My Irie Lung A Radiohead reggae tribute bewilders, while the real thing just beguiles “Wonderful audience!” Menny More exclaims. Adapting the old adage that you dress for the job you want, not the job you have, he bounds around Brooklyn’s Metrotech Commons outdoor stage in a brilliant all-white ensemble, while slight but steady rainfall collects [...]
Kenya music scene in limbo Musical concerts in Kenya are now at an all time low. Our musicians are no longer earning enough money from music shows and concerts. Charles Otieno looks at the change of fortunes as local celebs ponder the way forward. The sound was good, the lights superb and the dÈcor was [...]
Jah Mason His hit Princess Gone may have been a sad song, but roots reggae artiste Jah Mason is anything but sad these days, especially as he gets set to deepen the professional relationship between himself and US-based management company Rising Sun.
Reggae Sunsplash returns with UB40, Maxi Priest, and more The Reggae Sunsplash festival will return from a seven-year hiatus this summer, touring large outdoor venues with a lineup that includes UB40, Maxi Priest and Toots & The Maytals. The tour, which also features Third World, Rik Rok and master of ceremonies Tommy Cowan, kicks off [...]
Da’ville’s Always On My Mind hits the charts Singer Da’ville has hit the charts with his original lovers rock ballad, Always On My Mind. The song is riding local charts as well as the New York Reggae chart.
Vintage sings a good tune The mellow vibes of sweet, smooth love songs or the stirring lyrics of rebel music made in Jamaica many years ago can still be heard beating from sound systems across the globe. Vintage reggae music still stirs the feet of many, proving that good music never grows old.
Dancehall covers all Dancehall tackles many issues, looking at things which happen locally and internationally, and is the mirror of present-day Jamaican life. Yet, despite the thematic diversity there are some things dancehall artistes discuss frequently, among them sex, guns, politics, partying and weed smoking.
Gregory Isaacs’ The Originals is quite pleasing Honestly, I have lost count of the numerous albums that have been released featuring the work of veteran singer Gregory Isaacs. The latest release of The Originals on Tads Records isn’t just any ordinary album. It marks a renewal of a long-standing relationship between Isaacs and the Tad [...]
I’m Mr Reggae A true reggae legend comes to the Junction direct from Jamaica on Monday when Toots Hibbert arrives in town. With his group The Maytals, Toots was one of the first major stars of ska to gain worldwide appeal in the early 70s.
Fenda returns to stage for Big Break Following closely on the heels of the banning of his song, Gash Dem And Light Dem, Chuck Fenda, popularly known as ‘the poor people’s defender’, will perform at the finals of the Red Stripe IRIE Big Break competition at Ken’s Wildflower, Portmore, on Friday June 16.