Dancehall Dynamite CD Review

A Review of Dancehall Dynamite CD

Artist: Various Artists
Label: Relativity
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall
Styles: Ragga, Club/Dance

Critics’ Rating: ***
This compilation is a cross-section of the subtle textures within Jamaican Dancehall.  From electrifying hardcore Dancehall to sexy Lovers’ rhythms to Rastafarian Roots-conscious Reggae, Dancehall Dynamite features some of the music’s pioneers as well as rising talents on the scene. The emphasis is on a balanced diet of the modern Jamaican sound.

The raunchy, legendary DJ Cutty Ranks’ “DJ Riding West” is tempered by the virtues of Rasta DJ Sizzla on “Good Ways,” while the sultry bedroom anthem “Physical Attraction” by Richie Stephens and Crissy D is followed shortly thereafter by Merciless’ ode to motherhood, “Mama Cooking.”

Dancehall Dynamite contains equal dosages for purists and for club lovers: the hardcore sounds of Frisco Kid, Scare Dem Crew and veteran Yellowman are matched by the crossover appeal of mega-DJs Shaggy and Beenie Man, and the humorous “Big Man/Little Youth” by rising stars Red Rat and Goofy, appear along with the call for peace, “Put Down Your Weapon” by Yami Bolo and Capleton. The pulsating rhythms are provided by such masters as Sly Dunbar, Steelie and Clevie, Danny Browne, and Bobby Digital. The album is a danceable mélange of the various subgenres of Jamaican Dancehall. ~ by M.F. DiBella, All Music Guide

CREDITS :
M. Peggy Quattro – Executive Producer
Palmer Williams – Compilation Producer
Performers: Shaggy, Beenie Man, Frisco Kid, Yellowman, Yami Bolo, Capleton, Rayvon, Merciless, Scare Dem Crew, Red Rat & Goofy, Richie Stephens, Terror Fabulous, Sizzla, Cutty Ranks
Producers: Andrew Bradford, Jack Scorpio, Bobby Digital, Danny Browne, Robert Livingston
Bill Lacey – Mastering

Ky-mani at LA’s House of Blues

Ky-mani Marley and Joseph Israel: Stir Up the House of Blues on Sunset Strip

Review and Photos by Jan Salzman

Kymani’s first appearance at LA’s House of Blues

August 18, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Joseph Israel started the night’s live performances with an acoustic set, his mission he said, “To bring joy to the House of Blues.” One of my favorite Joseph Israel songs is “Jah Kingdom” from his CD Gone Are the Days. He truly did warm up the crowd with a positive vibe.

Ky-mani Marley then blasted onstage to “I’m Back.” In fact, he began with three songs straight from his latest CD Radio, including “The March,” and my favorite, the very sexy “Slow Roll.” Truly one of the hardest-working and fastest-moving performers, Ky-mani is consistently dashing all over the stage. Sometimes he brought out the microphone stand, getting all wound up, grabbing the mic, then putting the stand behind him again. Most of the time Ky-mani had the mic in his hand, bending towards the audience and gesturing to the crowd. I noted that he makes this curvy gesture when he sings about women. It is as if he is caressing the women in the audience, especially with the lure of his sleepy, sexy eyes. He was truly enjoying playing at the Los Angeles House of Blues for the first time. Continue reading

Reggae Rising Festival 2008

Reggae Rising 2008: Roots, Dancehall, and an International Flavor

By Jamey Millie / Photos by Elliot Shields

Beres Hammond

August 14, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – On August 1, 2, and 3, 2008, the 2nd Annual Reggae Rising Festival took place in the Redwood hills of Humboldt County, northern California. Twenty thousand-plus Reggae fans united for a weekend celebration of music, nature and Jamaican Rasta culture. A dedicated group of organizers plan all year for California‘s biggest Reggae show, staged along the tranquil banks of the Eel River. The second annual staging of Reggae Rising continues a long tradition of Reggae music. Each year Reggae Rising, once known as Reggae on the River, can boast that its annual line-up is packed with international talent. This year’s line-up was no exception, featuring such artists as Sizzla, Gentlemen, Sly and Robbie, UB40, Beres Hammond, Junior Reid, Mr. Vegas, Cham, Turbulence, Tanya Stephens, Etana, and Collie Buddz, to name a few. Local bands included The Lion Camp and Jah Sun, while Detour Posse backed the Saturday series of Dancehall artists.

Friday afternoon featured Mr. Easy, Cham and Tanya Stephens, the only female in the male-dominated roster. Friday evening saw Beres Hammond deliver a breath-giving two hour performance.The veteran Lover’s Rock singer kept the energy of his set so smooth that new fans could visualize how many amazing songs he actually has recorded. Closing Friday night, the UK’s UB40 followed with a real Caribbean vibe not to be messed with. Even without vocalist Ali Campbell and trumpeter Astro, the solid musicians of the classic group made for a real Reggae experience. Continue reading

The Dirty Heads

The Dirty Heads to Take the Country by Storm

By Bruce Moore

LA-based The Dirty Heads

August 9, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles-based reggae band The Dirty Heads are preparing to release their long-awaited debut CD, Any Port in a Storm, on September 23. Produced by Sugar Ray, drummer Stan Frazier, and Steve Fox (producer of Ashlee Simpson,) the self-released CD features a wide array of guest musicians, including legendary keyboardist Billy Preston to Nine Inch Nails (NIN) and Korn drummer Josh Freese. Melding reggae and hip-hop with acoustic guitars and a hint of pop, The Dirty Heads have crafted a brilliant sounding CD that is a whole lot of fun to listen to. The first single, “Stand Tall,” was featured in the Sony Pictures movie, Surfs Up. They have toured with the likes of the critically acclaimed reggae/hip hop act 311 and Jewish Reggae DJ Matisyahu, and are preparing to go back out on the road in support of Any Port in a Storm. I recently had the opportunity to speak with vocalist Jared Watson about the band and their debut CD. Continue reading

LOUIE CULTURE – Vol 12 #9 1994

LOUIE CULTURE – MEET MR. GANGALEE

by Karie Russell
Dancehall fans, here he is, the original Mr. “Gangalee” himself– Mr. “I wanna be free from all chains and all bangles and rope/Free from all bars and all borders and dope/Free to praise the Lord because mi naw praise the Pope/So mind how yuh a wash yuh face wid Babylon soap/I was born to be free ’cause mi a ole gangalee/Gangalee and who have eyes they will see” (taken from the hit song “Gangalee.”)

He’s also known as DJ Louie Culture, as that is the name he entered the music business with, but ever since he scored with his big hit, Dancehall fans, home and abroad, have branded him “Mr. Gangalee.” He’s very proud to wear this title, not only because he made it popular, but more so, because his belief in the concept of the word “gangalee” has been his main driving force to success.

Now, before driving you all nuts, here’s the history of the word and the man called Gangalee. Follow mi! “Gangalee” is an old Jamaican rural term for an unruly, uncontrollable, bad person. As old people would say, “A soon cool yuh ’cause yuh a gwan like yuh a gangalee.” Continue reading