Historic catalogue deal for Marley music via new technology format

Bob Marley’s masterpiece Exodus celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer, and will be commemorated with the release of an exclusive new version of the album. Starting today, limited edition copies of the recording will be available on USB Memory Stick via Bob Marley’s official website www.bobmarley.com. The event marks the very first artiste-specific album to be released using this groundbreaking format.

Ska father proud of reggae daughter

It is from her ‘trods’ with the Flames outfit that Queen Ifrica’s deejaying developed, as she was required to do Just My Brethren, the reply to Tony Rebel and Swade’s Just Friends. “The first time I did it was in England and the place went seriously crazy. Even I was surprised. I used to have two deejay tunes, but not that aggressive,” Ifrica said. She deejayed more and more on that tour across Europe and has been at it since. “

Nadine Sutherland’s moving forward on all fronts

Forget what people think about you. Nadine Sutherland certainly has, and is a happier person for it. Her growth and new lease on life, are evident in almost every song on her new CD, Call My Name. It’s filled with lyrics of self-appreciation, love, independence and upliftment – female empowerment as it were -wrapped in harmonious melodies.

No to ‘kill people’ music

Some sound system selectors and radio disc jockeys are taking a stand against violence in music. Lyrical violence has slowly spread throughout the dancehall, resulting in feuds that incite fans and ruin dances. However, members of the Bembe Squad, and at least one radio DJ say they are not into promoting the violence.

Rootz Underground included on Sumfest line-up

Rootz Underground has been added to the Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest line-up for Saturday, July 21, 2007. Saturday night, aptly named Zenith, will see Rootz performing on the same stage as musical greats Beres Hammond, Tanya Stephens and Mary J Blige. “Our goal is to establish Rootz Underground as the next great band to break out of Jamaica onto the international scene…”

Back to his Roots

He began his career with dancehall hits before going on to enjoy mainstream success on a multi-platinum level. Now, Shaggy is going full circle with a return to his core audience, courtesy of his latest hit Church Heathen. One of dancehall’s current big hits, Church Heathen sees Shaggy making scathing observations of supposedly God-fearing individuals, who — despite going to church each Sunday — aren’t necessarily living ‘Christian’ lifestyles.

Three Dollar Bill

I knew I’d get in trouble with dancehall fans again this month when I got an email from Montreal reggae promoter Cezar Brumeanu announcing an upcoming concert by anti-gay dancehall performer Vybz Kartel. That’s because that same day I also got an email from Manuel Sarrazin, the reggaephile who started the thoughtful pro-gay reggae websites Soulrebels.org and Murder Inna Dancehall.

Rebelmix launches Black Chiney’s Drumline rhythm

Rebelmix Inc, the Caribbean’s leading digital distributor of music and video, has released Black Chiney Presents Drumline Riddim & Timeline Riddim, the latest dancehall album from Miami-based Dwayne ‘Supa Dups’ Chin-Quee’s Black Chiney production house/sound system. Drumline, Black Chiney’s third rhythm production, is said to be already stirring up controversy in reggae and dancehall circles as it features artistes Mavado and Vybz Kartel battling it out lyrically on their respective tracks Mr Palmer and Mofraudo.

Soca Warrior

To some who are unfamiliar with Caribbean culture, reggae might seem to be the dominant form of music in that region. It’s easily the most popular style that matriculates out to the States, and with the long list of reggae luminaries in Jamaica at any given time, there’s no fault in assuming that reggae is the end-all, be-all of Caribbean music. But look east and southwest of Jamaica and it’s soca, not reggae, that drives the pulse of the English-speaking island chain.

17 years of ‘real’ jazz

After 17 years, the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival continues to create history with stellar performances and a touch of the past. The sounds of instruments galore will run from Sunday to Sunday, from the opening day on June 10 at Morgan’s Harbour Hotel, Port Royal, to the closing Father’s Day Jazz at the Shaw Park Hotel, Ocho Rios, on June 17. History will be a great part of this year’s event with a ‘Port Royal Cultural and Historic Tour’ as a part of the opening day.