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The Caribbean Music Association (CMA) presented their annual awards recently on 11 October 2008, at their first Black Tie dinner and dance. It was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel Bloomsbury which seems to be host to a few Caribbean awards ceremonies, especially this month.

Although the CMA has been around for quite some time, and has indeed given awards each year, this was their first big formal event to honour the recipients. Apparently it has been long time coming, as Lyndon LaCrette - the chair of the organisation mentioned, but after the success of the evening, I am sure it is only the first of many.

The hotel's Academy Conference hall was filled with dinner tables where CMA members, family, friends and supporters created an atmosphere to suit the occasion. Everyone was very well dressed in glamorous outfits, with some of the older folk showin up the young ones, teaching them a ting or two about style. Friend of TJJ, and presenter extraordinaire Alafair Celestine was in attendance, but had the night off so kept me company. The evening started with an ample spread of fine Caribbean food to satisfy even the most voracious West Indian appetite. The chef responsible for the amazing spread this evening is none other than Colin West, also behind one of the monthly Caribbean eat-up nights in Kensington.

I wasn't even hungry, having just come from a late lunch, but I was tempted what I saw. You name it and I think they had it... everything you would expect, and more - macaroni pie, jerk pork, fry plantain, peas and rice, stew fish, oxtail, all kinda chicken, salads - potato salad etc, and who like shrimp. The biggest platter I ever saw, filled with 2 whole salmon and obscene quantities of jumbo shrimp (or king prawn or whatever you want to call it). The desert table too, was looking very scrumptious with cheesecakes, and pies and stuff. All yum!

After dinner, we were entertained - while the food digested, to a live band , playing a wide variety of classic covers. The band, performing without much fan-fare gave a quite pleasing performance, shifting seamlessly between soulful to melodic, to get up and dance with favourites such as "Rock with You", "Jungle Boogie" and Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier." My favourite for the night though was when the guitarist performed "Kiss" - by the artist formerly know by a symbol, but now known as Prince again. It was totally unexpected, and I'm sure his voice isn't as high pitched and screamy in real life, but he pulled off the very high pitched and screamy number to perfection.

Finally, we got down to business and were addressed by chair and host for the night, Lyndon LaCrette who explained what the organisation was about and they goals for the future - all summed up here in one phrase - "protect what is yours". This of course meaning as it relates to our music and our culture. Of the hundred of thousands of people that jump up in Notting Hill Carnival every year, many would not be aware that this organisation existed and would underestimate its importance. But thinking about it and listening to the speakers on the night, especially the recipients of the lifetime achievement awards, you begin to appreciate what we as a people have achieved and how these members contributed to the progress of Caribbean music in the UK. Lord Sam had an interesting story of when he first came up with all the latest tracks - from Sparrow and Kitchener etc., and heard that there was another Trini DJ called Smokey Joe playing in Cricklewood. When Lord Sam went to see him, he was only hearing Reggae and SKA etc. and had to ask Smokey if he was really from Trinidad. Yes, you had to be there to appreciate that story, but you get the message.

The Caribbean Music Association (CMA) is the official body which looks after those who play music on the road (mobile) at London Notting Hill Carnival. So anything played on the music trucks including live bands and pre-recorded music. They try to ensure that bands and trucks are properly licensed and that DJs are proper members of the CMA. As expected, the main focus of their prizes are for the best DJs on the trucks for NH Carnival, a prize titled "Soca on the Move Competition". Winning for the second consecutive year, and seeming to be the new king of the road was the Soca Professor, also called Soca Pro for short, or Soca P for even shorter. Legendary DJ Smokey Joe came in second and Soca Massive, a previous three time winner himself was third this year.

After the awards, we were treated with a skit or some sort where the actors pretended to have been guests mistaken for "the act" that was to perform. Fairly humourous, but again, you probably had to be there.
The night finished with the bit everyone was waiting for - de party! Members and guests quickly took to the dancefloor while Soca P and other DJs gathered at the decks to do what they do best. A satisfying night for all, as could be seen on the proud smiles of Lyndon LaCrette as he was finally able to look around, take it all in and switch from serious mode to party time.

Full list of honours on the night:

London Notting Hill Carnival Soca on the move competition
1st Place - Soca Professor
2nd Place - Smokey Joe
3rd Place - Soca Massive
4th Place - Image
Award for Lifetime Achievement - Victor Crichlow
Award for Lifetime Contribution to Caribbean Music - Lawrence Chambers (Lord Sam)
Award for Lifetime Contribution to Carnival - Pepe Francis
Award for Contribution to CMA 2008 - Lyndon LaCrette

See www.cma-uk.org for more info on the organisation

- Dre (UK)