Attention all Mattafix fans!

Marlon's first solo album is now expected in July.

The music industry is a lively horse, so dates and releases get changed on a daily basis… and for ‘Mattafix’ front man Marlon Roudette, his album is no exception.

Originally scheduled to be released in May, Marlon’s album now looks likely to be released on July 29. And, yes, he has decided on a name…. ‘Matter Fixed’.

The first single off the album, ‘New Age’, will be released in the UK on July 8. Marlon confided that he has no gigs planned as yet, but promised to let his fans know as soon as dates are decided on.

‘Matter Fixed’ is Marlon’s first solo album. He previously released two albums, ‘Signs of a Struggle’ (2005) and ‘Rhythm and Hymns’ (2007), as lead singer for the band Mattafix.

Returning to SVG – no land for the young?

LIAT aircraft landing at ET Joshua Airport, SVG

Now more than ever, the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are being afforded the opportunities to venture overseas to pursue their education at university level and beyond.

Not only have they migrated to the usual USA, Canada and UK, they have taken up residence in the more far flung corners of the world… Mexico, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia… the list goes on.

On completion of their degrees and/or training, many complain that there is nothing for them to go back to if they wish to return to their homeland. Many feel that the island has not progressed sufficiently to cope with their newly acquired skills and social interests.

However, there are those who argue quite the opposite. The onus is on young returnees to carve a niche for themselves in Vincentian society.

What are your thoughts on the issue? Is the government doing enough to encourage and accommodate young Vincentian returnees? Do returnees expect too much? Is returning to SVG best left for retirement age?

Whatever they may be, let’s hear your views!

Talk yuh talk – new feature!

Greetings to all on this lovely bank holiday Monday! Hope you’re thoroughly enjoying the sunshine and fine weather before being plunged back into the regular work schedule tomorrow.

In an effort to generate more debate and reader participation on this site, I’m introducing a new feature called ‘Talk yuh talk!’.

A question will be posed, ever so often, based on the hot topics that are being discussed in the Diaspora. Suggestions for topics are most welcome!

So without further ado, let’s get this ball rolling. Looking forward to hearing EVERYONE’S views!

“High” Vincentian attendance at Royal Wedding

Vincentians attended the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

While millions worldwide tuned in to the televised nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton (now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge), 12 Vincentian nationals were fortunate enough to be present in Westminster Abbey on Friday for a bird’s eye view of the historic event.

According to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, this meant that St. Vincent and the Grenadines had the highest attendance of nationals at the ceremony in relation to its population size.

PM Gonsalves made this claim at a meeting hosted by the SVG High Commission in conjunction with Bucks University, which took place in High Wycombe. The Prime Minister last addressed an audience in that region in 2008.

Those in attendance were: PM Gonsalves and his wife Eloise, Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne and his wife Sally-Ann, SVG High Commissioner His Excellency Cenio Lewis, managing director of the Mustique Company Brian Alexander and his wife, owner of Basil’s Bar Basil Charles, and villa rentals manager at the Mustique Company Jeanette Cadet.

There were also three other Mustique Co. employees who attended – the head masseur, the tennis coach and the horse trainer.

Full house at PM Gonsalves’s High Wycombe address

Taken from Caribbean New Now! Published May 2, 2011.

HIGH WYCOMBE, England — Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) addressed Vincentian nationals, friends of SVG and other interested parties on developments in the country, at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe, England.

The event was attended by Sir Frederick Ballantyne, Governor General of SVG; Cenio Lewis, High Commissioner for SVG to the UK; Eloise Gonsalves; Dr Christopher Stange, Hon. Consul for SVG to Northern Ireland; Cllr Jane White, Mayor of High Wycombe; other dignitaries; nationals and the respective chairs of the various SVG National Associations in the UK.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves addressing the Vincentian Diaspora in High Wycombe, England
Gonsalves updated the standing room only audience about all sectors of the economy in SVG, particularly around the world economic crisis and what the government is doing proactively to create a better future for all Vincentians.