Jamaican-born artiste manager and producer Chris Smith is a man on a mission. Smith currently manages international pop star Nelly Furtado as well as Canada-based reggae/pop artiste Jarvis Church; rhythm and blues singer Tamia; Courtney John formerly known as Yogie; and sister duo Brick and Lace.

Smith... has a lot of plans for Jamaican music including a variety show which will be syndicated overseas

Smith has taken the expertise from his business background into running a full-fledged management firm and production entity Chris Smith Management. The company is based in Canada.
Smith has a lot of plans for Jamaican music including a variety show which will be syndicated overseas. This column caught up with Smith recently where he spoke about the future for Brick and Lace and Courtney John; the television variety show; and the working with a major pop star such as Nelly Furtado.

Kevin Jackson: What projects are you currently working on?
Chris Smith: I'm getting set to launch Brick and Lace, Courtney John and Jarvis Church. I am also in the midst of producing a music variety show. In all my global travels, I see a void in the music. The world needs more Jamaican music on a consistent basis. The variety show will be having auditions for dancers. It will be filled with performances and dancing. It's going to be over the top.

KJ: Speaking of the variety show, which television station will it air in Jamaica?
CS: We haven't finalised that as yet, but it will be syndicated globally.

KJ: Fill us in on this charity venture that you will be pursuing.
CS: I saw that there was a gap in music education, and I am establishing a non profit organisation to gather funds for music education. This country's natural resource is music. We need to develop and create more wicked musicians like the next Sly and Robbie.

KJ: What are some of your plans where Brick and Lace are concerned?
CS: There's two dimensions to them. It was important for the girls to establish themselves in Jamaica. We didn't want to go too far on the pop end without the Jamaican side being established. They have won most of the major awards in Jamaica and their video for Love is Wicked is averaging 4.7 million hits on youtube. In April they will be touring the UK and Europe. A lot of people aren't aware how popular Brick and Lace are globally. I don't want to cross them over too quick and forget their roots.

KJ: How difficult or challenging has it been to manage an international pop star like Nelly Furtado?
CS: It's a challenge to maintain her business structure. She is a diamond seller and she has outsold a lot of artistes. She is really big globally and we have a massive team of people who work with her. We have a dedicated stylist, make-up person, security, road manager, tour manager and production manager. She even has a favourite pilot for her private jet.

KJ: What do you think about the current state of the music industry where records aren't really selling like once?
CS: The music industry is sort of reshuffling. I think it's exciting times. When there is a shift in mediums the way consumers receive music, people get nervous. I believe that once people understand what the digital era is about to bring to us and how efficient it is, we'll settle down. People will always need music. In Jamaica we need to train more. We have an abundance of talent here and we need more business people to get involved.

KJ: Have you seen any new talent here in Jamaica that you would want to work with?
CS: Attitude is the most important thing when working with an artiste. Attitude is everything. I've seen a few videos since I have been here and we plan to check out some of the artistes.

KJ: How did you get your start in the industry?
CS: I used to be in the financial sector and I decided to transfer that skill into the music industry. I went to college for marketing and when I felt I was seasoned enough, I started dabbling on the music front. I played the trumpet when I was in high school.

KJ: What's your Jamaican connection?
CS: I am originally from Annotto Bay in St. Mary. I moved to Canada many years ago.

KJ: Tell us about this upcoming concert you plan to have here in Jamaica with Nelly Furtado
CS: Nelly will be coming down for a concert to raise funds for music education here in Jamaica. She's been wanting to come to perform in Jamaica for sometime now. She 's also right in the mix because she has done her dub plates for Swatch International, she has done reggae remixes of most of her hits, and she has worked with Courtney John.

Computer Paul to helm production for Patra's upcoming projects

Musician and producer Paul Henton, better known as Computer Paul, whose credits include rhythm projects such as the Frog, Corduroy and the M 16, and chart hits including Jimmy Cliff's I Can See Clearly Now, Inner Circle's Sweat and Bad Boys, and George Nooks' rendition of God Is Standing By, has been working on several projects.

Henton recently received a platinum plaque for his work on Hip Hop/R&B superstar Akon's multi-platinum album Konvicted. Current projects for the in-demand musician include an album with 1990s female Dancehall star Patra, who is now once again signed to a major label.

Additionally there is a dancehall project called Hypocrites which is already generating a lot of attention on radio with songs such as Weed by Singing Melody, Busted by Heart Break Club; and Your Day Will Come by 14 K.

Henton also has production credits on several songs at the moment including Hold On by Nature for Jamaican football star Ricardo Gardner's Heart Of Love label, and Looking For Love by Patriot for Grass Roots Records.

Former cabaret singer David Johnson makes the switch to the recording studio

Westmoreland-based singer and song writer, David Johnson, who is a former cabaret performer, is looking to take his career to higher levels.. The singer, who says his musical influences include Beres Hammond, Richie Stephens and Sanchez, made his entry into the music business in the early nineties, as the lead singer for the Negril based One Blood Band.

After the One Blood Band disbanded in 1996 he continued to work on the cabaret circuit in Negril performing at hotels and venues including Sandals, Grand Lido, Point Village, Riu, Risky Business and De Buss among others.

In 2002, David took a break from music to pursue business ventures, but in 2007 he returned to his musical ambitions. This time around he is approaching the business from a different angle. Although he has not ruled out the possibility of performing on the cabaret circuit, he will be concentrating his efforts on establishing a recording career.

He has already released his first single titled Starvation for the Highlight Jamaica label. His other recordings include Rise My People and One and Only. David is also in the process of putting together his debut album, which will be released before the end of the year.

Bahamian reggae artiste Shiraz hunting for the big break

Bahamian reggae artiste Shiraz is ready for the summer with his hot new single As I Am. The song is a club tune blending pop and dancehall into a hot dance track ready for the mainstream airwaves as well as the dancehall.

Shiraz' mainstream appeal makes him one of the hottest new talents coming out of the Bahamas. Shiraz has been working steadily with Jamaican and Bahamian producers to release a string of hit singles and he has warmed up for 2008 with performances at some of Nassau's biggest shows.

BITS AND PIECES

Music lovers can check out singer Peter Lloyd when he performs at the Christopher Jazz Café Singers Night Live on Thursday April 17.

There's a new session in town. Its called Nuh Linga Fridays and it kicks off on April 11 at the corner of Windward and Pembrook Roads in Kingston. The session is promoted by selector Rolexx and it will be held the 2nd Friday and last Friday in every month. Music will be provided by Rolexx and the Bembe Squad.

Richie Spice recently completed the video shoot for his latest hit The Plane Land. The video was directed by Rhona Fox for FOX Flicks and it was shot in Brooklyn, New York. The video is set to premiere later this month.

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