The cover of Twin of Twins' forthcoming album - Contributed photos

It is not unusual for people to do a double take, wondering if they are seeing doubles, when they see Paul 'Tu-Lox' and Patrick 'Curly Lox' Gaynor. After all, they are identical twins and perform as the highly entertaining and socially astute dancehall duo, Twin of Twins.

And they are slated to do a double themselves shortly, releasing Stir It Up Vol. 8: Trial and Crosses, the latest CD in their gangster comedy series, and the Twinness Book of Records, which contains songs only.

In previous 'Stir It Up' volumes, the two have been combined and Tu-Lox explained that "people did have a tendency to skip the song because they want to get to the talking. Not that the song no good, but they want to get to the talking".

So the 19-track Twinness Book of Records will contain songs such as Whe Yu Waan, which deals with the Broadcasting Commission, Gal Outa Road, addressing rape, Who We Are, featuring Jr Gong, Tight Like Glue with Vegas and Only God Knows, which is about Curly Lox' son Zion, who died in February 2007.

KARTEL VS MAVADO

The artwork for Trial and Crosses sets the stage for what is to come, a cartoon depicting Vybz Kartel and Mavado glaring at each other across a courtroom floor with poet and broadcaster Mutabaruka on the bench, gavel in the air.

Among the cases that are being 'tried' (and the Twins emphasise that the listening public forms the jury) are Mavado and Kartel - not only the Sting 2008 clash but the whole rivalry - Roundhead is suing Bounty Killer, LA Lewis makes a 'courtroom' appearance and then there is Luciano and engineer Freckles.

The Twins have been keeping the material very private ahead of the official release, slated for the end of this month or early in May, not even performing excerpts live. "We try to keep the surprise," Tu-Lox told THE STAR. "We have been mentioning them in interviews for about two years now and we all see roots play come out with it but we no change we mind."

THE STAR asked Twin of Twins if they see themselves as recording insight or simply doing comedy and they respond that they are doing both. "We have to make things funny; we are a fun-loving people," Curly Lox said.

What isn't fun for them, though, is how they perceive they are being closed out by the music industry in Jamaica. "The people love us. It is the industry that try to shut us out based on who we are and what we are about," Curly Lox said.

Still, Tu-Lox said "We no complain, we come fi do work an mek work talk fe we. No matter where yu come from in life it not going easy. Yu jus' work".

"Is jus' politics," Curly Lox added. "Music is a business and in every business you have competition for market share. You jus' have to stand up strongÉ We have to use dancehall to carry over our stuff. We created a vehicle. It did not exist before."

Tu-Lox pointed out, though, that "we always travel". Curly Lox added "the US market, the European market, once you talented they respect you and that will always be there. We have had to cancel a lot of shows in order to do this album".

TOURING

Twin of Twins - File

They recently returned from shows in Chicago, Milwaukee, Connecticut and Atlanta, noting that there was a snowstorm in Milwaukee but the show was still sold out. "We do it for the love, not the money like some people," Tu-Lox said. "Once you love it and you do it the money will come."

Although admitting the public will form its own opinion, Tu-Lox said "me woulda like fe avoid this whole mix-up where people put you on a side". Curly Lox said "it is not personal" and his twin completed "and it never will be. Everything we say been said out a road. We just go out and put our fun to it.

"Hopefully the people can reach a point where they can see the thing is just fun. It no have to go into the politics we grow in. Is the same politics that the leaders of the country deal with gone in the music."

They say that it is where their material has reached which is causing some unease in the music industry. "If it never pass Half-Way Tree them woulda laugh. If we did a walk tear-up tear-up them woulda get it," Tu-Lox said.

The Twins pointed to Britney Spears and George W. Bush ("him is the one who is the butt of all jokes") and Curly Lox said "if you no tolerant a we it hypocritical fi watch Saturday Night Live an' laugh".

"See it as it is," they encouraged the public.

And after the double launch, next for the Twin of Twins is 'Stand Up/For Your Rights', a DVD to be filmed live with their fans talking "everything, sicker than ever, without regard".

"So who know whe dem a do, run whe," Twin of Twins advised.

Luciano and LA Lewis are addressed on Trial and Crosses.