`Dance
to 'Nellyville'
By Sanath Weerasuriya
After nearly a five weeks of silence, 'Original Music
Competition' starts today as usual with Sony CDs, audios,
gift vouchers and posters on offer to the readers of TV Times.
Singer
Nelly comes as the star of this week's 'Original Music Competition',
which is organised by M- Entertainment in collaboration with
TV Times.
When
time came for Nelly to follow up his enormously popular debut
album, the pop-rapper faced a particular challenge: how to
do so without alienating his millions of fans. It wasn't so
much about bringing in more fans; he already had a gigantic,
widespread fan base that stretched coast to coast. It was
more about giving all those millions of listeners more of
what they liked about his debut, Country Grammar (2000), namely
bouncy rap songs with catchy singalong hooks.
What
made doing so difficult was the simple fact that Country Grammar
had been a unique album, somewhat of an anomaly. The album
didn't leature sure-fire producers like Timbaland, but rather
Jason "Jay E" Epperson, a relatively unknown producer
at the time who produced practically the entirety of Country
Grammar. Plus, there was Nelly himself a talented pop-rapper
who tried to cast himself as a street-smart thug. So, when
it was time for this follow-up album, Nelly had to make the
calls: stick with Epperson or go with big-money producers
and also, stick with his thuggish posturing or accept his
teen pop-esque status?
Well,
for the most part, he decided to stick with Epperson's bouncy
beats (though he did bring in the Neptunes for "Hot in
Herre") and he also decided to stick with his tough-guy
front (though he does bring in just in Timberlake for "Work
It"). In other words, he didn't take any unnecessary
risks - after all, the formula proved successful the first
time around - and that's partly why Nellyville isn't as exciting
as it perhaps could be. When Nelly joins the Roc-a-Fella clique
and producer Just Blaze on the "Rock the Mic" remix
placed late on the album, you see what could have been.
Yet there's
no reason to bicker because Nellyville is on a par with, if
not a notch above, Country Grammar . In fact, it's essentially
interchangeable, which means it should satisfy millions of
listeners, if not impress them.
The albums
'Country Grammar' and 'Nellyville' are now available at all
M Entertainment authorized dealers. All the winners of previous
contests can collect their prizes from Maharaja Entertainment
(Pvt) Ltd., at 330, T.B. Jayah Mw., Colombo 10.
To enter
this contest, all you have to do is to answer the question
on the coupon No.79 and send it to the address given below.
The address
is "Listen to Original Music Contest, No. 79, C/o Maharaja
Entertainments (Pvt.) Ltd., 330, T. B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo
10.
Tell:
+ 941672425-8, Fax + 941699070. E Mail: me@lgo.lk
All the
entries must be originals from the TV Times and no photocopies
or faxes will be entertained. All correct entries will be
drawn by a panel of judges.
The entries
should reach the above address by September 3, the latest.
The decision of the judges will be final and the names of
the winners will be announced in The Sunday TV Times accordingly.
Here
are the winners of contest no. 75 . The winners of two Sony
original CDs are Miss. Neleisha Weerasinghe of Ragama and
Keshan Perera of Kirulapone.
Two audio
cassette winners are Daphne Ann Weinman of Mt. Lavinia and
H.W. Nuwan Kumara of Katugastota.
10% off
gift Vouchers go to Anushan Hiranya Jayasinghe of Minuwangoda,
W.K.A. Dilhan Chathuranga of Kahawatte, Dinesh Cooray of Panadura,
S.R. Jayasinghe of Wattala, Anushka Fernando of Nugegoda and
V Suranjith . of Kundasale.
Posters
winners are Dinusha Liyanage of Matara, Natalie E. Samarasinghe
of Kelaniya, Biyanca Jayasinghe of Mattegoda, Charles Sundarasinghe
of Wattala and Shevan Silva of Moratuwa.
Derek's
voice has charmed many
By Sanath Weerasuriya
The name Derek Meloney has been synonymous with broadcasting,
since the early 70's.
Derek
and Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation are not just two names
but the combination of great commercial cohabitation.
Derek
made his first appearance on Radio on what was then known
as the English National Service with veterans like late Christene
Blacker, Hector Jayasinghe and Mark Anthony Fernando. Derek
is in town after many years and he is very much alive at his
favourite beam at the SLBC.
'I migrated
to Australia in 1984 and since then I have come down in 1997
and this is my second visit to Sri Lanka,' he said. Derek
was exclusively interviewed by TV Times last week while he
was spared with little time from SLBC.
Speaking
on his latest visit he said it was to launch 'Ishala', the
Aussie- Sri Lanka friendship CD by his good friend Gary Ellis.
The famous
line 'Music memories and Good Old Fashion Meloney Magic' was
started by this broadcaster, during his career at the SLBC.
'I was
very fortunate to have grown up and listening and later on
working with some of the greatest broadcasters of all time,'
he said.
'If I
am what I am today is anything of value, I would have to pay
homage to people Like Jimmy Barucha, Livy Wijemanne, Mill
Sansoni, Tim Horshington, Greg Roskowski, and Christ Greet,
some of whom only inspired me whilst others, I was privileged
to work with', Derek said.
Derek
presented few programmes while he was on holiday here in 1997.
Likewise he is busy at the SLBC with his favourite programmes
'Wednesday Musical Clock', Choice 'of the People' and 'Family
Choice'.
I owe
a personal debt of gratitude to Shirley Perera. It was Shirley
who ''picked'' me from relative obscurity on the English National
Service, encouraged and motivated me to become the commercial
broadcaster.
Derek
was immensely popular in the early 80's and even won the outstanding
broadcasters award presented by the then Ceylon Daily Mirror.
('This
country lost one of its greatest assets in the industry and
commercial broadcasting was never quite the same', he said.
Derek
describes his association with the microphone as "the
most successful love affair to date". In fact he insists
it's the only love affair he has ever had.
He adds
"as much as I miss my listeners I am very much aware
of the fact they miss me. It is this factor that keeps bringing
me back to Sri Lanka. So naturally my plans for the future
will always include radio in Sri Lanka. On this occasion I
was specially brought down for the launch the 'Ishala' album
and I am grateful to Gary Ellis Cameron Kolambege, Robin Foenander,
and the great Desmond Kelly, he explained.
He will
be leaving the island in early September to Australia, where
Derek will be the special correspondent to Rupavahini and
SLBC in Aussie.
'That
is my new appointment and I am glad to work with my friends
in Colombo' he said.
When
asked whether he will come back to Sri Lanka on permanent
basis, Derek said. 'If I get the right offer I would love
to come and work in Sri Lanka'.
He also
said the new voices and new comers on new stations sound very
amateurish and a broadcasting academy would solve the problems
faced by these young ones.
'Some
broadcasters do not know how to speak or present a programme.
Sometimes it is irritating to listen to these people. It is
a sad situation,' Derek said.
In conclusion,
he pays tribute to his closest friend, producer and compiler
Harold Fernando for his loyalty and support through all these
years.
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