Mabrak In San Francisco

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival.

Baaba Maal and Lloyd, Lloyd Brown and World Music Stars Take the Stage at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

By Shelah Moody

            For 17 years, concert promoter Warren Smith and Epiphany Artists have brought the best in reggae and world music to northern California as part of the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival Summer Solstice and World Peace Celebration.

            This year’s festival, held at Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville this weekend (June 18-20), will showcase international and local talent such as Baaba Maal (Senegal),  Gregory Isaacs, (Jamaica) Alborosie (Italy), Fat Freddy’s Drop, (New Zealand),  Lloyd Brown (England) Wadi Gad (Bay Area) the Dubtonic Kru (Jamaica).

            Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with world renowned Senegalese singer and master musician Baaba Maal in a phone interview from Palm Pictures offices in London. Maal said he is looking forward to returning to the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival.

Maal will bring about seven musicians with him playing traditional instruments such and the djembe and the harp. Maal sings primarily in his native language, Pulaar,

            Maal comes from a line of fishermen. His family name, comes from the empire of Mali and means “hippo.” His first name “Baaba” is a traditional name given to guide or a male head of a family.

Maal, who has more than 16 albums to his credit,  is currently promoting his latest,  “Television,” which addresses issues such as climate change and global influence of the media. Maal is currently involved with an organization called Africa Talks Climate.

            “The environment is really important in Africa,” said Maal. “I come from a nomadic tribe and they need to get information on climate change so they can understand what’s happening to them. I’m working closely with the United Nations Development Program on the Millennium Goals. We just have a song that we did with Angelique Kidjo, Oliver Mtukudzi and Yvonne Shaka Shaka that which will be presented at the World Cup, called ‘Eight Goals Away.’ These are the eight goals that I think Africa should achieve during this competition. We are supporting the Millennium Goals to bring awareness on the importance of education, protection of the environment, and giving power to women to get the right place in society. All of this we are doing through music.”

            Maal is known for his expansive range and griotic vocal style. He says he trains his voice by listening to instruments.

            “Instruments are the best way for a singer to develop their voice,” said Maal.

“You know your music and your lyrics, but instruments have different personalities. If you want to make the range of your voice get very wide or big or diverse, I think practicing with instruments, both African and Western is important. Melody is what I’m talking about. We practice singing a lot. We don’t wait until we go on stage or until we have concerts to practice. We sing every time, every day we get a chance to sing, when we are at home in the living room. When we are invited to have dinner at friend’s houses, after dinner, we pick up the instruments and do two or thee songs. It keeps the voice in form. To be able to sing like a bird, the voice needs to be free, without restriction. This is how singers are in Africa.”

            Maal said he learned to sing as a child by listening to his mother and the town griots.

            “They were not professional musicians; they did not expect to travel with music, it was just part of their lives,” said Maal. “I think I was blessed to be able to use my voice in the business and to get opportunities, but at the same time, it’s just a natural instrument that I use to express myself and my life.”

            Lloyd Brown is looking forward to his first Sierra Nevada World Music Festival performance. He said he is absolutely stoked and delighted to be able to perform. He will be backed by a band called Riddim Works.

          Because of his sensual baritone, the reggae/soul singer has been referred to as the British Barry White. Brown, who lives in London, has acquired a large fan base in northern California, performing at venues such as the annual Monterey Bay Reggaefest, the Ashkenaz in Berkeley, Sweet Fingers restaurant in San Leandro and Pier 23 in San Francisco. Brown attributes part of his success to his fans and his manager, Denise Gore, who lives in Sacramento. Gore coined the phase “to see and hear Brown is to really know him.”  Brown’s hits include “Main Squeeze,” “Show Me that You Love Me,” Share the Night” and “Know Yourself.”

            “I’ve also been called the British Frank Sinatra and the British Beres Hammond,” said Brown. “I feel I’m in illustrious company with that role call of artists. Those artists have influenced me. I’m giving my influences to my fans.”

            Brown’s career spans more than 25 years and 13 albums. He specializes in a style of reggae called lover’s rock, which originated in England.

            “Lover’s rock originated in the early to mid seventies in the UK,” said Brown. “A lot of music from Jamaica had a very rootical quality about it. The UK being the first destination that reggae took from Jamaica, we embraced it to a point where we developed style within the reggae genre that had a more romantic feel. Because we live in a cold climate, we make nice round warm music that bring people together.”

            In that case, be prepared for a musical meltdown; temperatures at the fairgrounds are expected to soar past 80 degrees during the day.

What: 17^th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

Where: Mendocino Campgrounds, Boonville, CA.

When: Friday June 18-Sunday June 20.

Information: (916) 777-5550, www.snwmf.com.  

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Harmony Festival Features Grammy Winners Ms. Lauryn Hill and Steel Pulse

32nd Annual Harmony Festival Features Grammy Winners Ms. Lauryn Hill and Steel Pulse
By Shelah Moody


    Grammy winning singer/songwriter Ms. Lauryn Hill will give a rare and exclusive performance at the 32nd Annual Harmony Festival at Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, June 11-13. The three day festival, which will include yoga workshops, psychics,social activists, physicists, gurus, a children’s area, organic food, acrobatics and techno-tribal dance, will also feature Grammy winning reggae artists Steel Pulse, Lyrics Born & Chali 2na, Fishbone and speakers such as Dr. Bruce Lipton  and Swami Beyondonanda.  Unfortunately, Ms. Hill was unable for comment.Fortunately, I did have the pleasure of speaking with David Hinds, founding member of British Reggae Steel Pulse, who’ve produced revolutionary albums such as “True Democracy, “Babylon the Bandit” (Grammy winner, 1985), “Earth Crisis”  and “Tribute to the Martyrs.” They are getting ready to release a documentary on DVD on Steel Pulse’ expansive history.
    Hinds, Steel Pulse’s lead singer/songwriter said he is looking forward to playing the Harmony festival on Friday night, June 11 and Saturday evening, June 12. Steel Pulses’ nine piece band also features founding member Selwyn Brown (keyboads/vocals/melodica) and the neo-reggae, jazz and R&B stylings of Sidney Mills (keyboards).  In their thirty plus history as a band, Steel Pulse has been anti-colonization, pro-Africa and involved in many global causes. Hinds wrote a song for Haiti soon after the country’s devastating earthquake “You are Africa’s first descendents/For Haiti/For the struggle for independence/For Haiti!/For your fortitude and resilience/For Haiti!/Toussaint L’Oveture’s investments/For Haiti!/You can’t afford to be redundant/For Haiti!”Hinds said Steel Pulse hopes to visit Haiti sometime this year through the Solar Electric light fund.  I asked Hinds, who is a vegetarian and a Rastafarian, what health and harmony meant to him“If it’s all about health, I’m all about health,” said Hinds. If it’s all about harmony between people of different races, cultures, creeds and lifestyles, I’m all about that, too.  Hinds spoke about some of the activists and spiritual leaders who have influenced him. “Julia Butterfly influenced me to write the song ‘Global Warning” because of her efforts trying to save the trees in California, said Hinds. “There have been so many leaders throughout the development of the black Diaspora, who have influenced me. I see the black activists, such as Angela Davis and George Jackson, as spiritual leaders. Their efforts brought me into the political mode from the age of 13-14. Bob Marley’s music was an outlet and a voice to air his opinions. I thought it was necessary for me to do that from my perspective and my standpoint living in England. I don’t have anyone I am following in church such as Jimmy Swaggart or Billy Graham. It’s time that we got back to spiritually leading herself, don’t you think?”  I also spoke with Sean Ahearn, co-owner and programming director of the Harmony Festival. Ahearn said that more than 40 acres of the Sonoma fairgrounds will be utilized for the festival, which will host more than 300 vendors.“We are trying to create balance and harmony in our world and we do that in many ways-music, art, ecology, and healthy living,” said Ahearn. “The artists that we book and the events that we program are interrelated to those themes. That makes us kind of unique. We are not just booking the biggest bands with the biggest following for the most money. Everything that we do here has a mission, a message and a purpose from the performers to the vendors.”Ahearn said the music selection will include everything from classic rock to hip hop and reggae. Rock icon Wavy Gravy of the Grateful Dead, perhaps one of the world’s most famous clowns, will lead a parade at the Harmony festival on Saturday June 12.   Ahearn said that the elusive Ms. Lauryn Hill’s appearance is definitely one of the highlights of the Harmony Festival. Ms. Hill, a former member of the Fugees who swept the Grammy Awards in 1999 for her signature album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,”  will close out the festival on Sunday, June 13. Ahearn said Ms. Hill reached out to the festival herself and asked to perform.“(Ms. Hill) is  the biggest artist to perform at the Harmony festival, possibly the North Bay,” said Ahearn. She’s coming with her 12 piece band all the way from the east coast.  She heard about the festival and contacted us through her management. She was looking for something special to do this summer. She is going to spend a couple days in wine country and then head home. What we are about resonated with her. It was an easy sell. We are very blessed to have her coming out. It’s going to be an action pact weekend.”What: 32nd Annual Health and Harmony Festival featuring Ms. Lauryn Hill, Steel Pulse, Slightly Stoopid, Chali 2na & Lyrics Born, Zappa Plays Zappa, Rebelution and others.
When: July 11-13
Where: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA.
For performance schedules and more information visit www.harmonyfestival.com.

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Word on the Street with Damian Marley and Nas

"Word on the Street", with Damian Marley and Nas

 Shelah Moody, Reporting.

What a Bam Bam!

The month of May brought many legendary reggae acts to the Bay Area, including Toots and the Maytals at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco (05/18) and Reggae/Dance-hall/Hip-Hop icons Damian Marley and Nas at the Fox Theater in Oakland (05/25).

Despite an ongoing recession and a fundraiser for the Democratic Party featuring President Barak Obama at the Fairmount in San Francisco , Marley and Nas played to a sold out house.

Prior to their performance, Damian and Nas made a special appearance at Rasputin record store in Berkeley to sign posters copies of their latest CD “Distant Relatives” (Republic Records).

Super fan Felicia Curtis was one hundreds of people who stood in line in the rain that overcast Wednesday afternoon in hopes of meeting Nas and Damian Marley. Curtis was decked out in the Rastafarian colors of red green and gold and Bob Marley memorabilia, as fine drops of precipitation fell on her dreadlocks. Curtis sees Bob Marley as a champion of diversity and peace, and believes his music is especially  relevant in light of the wave of violence that has recently plagued Jamaica ’s music capitol, Kingston. Curtis said she came to the signing because she had the day off and said she was unable to purchase tickets because the show at the Fox Theater was sold out. White had been listening to “Distant Relatives” on the way to Rasputin and described it as a culturally dynamic collaboration.

“What do I like about Damian Marley—I love everything about him,” said White. “I love his style and I love the fact that he’s been in the music business for so long from such an early age and he’s keeping his father’s legacy alive. Both Nas and Damian Marley are socially aware of what’s going on, on different levels.”

Thanks to our longtime friendship with Marley’s road manager, Ali “Pretty” Cooke, we had the privilege of watching and documenting Nas and Damian Marley from the wings of the stage. There was special seating set aside for the children of first and second generation Jamaicans who are living in the Bay Area. I call these children the “Baby Bumps,” because I knew many of their mothers when they were pregnant with them. You can see what happened when one of them got a hold of my camera.

Backed by a dynamic Jamaican band called The Council, it was non stop energy when the prince of reggae and the prince of hip hop took the stage. Nas performed his string of hits including “Hip Hop is Dead” and “If I Ruled the World” and Marley performed hits from his two Grammy winning albums “Halfway Tree” and “Welcome to Jamrock.” The two came together on their first collaboration “Road To Zion,” tracks from “Distant Relatives” and Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved” leaving the audience hungry for more.

Backstage after the show, I caught up with backing vocalists Ros Williams and Rovleta Frazier, who definitely got a workout while freestyle dancing during Marley’s version of his father’s song “Exodus.”

“I feel exhausted but good; it was a great show,” said Williams. “We go to Santa Cruz from here.”

I asked Williams to pick her favorite part of the show.

“I really love the ends when Nas and Damian come together at the end of ‘Africa Wake Must Wake Up.’ It’s such an iconic moment, such a photographic moment for me.”

“The show was smashing, I had a wonderful time, it was full of good vibes and energy,” said Frazier. “It was good for the people.”

 Next, I waited for my turn to interview Damian Marley in his dressing room, where he was surrounded by family and friends. While Damian was being interviewed by Carmelita Harris of Irievision TV (Channel 29) San Francisco , I approached his longtime bassist and best friend, Shiah Coore.

Shiah, like Damian, is also the son of a music legend--Stephen “Cat” Coore, guitarist, bassist, classical cellist and founding member of the band Third World (the first reggae artists to appear on “Soul Train).

Shiah Coore is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music in Boston and majored in music production and performance. In their teens, Damian and Shiah founded a group called the Shepherds, who cut their teeth performing at large scale festivals such as Reggae Sunsplash ’92 and Sunsplash ’92 Bob Marley Tribute.

            “I’m a big fan of soul and R&B, and I would love to play for some of those types of artists, said Coore. “That’s one of my dreams, but I’m still living my dream right now.”

            I asked Coore what the energy was like between Damian and Nas on stage, and the relationship between reggae and hip hop.

            “Hip hop and reggae are from the same roots, it’s like a tree with different branches. We honor hip hop and we respect hip hop. The energy is incredible, they have a natural chemistry. I’m glad to be a part of this. This is a magical moment for me.”

            Which brings me to my brief conversation with the man of the hour, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, who was born to Robert Nesta Marley and beauty queen Cindy Breakspeare (Miss World) in 1977. I asked Damian how he felt after the show.

            To clarify: Damian refers to himself, like many Rastafarian's, in the royal “we.”

            “We feel irie, you know, nice show, Oakland . It’s the first time we got to present the album live for the Oakland people, and they received it well so we’re feeling good, you know.”

            Damian also gave us some background on “Distant Relatives,” which in my opinion will receive a Grammy nod in the reggae and hip hop categories.

            “Distant Relatives” is collaboration between Nas and myself, themed upon Africa and all of the relatives of Africa , which basically encompass all of humanity. It’s an album that goes back to the roots of things. The music has that kind of feel, it has a blend of reggae, hip hop and African influences.”

            Damian and Nas first worked together in 2005 on the track “Road To Zion” on “Welcome to Jamrock.”

            “He called me also to do some work for his ‘’Hip Hop is Dead album,” said Damian. “Unfortunately, the track we did together did not make the album in the end. We started working on ‘Distant Relatives’ early last year. On an off we’ve been in and out of the studio working on it.”

            I asked Damian about some of his favorite tracks on “Distant Relatives.”

            “It would just depend on the mood,” said Damian. “When I’m reminiscing about my friends, it would be obviously a track called ‘Friends.” If I’m in more of an intellectual mood, I’ll listen to ‘Patience.’ If I’m in an aggressive mood I listen to ‘Nah Mean” or ‘Dispear,’ If I want to cool out, I listen to ‘Count Your Blessings.’

We have a track for every purpose.”

            During their “Distant Relatives Tour” Damian and Nas also hit the Jimmy Kimmel and Tavis Smiley late night shows.

            “This is the second time I’ve been on the Tavis Smiley show, and I wanna tell you seh, I like his show. Most of the TV shows I go on, I usually sing and rather than sit down and talk. We didn’t sing on his show, we just sat down and talked to him. He’s a man I really respect, how he presents himself on her sho, even when he was on BET. It was privilege and an honor for me to be on a show like that.”

It was on of Damian Marley’s biggest fans, 13-year-old Lucayo Casillas, who addressed the white elephant in the room. What is your reaction to all of the violence in Jamaica , particularly over the hunt for gang lord and the drug lord Christopher “Dudus"Coke.  http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/73-killed-in-West-Kingston

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Cops-beg-Dudus--Livety-to-turn-themselves-in

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tivoli-Gardens-tour-reveals-little

“When you put titles like gang lord and drug lord, you start to paint an image of a person,” said Damian. “Most people don’t really know this person. I’m saddened at what’s going on in Jamaica right now; it weighs heavy on my mind personally. I’m sad that there is all of that violence, and quite a few people have died over the last 48 hours. It’s a very unfortunate situation.”

            It should be noted that I did approach Nas, who agreed to say a few words for Streetwise for this blog but his flack intercepted and squashed the interview, so maybe next time.

Everton Blender

Born 54-years ago in the Clarendon parish on Maxfield Avenue, deep in the heart of Kingston, Jamaica, Everton Dennis Williams....better known as 'Everton Blender', began performing as a teenager by singing the songs of his reggae hero 'Dennis Brown'.

Using the name "Babbaru", he won an amateur talent contest on his second try, and went on to perform with the 'Destiny Outer national', 'Master Voice', and 'Santex' sound systems, thus releasing several singles...including, "Where is Love", and "Ba Ba Black Sheep".

However, by 1985 Blender had failed to achieve commercial success, and returned to his first trade as a house painter and decorater. Then, in 1991 Blender's friend and rising reggae star "Garnet Silk" introduced him to record producer 'Richard Bell', who signed Blender to his "Star Trail" label.

This second time around spelled immediate success for Blender with "We No Jus' a Come" becoming a big hit in Jamaica.  His stardom then spread to the United Kingdom, where his first album 'Lift Up Your Head' reached number four on the 'Black Echoes' music chart.

As further albums and singles followed, Blender's friend Garnet Silk achieved similar success, and both artists became prominent influences during the 1990's return to cultural reggae. Unfortunately, Silk's life was cut short in 1994 when he was killed trying to save his mother's life in a house fire.

Blender went on to record eleven more albums over the next twelve years, including a collection of his early singles tracks called "Piece of Da Blender; The Singles" in 1996.  Blender also managed to start up his own label called "Blend Dem Productions", and worked with artists like 'President Brown', 'Admiral Tibet', 'Louie Culture', 'Jah Mason', 'Spanner Banner', 'Richie Spice', and 'Anthony B'.

Blender has also toured world-wide to enthusiastic audiences, trying to spread the reggae culture.  In Africa he once said, "They need to know about their culture...and some people like to come out and see da Jamaican culture too".

I'm sure many have, and when they did.... they saw and heard Everton Blender's award winning, crooning, tenor vocals which seem to capture an up-tempo, spiritually uplifting sound that finally bridges the gap between 'roots reggae' and Jamaican 'dancehall'.  It's all just Everton....Blending it SMOOTH! 

 Thanks, and stay tuned to Streetwise Radio at www.Streetwisesd.com

Sincerely,   PeteCam4

Maxi Priest

Maxi Priest turns 40-years old in June, still relatively young for this revolutionary vocal artist, who's become one of the most successful reggae fusion acts of all time.

Max Alfred "Maxi" Priest is the youngest of nine children who's Jamaican parents moved the family to London, England to provide the children with more opportunities...and Maxie took full advantage.

He grew up listening to a combination of gospel, reggae, R an B, and pop music, which evolved into his unique, reggae fusion sound....a genre often closer to R an B and pop than to reggae itself!

Priest began his musical career in the early '80's singing on the South London reggae sound system called 'Saxon Studio International', out of which came some independent singles and few low-budget LP's. Then, lightening struck in 1988 with his first major album self-titled "Maxi Priest" which, along with its cover single...'Cat Stevens' "Wild World"--established Priest as one the UK's top reggae singers!

Eight more albums would follow over the next 20-years, my favorite being his second one in 1990 called 'Bonifide', which featured the hit "Close to You". I remember watching the video over and over and listening to smooth clarity of his voice to the words:"I just want to be close to you, and do all the things you want me to".

That song made him one of only two British reggae acts (along with 'UB40') to have an 'American Billboard' number one. Priest did it again in 1991, teaming with 'Roberta Flack' in "Set the Night to Music". Another duet with 'Shaggy' called "That Girl" was also an American hit in 1996, peaking at number 20.

The latter half of his career has seen Priest work alongside other artists, including 'Sly and Robbie', 'Apache Indian', 'Shabba Ranks', 'Jazzie B', 'Beres Hammond', and 'Lee Ritenour'. It was recently rumored that Priest was about to join 'UB40', and replace lead singer 'Ali Campbell' after Maxi helped them record a cover-version of  'Bob Marley's' "I Shot the Sheriff".

Priest did collaborate with 'UB40' on that track, and, on a successful tour....but the real story is 'Duncan Campbell'(Ali's brother) would become lead singer--while Priest would only appear with them on similar special recordings.

It is no surprise that much of Maxi Priest's musical influences come from his family. His uncle, 'Jacob Miller', a reggae icon, was frontman for the famous reggae group 'Inner Circle'.  Meanwhile, his son, 'Ryan Elliott', was a member of the boy band 'Ultimate Kaos'.

It's  been over three years since Priest's last album 'Refused', but let's hope another is on the way soon....because the music world still  longs for more of his soothing, smooth-sounding, reggae-pop artistry.

You can listen to Maxi Priest on Streetwise Radio's "Big Splif's 4:20 Reggae Show" and "Streetwise Ultra Mix". Log on to www.Streetwisesd.com. and click Streetwise Radio.

Thanks,

PeteCam4

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See RAS D LIVE San Francisco This Week!

Jah bukie

Jah bukie Courtney Anthony Stewart, a.k.a. Jah bukie, is an emerging Jamaican singer, songwriter and producer. Jah bukie’s style of music is Positive roots reggae as he was truly influenced by the great legendary Wailers (Bob Marley’s band) and a diverse variety of the great reggae performers and their uplifting music of the ‘80s. Born on April 4, 1977, Jah bukie grew up in the communities of Stokes Hall, Saint Thomas and Kingston, Jamaica. With the intention to contribute nothing but good music to the people, in 2007 he started his own record label, First Born Productions, which he currently renamed as “[Urban Boyz Productions]”. In 2008, the first evocative single “Evil Out There” introduced his talent to the current Jamaican music scene, followed by two explosive tracks: “Coke and the Guns” and the socially concious “Scrap Metal”. Inspired by his respect and appreciation of the music he shares with the world stage, Jah bukie also uses the               positive message of Urban Boyz to recruit other young talents. Check out his production of the romantic song “My Love” by his cousin and label mate “Tadius” (Nicholas Stewart). The determination to pursue his musical dream was forged early on Jah bukie’s life beginning in childhood and on through his early school years. By 1995 Jah bukie’s choice to move forward encouraged his ambition to find a way to succeed. It was not an easy road to travel, but in 2002, he got the opportunity to visit England which opened doors to his first studio work. In 2004 Jah bukie made his first demo at DJ Publo studio in south London. Despite continued difficult times for the Music, his aspirations to break into the industry endured and Jah bukie’s persistence sustained his spirit. Surviving bad times from the past, his journeys brought him home to Jamaica to fulfill his musical promise and the single, “Evil Out There” was released in early 2008. Today, the youthful dreams of his music have become a reality and he is working on the growth of [Urban Boyz Productions’], promotions and distribution. The hard- won proof that he will not allow anything to prevent him from succeeding flows through the positive message he brings in his songs. A thought-provoking songwriter, Jah bukie daily prayers to Jah seek assurance that the people will hear him singing and the people will unite as One. He hopes his Music brings high respect from his listeners and reflects his appreciation for those who set him on the path of this Music…This music he has come to love so very much…This music shall live forever… He sings the Truth. This is Jah bukie! - Wake the Town

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Blacker

BLACKER PRESS RELEASE

Innovator, The girls DJ, Mr. Mix-up and Blender, God of Slangs, Mr. New Talk. Just a few of the name used to describe the DJ born Donte Dawyer, formally known as Blacka Ranks, now known as Blacker. If you want to know what's new or what's clicking in the dancehall, just talk to Blacker for two minutes. Whether he created it or not, he has them all locked. 'Ah suh di ting set up'. 'nuh duh mi dat'... 'how dat drop een'. 'Yuh suppose to'. 'of course'. 'wid attitude' . he has them all. Many to this day do not know that it was Blacker who coined the world renowned phrase 'Toppa-top' (Top of the top). But ask Bounty Killer and he will tell you Blacker was first to use it.

And if you think Blacker is light weight, ask Sound System selector ace Tony Materhorn about the night Blacker went toe-to-toe with his mentor, Grammy ace Shabba Ranks, to the delight of all girls who were present. Donte will proudly tell you when he was asked by a promoter to close a show that Jodeci had performed on at the height of their career.

Mr. Been There, Done that. and now he is back with hit after hit, song after song. After the mega international hit 'A gal jus a watch yuh' (with Alton Blacka) in the mid 1990's, Blacker is kicking again with Attitude, Run di Place Look, Tek Off Supm, Ting Deh, Blue Bomber and many more.

There is one thing every man wishes he could do consistently. Well. one of the many things most men wish they could do. That is always knowing the right thing to say to a girl to make her smile. Donte has mastered that art with the lines he comes up with in the hooks of his songs. This ability has brought him admiration from fans all across the female spectrum, from female radio personalities, Christian women and even the elderly lasses. And he has never detracted from the topic of women. Donte has never recorded a song that was not about girls. Never!! And it would seem that the immediate future holds of the same for the real toppa-top Girls dem DJ. As he would put it "Dem seh dem hype, but nobody hype like Blacker."

Mr. Yagga Yo ‘Knows Jah’

Mr. Yagga Yo ‘Knows Jah’

Fresh off the release of his debut sleeper single, ‘Warning’, Mr. Yagga Yo, the newest Reggae-Dancehall artist to The Bahamas declares his knowledge of Jah. The mid-tempo single, ‘I Know Jah’ is a nod to the existence of a higher power and His role as a comforter, protector and friend. While the world of Reggae Dancehall is filled with superficial themes, ‘I Know Jah’ is a refreshing reminder that without spirituality life can be unfulfilling. Each individual culture has its forms of prayer and meditation which assists with coping with the daunting challenges of life. ‘I Know Jah’ is Mr. Yagga Yo’s appreciation of this fact.

In ‘I Know Jah’, Mr. Yagga Yo features conscious Reggae artist Peter Runks who is no stranger to music of a spiritual nature having released Slave Driver, and Bless the Place although his rise to popularity was spurred by ‘Badness Outta Style’.

The single was co-produced by The Bahamas’ first Reggae Record Label, BuffBoo Records, The Clones and music powerhouse O2 Records.

Toots and the Maytals

Cover via Amazon

Toots and the Maytals are a Jamaican vocal group formed in the early 1960's who literally tuned-in the music world  to the reggae, ska and rock steady genres.  They're even credited with coining the word "reggae" from their 1968 single "Do the Reggay".

They're also known for their strong, blended vocals and un-rivaled passion, led always by front man Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, who's soulful style has been compared by many to Otis Reddings'. 

Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt calls this reggae pioneer "one of the most powerful and original soul singers ever", and Toots is ranked 71st on 'Rolling Stone Magazine's' list of Top-100 greatest singers of all time!

Toots is the youngest of seven children, born in May Pen, Clarendon, Jaimaca in 1945...where he grew up singing gospel music in the church choir until 1958.  Four years later he moved to Kingston, where Toots met Henry "Raleigh" Gordon and Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy and formed the Maytals.

Backed by producer Clement Dodd and 'Studio One Records', the Maytals' close,harmony gospel-style rivaled Dodd's other rising vocal band 'The Wailers'.  Two years later the Maytals recorded  with 'Prince Buster' and then 'Byron Lee in 1966, when they released the hit "Bam Bam"...which won the most popular song competition at the Jamaican Independant Festival.

A few months later Toots was arrested for Marijuana possession and jailed for 18-months, although he claims it was due to him bailing-out the wrong friend....who skipped town.  During his time inside Toots wrote perhaps his greatest song, "54-46 That's My Number", depicting his ordeal behind bars.

After being released Toots hired producer Leslie Kong, and over the next five years the group put out hits like "Do the Reggay", "Pressure Drop", "Monkey Man", "Sweet and Dandy" and "Pomps and Pride"....which made them international stars.

They were also featured in the 1972 movie soundtrack "The Harder They Come", which 'Vanity Fair' named to its top-ten soundtracks of all time.

After more success with albums 'Funky Kingston' and 'Reggae Got Soul', The Maytals opened for 'The Who' on a 1975-76 North American Tour, which did not go over well.  This led to the group's 10-year break up.  In 1992, Toots and the Maytals re-formed and began recording and touring again.

But, it wasn't until 2005 that the album "True Love" won them the  Grammy for best reggae album, featuring re-recorded old hits,  and the accompaniment of 'Bonny Raitt', 'Willie Nelson', 'Eric Clapton', 'Keith Richards', 'Ben Harper', 'No Doubt', 'The Roots' and 'Shaggy'.

Toots and the Maytals filled the rest of the decade with other collaborative recordings and successful tours, including one last March with Amy Winehouse as part of their shared label tribute to  'Island Record's on its 50th anniversary.  Winehouse was forced to cancel , but that left Toots and the Maytals well enough alone....where they continue playing to sell out crowds.  To this day, they also still hold the record for number-one hits in Jamaica, with 31.
 

Thanks again, PeteCam4