YardBeat With Jigga Matic

Sean Paul's Temperature has vaulted to the #4 position on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and is also last week's greatest gainer as well as the greatest the airplay gainer, a clear signal that the song could rocket straight to the pole position, giving Sean his third number one Billboard single.

The song is also making strides on other charts, as it is #2 on Hot Digital Songs, #10 on Hot R & B/Hip-hop songs, #3 on Hot Rap Tracks and #16 on Hot Ring Tones.

Sean Paul's breakout hit follows his recent Top 10 pop hit 'We Be Burning'. His previous top pop hits were Baby Boy featuring Beyonce, Get Busy and Gimme the Light. In Europe, Sean Paul's Ever Blazin', featured on producer Stephen 'Lenky' Marsden's Masterpiece project, has been showing up on several charts. It recently made strides on the UK Singles chart as well as major pop charts in Peru, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium.

JAH CURE's NEW SINGLE
In Di Streetz distribution has released a single called Share The Love by Jah Cure on the One Drop 'Love Light' rhythm produced by R. Stephen for the Vertex Label.

JR. GONG GOES GOLD
Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley's recent gold certification by the Recording Association of America (RIAA) for his smash album 'Welcome to Jamrock' has also helped the disc to further increase sales, following as it did on his double Grammy win.
Good luck Jr.

By: Jigga Mattic
Photo: Warlington

The gorgeous D'Angel delivered a riveting performance at last weekend's Magnum 'Follow Di Arrow' stage show at James Bond Beach sending a clear signal that she will be a major contender for this year's Female Deejay of the Year title.

She delivered a total of eight songs, earning big forwards for her runaway smash hit 'Downtown Girl' and her current single, 'Ghetto Girl, Big Up Oonu Status'. However, it was her new combination single with Beenie Man, 'One Man', which rocked the venue, to the point where the entertainers could not even finish the song.

"The crowd sang all the words to the song, we just coulden finish it, I was pleased with how well I did. The audience seemed to love every second of my performance, it was just ovation after ovation Everyone was so happy for me, when I got off the stage, Beenie gave me a big hug the way he was so proud of me. And I promise to keep taking it to them this year," she said.

On the heels of such a confident performance, D'Angel has stepped up her game to the next level, recording a 'female-power' single, 'Woman Power', on the Free Willy Productions label yesterday in the wake of the historic win by Prime Minister designate Portia Simpson Miller, who became the PNP's first female president on Saturday and is slated to be sworn in as the country's first Prime Minister soon.

"As long as woman ah run the country, mi alright wid that, man a run the country fi the longest time and ah just pure stress and problem so we need the change, ah our time now," she said.

D'Angel will be shooting the 'One Man' video with Beenie Man next week, and the controversial 'Death Row' single will be the next project.

700 Strong Concert: Reggae icon, Burning Spear, plans special, limited-admittance benefit concert for his beloved charity, the St. Ann's Bay Infirmary in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica

Hot on the heels of his Grammy-nominated, best-selling cd Our Music, reggae great Burning Spear (aka Winston Rodney) has announced that he will be giving a special concert to benefit the St. Ann's Bay Infirmary in his home of St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica on Saturday, August 12, 2006. The event will celebrate the life and birthday of Marcus Garvey, Jamaica's first nationally recognized leader.

Spear has led the way musically, in keeping Garvey's spirit and message alive, and in advocating through his songs. Through the teachings of Garvey, combined with his own life experiences, Burning Spear endeavors to educate, inform, and uplift people around the world with his message of self-determination and self-reliance for all African descendants.

The original "Creation Rebel", Rodney holds the Marcus Garvey Youth Club near and dear to his heart, as not only the place where got his start - but as a place from which a new generation of Jamaican's can spring forth and realize a bright future. He is a longtime benefactor of the center, which offers the youth of Jamaica's St. Ann's Bay region a place to learn, grow, and realize their dreams. The center is also home to an infirmary, which provides services to the area's underserved poor and disabled citizens which will be the benefactor of this special concert..

On a recent trip to his home parish, Spear, along with his wife and business partner, Sonia Rodney, visited the Marcus Garvey Youth Club. They were struck by the magnitude of the unmet needs they saw there.

From the youth center to the infirmary, they repeatedly were confronted with striking reminders of the immense poverty which is an everyday reality for so many in Jamaica.

A Word from Burning Spear:
"People of the world, I man spent the holiday home in Jamaica. The Spirit of Marcus Garvey lead me right to Marcus Garvey Youth Club - right on the beach. All I could hear in my head was it's time for me to get out of Babylon system. Anyone can be Babylon. So come lets us chant down Babylon and be strong.

Looking forward to see 700 people of the world doing their country walk at Marcus Garvey Youth Club in August 2006. Don't forget to buy a copy of Our Music for yourself and a friend. We have to show the world that roots music can sell. Let's show the world that we can be move together as one musically.

This is the place where I man got started. I man is requesting the honor of 700 People of the World to witness I man's first ever performance on Garvey Lawn under the Order of Jah Rastafari."

See Burning Spear live in concert - in his home pariah and in his native element - on Saturday, August 12th, 2006 on the Marcus Garvey Lawn of the Marcus Garvey Youth Club in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica. Watch for more news from Burning Spear on his Blog at
http://burningspearmessage.blogspot.com/.

Tickets for the 700 Strong benefit concert will be sold exclusively in the Burning Spear online store at http://store.burningspearstore.net/. Ticket price is $30.00 (US). Only 700 tickets will be sold, with the first 300 ticket sold given a free signed t-shirt by Burning Spear.

Get your tickets today, and be one of 700 Strong!

Keep The Spear Burning....

Following a very successful stint in Trinidad performing alongside Machel Montana at the much anticipated and very exciting carnival Vegas will be heading back to Jamaica on Monday.

According to the 'Heads High' singer, "Carnival in Trinidad is like a national holiday. For two weeks on every corner there is a party and every party is well attended this time of year the only thing Trini people seems to be interested in is their soca and people travel from all over the world to be apart of this fiesta."

It was an experience for Vegas working alongside Machel who is regarded as the king of carnival there.

The people went on real bad. It got even crazier when Machel called on Vegas to perform a song he produced for him called 'Genie Wine'.

In fact the girls started performing the song even before Vegas opened his mouth!

Machel and Vegas' combination song 'Dance With You' - a mix of soca reggae enjoyed much love from the carnival revelers. But Vegas is not ruling out going 100% soca as he hinted that "in the future you can expect more of this kinda music and maybe next carnival Machel and I might take it up a notch to 100% soca."

As the Carnival activity in Trinidad winds down its back to studio running and putting in the finishing touches on his album which is expected to drop sometime in April.

Vegas returns to Jamaican on Monday his head filled with plans on his new album. His fans might be in for a major surprise where the album is concerned. According to Vegas "it might be a double CD or two album at the same time - one roots and one dance hall.

Because I still have a strong dance hall fan base so I can't just turn 360 degrees in one spin."

By: Jigga Mattic
Photos by Carlington Wilmot

Dekka the Dak was born to be a deejay. Although he has spent the better part of the last five years supporting his young family doing a nine-to-five, this year, 2006, he plans to 'break free' from his self-made shackles to pursue his dreams of stardom with a single-minded ambition.

"Yes, I believe this is going to be my year, I caan waste no more time, mi need to just give the music thing a real shot," Dekka said during an interview with YardFlex this week.
Dekka, whose real name is Kerry Walker, hails from Kintyre, St. Andrew where he grew up in a family of seven -- four brothers and two sisters -- all raised by his mother, Sylvia Green. He attended Mona High School where his passion for dancehall music soon became evident to all those who knew him.

"Ah me alone musical inna mi family, so when I was younger, mi just decide fi tek it up serious, and at high school, mi start deejay wid friends like Mega Plow and Snakey Trouble, you know, beat desk ting, crowd draw inna the schoolyard, so from those days, it was just in me," he said.

After high school, Dekka recorded a single at Peter Blake's studio in Mona, which is also the home of Don Corleone's Vendetta Records, but the song was never released. Soon after that, at the request of his mother, migrated to the Cayman Islands in order to seek employment there to support his young family. He landed a job at an establishment called Noah's Ark doing deliveries, however his contract ends later this year.

"Working in Cayman was something I had to do...to take care of my son, but I have been saving up money, and now I plan to return to Jamaica later this year to take the music thing serious. I have a lot of talent, and I feel like I am wasting it by not doing music full time. So when I get back, I am going to buy myself a ride (car) so I can make the rounds to the studios and get my music out there," he said.

Jamaica's jewel, refuses to disappoint his fans at home or abroad. Sean Paul's single We Be Burnin' has been certified PLATINUM after garnering a net shipment of 200, 000 internet downloads of the single, by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)!

We Be Burnin' is the first single from Sean Paul's third album The Trinity (VP/Atlantic), which was released in September of 2005 and has also been certified GOLD by the RIAA.

His second single, Temperature is also blazing on charts around the world, especially the Billboard chart in the US. It is in the Top 20 on 5 charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 chart. After entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart only six weeks ago, it has entered the top 10 at #8. The single has also acquired the title of "Greatest Sales Gainer" for the week on that same chart.

The "hot and sexy" music video for Temperature is rising up the BET 106 & Park video chart currently holding the number 6 position. Fans seeking to test their Temperature are logging onto the deejay's website, www.sean-paul.net for quizzes and special exclusive content including ring tones.

Sean Paul is currently in tour in Japan before crossing the Pacific for a number of concerts and promotional appearances in the US then across the Atlantic for his European summer tour.

Intro & Verse 1: Elephant Man
Woo! Di club is gettin warma, guess who is back up in yuh corna
Love to see di girls dem whinnin up wid dem Dolce and dem Gabbana
This is Elephant Man and Rihanna
Can I hear yuh seh tun it up! Mr. DJ Mr. DJ Mr. DJ Mr. DJ!!!
Tun it up! Mr. DJ Mr. DJ Mr. DJ Mr. DJ!!!
Can I hear everybody say (Tun it up!!!)
When yuh hear this tune a play (Tun it up!!!)
Tun it up Mr. DJ (Tun it up!!!)
This is Elephant Man and Rihanna, come on!!!

Verse 2: Rihanna
It goes one by one even two by two
Everybody on the floor let me show you how we do
Let's go dip it low then you bring it up slow
Wine it up one time wine it back once more
Come run, run, run, run, everybody move run
Let me see you move and rock it till the groove done
Shake it till the moon becomes the sun (SUN!)
Everybody in the club give me a run (RUN!)
If you ready to move say it (Yeah!)
One time for your mind say it (Yeah Yeah!)
Well I'm ready for ya come let me show ya
You want to groove I'm a show you how to move, come come

Chorus: Rihanna
Come Mr. DJ song pon de replay
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
All de gal pon de dancefloor wantin some more
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
Come Mr. DJ song pon de replay
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
All de gal pon de dancefloor wantin some more
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up

Bridge: Elephant Man
Tun it up some more!!!!
Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!!
Tun it up some more!!!!
Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!!
Tun it up some more!!!!
Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!!
Tun it up some more!!!!
Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!! Tun it up!!!
(Come on!!!)

verse 3: Rihanna
It goes one by one even two by two
Everybody in the club 'gon be rockin when I'm through
Let the bass from the speakers run through ya sneakers
Move both ya feet and run to the beat
Come run, run, run, run , everybody move run
Let me see you move and rock it till the groove done
Shake it till the moon becomes the sun (SUN!)
Everybody in the club give me a run (RUN!)
If you ready to move say it (Yeah!)
One time for your mind say it (Yeah Yeah!)
Well I'm ready for ya come let me show ya
You want to groove I'm a show you how to move

Chorus: Rihanna
Come Mr. DJ song pon de replay
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
All de gal pon de dancefloor wantin some more
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
Come Mr. DJ song pon de replay
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
All de gal pon de dancefloor wantin some more
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up

Verse 4: Elephant Man
Come on!!! Can I hear everybody say (Tun it up!!!)
When yuh hear this tune a play (Tun it up!!!)
Tun it up Mr. DJ (Tun it up!!!)
Tun it up tun it up till yuh bun it up, well!
Come on! Well, if yuh caan tek di pressa
Girls whinnin up and gettin wetta
When yuh seh fi tun it up we tun it up tun it up fi di betta
Dem haffi tek we out pon stretcha, come on

Bridge: Rihanna
Ok, everybody get down if you hear me
Come and put your hands up to the ceiling
Everybody get down if you hear me
Come and put your hands up to the ceiling
Everybody get down if you hear me
Come and put your hands up to the ceiling
Everybody get down if you hear me
Come and put your hands up to the ceiling

Chorus: Rihanna
Come Mr. DJ song pon de replay
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
All de gal pon de dancefloor wantin some more
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
Come Mr. DJ song pon de replay
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up
All de gal pon de dancefloor wantin some more
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up

Versatile Montreal based crooner, Carl Henry, has snagged a fourth consecutive Juno Awards nomination. The hot property urban artist, received a nod in the "Best Reggae Recording" category, for his infectious Top 40 reggae/dancehall crossover single "Hot Gal". The nominees for the 35th edition of the prestigious Canadian awards, were announced yesterday (Wednesday, 14th February 2006) in Toronto. The 2006 Juno Awards show will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Sunday, 2nd April

"Hot Gal" is included on Carl Henry's recent epic full-length sophomore cd/dvd release "I Wish", and is now one of three tracks that appear on this album that have been nominated for 'Best Reggae Recording' Junos, the other two being, "Bare As She Dare" in 2005 and "Homie's Girl" 2004.

"I Wish" (released on the Cesoul Music imprint via DEP/Universal) signifies "true modern day urban expression", as it darts between reggae/dancehall rhythms, smooth soul/r&b stylings with street sesibilities and pop-crossover inclinations. The soulful title track recently reached Top 20 on Canadian CHR and is being followed up by the momentous "Little Mama" already hitting Top 50 CHR after 3 weeks..

Henry's first Juno nomination came in 2003 for his debut album "RNB" in the "Best Soul/R&B Recording" category.

After just three weeks on the US charts, Sean Paul's latest single Temperature is bringing the heat, rising into the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. With We Be Burnin' still all over the charts, there's no stopping Sean Paul and his US certified gold record, The Trinity. The US is not the only place giving Sean love, though. All over the world, fans are getting down to Sean Paul's music.

Internationally, Sean Paul has sold nearly a million copies of the record-breaking new album, The Trinity. Around the world the album is three singles deep, with radios everywhere jamming We Be Burnin', Ever Blazin', and the newest burner Temperature.

This past week the Temperature video was added at MTV France, MTV Base, MTV Hits and TMF in the UK, while Ever Blazin' continues its climb in Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Holland, and Switzerland. In Canada, both Ever Blazin' and Temperature are holding steady on the charts and the album has now been certified platinum! In addition, the album is certified gold in France, Ireland, the UK, Switzerland, and Japan. Sean Paul took all The Trinity's hits to Japan for a month-long promo tour immediately following the GRAMMYs.

The Trinity is the follow-up to Sean's smash hit Dutty Rock, which sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. In the wake of the breakthrough success of Dutty Rock, Sean racked up numerous prestigious awards, including the Grammy for Best Reggae Album - redefining the category in the process. He won MTV Europe's Best New Artist Award as well as Source, MOBO, Juno, Much Music, and International Reggae and World Music awards.

Truly a worldwide superstar, Sean Paul has toured the world - from Austria to Australia, Kingston to Kenya, Lagos to Los Angeles - performing hits from both Dutty Rock and his first album, Stage One. He is currently on his Trinity World Tour, with a month-long stay in Japan planned for February, followed by stops around the US. Sean Paul will then continue to Africa, bringing his blazing hits to every corner of the globe.

Jigga Matic
YardFlex Reporter

Dancehall fans who have critiqued the lyrics of Angel's latest single, 'Death Row', believe that the poignant words are a barely-conceiled commentary on her estranged relationship with deejay Bounty Killer.

The lyrics go:

I am a free girl, now I can smile

Best friends, him say dem a whore...

However, Angel says that the words were penned to express experiences of her close girlfriends, and not a direct commentary on her own failed relationship. She said that since leaving the Killer, she has scored a top ten hit, yet the man who was her lover for almost seven years has never called to congratulate her.

"I was not surprised that he, Bounty, has not called me to say congratulations or anything, know what sort of person he is...he said that I wasn't going to go anywhere, and I was never going to make it, and look at me now. Bounty Killer was never the main source of my income, everything I have, I worked for it, so don't get the argument twisted, I wish him all the best with his life, I have moved on with mine, I could not be with someone who was not growing with me...I am happy, I am free, and my talent can shine now," she told YardFlex.com.

In the meantime, Angel has been performing overseas, earning rave reviews from the ethnic press in England for a series of sold-out concerts in Brixton, London and Birmingham. She also recently performed alongside Beenie Man in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Now that she has returned to Jamaica, she is gratified with the enthusiastic response to 'Death Row'. The song is blowing up all over FM radio and has been enjoying excellent rotation on all radio stations. Nordia Rose has already been approached to direct the 'Death Row' video.

"I already have my concept, it's going to be off the hook, everything billias, man. My fans are embracing me, nutten caan stop me, Father God set it so, and mi just get blessings everywhere I go."

Look out for the release of her debut album, 'Blessed Child' later this year.

By Claude Mills/YardFlex Reporter
Photo by: Carlington Wilmot
www.claudemills.com

Beenie Man has been busy putting the finishing touches on his 'Undisputed' abum, the penultimate record of his five-album deal with Virgin Records.

"Right now, I plan to book out Anchor fi all a week, and lick three riddim so me can finish the album, right now, mi need fi have some Shocking Vibes tune on the album, right now, is just Mafia House tune, and is fi dem fault still, dem have me a fly all over the place doing shows and mi never get to do no Shocking Vibes tune, so that's the next step," he told YardFlex.Com.

In June, the penultimate album of Beenie Man's five-album deal with Virgin Records, is scheduled to hit stores worldwide. It will be a straight dancehall album which will be dubbed Undisputed. Current hotshot dancehall producer Don Corleone is reportedly handling much of the production work on the 18 tracks. There is also a track produced by R. Kelly and Beenie Man.

There are indications that Beenie Man's association may come to a close after the album deal is completed.

"When de deal is over, me a sign wid a urban company. Me a sign Mafia House, a new label he has created, to Sony/Epic. My time with Virgin has been sweet, I have been able to go around the world, without Virgin, that would not have been possible, because of Virgin, mi tour the world twice, 13 years straight, mi a perform all over the world, from the top to the bottom," he said.

"Some artiste ah talk 'bout dem mash up a Africa, ah lie dem a tell, unless you get pon MTV Europe which is beamed over to Africa, or on Channel O, you nah get no play, nobody not going to know your tunes, some artiste claim dat dem big ah Africa, but ah mussi one small village dem mash up. My tune with Janet Jackson did big ah Africa, it sell 850,000 copies," he said.

Beenie Man, a Grammy winner and deejay of the year many times in Jamaica, has managed to remain on top of his game. Last November, after a one-year absence, he returned to the Billboard R&B Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart with his collaboration with Trinidadian soca artiste KMC, titled 'Soul on Fire' debuting at number 84. This is the second single to chart on that listing which credits Beenie Man as featured artiste. In 2005, he was featured on rapper Guerilla Blacks' 'Compton' hit single.

Sweet-voiced singer Gyptian, who smashed onto the music scene last year with the anthemic 'Serious Time' hit, got an all-too-close-for-comfort insight into just how 'serious a time' it is in Jamaica when he was robbed by two armed men a few weeks ago at his Garveymeade residence.

"Somebody had told me that two men wanted to pay me $100,000 for a dub, so they came upstairs, and we were there reasoning, a good reasoning too, and I was even saying to myself that I would only charge them $90,000, and all of a sudden one a dem say "hey bwoy, go down pon the ground', and mi say, 'alright boss', and dem ask 'weh the money de', and 'where mi chain de?' And mi tell dem, and dem tek mi jewellery, including a ring I have had for years, and splurt go downstairs. Mi not even raise an alarm, mi just easy, 'cause mi grateful dem neva tek me life. That's why you have to enjoy the blessings of each day to the fullest 'cause yu neva know when it might be your last," he told YardFlex.Com.

The singer, who has recorded a number of other hits, said the experience reminded him of the lines in his song that go: "when yu think is peace and safety, it could be your first sudden destruction'.

"Mi just grateful for my life, and furthermore, dem neva get any money 'cause dem coulden find the wallet, but mi not even a look fi dem…I am just taking it easy."

The single, 'Serious Time' was a chart-topper last year, and graduated to cult status, becoming a ghetto anthem on the lips of the poverty-stricken masses. The song is all at once a call to action, a sad commentary on the country's spiraling murder count, and an earnest advice column to young males on how to survive these most 'serious of times'.

Gyptian has not been signed to any label, but has been doing some freelance work with a number of different producers, working on follow-up songs such as 'What a Policy' on the Season rhythm, 'You Never Know', 'Mama Don't Cry' and 'Going on Life's Journey'.

Claude Mills has his own blog at www.claudemills.com

[Intro]
This a survival story, True ghetto story
This is my story, Real ghetto story
Hey

[Verse 1]
I remember those days when Hell was my home
When Me and Mama bed was a big piece a foam
An mi never like bathe and my hair never comb
When Mama gone a work me go street go roam
I remember when Danny dem tek me snow cone
An mek him likkle bredda dem kick up Jerome
I remember when we visit dem wid pure big stone
An the boy Danny pop out something weh full chrome
I remember when we run, Fatta get him knee blown
An mi best friend Richie get, two inna him dome
I remember so the avenue tun inna warzone
An ,Mickey madda fly him out, cau she get a loan
But, Mickey go to foreign and go tun Al Capone
Mek whole heap a money and sen in our own
Now a we a lock the city and, that is well known
Yesterday Mickey call me pan mi phone
Mi say Mickey.....

[Chorus]
Wi get di ting dem
Dem outta luck now
Mi squeeze seven and the whole a dem a duck now
Wi have whole heap a extra clip cau we nuh bruk now
Rah...Rah..Rah...Rah
Wi get di ting dem, So dem haffi rate wi
Cau we a tek it to them wicked of lately
And now the whole community a live greatly
Rah...Rah..Rah...Rah

[Verse 2]
I remember bout '80, Jamaica explode
When a Trinity and Tony Hewitt dem a run road
That a long before Laing dem and even Bigga Ford
When Adams dem a Corporal nuh know the road code
I remember when we rob the chiney shop down the road
An rumour have it sey the chiney man have a sword
But we did have a one pop wey make outta board
So you know the next day mama pot Overlooaad
I remember when we skip the poll clerks
An dump the ballot box pan Tivoli outskirts
An hold a plane ticket and go chill over Turks
When me come back a still inna the hole me a lurk
I remember those days when informer dirks...
Get one inna him face and me nuh get nuh perks
And the bigger heads dem are a couple of jerks
Cause a dem a mek di money, when a wi mash di works

[Chorus]
Wi get di ting dem
Dem outta luck now
Mi squeeze seven and the whole a dem a duck now
Wi have whole heap a extra clip cau we nuh bruk now
Rah...Rah..Rah...Rah
Wi get di ting dem, So dem haffi rate wi
Cau we a tek it to them wicked of lately
And now the whole community a live greatly
Rah...Rah..Rah...Rah

[Verse 3]
Jamaica get screw, tru greed an glutton
Politics manipulate and press yutes button
But we rich now ,so dem caan tell man notin
Cuz a we a mek Mama a nyaam Fish an Mutton..Ehhhh
Ova dehso mek mi tell unnu some'in...
Tru mi dey a foreign now a guy kill me cousin
An mi here sey TD deh dey but him sey he wasnt
Anytime mi fly down him a get bout dozen....Cause......

[Chorus]
Wi get di ting dem
Dem outta luck now
Mi squeeze seven and the whole a dem a duck now
Wi have whole heap a extra clip cau we nuh bruk now
Rah...Rah..Rah...Rah
Wi get di ting dem, So dem haffi rate wi
Cau we a tek it to them wicked of lately
And now the whole community a live greatly
Rah...Rah..Rah...Rah

Intro:
Zagga! Shocking Vibes! Tony Kelly!
Yo! Is it ironic, this gal a wine like a bionic
Mi mack it mi cock it I sink it like a titanic
Dump pon it, badman deh yah mi a chop it
Baby yuh know seh mi have it, hey

Chorus:
One man alone a push a hump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Nuh bag a man nah jump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Grindacologist nuh find a lump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Nuh man neva bruk off nuh stump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Or Trump Tower Donald him a reel fi yuh (Hum Hum)
And surgeons dem all a cling fi yuh (Hum Hum)
Man all a tek poison pill fi yuh (Hum Hum)
Congress a pass a bill fi yuh (Hum Hum)

Verse 1:
Hey! Gal tell mi yuh fantasies
Mek mi rub dung yuh ass and round titties
If yuh good pon yuh neck mi leff two hickies
Wrong bang fi yuh friend but for yuh dickies
Mek mi enroll yuh inna mi sex college
Graduate to Professor gal gimme knowledge
Dung a Nevil pon di beach inna mi small cottage
Mek mi use my bulldozer and block yuh passage
A just yuh and di I mi nuh need baggage
Man a text yuh pon phone and leave sex message
Dem nuh waan piece a yuh dem waan di whole package
She just blow dem away like jail pictures, hey

Chorus:
One man alone a push a hump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Nuh bag a man nah jump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Grindacologist nuh find a lump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Nuh man neva bruk off nuh stump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Or Trump Tower Donald him a reel fi yuh (Hum Hum)
And surgeons dem all a cling fi yuh (Hum Hum)
Man all a tek poison pill fi yuh (Hum Hum)
Congress a pass a bill fi yuh (Hum Hum)

Verse 2:
Yuh stock set heavy set tight titty Simone
Seh she really come ova cause I'm home alone
Mi a ital jockey mi nuh use nuh stone
Mix up mi baba roots wid mi tiger bone
She startplay sweet song pon mi saxaphone
See har man sum'n dead she wear black and a moan
And she caan memba when di last time she grown
From she meet mi she buck up inna dangazone
Now she all ova mi like she name cologne
Waan mi dunk inna har like a Karl Malone
She seh di blacka di berry mi a di sweeta di cone
Mi a di king yuh a di queen so siddung pon yuh throne

Chorus:
One man alone a push a hump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Nuh bag a man nah jump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Grindacologist nuh find a lump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Nuh man neva bruk off nuh stump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Or Trump Tower Donald him a reel fi yuh (Hum Hum)
And surgeons dem all a cling fi yuh (Hum Hum)
Man all a tek poison pill fi yuh (Hum Hum)
Congress a pass a bill fi yuh (Hum Hum)

Verse 3:
Yuh waan leave hold on baby let mi talk to you
How yuh fi leave and a yuh have up di Krazy Glue
Heart a beat knees weak like she gone fi two
Mi boo, pon yuh hand mi have yuh name tatoos
Who a go give mi chicken soup when mi catch di flew
Who a go give mi sweet lovin when mi drinkin mi brew
Gal a yuh alone mi waan mi nuh need nuh crew
And how much more tings mi haffi prove to yuh
She a leave use di key lock di door now blue
She a see mi buss har up or Susie Q
She's a dancer I'm an artist dat's what we do
And I neva eva plannin on usin you

Chorus:
One man alone a push a hump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Nuh bag a man nah jump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Grindacologist nuh find a lump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Nuh man neva bruk off nuh stump inna yuh (Hum Hum)
Or Trump Tower Donald him a reel fi yuh (Hum Hum)
And surgeons dem all a cling fi yuh (Hum Hum)
Man all a tek poison pill fi yuh (Hum Hum)
Congress a pass a bill fi yuh (Hum Hum)

Repeat Chorus

Since his return to Jamaica two weeks ago, Vybz Kartel has been busy shooting a number of music videos for his ultra-popular songs. He recently shot a medley video for the single 'Oh Oh', alongside fellow Tri-State member, Bling Dawg, who did his single, 'Mr. Politician'. Both songs appear on the kicking 'Sweat' rhythm. The video was directed by hot new director, Julia Braham, who had first worked with the deejay on the 'Anger Management' medley, but has been earning major props for her creative vision.

"This is my second time working with her, and it's all good. I must admit that when she first approached me, I never believed her that she was a director, maybe because physically, she never struck me as that sort of person, and attitude-wise, I never saw her as a director, but she win me over, and mi like her work," he told YARDFLEX.

"Ah Standpipe we do everything because that sort of environment reflects the mood of the song"

The video will premiere this Saturday, February 4th, on local and cable television stations.

He will also be involved in the medley shoot of 'Dutty Landlord' for producer Clive Hunt this weekend, as well as the 'Maths and English' medley which will be shot by director Anju Val.

"I feel that Anju Val can give me the right concept for the song I have on the 'Maths and English riddim," he said.

By: Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Grammy winning artiste Beenie Man wants to establish his pet project, Mafia House, as a big player in the international dancehall market. Although he is still signed to Virgn Records, he intends to dabble in new areas of entertainment, and is now seeking out talented artistes who can help to form the core of what will be a powerful new force in the business.

"It is already in the works where Mafia House will be signed to an international label, even Scott Starks wants to sign us now because he is so confident in what we have to offer, but we want to build an independent company, and then carry what we have built in to a major record company...we are not going to run into anyone," Beenie told YardFlex.Com.

"Mafia House Productions is a lyrical continent, some man have lyrical content, we have the lyrical continent...Content is just a small place inna St. Elizabeth," he quipped.

D'Angel who scored big with last year's runaway top ten hit, 'Downtown Girl', has inked a deal with Mafia House Productions. Beenie Man's long-time 'consigliere', Don Mafia, the man who has penned a number of hits for Beenie including last year's 'One Bag a Lie', will play an integral part in the project.

Jigga Mattic
Yardflex Reporter

They may have to stop calling him Junior now.
Reggae heir apparent Damian "Jr Gong" Marley won the Grammy award in the Best Reggae Album tonight during the 48th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles for his successful crossover record, 'Welcome to Jamrock'.
He had also been nominated in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance in the R&B category. By winning the Reggae Grammy, Damian Marley has emulated a feat performed only by fellow deejay Shabba Ranks as being the only two dancehall artistes who have won the Reggae Grammy twice.

Damian, the son of legendary singer Bob Marley, had won a Grammy for best reggae album for Halfway Tree during the 44th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in the year 2001.
Marley showed a flair for music at an early age, and when he was 13, the youngest of the Marley sons formed his first band, the Shepherds -- which also included the son of Third World's Cat Coore and the daughter of Freddie McGregor; the group even opened up the 1992 Reggae Sunsplash festival.

In 1994, Damian began working on his own solo project on his father's Tuff Gong label. The resulting album was 'Mr. Marley'. He continued to make steady progress as an artiste, with the help of elder sibling, producer Stephen Marley, who produced and co-wrote several songs for his LPs. Eventually, his sophomore effort, 'Halfway Tree' earned a Grammy nomination in 2001, beating out a talented field, however the album, while a critical success, generate anaemic sales.

However, all that would change with the release of 'Welcome to Jamrock', a caustic melding of dancehall and old school roots reggae which became an urban phenomenon soon after its Summer of 2005 release, making highly charged cameos on street-level mixtapes and urban radio in major cities across the USA. The album sold over 86,000 units in its first week on the strength of the single, and has continued to sell well with the release of the second single, 'Road to Zion'. The album was the biggest debut for a reggae release since Nielsen SoundScan starting collating data in 1991, however, his record was eclipsed the following week by Sean Paul who sold over 100,000 units of the 'Trinity'.

The year 2005 was an impressive one for Marley, and he has been opening for the band, U2, playing to sold-out arenas to audience who would not normally have been exposed to his music. After that, he embarked on his own sold out tour, This year, there are already plans for a tour in Europe, Japan, Sweden and the United States.

Before this year's Reggae Grammy announcement, a petition had been circling via email and word of mouth in the reggae music industry, both here and abroad, calling for the Reggae Grammy to be presented to the world during the live show instead of just for those in the audience on Grammy night. The Reggae Grammy is presented during the show but not aired on television, even though past winners Shaggy, Sean Paul and Fredrick 'Toots' Hibbert have been generating international recognition. This year, that unfortunate state of affairs still exist, but, as the song goes, there's always tomorrow.

Year by Year List of Award Winners
2005 Welcome to the Jamrock, Damian Marley
2004 True Love, Toots Hibbert (BMG)
2003 Dutty Rock, Sean Paul (Atlantic)
2002 Jamaican E.T., Lee "Scratch" Perry (Trojan Records)
2001 Halfway Tree, Damian Marley (Motown Records)
2000 Art and Life, Beenie Man (Virgin Records America)
1999 Calling Rastafari, Burning Spear (Heartbeat Records)
1998 Friends, Sly and Robbie (EastWest Records America/EEG)
1997 Fallen is Babylon, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers (Elektra Records/EEG)
1996 Hall of Fame - A Tribute to Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary, Bunny Wailer (RAS Records)
1995 Boombastic, Shaggy (Virgin)
1994 Crucial! Roots Classics, Bunny Wailer (Shanachie)
1993 Bad Boys, Inner Circle (Big Beat/Atlantic)
1992 X-Tra Naked, Shabba Ranks (Epic)
1991 As Raw as Ever, Shabba Ranks (Epic)
1990 Time Will Tell-A Tribute to Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer (Shanachie)
1989 One Bright Day, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers (Virgin)
1988 Conscious Party, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers (Virgin)
1987 No Nuclear War, Peter Tosh (EMI-America)
1986 Babylon the Bandit, Steel Pulse (Elektra)
1985 Cliff Hanger, Jimmy Cliff (Columbia/CBS)
1984 Anthem, Black Uhuru (Island

By Claude Mills/YardFlex Reporter

'I feel like bombing a church
now that you know that the preacher is lying.'

I wish I had met this great man face to face. However, as a rabid fan of Marley's music, I'm glad I never met him, or got the chance to form prejudices about this artiste who was well ahead of his time. Therefore, the mystique of the man will stay with me forever, despite the millions of words that have been penned and countless tomes painstakingly constructed, in his honour.

Certainly, the man who wrote the incendiary words italicised above was no ordinary singer or performer, but a man who - even under the influence of his favourite plant - was able to mesmerise and bring under his influence thousands through his soul-searing, energy-filled performances.

There is an ineffable something about Marley that I cannot deny, maybe if I could

figure Bob out, if I could box him in and categorise him then his magic, essence and power would wither and die, but I cannot, and therein lies his enduring charm.

Marley was born on Jamaica to a young black mother and an older white father in February 1945. A precocious musician, a teenaged Marley recorded his first song, 'Judge Not' in 1962, but afterwards, formed a vocal trio in 1963 with friends Neville "Bunny" O'Riley Livingston (later Bunny Wailer) and Peter McIntosh (later Peter Tosh). The group members had grown up in Trench Town, a ghetto neighborhood of Kingston, listening to rhythm and blues on American radio stations. They had been influenced by such names as Ray Charles, the Drifters, and Fats Domino.

The group christened themselves the Wailing Wailers (shortened to the Wailers) because they were ghetto sufferers who'd been born "wailing." The trio began to practise Rastafarianism - a sect that revered Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia (a.k.a. Ras Tafari) as a black Messiah. As practicing Rastas, they grew their hair in dreadlocks and smoked ganja (marijuana), believing it to be a sacred herb that brought enlightenment. Rastafarians took their name from Ras Tafari, Haile Selassie's title before he was crowned emperor in 1930, described in legend as a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba who ruled 2,000 years ago

On February 10, 1966, Bob Marley and Alpharita ("Rita") Constantia Anderson got married. The union produced five children.
The Wailers recorded prolifically for small Jamaican labels throughout the Sixties, during which time ska - Jamaican dance music that drew from African rhythms and New Orleans R&B - was the hot sound. The Wailers had their first hit in 1963 with "Simmer Down," and they went on to record 30 sides in the "rude boy" ska style for Jamaican soundman Coxsone Dodd's Studio One.

As the music evolved from the bouncy ska beat to the more plaintive, sensual rhythms of rock steady, Marley struck up an with Jamaican producer Lee Perry resulted in some of the Wailers' memorable recordings, including "Soul Rebel" and "Duppy Conqueror," and the albums Soul Rebel and Soul Revolution. It was a remarkable time in Jamaican music history with the classic heavyweight lineup featuring Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and brothers Aston and Carlton Barrett.

Though the Wailers were popular in Jamaica, it was not until the group signed with Chris Blackwell's Island Records in the early 1970s that they found an international audience. After Catch a Fire (1972) and Burnin' (1973), Marley raised eyebrows but it was not until May 10, 1975 that he gained commercial success when his Natty Dread became the first album by Marley and the Wailers to make the U.S. charts, reaching #92.

On May 13, 1976, 'Rastaman Vibration,' by Bob Marley and the Wailers -and featuring an American, Don Kinsey, on lead guitar - was released. It became Marley's highest-charting album, reaching #8 in the U.S. and #15 in the U.K.

Marley was on his way to international stardom, but life would throw him a curve ball when there was an unsuccessful assassination attempt back in his homeland of Jamaica. When intruders entered the Marley compound on December 3, 1976, two days before the historic 'Smile Jamaica' peace concert at the National Stadium, little did the players in that early morning drama know that they would set in motion a series of events that would propel Bob Marley into the international spotlight. Though Bob and Rita Marley were grazed by bullets, they electrified a crowd of 80,000 people when both took to the stage with the Wailers on the 5th - a gesture of survival that only heightened Marley's legend.

In fact, he was so influential a cultural icon at that time in Jamaica that Time magazine proclaimed in an editorial that, "He rivals the government as a political force."

Still, the assassination attempt scarred him physically and emotionally. In a SUN newspaper article dated February 10, 1978, Bob Marley was quoted as saying: 'That shooting may be the best thing that ever happened to me. It forced me to leave Jamaica. I still can't go back because the men who tried to kill me have never been arrested. They might try again.'

After the shooting in '76, Marley went into a 14-month period of exile, and a period of intense creativity during which the albums, 'Exodus' (1977), the brilliant 'Survival'(1979) released at a time of great political turbulence and social unrest in Africa, were unleashed on an unsuspecting world. At the historic 'One Love Peace Concert' on April 21, 1978 on the 12th anniversary of Haile Selassie's visit to Jamaica, his popularity grew. He convinced JLP leader Edward Seaga and late former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Michael Manley to shake hands. Later, he was summoned to the United Nations in New York and given a UN Peace Medal.

However, the fearsome hoofbeats of doom soon thundered into Marley’s life. In 1977, surgeons removed part of a toe that had been injured in a soccer game, upon which a cancerous growth was found. This led to the discovery of spreading cancer in 1980, after Marley collapsed while jogging in Central Park. The cancer would claim his life less than a year later, but not without a fight.

According to the book 'Chanting Down Babylon', in April 1980 Marley was invited to headline the Independence celebrations in Zimbabwe. He was the only performer on the main stage that night, squadrons of jets screamed overhead and 21 cannons were fired. Thousands of freedom fighters broke down the gates to enter the Harare National Stadium as he sang 'Zimbabwe', from the album 'Survival'.'

On September 21, 1980, Bob Marley performed the final show of his career, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The tour's remaining dates were canceled as Marley sought treatment for his spreading cancers. Marley was buried on the island with full state honors on May 21, 1981.

Here's a list of his international influences: Johnny Nash re-recorded 'Stir It 'in 1971, and it hit the UK charts in '72. Amnesty International used the single 'Get Up, Stand Up' as its anthem, features Peter Tosh on vocals. Another Marley creation, 'I Shot the Sheriff', was recorded by the legendary rock/blues guitarist Eric Clapton and gave Clapton his first number one US single. The

anti-racist 'War', with lyrics taken from a speech by Emperor Haile Selassie made in California on February 28, 1978 became an unofficial anthem of the guerrilla fighters in South Africa.

On October 4, 1980, Stevie Wonder's tribute to Bob Marley, the reggaefied "Master Blaster (Jammin')," entered the singles charts, eventually topping the R&B chart for seven weeks and peaking at #5 on the pop chart.

In a savage twist that Tuff Gong himself would have smiled at, Marley's pacifist reggae anthem, "One Love," was adapted as a theme song by the Jamaican Tourist Board, a remarkable about-face for a society where Rastafarians and their music had once been reviled and suffered physical abuse at the hands of the agents of the Jamaican government,

Marley's 'Zimbabwe' tune was inspirational to the Zimbabwe National Liberation Army (ZANLA) freedom fighters.The electronic drum machine employed on a version of 'No Woman No Cry' qualified that single as a widely regarded rock classic.

The hurricane relief concert in London in 1988 used 'Smile Jamaica' as its theme

song. Bob Marley Day is celebrated in Toronto and in Zimbabwe, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Berkley and Washington D.C.

In Addis Ababa, he is thought of as a modern reincarnation of the ancient Ethiopian church leader, the Holy Yared. Marley struggled in favour of history in defending Emperor Haile Selassie even in the dark days when it was almost considered as a subversive act to utter the name Selassie I. Marxist officers overthrew Selassie's feudal government in 1974 and he died a year later. Under dictator Haile Mariam Mengistu, whose government killed tens of thousands of its critics, it was taboo to speak of the emperor, or of his family, who were exiled until Mengistu was himself toppled in 1991. In a fitting twist of poetic justice, Marley's 60th birthday anniversary was celebrated in Ethiopia, last year.The celebrations move to the west African nation of Ghana which will host this year's Africa Unite Bob Marley celebration show. Plans are in the pipeline to stage the Bob Marley 62nd birthday celebrations in South Africa in 2007.

On a mountainside above Lima, Peru, carved in huge letters, are the words 'Bob Marley is King'. Maori, Tongan and Samoan islanders have formed a band called Herbs to sing Bob's 'songs of freedom'.

In 2001, on Bob Marley Day in Hollywood, the late reggae superstar claimed his own bit of real estate in the land of the rich and famous. He was accorded the 2171st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Historic Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry of which the reggae king was totally worthy. According to a Gleaner article written by Andrew Clunis published February 8, 2001, "significant of the nature of the man, the massive gathering could have represented the United Nations, as Rastas of all nationalities and general fans from all walks of life transformed 7081 Hollywood Boulevard into a kaleidoscope of red, gold and green".

Such was the awesome force of the man!

Bob Marley is indeed one of the greatest artistes of all music forms of the 20th century. Marley's influence on the worldwide music scene is undeniable, having been inducted in Rolling Stone's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 19, 1994, a first for any artiste from a Third World nation. Bono of U2 was his presenter, and Rita Marley accepted the award on behalf of her late husband.

He was also dubbed Time magazine's artiste of the century, and One Love was dubbed 'Song of the Millennium' . Marley's Legend album, which features some of the most popular Bob Marley & the Wailers standards, is by far the largest selling Jamaican album internationally, selling over 10 million copies in the United States.

Marley combined his own particular spirituality with his intimate knowledge of the deprivation and social injustice which, to some extent, still exist in local ghettos. Marley's lyrics are all at once a call to political action, rebellion, religious mysticism and universal love and brotherhood delivered in hypnotic rhythms that carry an unmistakable signature.

He will not be forgotten. Ever.

Greensleeves Recording artiste Macka Diamond is sitting pretty at the top of the Jamaica weekly top 30 chart with the number one song 'Bun Him' done in combination with Black-er for second consecutive weeks.

Ever since its release dancehall lovers have gravitated to the song like wildfire. Women have been using it as their 'mouthpiece' to get their feelings across. No wonder it has quickly climbed its way to the top of the chart.

The last time Macka rose to the top of the charts was in 2004 with 'Done Already' on the thriller rhythm.

Setting trend is not new to this versatile and talented DJ as she created history by being the first Jamaican born female artiste to sign an album deal with Greensleeves and is currently working on her debut album to be released on March 27, 2006.

The 18-track effort will see 'Bun Him' being the lead off single. The album will also see Macka working with top class dancehall producers such as Don Corleon, Scatta, Christopher Birch, Robert Livingston, Dave Kelly and more.

Macka has recorded a number of songs that has endeared her into the hearts of dancehall lovers. Among those that helped to catapult and keep at the top are songs such as 'Tek Con' on the After Effect rhythm (G-String), 'Chase Money' on the Bad Gal rhythm (Madhouse/Atlantic), 'Lexus and Benz' on the the Chaka Chaka rhythm (Fire Links), 'Mr. Tecki Back' on the Military rhythm (Echo Productions) and 'Boopsie' on the Spanish Fly rhythm (Greensleeves), all have slotted spaces on reggae playlists across Jamaica, USA, Europe and Japan.

Renowned Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander will shortly release Concrete Jungle, his second full album of Bob Marley tributes, following Stir It Up, in 1999. Both releases are on the Telarc label, the painist's recording home since 1999.

The disc, set for relase in March, was recorded at the legendary Tuff Gong studios. Among the tracks included on the set are Forever Lovin' Jah, Babylon System, Africa Unite, Trench Town and the title track. Guest artistes include Luciano, Junior Jazz and trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, of the renowned New Orleans jazz family.

Since signing with Telarx in 1999, Alexander has often alternated between more straight-ahead jazz albums and the reggae-driven fusion exemplified on Concrete Jungle and Stir It Up.

In 2004, he teamed with another Jamaican music icon, Ernest Ranglin to record Rocksteady, a collection of Jamaican classics from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Ranglin, who also has a solo deal with the label, released Surfin' in 2005

In early January, Kartel hosted a highly successful stage show/dance to commemorate his birthday at a club in Brooklyn. The event featured the likes of Mr. C from HOT 97, Bobby Konders, Jabba, Cipher Sound, Steelie Bashment, Tec 9 and Cinemax.

"The club was packed beyond capacity, and I loved how my fans came out to support me and celebrate with me, so right now, I am planning to make the Vibes Party an annual calendar event in New York, and not just in Brooklyn, it can be Queens or any other borough...New York ah my place now," the deejay whose hit song, 'Emergency' is widely regarded by critics and detractors alike as one of the best social commentary dancehall songs recorded in 2005.

The deejay will be returning to the United States next week between February 8-11 for a series of shows that will see him performing in the state of Texas, as well as the cities of Orlando, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia.

By: Jigga YardFlex Reporter

Legendary singer Brent Dowe of Mellodians fame died suddenly of a heart attack last Sunday, January 28. He was 59 years old.

It is hard, but we are trying to cope. He didn't have any heart conditions, he drinks a lot and smokes a lot, the autopsy showed his arteries were black. We have four kids together, the youngest is four years old," his wife of 6 years, Sonia Dowe told YARDFLEX yesterday. The couple had been together for 29 years.

"I loved him a lot, he was a good man, loving husband, good father...a tremendous singer...I'm going to miss him so much."

The funeral will be held on February 12th at a venue yet to be announced.

Dowe was known for the smash hits 'Sweet Sensation', and 'Little Nut Tree', but it is the spiritually charged 'Rivers of Babylon' with its haunting, looping rhythm for which the Mellodians will be forever known.

The local music fraternity was shocked, and disheartened as news of Dowe's death spread.

"I knew that he was kinda overweight, but it still came as a terrible shock to me. I am going to miss him, we grew up together in the sixties, and we had a good relationship, 'cause we used to congregate at the same places and so on. He had a phenomenal career with big hits such as 'Rivers of Babylon' with Mellodians who were a great group because Porky can lead, and Tony and J could also lead. It's a big loss," Ken Boothe told YARDFLEX.

Dawn Henry of DNA Productions, which does bookings for a number of vintage artistes, was also saddened by the news.

"He was an excellent performer, and writer, and a good showman. He really left a tremendous legacy behind and I spent all of Sunday listening to Bob Clarke play Mellodians songs last Sunday, and I was blown away by the great songs they had," she said.