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Thursday, May 11, 2017
CHRONIXX’S DEBUT ALBUM CHRONOLOGY TO BE RELEASED JUNE 30, 2017 (MAY 19 PRE-ORDER) Billboard Reveals Track Listing & Premieres Song “Skankin Sw
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Marjorie Kay
On April 14, 2017 Island Treasure Music will release it's second single of the year "Vision" which features the beautiful vocals of Marjorie Kay. The song is a Stevie Wonder original which was released on his 1973 album "Innervisions".
This Reggae rendition of "Vision" is produced by stellar bassist Glen Browne which features members of his Constructive Noise Band, distributed by Zojak Worldwide and is now available on Pre Order from the iTunes store.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
The modest and humble Marjorie-Kay is one of Jamaica’s most enchanting songstresses. Born in September, 1961, Marjorie-Kay is now in the prime of her life and is returning to the music scene with an intention to captivate the hearts of music lovers far and wide.
In her earlier years, Marjorie-Kay shared the stage with stalwart musicians such as Jackie Jackson, Desmond Young, Glen Browne, Mallory Williams and Carl Ayton, working at The Jonkunno Lounge. In the late 1970’s, Marjorie-Kay recorded her debut single “Someday We’ll Be Together” (A Diana Ross cover), produced by Lloyd Lovindeer.
In the early 80’s, Marjorie-Kay took a break from the music scene to nurture her family, while still making appearances in studio and on stage. Since her time at The Jonkunno Lounge, Marjorie-Kay has recorded several songs on the Island Treasure Label, with producer Glen Browne. Most notable among her recordings are cover song, “Baltimore”, and her soulful feature on Mutabaruka’s version of “Moody’s Mood”. With her passion for singing constantly burning bright, Marjorie-Kay has made appearances at choice venues and events such as Weekendz, Christopher’s, Redbones, Blue Monk, “Wellfest”, Desi Jones & Friends’ “Jazzin” and a host of other private functions.
Marjorie-Kay’s latest recording is a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Vision”, produced by Glen Browne for the Island Treasure Label. Now working on an album to be released in 2018, Marjorie-Kay is sure to be a soothing addition to the music industry, with her love for roots reggae and flair for crooning a beautiful ballad.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Reggae Songbird Etana Headed to Kenya
Reggae Songbird Etana Headed to Kenya
After a moving and inspiring performance for International Women's Day in Jamaica, soulful songbird Etana is headed to Kenya to lend her voice for a concert and a cause.
The multi-award winner and newly independent artist is slated to perform at "Dobba Fest" on March 18th, 2017 alongside reggae stars Luciano and Richie Spice. A humble and excited Etana stated " My fans in Kenya have steadily been asking for me, so I’m looking forward to hearing my Kenyan people singing to me in perfect harmony."
With her memorable honey coated voice, Etana will perform from her vast repertoire of hits and classics, as well as new material such as her recently released stirring single "Know Who I Am", "..If you see me walking much lighter Oh that’s because I know who I am and if you see my smile getting brighter It simply means I do understand.." With it's heartening lyrics, the latter has already garnered attention and momentum on the airwaves, "The songs speaks of where we were as a people and where we are now and where I wish for us all to be as people. United and strong." - Etana. "Know Who I Am" has also delivered beautiful visuals in the form of a lyrical video.
As philanthropy plays an integral part of Etana's life, during her Kenya journey, the songstress will take part in a youth initiative organized by Brand Afrika for the government Ministry in charge of the Studio Mashinani project. " I will be involved in a couple of youth empowerment music workshops prior to the show. I am always willing to give my time to share and encourage the youths. "
Upon her return Etana will head back to the studio to put the finishing touches on her upcoming album, slated to be released later this year.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Dubmatix
2017 JUNO AWARD NOMINATED FOR BEST REGGAE RECORDING (Canada’s Grammy’s) (7th Nomination / 2010 Winner)
The Canadian composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and seven-time JUNO Award winner and nominee hails from Toronto but has carved out a massive following on the international stage. He is a recording machine, from his debut release Champion Sound Clash in 2004, the Toronto-born Dubmatix has gone on to produce and record over 500 releases (Albums, EPs, Dubs, Remixes)
His vast collection of recordings have garnered multiple music awards from all over the world including France, Portugal, Germany and the U.K., along with critical praise from the international music industry insiders and tastemakers such as BBC Radio's Don Letts, XM Radio USA, iTunes Canada & USA respectively who have recognized & celebrated Dubmatix' relentless inventiveness and creative style.
The accolades continue with yet another honour awarded by Billboard Magazine (September 2016 issue), who crowned Dubmatix "Is This Love" rendition as the #1 Bob Marley Remix of all time! To date, the track has garnered over 8 million streams & growing!
2017 is already shaping up to be another big year for Dubmatix' fans (2.8 million followers on Soundcloud and 270,000 on Facebook) as the prolific composer recently completed a remix for 2016 Grammy winners Morgan Heritage. The recently releases two-disc deluxe edition of "Strictly Roots" - contains the Dubmatix Blaze Up Remix of "Light It Up”, which is already receiving rave reviews from outlets like:
Big Shot DJ Magazine - "On his interpretation, the JUNO award-winning mixmaster maintains the original's infectious quality while managing to turn up the heat a few more degrees for maximum dance floor enjoyment
.".
Most anticipated this year, will see the composer extraordinaire Dubmatix, release a new album with legendary duo & 2017 Grammy nominated artists Sly & Robbie. The collaboration will be entitled "Overdubbed - Dubmatix meets Sly & Robbie" and is scheduled for release on Echo Beach in the summer of 2017.
Never one to stand still when he's not in the studio working on new material, his legions of fans can catch Dubmatix when he kicks off the 2017 touring season in April with a packed schedule of shows in France, Greece and the U.K.
http://www.dubmatix.com http://www.reggae-loops.com http://www.facebook.com/dubmatix http://www.soundcloud.com/dubmatix http://www.twitter.com/dubmatix
Over the years Dubmatix has worked with the Who’s Who of reggae legends Alton Ellis, Freddie McGregor, Pinchers, Sugar Minott, Willi Williams, Ranking Joe, Anthony B, Turbulence, Eek-A-Mouse, Horace Andy, Linval Thompson, Mykal Rose, Wayne Smith, Luciano, U Roy, Cornell Campbell, The Mighty Diamonds, Dennis Alcapone, Prince Alla, Lone Ranger and dozens more.
Gappy Ranks
Born Jacob Williams In Harlesden To A Jamaican Father And Dominican Mother, He Dealt With Numerous Obstacles After Leaving School. Once He Overcame These Issues He Joined Up With Childhood Friend And Fellow Artist Reddmann (Uk), And Was Enlisted Into The Uk Dancehall Collective Suncycle. Their First Album Titled Suncyle Included Ranks' Homage To His Home Town, "Harlesden". Their Second Album I Am Somebody Was Released On The Uk Label Jamdown Records. Ranks Left The Group In 2004 And Began His Solo Career. Nicknamed 'Gappy' Due To The Gap Between His Front Teeth, He Initially Worked Under The Name 'Daddy Gappy', Before Opting For The Cutty Ranks
Influenced 'Gappy Ranks'. In 2005 Gappy Ranks Was Featured On The Vice Law Entertainment Mix Tapes. That Same Year, He Won The 'Best Song' Award At London's Silk Awards For "Little Understanding", Released By Uk Reggae Record Label Stingray Records, Also In 2005, Ranks Contributed To The Single "What We Do" By Kray Twinz Featuring Twista And Lethal B, Which Charted Nationally In The Uk At Number 23. Ranks Performed Live At Earl's Court In Front Of A Crowd Of 17, 000 For The First Kiss 100 Awards. He Also Played A Full Uk Tour Which Brought Him To Cities Such As Manchester, Birmingham, And Newcastle. He Recorded For Former Uk Reggae Giants Jet Star Records In North West London Where He Became Assistant Engineer, Giving Him Time To Grow And Develop His Love For Music And Network Which Led Him To Work With Record Label Peckings. On 26 December 2009 Gappy Ranks Childhood Wish Was Granted, As He Performed At The Celebrated Annual Sting Event In Jamaica. He Began To Tour Throughout The World Starting With European Countries Such As France, The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, And Switzerland. In 2010 He Released His First Album Put The Stereo On On Greensleeves' Peckings Subsidiary. Ranks Was Nominated For The 2010 Mobo Award In The 'Best Reggae Act' Category. In 2011 Ranks Followed Up With His Second Album Thanks & Praise, This Time On His Own Hot Coffee Music Label, Which Was Distributed By Vp Records. Thanks & Praise Included "Stinkin' Rich" (Produced By Italian Producer Macro Marco), "Longtime", (Produced By Special Delivery) And The Title Track (Produced By Grammy Award-Winning Uk Producer Jazzwad) Gappy Ranks Has Since Toured And Performed Throughout Europe, The Us, The West Indies, And Australasia. His Tour Also Included Japan And On March 2011 He Found Himself In The Middle Of The World's Biggest Earthquake And Tsunami. The Disaster Claimed Over 20,000 Lives And Gappy Ranks Recorded A Tribute, "I Was There". Ranks Returned To The Uk And Was Featured On BBC’s Later...With Jools Holland, Performing "Longtime" And "Heaven In Her Eyes". That Same Year He Opened An 18 Date Tour Our In California, Nevada, Oregon, And Washington For Collie Buddz. He Has Performed At Legendary Venues Such As Bb King's In New York, The Roxy Theatre In Los Angeles, The Fillmore In San Francisco, The Jazz Cafe In London. He Has Also Been Billed For Worldwide Festivals Such As Summer Jam In Germany, The Glastonbury Festival In The Uk, And Best Of The Best In Miami. In November 2012 He Headlined His Own 16 Date Cookies Tour In West Coast USA, Canada, And Costa Rica, In 2013 Ranks Performed At The Raggamuffin Reggae Festival In New Zealand,
As Well As His Cookies Reloaded Tour 2013 Of The East Coast USA. June 2013 Saw Gappy Ranks Performing At The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival For The First Time. On 17 September 2013, His Third Album Shining Hope Was Released. In June 2014 Gappy Ranks Collaborated With New Zealand Hip Hop Producer PMoney On An 8 Track Ep Titled The Baddest; The Ep Was Recorded At Red Bull Music Academy In Auckland, New Zealand. The End Of 2014 Saw Gappy Ranks Collaborate With "Tom Chasten" Of The Legendary "Dub Club" In Los Angeles For A Ep Titled "Gappy Ranks Meets Dub Club" Released & Distributed By Top Us Record Label Stones Throw Records". Ranks Showed His True Passion As He Founded, Presented & Hosted His Music Festival Titled “Pelpafest” Which Showcased Over 30 Artists Such As Don Andre, Exco Levi, Omi & Braintear Spookie Just To Name A Very Small Few. The Festival Which Is Solely Focused On Rising & Unestablished Artists Has Since Grown Much Interest & Anticipation Worldwide. At The Start Of 2015 Gappy Ranks Has Released 19 Tracks On His Mixtape Titled "Mad Move" Which Has Quickly Gained Support Over Social Network, Radio & Dancehall Events. Unpredictably, Gappy Ranks Showcased His Own Sound System To The World Which Took The Name “Sound Gappy” With Over 1000 Doublets Collected In Record Time From Global Artists, Ranks Gave His Tuesday Afternoons To His Locals Radio Station Real Beat Fm In Which He Single Handedly Presented A Live Broadcast Show For 10 Months, Breaking New Music, Entertainment News & Artists Whiles Never Playing A Single Gappy Ranks Track. In 2016 With Numerous Single Recordings & Weekly Live Appearances Gappy Ranks Delivered His 4th Album Titled “Guide Me”. The Eclectic British Born Artist Has Hand Picked His 13 Tracks And Delivered, Compiled & Executed A Sure Classic Feeling Which Hits The Listener From The Title Track Guide Me Produced By Jamaican Column Zj Chrome Of Cr203 Who Has Worked With Some Of The Very Best In The Industry. With A Very Large Catalogue Ranks Embarked On His World Tour Tilted “Guide Me World Tour” Visiting The Territories Such As South America, North America, Europe, Australasia, Asia, West Indies, Central America, Canada & Africa In Which He Visited Of 8 African Countries & Documenting The Experience Compiled Into A 20 Minute Documentary. 2017 Has Gappy Ranks Aka Plea Lee Entering Another Time Capsule Within Music. A Sure Favourite For All Dancehall Patrons Alike - Ep Tiled “Pon Di Lawn” Gives The Listener A Journey Into The Fabric Of Sound System Culture Complimented With The Excellence Which Is The 1987 "Tonight Riddim" By King Jammy's Records To Name 1 Of 10 Featured Tracks From The 80S 90S Dancehall Era Ranks Plans To Surprise The Fans Of His Music With More Classic & Live
Appearances In The Near Future, Along With A Pon Di Lawn Tour & The Return Of PELPAFEST.
©2016 HOT COFFEE MUSIC | Hot Coffee Music HQ
Videos (mov/mp4) : Gappy Ranks - Baddest [Official Video] Gappy Ranks - Best Is [Official Video] Gappy Ranks - Carpenter [Official Video] Gappy Ranks - Had Enough [Official Video] Gappy Ranks - Longtime [Official Video] Gappy Ranks - Shining Hope [Official Video]
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
QUEEN IFRICA WILL RELEASE HER THIRD STUDIO ALBUM CLIMB IN 2017 ON VP RECORDS Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Featured on Opening Track The Reggae Songstress Will Showcase New Album in NYC on Nov 16
The Jamaican award-winning singer, songwriter and social activist Queen Ifrica returns with her new studio album Climb in January 2017 on VP Records. The lyrical crusader calls for global change on the album and rallies comrades like Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley on the opening hip-hop tinged track "Truvosation."
She touches on key social issues throughout the album. The soul-tinged reggae track "I Can't Breathe" rails against ongoing police brutality in America; the ska flavored "Rebellion" name checks uprisings across several continents that have secured rights and improved the lives of many marginalized individuals. This sentiment is reinforced on "Battlefield", which warns "we never yield, its war on the battlefield, if you nah hear you ah go feel."
She also continues to uplift the younger generation. Queen's beautifully sung lyrics encourage perseverance during hard times on the title track and she reveals two of her greatest motivational sources, her mother and grandmother on "Ask Me Granny." On "Black Woman" she implores young ladies to know their worth and not be swayed by objectifying trends in popular culture.
"These songs come to me as I am watching the world; I see myself as a social worker that uses music as my tool because music is the greatest weapon to impact societal change, to help young people to understand themselves more," Ifrica says.
On November 16, 2016 in NYC, Queen Ifrica will be performing select tracks from the album to give fans a taste of what is to come. The intimate live show will be held directly after the launch party for Jamaica's renowned Rebel Salute music festival at Milk River in Brooklyn, NY.
Queen Ifrica
Swooping in from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Queen Ifrica has taken the reggae scene by storm with hits like "Randy," "Boxers and Stockings," "Jus my Brethren," "Below the Waist" and "Daddy" as well as more recent singles like "Love Is Not Blind" and "I Can't Breathe." From her humble beginnings of winning talent contests to joining the Tony Rebel's Flames crew in 1998, she has blossomed into one of the genre's top cultural artists with her roots firmly secured in the Rastafarian faith. Climb is Ifrica's third full-length album, following Montego Bay (2009, VP Records) and Fyah Muma (2007, Flames Productions).
Sunday, November 6, 2016
LEAF OF LIFE
Fresh off his performance at Reggae on the River where Anthony B called him on stage, Leaf of Life is ready for more! Hailing from Kingston Jamaica, one of the most exceptional & futuristic reggae/dancehall artist is here on his US tour & available for the 2017 festival season.
And see a taste of his performances & musical ability here:
Monday, October 3, 2016
Sizzla Brings the Heat to Oakland, CA, By Shelah Moody
It was hot enough at Sizzla’s Oakland show to turn a press and curl into an afro. As one photographer put it, it was so hot in the club, even the walls were sweating.
On Sept. 23, Grammy nominated reggae dancehall super star Miguel Collins, aka Sizzla Kalonji, backed by the Gumption band, literally brought the heat to the Venue nightclub in Oakland. Case in point, by Monday, Sept. 25, temperatures in Oakland had soared to a blazing 92 degrees, not cooling down until Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Sizzla’s first Bay Area performance in eight years was sold out, with people literally piled on top of each other to catch a glimpse of the musical leader of the Bobo Ashanti Rastafari Movement.
Incidentally, the Bobo Ashanti house of Rastafari was founded by Prince Emmanuel Charles Edwards in the 1950s. The Bobo dreads are known for wrapping their hair in colorful turbans. In the late nineties, when Sizzla first emerged as a musical super power, I watched Sizzla meticulously iron a long piece of fabric and wrap his hair before a Long Beach, CA show, which is an art form in itself.
“Being in the western hemisphere, in a system designed to colonize black people and to keep them down, you have to get that knowledge of self; knowledge of being and where you’re coming from,” said Sizzla, 40. “When you go to Bobo, it reminds you of your true self, because you keep the Sabbath, you’re praising a black God; you have black men chanting and black priests and black empresses. It reminds you of your true African culture, your true ways. The Sabbath brings thing to re-memory. Apparently, it’s the foundation of our culture. All praise to the holy priest, Emanuel I, Selassie I, Jah Rastafari.”
Jah Warrior Shelter Sound System, featuring King I-Vier and Jah Yzer alongside DJ Danny Smoky kicked off the show, followed by the multi-racial, IrieFuse band, which combined heavy metal with roots reggae. The temperature rose as the Gumption band, featuring Phanso Wilson on drums, Kevo Gitz on guitar, Taddy P. Camp on bass and Dwayne Morris on keyboards took the stage and played a soulful set of roots and dub. Collectively, the band members have played with the likes of Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Luciano, Jesse Royal and other heavyweights.
Sizzla’s journey from his heavily guarded dressing room to the stage was a surreal, ritualistic experience, and so began the night’s deification of Sizzla Kalonji, whose name literally translates into hot, healing black seed. The air was thick and sweet with ganja smoke as a few rough looking handlers parted the crowd and cleared a path, cell phones and cameras set to video mode, onlookers stood on chairs and tables to welcome August Town, Jamaica’s favorite son as bowed in reverence, counted a few beats, placed his hand on his heart and began the few riffs of his opening song and raced onto the stage. (see link: https://youtu.be/uN8aZkEZ0NU).
What followed was a world class Bobo dread get-down that went on until curfew. Merging roots reggae with hip hop, dancehall and shades of seventies R&B, Sizzla kicked his legs high in the air and performed songs such as “Show Us the Way,” “Guide Over Us,” “Be Strong,” “Dry Cry,” “Woman I Need You” “Give Me a Try” and his signature composition, “Words of Divine.”
The event was not without controversy. One month before the show, it was announced that Sizzla’s show, originally scheduled at the fashionable 1015 Folsom nightclub in San Francisco had be cancelled due to pressure from the LGBTQ community. Sizzla, along with other dancehall artists, have been accused of promoting anti-gay rhetoric and inciting violence against members of the LGBTQ community. In a 2016, interview with Island Stage magazine Sizzla stated that he was not a man of hate, but a man working to end violence and promote education in his August Town community.
“You shouldn’t be afraid of Sizzla. I’m not an animal; I’m not a cannibal,” he said. “I don’t support violence on no level or no degree. What you need to do is to get to know Sizzla. If you don’t know someone, I don’t think that you should stand aside and criticize the person. Spend some time with the person; get to know the person and then we can see where we best go from there. You don’t need to be afraid of Sizzla; you need to be part of the movement for Sizzla. Love to the world. Yeah yeah! Don’t do that, ‘fraid a Sizzla fe wha?”
Sunday, September 4, 2016
May the Pulse Be With You: Grammy Winning Reggae Band Releases New Documentary, “Dreadtown” By Shelah Moody
Steel Pulse @ Mountain Winery, Saratoga
“Reggae
music pleases kings and queens, so I’m sure that it will please
you,” announced lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist David Hinds.
I
first saw Steel Pulse at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, HI, 1988.
Ironically, the U.K.’s Grammy winning reggae band was the opening
act for a local group, Cecilio & Kapono. My first exposure to
the music of Steel Pulse came via the reggae show on KTUH FM, our
local university radio station. I was captivated by their roots and
dub sound and their militant and spiritually uplifting lyrics. Songs
like “Handsworth Revolution,” “Chant a Psalm a Day,”
“Stepping Out,” “Ku Klux Klan,” “Not King James Version,”
“Blues Dance Raid,” “Roller Skates” and “Drug Squad”
became the soundtrack of my young adult life. Steel Pulse was rocking
against racism and speaking out on police shootings of unarmed black
youth decades before Black Lives Matter.
David Hinds and Selwyn Brown. Founders of Steel Pulse
It
was fate that led me to spot a fabulous young dread, David Hinds, and
his magnificent towering dreadlock, walking out of the Food Pantry,
our neighborhood overpriced grocery store, in Waikiki, 1989 on the
eve of Steel Pulse’ headlining Waikiki Shell performance. I
remember running through the “don’t walk” sign to catch up with
David and grabbing the sleeve of his denim jacket.
“Excuse
me, are you….”
“Oh,
yes,” he said. “And you are…?
I
quickly introduced myself and the underground publication, “Scrawling
Wall,” that I was writing for at the time. I did not know that I
was shaking and sweating in the Honolulu heat.
“You
seem like you are afraid of me,” said Hinds.
“Oh
no, I’m just a bit nervous because I love you guys so much,” I
said.
What
followed was a two hour interview for “Scrawling Wall” with
Hinds, who introduced me to band members Steve “Grizzly” Nesbit
on drums, Selwyn Brown on vocals, keyboards and melodic, Phono
Martin on percussion and vocals and Sidney Mills on keyboards.
Hinds spoke to me in depth about the influence of the Black Power
Movement in America, discrimination against blacks and other peoples
of color in the U.K., and the songwriting process that led him to
write classics such as “Throne of Gold” and “Ravers.” When
Hinds opened his jacket to reveal an oversize button depicting a cow
pooping with a circle and I line over it, (“No Bullshit”), I knew
that we would be friends for life.
Ironically, Steel Pulse came
to town to perform during my last weekend in Honolulu and I hung out
with the band members at Diamond Head Beach, where the warm sand
glistened like millions of diamond chips. The Pulse was with me when
I left Honolulu for good to attend graduate school in San Francisco.
While tears flowed, I played their 1991 recording, “Victims” on
the plane. The first single was “Taxi Driver.” Putting worlds
into action, Steel Pulse filed a class action suit against the New
York Taxi and Limousine Commission, due to drivers refusing to pick
up blacks and dreads.
In the summer of 1994, the
staff of the Reggae Calendar International lost our dear friend,
Joyce Ann Cooke, who was killed in a car crash on the way to Reggae
on the River. Headlining at Reggae on the River that weekend was none
other than Steel Pulse. A blessing came out of tragedy that weekend;
my feature story on Steel Pulse for “Reggae Calendar International”
caught the eye of Steel Pulse’s tour manager, who recommended me to
MCA records to write the press release for their upcoming album,
“Vex.”
A
standout track on “Vex” was a song called “No Justice, No
Peace.”
“The
practice of so many injustices has left us with very little
confidence in the judicial system,” said Hinds. “Above the angry
groove of the drum and bass, “No Justice, No Peace,” lashes out
at the outcome of the Rodney King trials. “No Justice, No Peace”
goes on to acknowledge Mike Tyson’s incarceration in comparison to
a Kennedy family member’s acquittal on an almost similar crime.”
Fast
forward to fall, 2016. Steel Pulse is currently touring with one of
the biggest acts in reggae music, multiple Grammy winner Ziggy
Marley. When reggae music was rough and uncut, Steel Pulse opened
for Bob Marley, who dubbed them the Young Wailers.
Drummer Wayne "C-Sharp" Clarke
Though they players and the
groove may have changed over 40 years, the message remains the same.
Steel Pulse current lineup includes core members, Hinds, Brown and
Mills, along with Wayne “C Sharp” Clarke on drums, Amlak Tafari
on bass, Jerry Johnson on sax, and Makiesha McTaggert on vocals,
rapper BaRuch Hinds (son of David) and David Elecceri on guitar.
Vocalist Keysha McTaggart and keyboardist Sidney Mills
They’ve added an acoustic version of “Chant a Psalm a Day” and
new songs such as “Don’t Shoot” and “Put Your Hoodies Up (4
Trayvon),” livicated to the unarmed black youth across the country
who’ve been killed by police.
Steel Pulse newest members David Elecciri, guitar, and rapper BaRuch Hinds
After seeing the Pulse live at
least 100 times over the years, the show is new to me every time and
I wait for the point when they play “Rally Round” and I can throw
my fist in the air and sing along with the refrain “Closer to God
we Africans!”
Steel
Pulse is also gearing up for the release of “Dreadtown,” the
definitive documentary of Steel Pulse, which memorializes their 40
year career and evolution of as a band. With Hinds as executive
producer, “Dreadtown” was directed by Yoni Gal of Driftwood
Pictures. Past and present band members and family are featured in
the film, as well as luminaries such as the Marley family, Gwen
Stefani, Michael Franti, Snoop Dogg, Johnny Rotten and Alpha Blondy.
"Dreadtown" has been in the making for eight years, said
Hinds, 60.
“We started out doing the video, for our song "Door of No Return." (see link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsO4aYNFc9U). The song is about a captured slave who is actually a king. My son, BaRuch, has the lead in the video. The song is about someone of high realms all of a sudden finding himself on an auction block in the United States or somewhere like that, and being sold. The whole idea of "Door of No Return," not that I'm veering from the subject of "Dreadtown," is that there is a place called Goree Island, a small island off the coast of Senegal, and on Goree Island is a detention center or a fortress where slaves were held until they were dispatched to various parts of the world. There was an opening through the fortress that the slaves had to go through that was called the door of no return. Once they went through the door, and went throughout Europe and parts of the Americas to become slaves, they never had a chance to return.”
“We started out doing the video, for our song "Door of No Return." (see link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsO4aYNFc9U). The song is about a captured slave who is actually a king. My son, BaRuch, has the lead in the video. The song is about someone of high realms all of a sudden finding himself on an auction block in the United States or somewhere like that, and being sold. The whole idea of "Door of No Return," not that I'm veering from the subject of "Dreadtown," is that there is a place called Goree Island, a small island off the coast of Senegal, and on Goree Island is a detention center or a fortress where slaves were held until they were dispatched to various parts of the world. There was an opening through the fortress that the slaves had to go through that was called the door of no return. Once they went through the door, and went throughout Europe and parts of the Americas to become slaves, they never had a chance to return.”
“I was very emotional about the whole thing and thought I was
actually representing my ancestors returning through the door of no
return,” said Hinds. “My point is, we decided to take it to
another level and make a movie on the making of "Door of No
Return." It was so interesting what developed as far as ideas
and what we contributed, and the next step was to turn the whole the
Steel Pulse experience and advertise our 40 year legacy. That's how
"Dreadtown" came into play. We're hoping that it can be
completed by the end of the year. It's crucial now, because there are
so many issues involved. We started out, as you know in England where
we were facing racism and all of the stuff that came along
colonialism and of course, we go back to 400 years of slavery. To
know that things have come around 360 degrees in this day and age;
where England has exited out of Europe—racism is at the root of it
all. You’ve got Donald Trump establishing his format of racism
right here in the U.S. It’s as if our songs have been revitalized
for that same reason. Our story needs to be out there; it needs to be
told and I’m hoping that it will be something that people are very
much interested in. I hope it doesn’t have a “sell by” date or
gets put on the shelf after a period of time, because we are living
in times where things are very much disposable. We want to know that
your children and grandchildren can still have this film as a
template of how things are and were. I hope that it can be part of a
school’s curriculum. We want to have people taking time out with
kids of all ages and dimensions and looking at it and saying, wow,
this is what’s happening, and sort of have it as a debate or
whatever they want to use it as. We want it to last for a long, long
time, even after Steel Pulse has retired as a band.”
May
the Pulse be with you at: www.steelpulse.com
On
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteelPulse/
On
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelpulseofficial/
On
Twitter: @Steelpulse
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Sly & Robbie & The Taxi Gang - Touring North America & Hawaii
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Thursday, August 4, 2016
Conscious, Sexy Dancehall Singer Fyakin Makes Reggae on the River Debut Aug. 7 By Shelah Moody
Fyakin
performs with Anthony B and also at a late night/early morning
dancehall set on the South Beach Stage at the 32nd Annual CAReggae on the River Festival, French's Camp Piercy, .
www.reggaeontheriver.com’
Have
you ever wondered what it’s like for an artist to perform at a
massive, historic event such as the famed Reggae on the River for the
first time? For Fyakin, a conscious young singer, songwriter,
producer and multi-instrumentalist, the journey is well worth the
wait.
Fyakin,
a.k.a. Nicholas Levy, was born in Kingston, JA in 1988 and is
currently based in Miami, FL. He derived his moniker from the Yoruba
name Akin, which means “valor awakes.” A favorite on the Jamaican
music scene, Fyakin created a buzz by performing at events such as
Sizzla’s birthday bash, Sting, East Fest and Island Explosion to
name a few. During the summer of 2015, Fyakin released his acclaimed
full-length album, “Child of the Nile” on Nyle Banks Music. This
year, Fyakin released his fiery single, “Warrior Ways.” A
devoted father and former professional soccer player, Fyakin
describes his music as soulful, uplifting, cultured and truthful.
“You
can expect a passionate performance and you might see me playing some
Congo drums here and there; maybe a little keyboards,” said Fyakin.
“You never know what can happen. Expect the unexpected when it
comes to me. I keep growing and finding new talents each day.”
Shelah
Moody: How do you feel about performing at Reggae on the River for
the first time? What are some of the stories that you've heard about
Reggae on the River from other artists?
Fyakin:
I’ve just heard the show is a well-organized and properly promoted;
it's huge has a lot of people there. It's my first time at Reggae on
the River and my first time in California. It's quite an elated
feeling for me to be a part of one of the greatest reggae festivals
so to speak. My plan is to give the people a great performance--one
to remember. I will be performing with Anthony B doing a song we both
collaborated on for his tribute to the legends album.
SM:
What do you have in store for the ladies in the dancehall?
Fyakin:
I’ve got a lot in store for the ladies-- some sweet soulful lovers’
rock music that I am sure the ladies will enjoy. Tracks like “Sweet
Music,” “I Miss Your Love” and “You are My Lady.”
SM:
How do you feel about sleeping amongst the majestic California
redwoods?
Fyakin:
I've never experienced camping out before so I will see how that
works out for me.
SM:
Will you take a dip in the Eel River?
Fyakin:
Not sure but I just might do so!
SM:
Speaking of the Reggae on the River experience, I was gonna ask you
about the myth of Humboldt ganja.
Fyakin:
LOL. Nope, never heard of it!
Follow
Fyakin on the web: www.fyakin.com
YOUTUBE:
www.youtube.com/realfyakin
TWITTER:
www.twitter.com/darealfyakin
INSTAGRAM:
darealfyakin
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Up Close and Personal with Tanya Stephens at the 23rd Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival By Shelah Moody
“It
someone had told me when I was 20 that 40 was so sexy, I would have
never believed them!” --Tayna Stephens, Sierra Nevada World Music
Festival 2016
Let’s
get one thing straight. Tanya Stephens thinks that she is the
greatest thing since, and before, sliced bread. And the prolific
reggae/dancehall singer /songwriter is proud of it, too, with more
than 20 years of music to her credit.
After
her riveting performance at the 23rd
Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival at Mendocino County
Fairgrounds in Boonville, CA (www.snwmf.com)
on June 18, Stephens addressed the media in the press tent. In fewer
than 20 minutes, she became our BFF. As Stephens was escorted from
the stage to the press tent, she was literally mobbed by fans who
showered her with hugs, kisses, gifts and praise.
Stephens,
who rose to popularity with her risqué dancehall hits and love songs
such as “Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet,” Draw fi Mi Finger,” “Boom
Wuk,” “Goggle,” “It’s a Pity,” “I Can’t Breathe”
and “These Streets” said she prefers not to be labeled as a
“female” artist. Stephens said her most feared question is “what
advice would you give to young women who aspire to break into the
music industry?”
“I
would say, try not to take too much advice, because there’s no one
way to do this,” said the dusky voiced singer, who performed on the
SNWMF bill with world music greats such as Etana, Beres Hammond,
Toots and the Maytals, Leroy Sibbles and others that weekend. “What
works for Tanya Stephens may not work for another female coming into
the business. It’s changed since I came in. I would say, don’t be
labeled as a ‘female’ artist, just be an ‘artist.’ Stop
being intimidated by the word ‘fraternity’ and stop thinking that
this is a male dominated industry. They may be many in terms of
numbers, but in terms of potency, not so much. We have them beat.
Just come in, kick down the door and do your thing. Don’t be hung
up on the ‘female’ label; our job is not sexual. I know that
people mean well when they compliment me by saying that I’m one of
the best female artists, but I feel marginalized by my gender. I look
at women and I see no competition. That may sound egotistical to some
people, but I’m not an accidental artist. I work very hard. If you
hear me put out 10 songs, it means I made maybe, 150 songs. I demand
more than just the title female artist. It’s like saying all right,
we need some breasts, and I don’t even have that much breasts.”
To
date, Stephens has recorded nine solo albums including “Big Things
a Gwaan (1994), “Too Hype” (1997), “Work Out” (1997) “Ruff
Rider (1998) “Sintoxicated” (2001) “Gangsta Blues” (2004)
“Rebelution” (2006), “Infallible” (2010) and “Guilty”
(2013).
Stephens
has released more than 100 singlesand collaborated with artists such
as Lady Saw, Bounty Killer, Shabba Ranks and Marcia Griffiths to name
a few.
“I’m
a woman when I’m with my husband; I’ve been married for a few
years,” said Stephens, who turns 43 this year. “But I don’t
see that as something that defines me. I don’t complete him and he
doesn’t complete me; we’re just two people who are doing this
together. When I’m with my husband, I’m his woman, but with you
guys, I don’t have to be a woman, do I? ‘Cause we’re not all
sleeping together now are we? I need to be a woman for our kids
because they need a mother. But when we are working together, why
can’t we just be people? If we embrace the terms “women’ and
female,” we embrace marginalization and the limitations put on us.”
After
performing at SNWMF, Stephens headed to Europe to play the summer
festival circuit. Yes, she has a new album in the works, but right
now Stephens is taking it easy and loving it.
“It
feels nice; it feels like the best of me, really, said Stephens. “So,
I’m in no rush. I’m working on a new album, but I haven’t
completed it yet, not to my liking. I have to like it first. And when
I like it, then I will think that it deserves your ears; and I will
release it. I have no record label; I have no boss, I have no
deadline. I can take my time, and I hope you guys will exercise some
patience. I have to live up to my own expectations and meet my own
standards. That’s my process.
“I’m
grateful that you give me a platform, and the fact that people
actually like what I do is amazing,” said Stephens. “Nobody has
to like my music. Of course, I think that I’m the greatest thing
since or before sliced bread, but nobody has to agree with me.”
Oh,
and another thing, Stephens has a wild and wicked sense of humor and
her sharp wit shines through in her lyrics and conversation. One
member of the press asked about her brief business venture as a bar
and restaurant owner in Ocho Rios.
“That
was not a good pairing,” said Stephens. “Just think about it; me
with a bar! (laughed). That didn’t work out. I was my best
customer, but that was bad for business.”
Stephens,
who hails from St. Mary, grew up in a typical Jamaican household
which means that she was influenced by country western music, gospel
and Calypso. One of her first influences was Trinidadian calypsonian
Lord Kitchener, who inspired Stephens’ love of writing with his
double entendres. Stephens also considers SNWMF Saturday night
headliner Beres Hammond a great writer. As a student of literature,
Stephens loves a good story—the plot, the suspense, the climax.
Sidney Sheldon is her favorite novelist; she collects his books in
hard and soft cover.
Stephens’
also gushed about one of her biggest musical influences, Motown
heavyweight William “Smokey” Robinson.
”Influence
is a mild way of putting it,” said the Stephens. “I’ve been in
love with Smokey since I was about 10 years old. ‘Tracks of My
Tears’ is my all-time favorite song; it’s been my favorite since
I was in grammar school.”
To
the delight of everyone in the press tent, Stephens crooned a few
bars of “Tracks of My Tears.”
“People
say I'm the life of the party 'Cause I tell a joke or two/Although I
might be laughing loud and hearty/Deep inside I'm blue…”
“I
don’t collect keepsakes; I’m not a person who takes a picture
with an artist to say ‘look who I’m standing next to,’ because
I think I am all that and more,” said Stephens. “A friend brought
me an autograph from Smokey, and that’s the only (memorabilia) I’ve
kept throughout my entire career. Smokey Robinson was the soundtrack
of my childhood and my adulthood. Every pain I’ve felt, I’ve
cried with Smokey. I literally cried with Smokey. It’s crazy; you
know me and Smokey’s relationship. He doesn’t know we have one.”
Ironically,
Stephens said she has no desire to duet with her idol any time soon.
“You know what, I don’t like meeting the people I really, really
love, because then, they become human. And the truth is, no human can
live up to your expectations, so I don’t want to spoil Smokey for
me. I would rather Smokey stay just the way he is, over there with
his fabulously-getting-younger self.”
Stephens’
currently has another great love, former presidential candidate and
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. She even wrote a song for him called
“Bernie a di Realist.”
https://soundcloud.com/j…/tanya-stephens-bernie-a-di-realist
“Listen,
for me Bernie Sanders is not about politics,” said Stephens.
“Bernie taps into everything I feel inside as a human; everything
I’ve wanted. You know, the peace. The caring for each other. Doing
what we know is right as opposed to what is popular and what is on
the books. We wrote the damn books so we can change the books. This
is what Bernie stands for. So, for me, it’s not even about winning
or losing, it has nothing to do with the Democratic Party or the
Republican Party. I’m not an American and I can’t even vote here!
Bernie is inspiring people all over the world to fight and rebel
against what we know is wrong with the system. This country is rich!
There shouldn’t be any poor people. Just like Jamaica is rich!
There shouldn’t be anyone starving! Even if he is not running for
president, I’m with Bernie forever. I love that man! He’s kind of
rivaling Smokey right now.”
Follow
Tanya Stephens on Twitter: @Tanya_Stephens
On
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fansoftanyastephens
On
Instagram: @tanyastephensofficial
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