The New Bone to Pick from Ellis Cose

If, as the adage holds, the personal is political, the Calabash 2004 writer whose work most fully illustrates this combination is Ellis Cose, a Newsweek editor who has studied truth and reconciliation commissions and the vicissitudes of the traumatized self in the public arena. On Saturday afternoon of Calabash 2004, he summarized the findings of his most recent book, Bone to Pick (Atria, 2004), which is organized around themes of reconciliation, revenge and forgiveness.  Read more... (1534 words + 2 images)

Literary Fest Flourishes on Jamaica’s South Coast

Calabash Literary Festival 2004
Friday, May 28 – Sunday, May 30
Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Caribbean literature is very much an international literature, but distill it to the Calabash Festival and there is no longer an international feel, it’s a large village feeling. First of all is the location, a shimmering edge of St. Elizabeth parish, which is, for many consumers of this literature, a faraway place. The classy and eclectic fest, now in its fourth year, is held annually at Jake’s, a world reknown eco-getaway, in Treasure Beach.  Read more... (2097 words + 4 images)

Roger Mais’ Brother Man: Knotty Dread Steps Forward Again

‘Love is everything,’ he said, simply. ‘It is what created the world. It is what made you an’ me, child, brought us into this world.’

And somehow the words didn’t sound banal, coming from him. He spoke with such simple directness that it seemed to give a new import to everything he said. It was as though the common words of everyday usage meant something more, coming from his lips, than they did in the casual giving and taking of change in conversation, the way it was with other folks.  Read more... (1119 words + 1 image)

Notes from the Ital Grove: January 2004

Winter is the time of year that we, in mind, body, and spirit, are most disjointed from the luxuriant warmth of the tropics. While one may value the sublime and ethereal effect that winter has on our chaotic lives (unfortunately my urban ramblings take a hit), the chill can take a heavy toll on us physically and emotionally. For those of us lucky enough to get away on a beach vacation, those are often more susceptible to illness and depression upon their return.  Read more... (1291 words + 2 images)

CD Review: Gregory Isaacs, Open the Door

Gregory Isaacs
[Ras/Sanctuary]

Lucky to still be alive, does Gregory still have it? He does, thanks to the aid of duo-producers, Mafia & Fluxy. In the studio, Gregory relies on his strength of keeping it cool and calm, highlighting his distinctive, golden vocals, while producers Mafia & Fluxy arm Gregory with solid songs to rock any dancehall. The production duo, famous for classic rub-a-dub riddims pushing Beenie Man and Bounty Killer as household names back in the early 1990’s, crank up the bass to perfectly fit the power of your built up, theater-structured speakers.  Read more... (238 words + 1 image)