NEWS VIEWS LINK       WINTER O6/07 WELCOME!

Dear Reader, with media at every corner and dire items in each paper or newscast it's difficult to avoid a negative feel in life.  The old adage 'good news is no news' is always applied and balanced reporting is long gone 'Throw out the telly?' you may say - but some of the 'stuff' is valuable so we must choose carefully and think for ourselves about what we watch.

'Row gently, row merrily, dream a little ' snatched from an old limerick, is most valuable to keep in mind! Take control of your own life! YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. See our BMS for good ideas.

Winter is with us again and I lay in bed as wind howled around. 'Nothing new it's been rough before', I thought. Then in the morning came the story. ' -- -     At 11.02 a tornado plunged a Northwest London suburb into darkness, one house was written off and roofs lifted off others. Up to 150 houses were damaged and six people injured!

No, it has not been as rough before, we did not have tornadoes, and the world did not have the disasters that happen nowadays. Go to www.bio-power.co.uk to see very practical and useful work towards solving this problem. I really do believe this is essential reading and needs action now,

Hoping you may read and enjoy Link and wishing all our readers a happy winter,

John B, Editor.

 

VISIT AFRICA,  LEAVE YOUR SOUL BEHIND

BY MINDY D

They say when you visit Africa, you leave part of your soul behind. After one tiring trip, I barely had enough soul left to carry my body back to Hong Kong!

As far back as I can remember, I had always envisaged myself going to Africa to help children. So, when my good friend, Ann Marie from the U.K mentioned that she was planning a visit to help a small Kenyan village called Kimalewa, I jumped on board without a single hesitation. Luckily, her parents had already made a connection with a family there, which made everything easier. However, we both realised that this was going to be one heck of an eye opening journey and the best way to prepare would be to have no expectations whatsoever.

The purpose of our visit was to identify and understand the main problems affecting the the villagers and discover how we could assist and empower them. For me, empowerment is where it all begins and to raise awareness of "Empowerment through education and entertainment" has always been my focus. Naturally, it was my personal goal to somehow bring this to Kimalewa.

It was 5 days into our trip that the penny dropped. Of course, I should teach the children Yoga as its fun, educational and extremely empowering. So, when I was invited to do a presentation at Kimalewa's Secondary school where the majority of students are either orphans (having tragically lost their parents mainly to HIV) or seriously under- privileged, I was thrilled.

Before the presentation, Ann Marie and I visited each classroom in turn, talking to the students about our lives and backgrounds and shared some powerful and encouraging messages. We urged them to study hard and attain an education as this would then enable them to realise their dreams and create their own realities.

Before long, it was crunch time - the Yoga presentation. As I walked in towards the school field, I realised that the group of students I thought I would be teaching was in fact the entire school! This only added to my rising exhilaration and I found it absolutely amazing how a fancy inverted pose (like the headstand with splits in the air) can command the attention and respect of 250 teenagers!

To find out how the kids received the rest of Mindy’s yoga lesson check out the next SPRING edition of LINK.

 

Centralised meddling hampers teaching -allow schools to respond to local conditions. Perhaps the greatest burden on our society is children coming out of school without personal discipline. The future of the UK depends on these youngsters yet centralised meddling messes up their futures. Many new regulations preventing schools putting sensible discipline in place appear weekly. Here are some current examples. If for some reason children arrive at school not wearing proper uniform. Head teachers are not allowed to send pupils home to get changed. If they do they must record the pupil as having been excluded - Which is quite a serious offence on the pupil's record. Another onerous requirement being laid on schools is that if pupils are excluded permanently schools must provide full time education elsewhere for them. Imagine the expense of such one to one teaching and finding someone capable of taking on such work!

These examples show the complete lack of flexibility of the centralised regime which schools face and must struggle to operate under.

For the good of our children and this country, return responsibility to individual schools so they may tailor their resources to suit the widely varying local conditions.

Centralised meddling impinges on and forces closure of small firms

Demanding Regulations make it impossible for small firms to survive. Here and through Europe youth unemployment levels are rising - are these events connected?

 In Germany, Italy, Poland, USA, Australia and many other countries around the world, there is no duty on non-fossil fuels for any purpose including transport. This is because the taxation in the European Union only applies to 'Mineral' hydrocarbon fuels, and not to organic hydrocarbon fuels. It is clear that Britain (PUTTING FULL DUTY ON BIO FUEL) is a very long way behind our European partners in providing the legal framework to encourage and foster a viable bio-fuel industry.

We hear plenty of 'Green Speak' from our politicians, but little 'Green Do' from the British government.

   BIO FUEL - A SYMPTOM OF THE NEW AGE?

 By Joe Harris/ SimonScrimminger

Oil prices can reach a point beyond which bio fuels become economically attractive, which could dramatically alter the balance of economic power in the world. A Federation Of African Nations, or a United States of South America, could use economies of scale and experience to gain influence and produce oil from a variety of crops. The technology has been around for a hundred years; the Germans in World War Two were leaders in bio fuel development because they were excluded from their traditional supp;ies .(Rudolf Diesel ran his prototype engine on pea nut oil in 1896 ed.)

GLOBAL WARMING CULPRITS

What causes the most global warming, cheap lights to Spain?, driving a brand new 4x4? - or burning down the rainforest?

Not a lot a lot of people know this, but first is burning down the rainforest, this puts more carbon into the atmosphere than all forms of transport each year.

There was a recent report in the press pointing out percentage responsibilities for climate change. Surprisingly aviation currently accounts for around only three per cent of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. The report said global emissions stack up like this: power stations 24 per cent; transport, including aviation, 14 per cent; agriculture 14 per cent; industry 14 per cent; land use, principally deforestation, 18 per cent; fuel used in buildings eight per cent; other sources five per cent.

On the other hand, aviation is the fastest rising source of carbon emissions, having doubled in 10 years and looking to rise by 142 per cent or so by 2020. It is human nature to rankle at unfairness. However much we enjoy the benefits of cheap flights, we must face the fact that aeroplanes are free riders in a world of carbon rationing. A pre-budget report by Gordon Brown, proposes an increase in taxes for short-haul flights to £10, or double the current £5, as of 1 February. Long distance economy class taxes lift to £40 and business class double to £80.

Thanks to Chris Nriapia for this article.

THE METHOD, THE PHILOSOPHY, 'The Bigger Picture'

I asked a certain musical member of our team what she thought of this BMS page. "Oh you always write the same stuff" was the reply. I admit some repetition , maybe, but it is tidied up and this is vital info so this body, mind, spirit 'plan' can function. We are here; we must survive, make it through. Its hard to work together but worth it! We print relevant articles, receive and share ideas. As we move on we check out and establish what we have discovered.

Alright, The starting point is to get our body, mind and spirit in harmony and I find this method can help. Simply look out 4 others, put your own troubles on the back burner, and new energy will come to you. Generally what you put in is what you get out - this "METHOD" can give a lot more.

It's all about accessing this new energy. It's hard work and it's a bit like trying to modify the files on a website if you forget the password. But amazingly we each have a password and once you find it access is possible. Struggle, find the key and the energy will come to you - it's like it was there all the time 'embedded' in life.

Sure we are into Philosophy here. It's how you approach it that's important. This Method works for all people and is much wider than any religion or ritual. 'The Bigger Picture' unfolds and enfolds. john b.editor

REMEMBER We need your contributions. Visit www.newsviewslink.co.uk and use our contributions form or use any means indicated on our NOTICEBOARD (P2)

Acoustic Afro Hip Hop with HKB Finn

by Ann Marie Broadhead:        Photography - Richard Reyes

The music business that is American Hip Hop and Rap has created a successful money making formula that is often imitated (usually very badly) throughout the U.K and Europe.

However, on occasion you come across an original artist with the guts to go against the grain. This musician will express themselves in a way true to their nature, being and environment and has a level of knowledge that rises above the bling, champagne and scantily clad women that so often adorn the rap stars of our generation.

Introducing, HKB Finn - a spoken word MCee whose style is labelled as Acoustic Afro Hip Hop. He has released 8 albums to date and his catalogue of work has received rave reviews not only from the UK but a worldwide audience.

I recently caught up with the artist to discuss some of the past challenges he has faced and discover how he came to this positive and successful place in his music career.

You spent your early years growing up in Jamaica where you were schooled and first began to perform poetry. How did this time influence you?

When my folks split up, I went to Jamaica to attend school. I was an English kid in a foreign land and never felt close to normal people so I would hang around with the local outcasts - the Rastafarians and certain elders, who taught me about a place called Africa. There was a particular elder that used to sell brooms in our neighbourhood in Kingston. His name was Abakara. He had a 'slave name' as he called it but never told me what it was. He did tell me that I was born to do something great which would become apparent as soon as I experienced it. I later found out it was music.

What other lessons did you learn from life in Jamaica?

The one main lesson I learnt is that of focus. From watching the other kids I discovered that you can choose to learn or choose to fail. Whatever we want we will get. If we want to be lazy, then that's what we'll be. But if we want to focus on achieving our goals, then that's what we'll do. The teenage years are a formative time of transition. Our bodies and minds start to change and new influences and circumstances arise which we suddenly have to deal with. At this time you moved from Jamaica to London. What challenges did you have to overcome?

Well, I grew up without my parents in yet another culture, so I had a lot of anger which I sometimes couldn't control. Not getting involved in street politics was by far one of the greatest challenges I overcame. When I was a kid in Jamaica, people got into area politics, a bit like we've got now with people asking each other "What ends are you from?" It was the same thing in London, including the fact that the wrong answer could get you killed. I managed to avoid street politics because I got into music. The other greatest challenge in my life was learning to accept myself and the fact that I don't fit into any neat boxes because I'm me. Your early musical career began with the London sound systems. How old were you then?

I was 16 years old when I started in sound system culture. Back then, there where 3 great sounds…Coxone…Saxone…and Birmingham based, Earthquake. I honed my emcee skills by rolling with a lot of London sound systems. When the lifts were broke, I carried Speaker boxes up tower block stairs. I played and performed at different sound clashes similar to the rhyme battles we have in Hip Hop now. We killed a lot of sounds. I recall going all the way to Preston (for their carnival) from London in a back of a transit van with no windows. I got out, lifted boxes, helped wire up the system, buried the sound with killer vocals, slept the night in the cold van and travelled back down the motorway for 6 hours. Little did I know then that this is normal in the music business, except now the busses have windows, but I'm still carrying gear!

Your first Hip Hop group was called 'Katch 22' and from the late 80'-90's recorded three albums - Diary of a Black Man Living in the Land of the Lost, Dark Tales from two Cities and Non Conformist Rituals. Tell us more….

I formed Katch 22 with DJ Mad Marga & Brainiac. The albums were about life in the UK and we were trying to make Hip Hop that represented our reality. We were trying to make international music but from a local perspective.

What influences, around you at the time, shaped your music? I have to say Poverty, Cultural frustration, Funk, Fly B-Girls and dancing.

How has your outlook changed since then and how has it stayed the same? My outlook hasn't changed much. If anything, it's still governed by the need to express my feelings, hopes and wishes in musical form. Life evolves but I try to stay true to my ambition of making innovative music and challenging myself creatively.

Your sound is so unique and your lyrics so deep compared to mainstream hip hop and rap. Has maintaining your identity been a struggle? What's funny is that when we did Katch 22 lots of people dissed it at the time. We didn't sound like others and were laughed at. Ten years later, I still sound different but now people finally rate the Katch 22 stuff. Only a few with open ears or good taste can hear what we're doing. So I guess, my outlook is please my heart and everyone else can…wait.

In the concluding part of this interview we focus on education, the music business, and Finn’s world wide success. If you’re a music enthusiast make sure you get the next copy of LINK to read more. Do not miss out!!!

For more info on Finn read the Worldwide Music Reviews and check www.hkbfinn,com or myspace.com/hkbfinn01

WORLDWIDE MUSIC REVIEWS

SPOKEN HERBS - HKB FINN, LONDON

Spoken Herbs is a collaborative album brought together by the talent that is HKB Finn. Since its release the CD has received rave reviews plus 5 star ratings from publications such as The Sunday Times and Mojo Magazine. In agreement with the reviews, I must admit that this album is a complete work of art! Refreshing to the ear with conscious lyrics, these tracks are for the 'thinking' person who will no doubt enjoy Finn's perspectives and his views on society.

To elaborate, the track, 'On the Corner' is a duet with Cleveland Watkins. It tells the story from the point of view of a homeless person standing on the corner of Wandsworth Rd and Lansdown Way.

As he contemplates (his) life he starts to feel overwhelmingly displaced and trapped in a land that he feels is not his own. However, he watches the everyday activities of those around him rushing back and forth. Grudgingly, he concedes, buys a ‘can’ to relieve his tension and then continues to sell the Big Issue.

In contrast to this, the album then gives you 'Sanctuary of Joy' - a smooth and soulful number with an uplifting message. Finn reminds us that yes, life is a struggle with its ups and downs. However, we must always fight for our peace and our (sanctuary of) joy. A a straightforward and simple message but very true.

By mixing Hip Hop, Blues, Reggae and Jazz, this album has become a quality piece of work with a little flavour for everyone so go out and buy. Check www.hkbfinn.com or download from itunes.

RICHIE ROOTS - NEW YORK AND JAMAICA

If like me you have Jamaican family, the sound which is Richie Roots will take you back to the old school. If not, then let this be your introduction to Reggae. Richie Roots migrated from Jamaica to New York over 20 years ago and with him brought the gift of sweet Reggae music. Now, due to the aid of the internet, his tracks can be heard throughout the world. Check out myspace.com/richieroots to hear tracks such as 'Jah Love is Brighter' and 'Rasta Living' and before you know it, your head will begin to nod, a smile will come over your face and your body will start to sway.

To hear more go to Richie's record label at www.blackmindrecords.com. Click on 'Products' and you can buy his latest album as well as those of his other artists.

Plus, Richie has an online radio station which is perfect if you just feel like kicking back and relaxing. For all genres of Reggae music from the 60's to the present date make sure you check www.blackmindrecords.com/radio.htm. Rasta or not, Reggae is not brain science. It's for every music enthusiast who loves the calm and appreciates an uncomplicated, honest sound. Richie Roots, LINK congratulates you on your music success and for spreading your message of love, freedom and peaceful living. Thank you!

BRANUS MENTULUS - NEW YORK

When it comes to Hip Hop Branus Mentulus is yet another brother who has chosen to look a little deeper when it comes to writing his lyrics. By his own admission, he describes his work as 'intelligent, revolutionary rhyme' and draws his inspiration from sociopolitical nuances and their effects on people within his community.

One of his most recent singles 'Fade Away' tells a cautionary tale of those individuals who neglect to look deeper within themselves. Branus explains that with repentance all lives, however dire, can be tuned around positively for the greater good of themselves and humanity at large. However those that live for outward appearances alone and have no substance will just 'Fade Away'. Musically, the beauty about this track is that it is catchy and commercial sounding enough to appeal to the mainstream. The soulful chorus helps to bring the track together and the lyrics that may at first seem slightly blunt to some are actually a message of hope.To hear more of his tracks go to myspace.com/branusmentulus