Greensleeves
Alborosie’s second album is a more mature and evenly paced affair than his limited edition 2008 debut Soul Pirate. This time he’s releasing through Greensleeves – complete with their vintage mural style artwork – and there is a noticeable classic Greensleeves/Roots Radics feel to songs such as the dreamy, slightly sexist “Good Girl,” and “Can’t Stand It” (featuring a Dennis Brown sample from his Joe Gibbs hit.) Continue reading Alborosie
New CD Released on Rykodic
By M. Peggy Quattro
As a tribute to the genius life of South-African legend Lucky Dube, Rykodisc has released the two-disc Retrospective. This ‘digipack’ contains a 13-song disc featuring songs never before released outside of South Africa, a bonus DVD featuring the 90-minute Lucky Dube Live in Concert, as well as five music videos never released in the U.S. The album is curated by noted world music figure Tom Schnabel, a KCRW radio host based in Los Angeles, CA.
Lucky Dube was callously shot and killed during an alleged carjacking on October 18, 2007, in a Johannesburg suburb. The inspiring career of the 43-year-old national hero ended in its prime, followed by a profound sadness in the African nation that was felt around the world. Continue reading Lucky Dube Retrospective CD 2008
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
STOP, LOOK & LISTEN RECORDS
Lincoln “Sugar” Minott, pioneer Dancehall/Lover’s Rock singer with decades of hit songs recorded on more than 60 albums, is set to take the world by musical storm with the release of New Day, his latest CD on Stop, Look & Listen Records.
With 15 tracks that range from energetic to soulful, Sugar’s sweet voice and positive messages will take you back to a time when lyrics and melodies ruled the dancehall; when love songs were heartfelt and partying all night was the norm. Sugar Minott continues to be a prolific songwriter, adept at balancing the personal and socio-political messages intertwined consistently throughout his songs. Continue reading Sugar Minott – New Day CD
Mystic Urchin/Riverstone Records
Movement introduces Rootz Underground, a six-man group that has come onto the Reggae scene like a storm. The band has a genuine desire to move listeners to a higher consciousness and to revolutionize Reggae music. Yes, these guys breathe new life into a sector of the genre that is sometimes relegated to oldies and vintage festivals.
Rootz Underground members include Steve Newland, (lead vocals and lyricist), Charles Lazarus, (lead guitar), Jeffrey Moss‑Solomon, (rhythm guitar, backup vocals and lyricist), Colin Young, (bass guitar), Paul Smith (keyboard), and Leon Campbell (drummer). Continue reading Rootz Underground CD Review 2008
KG2 MUSIC
From the first strains Conscious Revolution, the Cipes and the People debut CD, you are made aware of the subtle differences between this and a regular Reggae album. First, not all of the songs are what would be considered Reggae in their rhythmic form.
Fusing elements of Hip-Hop, surf music, traditional pop, and new age/old wisdom spirituality with a generous dose of devotion to Jah, the listener feels the vibe and wants to get involved once the first anthem-like chorus is heard. Where this revolution is headed is a divine mystery that the voice of Cipes can guide us towards, to explore spirituality and self-knowledge, the face of which is full of animated expressions interspersed with a whimsical inviting wink. Continue reading Cipes and the People CD Review 2008
VOICEPRINT
The timeless revolutionary sound of Steel Pulse lives on in this well-produced DVD. Door of No Return is a documentary that includes footage of many of their shows, backstage clips, and on the road perspectives. This DVD provides the entire Steel Pulse experience, and the 5.1 Surround Sound provides a realistic concert experience.
Drawing on his experiences in Senegal, December 1999, for an Amnesty International Human Rights Festival, David Hinds brought the memory of being on African soil with him to his subsequent US tour. In prepping for the album to follow, he especially remembered the door of the slave house on Gory Island where the ancestors departed – the Door of No Return. Continue reading Steel Pulse – Door of No Return DVD
Grammy-nominated CD on MEGAWAVE RECORDS
The recent Grammy-nominated CD, The End of an American Dream, is the first of three albums that represent the musical collaboration of legendary Jamaican maestro Lee Perry with English musician and songwriter Steve Marshall. Recorded between 2004 and 2006 at Lee’s studio in Einsiedeln (near Zurich) Switzerland; at the Marriott Hotel, Regent’s Park, London; and at Steve’s ‘State of Mind’ Studio in Somerset, England, the album contains 16 all new tracks featuring the vocals and lyrical genius of Lee Perry, set against a background of stylish contemporary beats, blues, soul, Reggae, drum and bass. This Grammy-nominated album is produced by John Saxon for State of Emergency Limited and released by Megawave Records, Michigan, USA. The songs are published by Newtown Sound Ltd. and Copyright Control.
The duo first met in London during the winter of 1985 when Lee took on Steve’s band ‘World Service’ as his backing band for what was to be his first UK tour since leaving Jamaica. Around this time Lee recorded the albums History, Mystery and Prophecy Time Boom: De Devil Dead and From the Secret Laboratory (produced by Adrian Sherwood), but behind the scenes Lee was also recording with and training his musical apprentice, Steve Marshall. After the ’85 tour, ‘World Service’ split, but Lee and Steve remained friends, with Steve chauffeuring Lee to sessions and meetings in and around London. They recorded a 7” single, “Lightning Strikes Twice/Feel No Way,” which went out on State of Emergency Limited in 1986, and a 12” “AD Vendetta/Masters Of The Universe” that was released on Lee’s own Arkwell label. There were a number of other recordings made, such as “Nursery Rhyme,” “Black Captain In Castle Greyskull,” “I Am God,” “Elephant Rock,” and “Gimme Back My Teddy Bear,” all featuring Lee Perry and Steve Marshall, and recorded at Elephant, Mark Angelo’s and Utopia Studios, but these remain firmly in the archive. At the end of the ‘80s, Lee moved to Switzerland and they were to lose contact with one another for nearly 15 years. Continue reading Lee Scratch Perry -The End of an American Dream Review 2008