Tessanne Chin wants to voice at home
Newly crowned The Voice winner Tessanne Chin said for her upcoming album she would love to do some recording in her homeland.
Chin, who was voted season five winner of the NBC talent competition, received a recording contract from Universal Music Group. The yet-to-be titled album has a tentative release date of March.
The singer was special guest at the Jamaica Observer’s Monday Exchange held at the company’s Beechwood Avenue office yesterday.
“I start recording January/February... I hope we could do something where we could bring them down to, like say a Geejam, and make them experience that type of writing and exploration,” she said.
“I may not be doing outright reggae but anything I do will have an island swag to it because that’s my blood,” she said. Built in 2008, Geejam Recording Studio is located in rustic Portland and is owned by Jon Baker and his business partner Steve Beaver.
The studio has had an enviable list of acts passing through its doors including rapper Drake, rockers No Doubt and Gorillaz, neo-soulstress India.Arie, Afro-world music ambassadors Les Nubians, Wyclef Jean, Björk, and Amy Winehouse.
“We had a brief meeting with the label and I fully understand that it is going to take the same amount of effort and work... my work has just begun.
Luckily, I’m prepared for it and I want it,” she said.
The Hideaway singer, who now has her sights set on a Grammy award, revealed her dream list of artistes she would love to do collabs with.
Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley tops the list and so, too, her coach Adam Levine, the man responsible for taking her voice to the next level.
Source- Jamaica Observer
'The Hobbit' holds off 'Anchorman 2' to top box office
On busy pre-Christmas weekend at the box office, ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ held off a very different sequel, ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues’.
Peter Jackson's ‘Hobbit’ sequel took in US$31.5 million in its second weekend of release for Warner Bros, according to studio estimates Sunday.
That topped Will Ferrell's ‘Anchorman’ sequel, which nevertheless opened strongly in second place. The Paramount Pictures comedy made US$26.8 million over the three-day weekend and US$40 million since opening Tuesday night.
The much-marketed ‘Anchorman 2’ actually outperformed ‘The Hobbit’ (which has now passed US$300 million worldwide) on Friday, but failed to best it over Saturday and Sunday. But the US$50 million comedy, which Paramount initially turned down, also suggested it will be more popular abroad than most comedies. It made US$13.4 million in six international markets.
The 2004 original opened with US$28.4 million, but only grossed US$5.3 million internationally.
“‘Anchorman' will have a much larger footprint internationally than the last ‘Anchorman'’ did," said Don Harris, head of domestic distribution for Paramount.
"Will Ferrell has done a really good job of turning this character into something that travels around the world."
David O Russell's fictionalization of the 1970s Abscam investigation ‘American Hustle’ earned a robust US$19.1 million in its first week of nationwide expansion. The Sony Pictures film, starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, got a boost from its co-leading seven Golden Globes nominations.
"It's such a crowd-pleaser as well as a critical hit," said Sony's distribution head Rory Bruer. "We have so much more to look forward to, including Christmas Day."
The pre-Christmas weekend is a sought-after release date, one that usually offers films especially good legs at the box office as moviegoers flood theatres over the coming weeks. The weekend box office was up nearly 30 per cent over the same weekend last year.
But this year's holiday frame will be particularly competitive. The crowded field of movie openings Wednesday includes Martin Scorsese's ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, Ben Stiller's ‘The Life of Walter Mitty’, the Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone comedy ‘Grudge Match’, the Justin Bieber documentary ‘Justin Bieber's Believe’ and Keanu Reeves' ‘47 Ronin’.
"It is going to be one heck of a crowded Christmas Day at the movie theatre," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box-office tracker Rentrak. "This is setting up to be perhaps one of the biggest Christmas Days ever."
One obvious casualty from the many options at the multiplexes was 20th Century Fox's ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’, a 3-D attraction that hoped to draw moviegoers with digital dinosaurs. Made for US$85 million, it fell flat with just US$7.3 million over the weekend.
The family market has instead been cornered by Disney's animated ‘Frozen’, which added US$19.2 million over the weekend. In five weeks of release, it's made US$344 million worldwide.
The other Oscar-hopeful that went wide over the weekend, Disney's making-of ‘Mary Poppins’ tale ‘Saving Mr Banks’. The film, starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, made US$9.3 million.
Spike Jonze's acclaimed futuristic romance ‘Her’, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlet Johansson, opened in limited release. It took in $361,000 over five days in three cities, good for a US$60,000 screen average.
Despite some high-profile summer bombs, the 2013 box office is on track to narrowly surpass last year's record box office of US$10.8 billion, with one weekend to go in the year.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian theatres, according to Rentrak. Where available, latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday:
1) Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug — $31.5 million.
2) Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues — $26.8 million.
3) Frozen — $19.2 million.
4) American Hustle — $19.1 million.
5) Saving Mr Banks — $9.3 million.
6) Hunger Games: Catching Fire — $8.8 million.
7) Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas — $8.5 million.
8) Walking With Dinosaurs — $7.3 million.
9) Dhoom 3 — $3.3 million.
10) Thor: The Dark World — $1.3 million.
Tessanne begins recording with Universal early 2014
The Voice season-five winner Jamaican songbird Tessanne Chin says she will begin recording with Universal Music group in early 2014.
Speaking with reporters at the Jamaica Observer's Beechwood Avenue headquarters Monday morning, Tessanne said recording should begin in January or February next year, depending on the decisions of the record label.
Tessanne said that she wants her album to be different from what she has done in the past, adding however, that it will have a reggae vibe, because that is who she is.
"My first album will most likely take a different direction, but it will have a reggae feel, that is who I am," she said.
She also hopes to bring the producers of Universal Music to Jamaica.
"I would love for them to come down and experience GeeJam recording studios, that would be awesome," the songstress said.
Tessanne walked away with US $100,000 and a Universal recording contract upon winning the coveted "The Voice" title on Tuesday, December 17.
Source-Jamaica Observer
Arsenio Hall Uninjured in Minor Car Accident
Arsenio Hall was involved in a minor car accident two days before Christmas. According to TMZ, the actor-turned-talk show host was driving in the West San Fernando Valley on Monday night, December 23, when he lost control of his brand new Porsche Cayenne.
Hall drove off the road and hit a dirt shoulder. The car later needed to be towed. Law enforcement officers who responded to the report ordered the star to take a field sobriety test, but the test showed that he was not under influence of alcohol or drugs during the accident. Authorities decided not to investigate into the matter because no one was hurt and no apparent crime was committed.
The star, who appeared in 1988's "Coming to America" alongside Eddie Murphy, tookto Twitter to tell his fans that he was fine after the single-car crash. "I'm good," he wrote, before adding, "highly exaggerated incident. #bentrim."
In addition to the comedy movie, Hall's other credits include 1989's "Harlem Nights". He was chosen as the winner on "The Celebrity Apprentice" in 2012. He additionally served as a host on "The Arsenio Hall Show" from 1989 until 1994. The revival version premiered in September.
Bolt, Fraser-Pryce named Latin America’s top sports personalities
Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been voted top sporting personalities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The announcement was made by AIPS America, the Continental arm of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) following balloting by sport journalists.
Bolt was a clear winner over Gymnast Daniel Corral of Mexico; footballers Radamel García of Mexico and Cuban Judoka, Asley González.
The Jamaican speedster, who for the fifth time in six years was named IAAF World Male Athlete of the Year, won three gold medals at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Russia. He was also the recipient of the AIPS America 2012 Male Athlete of the Year.
Fraser-Pryce, who was also the IAAF World Female Athlete of the Year, edged out American tennis star Serena Williams in a second round of voting following a first round tie.
Colombian jumper Catherine Ibarguen and Alexandra Escobar, the weightlifter from Ecuador were the other female nominees.
The top team for 2013 was the Dominican Republic Baseball team which won their first ever World Baseball Classic title, beating the Netherlands 3-0 in the final where former New York Yankees’ second baseman Robinson Cano was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Source-CMC
New Year crisis meeting to rescue Windies cricket
Newly appointed director of cricket Richard Pybus and Coach Ottis Gibson have begun discussing plans to rebuild the stature of the regional side following a series of embarrassing defeats overseas.
Pyus, who joined the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in late October, Gibson and West Indies selectors have scheduled a crisis meeting in the Caribbean for early next year to plot the way forward ahead of their next Test series.
Four of West Indies' last five Tests have been heavy defeats undoing the strides made over the previous year where the side had strung together six-straight Test victories.
"We've had some discussions already about where we are and my thoughts on what we need to do to move forward," Gibson said.
"There's a meeting pencilled in for us when we get back, including the selectors, to try and plot the way forward. We have five months before the next Test series which gives us some time."
West Indies suffered a two nil hammering against New Zealand in the just ended three-match series after losing to India.
Reports suggest that discussions involving Gibson, Pybus and the selectors are likely to focus on the status of players such as Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards, who have doubts over their viability for Test cricket, and whether to recall other experienced figures such as Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo.
Meantime Chris Gayle is likely to be available for the two Twenty20s that round off the tour next month, following the One-Day series.
Gayle picked up a hamstring injury during the One-Day series in India and was ruled to have not recovered in time for the 50-overs segment of this trip.
He is currently in Sydney as part of his rehabilitation programme, and Gibson said the main target for him was the World Twenty20 defence in Bangladesh.
“We're in communication with him and the people he's working with in Australia," Gibson said.
"He's still injured so would be an unnecessary risk to fast track him with what lies ahead. The World T20 is coming up - a format where he is king. He should be available for the two T20s."
West Indies next Test assignment is in May when they host New Zealand in a return series.
Source-CMC
Ahmed Shehzad fined by ICC
Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has been fined half of his match fee for pushing Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan during Sunday's third one-day international.
The 22-year-old Shehzad pleaded guilty to an International Cricket Council charge of "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players".
He shoved the Sri Lanka opener on the shoulder on his way to scoring 81 runs as Pakistan won by 113 runs.
Pakistan go 2-1 up in the five-match series with the win in Sharjah.
The last two games of the series will take place in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.
Toure and Aguero urge Barca star Messi to join them at Man City
Manchester City stars Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero have urged Lionel Messi to join them at the Etihad Stadium.
Speculation persists that the Argentine superstar is unsettled at Barcelona, after Messi last week publicly hit out at the club's vice-president Javier Faus, claiming that the director 'knows nothing about football'.
The problem is exacerbated by Messi's recent injury problems and the current holder of Ballon D'Or has not played since early November after breaking down with a hamstring injury against Real Betis.
And speaking to beIN Sport, Toure said: 'If Messi can leave Barca? To come to us, yes! I want to say yes! At Barcelona, there is always one star. One. Two is not possible.
'With the recent injury to Messi and the off-the-field problems that he is having at the moment, and with Neymar gradually getting promoted, it is complicated for him [Messi], for sure.'
While Messi's Argentina strike partner Aguero told the Manchester Evening News: 'Yes, he should come to City. Then we’ll definitely play together! City should buy him!'
However, Messi's father this weekend moved to quell the rumour mill, stating that Messi loves the Catalan club.
'Leo has grown up at Barca and he loves this club,' said Jorge Messi, 'There is no problem at all between Leo and the club's management. Over the last few month, the President Sandro Rosell has offered his full support and we appreciate these kind of gestures from Barcelona.
'In times like this (his injury), we need them more than ever. This support shows the esteem in which they hold Lionel. Their aims are the same as ours: to win as many titles as possible for the institution that we represent.'
Messi has been training the Ezeiza base of the Argentine national team and a medical report released by the Argentine Football Association on Friday stated that Messi was close to recovering from the hamstring injury and he is now to undergo the third stage of his recuperation process in his hometown Rosario.
Messi is expected to rejoin his Barcelona team-mates on January 2 ahead of a return to first-team football in early 2014.
These comments from Toure and Aguero only add to the speculation that a move could happen after Blues defender Pablo Zabaleta, another Argentina team-mate of the Barca No 10, revealed recently that Messi had repeatedly quizzed him about life at City.
'He asked me a lot about City,' said Zabaleta. 'It's something we often talk about'.
Source—Daily Mail
David Moyes says Wayne Rooney is a "team player" at Man Utd
Manchester United manager David Moyes says striker Wayne Rooney has become a "real team player" at Old Trafford.
Rooney's future at United came under scrutiny in the summer when he was linked with a move away from the club.
The 28-year-old has scored 10 goals so far this season and Moyes has also been impressed with his wider contribution.
"What Wayne is doing is making the others play well because he is playing well. He has turned himself into a real team player," Moyes said.
With the assists for the team and the goals, his all-round contribution has been fantastic."
Moyes also wants England international Rooney to become a mentor for the younger players at Old Trafford in the same way Ryan Giggs acted as a role model for him.
The Scot is particularly keen for Rooney to assist with the development of teenager Adnan Januzaj, who signed a new five-year contract in October.
"He (Rooney) needs to show the young players," Moyes said. "He has a big responsibility to show the next generation the standards that Manchester United set.
"You go through the years and look at people like Ryan Giggs and the advice he gave to Wayne Rooney. Wayne has now to give it to Adnan Januzaj and the new players coming up."
France 'to avoid double-dip recession'
France will avoid a recession this year, according to the country's statistics body.
INSEE said the economy will grow 0.4% in the last three months of the year, after contracting 0.1% in the third quarter.
President Francois Hollande has been under pressure to revive the economy as other eurozone nations start growing and show signs of recovery.
The body predicted growth of 0.2% for the whole of 2013.
France was last in recession in the first quarter of this year.
A recession is when an economy shrinks for two consecutive quarters. There were fears of a French "double-dip" recession, where an economy returns to recession after experiencing a short-lived recovery, but the country's statistics agency thinks this will now be avoided.
Europe's largest economy, Germany, has seen much of its economic success during the debt crisis driven by exports. By contrast, INSEE said French exports fell by 1.3% in the third quarter.
French household spending rose by 0.1% in the third quarter.
The government forecasts economic growth of 0.9% in 2014, lowered from a previous 1.2% forecast, with just 0.1% in growth forecast for this year.
France has not had a year of negative growth since 2009.
Source-BBC