SLY and ROBBIE: Reggae Disciples Standing up for Reggae

Words & Photos by M. Peggy Quattro

August 30, 2008 – Miami, Florida – With careers spanning more than 30 years and hundreds of thousands of recorded tracks, SLY and ROBBIE – aka the Riddim Twins – are still standing up for Reggae.  Equal partners in the studio or on the stage, these world-renown artists, performers, and producers represent Reggae to the fullest.  Fueled by, what Robbie calls “God power,” this ageless duo is having a seriously fun time doing it.

I caught up with Sly and Robbie, long-time friends and colleagues, after their rousing performance with Reggae Rock Dubsters Simply Stoopid, Internet sensations hailing from southern California, and Hawaii’s popular threesome, Pepper. Continue reading Sly & Robbie – Fueled by “God Power” 2008 →

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

Review and Photos by Jan Salzman

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 Ky-mani at LA’s House of Blues →

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

By Jamey Millie / Photos by Elliot Shields

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 Reggae Rising Festival 2008 →

The Dirty Heads to Take the Country by Storm

By Bruce Moore

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 The Dirty Heads →