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.

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.

PM Gonsalves to address UK Vincentians

Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will be addressing the Vincentian Diaspora at a public meeting set to take place in High Wycombe.

On Wednesday, April 27, the Prime Minister will be the feature speaker at the event, which will be hosted by the High Commission for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in association with the Wycombe Multi-Cultural Association.

The venue is Bucks New University, High Wycombe Campus (The Gateway Building, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 2JZ).

Limited car parking is available on the campus. Visitors are asked to pull into a temporary 20 minute parking bay then proceed to reception to pay £2 for a parking permit. Escorts will then direct visitors to where they may park for the duration of the meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm with light refreshments being served. For more information please call 020 7460 1256.

The Prime Minister will also be attending the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday, April 29. His wife, Eloise, will accompany him.

Gonsalves is one of over 300 government officials who will attend the nuptials, scheduled to take place at Westminster Abbey.

Minister Slater addresses London meeting

Hon. Dr Slater's London meeting was well-attended.

At the London meeting, addressed by Hon. Dr Douglas Slater on March 18, the most pressing concern for those in attendance was that of the international airport currently being built at Argyle on mainland St. Vincent. Its projected date of completion was pushed back to 2013.

Dr Slater extolled the benefits of having an international airport – for those living locally, as well as Vincentians in the Diaspora.

“Just imagine when you’re travelling home, you can cut out that part – from Barbados to St. Vincent… that is more money in your pocket!”

Farewell, BBC Caribbean!

If you’re a fan of the BBC’s (British Broadcasting Corporation) Caribbean news coverage service, then you have most likely heard of its impending demise.

However, did you know that BBC Caribbean’s last broadcast will be made on March 25, 2011? There will be a special regional one-hour call-in programme on Thursday, March 24 looking at the future of pan-Caribbean news and current affairs.

Dianne Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, had this to say about the closure when it was first announced:

The BBC World Service is one of the most reputable radio services in the World and the Caribbean service in particular is incredibly popular in that region.
It is clear to see that this will be a big loss for the BBC and Britain as a whole. People will lose out culturally, the BBC’s reputation in the world will be sorely diminished, audiences will fall dramatically and most importantly people will be denied a service that is simply not available to them locally. BBC staff have been rocked by today’s news and rightly so, as despite the £42m saving to be made they realise that in the long run the cost of running the service is far outweighed by its benefits. The Government simply must change its mind on this issue.

The service will be sorely missed by many!