Eek-A-Mouse returns One of reggae’s most original toasters has resurfaced on the local music scene after a long absence. Twenty-five years ago when Eek-A-Mouse took centre stage with trademark catch-phrases he was inventing not only a new style, but one of the most unique and colourful stylings in the annals of Jamaica’s music history.
Catch the Riddim Da’Ville back from Japan, excited about new album Singer Da’Ville is back in the island from a recent tour in Japan, where he promoted his new album In Heaven. The album has only been released in Japan and is being distributed there by Avex. Avex is known for its work with international [...]
A bit of Jamaica — Vallejo waterfront opens up to ‘Dreadstock’ festival With his roots implanted in Jamaica, where the heart of reggae lies unscathed by political turmoil, recording artist Junior Reid sends a message of unification through his music. It’s a Thursday evening in New York City and Reid just spent the day searching [...]
She’s dancing with success She says she loves to dance, and the need to move her hips is the reason for the inventive beats. But underneath the squishy synth lines and concussive international mix of Jamaican dancehall, glints of New York punk, Southern crunk and Baltimore club music, M.I.A. alludes to the political strife and [...]
Jah Wobble: The ace of bass There is, with Jah Wobble, a problem of protocol. Friends call him “Wobble”, but that seems presumptuous. Calling him “Jah” seems bizarre. “Mr Wobble” is hardly more satisfactory. The reggaefied moniker is a comic mispronunciation of his real name, first coined, Wobble believes, by John Lydon (also known as [...]
CD Review: Abdel Wright – Abdel Wright Have you ever heard of Abdel Wright? No? Me neither. That is, until the CD landed on my doorstep. He is a Jamaican singer songwriter who delivers a radio friendly brand of reggae and folk.
All the world’s a stage for Daddy Yankee Sitting in his suite in a Times Square hotel, sporting Rocawear and a white Yankee cap tilted to the side in just the right way, Puerto Rican reggaetón rapper Daddy Yankee had arrived. He was on a multi-city arena tour (his album “Barrio Fino” [Sony] has sold [...]
The father of the breakbeat Though considered the father of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc is often overlooked today. The Jamaican-born artist was responsible for laying much of the music’s foundation. By spinning two copies of the same record on separate turntables, he invented the breakbeat — an extended rhythmic section from a hit song to [...]
Jamaican music industry loses US$ millions through intellectual property piracy The Jamaican music industry, the world’s leading exporter of reggae music, is losing millions of dollars through intellectual property (IP) piracy and it is revenue that the country can ill afford to lose as it continues to develop its economy. So said one of the [...]