GREGORY ISAACS SPEAKS V13#2 1995

Gregory Isaacs – Coming in Rough in ’95

by Howard Campbell

An impish grin curls across Gregory Isaacs’ lips, his head bowed when the questions about his well-publicized battles with cocaine come up; how it has affected his career and if he’s still dependent on drugs. “Bwoy, mi nah really deal wid dat right yah now, mi ithren,” he says in that low, familiar nasal tone, “cause wi get to much bad publicity; anything Jamaican people hear dem believe right away, dem nuh inquire.”

You can’t blame Isaacs for wanting to erase the memories of the darkest period in his life. Since his first run-in with the authorities eight years ago for cocaine possession, the self-proclaimed “Cool Ruler” has experienced a decline of sorts in his career.

At 44, he’s still capable of rocking the crowds with a seemingly endless number of Lovers Rock hits (as seen at the White River Reggae Bash two years ago), and is still able to charm the ladies with his legendary onstage rapport. Though he has had a clutch of minor hits in recent times, the chartbusters that fans have come to associate Gregory Isaacs with have dried up; and many point to his experience with drugs as being the reason for the current dry patch. Continue reading

SLY & ROBBIE – 20 YEARS STRONG 1995

Twenty Years Strong  – Sly and Robbie

by Howard Campbell
from V13 #01 1995

Sly Dunbar smiles when asked what he thinks about the inevitable comparison of himself and partner, Robbie Shakespeare, to the legendary Clement “Coxsone” Dodd as Reggae’s greatest producers. “He’s [Coxsone] the greatest man,” says the dreadlocked drummer. “I’m his biggest fan and he doesn’t even know it.”

While Dunbar’s modesty concedes that accolade to the Rocksteady great, he and Shakespeare have no equal in the endurance department. Their eclectic style has encompassed Reggae’s metamorphosis from the post-colonial Rocksteady sound and the Rasta culture of the Marley era to the present Dancehall phenomenon.

There’s no disputing Coxsone’s contribution as a pioneer and visionary, but the magnitude of the “Rhythm Twins'” success, both as internationally respected musicians and producers, is incomparable. Continue reading

SKATALITES’ TOMMY McCOOK V12#09 1994

A Conversation with Original Skatalites’s Tommy McCook

by Lee O’Neill

It would not be an exaggeration to call the Skatalites the first superstars of Jamaican music. Not only the house band for Clement “Sir Coxsone” Dodd’s Studio One label and Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label (along with dozens of others), they were also Jamaica’s hottest live act at the peak of the Ska era. As individuals, they played on nearly every song of significance in the early ’60s, defined the Ska style, and became the core of the bands that would create Rock Steady. It would be no exaggeration to say that the roots of Reggae begin with the Skatalites.

I was fortunate enough to speak with Tommy McCook, leader and tenor sax player for the Skatalites and founder of Rock Steady’s Supersonics, shortly before the release of the Skatalites newest album, Hi-Bop Ska. The album features Prince Buster and Toots Hibbert on vocals, along with guest artists from the contemporary Jazz world–well-known names like Monty Alexander, Lester Bowie, David Murray and Steve Turre. It brings the music full circle to reconnect the sound of Jazz with the original Ska sound. That should come as no surprise to those familiar with McCook, because, as he told me, “Jazz is my first love.” Continue reading

SISTER CAROL INTERVIEW V12#09 1994

SISTER CAROL – CALL MI SISTER CAROL

by Empress Modupe Olufunmi

Recently, I was honored to have a bonafide Sister come through our gates in Brooklyn to share some positive reasoning and good vibrations with the Flatbush massive. I speak of one of the hardest working women in the music industry, Sister Carol, otherwise known as the Black Cinderella or Mother Culture. Sister Carol took time away from her busy schedule as an activist, artist, educator, mother and wife to engage me in a crucial discussion about music and her contributions to Reggae.

Sister Carol’s presence in the house was a special treat for my eight youths. They came strolling in from outside, one after another, to greet her. With her usual natural composure, Mother Culture spent a little time getting acquainted with them. The older youths tried their best to contain their delight at having “Sister Carol in da house, word!” However, my two youngest daughters, Yeshimabet and Tanagna Worq, would not ease up on Sister Carol. Needless to say, it was difficult to begin the interview. Amidst all the traffic and noise of young people going in and out the gates, Sister Carol and I embarked on an uplifting journey. Continue reading

Junior Reid on Buju Fight Rumors 2008

Reid Denies Fight with Banton

by Kevin Jackson (reprinted from EURweb.com)

Junior Reid denies a fist fight with Buju Banton…..and tells his side of what really happened in Miami

Jr. Reid w/Alicia Keys – photo Kevork Djansezian (AP)

June 5, 2008 – Jamaican reggae artiste Junior Reid has denied media reports that he and Buju Banton were involved in a fist-throwing altercation backstage during the Best of the Best show at the Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami in late May.

He told one876entertainment that the whole situation stemmed from an incident in which Buju Banton maligned his name in front of Reid’s 13 year-old daughter, Destiny.

“I was there holding a vibe for the show and my daughter and her friends went over to Buju Banton because she is a big fan of Buju. She introduced herself as Junior Reid’s daughter, and Buju said, ‘who Junior Greed?’ My daughter was very embarrassed, and she asked me, ‘daddy, what you and Buju Banton have?’  I told her ‘no worry yourself, him no approach me to my face in that way’,” he explained. Continue reading

Jimmy Cliff Interview 2008

Jimmy Cliff – Delivering Oneness on the Global Stage

Interview by Angus Taylor (reprinted from reggaenews.co.uk)
Perhaps the greatest living Reggae star, Jimmy Cliff was instrumental in introducing Reggae to an international audience. Not only famous for his memorable music and energetic performances, the Jamaican-born legend is also renowned for his producing and acting skills (starring in the international hit movie The Harder They Come, and work on his own record label. Angus Taylor speaks to him about his incredible career and his upcoming one-off live appearance in Bournemouth (UK).

AT: You started in music as a teenager – did you always plan to be a singer?

JC: I always wanted to work in the entertainment business. I didn’t know whether I wanted to be a singer or an actor. As a matter of fact I started out in school as an actor. But I always wanted to be close to the entertainment world.

AT: So if you weren’t a singer would you have taken that path?

JC: Yes. I think I am established in many parts of the world as an actor along with my music. But to tell you truth acting is my first love.

AT: What do you think of the Harder They Come musical?

JC: I have seen it. I was present at its first opening. I quite liked it. I was very surprised. The man playing my part did a great job.

AT: Where you a guest of honour?

JC: Yes, of course I was.

AT: Why do you think audiences still respond to well to the story after all these years?

JC: I think that movie captured the spirit of a point in time in our history and in life. That point in time and the character I played are still valid today and probably will be valid throughout all times. There are certain films that capture the essence of the time and that is one of those movies,

AT: There was talk of a sequel.

JC: (Laughs) It is still in the pipeline – yes – we are having hitches along the way – but I’m still confident that it will be done.

AT: You come to the UK to play in Bournemouth on Wednesday 16th April – what can your fans expect?

JC: Well a lot of the fans will be expecting the songs, the music they know, of Jimmy Cliff so of course I will have to do a lot of those songs. But at the same time – what does Jimmy Cliff have to offer that is new? So I will have an opportunity to do some of that.

AT: So will you unveil some brand new songs?

JC: Yes, I intend to because my last album which came out – maybe two years ago?

AT: Black Magic

JC: Yes Black Magic. (2004) I don’t think a lot of people have seen me perform any songs from it. Those songs are still valid for me to perform, and there is some new material that I am currently writing. (Laughs) Maybe I’ll just do those songs acapella!

AT: You’re well known for your faster paced early Reggae hits but your roots tunes are very underrated – such as “Lets Turn The Table” and “Under Pressure”…

JC: That is true.

AT: Why?

JC: I think it is down to timing with certain songs timing and exposure. I think “Lets Turn The Table,” “Under Pressure,” a lot of songs like that didn’t get the exposure they needed. Part of it was my transition between record companies, for example.

AT: So it was mainly logistics. Do you think not being a Rasta affected your career during the Roots era?

JC: I didn’t wear dreadlocks but the concept of the Rasta… I don’t see how I could be a Jamaican and not embrace a sense of what is the concept of Rasta. Most people would say “oh he doesn’t have dreadlocks so he is not Rasta.” But my universal outlook on life means I couldn’t align myself with any one particular movement or religion so as to limit myself to anywhere or anything like that.

AT: You’ve seen Reggae from the very start – do you like where it’s going?Y

JC: Well it has two branches. It still has the roots branch… you know with a lot of the deejays and some singers,too, like Tarrus Riley and people like that, or Sizzla as a singjay as we say. So it still has the branch that sings about roots and culture and uplifting positive messages. And then there’s the other branch we call dancehall and that is really about… sex. I don’t condemn that part neither… I think there is a place for everything. I’m happy to see the two sides striving. But I would prefer and hope to see the roots and culture area getting more prominent but maybe we’re just going through that transition of time.

AT: Are you a fan of Tarrus?

JC: Yes. From a long time, even before he got popular.

AT: Who/what do you listen to these days?

JC: Well, I am the type of artist that likes to stay current. So I listen to every form of music that is going on that is current. So let’s say I’m in Peru or Mexico or Brazil. I will walk into a store and pick up things. I don’t really download because it is not easy to get stuff that is not popular. I often want to get things that are rare and not so popular. I especially like to pick up music that has the folklore, the roots, of that area of that country.

AT: That country’s own version of Reggae?

JC: That’s right.

AT: Not many acts play in England or the UK these days – or say it’s hard to play – do you find this?

JC: Personally I don’t. I don’t play a lot in England. In the old days I would do a British tour where I go up north, come down, do all over the country. I’ve not done that for a long time. Maybe today it is not economically viable with the big band that I travel with from Jamaica, to come to the UK to do a few shows – I don’t find it difficult. I have a few shows in the summer, including Glastonbury and other stuff.

AT: Your touring with a nine piece band – will there be a full horn section?

JC: Not a big horn section, we have just two horns – we have trumpet and tenor sax who will also double on alto.

AT: In terms of what UK fans are used to that is a big horn section!

JC: Yes. It’s a band that I’ve played with for quite a few years so I’ve bonded with them well and its good.

AT: Do you see yourself as more than just a Reggae singer?

JC: Well, first of all I see my self as an artist, a creative artist. And remember, when I came on the scene there was nothing called Reggae. So I had to help create that. I put in my energy, which is my own… a very upbeat part of the thing! And create what is now known as Reggae. But I’m a creative artist and I’ve put that into many different genres of music, but because my roots is Reggae, I will always be categorized as Reggae. But if you listen to a song like “Many Rivers To Cross,” can you classify that as Reggae?

AT: Do you have a message for your UK fans?

JC: Well I think we are a point in time of humanity where we have to become aware of ourselves and what is going on on our planet. I mean it has become a cliché word of sorts – global warming. But about seven or eight years ago I made an album called Save Our Planet Earth, just to show I was aware in those times. So I think there is something we can do about that and show our awareness. Then you have places like Darfur and Tibet that mean we have to become more aware of ourselves spiritually, some would say politically, globally. We are living in a global environment right now.

 

Reggae History…'80s & '90s…Read the Music!