2u - North Shore News -— Friday, November 26. 1999 Patria John Goodman This Week Editor Johng@nsnews.com rules wi THE only question remaining about Patria’s singing career is where she will become a star first. The young, Toronto R&B singer released her debut album Afy Redes on Black Market Records last July. A whirlwind personal appear- ance tour through Japan placed her dise on the charts the same month. “When we went to Japan they were calling my music pop hop,” says Patna. “They caught on right away. I will be going back to do a club tour next year. The people‘ were fabulous. 1 see Japan as another New York. It’s like that — a lor of energy in music and fashion — especial- ly in Tokyo.” The tour started in Kobe and wound up in Tokyo — in between were ir iews and appearances with .u¢ press and radio. Patria also per- formed in clubs and gave an in-store concert at Yokohama’s HMYV. The hard york paid off in the charts with My Rules entering just below the Backstrect ys. . : The first single from the album “Baby Feel My” has done well with the title track just released as the second single. “We just finished the video last night,” ~ says Patria. “(Director) David Cropper has a good cy and is very talented. He approached when I had a gig in Niagara Falls and we kept in touch. I’ve always wanted to work with him because I respect his work and finally gor the chance.” Patria wrote most of the material on My Rules with producer Domenic Troiano. “He’s a person to work with. Domenic’s guided my career — I’ve worked with him for the past three years.” The veteran Canadian guitarist has had a long career in the business and won accolades for his work with Bush, The James Gang and Toronto legends Mandala to name just a few. “Tt took about two years to record My Rules,” says Patria. “Writing comes "3 ee ae Here's a sampling of our gourect pizzas: th pop he a Photo Black Market TORONTO R&B singer Patria combines pop and hip hop on her debut CD My Aules on Biack Market Records. whenever you have the feeling or when you’re inspired. We wrote a fot of songs then chose the best.” Patria lists a wide range of influences in her music but R&B is central to her sound, “Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey were the biggest influences. Also Mary J. Blige and TLC. Mary J. Blige is amazing.” Troiano and Howard Ayee capture her enthusiasm for the music with a dynamic mix of grooves. The first single “Baby Feel My” also received attention after it was included on the dance compilation Ail Stars 2000 which made it to the top of the charts in the summer, Patria rode that popularity with appearances at clubs in the Toronto area. “I did a few fiestas — the street parties are really a lot of fun. A lot of kids show up which is always a big treat for me.” Along with a club tour of Japan, plans are for My Rules to be released in Brazil in the new year as well as er Canadian dates. Watch for details, “CAN I If you're the parent of a new driver, they might. But thanks to a new North Shore business called S.PY.D, Gocicty Protecting Young Drivers) you can actually monitor how your child is driving without spying on them yourself. Here's how it works. For a fee of $10/month (for 6 or 12 months) you can register your vehicle with SPYD. You. es ; a PLN. and a 1-800 number on it. Much . like the ones seen on commercial f vehicles). Once your vehicle has been “SPYD" being driven carelessly, a caller can then phone the toll free number and ] report the PIN. number. H S.PYD. owners Tom Williamson or Lisa Johnson wil} then pass the information to ‘the parent, who wiil decide appropriate f action. All information is strictly’ f confidential. 7 Due to the design of the decal, it's 7 impossible to remove the sticker and B reattach it lates, or alter it without it bzing obvious. And the BLN, is reflective, so unsafe driving can be reported at any time. m S.PYD.service is highly recommended for. H use during and after the Intermediate ; Stage of LC.B.C’s Graduated. Licensing Program, when an adult is no Jonger requimd to be in the vehicle. 2 $ Tom and Lisa plan to be operating province wide by this § time next year, though the toil free number is currently Operating Canada wide. Rio Crazy’s top 10 tracks 1. Well 2K: Will Smith 2. Shake your Son-bon: Ricky Martin 3. Get in dine: Barenaked Ladies 4. Sexy thing: 777 5. Tricky Tricky. Lou Bega 6. Eschuchame: Los Labrosos Del Merengue 7. Arriba: Joe 8. Bailando: Loana 9, Una noche mas: Jennifer Lopez 10. My Love Is Your Love: Whitney Houston Artist profile: Whitney Houston — her beginnings: ; Whitney Houston was born in into a talented fami- iy where she was inspired and encouraged to develop her natural ability as a singer. Houston’s mother, Emily Drinkard (nickname Cissy) has worked both as a session singer and as solo artist and has released 3 albums. She has worked with such varied and celebrated singers such as Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley and her close friend Aretha Franklin. When Whitney was born, mom Cissy was on the road, so dad John stayed at home to watch over the new-born daughter. With so much music in her parents? lives, it was only a matter of time before Whitney realized that music was in her too. — Raul Cruz, Rio Crazy Mobile DJ Service 255-5133. Cruz and bis partner Isabeau Iqval are featsred in this month’s issue of DJH Temes. The two-page spread docu- men’s Dy Ese ie Atlantic ity’s I tn August and their plans for the future. BORROW THE CAR” Society Protecting Young Drivers§ - : “For more information or to register for service call # Monitoring Service “ Panphizts can be picked up at most Autopian Agencies.