Julian Marley: An Intimate Performance at Pineapple Groove
If you were not in Delray Beach, FL on July 14, 2011, you missed a rare opportunity. The bar was fully stocked, the music was pumping, and the entire venue was filled with excited chatter, singing, and laughter from all corners!
Picture this: Cultural diversity at its best filled the two levels of this modern-day nightclub. Rastafari, surfer dreadies, and retro-punks took over the dance floor, groovin’ together to the sounds of Lance O’s Kulcha Shok while patiently waiting for the show to begin. Continue reading →
Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Tiger, the award-winning DJ sensation who pounced on the music scene in the late 80s and early 90s, was recently in South Florida for a one-off performance with the groundbreaking Shabba Ranks. The 5th Annual Flash Back Nights was held at Ft. Lauderdale’s Revolution Live on July 2, 2011, and the sold out crowd welcomed the two icons with open arms.Prior to that evenings performance, I caught up with the two legends at their hotel. Shabba, a Reggae Report regular and featured on four covers, was looking fit and healthy. In between endless cell phones calls we chatted and reminisced about those early days of Dancehall when Shabba was king and paved the way for todays performers. The Grammy-winner was looking forward to that evenings performance and mentioned that he visits South Florida frequently. Sounds like a future interview, fi real.
I made my way to Tiger’s room, looking forward to seeing my pal from back in the day. Tiger, a regular Reggae Report item, was one of a handful of artists who stepped up to perform at the magazines fundraising Sampler Show in 1991. His talent, humor, spirit, and generosity were inspiring and not forgotten. I had not seen Tiger since the horrible motorcycle accident in December 1993 that forced the cat into seclusion and a long period of recuperation. Excited at hearing he was back on the prowl, it became my goal to catch up with the tenacious Tiger. Continue reading →
At the time of the interview, Ky-mani spoke proudly of his collaboration with upcoming singer Proteje. Proteje’s single, Rasta Love, featuring Ky-mani was currently #1 in Jamaica and the two artists were excited to perform the hit for fans gathered at Bayfront Park that night. Ky-mani said that while on break at home in Miami, he was going to spend the time recording, mixing, and mastering his new album and get it ready for promotion before starting his summer tour. Continue reading →
By Terri Larsen and Saundra Torres
Photos by Lee Abel
Nestled in the comforting arms of Mother Earth and Anderson Valley (known for its beautiful vineyards and wines, and as the gateway to Northern California) is the quaint and friendly town of Boonville. Here locals welcomed, for the fifth and most successful year at this location, thousands of revelers for the 18th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF). Held at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in beautiful downtown Boonville, and, although the rock hard hoof prints imbedded in the dried mud and straw made a rough road for the dancers and players of instruments, everyone celebrated three days in sheer bliss and joy, without complaint, confirming the strength and power of righteous music that gathered here from around the world. Continue reading →
Miami Reggae Fest: Reggae Unity to Feed the Hungry
Sun is shining, weather is sweet, make you wanna move your dancing feet is the theme perfectly suited for the Miami Reggae Festival held Sun., April 30. Stepping into Peacock Park, we were greeted with positive vibes blaring from the speakers and the distinct scent of jerk chicken in the air. Although the concert was free, each person donated two cans of food for Curleys House a local grassroots project serving South Floridas less fortunate. Around 6:30 p.m. the Kulchashok Family entertained and energized the crowd with some good conscious tunes, making it their mission to hype the people for the upcoming performers. Enter DJ RageNRG / Lee Brown. He started his set with an impressive dub-step version of Third Worlds Reggae Ambassadors, apparently the right way to capture the attention of the people. He had everyone swaying to his collection of thumping bass and dub. Continue reading →