Berbice

Berbice's Water: Make the Water Come a musical downpour By Gerry Hopkins

Berbice - no longer a new voice in Caribbean-American and world-beat music, is certainly continuing his ascent to stardom. The artiste, who has already made a name for himself on the international stage with his smooth and versatile voice, has added another rung to his ladder by winning the much coveted title of "Grenada 2007 Road March King," with his riveting soca hit "Traffic" a song which was certainly well-written, arranged and sung to please those who relish street fetes.

The people demanded it: the DJs played it more than any other tune; and thus Berbice controlled the streets or Grenada for Carnival 2007, and later rocked Brooklyns 2007 Labor Day Parade.

In his new 16 track best-of-Berbice, world-beat CD album, titled Water: Make the Water Come (named after track # one, a saucy soca hit), the artiste showcases the versatility of his repertoire in terms of the multiple genres and crossovers featured therein. Almost every genre of Caribbean-American music can be found in this album from good old soca to reggae (rockers and rock-steady); from soulful hip-hop/rap-infused soca to groovy world-beat rhythms.

Beside the title track, "Water," and the Road March hit, "Traffic," three other songs deserve particular mention. They are the brand new hip-hop-influenced soca tune - "Caribbean Girl;" the smooth, cross-over soca/hip-hop ballad - "Closer;" and the lyrically solid, rock-steady reggae composition - "Wonderful World." Also included on the album are two older well-received songs - "I Lied," and "Come On Over," which are discussed below.

Born and raised in Grenada, the genesis and development of this artiste to his recent landmark accomplishment, can be best capsulated in a few words true talent, eclectic musical taste, and dedicated persistence.

From his humble beginnings as a teenage-songwriter and vocalist in his high school band, Bits & Pieces, through his more recent shows appearing on stages with artistes such as Ajamu, Machel Montano, Bunji Galin, Wizard, Bounty Killer, Kevin Lyttle, KMC, Sanchez, Screechy Dan, Half Pint, Merciless, and Ziggy Rankin, the caliber of this artist has being evident for a while now.

From Berbice's 2001 reggae release of "Lady," which made it to number one on the then WLIB 1190 Top 10 Charts, and his 2003 release of the single "I Lied" (a reggae rocker also in his latest album), onto his 2005 release of "Come On Over" ( a rap-infused cross-over soca/hip-hop hit, featuring K. Starks), and his hot new album, this artiste has been relentless in his quest for musical success, driven by his true love of the art-form.

Influenced by an array of artists from Bob Marley to Kenny Rogers and The Manhattans; from The Mighty Sparrow to Tito Puente and Kassav Berbice reveals that he sees "music as a medium that transcends languages and cultural differences." As he puts it, "Music is the medium through which I best express myself. It fuels my mind, wakes me up, and keeps me moving on. If I am able to touch just one heart or soul with my music, then my music would not be in vain."

To date, the music released by Berbice have been written by him and co-produced alongside Rocking J of the Bernadine of Grenville Ltd label, with the exception of the song "Closer," which was written and produced by Radford Ettienne.

The new album, Water, which is already in stores, has something in it for just about every lover of good music. This is certainly one for the collectors.

Summer Update 2008

Berbice Grenada's Road March King has been nominated for four awards at the prestigious International Music Awards. Berbice otherwise known as Lester Bowen has been nominated for Soca Song Writer of the Year, Over all Male Soca Artists of the Year, Favourite up Tempo Soca- Male and Soca Artist Album/CD of the Year.

The International Music Awards will be held in St Kitts this year Saturday 18th October 2008.

Since winning his Road March title in Grenada 2007 with the his hit tune Traffic, Berbice now dubbed 'Mr Traffic' has become an extremely popular artist appearing in shows in various countries.

Voting for the International Soca Awards event commences from the 6th June 2008 see www.socaawards.com for details.

Berbice is available for bookings and can be reached via email using the form provided.