GUEST POSTS: CARIB NEWS COVID19 UPDATE

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Carib news is one of my favorite go-to news sources when I want to know what's happening with our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean whether they are there or in the US.  The publishers, Karl and Faye Rodney are my favorite couple on the planet - a dynamic duo dedicated to keeping us informed and involved.

We just lost a mutual good friend last week, Dr. Roy Hastick, founder and CEO of CACCI  - the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry - in NYC.  Between them, and other brothers and sisters in NYC and the Caribbean, we were able to collaborate and help each other move forward.

With this pandemic now trying to decimate our numbers, it's more important than ever that we keep in contact with each other and keep our lines of communication open.  We need to help each other and make sure we filter out the lies and keep updated on what's really going on.  

We have some natural resources that have kept us alive for centuries that we now need to begin using and relying on so that our systems are immunized and fortified - 
But I'm not going to start preaching right now - because you know me, this will evolve into a whole other article in it self.

Please enjoy THE CARIB NEWS and subscribe to : www.caribnews.com

 

Revised - Your Daily Briefing: Help For Stranded Jamaicans in US, Rihanna Sends Ventilator To Dad, Singing Surgeon Releases Album, Owner Conrad's Famous Bakery Dies, Three Little Birds Animated Video

You don't want to miss this.

April 18, 2020 The weekly voice of the Caribbean-American Community Daily Carib Brief Help For Stranded Jamaicans in US, Rihanna Sends Ventilator To Dad, Singing Surgeon Releases Album, Owner Conrad's Famous Bakery Dies, Three Little Birds Animated Video Marks working to get stranded Jamaicans home from the United States Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks says every effort is being made to get Jamaicans stranded in the United States home as soon as possible...  More on this story HERE Rihanna sent her dad a ventilator after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 When Rihanna's 66-year-old father, Ronald Fenty, became afraid for his life when he tested positive for COVID-19, his pop star daughter immediately sent him a ventilator, and other equipment.   Read more HERE Singing surgeon Dr. Elvis Francois releases new album ‘Music Is Medicine’ Haitian-American Dr. Elvis Francois, known as the singing surgeon, is making good on his singing skills. More on this story HERE Conrad Ifill founder of the well-known Caribbean Bakery has died Conrad Ifill, the founder, and owner of Conrad's Famous Bakery has become the latest victim of COVID-19.  Click to read more HERE Bob Marley’s 75th birthday celebration continues with launch of animated video for ‘Three Little Birds’ As part of the ongoing year-long celebration of Bob Marley’s 75th birthday, his estate released a new animated video for the reggae legend’s “Three Little Birds.” Click to read more HERE Daily Carib Brief Quote  "Our top priorities will be making religious and community groups  and integral part of our economic and cultural revival." Pastor Gilford Monrose, Mt. Zion Church of God, Brooklyn,  Office of Faith-based and Clergy Initiatives for Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams CORONAVIRUS - Hints For Protection  (from Dr. Leo Galland) The FDA also provided tips on how to protect yourself, other shoppers and store employees when buying essential items. For instance, it advised to:  Prepare a grocery list in advance  Wear a face mask or covering while in the store (this is in line with recently updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC) .guidelines.-and is now mandatory in hot spots like New York) Practice social distancing while shopping, make sure to stay at least 6 feet away from others Thoroughly wash your hands after returning home and again after putting the groceries away  Visit our Website for more latest news stories

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NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

 

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

 

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JUNE IS BLACK MUSIC MONTH - SALUTE TO MANDRILL

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

June is both Black Music Month and Caribbean Heritage Month - and in my family, there's a great deal to celebrate. My late husband/love of my life, Lou Wilson was a great musician/composer/vocalist/arranger - of Caribbean lineage - Jamaican on his Dad, Wilfred Wilson's side; and Barbados (Bajan) on his Mom, Doris Wilson's side.  

Lou Wilson of Mandrill

Born in Panama, October 25, 1941, he immigrated to the US with his father and brothers at the age of 12, and was raised in Brooklyn.  He, along with his brothers, attended and graduated from the legendary Boys High of Brooklyn.

The wonderful thing about Dad Wilson was that he insisted on all his sons - 4 of them, (the youngest coming along long after his older brothers had grown and left home) - cultivating their talents; so he made each one learn to play a musical instrument.  You might say he was the predecessor of Joe Jackson, because before they could not go out and hang with their friends, or participate in sports, they had to put in a considerable time practicing and mastering their instruments.  

And master it, they did.  Among they four of them, they played a total of nearly 50 instruments - including Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Congas, bongos, timbales, flute, sticks, spoons,  kazoos, and the kitchen sink.  

The important thing about Lou's music - and Mandrill in general - is that the lyrics are to uplift, inform, teach - they were about love, peace, and unity.  There was never any profanity used in any of their lyrics; no overt sexuality or perversions - just good clean fun.  They enjoyed their music and performing together - and apart from the occasional sibling rivalry - they were a cohesive unified family.  They not only loved their music, but loved the music of so many other artists as well.  Lou was the consummate ethnomusicologist - and loved music of other cultures as well as the music we as Black people created.  

As a result, our home was a musical home.  We would wake up to the Mighty Sparrow or Lord Kitchener one morning, John Coltrain, or Miles Davis, the next; the Beatles the next, Stevie Wonder, Olatunji, Hugh Masakela, Miriam Makeba, Bob Marley, James Brown, the Four Tops, The Temptations, and so on.  If Lou wasn't listening to music, or making music, he was writing lyrics.  A peculiar sound could send him off on a tangent in how to incorporate it into an idea that was running in the back of his mind.  And soon, he was composing something new, wonderful and different.  Our Sun/Son RA has as much talent as his dad, and is constantly composing, acting, doing Spoken Word - it's in his DNA.  

Our Mandrill family was a true Diasporian Family - to the point that I coined a new description for us:  African/JamacaBajaManian-Americans.  The richness of the confluence of our cultures has been such a blessing to me and our family -  as well as my nieces, nephews, and all the Wilsons, who comprise the Mandrill Family. 


There has been so many issues and controversies about immigrantion;  but we have so many geniuses amongst us - from scientists, to doctors, to educators, to architects, to entertainers.  Had Lou's family not left Panama, and come to the US to seek better lives for their children, there would have been no Mandrill; similarly, there would be no Wyclef Jean, there would be no Rihanna, no Sheryl Lee Ralph, no Harry Belafonte, and so many others, who have blended their voices, talents, geniuses, creativity with their African American Brothers and Sisters here in the US.  We have all been blessed with the genetic codes of our African Ancestors which has informed our capacity to transform it into something wonderful and magical - a lifetime legacy.


Recently, a very good friend of mine, Tony Regusters, posted a tribute to Mandrill on FaceBook, which started me on binge-listening to their music -something I haven't done in quite some time - Lou made his sudden and unexpected transition to the realm of Ancestor/Angel on  January 7, 2013 - It's taken me this 6 years to sit and enjoy the music and the videos without tearing up, or feeling sad - just enjoying the memories.  So, I'm sharing them with you, as well:

"The Wilson brothers, founders of the awesome 1970's Latin Jazz/R&B/Funk fusion band MANDRILL, were born in Panama and grew up in the Bedford–Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. With Carlos on trombone and vocals, Lou on trumpet and vocals, and Ric on saxophone and vocals, they formed the band to combine funk, soul, jazz, and Latin music. The band was named after the mandrill species of primate, which was known for its colorful features and family-oriented social structure. The other original members included keyboardist Claude "Coffee" Cave, guitarist Omar Mesa, bassist Bundie Cenas, and drummer Charlie Padro. 

They signed with Polydor Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1970. The album and its self-titled single "Mandrill" both reached the Billboard charts. Fudgie Kae Solomon replaced Cenas for their second album Mandrill Is, which also reached the Billboard soul and pop charts. 

Neftali Santiago then became Mandrill's new drummer. Their third album Composite Truth was released in 1972 and became their most successful release, with the single "Fencewalk" reaching number 19 on the Billboard singles chart. During this period, Mandrill gained critical notice as one of the most progressive and experimental funk bands of the 1970s, while their use of Latin elements drew comparisons to Santana and War. Funk historian Rickey Vincent noted Mandrill's multi-ethnic membership and "bizarre blend of African-based rhythms, scorching rock riffs, country fonk, bop jazz, and one-chord guitar rock operas." 

Guitarist Dougie Rodriguez, a former Santana sideman, joined in time for the second Mandrill album to be released in 1973, Just Outside of Town, which reached the top ten on the Billboard Soul Albums chart.
Here's a beautiful love song by Mandrill..."

youtube.com

Love Song - Mandrill

Del disco "Just outside of town" Mandrill una muy buena banda.YouTube

Gloria Dulan-Wilson Thanks so much Tony for the memories. Interestingly enough, our Sun/Son Ra and I were talking about Lou and the group earlier this afternoon. I think the only thing i would add is that 90% of all the songs and music were composed by Lou, and Carlos did most of the lead singing because - according to Lou - his voice was perfect for ballads. Our Sun/Son - Ra performs Spoken Word, and has very much the talent and creative DNA his father and uncles have. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK - Glo W

Tony Reguster's post caused me to go on a MANDRILL BINGE.  I'm sharing some of the works here with you.  Hope you can play them, and enjoy them as much as they did performing them.

6:22

Mandrill "Hang Loose"

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Mandrill "House Of Wood" New York

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1:18:56

Mandrill – Live at Montreux Jazz Festival (2002)

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Mandrill "Mandrill" 1971

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Mandrill "Fencewalk"1973 Rare Funk Footage

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Peace And Love - MANDRILL

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Mandrill performs 'Cohelo' live!

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Mandrill - Can you get it (Suzie Caesar)

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Mandrill Live at West Oak Lane 2008

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Mandrill - Solid (1975) Album

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MANDRILL - wind on horseback - 1975

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Mandrill - Moroccan Nights

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Mandrill - House Of Wood

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Mandrill "Mango Meat" Montreux Jazz 2002

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STAY BLESSED

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