BITS & PIECES: Floyd Morris elected president of the Senate + It's a boy for Romae and Kingsley

Romae Gordon and Kingsley Cooper welcomed their first child together, a healthy and bouncing boy named Cole, on Wednesday morning. Both mother and child are reportedly doing well. The dad is said to be over the moon. And we hear a wedding date could be announced any day now. Stay tuned... 
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Long-serving PNP senator Floyd Morris has been elected President of the Upper House. Morris, who is visually impaired, was elected at the start of sitting on Friday morning. He replaces Stanley Redwood, who

recently resigned and has since migrated to Canada. "I am extremely committed to Jamaica, certainly just the same as other presidents of this chamber have been," Morris said in response to his new appointment. In 1998, Morris became the first blind person to be appointed to serve in the Upper House of Parliament. He has also been state minister in the labour and social security ministry.
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Meanwhile, Sophia Frazer-Binns is the latest addition to the Senate. She previously served at the Kingston Legal Aid Clinic, the Office of the Children's Advocate, and the Land Administration and Management Programme.

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SCENE & HEARD: PM Portia Simpson-Miller + Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce + Korey Rowe + Jason Pryce + Brad Allen + Paula Pinnock-MacLeod + Deiwght Peters

BEST FOOT FORWARD: May 16, Kingston. Saint International's Style Week 2013 got a glitzy, well-supported launch last Thursday evening at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. Here, Saint boss Deiwght Peters (left) shares lens time with Kerry Kimone and model Korey Rowe. Style Week will run from May 22-26. (Photo: Infuzion.Inc)

KINDRED SPIRITS: May 16, Kingston. The leggy models were out in their numbers at Thursday's media launch of Saint International's Style Week at the Spanish Court. Posing (from left) are Saint stars Brad Allen, Kymmi Gordon, Korey Rowe, Trissan Holder and Shavan Fraser. (Photo: Infuzion.Inc)

MAGIC TOUCH: May 13, St. Andrew. PM Portia Simpson-Miller takes in a dance performance of "House of Prayer" by the Lannaman's Prep School during the recent launch of Workers' Week and Labour Day 2013 at Jamaica House. Under the theme "Lend a Hand... Build Our Land," the week of activities will commence on Sunday, May 19, and run through Thursday, May 23. As previously reported, the National Labour Day Project will be the refurbishing and general upkeep of the St. Mary Infirmary in Port Maria. (Photo: OPM)

HIS & HERS: May 14, Kingston. Sprint champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (centre) got loads of support at the launch of her non-profit, the Pocket Rocket Foundation, at the Terra Nova Hotel this past Tuesday. Husband, Jason Pryce, was more than delighted to give his wife a congratulatory embrace, while board member Paula Pinnock-MacLeod shares in the moment. (Photo: Digicel)

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NEW MUSIC REVIEW: Jah Cure returns to form with 'Stronger'; Kelly Rowland confesses + Musiq and Syleena join forces

Back from a long hiatus, Jah Cure is in seriously impressive form on his telling new single, "Stronger Than Before" (off the new Cardiac Keys Riddim), which he uses to speak to themes of struggle and survival. Feeling rejuvenated and with the creative juices obviously flowing once again, the singer tells fans, "I can give you more now." Naturally, we're holding him to that promise. B+
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Kelly Rowland holds nothing back on her confessional new single, "Dirty Laundry," whose title should be ample warning. "Y'all don't know the half of this industry," she croons over a spare beat on the revealing track which addresses everything from career lowpoints, to life with an abusive ex, to living in the shadow of Destiny's Child megastar and sister Beyonce Knowles. In the end, Rowland knowingly concedes, "Love is pain, and pain is love." B
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Joining forces for an upcoming duets album, curiously tiled 9ine, R&B-soulsters Musiq Soulchild and Syleena Johnson deliver an irie, feel-good reggae vibe on the CD's lead-off one-drop single, "Feel The Fire," while proving that non-West Indians, too, can channel an authentic spirit into soul sounds fresh from the tropics. B+

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HERE COME THE KINGS: Morgan Heritage's Gramps Morgan on their long-awaited new project, collaborations, and how the Gargamel is keeping the faith

SHOWSTOPPERS: The group in a brilliant performance as they tape Layers of Soul. Below, with guests.

Reggae ambassadors Morgan Heritage take their role seriously. Not only has their artistry set precedents in Jamaican music but their consistently hypnotic blend of roots, rock and reggae continues to set them apart from contemporaries in the biz. Returning from hiatus with a brand-new disc, aptly titled Here Come The Kings, the Brooklyn-based band are presently on the island, specifically city Kingston, where on Thursday they taped the season finale of Layers of Soul at TV J, giving rousing renditions of their hits old and new. 

Following the show, TALLAWAH caught up with the ever-gracious Gramps Morgan to discuss the latest on Buju Banton, the group's new album, and why taking a breaking and reuniting proved their best career move ever. 

During the performance earlier, you alluded to keeping in touch with incarcerated reggae star Buju Banton. How is he these days? 
He's holding strong. Of course, he's in jail. And jail is jail, but his spirit is stronger than ever. Every time I talk to him, he tells me to tell the world that he misses them, and he's looking forward to coming home. He plays his music, shares what he's learned, and has got a chance to reflect on his life. 

His son, Markus, has been excelling of late as an in-demand producer. 
I'm happy for [him]. We're a family. I'm like an uncle to Markus, and I think he's upholding his father's legacy and his message within the music and our culture. So we're hoping that [Buju] comes home very soon, and that the people of Jamaica do not forget his music. 

Morgan Heritage has a new album, Here Come The Kings, dropping on June 11. What can fans expect? 
Just another level because everyone has grown so much. Una has grown, Peeta has grown, I have grown, Mojo has grown. And as a unit we've really just gone to the next level. So you will hear that in the music, and the influence of what Morgan Heritage is returning with. 

The group is known for teaming up with other incredibly talented artistes. Who are you planning on working with next? 
Well, there's a collaboration on the new album with Shaggy. It's called "Love Stone," a beautiful love song. Shaggy has been a big friend of ours for many years in Brooklyn, New York. So it's a Brooklyn thing slash Jamaica. And the sky is the limit. Working with many different artistes, we plan to do a lot of work reviving certain projects that we had called Morgan Heritage Family & Friends, where we worked with people like Capleton, Beres Hammond, and Luciano. So it's going to be a whole revival, and we just want the world know that it's cool to be conscious. But it's about being aware of your culture. 

Prior to recording the new album, the band went on a long hiatus. Do you believe it was a wise move for the group? 
I believe it was the best thing, because I do believe that God has a work for us to continue, and if we were going at the pace that we were, going to Europe three times a year, touring the US, the Caribbean, we wouldn't have had time for our families, because we're all parents now. Now we're ready for the next phase, 2013 and 2014. Just prepare for the return of Morgan Heritage.

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SPACE ODYSSEY: Newest 'Star Trek' is a sleek, triumphant thrill ride

TO BOLDLY GO: Quinto, Cumberbatch, and Pine star in Abrams' addition to the sci-fi franchise.

Visually spectacular and teeming with exhilarating thrills, Star Trek: Into Darkness is a worthy addition to the estimable Star Trek canon. But amidst all the bombast and mayhem that comes with such epic box-office juggernauts beats an emotional core, set against moments of intimate poignancy and a touching look at the power of friendship. 

It's strongly acted, too, and reels viewers in as the Enterprise zips and zooms through outer space. Speaking of the Enterprise, once again Trekkies and new converts are taken aboard the legendary mothership as it embarks on yet another adventure. Helmed by Captain James Kirk (Chris Pine), the crew, upon returning to Earth finds an unstoppable force of nature from within their unit has destroyed the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving the world in a state of crisis. 

With a rather personal score to settle, Kirk leads a manhunt to an unknown war-zone world to capture John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), a one-man weapon of mass destruction. As the crew is propelled into an epic battle of life and death, love is challenged, friendships torn apart, and great sacrifices made. 

Director J.J. Abrams manages to whittle the running time down to a tidy two hours and three minutes, while still packing in enough fun and visceral action sequences to satisfy audiences. And that's saying something for the film itself, which enjoys solid pacing and emotional heft balanced against non-stop thrills and twisty delights. 

Standing out among his peers, Cumberbatch gives a sensational, riveting performance, which comes off as a chilling, convincing portrait of a villain with next to nothing to lose. As the rigid Spock, Zachary Quinto is superb while. Saldana holds her own as the supportive Uhura. Among the numerous cameos, Alice Eve puts in an appearance as the sly Carol Marcus, while Anton Yelchin reprises his small gadgetier role. 

Overall, this latest instalment of Star Trek is an effortless blockbuster sure to captivate viewer interest, even as it awakens nostalgia and age-old questions about what we truly know about the great beyond. Tyrone's Verdict: B+

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CARIBBEAN MASTER: A buzzworthy new documentary explores the life and times of Derek Walcott

IN PROFILE: Mr. Walcott is ready for his close-up.

Poetry Is An Island is a compelling and intimate docu-film about Derek Walcott, the poet, novelist, Nobel Laureate, and son of the Caribbean. As filmed by award-winning auteur Ida Does, the project seeks to enlighten viewers about the man behind the legend, as well as the mystery and mystique that surrounds him. 

As such, we are transported to Walcott's home in Castries, St. Lucia, as Does and her crew spend time speaking with childhood friends, family members, and people he has worked closely with. "All were so very willing to share precious memories and experiences in front of the camera," Does says. "It almost seemed as if they had been waiting to tell the story." 

Just as it how it is poised to captivate audiences, the journey took the film crew to unlikely places, with Walcott himself, during their two visits, giving them inspiration and food-for-thought when it comes to excellence in art and daily Caribbean life. As the film will also reveal, even as a senior citizen, at the age of 83, Walcott stays busy writing, giving lectures, dabbling in visual art, and defending unspoiled Caribbean landscapes. 

To learn more about Poetry Is An Island, and how you can assist with the postproduction costs, visit walcottfilm.com.

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THE BUZZ REPORT: Cannes opens with 'Gatsby' + Education minister stresses 'no condoms in schools'

The 66th Cannes Film Festival got underway in France on Wednesday with a blockbuster day of Steven Spielberg and Baz Lurhmann's The Great Gatsby, which opened the festival, running through May 26. Spielberg is heading the jury at the festival this year. 
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The recently departed Dr. Joyce Robinson, a founding member of the Jamaica Library Association, has been hailed by her esteemed colleagues as a woman of integrity who has left an indelible legacy in Jamaican culture."She wasm first and foremost, a librarian, and she was always proud of this as her professional calling," says Matthew Blake, President of the Library Industry Association of Jamaica (LIAJA). "As a library administrator, she made an outstanding contribution to the development of library institutions and became the dominant figure in librarianship in Jamaica. As such, she has left an indelible mark on the profession at national and international levels." 
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"Let's be clear, we will not be grooming children towards same-sex unions, and we will not be distributing condoms in schools," said Education minister Ronald Thwaites on Wednesday, explaining that a positive, values-laden, and age-appropriate Health and Family Life Curriculum has been revised by a broad-based working group for use in all schools. "Restraint must be taught by example and precept. Sex education, yes. Condoms, no." 
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An estimable cast has been assembled to breathe life into a new adaptation of Into The Woods, the 1987 Stephen Sondheim musical about interwoven fairytales. The roster already includes the likes of Meryl Streep (as The Witch), James Corden (The Baker), Johnny Depp (The Wolf), Anna Kendrick (Cinderella), and Allison Janney (Jack's mother). Jake Gyllenhaal (Cinderella's Prince) and Star Trek's Chris Pine (Rapunzel's Prince) are reportedly in talks to join the cast. Disney has announced that Rob Marshall (Chicago) is set to direct the film, due out sometime in 2014.

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NEWS & NOTES: I Believe Initiative staying true to its mission + St. Mary Infirmary is the National Labour Day project

PASSION PROJECT: Labour Day and Workers' Week 2013 (May 19-23) are being celebrated under the theme, "Lend a Hand…Build our Land." The national spotlight for Labour Day will be on the St. Mary Infirmary in Port Maria, St. Mary. Culture minister Lisa Hanna made the announcement at Monday's launch at Jamaica House. The infirmary houses 81 persons, 20 of whom are physically and mentally challenged. As such, Hanna pointed out that the project will require many hands and urged volunteers to assist. She emphasised, too, the need to lend a hand to the most vulnerable in society. "Our focus must be on the disabled, the infirm, the weak and helpless, those at risk, children and our senior citizens, if we are to progress into a viable economy and an equitable society," she said. "We have to foster within us a greater love for each other, protecting those in need and caring for those who have served before us." 

CALLED TO SERVE: Armed with the mission of "fixing what is wrong with Jamaica by using what is right with Jamaica", Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen's I Believe Initiative is pulling out all the stops to encourage Jamaicans to believe in themselves. Newly designated project ambassadors include Yohan Blake (above), reggae superstar Patrick "Tony Rebel" Barrett and Love 101's Nadine Blair. "It evokes all sorts of positive emotions to have these three outstanding Jamaicans as mentors in the Initiative," says Sir Allen. "Wherever they go and whatever they do, they will lift the IBI's mantra. Yes! We can fix Jamaica. They, like so many others, are what is right with Jamaica." The number of IBI Ambassadors now total 21, and include a cadre of young professionals who continue to willingly volunteer their time and talents in the activities set out by the programme.

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