Free Buju Banton

I am going to start off by saying how amazing it is that most of our entertainers end up in the United States Judicial system- sometimes warranted-sometimes not.
Yesterday reggae artist Mark Myrie popularly known as "Buju Banton" got a reprieve yesterday when it was revealed that juror Teri Wright had submitted the wrong computer for the forensic examination. Banton has been convicted of trying to set up a deal to buy 11 pounds of cocaine an sentenced to 10 years in prison.

I find it interesting that United States entertainers go free or do minimum to no time on drug related issues. Reports stated Banton's lawyers retained an expert who tracked down approximately 1.6 million internet records however none pertained to the time frame of February 14 to March 8.
 If in fact this new evidence results in a mistrial I hope Mr. Banton will consider lifestyle changes and companion changes and focus more on his music bringing Jamaica and the world the music we love.


More of the story here

Queen Ifrica- The Conscious Voice

LISTEN TO THE WORDS VERY PROPHETIC

This Week's Top Reggae Songs

So Vybz Kartel's Diss is still hot on the scene. I have a feeling a rebuttal to this song is coming.

This Week	Last Week	WeekOC	Play	Song - Artist - Label
1	2	8		Last Man Standing (Don't Run) (1 wk @ #1) - Vybz Kartel - Not Nice Productions
2	1	13		Time To Shine (3 wks @ #1) - Laden - Big Ship
3	4	11		So Blessed - Mavado - Big Ship
4	3	11		Ramping Shop (2 wks @ #1) - Vybz Kartel feat. Spice - Adidjaheim Records/Not Nice Productions
5	9	7		Head Cyaan Hot So - Prodigal Son - Main Street Records
6	8	8		This Means Money - Konshens - Head Concussion
7	6	8		Ben Ova (Wibble Wabble) - RDX - Young Blood
8	10	7		Get Wild - Vybz Kartel - Not Nice Productions
9	5	24		Ghetto Prayer - Shane-O - Jam II
10	7	12		Dip Again - Elephant Man feat. Ding Dong - Big Ship

Old School Time Mon-Derrick Harriott

Big up to one of the original old time crooners-Derrick Harriott

Alton Ellis -The Godfather of Rocksteady

Alton Ellis was born in 1938 and grew up in Kingston's Trench Town district. Born into a musical family, he learned to play piano at a young age.^[6] He initially sought fame as a dancer, competing on Vere Johns' Opportunity Hour.^[7] After winning a couple of competitions, he switched to singing, starting his career in 1959 as part of the duo Alton & Eddy with Eddy Perkins.^[8] Ellis and Perkins recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, initially in the R&B style, having a massive hit with "Muriel" (from Dodd's first commercially-oriented recording session at Federal studios),^[9], recording a follow-up, "My Heaven", before Perkins moved to the United States.^[8] Ellis continued to work for Dodd and also recorded for his arch-rival, Duke Reid on his Treasure Isle label.^[8] By the mid 1960s, ska was moving on and the beat was slowing down to rocksteady and becoming associated with the violent rude boy subculture in Jamaican dancehalls.





His Many successes over the years included:

• Mr Soul of Jamaica (1967) Treasure Isle
• Sings Rock and Soul (1967) Studio One
• The Best Of (1969) Coxsone
• Sunday Coming (1970) Coxsone
• Greatest Hits (1973) Count Shelly also released as Cry Tough
• Still in Love (1977) Horse
• A Love to Share (1979) Third World
• Showcase (1984) Studio One
• Slummin' (198?) Abraham
• Mr Ska Bean'a (1981) Cha Cha (Alton Ellis & The Heptones)
• A New Day (1983) Body Music
• Daydreaming (1983) Silver Camel
• 25th Silver Jubilee (1984) Sky Note
• Continuation (1985) All Tone
• Jubilee Volume 2 (1985) Sky Note
• Change My Mind (2000) Orchard
• More Alton Ellis (2001) T.P.
• Live with Aspo: Workin' on a Groovy Thing (2001) Belleville International / Patate Records

With Hortense Ellis

• Alton & Hortense Ellis at Studio 1 (1990) Heartbeat

Compilations

• All My Tears (1965-68) (2006) Brook
• Alton Ellis Sings, Heptones Harmonise Jet Star (Alton Ellis & The Heptones - 1978-80)
• Arise Black Man (1968-78) Moll Selekta
• Be True to Yourself (196X-7X) (2004) Trojan
• Get Ready for Rock Reggae Steady (1967-74) (1999) Jamaican Gold
• Many Moods of Alton Ellis (1978-80) (1980) Tele-Tech
• My Time Is the Right Time (1966-71) (2000) Westside
• Reggae Valley of Decision (197X) (1996) House of Reggae
• Soul Groover (1997) Trojan
• Reggae Max (1997) Jet Star
• The Duke Reid Collection (1999) Rhino
• Soul of Jamaica (2001) Bianco
• It Hurts Me So (2006) Essential Gold
• Reggae Chronicles (2006) Hallmark
• Muriel (2007) All Tone

In December 2007, he was admitted to hospital in London for treatment of cancer of the lymphchemotherapy. glands, but he returned to live performance after receiving

He was the older brother of the late Hortense Ellis, and the father of more than twenty children including Noel Ellis and Christopher Ellis, who are both reggae singers.

Ellis died on 10 October 2008 at Hammersmith Hospital, West London, of cancer.

He will be missed.

Source: Wikipedia

Roy Shirley's Body Returns Home

Roy Shirley (also known as the KING OF ROCKSTEADY) was born in 1944. As many Jamaican artists, he started singing in the Church choir with his mother, he developed his musical talent by learning the guitar and progressed with the help of Jimmy Cliff, and band leaders Byron Lee and Sonny Bradshaw and the late Drum Bago, in the early sixties. He made his first recording in the mid-sixties, cutting ‘Shirley’ for Leslie Kong.

Shirley attended one-off sessions for Blondel Calnek and WIRL Records before cutting what was to be his first major hit, ‘Hold Them’ (aka ‘Feel Good’) for Joe Gibbs. He moved to Britain around 1973.




I think Joe missed out on signing Shirley. He had a very unique sound and voice. Shirley, who was 60, died early last month. His family could not afford the funeral expenses. His expenses will be covered by the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artist. (JAVA).


Source: CaribWorldNews

Big War on Red Stripe Beer

Well, it looks like beer giant Red Stripe might have a fight on its hands. Several Dancehall artists say they are now prepared to perform for Free during at least one major event (as long as there are no Red Stripe products being sold or consumed at the venue).






I don't see how they can have a concert without people drinking Red Stripe Beer. Not everyone drinks Guinness.

Red Stripes comments are as follows:

"A statement issued by Red Stripe recently expressed its intention to withdraw sponsorship of live music events, including Reggae Sumfest. It stated: "While our most recent efforts through the Coalition of Corporate Sponsors have met with some measure of success, some performers continue to propagate, through their live performances, violent and anti-social lyrics. Red Stripe will not be party to this, and thus we have taken the very difficult decision of withdrawing sponsorship from live music events. Consequently, Red Stripe will not renew our contract for title sponsorship of Reggae Sumfest and Sting. We will, however, ensure that our brands are made available whenever and wherever our loyal consumers enjoy premium alcohol beverages."

All I know this is going to be some mess about to happen. The dancehall artist not changing them style, so Red Stripe might be losing money.

Mad White Jamaican for Obama

This man crazy nuh rah.

He is just one mad man. But me love him video dem. Check him out

Video from Jamaica Carnival

Bwoy mi always a day late an a dolla short. Here is one irie video that show what went on in the Jamaican Carnival.

Flashback Friday=Jacob Miller

Jacob Miller was the man back in the 7o's and early 80's. He was born in 1952 and died March 23rd, 1980.

Jacob Miller was featured in the film Rockers, alongside many other musicians including Gregory Isaacs, Big Youth and Burning Spear. In the movie, he plays the singer of a hotel house band, in reality Inner Circle, who are joined on drums by the films hero, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace and play a wicked live version of Tenement Yard.

Miller had close links with Bob Marley, who was known to promote him as 'my favorite singer'. One of Jacob Miller's biggest Jamaican hits 'Tired Fe Lick Weed' betrayed his political leanings as can be seen in his performance of the song in the film 'Heartland Reggae', where his open enjoyment of a 'ganja spliff' on stage was intended to be seen as a militant statement.

He was part of the of Inner Circle included brothers Ian and Roger Lewis, Ibo Cooper, Cat Coore, Willy Stewart and Bunny "Rugs" Clarke. They played hotels, nightclubs and resorts, offering cover versions of American pop and soul hits to tourists and Jamaicans out for a night on the town.
Jacob is a musician that many Jamaicans, (young and old miss). His vibrant spirit is sorely missed.

"Dread At The Control"-Mikey Dread

Last year it was reported that Mikey Dread Campbell, had a a brain tumor. For those of us who grew up listening to the Jamaica Broadcasting Corportion radio station, Mike "Dread" (the Dread At The control) in the 70's was the D.J. man. He brought us some underground sounds of some then, upcoming Reggae artist. I remember it was on his show I first heard, Althea and Donna's Uptown Top Ranking and other not so well know artist. His show pushed many of these artist in the forefront

Mikey Dread was fun and good times. He style clashe though with JBC and pretty soon he quit in protest. He has his own label and has worked with such groups in the past as "The Clash" (out of London). So my prayers for Mikey Dread. He was a one of a kind D.J. Back in da day mon.

Big Up to the Blonde Rasta-Harry Toddler

Harry Toddler says, "Don't Run In"

CHECK IT OUT MON!!

In Honor of Reggae Month-Yellowman

Here is an oldie but Goodie

Congrats to Stephen Marley

Stephen Marley is the third Marley son to win a Best Reggae Album award as a solo act. His older brother, Ziggy, won last year for Love Is My Religion, while younger sibling Damian's Half-Way Tree and Welcome to Jamrock won in 2002 and 2006, respectively.
He is definetly keeping it in the family. As we know all of Bob's children are talented. The Grammy's seems like a worldwide recognition of success. On February 23, Stephen Marley will be among several reggae acts performing at the Smile Jamaica/Africa Unite concert at James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St Mary.

Mi Like Dem Yah!

Big Up to U Roy-King of the Rockers

Big up to the Original Reggae Ambassador. He is spreading VERSION GALORE. I remember working at TIP TOP Record store on Orange Street in Kingston and people coming by the shop to hear this cut.



Ewart Beckford, 1942, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. U-Roy, began as a sound system DJ in 1961, spinning records for the Doctor Dickies set, later known as Dickies Dynamic, in such well-known Jamaican venues as Victoria Pier, Foresters Hall and Emmett Park. n 1969 U-Roy was invited to play for Dodd's Down Beat sound system, playing the number 2 set; the number 1 set had King Stitt as DJ.

Source: UROY.COM

Air Jamaica Jazz an Blues Festival

Well, it as announced recently that Cbean Media will stream the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival (January 24th to January 26) live so that people worldwide can enjoy it. This has never happened in its 13 year history.

According to Sherra Pierre-March of Cbean Media, "For a small fee, fans will be able to get a front seat to performances from all the Caribbean artistes as well as those entertainers on the Art Of Music stage, without leaving their computer. Additionally, the live stream, will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the artistes and fans alike. To access the event live, log on to www.cbeanmedia.tv between January 24 and 26.

This festival will have a fantastic lineup, Chalice, AJ Brown, Marjorie Whylie, Diana Ross, Anita Baker, Billy Ocean, Jill Scott, Koko Taylor, Spyro Gyra, Ryan Shaw,Lou Gramm, Yerba Buena an 13yr old sensation Nikki.


The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, since its introduction in 1996, has attracted thousands of patrons from the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and Jamaica.

I am so envious of the people who have the opportunity to see this live. What a monumental event. Jamaica a do big tings mon.



Source: Jamaican Observer

Dancehall Fashion Styles

Dancehall is now setting the trend for Fashion Styles in Jamaica. This has long been the case though. Some trends are from the United States and Europe, but Jamaica is creating some of its own styles as well.

Tribute to Ska

SKA MUSIC

Ska was one of the most exciting forms of music that
was embraced by the Jamaican Culture. Its sounds vibrated throughout the island.
Below is a brief history of the Ska music and its generation.

THE BIRTH OF SKA

(credit of article from link below)

http://users.bigpond.net.au/lvisser/skahistory.html

Like mento before it, ska was born out of a combining musical elements. Both mento and jazz were combined to produce a new style that was initially called 'Shuffle' Popular shuffle hits were recorded by Neville Esson, Owen Grey and the Overtakers. The newly set up recording studios were always on the look out for the next new sound. With the
popularity of American R&B artists like Fats Domino and Louis Jordan many
Jamaican performers incorporated the 12 bar blues chord progressions and boogie
bass lines with mento guitar rhythms. Increasing emphasis was placed on the
offbeat rhythms of mento.


The offbeats became shorter and more detached. These distinct syncopated rhythms
were sounded on guitar and piano. The new style of music became known as ska.
The first person to record this 'ska' rhythm was Ernest Ranglin when performing
with Cluet Johnson (Clue J.) and the Blues Busters

One day he was trying to get the
guitars to play

something, and him say 'make the guitars go Ska!,

Ska!, Ska!' And that's the way the ska name was born.

(Bunny Lee in Johnson and Pines. 1982 .49)

Clue J was well known for greeting his friends with a call of 'Love Skavoovie'. Many believe the name of ska is a shortened form of this greeting.

Ska quickly became the most dominant form of music in Jamaica. Its success coincided with the independence and the departure of the English in 1962. There was a new attitude towards indigenous music. Ska was already enormously popular in Jamaica and music producers attempted to export it to the rest of the world, a move that was supported by the government. It was the national music of Jamaica and was demonstrated to the the world at the 1964 Worlds Fair in New York. The Jamaican delegates included Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Jimmy Cliff , Prince Buster and dancers Ronnie Nasralla and Jannette Phillips who taught the world the moves for the 'Backy Skank', the 'Rootsman Skank' and the 'Ska'.

Early ska dance movements and some lyrics were influenced by the religious revival era. Songs such as 'Wings of a Dove' performed by both The Blues Busters and The Wailers, 'Oil in My Lamp' by Eric Morris and 'King of Kings' by Jimmy Cliff are revival tunes with lyrics that are sped up. 'Israelites' by Desmond Dekker also features revival characteristics in the lyrics. Other ska lyrics were pop orientated and feature very little Jamaican patois. These songs were either nonsense lyrics such as Eric Morris' 'Humpty Dumpty' and 'Solomon Gundie' or romantic such as Delroy Wilsons' 'Dancing Mood', which was one of the first songs to bridge the gap between ska and it's slower successor Rocksteady (more later). In stark contrast are the political ska lyrics that reflected the social
concerns of rude boys.

John Holt

John Kenneth Holt, born July 1947, is one of the most recognized singers in Jamaica. He started his career with the Paragons in the 60's. Who can forget "Wear You to the Ball." That was a lock down slow jam.
In the 1970's Holt soared in the Reggae scene with scene with his album, "1,ooo volts of Holt." This album has him doing remakes of so many hit classics, including the popular, "Help Me Make It Through The Night." He then switched to a more "Rockers" style with "Up Park Camp." I remember rocking out at the session with that tune.

Now as a dreadlocked rootsman he has put himself back on the scene touring and bringing back the wonderful sounds of the past. Across the decade, Holt made numerous acclaimed appearances at Reggae Sunsplash, and the singer continues to compose, record, and perform. All that's missing is a compilation worthy of Holt's genius. The best on offer was the Trojan label's My Girl Wears a Crown, which compiles the best of the singer's recordings with the Paragons. Of his solo material, Can't Keep Us Apart bundles up 20 singles cut with Bunny Lee and their dub companions.

I created a video to show my appreciation for his wonderful sound. It is done to his popular tune, "Stick By Me."

SourceS:

• John Holt biography at the All Music Guide website
• Riddim Base information
• Biography at Jamuzik