Run it easy with Kool Running as Mercenary brings Gidans |30 September 2006

Hailing from Belonie, Vincent Eliza, aka Mercenary, is ready to break all the barriers and make his music accessible to people of all ages.

Produced by LoBaz Productions, Gidans is the first solo album of the humble reggae artiste who worked with Jakim on his first production – Red, Gold and Green Soldier. Fanm Nwanr, a hit on this album, features on Gidans which is selling at R125 at the different outlets and R100 from the artiste himself.

Also on the 17-track album is Lanmour Fodre Partaze and a video clip of the song Jah I Vivan.
Using music as a spiritual outlet, Mercenary is also a member of Kool Running which comprises some of the most acclaimed local ragga, dancehall and reggae performers. Each time they take to the stage, they unleash their full energy for their fans.

With a line-up comprising Emmanuel I, Elijah, Mercenary, Red I, Jakim, Jahson, Zion I, Eli and Jazzlaton, Kool Running started on May 6 this year and is still going strong.

Backed by the Soul Jah Band comprising Alex, Tony, Bony and Daniel, Kool Running is all about spreading Jah’s words of wisdom through some cool and spiritual music.

Speaking to Entertainment Nation on behalf of the other members of the group, Elijah (known as Maddy Man when performing solo), said that “through our songs and music, which are different from the ones people here from us everyday, we (Kool Running) do our best to help those who are going through many difficulties in life. For example, we sing and preach against the abuse of hard drugs. And we spread the message of love.”

Kool Running needs no leader according to Elijah as “we let Jah guide us” and through his guidance we are sure to achieve our goal.

The group’s first DVD will go on sale Saturday September 30 at R100 and it was filmed during its recent trips to Rodrigues and Mauritius.

Members of the group performed twice in Rodrigues on their first visit and joined Mauritian artistes on stage in Cité Kennedy in Mauritius.

“The turn-out was good, above our expectation. We have been invited to perform in Mauritius and Rodrigues again in December but we need some financial backing to bring all our members there. But before that, we are to put up a show here on December 9,” noted Elijah.

It is expected that the December 9 show will be pure fun and niceness non-stop with the energetic entertainers taking it to another level. Hopefully, by then, the youths of Seychelles would have grasped the essence of the Kool Running and bring some electricity to the concert which will surely bring together some of the country’s top young performers.

Until then, keep track with Kool Running as they tour the different districts here.
Jah Bless!

G. G.