Rebel rouser

As a producer at Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s Studio One in the ’60s and later at his own Black Ark studio, Lee “Scratch” Perry played a critical role in developing the steady grooves of ska and roots into the addled atmospherics of dub. He soon became known as much for his intense, eccentric personality as for his innovative work behind the boards; successful collaborations with reggae’s most storied stars, including Bob Marley, led to equally acrimonious spats.

Toots is Blessed on Christmas CD

Reggae legend Fredrick Toots Hibbert believes he has alot to thank God for and no doubt he will be doing just that as he celebrates his birthday today. Toots has been busy in the studio working on the follow-up to his Grammy-winning True Love album, but he took time out to remix a special Christmas song recorded last year called Blessed Christmas.

It’s a mix that works

It’s hard for the average rock band to earn a living if it doesn’t break big. All the album and ticket sales have to be split four or five ways.
With that in mind, consider how tough it is for eight-piece ska/soul group the Pietasters to make enough money just to cover their costs. There are 10 people on the road if you count the tour manager and merchandise guy.

Reggae stars clamor to be in ‘the Best’

There are reggae compilations, and then there’s “Strictly the Best,” a series of compilations issued by VP Records that feature the best reggae artists of the year.

“There are so many artists in Jamaica, so to make the cut is a blessing,” said singer Wayne Wonder, whose song “Love & Affection” is featured on Vol. 36. “With VP, their skill is in selecting the songs – they may have 300 songs to pick from, and they pick the best. It inspires me.”

Under a Vybz at Weekenz

When Vybz Kartel hit the stage at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew, at about 3:30 on Sunday morning, he looked out at the empty lawn and said, “a lie. A so much people deh yah man?” One hottie in a hot three-quarter-length white pants had been taking full advantage of the room, using a lot of the space as she danced to the music of Bass Odyssey, Razz and Biggy and Swatch International, while the rest of the small audience stood on the fringes.

Rastas drop on

All the troubles of the world, let a lone a nation, could not keep the reggae faithful away from the FMF Dome on Monday night. Fronted by Bob Marley and the Wailers lead guitrarist, Junior Marvin and Peter Tosh-bassist Fully Fullwood, the Tosh Meets Marley tour brought the pioneers of the ‘one-drop’ style of playing to Fiji for the first time.

‘Rocking’ it ‘Well’ with Jovi

‘Rebel Love Goddess’ are the words that rising sensation, Jovi Rockwell, uses to describe herself. In a recent interview with TEENage, the 23-year-old songstress admits that she is proud to be different from every other artiste out there, in her quest for stardom.

The Best Indies

In the West Indies, there are as many sorts of holiday as there are islands. You can cycle around Cuba, sail off Antigua, or simply flake out on the beach in Barbados. Plan your ideal escape from the winter with this comprehensive guide by Fred Mawer. If you are thinking of taking a holiday in the West Indies, but aren’t sure how best to arrange it, this guide to how to get there, who to book with and what’s new on the hotel front should provide the answers.

Marley’s dad’s songs draw biggest cheers

It has to be tough to be Ziggy Marley. First off, Marley’s still getting back on his feet after saying goodbye to his family back-up band the Melody Makers a few years ago. And while hitting the road with a set of mostly new musicians can be challenging enough, it’s the looming legend of his father, Bob, that hung over Marley’s Saturday set at the Ridglea Theater. It’s a shame, too, because in the last few years, Marley has turned into a first-rate songwriter in his own right.

Honouring a ‘reel’ Jamaican legend

In the summer of 1973, Lennie Little-White was a film student at the Ryerson Polytechnic University in Canada, when he went to a theatre at Danforth Street to see a movie named The Harder They Come. What he saw further fuelled his ambition to become a film-maker. “The lines were so long it stretched around the corner, everybody wanted to see it,”