ReggaeTimes

Hosted by Simon Crosskill, Digicel Deal or No Deal is an exhilarating game show where contestants play and deal for a top prize of $1 million in a high-energy contest of nerves, instincts and raw intuition. Each week, the game of odds and chance unfolds when a contestant is confronted with 26 Jamaican beauties holding 26 sealed briefcases with cash ranging from $1 to $1 Million. Without knowing the amount in each briefcase, the contestant picks one – his/hers to keep, if he/she chooses – until its unsealing at game’s end. Originally produced by Endemol, the game show premiered on Dutch TV in 2001. 

With Digicel Deal or No Deal viewers at home will also have a chance of winning cash by playing the Lucky Case Game. In this game there are 3 cases: A, B & C each randomly containing a cash value: $5,000, $25,000 and $100,000.  At the end of each show, starting at 9PM, viewers will be able to text to enter as many times as they like for six days for a chance to win one of these cash prizes. A winner will be randomly selected every Wednesday morning and the selected winner will have to tune in to the show that night on TVJ to see how much cash they have won.  Near the start of each show on a Wednesday night, Simon asks that episode’s participating contestant to select a case A, B or C, as carried by three of the show’s models, this case will be revealed and show how much cash the selected winner has won. 

The aim of Digicel Deal or No Deal is to give contestants a chance to win a whopping $1 million while at the same time providing quality entertainment to the viewing audience. The secret to the success of the show lies in the well-balanced combination of both mathematical, and psychological elements all coming together to produce a game show thriller. TVJ will premiere Digicel Deal or No Deal on Wednesday September 23 at 8pm.

Although not many attired according to the dress code, Mass Camp was jam packed on Saturday night (August 29) with patrons who intended to have a good time. The hosting of yet another Heineken Good Times did not disappoint as many patrons were left thoroughly satisfied.

With soothing music and a captivating atmosphere the night proceeded on different levels ranging from slow lovers music to feet stamping soca/reggae music. Heineken flowed freely as bars were located at the four corners of the venue and patrons did not hesitate to indulge in both the music and beverages.

A slue of lovers’ rock effectively mesmerized the females allowing them to sway to the slow pulsating beat of the refreshing music. A more upbeat tempo of 80s Shabba Ranks, Super Cat and Beres Hammond brought Mass Camp alive. The crowd was kept awake by soca and calypso music which received the crowd’s approval.

Heineken Good Times indeed delivered a good time and is undoubtedly an event that should not be missed. Good vibes, music, drinks and atmosphere made it possible for a good time to be had by all.

Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios, will become the Caribbean’s first attraction open for nighttime operations. Guests will soon be able to soar into the night on the Sky Explorer to the top of Mystic Mountain, professionally lit by landscape experts to create a mystical display of the tropical forest canopy. Once at the summit, R2 Restaurant, which stands at a soaring 700 feet tall, will offer a gourmet dining experience overlooking an unparalleled nighttime view of Ocho Rios.

Visitors will also experience a pulsating ride on the Bobsled Jamaica with an illuminated track at 40 feet intervals, which creates a strobe light effect as visitors descend through the deep tropical jungle. Canopy zip liners can discover the thrill of the world’s first nighttime zip line, donning helmet lights as they zip amongst the rainforest treetops to platforms ringed with torches.

Mystic Mountain is situated on over 100 acres of land containing a diverse ecosystem including natural springs, tropical plants, trees and a variety of birds. Mystic Mountain is in the process of planning and engineering other featured enhancements and rides that will continue to set it apart from all other excursions and ensure it will remain the Caribbean’s premier tourism attraction.

ROCKFORT MINERAL BATH

Rockfort Mineral Bath is one of the quiet and delightful locations to visit in Kingston. It is located on the eastern edge of the city on the main approach from the airport. Visitors from all over come to experience its invigorating waters. Cozily nestled in a garden setting, the mineral bath consists of a main public swimming pool and a number of Jacuzzi-type private baths. The therapeutic value of the mineral-rich waters flow from the Rockfort Hills.

The origins of the Rockfort Bath is uncertain, but it is believed to have appeared miraculously following the 1907 earthquake. It quickly became popular throughout Jamaica as a spa, and even now, visitors can indulge themselves in a variety of relaxing ways, from picnicking and swimming to getting a massage or whirlpool treatment. There are public and private bath areas as well as a dining area.

The water, which is very radioactive, is piped from a cold spring in the surrounding hills. The spa, which is operated commercially, has several bathhouses, supplied with warm water, and a large swimming pool. Like the other mineral spas, Rock Fort Mineral Bath is believed to have healing properties.

Address: Rockfort
Kingston Jamaica

Tel: 1 876 938 5055

Open Hours 7a.m,-5:30p.m. Monday - Saturday

REGGAE BELIVE IT OR NOT

In 1950s the diet of the sound system was US r&b crossed over to white teenage audience in the form of rock ‘n’ roll, it caused a problem for sound systems owners in Jamaica, because they could no longer guaranteed a continuing supply of their preferred music the fast shuffle boogies and plaintive ballads of the duy now outmoded US model. So the decided to record their own for a couple of years the music they produce closely follow the US pattern, but then it began to sound more Jamaican the rhythm guitar, strumming the offbeat, became more prominent, echoing the type of rhythm found in mento, where it was played on the banjo. The drums changed as well, with a base-drum emphasis on the third beat that gave a real to the boogie-shuffle.

REGGAE BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Rocksteady emerged during 1966 it developed characteristics that identified as almost the opposite of its predecessor, ska. In a nutshell, rocksteady was slower, more refined, and most of all, cooler. Firstly, the regularly paced ‘walking’ basslines that ska inherited from R&B became much more broken-up in rocksteady the bass didn’t play on every beat with equal emphasis, but rather played a repeated pattern that syncopated the rhythm. In turn, the bass and the drums became much more prominent, with the horns taking on a supportive rather than lead role. For further emphasis, Lynn Taitt, the most significant musician of rocksteady, would play a line on styles on Jamaican music was also apparent in the more refined style of rocksteady vocalists, which meshed perfectly with the slower tempo.

REGGAE BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Jamaican deejays have traditionally made their reputations the hard way, in front of Kingston dancehall audience, and there are several whose talents can only be appreciated on recording of their live performances. The format that best served the underground audience for dancehall music were the cassettes of Kingston dance that began to be played on Kingston Minibuses from the late 1970s. The cassettes were also sold overseas, in Brooklyn and  Brixton, giving deejays reputation well in advance of their debut on record. In 1982 this live dance phenomenon also arrived on vinyl. 

Moxon’s Beach Club

Restored

Moxon’s creator, Mrs. Johanne McDonald, a charming and engaging woman has built and re-defined comfort. This place is like stumbling upon hidden treasure, yet not being part of a treasure hunt. This exclusive, Intimate, Boutique Hotel is 8 miles east of Ocho Rios in quaint Stewart Town, (Boscobel St. Mary), directly over the ocean.

Moxon’s Beach Club consists of four (4) levels, built on a cascading slope that leads to its own white sand beach, it is flanked by two large piers set on the beautiful tropical turquoise waters of the one-mile reef. Members can join us at the Beach Bar by small boats and or jet skis from neighbouring homes and hotels. Swimming and snorkelling can keep one in the warm water for hours at a time. At night the horizon like glistening pieces of jewellery as they seem to be drawn to the moon beams illuminating the sea.

The classy small boutique type hotel has a capacity of twenty (20) rooms, with 80% of the rooms having a breathtaking view of the Boscobel Lagoon; what is of note and a fact that every room has its own charm and distinct design.

Englishman Timothy Moxon, who later handed it over to his brother Oliver, after making a few appearances in several James Bond flicks, originally built Moxons. Oliver was married to Baroness Bonita who was a chef, with her cuisine skills Moxon’s quickly became, from the 70s to the early 90s a much required culinary destination frequented by celebrities such as; Henry Kissinger, Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Marley, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Peter Tosh and Boy George…to name a few. After the couple died the location was then sold to Italians who used it mostly for corporate and family meetings. The luxurious days of Moxon’s as vanished and only those who were privileged to experience the glory days can have a recollection of its beauty.

Moxon’s was merely a structure of a building in 2004, when Johanne McDonald who is affectionately called Ms Mac saw where she could create a master piece. In 2005, her interests grew in this dilapidated building and she bought the location. The single mother who had survived cancer decided that after the battle she could survive anything. Although she views Moxon’s as a formidable task, it was a task she was willing to take on. McDonald who has been a mother and father to her children dabbled in many careers including; “Film and Television Production, Acting, Modelling, Real Estate Sales, Stock Broking and travelling the world”. She decided to acquire the Moxon’s property after growing tired of living in the Miami Beach for the past eighteen years where she was restoring Art Deco properties.

With a numerous amount of discouragement from family and friends, McDonald decided to add some new trades to her life style in order to get this project completed and not losing unnecessary money. This well refined woman released her militant side. She also became a jack-of-all-trades within the three days of her arriving in Jamaica, she knew little about. McDonald became a Design architect, contractor, architect engineer and supervisor to ninety three (93) men workers on a daily double shift.

Johanne McDonald decided on a double shift system not only to ensure that the work was being done efficiently, but to also ensure that the tools were not benign stolen. “There would be one tool to two people who worked on the different shifts so if a particular tool went missing I would know only one of the two people would be the culprit” McDonald explained to Reggae Times.

McDonald militancy did not prevent her from being the charming and loving person she is. She built a wonderful relationship with her staff becoming a mother, councillor and friend. But made it clear to her staff that they all had a job to do and she is expecting it to be done. On one occasion, she said that she had to fire thirty-five (35%) per cent of her crew on the spot. McDonald told Reggae Times that she does not want people to mistake her kindness for weakness; she also stated, “If they kill me they will be no work for the other sixty five (65) per cent”. Another challenge McDonald had was getting her staff to speak Standard English. At first, she did not understand them but with a little work, they began speaking fluent English.

The finish product of Johanne McDonald blood, sweat and tears is now a work of art. Moxon tropical garden encompasses a small, concealed cave area for private sunbathing. With the property holding on to its traditional culinary Art, reputation if there is need for exclusivity like your own butler, cook and driver, a discreet call is all that is needed.

Need a time-out? Come to Moxon’s, an environment, which whispers comfort, rest, and relaxation.

REGGAE BELIEVE IT OR NOT

For all the commercial dominance of Junjo Lawes and Jimmy, you could argue that most innovative dancehall was to be found on Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare’s Taxi label. In addition to running their own business, the dynamic duo or rhythm twins, as they were variously called contribute to countless sessions for other producers, offering the one commercially viable alternative to the studio hegemony for the Roots Radics and The High Times band. They particularly shaped the sound found on imprints such as George Phang’s Powerhouse, Clive Jarrett and Beswick ‘Bebo’ Philip’s sun set and Philip ‘Fatis’ Burrell’s Vena all of which were heavily dependant on their progressive sound.

REGGAE BELIEVE IT OR NOT

As much as anyone, the skatalite, guitarist Jerome ‘Jah Jerry’ Hinds can claim to having invented ska. In the late 1940s, when he was taught by the grate Ernest Ranlin and ‘boogie’ reigned in the dancehall. Jerome coated “my father had a guitar and I played a little with it, then took it to Ernest Ranglin” That was in 1948 and he helped me out”. He taught him all the grate old tunes that he played, tunes that he used to play in the dance. The first one was “Sunny Side of the Streets”, and “Swanee River”. Then he started playing with the Val Bennett big band, at the Caribbean Hotel, in the middle 1950s. he played in a lot more bands until finally he reached Drumbago and went into the recording business.