would jump out of de shower and say, ‘I have an idea.’ I would be like, oh gosh, this means more work!” says Shawn.

“I pray all the time to ask God to guide us to make the right decisions,” says Natasha. Not all decisions come easily. The Noels just celebrated two years of marriage on November 25, but there are no plans to hear the pitter patter of little ma$taminds.

“We’re really not able to do that right now because we’re always busy, always on the go. She never wanted to either, it was me. I was undecided, ‘cause you see them. Oh gosh they so cute!” says Shawn. Even without children, it’s obvious that Shawn Noel and Natasha Andrews-Noel have a good thing going on their own. Shawn agrees, “They always say behind every good man is good woman, but my woman not behind, she beside, and she’s great.”

WE WATCH – What's NEW in Music, DVDs, Games & Books

NEW MUSIC

Alison Hinds - Soca Queen
Bajan superstar, Alison Hinds, just released her solo debut album, titled “Soca Queen” (1720 Entertainment/Black Coral) on November 6, 2007. “Soca Queen” is produced by Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Nas, Fugees), Shelshok (Wyclef Jean, Machel Montano, Maximus Dan), Chris Allman (Rupee, David Kirton) and Nicholas Brancker (Shabba Ranks, Simply Red, Rob Flack.) The album is now available online at http://www.itunes.com/ and in music stores across North America.


A Mastamind Christmas II
The follow up to last years hit CD is a definite must have. The 15 track album includes all new music including Ron (Leon Coldero), Ponche De Creme (Da $pirit$), Cash For Christmas (Third Bass) and much more. For more info visit http://www.mastamusic.com/.

NEW ON DVD


Ratatouille
Remy (voice of Patton Oswalt) is a little rat with big dreams of becoming a world-class chef. He makes a home under a fancy Parisian restaurant and forms an unlikely bond with a lowly garbage boy, Linguini (Lou Romano), who will take them both to new, unimagined culinary heights, that is if Remy doesn't get caught by the real chefs first.


Ocean's Thirteen
Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his ever-expanding band of merry men plot their latest heist. Also starring, of course, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle and Carl Reiner. And joining the cast are Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin.


Sicko
Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore aims his camera at the diseased American health care industry for his latest documentary.

NEW GAMES


Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare arms gamers with an arsenal of advanced and powerful modern day firepower and transports them to the most treacherous hotspots around the globe. For the first time in the series, Call of Duty moves away from WWII to the modern battlefield. As both a United States Marine and British S.A.S. soldier fighting through an unfolding story full of twists and turns, players use sophisticated technology, superior firepower and coordinated land and air strikes on a battlefield where speed, accuracy and communication are essential to victory. The title also delivers an added depth of multiplayer action providing online fans an all-new customizable and very addictive game play. COD4 is truly next gen. The story is engaging, the level of design shows amazing attention to detail including scripted cliffhanger moments that add a level of realism and immersion not seen in most games of the genre. This game puts you in the fight like no other.

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platform: Xbox 360
Category: Shooter
Rated: M (Mature)


Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
By far the most challenging turn based rpg ever. This game is everything you want in a Fire Emblem game. Same strategy and tactics, but now with a save option, so you can save in the middle of battles. However, if you don't like strategy games, then stay away. This is probably the longest Fire Emblem yet with almost 40 missions!

Publisher: Nintendo of America
Developer: Nintendo of America
Platform: Wii
Category: Strategy
Rated: M (Mature)


NEW BOOKS


Tales from Icebox Land - by Queen Macoomeh
The Chancellor of Commess University, Queen Macoomeh, has been writing a rather spirited, weekly column – in dialect – in Toronto’s Share Newspaper since August 2001. At the behest of her legions of fans, she has compiled 37 of her best columns, with a few new stories, into one book - 'Tales from Icebox Land’.
The book was just launched in Toronto on Nov 23 and is now available online at http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ or at A Different Booklist (746 Bathurst Street, Toronto)


Born as a Sufferer - by Laura E. Johnson
'Born As A Sufferer' depicts the lives of two young people, Shelly and Bobby, who are fighting their own demons in the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. They are travelling on different roads but going at the same pace and both up against death, love, fear and crime. It is up to the two of them to find their own way out of their situation. While finding their own footprints they meet and complete each other's journey. According to the Jamaican author and Iraq war veteran, Laura Johnson, the book was inspired by the Bounty Killer song, Born As A Sufferer.

WE Technology - Gadgets