NEW ALBUMS

Last week, the world music scene saw the release of a new album by the Jamaican deejay Beenie Man. Beenie Man, the world’s foremost figure in the reggae and dancehall world called the album Tropical Storm. And indeed a storm, it is a rapid-fire collection blending Beenie’s native dancehall rhythms with American electronica, incorporates an all-star cast of guest artists and super producers, complementing the Kingston patois of the man known as “da girls dem sugar”.

The Neptunes, uber producers extraordinaire, lend their genre defying skills to three frenetic tracks – “Bad Girl,” “Feel It Girl,” and “Bossman,” the latter featuring Lady Saw and Sean Paul. Lil’ Kim adds her vixen ways to the sultry “Fresh From Yard.” Another track from the new album, “I Like The Way”, appears on the opening credits of “Black Knight” the newly released Martin Lawrence comedy.
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He is a kid, and he is so sweet. An ancient proverb states simply: children should be seen and not heard. But you can here this, as it is amazing,... and good too! (as they say in the cartoons).

Another Earthquake! by Aaron Carter pumps out aerobic beats, good-time feelings and tons of hooks designed to stick in your head long after the CD has left its player. Like a steady diet of candy and soda, diabetic coma shock may kick in. When he slows downs for “Do You Remember?” and asks “Do you remember when I walked on water for you?” you might be a little bummed to think you missed that trick. But I think boy wonder is just taking liberties.

Eminem kicks ass at MTV Music Awards

DETROIT’S ever-controversial Eminem dominated the MTV Video Music Awards last Thursday night, taking four awards, including video of the year, best rap video, and best direction honours for “Without Me”, while the other Detroit act White Stripes took home three trophies.

Eminem’s triumph, however, wouldn’t have been complete without the controversy he loves to provoke and which was celebrated in his latest hit.

He was booed by some members of the audience while accepting the best male video award, which was presented by Christina Aguilera.

Eminem accepted the award without shaking the hand of Aguilera, whom he chastised on his hit, “The Real Slim Shady”.

Once the jeering began, Eminem said in reference to Moby, one of the chief antagonisers, that he did not have a problem hitting a bald man with glasses.

Neo-garage rockers White Stripes took their three awards for “Fell In Love With A Girl”, which won the breakthrough video award and two technical awards for best editing and best special effects.

No Doubt’s collaboration with Bounty Killer, “Hey Baby”, snagged two Moonman awards for best pop and best group video, while Pink grabbed a pair of awards for “Get The Party Started” in the best dance and best female categories.

One of the surprises of the night was Jennifer Lopez landing the best hip-hop video award for “I’m Real (Remix)” featuring Ja Rule. Lopez beat out heavy hip-hop hitters like OutKast, Missy Eliott, Fat Joe, and Busta Rhymes.

Several of the biggest stars in music graced the stage, including Shakira, who began her performance of “Objection” with a seductive, tango-inspired dance backed by a percussion session. The singer was later joined by a complete band as she thrilled the crowd with her rhythmic moves and singing.

Later, four-time winner Eminem performed a medley of “White America” and “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” from his multi-platinum album, “The Eminem Show”. The rapper performed “White America” while simulating a presidential State Of The Union address.

Made in Bulgaria

In the village of Belozem near Plovdiv, where the Third Youth Festival was held, one can meet priests who perform modern music – rap, techno, heavy metal and jazz. The idea to organise such a forum belongs to the Franciscan priests who promoted it nine years ago. Belozem was chosen because of the good conditions the local parish offers.

About 1,000 of the villagers are Roman Catholics and in the nearby town of Rakovski almost all residents are Catholics, too. Four years ago in the yard of the temple St. Francis of Assisi they built the first in Bulgaria stage for such events. The order strives to unite young people from all Catholic parishes and after that the young people from other faiths, too.

According to the conception of the Franciscan order, music is the best means for it. To the priests, there is no harmful or bad music. That is why they choose styles, traditionally rejected or even forgotten in different periods, like rap, heavy metal, and jazz.

Many children like techno and disco. The groups choose music by themselves and write a Christian text to it. It came out that many of the texts in the Holy Scriptures could sound in a contemporary way. The motto of the Third Festival, which was held August 26 to 31 was “God reveals to everybody his place and task in the world”.
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More than 800 young people from Bulgaria and abroad are expected to participate in the 7th edition of the Balkan Youth festival in Gabrovo September 5 through 10.

Among the participants are youths from Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, France, Spain and Russia.

The festival opens Thursday with a procession under the motto “The Sun Route”.

The bill of the event features performances by folk ensembles of Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Turkey and Bulgaria, a techno band of Serbia, a jazz-funk band of Switzerland and individual pop and rock performers.

There will be an exhibition of caricatures, round tables on young people’s involvement in power and on the challenges to young talents. The festival will end with a picnic and a sports competition.