Two thousand and six was a big year. From Grammys to ‘Angeleenie’, from the dutty wine frenzy, to the Killa Swing, whatever happened in the entertainment world happened big. including the flops. Let’s recap those flops and mishaps that had us saying “what the hell!” Here we go.
Buju takes ‘Driver’s’ seat at Rebel Salute
Buju Banton was at his best on Saturday night at the 2007 Tru-Juice Rebel Salute, as he stole the spotlight at the Port Kaiser venue in St. Elizabeth. While almost everyone played second fiddle to the nimble star, acts such as deejay Assassin, songbird Diana King, veteran singer Wayne Wonder, new sensation Etana, Kenyatta Hill, the Abyssinians, Mackie Conscious and the Canada-based Steel all delivered exceptional performances.
Reggae vibe reaches all the way into Arkansas
Joseph Israel recorded his first album in Kingston, Jamaica, a place that not only represents to him the artists who recorded there before, but also a part of his own upbringing. He cites his source of musical inspiration as the same as that which “causes the rain to fall and the snow to fall.” But credits the music of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh as the spark.
Deep discounts are afloat for Caribbean itineraries
Always dreamed of a Caribbean cruise? This is the year. Cruise lines have slashed prices for 2007 voyages to rarely seen levels, as low as $399 a week for February sailings, in an aggressive effort to jump-start sagging sales as the busiest booking period of the year begins. The strategy for the make-or-break “wave season,” which continues through March, seems to be to “lower prices now, fill up inventory with bargain hunters and then raise rates back to traditional levels,” says Mike Driscoll of Cruise Week newsletter.
UB40 – From welfare to Grammy nomination
For almost 30 years, British reggae band, UB40 has been an unconventional face of reggae. They have become arguably the number one reggae act of all-time in terms of record sales, chart positions and touring schedule. Now, with approximately 25 albums under their belt, they stand the chance of winning music’s most coveted award, the Grammy, as UB40 has received a nomination for What You Fighting For in the Best Reggae Album category.
Sunday Gleaner: Why do they call you the ‘original rude boy of reggae’?
Max Romeo: I started this whole sex revolution with lewd images. I recorded this song Wet Dream; it’s all about sex. It played twice on BBC, some Jamaicans called and reported it. It hit the top, stayed on the British charts for 22 weeks.
A ‘Romeo’ in life and on stage
Romancing the girls with his risqué lyrics, Max Romeo introduced Britain to a sex revolution. The overly-suggestive Wet Dream reached number 10 on the United Kingdom (U.K.) charts signalling the start of what should have been a huge career. Although he had a number of very popular songs, Max Smith, aka Max Romeo, never won the appreciation he desired from local audiences.
They burst onto the dancehall-pop scene as Jamaica’s answer to international supergroup Destiny’s Child. Tasha, Nyanda and Nailah Thorbourne. the sexy, sultry sisters who called themselves Brick & Lace, blazed the airwaves and then disappeared. What happened to them?
The cool ruler of reggae makes a comeback
Gregory Isaacs, one of Jamaica’s greatest musical exports, was recently honoured with a special reception at the island’s High Commission in London. In Britain, Isaacs is best known for the classic, Night Nurse, recently given new life on an advert for cough syrup. However, anyone who has explored reggae beyond Bob Marley will agree that his life’s work warrants official acknowledgement.
Reggae grows another Jewish branch
One of the most meaningful Jewish gifts would have to be the planting of an elan, Hebrew for tree, in Israel in one’s honor. And in the case of Los Angeles-born musician Elan, no other name would suit him quite as well. His reggae and dancehall-inspired music has firmly planted him in the genre, and after a handful of years fronting for Bob Marley’s mighty musical outfit, The Wailers, Elan is reaching out to audiences worldwide with his mid-2006 debut solo release, “Together as One.”