Soca parang connoisseurs might be a tad disappointed Kenwrick Joseph (Kenny J) is not releasing a new soca parang single for this Christmas. Instead he will be performing hits like Alexander, Hush Yuh Mouth and Stay Inside A Little Longer from his soca parang repertoire for his adoring fans.
For C2k13, Joseph has released a soca Jam Up To Meh. It will coincide with his 25th anniversary in the entertainment industry. South-based arranger Junior Ibo Joseph arranged the infectious music.
Interviewed recently, Joseph said, "I will not be singing a new soca parang for Christmas. I did a soca song Jam Meh Up. It's a song I?started last year. It will be in time for my 25th anniversary. "I haven't done a soca for a long time. I?enhanced it with a video. It was directed by Bandit (Oscar Jackson). I?went along with Bandit's direction. I?acted in the best way I?could. It's a different Kenny J. ?I?hope people who see it would like it."
There are snapshots of traditional Carnival characters Moko Jumbies, car wash and women gyrating on the video. It was launched at Gayelle and distributed to most of the TV stations. "So far, I?am getting great reviews for it. I?have been in soca parang. I have been in the soca arena. I?am not giving up on soca. I?want to be like the Tambus and the Machels. It would be nice to bunch with those guys. "I?feel to be a soca performer, entertainer and writer. That's a vibe coming out. I?am hoping for the best for my 25th anniversary."?
Keenly aware his fans would be anticipating soca parang, Joseph said,?"I?don't have a new soca parang every year. I?have songs like The Cork out there. Christmas is not like Carnival. You don't have to produce a new song every year. A hiatus gives the song enough chance to breathe. Let them grow on the people. Christmas is a season where we want to hear songs for paranging. We don't want songs for the first time."
He cited the example of Paintbrush. He said, "When I?launched the Paintbrush, it caught on the following year. The second year was when people heard about it. Baron's Spanish Woman was not a hit the first year. Crazy's Tito Lara is quite popular now. People are asking for it on 100.1 FM. Many songs would die. So you have to give people the chance to hear it." Meanwhile, Joseph will be performing his soca parang songs from Toco to Los Iros. "I am going with the songs they love. If the songs are good, they are going to live."
About Kenny J
He lives at Siparia, hometown of soca superstar Machel Montano, and the late parang queen Daisy Voisin. Christmas is also a bittersweet experience since his wife Joan passed on December 26.
"Christmas was her thing. I?miss the support I?got. I?have my daughter Jeselle and son Kerry at home."
Joseph, a former police officer, won the Police Calypso Monarch in 1987. He officially entered the calypso arena in 1988. Among his gems are Aids is Ah Killer (Slow Down) (1989); Addicted To Sweet Soca/Leave She Alone (1990); Jail Eh Nice (1993); and Radio Station (2002).
While he entered the Dimanche Gras finals on four occasions, his highest placing was second in 1990. Patting himself on the back, Joseph said, "I have amassed several Top 20 awards. "I?won Best Soca Parang/Sunshine awards with Alexander. I?got a COTT award/Hush Your Mouth."
He is also working on Love Ballads (Volume 2). He performed ballads alongside Michael Bolton. "I?performed at a lot of shows in Trinidad for Mother's Day and Valentine's." In his spare time, he cultivates citrus at Buenos Ayres. He is an avid sportsman who found time to erect an entertainment centre at Hernandez Trace, Siparia. "I love cricket. But I won't look good on stage with a buss eye," he joked. He has performed throughout Europe and North America.
Contact Kenny J at 682-1888 or e-mailKennyJsoca@yahoo.com
