Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Tarrus Riley
Two words to describe
Tarrus Riley amazing and conscious. I love the way he sings about
issues in this world. This 34 year old Jamaican American born in
Bronx, New York City and the son of reggae singer Jimmy Riley. Has a
gift just like his father. Tarrus debut album Challenges came out to
in 2004. Since then he has put out three more albums Parables in
2006, Contagious in 2009 and Mecoustic 2012. I heard the song “Stay
With You” on Streetwise Radio I really like the song and had to
listen to more from this wonderful artist. I found more songs that
are going on my playlist like “Shaka Zulu Pickney”, “She's
Royal”, “"Superman", “Beware”, “Front Door”,
“Something Strong”, “Paradise”, “Human Nature”, “Gimme
Likkle One Drop” and “Sorry Is A Sorry Word”. This amazing
artist is going to be at Reggae On The River August 1st
thru 4th 2013. You
tune into Streetwise Radio and listen to Tarrus Riley songs. You can
also listen to Streetwise Radio on Athena365, MyGen365, Live365,
iTunes,Gilroy Radio, and Pandora.
LM
Friday, July 12, 2013
Up Close and Personal with Reggae on the River’s General Manager, Justin Crellin By Shelah Moody
You never know who you will run into at Reggae on the River:
activists and Joan Baez, Julia Butterfly Hill and actors Danny Glover and Leon
have dropped into the biggest party in Northern California.
Reggae on the River started out as a grassroots festival 29 years
ago as a benefit for the Mateel Community Center. The festival went “Hollywood” for a few years glitterati
showing up from all over the world and
tickets selling out at record speed. For the last five years, the Mateel
Community Center has presented Reggae on the River at a smaller site. Benbow
Lake State Recreation Area. This year, August 1-4, the Mateel Community Center
proudly presents Reggae on the River at its original site at French’s Camp in
Piercy, CA, with large scale acts such as Tarrus Riley, Morgan Heritage, Julian
Marley, Nkulee Dube, the Meditations and more. www.reggaeontheriver.com. Thousands of revelers descend on the
festival every year for the chance to camp among the majestic California
redwood trees and wade in the legendary Eel River.
Tarrus Riley performing this year at ROTR
I recently spoke with Justin Crellin, General Manager for the
Mateel Community Center and Reggae on the River. Crellin, who hails from Virginia, relocated
to Humboldt county and started out as festival equipment manager for Mateel
Community Center and Reggae on the River in 1998.
Shelah
Moody: What is the significance of the festival returning to its original site
this year?
Justin Crellin: Going
home to our original venue, French's Camp, which has always been the festival's
spiritual home and where we've been working to get back do during our years of
living in "exile" in Benbow (which served us well, but did not allow
for the camping on site, nor other elements of the ROTR experience).
SM: Reggae on the River, since its inception,
has become so popular that it was even referenced on an episode of the cartoon
"South Park." In your opinion, what has made the festival so popular
over the years?
JC: The community
most of all, but also the beauty of the natural environment where the festival
is held. In its inception, ROTR was one of the world's original
celebrations of reggae music and reggae culture was a natural fit for the
alternative community residing in the hills of southern Humboldt and northern
Mendocino.
SM: How did you go about choosing this year's
eclectic lineup? I see that you've booked ROTR favorites such as Jade Steel and
Nuklee Dube.
JC: We strive for
balance and diversity. Though it is mostly a reggae show and we try to
represent the full diversity of reggae music (as much as possible anyway), we
also like to spice things up with a handful of "world music"
acts. We also look to present a nice mix of both male and female performers,
classic and emerging artists, touring NorCal favorites and artists who rarely
(or have never) played in our region, acts supporting new albums (along with a few we haven't
heard from in a while), etc. For this
homecoming year we also went back to our roots and booked an act (The
Meditations), who was with us for the very first ROTR in 1984 and who will be
marking their first time back at the festival since this very first year.
As for the specific artists you mentioned, we loved Nkulee Dube so much last
year and got such a great crowd response on her that we broke our own unwritten
rule of not repeating artists in back to back years and made an exception for
her. Jade Steel will be joining a host of other favorite vocalists and
DJs from the Emerald Triangle and beyond in a track set showcase (with lots of
special all-star guests) on Thursday, August 1st to kick things off for our
early arrival ticket holders.
SM: How
long does it take to organize a large scale event such as Reggae on the River.
JC. All year (and
then some)! Meetings, etc. start ramp up in January and things get busier
and busier as we approach showtime.
SM: I've
been attending ROTR since 1992, and I am particularly curious why people feel so
comfortable walking around nude at the ROTR. :)
JC: I don't think
nudity it is quite so prevalent these days as it once was, but ROTR is also a
"free zone" for a lot of folks and a place where maybe they feel more
comfortable to let go of their inhibitions to commune with nature and soak up the vibes.
SM: What do you, personally enjoy about
working with the festival?
JC: I like the
nature of the work, the people I work with, and the feeling of being part of
something much bigger than myself. It is also fun to work with the
artists and to be involved in creating the larger experience that keeps fans
coming back to ROTR. We do this for them (and for the Mateel Community
Center and other local non-profit groups who fund raise through the event).
The fact that ROTR is produced by and benefits the non-profit Mateel Community
Center is also something that sets it apart from a lot of other festivals.
SM: Can
you tell us a little about the Mateel Community Center?
JC: We provide a
variety of arts, education, cultural enrichment, youth and social service
programs to the rural southern Humboldt community and also offer a meeting
space and venue for rent. For more info on all we do, please visit www.mateel.org.
SM:
Give us five fun facts about Reggae on the River.
JC: 1. It’s a Grassroots
production- for and by the community!
2. This will be the first year back at French's Camp since 2005.
3. Our team mantra for the year is "Back to the Future"- as we look recreate the event on the model we used in the past, but in a new format for a new era of fans.
4. We are keeping the numbers smaller than previous years at this venue (only 6,000 public tickets available) to make for a more intimate and family/ community friendly experience.
5. It’s been called the "Best Place on Earth." Come experience for yourself!
2. This will be the first year back at French's Camp since 2005.
3. Our team mantra for the year is "Back to the Future"- as we look recreate the event on the model we used in the past, but in a new format for a new era of fans.
4. We are keeping the numbers smaller than previous years at this venue (only 6,000 public tickets available) to make for a more intimate and family/ community friendly experience.
5. It’s been called the "Best Place on Earth." Come experience for yourself!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Stage and Screen Star Sister Carol Performs at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival’s 20th Anniversary Concert Story and Photos By Shelah Moody
Sister
Carol performs at 8:40 p.m., Friday June 21st
on the Village Stage at the 20th
Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, June 21-23, Mendocino
County Fairgrounds, Boonville, CA, www.snwmf.com.
Sister
Carol East is a Grammy nominated DJ/singer, songwriter, who grew up
in Kingston, Jamaica and Brooklyn, NY. She has performed at festivals
and top venues around the world; her albums include “Mother
Culture,” “Call Me Sister Carol,” “Empressive” and
“Lyrically Potent.” Representing woman dreads on the big screen,
Sister Carol appeared in Jonathan Demme's films, "Something
Wild," “Married to the Mob,” (where she played the
proprietor of a hair salon) and "Rachel Getting Married."
Sister Carol recently launched her own clothing line, Black
Cinderella; and she also nurturing the music career of her daughter
Nakeeba Aminyea.
This weekend, Sister Carol helps kick off the festivities at the 20th Annual Sierra Nevada Music Festival in Boonville, CA. Ironically, also performing at SNWMF is one of Sister Carol’s mentors, Errol Dunkley, whose hit song inspired her moniker, “Black Cinderella.”
This
spring, I caught up with Sister Carol backstage at the Independent
nightclub in San Francisco, after she opened for Mykal Rose. The
focus of our conversation was hair; dreadlocks in particular in
relation to Rastafarian philosophy and popular culture.
“Well,
when it comes to hair, we love to celebrate it in its most natural
state; it’s most natural beauty. As a Rastafarian, I and I follow
the codes of the Bible, the Nazarite vow not to cut or shave any
corners of your hair. That’s where the dreadlocks (concept) comes
from. Ever since I was a youth, I always wanted to have dreadlocks,
but I couldn’t have them in my parents’ house; they wouldn’t
have it. Why not? Because they are like, Catholics and Methodists;
and in my heart, mi a Rasta but mi haffe keep it quiet because mi
can’t bring it inna the house. So as soon as I was old enough and
on my own, mi just start grow mi locks. It gave me a sense of
freedom. They are my antennas, picking up all the frequencies from
the cosmos. I feel like they give me a sense of power, because the
longer they get, the stronger the vibration gets. I just love my
hair, because I don’t have to do anything to it. I just wash it;
and I’m good. I don’t put oils or pomades on my locks themselves;
I just grease my scalp, because the scalp is like the root, and once
you water the root, it doesn’t matter how tall the tree is, the
water will get to the top of the tree, just like the oil in your
scalp will get to the very tip of your locks. Dreadlocks were around
long before I got here. I’m just carrying it on. The revolution
started in Kenya with the Mau Mau Warriors, and the rebellion came
with their hair, with dreadlocks to show that they weren’t down
with the system. I’m just carrying on the heritage of my ancestors.
Some say that Samson, in the Bible, was a dreadlocks, yeah mon, all
of the strong black men inna the Bible were men with some big
dreadlocks—Solomon, King David all of them. You never see a bald
head Jesus yet.”
On
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sistercarol.east?fref=ts
Monday, June 3, 2013
Lenny I-Music Biography
Courtney Grant aka "Lenny I" was born in Port Antonio the capital of the parish of Portland, & home of the Reggae Legend Mikey Dread, on the northeastern coast of Jamaica, about 60 miles (100 km) from Kingston. The Town young Lenny I spent his young formative years is the island's third largest port, famous as a shipping point for bananas and coconuts, as well as vibrant tourism being a major contributor to the town’s economy. Here in this region bustling with commercial distractions the brilliant singer gives the world an inspiring Roots Reggae Album entitled "Urban Inner Quest!"
Lenny I has chosen Music as a cultural vehicle for communicating the love and intelligence of the noncommercial hardworking citizens of Jamaica. Jamaica is were he was exposed night and day to roots reggae music at an early age. This is the peoples music because it soothes the soul of the poor and needy and gives hope in spite of crisis.
Lenny I, moved to Portmore a coastal city in southern Jamaica in Saint Catherine, with easy access for major Reggae music vibrations going on in neighboring cities of Kingston and Spanish Town. Here in Portmore the Artist was fortunate to link with producer Debo Brown, and this positive break gave Lenny I crucial exposure for the "Professional" side of music production. Although the town he now occupied used to be a sewage dump this great singer found his way out of the negative thru "positive uplifting lyrics" for all his loyal fans.
A chance for his first mastered hit entitled "Knowledge," came when he was introduced to the "Flames Crew." This landed him on a compilation album with various quality artists, on a significant reggae album called "Essence."
Now well known for his beautiful singing, strong revolution, and engaging love songs he has had the privilege of working with Producers Sojie, Youngblood, Simba Music Empire, Dean Fraser and Axx Production. His blessings have only increased. Since the people love his music he gave them more, incuding; instant classics like "How About This Love" and "Revenge and a Song" featuring the Mega Reggae Star President Brown with one called "Mister dj." . Again Axx Production shot a video for the song "How About This Love."
Martin Luther King Jr. said, "when your good at something the world will beat a path to your door!" And now with the rise of the album "Revenge" the world is calling for more Lenny I. After an impressive performance at "Weekenz" a journalist gave an excellent review in the hot publication "CHAT" that declared "Lenny I is on the next level" with excellent, profound, quality militant and loving yet, very versatile, Roots Reggae Music. Then more work done with Axx Production including singles such as Exodus, The New wave, Ion lion Sound, Play Reggae, I n I Will, Dreams and Last Laugh firmly establish Lenny I as a powerful force in the reggae music industry! Not surprising other producers came running. So it is "One Link Production" made possible the unforgettable album "Urban Inna Quest."
Lenny I vision for future inspirational and uplifting reggae albums is about being in the culture of wholesome Music and multiplying the positive vibrations that come from good reasoning. After all he says, "being negative without positive vibes ends in sufferation and destruction of life." Thru meager beginnings in a little Jamaican coastal town named Port Antonio, a true Reggae star is born named Lenny I. Continue to expect more awesome music recording and stage shows from this amazing Reggae Artist; singing in the name of truth and love!!!
Listen to Lenny I on Streetwise Radio, Live365, athena365, MyGen365, iTunes, Pandora, Gilroy Radio.
[for booking and album purchase information link Lenny I atwww.facebook.com/lennyimusic or email
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Julian Prolman and Ministry of Tomorrow Present Benefit and World Music Explosion in San Francisco, April 26
By
Shelah Moody
Who:
Ministry of Tomorrow presents Anthony B., Fely Tchaco and Sila
When:
9 p.m., Friday, April 26th,
Where:
The Lodge at the Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
There
will be a whole lot of shakin’ going on Friday, April 26 at the
Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, when Ministry of Tomorrow presents
three outstanding artists from the African Diaspora: reggae/dancehall
super star Anthony B (Jamaica), award-winning “tribal pop” singer
/songwriter Fely Tchaco from the Cote D’Ivoire and Kenyan AfroFunk
star Sila, aka the James Brown of Africa.
Fely
and her eight member band, featuring guitarist Freddy Clarke of
Wobbly World, will open the show. Like Anthony B and Sila, Fely is
known for her mesmerizing dance moves, and her set will include a
workshop on the “booty dance” from her Gouro culture.
“The
audience can expect a show they are not accustom to. I feel so great
about this performance, and delighted that it is for a good cause. I
saw Anthony B when I performed at Reggae on the River in 2005, seeing
him again on this show and with Sila is special. I am grateful to be
part of this line up. Performing tomorrow night is a blessing.
I
recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ministry of Tomorrow’s
enlightened young founder and promoter, Julian Prolman.
SM:
What is the concept of Ministry of Tomorrow and the benefit?
Julian
Prolman: The Ministry of Tomorrow, a San Francisco based
entertainment production company, was established to present novel
artists, whistle blowers, and thought leaders with alternative
realities and solutions to foster a more just and civil society.
Underlying the event production business is a fashion forward apparel
brand; “Ministry of Tomorrow” that develops garments and
accessories in disenfranchised communities to create fair wage and
sustainable jobs that would likely not have happened otherwise. The
Ministry of Tomorrow’s flagship project is located in Nairobi,
Kenya just outside of Kibera, one of Africa’s largest slums. This
project is a facility that the Ministry of Tomorrow built and
sponsors ongoing. Tailors were recruited from within Kibera to
produce designer men’s and woman’s bags in an effort to create
sustainable livelihoods.
SM: How did you come about choosing the unique line up for the show, Fely, Sila and Anthony B?
SM: How did you come about choosing the unique line up for the show, Fely, Sila and Anthony B?
JP:
The decision to choose such a unique line up was inspired by the
overall message of the Ministry of Tomorrow, which is to promote
various social and environmental issues through music and fashion,
and the artist selected promote a similar message of positive
change.
SM: Where are you from originally, and what other events have you produced?
SM: Where are you from originally, and what other events have you produced?
JP:
My family is Moroccan, but I was born and raised in the San Francisco
Bay Area. I have produced several events as a youth with artists such
as, Andrea Nickitina, Equipto, Pep Love, Hieroglyphics etc. This will
be the first event produced not as an independent producer but as a
company which represents a conscious movement of bringing awareness
to issues around the world through music and fashion.
SM: What impresses you about each artist on the bill: Anthony B, Fely and Sila?
SM: What impresses you about each artist on the bill: Anthony B, Fely and Sila?
JP:
What impresses me about each artist is their unique sound and the
message of positivity they promote through their lyrics.
SM: Do you have any other events in the works for this summer?
SM: Do you have any other events in the works for this summer?
We
have loads of events coming this summer. Not just music events but
also speaker series. Our music events will be presenting major
artists who all promote a similar message of positive change.
SM:
What genres of music do you specialize in?
JP:
The music I personally make myself is slowed down hip-hop futuristic
R&B, but the artists that we promote are not specific to a genre
of music but rather a genre of intention. We will be promoting shows
to a range of audiences to promote the positive message of waking up
and being aware of issues on this planet. We will be linking with
major nonprofits and creating a platform for artists, activists and
whistle-blowers to come to light. Our project in Kibera, shows how
creating an income generating project can benefit a community and
empower people. Our products represent not only high quality of
fashion but also a way out of the slum for those who now have the
opportunity to work.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Fantan Mojah
Everything Rastafari Promotions Presents Fantan Mojah in concert on Thursday, March 14 at Slim’s in San Francisco. The doors open at 8pm and the music starts at 9pm with opening acts Prestige, Zareb, and upcoming artist from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Jah Warri. The Master of Ceremonies is Spliff Skankin’ of KPFA. Fantan Mojah is being backed by The Dub Kronik Band. Slim’s is located at 333 11th St. in San Francisco and is an all-ages venue. For more information or tickets call(415) 255-0333 or 510-652-2168 or visit http://www.slimstickets.
Owen Moncrieffe aka Fantan Mojah was born in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. To gain experience, he took a job working with a traveling soundsystem, and performed songs during sound checks. He adopted the name Mad Killer, in an homage to one of his favorite artists, Bounty Killer. After being exposed to the Rastafarian movement his music began to take on a more positive tone, and he was encouraged by Capleton to take the name Fantan Mojah.
Fantan Mojah is notable for being one of the new wave of contemporary reggae singers who prefer to include positive themes in their lyrics. Like some popular new reggae singers, he is a Bobo Ashanti. His faith is reflected in his lyrics, where some recurring themes are - praise for Jah and messages of Rastafari, positive portrayal of women, and condemnation of ill morals. This is a contrast to many popular dancehall artists, who encourage "slackness" in their lyrics, with boasts of sexual prowess and derogatory messages to women.
After performing at many popular Jamaican festivals, Fantan Mojah recorded several songs on popular riddims, and was signed by Downsound Productions. He released his debut full-length album ‘Hail the King’ in 2005. It has become a hit in Jamaica, especially the track "Hail the King", which has an accompanying music video.
Opening the evening’s music is Prestige whose powerful social consciousness, witty nature, and adept song writing ability has cast him in the prestigious position of leading the latest pack of Roots Reggae artists. With a slew of singles including “My Pride,” “Wi Nuh Trust Dem,” “I am Bless,” “Hot Stuff,” a collaboration with Anthony B and Little Devon, and his latest herbal anthem “Smoke Free,” Prestige has flattened thousands at some of Jamaica’s biggest Reggae events including Magnum GT Taylor’s Christmas Extravaganza, Portmore Fest, and the notoriously critical crowd at the annual Sting stage show with stage performances as compelling and uplifting as the morally poignant lyrics behind his music.
This is a true Rastafarian evening of music with uplifting, conscious music. The Rastafari movement, or Rasta, is a spiritual movement that arose in the 1930s in Jamaica. Today, awareness of the Rastafari movement has spread throughout much of the world, largely through interest generated by reggae music like the performers on this special show.
For more information contact Everything Rastafari Promotions and Productions 510-652-2168, or Slim’s 415-255-0333. www.facebook.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Reggae Legends, Rising Stars Shine at the 2012 Sierra Nevada World Music Festival
.
By
Shelah Moody
Photos
by Shelah Moody and Michael Ealey
For
the past 19 years, promoters Warren Smith and Gretchen Franz have
presented some of the finest in reggae, global and indie music at the
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, one of California’s most
beloved summer events. Each year, people travel from all over the
world to attend the three-day festival easily recognized by
its--initials, SNWMF.
Marking
their seventh year at Mendocino Campgrounds in Anderson Valley,
Booneville, CA, SNWMF continued the tradition; presenting with wildly
popular acts such as Third World, (Jamaica) Jimmy Cliff, (Jamaica),
dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson (UK), Katchafire (New Zealand) and
Luciano (Jamaica) during the weekend of June 22-24. SNWMF 2012 also
celebrated the unsung pioneers of reggae such as Sister Nancy, Della
Grant and the Twinkle Brothers and Prince Alla; and showcased rising
stars such as Cherine Anderson, Romain Virgo and the iKronik band.
I
have followed the Sierra Nevada World Festival from three sites,
since 1995. Along with hearing some incredible music and grabbing
some exclusive interviews, I’ve fallen in love near the waterfront
at SNWMF, formed long lasting friendships and eaten the best handmade
chocolate dipped ice cream bar of my life. What a party!
For
me, one of the highlights of SNWMF 2012 was watching Grammy-winning
singer/songwriter/ film star Jimmy Cliff. You never get tired of
watching his lithe, agile frame move across the stage and hearing
his ethereal tenor soar across the venue. The Godfather of Reggae,
who also appears in the wildly popular documentary “Marley,”
performed his some of his biggest hits “Reggae Nights,” “The
Harder they Come” and “You Can Get it if You Really Want.”
Cliff introduced new material from his latest punk and ska
influenced album, “Rebirth,” produced by Tim Armstrong.
(Armstrong describes Cliff as one of the greatest songwriters of all
time).
When
I spotted another real life movie star, Leon Preston Robinson IV,
aka Leon (“Five Heartbeats,” “Cool Runnings,” “All the
Right Moves”), in the crowd I jokingly asked him what he was doing
out of Hollywood. “I thought this was
Hollywood,” he replied.
Another
highlight was watching Jamaica’s all-star iKronik band, featuring
Rolando “Phanso” Wilson (drums), Isaiah Palmer (bass), Dwight
“Duke” Dawes, (keyboards) Wendel "Junior Jazz" Ferraro,
(lead vocals, guitar) and Junior “ KavaJah” Johnson (vocals,
guitar, keyboards) bring their dream of becoming a successful
recording and touring solo act to fruition. On opening night, iKronik
performed original songs from their upcoming album including “Ride
On” and “Clean Heart.” iKronik also worked extremely hard that
weekend as the backing band for many of the artists on the bill.
“Our
performance at SNWMF was very significant to us because it was the
first festival that iKronik performed on doing our own set and
getting great feedback,” said Dawes.
“We
enjoyed sharing our original material with the patrons. It was a
thrill to see them responding to these songs that are new to them. We
also enjoyed playing for all the other artists Luciano, Cherine
Anderson, Prince Alla, Romain Virgo, Sister Nancy and Perfect. We
all have favorite songs by these artists and it was a pleasure
working with them.”
SNWMF
marked the return of the man with the velvet baritone, conscious
reggae singer Luciano, as Sunday night’s closing act, who delighted
the audience performing somersaults on stage and delivering his
string of hits such as “Who
Could it Be Now, “There's
No Love” and “Give Praise to Rastafari.”
Jamaica’s
reigning queen of reggae/dancehall/soul, Cherine Anderson proudly
represented Jamaica during the year of their 50th
Independence Anniversary. During a media conference the SNWMF press
tent, Anderson, who was influenced by Whitney Houston and Lauryn
Hill, sang a beautiful a cappella version of her new single, “Eagles
and Doves.”
Anderson
spoke about her struggles to get the song released and her commitment
to producing conscious, motivational, message music as opposed to
following formulas and trends. Anderson, who comes from a family of
all girls, also spoke of the importance of women supporting each
other. A protégée of the Grammy winning drum/bass duo Sly and
Robbie, Anderson rose to global attention after co-starring in the
Jamaican film, “Dancehall Queen” (1997), in which she played a
sexually abused teenager. As an advocate for children, Anderson
founded the Reach One Child Jamaica foundation, which provides
motivation and scholarships to Jamaican youth, in 2003. Children
love Cherine Anderson; it seems that that each time she performs at
SMWMF, she is mobbed by groups of wee folks for autographs and
photos.
When
I saw Cherine Anderson perform, I was blown away; at that moment;
knew why I given up a chance to see Anita Baker and Bobby Brown live
that weekend in order to attend SNWMF. Backed by singers Peter Gayle
and Jasmine Lue, Anderson demonstrated confidence, sensuality, style
and warmth on stage.
Anderson,
who described herself as an eighties baby, payed homage to imprisoned
reggae artist ( and Grammy winner) Buju Banton with her own version
of “Til Shiloh.” During her performance of another Buju Banton
hit, “Movie Star” (originally recorded by Delroy Wilson),
Anderson jumped off of the stage to touch hands with her fans in the
audience and make each one feel special by personally singing to
them.
The lyrics of her
composition, “Eagles and Doves” capture my overall feelings of
SNWMF 2012. Check it out:
Eagles
& Doves written by: Cherine Anderson, Produced by: Shadow &
Dream Queen
They
don’t know my story; They don’t know a thing about me who are
they to judge me
See
my glory; but they never see my pain
People
talk don’t faze I am not afraid of words that cannot break or harm
me
Watch
me rise no time for haters on my plane
No
one can hold me down Just watch me win this crown; No one can hold me
down
Fly
like eagles soar like doves Can’t nobody hold me down
I
got life I got love can’t nobody hole me down
So
raise your glass fill your cup tonight we’re gonna live it up
Raise
your glass fill your cup tonight we’re gonna live it up
Don’t
believe in failure we can do it we can rise above it dreams come
through
And
if you get knock down, you just get back up again
Friend
will come and go and the ones we love will hurt and even disappoint
too
Be
good to people and good comes back to you Chorus: No one can hold me
down Just watch me win this crown
Follow
the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival on their website:
www.snwmf.com
On
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/SNWMFhttp://www.facebook.com/#!/SNWMF
Friday, February 15, 2013
REGGAE/DUB BAND C-MONEY AND PLAYERS, INC. LAUNCH FEBRUARY TOUR
Christofer
“C-Money” Welter was born to be a musician. Welter, who hails
from North Carolina and played in school marching bands, sees himself
as following in the tradition of great southern trumpeters such as
Louis Armstrong, Kermit Ruffins and Irvin Mayfield.
C-Money
is best known for his work playing trumpet and keyboards in
John
Brown’s Body and Slightly Stoopid, two of the top reggae bands
touring today. While in John Brown’s Body, C-Money recorded four
full-length albums with the East Coast’s premiere reggae band and
toured with them for eight years. In 2006, he moved west joining
Slightly Stoopid and adding a new dimension and element to the band.
In
2010, C-Money released his second solo album, “Family Business,”
garnering praise from ”Performer Magazine” who said, “The
record offers the listener a serene feeling, along with empowering
words from the various vocalists. Every track on the record is
different - some have lyrics while others don't. The record takes the
listener through various moods; some tracks feel spacey with an
electronic vibe, while others are smoother, with a reggae twist.”
Fitting
a robust tour schedule in between life on the road with Slightly
Stoopid, C-Money and the Players Inc. have begun to make a name for
themselves after touring consistently up and down the west coast for
the past three years. The band’s reggae infused mix of
funk/jam/jazz/hip-hop continues to delight crowds, as their
ever-growing fan base is exposed to C-Money and the Players Inc’s
unique concert experience.
2/14 - Hawthorne Theatre, Portland
2/15
- Diablos, Eugene w/ The Sindicate
2/16
- Wild River Brewing, Grants Pass
2/17
- Club 66, Ashland, Oregon
2/19
- Frog and Peach, SLO
2/27-
Patrick Malloy's, Hermosa Beach
2/28
- Malibu Inn, Malibu
3/1
- Winstons, Ocean Beach
Like
them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cmoneyplayersinc
For
Information Contact:
Randy
Freedman
Players Inc. Management
Players Inc. Management
C-Money
& the Players Inc
215.378.3097
215.378.3097
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Tanya Stephens
Tanya Stephens is just
what I like in a Reggae singer songwriter. This 39 year old Jamaican
born talent has a message in her music. No matter whether Tanya is
singing reggae or dance hall her voice and lyrics are amazing. Tanya
Stephens has been around since the late 1990s. She has had several
hit songs throughout her career. Some of my favorite songs of Tanya’s
are "Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet", "Draw fi Mi Finger",
"Freaky Type", and "Cry and Bawl", "These
Streets", "Rosa", “Turn The Other Cheek”, “Little
White Lie”, “Way Back “ and "It's a Pity". Tanya
Stephens is so underrated she needs to be played more. Her music has
so much meaning. It is so refreshing that she sings about true life
situations. I know I can relate to what she is singing about. To
listen to songs from this talented singer songwriter tune into
Streetwise Radio. Also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Live365,
Athena365, MyGen365 and Pandora.
LM
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Miss Kjah
This
Trinidadian and Grenadian singer/songwriter from the United Kingdom
is a talent. Her name is Khadijah but she goes by her stage name Miss
Kjah. Miss Kjah can sing and write. She takes the old school music
and blends it into a reggae song. I like the way she took two of my
favorite R&B songs and music and made her own reggae songs. The
Teddy Pendergrass’s “Close The Door” and The Floaters “Float
On” songs were nicely done. Her version of “Close Da Door” and
“Float On” is refreshing. Miss Kjah lyrics are uplifting and
energetic. She has the ability to make you want to hear more. That is
what I like in musical artists. To put out music that inspires. Miss
Kjah is a talented, wonderful artist that is going to be around for
years to come. If she keeps putting out good inspirational music and
stays true to her craft. Miss Kjah has a single out called "Burn
Bridges " it is a very inspirational song. You can listen to it
on Streetwise Radio. Listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Pandora,
Live365, MyGen365 and Athena365.
LM
Friday, January 4, 2013
IRATION
Yet again, Streetwise
Radio is playing artists that are not well known to me. I’ve never
heard of Iration, a Reggae group from Santa Barbara, California.
Iration really started on the Caribbean island of Montserrat in the
West Indies. With three brothers Mario (keyboards), Patricio (bass),
and Gino (drums) Zamorano, they were exiled from Pinochet government
of Chile in 1973. In 1981 they migrated to the U.S.A. In 1983 Iration
was born. Their first performance was a talent show, at Ramapo High
School in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey in 1986. Iration began playing
college circuits in the US. Iration plays mostly Sunshine Reggae.
Sunshine Reggae is a subgenre which is said to bring the "tropical
vibes". It is mostly played with a positive or cheerful
attitude. This music is played around tropical hotels and resorts.
Iration does this kind of Reggae well. While listening to their
music, I can see why Iration is considered a Sunshine Reggae Band.
Iration means creation in the patois dialect which is spoken in most
of the Caribbean islands where English is the primary language.
Iration recorded and released their first full length album “No
Time for Rest” in 2007. The single off this album “Cookie Jar”
reached number one in Hawaii on 93.9 DaBeat. Their music grooves and
the lyrics are catchy with meaning. I really like Iration they are a
fantastic band with a lot of great meaningful music, which is easy to
listen too. Some of the songs that they sing that are my favorites
are “Fire”, “Time Bomb”, “Falling”, "Work It Out",
“Cookie Jar”, “All In You”, “Wait And See” and “Turn
Around”. Iration is a band that I could listen to a lot. They are
deftly going on my play list. Streetwise Radio will continue bringing
you not well known and new groups like Iration. Also listen to
Streetwise Radio on iTunes, MyGen365,s, Live365, Athena365 and Pandora.
LM
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