University lecturer launches dancehall tell-all

Veteran Journalist and lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Dr Dennis Howard, has released a new book titled Rantin From Inside The Dancehall.

According to Dr Howard, "If you want a taste of the Jamaican music scene through the eyes of a knowledgeable critic, then reach into your pocket and buy this volume. Don't be confused by the title, it's about much more than just dancehall."

The launch was attended by various media personalities, musicians and some of Dr Howard's students, as well as one of his former teachers and mentor, Alma Mock Yen, who was also the guest speaker.

Mock Yen told the audience that Generation Y needed to read more books in order to get valuable information about history and culture. She also said that authors from the region should be supported.
"Ranting from inside the dancehall is not ranting at all. To rant is to make noise, act noisy with meaningless talk. Dr Howard's 'Rantin' comprises a skilful selection of articles. The articles are carefully edited and compiled, covering the genesis of dancehall, its growth and grouses. 'Rantin' traces dancehall's start, right up to its ascendancy as an internationally recognised beat, as well as its patterns of cross-fertilisation and fusion with dominant rhythms," she explained.

Dr Clinton Hutton also spoke highly of Dr Howard's works, both as a journalist and an author. He also chastised journalists of Generation Y, pointing that they were not informed about their culture. He, too, emphasised the importance of reading.

"Generally, how many entertainment journalists really know who is Lee Scratch Perry, or who is Shabba Ranks, or who is Bob Marley, or who is King Tubby? What is the source of their creative power? How well do they know about the creative community?" questioned Hutton.

Easily understood

Another popular advocate for the maintenance of Jamaican culture, Dr Carolyn Cooper, commended Dr Howard for writing a book that could be easily understood. She also had some advice for Dr Howard's upcoming sequels.

"It's very important, and I think he needs to write two other books. He needs to write one in which he remembers the icons from his point of view, just a short portrait, and one with his personal development with his father, which is also his story," Dr Cooper said.

In closing, Dr Howard paid tribute to persons who he said played important roles in his development, such as Mock Yen and his friend Clyde Mckenzie.

"I started writing because I wanted to change the face of what was called entertainment journalism by putting some critical analysis into it," he said.

According to Dr Howard, he wrote the book in that made it easy to understand.

"I wanted to communicate in the best way possible, it's not about the amount of big words and trying to impress. It's about communication," he said.

(from Jamaica Gleaner)