Overseas appeal for Jamaican acts declining?

Late last year Charles Campbell, after a trip to Europe, reported in the pages of this newspaper that he was quite worried that while the appeal of Reggae is on the rise, internationally, the appeal overseas for Jamaican acts is on the wane. What could account for this apparent paradox, one might ask? Well, foreigners have so internalised our music that they have now become proficient exponents of it. Matisyahu — an orthodox Jew living in the United States is currently one of the biggest selling Reggae acts.

Tony Rebel makes plea to cleanse dancehall

Germany’s Adolf Hitler, France and the US taught the world about violence and sex charged event organiser Tony Rebel in a plea to cleanse dancehall of explicit lyrics.

Explicit dancehall, his argument suggested was not marketable in Europe and contributed to poor US sales in 2009.

“You can’t preach violence in music and expect the people of Germany to accept it. Because Hitler already show them what violence is. You cannot teach the French and the Americans about sex. A dem mek it,” Rebel who spoke at the recent launch of Rebel Salute stated.

Melodians keep rocksteady alive

As a general rule with rocksteady — the post-ska, pre-reggae form of Jamaican vocal music — if a group’s name ends in “-ians,” it’s worth a listen.

There are exceptions; some bands without the distinction aren’t bad either, such as legendary rocksteady acts the Maytals, the Hepcats, the Gaylads and the Tennors. But the -ian ranks are strong: the Kingstonians, the Abyssianians, the Ethiopians.

Reggae artist Buju Banton pleads not guilty to drug charges

Reggae star Buju Banton pleaded not guilty to drug charges during a federal court arraignment Thursday.

The 36-year-old singer, born Mark Myrie, did not seek bail.

“Mark is innocent,” defense attorney David Markus said. “And the government’s case has got no soul.”

Herald Palladium > Archives > Features > Reggae masters make Czar’s 505 their port of call

When your touring calendar spans two decades, small triumphs have a way of making themselves felt beyond a particular night or venue.

This Friday, the Ark Band revisits Czar’s 505 for “Jamaica Me Crazy,” the club’s monthly reggae night – one that the veteran 10-piece band always looks forward to playing, drummer Terry Bobb says.

‘We need a new direction’ | The Trinidad Guardian

On the ground level of the famous Charlie’s Records on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, Rawlston Charles stands in front of just two of the many gold records he has churned out over the years. He is tall, sartorial and as debonair as ever. He concedes that the music industry has changed course, dramatically. But he is also troubled by the today’s music—T&T music, that is. And for one widely considered a legendary figure in calypso and soca music, what he had to say should be listened to… attentively. His tone is mellow but his words are provocative, incisive. “Our music tells us what is happening in our society. There is a beat, but really no melody. Melodies live on…beats change from day to day,” he says. And for one who has produced the likes of Swallow, Shadow, Scrunter, Blue Boy, Explainer, and the list goes on and on, such words are indeed weighty.

Looking at the revolutionary wordsmith Linton Kwesi Johnson

A staunch activist in the struggle for the empowerment of black people, Linton Kwesi Johnson’s (LKJ’s) revolutionary weapon is his distinctive dub poetry addressing social issues that never fail to stir one’s emotions.

His style of poetry is so distinct, with each word voiced with deep conviction, commitment, precision, clarity and intensity, that one is forced to sit up and give it their undivided attention.

Taking Jamaican Food “To Another Level”
Round

Imagine you’ve just runaway from a sugar plantation on the British colony of Jamaica, having escaped with the help of a complex language of drumming that signaled that the time was right. The natives are long gone, having been exterminated by European colonials. You and the other ex-slaves are among the first generations of West Africans to a have carved out your independence here, in the mountainous interior. You’ve brought with you some knowledge of your native tongue, mixed with bits of English and Spanish, and the know-how to grow crops on the plantation.

Good, bad and indifferent of 2009

2009 turned out to be a tough year for Jamaica’s music industry. Record sales plummeted with reggae/dancehall music failing to produce an album that resonated internationally.

Also, controversy reigned at home with the Gaza/Gully feud and the fierce debate surrounding Rompin’ Shop, a controversial song by dejays Vbyz Kartel and Spice.

A night of unforgettable ska and reggae on the beach

It’s not often we get to see and hear real music legends here in Thailand but on Saturday at the Smiley Fest Ska & Reggae International Music Festival, a whole galaxy of ska and reggae stars descended onto the beach at Ban Amphoe for a night of Caribbean music that I certainly won’t forget for a long time.