Putumayo’s ‘South Africa’ could not have been released at a more appropriate time, as albums namesake South Africa hosts the soccer World Cup for the first time on African soil from June 11 to July 11. All eyes will be focused on South Africa, what better way to familiarise the world with the culture of South Africa. Just as the 2010 World Cup is a showcase of the country’s post-apartheid status, the music is also a reflection of the journey the country has taken. “While South Africans have endured many struggles, they have often used music as a tool to protest and to express their hopes for a better future.”
Putumayo’s ‘South Africa’ CD is a fusion of traditional and contemporary music that celebrates the rich musical diversity of this unique country at the southern tip of Africa, with legends like the late singer and political activist Miriam Makeba, and vocalist Phinda, who recently completed a stint in The Lion King. The Album takes you on a journey both spiritually and culturally; the music soothes and then compels you to get up and dance or if you are more conservative you will want to sway to the rhythm of the music. One would expect an album entitled South Africa to be mainly traditional, but you will find as you listen to the varying songs the music engages you as one can relate to every song and genre regardless of your inability to speak any of their eleven official languages.
Though you may not be able to take a trip to South Africa to enjoy the lush countryside or even this monumental time in the history of South Africa, the mixture of songs Afrojazz and township jive to mbaqanga and Afropop gives you a mental picture of the people of South Africa and the country. This Album is definitely a must have in your musical collection.
It’s Gyptian’s time to shine as Hold Yuh continues to climb up Billboard’s Hot R&B chart and Heatseeker Songs Chart, and this week debuted at number 96 on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts. Hold Yuh, which was produced by Ricky Blaze, was released two years ago. On March 27, Hold Yuh debuted on the Billboard’s Hot R&B charts at number 78 and has since peaked at number 41. The song entered the Billboard’s Heatseeker Songs Chart at number 9 and is currently at number 6 having been dubbed the ‘greatest gainer’ on that chart for this week, and is number 1 on the Digital Reggae Songs Chart.
Last Friday, the artiste premiered the video for the song on BET’s 106 and Park as the ‘New Joint of the Day’. The video was also accepted by MTV2 for its ‘Sucker Free Sundays Count-down’ and has been added in medium rotation to MTV Jamz and Island Soul. Hold Yuh will be featured on Gyptian’s upcoming Hold You album which will be released on July 20.
Ace producer, Rick Warren, has remixed Jah Cure’s recent hit Never Say Never with a Techno flavour. The reggae version of Never Say Never was released in February of this year on the Stonehenge Riddim and was the first single of that compilation.The Stonehenge rhythm also features artistes such as Anthony B, George Nooks, Pressure, Bryan Art, Lutan Fyah, Gyptian and Courtney John among others.Now Rick Warren has again shown his ingenuity by remixing the song. Warren reveals that the remix involves a significant amount of automation and the production is more technical that would be necessary on the reggae track.The track for the Techno version was built using protocols. Warren says the building of a techno beat is very tedious as the finished product is focused a lot on the arrangement and less on the vocals. He says that a Techno track also has a lot of other elements that would not be included on a Dancehall or Reggae track such as crescendos and filter sweeps. The electronic remix to Jah Cure’s Never Say Never to open up new doors for Reggae music.The fans that don’t normally listen to Reggae artistes and would probably never of heard of Jah Cure, to get a chance to listen to his music. I think it will be well received. Even though we changed the genre of the original song to make it more appealing to dance music fans, we still kept some Reggae elements so the hardcore Reggae fans will still appreciate it. According to Jah Cure, he is very happy that Rick decided to remix the song: “My fans in Europe don’t only listen to Reggae music they also listen to House and Techno and I think that this is just another way for me to connect with them in their space”.The Techno remix of Never Say Never has been released online and is also getting rotation on several radio stations in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Warren says he will be releasing the song to European stations in the coming week as there have been several requests from that part of the world for the remix.
Hosted by Simon Crosskill, Digicel Deal or No Deal is an exhilarating game show where contestants play and deal for a top prize of $1 million in a high-energy contest of nerves, instincts and raw intuition. Each week, the game of odds and chance unfolds when a contestant is confronted with 26 Jamaican beauties holding 26 sealed briefcases with cash ranging from $1 to $1 Million. Without knowing the amount in each briefcase, the contestant picks one – his/hers to keep, if he/she chooses – until its unsealing at game’s end. Originallyproduced by Endemol, the game show premiered on Dutch TV in 2001.
With Digicel Deal or No Deal viewers at home will also have a chance of winning cash by playing the Lucky Case Game. In this game there are 3 cases: A, B & C each randomly containing a cash value: $5,000, $25,000 and $100,000. At the end of each show, starting at 9PM, viewers will be able to text to enter as many times as they like for six days for a chance to win one of these cash prizes. A winner will be randomly selected every Wednesday morning and the selected winner will have to tune in to the show that night on TVJ to see how much cash they have won. Near the start of each show on a Wednesday night, Simon asks that episode’s participating contestant to select a case A, B or C, as carried by three of the show’s models, this case will be revealed and show how much cash the selected winner has won.
The aim of Digicel Deal or No Deal is to give contestants a chance to win a whopping $1 million while at the same time providing quality entertainment to the viewing audience. The secret to the success of the show lies in the well-balanced combination of both mathematical, and psychological elements all coming together to produce a game show thriller. TVJ will premiere Digicel Deal or No Deal on Wednesday September 23 at 8pm.
The roof of the Courtleigh auditorium was left in shambles by the end of this week’s Digicel Rising Stars performance show, as performance after performance was a humbling and inspiring experience for both the Judges and the audience alike.While Goddy Goddy opened the show with a prayer, the special guest artiste, Prodigal Son closed the show with a bang, the perfect ending to an awesome night.
Sandy Smith’s emotional performance of I am Persuaded, really moved the audience, and equally impressed the Judges. Referring to Sandy’s distress after being in the bottom two last week, Nadine commented: “Hard times did you well girl!”Anthony took the opportunity to commend Sandy on her performance, saying: “That was a really sensitive rendition of that song, it had a lot of feeling, and the feeling transferred. We really liked it.” Wearing a pair of palazzo pants, Sandy, whose high-waisted brown linen pants went wonderfully with her plain white tank top and strings of silver chains.
Moments’ lively and fun filled performance of Busy Signal’s Gospel Medley, which included revivalist songs such as The Rivers of Babylon, When the Saints Go Marching In and If I had the Wings of a Dove, had the crowd singing and dancing along with them. Clyde, unable to hide his delight, said: “I don’t think you’ll be flying away, at least not this week! It was energetic, fun, it was different.”
After Diva Adena’s performance of My Redeemer Lives, no one in the house dared doubt her belief. Her awesome, goose-bump inducing performance left virtually everyone with chills, and the judges speechless. The sincerity and raw emotion in her voice even moved some audience members to tears.Anthony said that it was “Flat out, easily the most inspiring performance.” He then concluded: “You don’t have to be a Christian to get chills down your spine.” At a loss for words, Nadine finally said: “Adena I am awed by you. You are an excellent singer!” Diva Adena wore a gorgeous turquoise, chiffon, palazzo pantsuit, with red peep toe pumps, and matching earrings.
Angele’s performance of God is Truly Amazing seemed to please both the crowd and Nadine, who called it “sincere”, however Clyde and Anthony both seemed to share a different opinion.Killer Miller however showed his utter disgust for the rendition when he said: “You more than any other contestant needed some divine intervention, and I think the Lord is unresponsive.”
With just over a week to go before the start of the Red Stripe Dream Weekend, all systems are go as Negril prepares for the thousands of party fans expected to descend on that town for the Independence weekend.
Organizers of the super-inclusive and exclusive parties are revealing that there will be more than adequate security, parking, medical facilities and shuttles available to ensure that patrons will have a safe and rewarding experience filled with fun and excitement.
“Everything is coming on good so far,” said PJ Wright, general manager of Dream Entertainment.
Wright said a Negril planning committee was set up to deal with the logistics, including the role of the police among other things related to the activities scheduled for that weekend.
“We had a meeting (on Monday) and I am being told that everything is on track to ensure our patrons experience is hassle free,” Wright said.
He revealed that there are weekend parking passes for drivers and encourages patrons to take advantage of the branded air-conditioned buses. It is more convenient for our patrons to park their vehicles and use shuttles that will
be available.
“We’ve spent quite a bit to ensure there will be shuttles available from 12 noon to 5 am each day, to accommodate patrons at all the different parties that will be in session,” Wright said.
There will be about a dozen parking lots along the Norman Manley Boulevard that will hold about 3000 vehicles Wright explained, adding that no parking will be allowed along sections of the strip which organizers are aiming to keep clear of traffic except for service vehicles. Tow zones will be clearly marked and all signs will be clearly displayed, Wright said.
Adequate shuttle service is just the tip of the iceberg. Title sponsor, Red Stripe, in support of its initiative of getting people to think and drink responsibly at each of the party venues, will erect spacious detox lounges at
each event.
Kim Lee, PR brand manager Red Stripe, said that the lounges will be providing soup, coffee, water and snacks to make sure that you don’t drink on an empty stomach, space your drinks and stay hydrated at each event.
Safia Cooper, brand manager of Red Stripe, was quick to assert that the dream weekend has all the best parties under one band but the dream is also about providing the best service and comfort for patrons.
“Apart from the fact that we have partnered with the hottest parties for the weekend we will also boast periphery services that we believe are necessary to ensure a completely wonderful, exciting and safe party experience for all,” Cooper said.
The Red Stripe Dream Weekend kicks off on Thursday August 6 with Absinthe and Twisted Spirits. The weekend continues with Daydreams, Yush, Xtreme Wet ‘n Wild and Red Stripe Beer Vibes. The fun and frolic comes to an end on Sunday August 9th with Smirnoff Xclusive ‘The Celebrity Edition’. In addition there will be parties each day and night at Margaritaville and Jungle night club respectively.
The entertainment landscape has been changed significantly with the first annual ‘Jamaica Bar Week’. Celebration will kick off and bargoers rewarded with the ultimate bar experience as their favorite bars vie for the soon-to-be-coveted ‘Best Watering Hole’ title.
Customer will have their fill of specials as bars will offer complimentary Baileys on Monday; Two-For-One Guinness on Tuesday; Two-For-One Smirnoff on Wednesday; Two-For-One Red Stripe/Red Stripe Light on Thursday; and complimentary Johnnie Walker on Friday.
In addition to featuring choice watering holes, we will also introduce Jamaicans to those associated with making this week a ‘Save-The-Date’ event next year.
Bar Week is organized by Creative Media & Events, a full-service marketing, advertising, public relation, event management and production company with over 15 years of combined experience in the business. The directors of Creative Media & Event Limited, Leighton Davis and Garth Walker, are widely known for their promotion and execution of one of Jamaica’s finest entertainment experiences – high society’s ‘Special Delivery’. They continue to produce events for private individuals and corporations, catering to as few as 20 to as many as several thousand people. The week runs from July 27 – 31. The participating bars are:
The New Jersey’s landmark Ritz Theatre is once again paying homage to the drum and bass sounds of the islands with the 2nd annual installment ofReggae at the Ritz. This year’s staging welcomes Reggae legendsBeres Hammond and Culture, along with acclaimed Roots Reggae singers Tarrus Riley and Duane Stephenson to fete Jamaica’s 47th year of Independence.
Hosted by Icon World Entertainment and RoadBlockRadio.com this year’s Reggae at the Ritz event will be held at the prestigious Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, NJonSunday, August 2nd. Jamaica’s Independence Day is August 6th. Reggae, a combination of traditional African and Caribbean music with elements of American Rhythm & Blues and Soul, developed in Jamaica soon after its Independence in 1962. From late 1960’s through the early 1970’s the bass-heavy sound of Reggae gained the attention of overseas musicians through the music of early pioneers like Bunny Lee, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Toots and the Maytals, Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Jimmy Cliff. American musician Johnny Nash is credited with first putting Reggae on the American charts with his 1968 hit “Hold Me Tight.” Later that same year, the Beatles brought worldwide attention to new sound with the Reggae-tinged Rock & Roll song“Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da.”Eric Clapton’s 1974 cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff“ propelled Reggae into the mix of mainstream pop-culture music. The next year, Bob Marley and the Wailers had their first international breakthrough with “No Woman No Cry,” and their 1976 album Rastaman Vibration spent four weeks on the Top Ten charts in the U.S. The following year Culture released their seminal album Two Sevens Clash which, to this day, is hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the ‘50 Coolest Records’ ever made.
In celebration of Jamaica’s 47th anniversary, this year’s Reggae at the Ritz pays tribute to Jamaica’s musical legacy with two of the island’s groundbreaking international Reggae icons, Beres Hammond — whose 37 year career includes well over 20 albums including the Grammy nominated Music is Life — and Culture. Reggae at the Ritz also features two of Jamaica’s fastest rising Reggae talents, Tarrus Riley, who burst on the scene in 2006 with the critically acclaimed album Parables featuring the smash hit “She’s Royal,” and singer/songwriter Duane Stephenson best known for his single “August Town” as well as for co-writing the anthem “True Reflections” for Reggae artist Jah Cure.
This year’s Appleton Temptation Isle from Thursday August 6 to Sunday August 9 will have all of 11 parties over five days for patrons to choose from. These include: ATI Welcome Party, Xtatiq, Pretty in Pink, Rhythm & Booze, Wildsides, ATI Toga Party, Fusion, Temptation Live, Stages, Colours, Tempted and ATI Appleton Hip Hop Jouvert.Alex Chin officially launched the Appleton Temptation Isle inside Carlos Café on Wednesday, July 1. Chin, who heads Absolute Entertainment, said
“After three years, I am happy to announce that Appleton and Absolute are together again and ready to present the biggest party weekend Negril, and by all means, Jamaica has ever seen. This year, ATI welcomes new promoters and new events, and we’re also introducing some new venues. Nobody knows the Negril Hip Strip like us, and when I tell you that ATI is going to be an unforgettable experience you had better believe it. Appleton Temptation Isle is here to tempt partygoers with more fun than they have ever imagined.”
The Appleton Temptation Isle party weekend was created in 2001 by Alex Chin. Stages, around which the series was centered, was the first official ATI event and was staged onAugust 4, 2001 at Risky Business. Since its inception, a number of parties have been added and subtracted from the line up.
Rototom Sunsplash is one of the largest reggae festival in Europe. Ever since 1994, when the festival first started, it has been drawing thousands of young people from every corner of the world to North-eastern Italy: every year, the RivellinoPark in Osoppo becomes a multi-ethnic village where people live together under banner of peace, respect and freedom.Last year (2008) over 150,000 persons attended the festival: most of them camped at the venue, either in camper vans or tents, whereas others booked rooms in the various hotels and bed & breakfasts in the environs. Everything was sold out for a radius of 30 km.
This original event combines music and engagement, fun and opportunities to meet, discuss and reflect upon various issues. For ten consecutive days, together with the great live acts, there is a full schedule of various activities: debates, films and documentaries, photo exhibitions, workshops on percussions, African dance, Capoeira and Didjeridoo, sessions of meditation and alternative medicine, meetings on reggae music and Rasta culture. A professional team organizes creative workshops, puppet shows and juggling to entertain the large number of children that are always present at the festival.
More than a music festival, the Rototom Sunsplash can be considered a real holiday: during the daytime, those who do not attend the various debates and workshops can sunbathe, play frisbee or football, read, rest on a hammock or simply wander around the village, mixing with a multitude of new friends.
When the sun goes down, the lights on the main stage turn on and music becomes the undisputed protagonist. One after the other, the top artists and bands from Jamaica, Africa and Europe go on stage, giving rise to unforgettable performances. When the concerts finally come to a draw, everybody moves either to the dancehall tent where international sound systems play until dawn, or to the various ethnic stalls, to enjoy a quieter night.
Bars and restaurants are open all day and night to offer drinks and dishes from all over the world, whereas in the crowded, open-air market, reggae music and positive vibes spread out from every stall. As well as records and handcrafted products, in the market you can find many non-profit organizations who promote their countless activities, aimed at improving living standards around the world.
The staff working at the infopoint and the internet point speaks a number of languages, so that the over 50% of persons who come from outside Italy will also feel at home. Last year, the audience came from at least 16 countries round the world.
The 2009 edition of the event will be held from July 2 to 11, once again in the RivellinoPark in Osoppo.
The live acts will be broadcasted on radio by Popolare Network. Special programmes will be televised on the satellite channel Arcoiris. Live streaming will be available on our website.
Wednesday (8th)
Main Stage: Buju Banton, Groundation, Sebastian Sturm
Dancehall: Tba
Thursday (9th)
Main Stage: Bunny Wailer, Capleton, Yt & Innerheart
Dancehall: Jungle Nite with Kenny Ken, Ragga Twins, Junglist Alliance
Friday (10th)
Main Stage: Sly & Robbie, Bitty Mclean, Pablo Moses, U Roy, New York Ska Jazz Ensemble
Dancehall: Shashamane Int’l - World Sound Cup Clash 2009 winner
Saturday (11th)
Main Stage: Anthony B, Third World, Glen Washington, Ava Leigh
Dancehall: One Love Hi Powa
Tickets are priced at 150 euro for a 10-day ticket, and 180 euro for a festival ticket with camping, and daily tickets 25 euro.
