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Posted : November 9, 2002
REVIEW : ALTON ELLIS & RUDE RICH & HIGH NOTES, NIJMEGEN, THE NETHERLANDS Rude Rich & the High Notes kicked off at 21:15 with their own "Intro", Ras P. on keyboards, Richard Jager on drums, Tobias Breekveldt's lead vocals, Bobby van Houten's guitar, Karel 'Daddy' Burgos on percussion and backing vocals, Thomas Streutgers' tenor sax and flute, Nico Maruanaya's string bass and bass guitar, Rob Berends' alto sax and Ruud 'Trompie' Kleiss' trumpet providing a rich (no pun intended) ska, rocksteady and early reggae sound. They segued into the Wailers' oldie "How Many Times", did original instrumental "Black Star Liner" with further standouts being some excellent performances from their hornsmen in instrumental ska songs, a rendition of Derrick Morgan's "Mi Lulu" (they performed that song backing Derrick Morgan on vocals not too long ago on Derrick's German tour), John Holt's "Anywhere You Want To Go", the Gaylad's "Give It Up" where they showed the power of their rhythm section in a great drum and bass dub, a very prominent role for Thomas Streutgers' flute in Tony Gordon's "Ten Times Sweeter Than You", Jackie Opel's "I Am What I Am", the Soulettes' "Hey Senorita", performed the title song of their second album, Jackie Mittoo's "Change The Mood" with percussion on an empty water bottle upfront in the mix, Bobby Ellis' instrumental "Step Softly" and a new song (called I think "We Just Need Rocksteady") that musically came very close to the Specials' version of Dandy Livingstone "A Message To You Rudie". After that very fine 1 hour and 15 minutes performance there was a 15+ minutes break before they returned as a backing band for the "Mister Soul of Jamaica, the Godfather of Rocksteady" Alton Ellis. What a voice he has! Finally his first tour in the Netherlands. And off with a flying start Alton and Rude Rich & the High Notes went with "I'm Still In Love" in first the 'old-meets-new-Steely&Clevie' arrangement, and then the original Studio One arrangement, eventually venturing into the lyrics of Althea and Donna's "Uptown Top Ranking". I am sure I forgot the next song (being another classic, I recall *that*), followed by a very well received by the audience "I'm Just A Guy" going into "Vanity" and "I'm Gonna Keep On Singing" lyrics over this riddim, "Let Them Try", a short a capella "Willow Tree", and then one of my personal favorites "Ain't That Loving You" getting an even bigger response than "I'm Just A Guy" from the audience and another deserved 'rewind'. Wonderful flute in the backing of "Breaking Up", that was followed by "I Have Got A Date". Smashing rendition of my all-time-favorite Alton Ellis song "Can I Change My Mind" closed the show, leaving us all screaming for more. Returning on stage with a big smile, and dancing even more fanatic than before during the concert Alton and the band blew the roof off with "Dancecrasher" and "Baby I Love You". And off they went. The audience wasn't satisfied yet, and after quite a few minutes Alton and band decided to get back on stage, and (having run out of rehearsed songs) gave encores of "Breaking Up" and "Dancecrasher". Wonderful concert, and I think the triumphantly raised fist of Karel 'Daddy' Burgos when he was the last to leave the stage after another almost one and a half hours summed up how Alton Ellis, Rude Rich & the High Notes, and the audience felt about this performance. Posted on rec.music.reggae newsgroup by Souljah. |
 Alton Ellis |
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Posted : November 2, 2002
BETH LESSER : KING JAMMY'S. Beth Lesser traveled with her husband Dave for almost the entire decade of the 1980s back and forth between their Toronto home, New York City, and Kingston, Jamaica, collecting reggae records for his radio show and material for their well-respected magazine, Reggae Quarterly. Back in the late 80s Beth Lesser received a request from Tero Kaski (R.I.P) from Finland to write a book on King Jammy's. It was not so much a historical biography, as much as it was capturing a very exciting time when the music was changing, and the Jammy was runnning things in most aspects of the business. You could say that this was the time when he truly evolved from being a protege of Tubby to making his own lasting mark in a very significant way, and that "Sleng Teng" was the catalyst. Last year, Canada based ECW Press asked Beth Lesser to augment it with more interviews, text, and pictures. Also added is a Jammy's discograpy relevant to the times. The book includes rare interviews with dancehall legends Admiral Bailey, Cocoa Tea and Sugar Minott. This new issue contains 165 pages, 45 colour photos and can be purchased for $18.95 U.S. |
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Posted : November 2, 2002
UPDATE ON SPRAGGA BENZ.
For the dancehall massive and all his fans, here's a little update on Spragga's music and projects. Currently he's working on a movie titled "ONE LOVE", co-starring Kymani Marley. It's
about a Rasta musician who falls in love with a Christian girl (the pastor's daughter). It shows the struggles of a musician and the conflict & similarities between both religions. Shooting for the movie begins November 2002. Furthermore Spragga Benz continues to record in order to serve the avid fan. Some of his new songs are "Ready Fi Anything", "Believe It Or Not" (featuring Bounty Killer) on the brand new "Earth Wind & Fire" riddim from producer Rohan "Snow Cone" Fuller, who scored big with the "Rice & Peas" riddim. Other recent songs include "Dat She Like" on the "Masterpiece" riddim, "Vanity", "Glad Mi Meet Her" on the "G-String" riddim, his hype tune "Rasta Run The World" across the "Sledge" riddim and "Boom Dung Sodom", the latter done in combination with Frisco Kid. Text info and photo provided by Allyson Ione. |
 Spragga Benz. October 2002. |
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Posted : October 30, 2002
NEWS FROM JET STAR (2).
More new releases in Jet Star's "Riddim Riders" series. First there's the hardcore dancehall riddim "Living Colour" - named after the cut that powered Sizzla to one of his biggest hits of the year - from Bulby & Fatta's "Fat Eyes" production camp. 22 tracks on this set with artists such as Sizzla, Anthony B, Mr. Lexx, Profesor Nuts, Hawkeye, Beenie Man, Harry Toddler, Mr. Vegas and Roundhead. From the same production team comes a bashment set called "Expo Train", a reworking of the Melodians' "Last Train To Expo '67". The line-up has such topnotch names like Morgan Heritage, Luciano, Half Pint, Admiral Tibett, George Nooks, Anthony B and L.M.S. And then there's the "Scanner" riddim set from Digital 1 producer Richard "Wackie B" Roache. 16 tracks from namebrand and new artists including Beenie Man, Delly Ranks, Mr. Vegas, Ward 21, John Naddo, Boscom X, Kananga and Mega Banton. |
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Posted : October 30, 2002
NEWS FROM CANJA SOUNDS. Coming very soon...two new releases from Canja Sounds. First there is Black Ice's full length album called "Deliver Me" featuring 18 tracks including "Deliver Me", "Jah Live", "Works of the Almighty", "Mt. Zion", "Who Jah Bless", "Jah Jah Roll Call" and "Black Woman". Producers on board are "Spyda" KB, DJ Alywad and Gary Palmer. The cd will be available on Yard Groove Records and will be distributed by The Orchard. Also expect the release of Junior P's four track cd single on Special Cut Records. Tracks included are "We Dem Check For (Club Mix)", "We Dem Check For (Club Mix- Inst.)", "We Dem Check For" and "Nubian" a combination tune with Black Ice. |
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Posted : October 27, 2002
NEWS FROM JET STAR (1). Without him, it’s doubtful that reggae would have become so successful and influential, or continued to excite the imagination of music fans from across the globe in such enduring fashion. And whilst he now enjoys renown as a performing artist in his own right, it’s no accident that the body of work he created at Black Ark is still widely hailed as his best ever. Perry burnt down his famous studio in 1978, consigning most of his priceless tapes to either the flames or obscurity. "Lost Treasures Of The Ark" is therefore aptly named, and now takes its place as a cornerstone of the remarkably gifted Lee "Scratch" Perry’s musical legacy. COMING SOON ON VINYL!! Due to popular demand, the vinyl blessings of Nereus Joseph has finally landed. Voted the best UK produced roots album in this Millennium, "Hope, Faith & Love" consists of thirteen scintillating tracks produced by London-based Ruff Cutt Crew. OUT NOW!! Sizzla, Glen Washington, Mikey Spice only the "crème de la crème" are to feature on the "Toe 2 Toe" series! After matching the likes of Mikey Spice with Garnett Silk, Capleton with Sizzla, and Glen Washington with George Nooks, Jet Star’s "Toe 2 Toe" series continues to grow from strength to strength with this latest unmissable pairing. Luciano And Bushman: "Toe 2 Toe Vol.4" The "Reggae Max Series" has already brought you namebrand artists from Jamaica such as Sizzla, Luciano, Garnett Silk, Sugar Minott and Freddie McGregor as well as UK's top singers like Peter Hunnigale, Vivian Jones and Sylvia Tella. Soon you will have Marcia Griffiths and Anthony B. Out now... the next installment in the "Riddim Riders" series featuring the Gaddafi produced "Sweat" riddim with tracks from Capleton, Lukie D, Sizzla, Elephant Man, Anthony B, Mr. Lexx and Mr. Vegas to name a few. Coming Soon... "Reggae Hits Vol. 31". As usual the tracklisting boasts of all the major reggae artists at present and includes a few that will become name brand artists in time to come. Jet Star recording artist Tony Roots was the subject of a successful BBC WM (West Midlands) interview. Listeners to the programme heard "Gift of Love" from Tony’s forthcoming new album; also the title tracks from the albums "Lion King" and "Sufferers Cry". Plus "Burning Fire" from the album "Not Far Away". New CD singles are Freddie McGregor's "Searching", Lloyd Brown's "Main Squeeze" and "Piece By Piece" / "Bless Me" by Marcia Griffiths / Lloyd Brown. The hottest promo on the circuit currently, Brian & Tony Gold’s "Irresistible" single (Big Yard promo), which is already in demand at retail level across the UK, will be marketed and distributed by Jet Star in late November. On the 13th October 2002 and in celebration of Black History Month, occurred the BRITISH BLACK MUSIC HISTORY DAY 2002 AWARDS.
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Posted : October 27, 2002
NEWS FROM STONE TIGER ENTERTAINMENT. Stone Tiger Entertainment Group was founded by entertainment attorney Jeanette E. Smith in 1999 with a mission to take reggae music from its niche market into the mainstream. Jeanette Smith has represented such clients as Karl Pitterson, Richie Stephens and Freddie McGregor. Stone Tiger currently represents Luciano, the recent Grammy nominee, of Jah Messenjah Productions, Mikey General of Qabalah First Music, Sugar Black & Lehbanchuleh, Admiral Tibett, Terry Ganzie and Edi Fitzroy. Some interesting new CD releases are coming soon and will be distributed in the US by the Stone Tiger Entertainment Group. Expect Mikey General's "Exalt Jah", Lehbanchuleh's debut album "Claim The Joy", The Abyssinians' "Satta Amassagana" and Third World's "Ain't Givin' Up". |
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Posted : October 15, 2002
ATLANTIC RECORDS SIGNS WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH DANCEHALL REGGAE LEADER VP RECORDS. NEW YORK, October 14, 2002. Atlantic Records and VP Records have announced a long-term strategic partnership that brings VP's vast resources in contemporary reggae and dancehall music to the major label marketing, promotion, and worldwide distribution of Atlantic. VP Records, established in 1979 as a retail store, is the largest independent label for new Jamaican music in the United States, and holds a predominant position in the influential hip-hop-flavored dancehall niche. This new agreement excludes certain selected territories where VP currently has distribution arrangements in place. Atlantic immediately assumes responsibility for the international marketing of the upcoming album by Sean Paul, Dutty Rock, scheduled for release on November 12. Its first single, "Gimme the Light," is already a multi-format breakout hit on radio and in clubs. It has charted for 27 weeks on Billboard's "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles" chart, where it is now #5 with a bullet, and leaps sixteen spots this week to #18 with a bullet on Billboard's pop "Hot 100," in its 25th charting week. The "Gimme the Light" video clip is in heavy rotation on BET, MTV, and MTV2. Sean Paul was also recently awarded the British MOBO Award for Best Reggae Artist of the Year. The new Atlantic/VP pipeline brings a much-needed breath of fresh air to hip-hop and R&B, said Atlantic Co-President Craig Kallman. "Reggae has been mistaken for an underground phenomenon for much too long, despite Bob Marley's place among the most influential figures in contemporary music since the 1970s, and even though Jamaican DJ culture spawned American rap," he said. "Reggae, and specifically dancehall, have been the most prolific sources of musical advances in R&B, hip-hop, club music, and even pop in the last twenty years." Kallman added: "This agreement brings to Atlantic a slate of world-class VP reggae artists, including Sean Paul, Lady Saw, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Beres Hammond, Capleton, and T.O.K. It also puts us in the leadership position of catching Jamaica's most innovative sounds as soon as they happen in the studio. I'm so proud that Atlantic's unparalleled heritage in jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, and urban music will now be extended to the most vitally creative force in global popular music today." VP President Christopher Chin said, "We look forward to a long and successful relationship with Atlantic." VP Vice President of Marketing Randy Chin added, "We have every confidence in Atlantic's ability to bring our artists and producers to the international stage from our company's strong creative and commercial base in the community." Under the agreement, Atlantic will also distribute VP's Reggae Gold multi-artist compilations, which have been for the past ten years the best-selling reggae anthology series on the market. The newest Reggae Gold package, the best seller in the series' history, includes "Gimme the Light," and also features "Give It to Her," by Tanto Metro & Devonte, another major crossover record, which spent 20 weeks on the Billboard "Hot 100" pop chart earlier this year. Only a few times in music industry history has a label with such a pre-eminent position in a core urban style aligned itself entirely with one major label. The signings of Def Jam Records to Columbia in 1985, and Philadelphia International to CBS in 1972, are on the short list of such instances. "History shows that the success of any kind of urban music through a major label is predicated on the right framework, with creative development remaining in the hands of the producers and artists who address the core audience. Our partnership has all the earmarks of a Def Jam for the new millennium," said Murray Elias, VP's Senior Director, Artist and Repertoire for Sean Paul, Tanto Metro & Devonte, and Lady Saw. Other VP artists who have also crossed over to the mainstream audience in recent years, through a combination of club play and exposure on hip-hop, R&B, and pop radio, are Tanto Metro and Devonte, with "Give It to Her" and "Everyone Falls In Love," and Beenie Man, who posted the first of three top 40 pop singles, "Who Am I," independently through VP Records. |
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