Feb. 17, 2005 — Jamesie and the Allstars have released a new CD titled "We Don Skylark." The CD, recorded at Backyard Studio in St. Croix, highlights traditional Virgin Islands scratch band music, also known as Quelbe. Quelbe is now the official music of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The CD is great for dancing and includes songs such as "Nobody's Business," "Dis Monkey Would Do," "Bulldog Don't Bite Me," and "Girl Wha Mek Yo Do Me So." The song "Stand Up Charlie" is about a man being caught having an affair, while in "Dirty Helena," a father wonders if a man can take care of his daughter.
The CD is available on the internet at www.cdbaby.com, and from local record and gift stores in the Virgin Islands.
Jamesie Brewster and the band are long-time Quelbe artists. Jamesie started his musical career in the 1930's, making his mark with distinctive and lively vocals. Paul Horsford is the bass player, Raymond Richards is on steel and backup vocals, Lawrence Mason plays the squash, Wilfred Allick plays congo, Camille Macedon plays banjo and sings backup vocals, and Sylvester McIntosh plays saxophone.
The band recently toured the United States, where they played for thousands of people at the Lotus World Music Festival in Bloomington, Ind., and at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Ill. Jamesie twice traveled to Denmark to play, leaving many loyal fans. A documentary film about Jamesie and the Allstars is currently in production. Jamesie and the Allstars play at festivals, private parties, and community functions.
