Neeshan D Hitman Uncut and Raw on Xposed TV with Sarah Bacchus

In the wide sea of so called West Indian artistes, who really uses their platform of entertainment to drive positive messages? D Hitman took his trail blazing high energy performances and metamorphed into a vehicle of positive change. As he sat down for a riveting raw uncut conversation with Sarah Bacchus, host of Xposed TV, it is refreshing to see the evolution of a man who can move the masses with his rum songs and turn around to capture those same masses with a message of restraint, humble humility and respect for women. His daring question of, “who will the child look up to if not us,” is strikingly powerful.

You know all of his songs, you grooved and whittled, whined and grinded on every dancehall, bacchanal, battam house and beach party from New York to Trinidad and all the way to Guyana. When the party needed a little pick up, the DJs turned to D Hitman. When the crowd settled a bit, D Hitman blazed out with his exposed chest and sprinkled fire water. That same man who has collaborated with every name in the business to captivate a worldwide audience is taking a stance on the same material that made him popular.

His philosophy is not about popular lyrics that sells out to masses but rather about material that moves masses in a positive direction. When the soca chutney world dictates that a hit must be about rum or the degradation of women, D Hitman stood up and said no. Striking! Here is an artiste who made his butter with the same rum song, rewind and come again with a different tune. I can imagine his competition and the so called powers to be in the industry shaking in their sandals. Why would this guy turn around and want to stop a good thing? Is it really a good thing? With all the social issues of rum drinking and celebrating the revered spirit in its infinite destruction, it is staggering that someone has not stepped up sooner.

D Hitman is determined to use his influence and wide audience to change the culture of soca chutney music and West Indian culture as a whole. He has taken a bold approach to not record any more rum songs. If audiences followed his “wilder, younger side” and were thrilled, they would embrace his more positive and matured entertainment path. These positive steps have lead to major support for a new charitable foundation. Lead by Christine Khan, this new foundation is focusing efforts to build a Children’s Recreational Center in Berbice, Guyana. Take a view of the entire interview below.

There are many Caribbean entertainment and media outlets scattered across the Diaspora. But not many embrace content with a positive message. Xposed TV, from Stealth Productions takes a stand and consistently deliver high quality technical and positive programs. The common elements here are all positive forward embracing people working together for a greater good. Here is to more artists joining hands with Neeshan D Hitman for a better West Indian Community.

Fresh take on Bappi Lahiri from DFlex with Yaad Aa Raha Hai

If you know Bappi Lahiri renditions from the Bollywood blockbuster movie Disco Dancer then you are as fortunate as I am and as old. If not, then familiarize yourself with a legend in Bollywood Dance Music. DFlex has taken a page out of Bappi Lahiri’s own foray into synthesized music.

During the 80s, Bappi Lahiri teamed up with popular Indian movie star Mithun Chakraborty to showcase what is now known as Indian Disco Music. It was these times that I relished in being a little disco dancer of my own. Ah the frivalry of youth. Growing up in Guyana, Indian movies was a big influence in daily life. Whatever movie was playing that week or weeks, depending how big a crowd still lined up towards the end of showing, was all the talk at culvert corners. (What’s a culvert? It is at the end of a street, normally at an intersect of streets, where people gather to discuss the day’s events. Oh youngin.) I have vivid memories of Mithun shaking on the screen to Bappi Lahiri’s belting out Yaad Aa Raha Hai.

Fast forward 30 odd years later, those beats might loose a little luster. Enter DFlex, teaming up with Mohan Rishi Lakhan of X3me Band and Rick Ramdehall, with his vivid take on West Indian music. Flex has taken some great risk and produced great music. He has done some really interesting work in Reggae and Indian crossovers with Stealth Productions. It is a little surprising and caught me completely off guard that he added a Euro flair with Indian and Reggae undertones. The first few seconds had me taking stance for a full frontal Pitbull type assault. Then the mix came in and I was totally off balance. To take an already heavy dance beat from one continent and mix it with a different genre from another continent then add synthesized and vocals in two languages is no ordinary feat, all along keeping everything liquid.

I’ve heard fragments of this type of mixing in high energy clubs of Singapore and Miami years ago. Musical beats has a way of working itself around, evolving, morphing into a living, breathing being. Throwing caution in the wind and letting the creative juices flow only brings greatness. This mix has the hallmarks of a staggering summer closer and will increase the heat throughout fall as the temperature drops. I wouldn’t be surprised if this beat is heating up your Christmas parties or ringing in the New Year.

Here is an Instrumental Version

Grab your partner and Luv Luv Luv

Pop into the club, turn on your favorite mobile listening device, visit your family, go to the hundreds of outdoor reunions this summer; what are you hearing? Another rum song or derogative commentary on women. Whatever happened to luv and family?

Photo Credit: Nadeer Bacchus. Pictured Standing Neil, Steve, Mike, Ray. Sitting Rick, DFlex, Reina.

Stealth Productions, Gemini Band, Rick Ramdehal, and Reina Gonzalez set out to embrace love and return to family structure, this summer, with their new release of Luv Luv Luv. The raspy lyrical male voice of Rick sets the stage for a simple display of love to Reina. Her honey suckle pronouncing of “baby” brings sincerity and trust to the relationship. There is genuine chemistry and true affection with complex overtones and melodious balladry.

On a shoestring budget and keeping it simple, Neil Anthony Bacchus of Stealth Productions with assistance from DFlex, conceptualized and directed a scene played out in every loving couple’s living room. A steadfast declaration of love. There isn’t any big bells and whistles, with dramatic sceneries, and certainly no flower bush turn away, no hide and seek, nor drenching rain. There is just raw face to face sit down emotions that were captured through artful technical angles and shadows.

Musically, this song will have you reaching for the waist of your love and swaying. The musical sense of Mike, Steve, and Raymond Seelochan from Gemini Band combines a time tested melody that rings familiarity yet there are new elements standing out. A sweeping, loving, honest, mellow tone sets the stage for a simple relationship between two people. Sometimes we all forget how simple love can be. It all boils down to two people  being truly honest and giving.

In a complex world of ever striving for the newest and most advanced dynamics, true simplicity stands the test of time. Luv Luv Luv combines the undertones of modernity with time honored traditions. Two people sharing love and affection in an honest setting. We should all look around and have an honest conversation with our loved ones. Share some Luv Luv Luv….    
Credits
Video Concept, Director, Camera and Editor:
Neil A. Bacchus

Written By:
Rick Ramdehal
Steve Seelochan
Michael Seelochan
Raymond Seelochan

Music: Gemini Band
Arranged & Produced By:
Steve Seelochan
Michael Seelochan
Raymond Seelochan

Vocals:
Rick Ramdehal & Reina Gonzalez

Musicians:
Steve Seelochan
Michael Seelochan
Raymond Seelochan
Videsh Seelochan

Engineered & Mixed By:
Steve Seelochan
Michael Seelochan

Recorded and Mixed At
GEMINI MUSIC LAB
Queens, New York
1 718 644 7080

Video Production Assistant:
DFlex


Video Production Studio:
Stealth Productions
Queens, NY
1 718 322 2111
www.stealthtv.com
info@stealthtv.com

You waited long enough Enter the Newbie

If you were following my last few post, there was a missing element. You did not notice? Remember, where I hinted that Gemini Band was collaborating with the old and the new? Take a deep breath, I give you Reina Gonzalez!

Photo Credits: Neil Anthony Bacchus. Pictured: Reina

Reina was born in the home of Chutney and Soca, a little island better known as Trinidad. Hailing from greats who introduced a whole new genre to the world, Reina brings a fresh new spark to the music world. She currently resides in NYC.

Her passion for music transcends all genre, but the rhythmic sounds of R & B, reggae and soca takes her deeper nirvana. In 2010, Reina joined Gemini Band and performed live for the first time. According, to DFlex, she brought the house down!

What’s on the horizon? A collaborative effort with Stealth Productions, Gemini Band, and Rick Ramdehal releasing later this week. Next, her first single teaming up with Stealth Productions and Gemini Band releasing soon.

I had a sneak peek at listening to her sing and watching her performance. I’ll give you this, brace yourself! 

Veteran Gemini Band takes the stage

Look around and listen to recent music releases, can you recognize the so called bands? It is very hard to tell who has staying power or who has worked with blazing artistes. Strumming in the background, making good artist sound great has been a quiet veteran, Gemini Band.  

Founding member Ramdeo Seelochan blazed a trail with Gemini Band for the current crop of bands, performers, and musicians. Gemini was the first Indo Caribbean Band to play at Madison Square Garden. Fusion of Bollywood and Soca beats, with the release of Sally Edwards version of Piya Tu Ab To Aja, first echoed from Gemini speakers. Success came with multiple hits from Anand Yankarran, Sally Edwards, Rajdai Singh, Drupattie Ramgoni, Veena Khetani, Salima Mohammed, Terry Gajraj , Rick Ramdehal, DFlex, Jimmel Fortune, Mr. Lee, and Rasheed Bacchus.Gemini brought the house down with Live performances in Florida, Texas, Schenectady, Toronto, Guyana, Trinidad, Maryland, Boston and New York.They played back up for Sparrow, Calypso Rose, Crazy, and Super Blue.

With the exhausting regurgitation of the same old sounds and constant copying of another’s lyrics, the Band has heightened their focus on writing, creating and recording all new and original pieces. A new collaboration with Stealth Productions will sharpen and refocus. New project releasing next week.


Photo credit: Neil Anthony Bacchus. On left Steve, Middle Ray, Right Michael Seelochan


Founding Member: Ramdeo Seelochan

Band Members
Michael Seelochan
Ray Seelochan
Steve Seelochan
Videsh Seelochan
Mr Lee
Reina Gonzalez
Rick Ramdehal
Rasheed Bacchus
Randy
Engineers: Ruy and Richie

West Indians slow down a bit

The sweltering summer heat is causing a major sweat fest in the Americas. People who were born and raised in the Caribbean heat can’t handle a little mercury rising anymore. My guess is our blood got a little thicker with the white powdery stuff dem fariegna call snow. So why add heat to more heat?

Stealth Productions latest project is slowing things down a bit and offering a mellowed out vibe. Veterans and newbies come together with a fresh new take on an old stalwart. In the music world of ever evolving sounds, our Caribbean community seems stuck on regurgitating the same old same old. Over the years and several projects, Stealth Productions aim to break that stigma.

Photo Credit: Neil Anthony Bacchus. Pictured: Rick Ramdehal

Meet Rick Ramdehal, a veteran in his own right, who teamed up with a fresh new voice and a veteran band to mellow out the sounds of old and new. Rick has been honing his skills since 1982, with performances in the US, Canada, Trinidad and England.

Here is Rick Ramdehal’s full performance bio

1982	Started singing career	Clyfee Madhu Radio Show	W/ Members of the Swar Sangeet Group
		Diwali conert	W/ Members of the Swar Sangeet Group
1984	Swarangeet band founded	W/ Ramdehals	Isardat, Dharmendra, Surendra, Devindra
1986	Happy birthday to you	Bisram Bhagan	Music by Swarangeet
1989	Recorded 3 albums with	Devindra Pooran	Music by Swarangeet
	Shakespeare Competition	New York High School	Top 5 Finalist
1992	Soca Lambada	Terry Gajraj
1997	Musically Yours	Swarangeet	Music by Swarangeet
1999	Simply Chutney	Swarangeet	Music by Swarangeet
2000	Bollywood Movie Awards	As back up singer to Terry Gajraj		Nassau Coliseum
2001	Chutney Soca Monarch	Guest Singer		Trinidad
2002	Chutney Soca Monarch	6th Place		Trinidad
2003	Chutney Soca Monarch
2004	Sexy Dancin’	1st Solo Album
2007	Bollywood Movie Awards	Ecstasy, Sexy Dancin’, In Da Mood	W/ D. Flex, Vani (QCQD), Natraj	Nassau Coliseum
2007	Released songs	In da mood	W/ Dutty Flex
		All I need	W/ Dutty Flex
		Thinkin’ bout you	W/ Dutty Flex
2011		Dard e dil	Music: Surendra, Video: Devindra
2012		Chaand mera dil	Music: Surendra, Video: Devindra
2013	Wait for it!

Where is the rest of the project? Slow down it is hot outside. The rest is coming this week.

A musical mirage

Do we really know our partners before we make a lifelong commitment? How many of us take our partners at face value? We look at the exterior, a beautiful body, a great family, fancy cars, big houses, lavish lifestyles and popular circles. Do we ever look beyond, into the soul, into the darkest and deepest corners of another’s persona?


Photo courtesy Stealth Productions/Photographer: Sunil Persaud

Donald Andrews and Neil Anthony Bacchus of Stealth Productions, wrapped their creative minds around a very taboo subject in our Caribbean Community. In today’s “feel good” society we often tend to sweep heavy topics and unpopular dialogue out by the grass corner. In music, artists are encouraged to write and produce more of similar material that the public divulge in droves. How many more ways can one thing be said? Or is it, that we are too busy suffocating our own emotions, that we could care less for anything else?

Who are we in this world, if we cannot care for the perils of our fellow human kind? Our time and energies are taken up focusing only on what we see on the surface. Whatever we don’t see or comes to our doorstep is not our concern. But what happens when that concern is on our doorstep. What do we do? Do we turn away and sweep it out to the grass and hope someone else will take out the trash? Or do we open our eyes and deal with the issues?

I had the honor of talking for a few minutes with Donald Andrews, who wrote, sang, and performed this song. Here is an excerpt from our conversation:

Eric: What was your inspiration for writing this song?
Donald: This song was written two years ago with the intention of entering the Trinidad Chutney Soca Monach Competitions, in collaboration with Big Rich and the Pungalunks Factory. But the promoters decided that the subject was not ready for prime time. I felt that there had to be a more constructive way of approaching the issue.
Eric: Why did you choose to showcase this issue in the manner you did?
Donald: This is a very gender neutral issue. It can happen to anyone. However, given the scores of women issues that get suffocated, I felt that this was my way of bringing light to the subject.
Eric: You’ve been in the business a while, why tackle this issue now?
Donald: When I started out a long time ago, being the front man for Gemini Band, we tore up the New York music scene. We brought it everytime to clubs and shows. As time went on, I gravitated to gospel music and my fate. Now in a subtle nudge I think our community needs to pay attention to some of these social issues that affect us.
Eric: What do you hope to achieve with this song and video?
Donald: I am in no way an activist. Neither do I intend to take a hard stance on the topic. But I wish for our community to recognize that there are two sides to every story and sometimes the untold is the truth. What we hide in our bedrooms and closets are more damaging than what we face everyday. I think we can do better as a society.

Go Download the song for FREE on Donald Andrews SoundCloud HERE.

In dialogue with Tony about his direction for this video, I came to realize the artistic and responsive talent of a young man that is rare in the music industry. Many people would take the negative angle of depicting this issue for it’s big, bold, knock over the head sensationalism. However, Tony was determined to not showcase a derogatory side but let the audience read between the lines. The stage-set for this video is very simple but purposeful. If you look very closely there are subtle signs that tells the story. There is nothing in the scenes that are happenstance, every item and movement carries a line in the narrative. Notice the three candles? What do they mean? How about the artist rendering? Why? Visualize the camera angles that tell a story through smoke scenes.


Photo courtesy Stealth Productions/Photographer: Sunil Persaud

Like most of Stealth Productions projects, this also holds true to carrying a positive meaningful message to our Caribbean Community. As is said in their website Welcome message,  “We take pride in our work and we intend to uphold our reputation on the scruples that the company was built on, integrity.” Those are difficult words to live by in this world of insatiable desire for regurgitating music. The current trend in West Indian music is this butchering of classical music, remixing 5 songs to make one, overlaying words on music that is timeless, singing pieces of Indian music that translates to nothing in particular and blending it all into one. This practice has it’s place if done tactfully and respectfully. Stealth Productions seeks some form of originality, modern, cutting edge music that carries an impactful stamp.


Photo courtesy Stealth Productions/Photographer: Sunil Persaud

Who is the “She” in She’s Ah Drinka video? Former New York catalog model Rachel Persaud signed on to showcase the hush side. An excerpt from our conversation:

Eric: Why did you choose to participate in this project?
Rachel: The subject matter was very attractive. I wanted to be a part of showing how my younger generation is taking the perils of older generations to a more liberal level.
Eric: Why do you think that the younger generation is more liberal?
Rachel: We grow up with more open socializing, hanging out, clubbing, and other activities. This encourages us to indulge in questionable behavior at a young age. While most of this behavior is accepted in males, females are the same participants. But females are never assigned any responsibility.
Eric: Are you taking a hard stance against this issue?
Rachel: I am hoping to raise awareness that there are two sides to this issue and encouraging others to take a look at themselves.
Eric: Why choose to appear in a music video over catalog modeling?
Rachel: The video content is very appealing. I feel that this video carries a message that needs to resonate with my generation.

Often in our Caribbean Community we tend to shy away from social issues even though they consume our daily lives. The people who take on these challenges are brave and sometimes shunned. When we take a stand, whether hard or soft, we are marginalized. Yet there are outcries when major disaster strikes on our doorstep. Are we ever going to stop and think? Are we ever going to take a stand? Are we ever going to acknowledge and recognize the signs? Are we ever going to reach out and extend a hand to our fellow mankind? Tony, Donald, and Rachel did? Are you going to follow? 

Go Check out and Share the Stealth Productions YouTube video for She’s Ah Drinka HERE.

#ShesAhDrinka

 

Grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.                        

--Reinhold Niebuhr