Top dancehall group for 2006, Voice Mail, will this weekend participate in a number of pre and post parties associated with the Super Bowl sporting series in the Florida, USA.

In a release, group member Oneil Edwards was quoted saying 'We are happy to be going off to attend the Super Bowl series. We were specially invited by the organizers to come and party with the stars. It's an opportunity for us to maximize as best as we can'.

Voice Mail capped off a successful year in 2006. The group topped the charts for three weeks with their debut album Hey which was released by VP Records. The first single Get Crazy hit the top 10 on the charts. But it was the single Let's Dance produced by Donovan Bennett on the Higher Altitude rhythm, which soared to the top of the charts.

Additionally, Voice Mail snagged an endorsement deal with mobile giant bmobile. "We signed up with bmobile and it has been a great experience for us. We also signed an endorsement with Bashco', Edwards pointed out.

Voice Mail's sophomore album Hello is to be released later this year. The album will feature production work from luminaries including Tony 'CD' Kelly, Danny Champagnie, Rohan 'Sno Cone' Fuller, Donovan 'Don Corleon' Bennett, Big yard, Nigel Staff and Christopher Birch among others.

Said Edwards, 'Our debut album Hey did well for us in Japan where it went gold. It allowed us to tour many places around the world'.

Last year, Voice Mail performed in the US, Canada, England, Japan, Guyana, Cayman, Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago.

Later this month, the members of the group will head to Japan to commence a photo shoot for their forthcoming album.

Claude Mills
Freelance Journalist

There will be a seismic shift in the reggae universe as of July 28th, 2007.

Why, you ask.
Well, that is the earliest possible release date for Jah Cure, the singer known for huge hits such as 'True Reflections' and 'Love Is'.
YardFlex confirmed that the singer could be released on this date.
"Jah Cure's earliest date of release (EDR) is July 28, 2007 and his latest release date (LDR) in July 18, 2011," Major Richard Reese, Commissioner of Corrections, told YardFlex earlier this week.

"As long as there are no institutional breaches or any serious breaches committed which warrant a serious investigation before this date, he should be released at this time, on July 28th, 2007."

Jah Cure was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on April 26, 1999, for two counts of rape, robbery with aggravation, and illegal possession of firearm, all arising from the same incident. He received this sentence at age 19. He will be 27 years old when he is released.
"If he commits a breach while released on EDR, the prosecuting judge would take into account his previous conviction and he could get a longer penalty," Major Reese reasoned.

The Commissioner said he did not know if Jah Cure would come up before the parole board before his release date. One prominent entertainment female personality actually commented: "Why is it that Jah Cure who is a criminal is applauded by members of this society for a heinous crime committed against women? Jah Cure must serve his full sentence, I don't care what he sings, he has not apologized, and any man who could do such a vicious act deserves to remain in prison for a long time. Where do people get off with this 'Free Up Jah Cure!" foolishness?!"

Two years ago, Jah Cure was buffeted by an avalanche of bad press arising from an interview conducted by a Gleaner reporter with his victim. Women's groups were particularly incensed by a follow-up interview where he seemed to be less than penitent about his conviction.

Last year, combination singles 'Nah Build Great Man' with Fantan Mojah hit local charts while the combination with Gentleman, 'Share the Love' hit the top ten of the Choice FM charts in London.
Jah Cure is a very bankable star and his release will start earnest jockeying by promoters and producers in the entertainment fraternity to use his considerable talents. There is already talk that he may appear on this year's Reggae Sunsplash and could provide a shot in the arm for reggae music which lacks a major international star since the death of Bob Marley.

By: Tonya Russell

Plymouth in Tobago will certainly be buzzing with activity this April 27th - 29th as the 3rd annual Jazz Festival is geared and ready to go. With a line-up that instantly attracts the real soul and reggae lovers headlining the weekend event is the exceptional talent of Sir Elton John, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross among other musical entities.

Kicking off the musical weekend will be the gentlemen who brought the sexy back into music. We're talking about Ladies Love Cool James more popularly known as LL Cool J and the Caribbean's own Sean Paul.
The epitome of sexy, LL Cool J is an important figure within the hip hop community, and is one of a few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released 12 albums and a greatest hits album so far. LL Cool J brings not only his fabulous abdomen and enviable lips to Tobago but the promise of sultry R&B ballads that he will most certainly belt out for his ladies.

The Caribbean's own Sean Paul, nominated for four awards at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, including male artist of the year, rap artist of the year, hot 100 single of the year, and pop single of the year for his hit "Temperature" wouldn't miss this festival for the world. Sean Paul undoubtedly will get the crowd 'willie-bouncin' and dancing on Friday. Showtime 7pm and tickets cost $US90 General and $US120 VIP.

On Saturday the festival will showcase four powerhouse ladies as well as one special gentleman. The iconic and always timely Gladys Knight: ranked number eighteen in the Guinness Book of World Records' list of the most successful female musical artists of all time; the original 'Dreamgirl' herself Diana Ross: one of the most successful female artists of her era, due to both her solo work and her tenure as lead singer of Motown girl group The Supremes during the 1960s; The first lady of R&B Mary J. Blige, The reigning queen of Broadway musicals and T&T native Heather Headley and of course the originator of lovers rock, Mr. Beres Hammond. Show starts at 5pm and tickets are $US125, $US155VIP.

On Sunday, the 29th day of April and sadly the final day of the jazz festival, Tobago welcomes Earth, Wind and Fire: the world-renowned American band which gave you "Shining Star", "Got to Get You into My Life" "After the Love Has Gone" and "Let's Groove"; The Reverend Al Green: who sings ever so sweetly "Lets Stay Together", "Put a Little Love in Your Heart", “Look What You Done for Me" and "You Ought to be with Me" and Sir Elton John: who's career spans over five decades with over 250 million records sold over 50 Top 40 hits, making him one of the most successful musicians of all time. Tickets for this star studded night cost $US150 for General admission and $US180 for VIP. Showtime is 4pm.

The third staging of the Plymouth Jazz Festival promises rave entertainment all within a relaxed atmosphere. Weekend passes are available at a cost of US$340 general admission and US$430 for VIP. VIP ticket holders will have exclusive food vending access, enjoy free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and have an exclusive entrance. With all hotels located only 15-25 minutes away from the feature event, patrons will enjoy the full-bodied arrangements of all the featured acts.

In the latter part of 2007, Tad's Records International released the debut album for Mr. Perfect titled 'Gidimani'. Loaded with conscious tunes, the album has been holding its own among the many albums released last year, and continues to be a hot item for music lovers.

The album features tracks like 'Hand Kart Bwoy', 'Johnny', 'How Come', 'Amerimaka', 'No Badda Me', 'For Sure', 'All I've Got', Ganja Spliff', Eight Gangster', 'Market Place', 'Cry Me A River', 'Love Has Found It's Way', 'For Ma Family', 'Little Old Lady', 'Rasta Rebel', 'Wingless Earth Angel', Black Marcus, 'Hit Dem' and 'Tyme'.

Ever since he made his presence felt on the Irie FM's Big Break Competition, the dancehall world recognized that Mr. Perfect had something special. No wonder he walked away with the top prize in that competition.

Boosted by the win it was a confident Mr. Perfect who later on came out with his self-produced single 'Hand Kart Bwoy'. The song took off like wildfire, bringing him fully into the public's attention.

He followed up that success with 'How Come', '8 Gangstas', 'Ghetto Colour' and the very popular 'Nuh Badda Mi' which was a runaway hit for him, sitting on the local charts in the top position for five weeks.

The St. Ann-born Mr. Perfect got the attention of producer Tad Dawkin's Senior and it was then that he knew he wanted to do an album with him.

'Gidimani' was co-produced by Tad's Record International and Chalice Palace (Perfect's label).

From two of Canada's largest innovators in the music industry, Ultimate Entertainment.ca and Chris Hines Entertainment, comes the Ghetto Story Canadian Tour Starring Baby Cham! They brought you a sold out tour with Beenie Man in November 06 and Lloyd Banks in December 06, and they are doing it again. Both recent tours were successful all throughout the country and left their loyal customers hungry for more.

Leaders in today's event planning, promoting & talent booking
industry, Ultimate Ent. and Chris Hines Ent. apply a serious dedication in their work ethics.

With thriving work experiences in the past with artists such as Mobb Deep, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Fabolous, 112, Mario, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Capleton, Baby Cham and Sean Paul amongst many others, they are determined to make their
tour with Baby Cham an explicit success.

This is an 11 city tour that kicks off on Friday, Feb. 2nd in Oshawa at Le Skratch Nightclub, running throughout the first two weeks of February, with Toronto as the last stop on February 16th at the N ext Level inside The Docks. Baby Cham will be available for interviews as well as Radio and TV appearances on February 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 16th. He will also be available for any media inquiries prior to the
tour.

This national tour is set to promote Baby Cham's latest release under
Madhouse/Atlantic Records: "Ghetto Story." The album features hits such as "Ghetto Story Chapter 2" ft. Alicia Keys. The single peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 trajectory, number 15 on the Billboard's Hip Hop/R&B Singles, and number 13 on the Billboard's Rap Tracks. It received heavy airplay on MTV2 and BET as well as Canada's Muchmusic. The video peaked on BET's 106 & Park at 5, making it
one of the only reggae video's to reach the top 5 on that countdown. "Ghetto Story" also made it on the Rolling Stone's countdown this year at # 14, and Vibe at #7.

The album also features the singles "Ghetto Story Chapter 3" ft. Akon, "Tic, Toc", "Rudeboy Pledge" as well as "Boom Boom" ft. Rhianna.

Baby Cham. In Jamaica's ultra-competitive music scene, stars are born every day and fade away just as fast. But ever since the mid 1990s, Baby Cham has represented the best of cutting-edge dancehall reggae. His every release seems to bring forth new sounds, new slang, and up-to-the minute ghetto news reports guaranteed to bust the dance. Born and raised in Kingston Jamaica, young Damian Beckett survived his share of rough times along the way from Sherlock Crescent to
Waterhouse.

His love of music outweighed his talent for football and from his
teenage years he devoted himself to developing his microphone skills. Working closely with the Mad People Gang, a.k.a. Madhouse Productions, Cham blazed a trail of hardcore classics like "Many Many," "Boom Tune," and "Man & Man," which were collected on his impeccable 2000 debut album "Wow: The Story

"Hey, this is One Third saying lots of Love to all our Jamaican and international fans for all their support through out the Digicel Rising Stars competition.
We are indeed grateful for your love and patronage for the entire season. We must say a big thank you for it all.

The group would also love for you(public) to continue supporting them in every way because with the strength and encouragement from their fans, that will help them to take on the real world of music.

After emerging champions of the Digicel Rising Star competition for 2006, the group immediately it the studios to create songs that they hope will give them a break through in music fraternity.

"We presently have a new Dancehall single out entitled "Fatee", with our first music video, which is on the VIP rhythm. Do not hesitate to call your radio and TV stations and make a request for this song to be played. (RE- TV, etc.)"

The group's aim for 2007, is not only to let the public view them as the next dancehall group, but as group of talented young men who are capable of delivering any genre of music, such as lovers rock songs that are now presently in stores. This includes "True Love", "Baby Boo", "I've got a Feeling" (Digicel) - One Drop/ Cultural songs: "Candle Light", "The Call" and "Sensimenia".

"We intend to visit other areas similar to those from the competition with a blend of reggae and take music to another level, so keep the love."

Your Favourite fraction,
One Third.

Photos by: Carlington Wilmot
Photo Editor/Web Admin

Kings of Kings label, promoter and singer Colin Iley Dread Levy has harvested another hit in the pro-marijuana single West Best. Executive produced by Kings of Kings, Colin Iley Dread Levy. West Best is expected to be released on seven inch vinyl on the 27th January and will be distributed by In The Streets distribution. According to Iley Dread West Best was not scheduled to be a part of his upcoming Living Truth album, but because of the great response from the public, he decided to include it.

The single which lauds the quality herb which comes from the West end of Jamaica has been a power play for selectors and disjockeys prime time programs these days. A music video to transport the animation of the lyrics via some of the best known images associated with the topic, is being scripted and shooting expected soon. Another new release that 'West Best' follows close on heels is the optimistic 'Good News' with Turbulence and Geoffery Star. Already the music video has been shot for Good News.

At the 2006 Christmas staging of GT Taylor Extravaganza Iley Dread unleashed the single West Best to thousands in St. Elizabeth, another marijuana sympathetic parish, and was pleased with the response. He sang "last time I get a draw from St. Bess (customizing the song to fit the parish) it make me feel like I man in a mount zion/have to request another draw from St. Bess/ have to request another draw from down a west/cause it put me in the mood/to make sweet love to my empress".

It's often been said that music is the universal language. And, if that's so, no one speaks it better than Papa San. He opens his latest release, the astonishing, compelling, arresting Real & Personal, with a question that almost teases the listener to try and answer it. "Is it rock?/Is it roll?/Is it reggae?" Papa San asks, as machine-gun volley of percussion, crunching metal guitars and synths pound into play on the sizzling "More Life."

And, of course, the answer is simply, "Yes! All of the above." But the trip has only begun. It would be more accurate to just say it’s international, Jamaican, "new-school" Dancehall superstar, Papa San: back, bold, and in your face like never before. With a sound completely his own-and constantly evolving-Papa San stretches Gospel to places only he could take it.

"Dancehall" music is a highly rhythmic and rapped spin on the traditional melodic reggae groove of masters like Bob Marley, and Papa San was pivotal in birthing it on the world music scene some twenty years ago. Today, he still tips his hat to the past, and reveres his forebears-from Marley to Jimmy Cliff, and Toots & the Maytals-but Papa San has long since moved on-even since his last, award-winning smash project, God n i.

"You can't sit still, "he says. "Sure, this is still Dancehall, but it's new-school. It's some things that are familiar, and some that are brand new. It's what the Lord gives me, and what comes out of my head and my heart. And I let it take me wherever it does. There are no boundaries-to God, or to music."
In 1997, Papa San, a long-established king of Dancehall and World music, had what he describes as a supernatural visitation, and committed his life to Jesus Christ. The content of his songs changed to convey his newfound faith in the Gospel, but the mighty grooves, unforgettable hooks and mile-a-minute words and rhymes continued to soar, pour and roar forth. You can't have a culmination on a journey that never ends-and make no mistake, after 20 years and almost as many albums, Papa San has not once even slowed down-but Real & Personal is definitely the most dramatic, captivating, and downright thrill-a-minute ride in his long and preeminent career.

The album's 11 new Papa San originals each take the listener to a place of its own, and when everything stands out so distinctly, it's impossible to list any one or two stand outs. Still, if get through just "More Life" alone, and are less than dazzled and devastated, you might want to head for the nearest ER and make sure you've still living. As Papa San and a pile-driving rhythm section pound home the message of eternal life through Christ, a soulful-even sweet-female vocal ensemble moves in, above, around and through it all with a classic, too-cool and catchy, melodic chorus.

Yes, Papa San is back indeed, and kicking it harder than ever for Christ. At the speed of light, Papa San turns the whole groove around, with the other-worldly beauty of "For You Lord," as his singers float in on a gorgeous cloud of melody, and Papa San answers with a slow, penetrating rap, setting up a dialogue with the singers that continues until the two merge into one, in one of the freshest, most fearless expressions of simple and outright praises to the Almighty imaginable.

Anyone who's ever wondered about the roots of modern-day rap and hip-hop need look no further than the classic Dancehall jam, "Good to Me," as Papa San spins lightening-fast words, bone-crunching rhythm, and constantly recurring flashes of unforgettable melody into a web of worship that is nothing less than transcendent.
Having had his first smash while still just a teenager in the mid-'80s, Papa San's phenomenal, ongoing reign on international music charts earned him the nickname "Marathon Man," as it was not uncommon for him to simultaneously hold down several positions in the Top 10 at any given time, as well as to log runs at No.1 that still no reggae or Dancehall artist to date has surpassed. In 1994 he filled dance floors around the world with "The Programme," which also hit the top of the Billboard dance chart. Smash hits like "I Will Survive," "Legal Rights," "Strange" and "Maddy Maddy Cry," among many others, brought Papa San a huge audience in all the Caribbean Islands and around the world in Japan, Europe, Africa, the U.S. and more throughout the '80s and '90s.

In fact, before giving his life to the Lord and being baptized in the faith in 1997, Papa San was a popular figure in American rap circles, being credited as a pioneer by a host of rap superstars. Later connecting with fans of American hip-hop, Papa San landed numerous videos in heavy rotation on MTV. More recently, he has made guest appearances and shared stages with Gospel titans the likes of Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Trin-t-ee 5:7, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, and BeBe & CeCe Winans.

Raised in Spanish Town, just outside of Jamaica's capital, Kingston, Papa San grew up in an environment where hard work and grinding poverty was the daily norm. But fervent revelry ruled the weekends. Spearheaded by any neighborhood resident with charisma and a potent enough sound system, music, dancing and singing prevailed well into the wee hours of Friday and Saturday nights as the sounds of reggae blasted from P.A.'s loud enough to be heard and felt for many city blocks. Papa San's own father manned such a sound system every week-dubbed "Black Universe"-and his naturally gifted son soaked up the music like the Caribbean sun. The strains of reggae greats like Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and John Holt were interspersed with a wide range of American pop and rock music, from venerable crooner Nat King Cole to disco diva Donna Summer, all adding additional color to young Papa San's musical palette. By the age of only 12, he had already begun performing with artists more than twice his age, cultivating his prodigious gifts with words and music, with acclaim beyond his young imagination only a few years away.

Reared by his grandmother, and being taught the doctrines of the Rastafarian religion, Papa San explains that he never had any teaching or ministering in Christianity or the church. "As a child growing up, I always believed that if I just achieved certain material things that everything would be all right," says Papa San. "As I became older, I had lots of success. I had lots of things, and had tried lots of things, but I never found the satisfaction I had expected. I had given some bad messages in my songs, and I myself at one time had been involved with firearms, and had run-ins with the police. I had two brothers and two sisters, and both my brothers were killed in street violence. "Life began to take some different turns down roads I had never anticipated. I would have said I had a relationship with the Creator, but I was obviously moving in the wrong direction," he continues. "One day, I opened the Bible and began to read it, and the Holy Spirit started ministering to me, saying in my heart: `You need to get yourself straight. You have to get yourself right.' I wondered if God could really forgive me of my sins over all the years and accept me into His Kingdom. My wife and I went to a church and the pastor told us about Christ. My eyes began to open and I knew that I had to receive Him, regardless of what anyone else thought or said about it."

In what could safely be called the world's first new-school, Dancehall "hymn," Papa San's words punctuate an almost choir-like anthem on Real & Personal's "Oh Zion," all undergirded with reverent but relentless rhythm. As the song fades with a lone female voice-sounding both as close and distant as heaven itself-repeating the single line, "There is a place for us," the vision of unity and one-purpose of all God's people that is the heart of Papa San and Real & Personal shines brightly, with a clear and holy light. There is indeed "a place for us," and just like the singular, untouchable sound that Papa San can truly call his own, it goes infinitely farther than any preconceptions or easy definitions could begin to convey, and speaks not to just one genre or culture, but to the very heart of humankind itself.

.

Reports have emerged that R'n'B singer Brandy, pictured, was involved in a serious car accident late last year.

The star - whose 'The Boy Is Mine' duet with Monica was a global smash hit in 1998 - crashed into the back of another vehicle on December 30. The driver of the other car died a day later from their injuries, but Brandy has not been arrested.

Courtney Carnes, Brandy's representative, commented:

"Brandy was involved in a car accident December 30, 2006 in Los Angeles where there was a fatality. She wishes to publicly express her condolences to the family of the deceased. Brandy askes that you respect the privacy of everyone involved."

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, but do not believe that Brandy, despite her name, was under the influence of drink or drugs.

A known dabbler in Scientology, Brandy's last studio album (discounting a best-of), Afrodisiac, peaked at 32 in the UK albums chart.

Source: drownedinsound.com

There's this old black and white photo of Stephen Marley; it's a portrait of the lion as a young man. He's standing against a wall of bamboo rocking short hair and an '80s-style I-Threes t-shirt-puffed up and proud the way only a rebel youth can be. But there's something else in the image-something about the intensity and focus in Stephen's face even as a teen-that shows in an instant that having the last name "Marley" has nothing to do with being the son of a musical icon or an heir to a throne. It does, however, have everything to do with being an individual with a purpose.

Stephen hammers this point home with the release of Mind Control-his highly anticipated solo debut. Music heads have been up on his work for years, whether for collaborations with R&B stars like Erykah Badu or his part on the dancehall burner "It Was Written", and especially after Chant Down Babylon, the platinum-selling star-studded Bob Marley tribute he produced. But Mind Control represents a new stage in Stephen's evolution, one that brings together the genius of his production and his wise and soulful voice with hip-hop beats, smoky bass and winding keyboard runs. This is the sound of a man coming into full realization of his powers-and his legacy.

"It's a blessing to not have to stagger through life. I was born firm and conscious," explains Stephen, who was first heard on record at age six as part of the family's group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. All the Marley children share the politics and passion of their father, so Stephen needed no introduction when he stepped up to become the de facto musical hub of his father's recordings and the family's various projects around age 18. "It was a special experience but at the same time it was nothing new, because I grew up around it-so I had it," he continues. "But even though I had it, I still had to man it. And even if it's anticipated, it come when it come."

Now the wait is over, and perhaps the most surprising thing about Mind Control is just how rooted in the real world it is. Never content to simply rehash the sounds and themes of the past, Stephen uses the full length of the album to balance his range of ideas as a songwriter, musician and a man. The lead single "Mind Control" opens the album with a slow-burning groove that builds to a brushfire as it calls out the unseen social forces that still subject us to mental slavery; "Chase Dem" is even more explicit about the effect of political corruption on our lives. Stephen is never dragged under by bitterness, however: "Inna Di Red" is a poetic mystical soul search that escapes the shackles of everyday strife, while the album's title track is a family roll call that shows the unity of the Marley clan in the face of struggle.

Featuring cameos from roots-rock star Ben Harper, hip-hop hero Mos Def and younger brother Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, it's a collection of songs that range from conscious critiques of society ("Mind Control") and politics ("Chase Dem"), to the sweet and open-hearted ("Hey Baby"), to the simple and fun (the sexy, club-rocking, Latin-tinged grinder "Let Her Dance," which features Maya Azucena & Illestr8).

The softer and sweeter side of Stephen is also on full display in the album. A smooth, smart slab of hip-hop featuring a dose of Brooklyn flow courtesy of Mos Def on the album's first single, "Hey Baby," is based on a song Stephen would sing to his children to keep them from being sad while he was on tour with The Melody Makers: "Hey baby/ don't you worry/ even though the road is rocky/ I'll be coming home to you again." The hypnotic "Lonely Avenue," is a sweet, harmony vocal- and organ-soaked take on the Ray Charles classic-done Marley style. "I'm a big fan of Ray," says Marley. "I couldn't tell you the first time I heard him, but I could tell ya what I remember is hearing him and feeling him in pain." Blending modern sounds with classic roots vibes, Mind Control finds Stephen carrying the Marley legacy even further into the future with such samples as the smart piece of the Martina Topley Bird song "Sandpaper Kisses" heard throughout "You're Gonna Leave."

The album includes a trilogy of sorts ("Officer Jimmy Interlude," "The Traffic Jam," featuring Damian, and "Iron Bars," featuring brother Julian Marley, Mr. Cheeks & Spragga Benz) inspired by the few hours that Stephen and Julian spent in a Tallahassee jail in 2002 for marijuana possession: On "Iron Bars"-the song in which he sings "Let me out!/Let me out!/I'm an angry lion!"-Stephen asks himself, "What am I doing here, among the wolves? For some herb? It's like I'm a murderer. Ya know what I mean? Ya make me feel like I'm a murderer, for some herb, where, ya know, it's my culture."

Mind Control "has more magic than 'great songs,'" says Stephen mischievously. "But it has a little magic in it, still.' And perhaps more than anything that's the secret to this Marley's auspicious solo debut: the magic created when diverse roots combine in an artist's singular musical vision-when a blistering electric guitar solo slides into a bluesy harmonica riff and Stephen's wails let me out, let me out/I'm an angry lion on "Iron Bars", a collaboration with brother Julian and longtime friend the rapper Mr Cheeks-the only guest artists on the album. With the release of Got Music? that lion is out-and he's roaring.

www.myspace.com/stephenmarley
www.stephenmarleymusic.com (coming soon)

.

Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

Ah pure tings ah happen round Mavado the real mckoy. Him get arrested by the police. The man dem find gun inna him area, and then Bin Laden and him friend dem shoot up place wah day yah, same place rounda Maverly whe Alliance ah plan fi keep show, and then police go kill back Bin Laden inna 'shootout'. Tristan gets arrested and face the court wid a shooting with intent charge. Ah pure tings ah gwaan pon the mad island, people. Pure tings.

Predictions for 2007:

Munga ago be one of the next big artistes, yeah him might even go as far as a Sizzla, I wonder why Capleton have him as flag man so long when him so talented.

It's Einstein, this youth a try buss from before Gang Bang, but guess what it seems like the new girl whe him a date greed wid him because the man just find a new form, a crazy forward him song dem a get a dance. Gwaan duh yuh thing Einstein, but if yuh mess up YardFlex will be there to buss yuh secret.

Yes, this is the most intriguing one, mi know nuff people might think it's over between Kartel and Roach, but guess what I predict that Vybz Kartel and Roach will be friends again for 2007, memories don't live like people do. Remember you see it on YardFlex first.

SELAH DE A NEW YORK

Selah, mi hear say ah MTV Tempo yu ting de right now, yu game step up. Yu deh a foreign and do crazy interview pon radio and TV, and the press. Mi also hear say him get offers for a number of distribution deals, ah just him management fi choose one right now. Plus 'Lonely Girl' soon drop pon MTV, the ting billias outta road.

Rebel Salute disses Sanchez

Yes last but not least Mr.Rebel Salute how yuh have big act like Sanchez outside di venue a wait how long fi reach in the venue an den a wait di ole nite fi guh pon stage an im nuh perform? Yuh mad!! An dem security deh need fi get laid off quietly imagine tief reach all di way a Backstage an di security jus give di tief way fi pass an im nuh have neither a gun or a knife. Rebel Salute need fi rewind a NUH come again.

Question time

When Don Mafia and Beenie ah go friend back again?

And why Don Mafia picture on the front of the Mafia Bus?

Why Babylon wait so long to free The Cure?

Why the little school pickney dem a bleach out dem face so hard?

When CashFlow plan on releasing the next mix-cd?

How the Sounds of Jamaica showcase inna MIDEM do? The ting sell off?

Say what? Wah dem a try do, kill the singer? A couple of men try to ambush Singing Melody while on his way from Hellshire Beach couple nights back. During this dilemma he was shot in his left forearm, but was lucky enough to escape his attackers.

"Ah just so the ting set right now, nobody inna Jamaica no safe. The artiste dem fi just come together and start murder out the badman dem before dem kill more artiste," said Singing Melody with an angry look on his face.

YardFlex would like wish the Mr. Melody on his family all the best 2007 - It was just last the singer son Kemar was shot in the back by armed gunmen in the Waltham Park area on the Sunday before Independence last year. Our prayers are with the family at this time.

.

Chris Cracknell, who has masterminded the A&R policy at reggae specialist Greensleeves Records over the past 30 years, will be leaving the company at the end of March in order to pursue other interests.

Greensleeves was founded back in 1975, originally as a record shop in West Ealing, and went on to become one of the leading independent record companies. Artists released by the label over the years have included Dr Alimantado, Eek-A-Mouse, Yellowman, Shabba Ranks, Gregory Isaacs, Sizzla, Elephant Man and many more. Hits have included "Hello Darling" by Tippa Irie (which Chris Cracknell co-produced), "Oh Carolina" by Shaggy (a UK No. 1), "Heads High" by Mr Vegas and "Who Am I (Zim Zimma)" by Beenie Man.

Greensleeves was run as a close partnership between Chris Cracknell, who oversaw the A&R policy, and Chris Sedgwick, who looked after the business side of the company. Greensleeves was sold to public company Zest Group plc in March 2006, Chris Cracknell agreed to a one-year contract at the time of sale to ensure a smooth handover.

He would like to thank all the producers, artists, writers and business associates for "a lot of stress, a lot of strain ... and a lot of fun!" He will continue to keep in touch with reggae, and to support Zest in their drive for continued growth for the Greensleeves label.

Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

(Kingston, JA/New York/NY - 23, January 2007) Gargamel Music, Inc. is pleased to announce that Buju Banton's blazing new single "Driver A" has officially been added into rotation on Hot 97 - New York's #1 station for Hip-Hop and R&B. A classic reality tune laced on the vintage Taxi riddim, "Driver A" has been perched at #1 for six weeks on Media Guide's Reggae Specialty chart. It is the second single from Banton's 2007 Grammy-nominated album Too Bad.

In addition to the support at Hot 97, "Driver A" has also been receiving love on several stations around the country including WBLS, WFMU, WNYU and WRKS in New York, WEDR and WHQT in Miami, WLLD in Tampa, WJHM in Orlando, WJBT in Jacksonville, WMBX in West Palm Beach, WPHI in Philadelphia, WRCT in Pittsburgh, WENZ, WJCU & WRUW in Cleveland, WIZF in Cincinnati, WWOZ in New Orleans, KABF in Little Rock, WPEG in Charlotte, WOWI in Norfolk, WKNC & WNCU in Raleigh-Durham, WJMH in Greensboro, WWWZ in Charleston, KDLD in Los Angeles, XTRA in San Diego, WERS in Boston, WPHH & WZMX in Hartford-New Haven, CKEY & WBNY in Buffalo, KUST in San Francisco, KEXP in Seattle and KBOO in Portland.

Meanwhile back in Jamaica, "Driver A" is still riding high on top of the charts, holding down the #1 spot for four consecutive weeks on Jamaica's Weekly Top 30 Hit List and for three weeks in a row on Hype TV's Weekly Top 20 Reggae-Dancehall chart.

An accompanying music video to "Driver A" will be lensed in the coming weeks.

Buju Banton. Too Bad. Cop yours now!

A warrant has been issued for The Game's arrest, forcing his to postpone his upcoming tour of Canada.

The warrant was issued on January 16 after the rapper - real name Jayceon Taylor - failed to appear in court in New Year for a hearing relating to his November arrest for impersonating a police officer.

The Game's spokesperson says the hip hop star will turn himself into authorities and reschedule the tour dates.

.

AN Exclusive dvd/CD taking an in depth look into the Next Generation of dancehall superstars - Produced By Johnny Wonder

January 15th, 2007-Jamaica, NY-Record executive/producer Johnny Wonder presents the new batch of dancehall artists from Kingston, Jamaica. Armed with a camera by his side, he follows these up and coming artists as they navigate through the dancehalls and studios of Jamaica. Exclusively aired Jan. 1st on Jamaica's own Hype TV and in stores nationwide on March 6th, 2007, this DVD package provides never before seen footage of some of the most talked about artists in dancehall today, including: Busy Signal, Mavado, Aidonia, Hollow Point, Mr. Pepper, WARD 21, Alozade and Tony Matterhorn.

With over 20 years in the dancehall business, Johnny dedicates countless hours in the battlefield to bring forth the talent displayed on this compilation. From the garrisons and trenches of the island's ghettos to the international stage, he brings the insider's perspective on dancehall's underground with personal artist and producer interviews and recent performance clips from the toughest stage shows.

The full length documentary captures raw behind-the-scenes footage on each of these breaking artists, as well as, the hottest producers, like, the young talented crew, Daseca, ZJ Liquid, Marc Pinnock, Richie Feelings, Baby G and Jam 2. There is a video segment featuring clips of Busy Signal's "Step Out" & "Born & Grow", Mavado's "Dreaming", Aidonia's "Ukku", Hollow Point's "Who Goes", Mr. Peppa's "Gangster Guerilla" & "Talk," Tony Matterhorn's "Dutty Wine," and Alozade's "Bad Out Deh." Also as an added bonus, Dancehall Draft Picks offers a full audio album with some of the hardcore smashes from each emerging artist.

Hype TV, the top video show in Jamaica, officially premiered the Dancehall Draft Pick's documentary in its entirety on New Years Day. Since this preview, dancehall's biggest fans have raved over this groundbreaking footage. "I have never seen a DVD that tapped into reggae's underground quite like this. It shows you how these artists thrive in their environment...taking you inside the studios of Daseca, King Jammy, and Natural Bridge to the garrisons of Kingston and back to some of the biggest stage shows in Jamaica," says Sharon Burke from the Solid Agency.

To preview clips from the DVD documentary, click below: http://one.revver.com/watch/120856,http://one.revver.com/watch/125837/flv/affiliate/32189. For more info on this product visit Dancehall Draft Picks Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/dancehalldraftpicks or contact Tiffany Mea at tiffanym@vprecords.com.

Carlington Wilmot Photo

CHORUS
New name fi informa ah Mr Palmer
Grudge me fi X5 so mi sing dah pslams yah
Strap wid mi hamma clip longer dan banana
Bwoy come pass di corna. gunshot ring inna yu ears like llaama

VERSES: ONE
Everybody ask wha cause di vex vibe
ME on busy rise on buy two X5
Badmind - and some bwoy too canive
5 Song Mi DO True Him a Try Tek Mi Hype
Mi nuh have nuh time fi war wid him
Roach - ketch him a bow on stap par wid him
A nuh CUT UP on scar wid him
Cassava peice well A body pon tar fi him

Di bwoy too caniving
Him go check singer blinger all singer blinger hide him
Di whole portmore avoid him
From him par wid di fish dat mean one A ride him
A killer tell mi nuh SHOT him
But A same way di bwoy did badmind assassin
Spragga benz nearly gas him
Di bwoy bleach on bleach on look frassin

(SAM-polarize echo: A kartel yu kno)

Badness him nuh worthy fah
Seh him bath on and UP shorty furniture
A wha tek dah helped alien skermich yah
Di head bake fifty calibre searching fah

(SAM-polarize echo: Man A material badman)

Chat him A chat
Run leff portmore. tru A yap him A yap
Mummy wipe UP blood wid mop inna mop
A ME di devil reject mi PUT chop inna chop

BRIDGE:
Adijah di teacher bleach out like latisha
Gun rise like di ifle sen on bwoy deepa by
Meanwhile ME A rise career dem career get cheaper
Gun rise like sunrise Mi name di time keeper

VERSE TWO:
Start war and go give you f**king life up
dead wid di s**k c**ky gal weh yu a wife up
call mi name just fi fame and stripe up
inna di school bus dem seh pu**y him a bite up
but mi strap with di K with di lite up
Coppa in a face fi a bowy weh a brite up
a same way one bredda di a hype up
bullet inna gun buss him tripe up

Along time mi nuh trust him
if a killing busy mek wi go fuss him
Killer low mek mi crush him
mi a real bad man mi nuh too join di cussing
well a straight gun bussing, blood crushing, fi di doctor dem rush him
before doctor fish touch him, guns out right away trace cass rush him

Di same witch inna di kitchen
a season up di same oxtail and chicken
a muss dat dem use trick him
mek him sell out di don true him damn belly licking
mek di dawg dem bit him
caah di gun weh di bowy demus it sticking
watch di bowy guh fi slicken
when flex rise up di eagle con-evil and pick him.

CHORUS:
New name fi informa ah Mr Palmer
Grudge me fi X5 so mi sing dah pslams yah
Strap wid mi hamma clip longer dan banana
Bwoy come pass di corna. gunshot ring inna yu ears like llaama

Carlington Wilmot Photo

None a dem Pu**y deh cyah call Mr. Palmer informer,
send him to di balmer
Dis Kartel yuh ah go get murder like yuh father,
real life war unnuh rather
Mi neva kill a barber, but if ah so ah so rise di lama
Pear badman name Palmer, Tristan, Mocha from Payne Land
Wah do some pu**y wid second-hand jeep and few namebrand

Sing some funeral Psalms when mi rise dem arms yah
Feel say yuh bad come shoot up the Gaza
Real informer nuh clown Missa Palmer
You run to reporters like Lorna
You strap up wid pad not armour, go call mi name innah Gleaner
Di last man drive past yuh corner ah gully yuh chuck innah

Everybody know, informer dats what you are
Seh mi shoot up yuh ends innah my owna car
How yuh fi gimme hype when yuh beg mi par
And mi write five songs gi yuh turn yuh innah star

Talk bout bad man place, who cut yuh innah yuh damn face?
Roach tell yuh me bow, wrong man wrong place
Dahlia wipe har pu**y pon yuh long face
Copper scatta head twenty-one place

Me and Singer Blinger never stop par,
ah di don so
You dis yuh songwriter name Tanso
Him write, 'Wah dem ah seh?'
Rise up di nanko, mek yuh marrow fly like johncrow
Bout me cyah go Portmore yuh ah lip trace
Me lock di scheme from Boston to Fifth Phase
Glock paste bear fat shot innah yuh dog-face
Dump him a dyke yuh nuh deserve the morgue space

Wi chop man, wi nuh chop furniture
Di gyal yuh ah min' ah try mek her richer
She ah f**k one a my friend in your apartment, pon your bed under your picture
Ah me say Portmore have the Askela
How mi fi leff Portmore frass fella?
Earthworm please warn fin-hand bredda
Or man ah go open him head like umbrella

CHORUS
Di Teacha nuh bleacha, di chop innah yuh face yuh ah rub wid Noxema
Mofraudo memba yuh have a ba**yman bredda
And yuh madda still suffer so wah mi fi bad mind fah?

VERSE TWO:
Bout X5, mi Harrier, di beama, di Honda add up to wah, 8.8 million
Me buy a house fi mi madda, mine big like Pavillion
You come a hype bout crappy van
Memba di house weh yuh madda live likkle like patty van
Termite a nyam it like how yuh ah nyam Yvonne
Rah, yuh been acting pon, Uzi from Ackee Pond
marro nah fly dat vanish like magician

Sell out which dads, how dads fi get sell out
How dem a dads and ah nyaming michelle out
Fi him bow tongue soon fell out
When dem fling yuh through glass up ah Spring did you yell out?

Nah kill nuh man and him shot off Tiger foot
Das why God set yuh finger like a nook
Addi crack skull like egg innah oil ah cook
Dem ah nuh gangster dem ah gangster designer look

Hold on, yuh babymother name Dahlia seh yuh suck more dan mosquitos carrying malaria
Yuh nuh bad, yuh ah pussy innah bad man area,
nuh fit the criteria
Busy see mi wah day and run, but mi nah run him dung, why
Cuz if yuh run dung yuh shadow now, you will never catch it,
news bulletin

BRIDGE:
Mofraudo the failure yuh ketch di soldier man innah di house a f**k Dahlia
Yuh rush di soldier and yuh get f**ked up
People ah nuh long time ah since him buss wah day yah

"Di End of Death"

Dancehall quartet, TOK, has proven that they are consistent hit makers. Powerful harmonies, soaring leads, sinewy deejaying, tunes that hit, studly appeal, plus a canny album production that goes way beyond the usual "string together proven tunes with new tunes as filler" M.O. all the ingredients are in place and they translate into BREAK-OUT, big time.

Although former schoolmates, TOK has created a place in the Dancehall industry, which they share with no one else. Singjays, Craig "Craigy T" Thompson, Roshaun "Bay C" Clarke, Allistaire "Alexx" McAllister and Xavier "Flexx" Davidson give the group its unique edge. Starting off as a Jamaican R&B group they saw the need to appeal to the massive Dancehall populace. So Craigy T and Bay C worked assiduously to hone their deejay-ing skill.

TOK has been a member of the Dancehall fraternity for over a decade. They have successfully released two albums, the critically acclaimed, My Crew, My Dawgs and Unknown Language. Their second album, Unknown Language, was certified gold in two weeks in Japan, which went platinum shortly after.

The group is well-known for their chart toppers: Eagles Cry, Footprints, Bad Man, Galang Gal, She's Hot, Hey Ladies and Gal Yuh A Lead.

Now two albums deep, the still untitled third album is well on its way. Working with the best of the best Dancehall producers, the album, slated to be dropped later this year, is guaranteed to be a hot one. With songs like, Hotta, Bounce, Get Insane and Live It Up, the new LP is highly-anticipated.

Da'Ville continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment business. The singer who copped the coveted Stone Love award title for Singer of the Year (2006) continues to give creditable performances into the New Year.

On January 6, Da'Ville swept fans off their feet when he performed at Charlie's Place in Nassau, Bahamas. From the artiste took the stage, it was total euphoria as the females screamed and shouted as his infectiously soothing voice echoed through the microphone.

Da'Ville took them away with songs such as 'In Heaven', 'Hey Baby', 'Just A Little Girl', 'This Time I Promise', 'Can't Get Over You', 'My Grade', 'Gallis' and 'On My Mind' among others. During his performance of 'This Time I Promise' and 'Crazy', Da'Ville handed out red roses to the ladies.

The men in the audience weren't left out of the niceness of the night as they were treated to a mind stirring dancing session from a Jamaican dancer who was visiting Nassau. She demonstrated how the 'Hot Wuk' and 'Dutty Wine'

dances were done, as the men cheered her on.

Fans departed Charlie's fully satisfied and will forever have Da'Ville on their minds.

The video for Gyptian's hit single, 'My Fadah Seh', was recently shot on location in his hometown of King Weston, St Andrew.

The song, released by Real Lyfe Music Productions, is the first for Gyptian on the label, since penning a management agreement with them.

Directed by Asha Mchail and Raul Reid, the video showcases Gyptian's father, and residents of the King Weston community. 'My Fadah Seh' has been receiving favorable reviews and burning up airwaves in Jamaica and the US.

According to VP Records, Gyptian's 'Beautiful Lady' video has now been added to MTVu, the college network, and will go up for voting on January 26th, to determine the reaction among students.

'My Name Is Gyptian', his debut album, is on Playboy Magazine's list as a nominee for 'Best World Music' album. The winner will be published in Playboy's April Music Issue.

MySpace is now officially the leading website for networking. Whether you are an artist or just a bored housewife looking to make a friend.

For an artist who is still unsigned, Gyptian's numbers on MySpace for a little over a year, is extremely impressive.
One million and a half listens to his music...[that's platinum plus gold] ;)
Over ten thousand comments...
and, over 42,000 friends.
Now...that's a hot new artist right there.

In The Zone TV

After two successful seasons of their nationally broadcast television show, the Montreal based multi-media production company RASE TV will soon launch season III of In The Zone. The show has been heralded as Canada's premiere Caribbean music entertainment program. The all new season is slated to hit the screen in April 2007.

Over 6 million nationwide are treated to half an hour of the latest Caribbean music videos, interviews, a definitive Caribbean dictionary, a weekly entertainment scoop and a top music pick of the week.

Season III continues with lead hosting by Lydia Patel, the people's choice award winner from the 2006 Miss Caribbean Canada competition and co-host Don Smooth heard on the FM dial Monday thru Thursday in Montreal.

Excerpts of hosted segments from season II and III will be web cast on RASE TV's home site, www.rasetv.ca.

In The Zone radio

Complimentary to the television broadcast is the weekly radio program, In The Zone. The radio show incorporates reggaeton, kompa, and a vintage week every month within a stream of reggae and soca hits, pre-releases and other exclusives.

In February 2007 In The Zone radio show will make a transition from the commercial AM based station CFMB over to the commercial FM based station CKDG in Montreal.

"Our previous listeners will get the same high octane show conducted by Lisa and me". New listeners will be amazed!" says Prymtym, co-founder of RASE TV. Lisa J & Prymtym host the show along with entertainment reporter, Lydia Patel.

The producers are currently building an online archive of past shows equipped with playlist info for Caribbean music lovers to recall the program on demand.

Canadian Reggae Star Zulu Blak

In collaboration with Shocking Vibes productions, RASE TV congratulates, Jamaican born artist Zulu Blak as the grand prize winner of the 1st ever Canadian Reggae Star talent search. Zulu Blak will release a Shocking Vibes produced single as part of his grand prize win.

Jamaica is a small, beautiful island that has been plagued with hard, violent times. No doubt, blessed with talent and man-power, Jamaica is struggling to keep our people's head above water, and let peace, love and unity reign. So to take a step further towards that ultimate goal, Ghetto Youths International is presenting, "Smile Jamaica".

Smile Jamaica is a live-band concert scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 10, during Bob Marley week (Sunday, February 4 - Sunday, February 11). It takes place in Bob Marley's birthplace at Nine Miles, St. Ann. Already confirmed to appear are: The Marley Brothers (Stephen, Ky-Mani, Julian and Damian), Cocoa Tea, Bounty Killa, Perfect, Chezidek, Wayne Marshall and Etana.

This should be a momentous occasion as this is the first time that these four Marley Brothers will be performing on the same stage in Jamaica. They will do their own sets and will definitely bring a different vibe to the island.

This is not the first "Smile Jamaica" concert, held in Jamaica. In December 5, 1976, Bob Marley headlined the show at National Heroes Park in Kingston. Despite being attacked the night before, he murmured that he would only do one song, but once he started with War, he ended up doing a ninety-minute long performance. Eighty thousand persons were present. The vibe of that show is described as "buoyant and positive" and this one will be in keeping with that.

Other events being planned by the Bob Marley Group of Companies for the celebration of Bob Marley's 62nd birthday include symposiums, a film show, a concert; to be held at the Bob Marley Museum, Tuff Gong International, Culture Yard in Trench Town and Nine Miles.

By: Secret Agent

While dancehall fans here in Jamaica have been wrapped up in the frantic tit-for-tat jabbing between feuding artistes, and the dangerous overtones now being carried in the lyrics, they have ignored some progressive moves being made in, for, and on behalf of the music.

The MIDEM Music conference kicks off in Cannes France this weekend with mouth-watering plans being discussed by the local players who will be attending.

MIDEM is the premier arena for music moguls who are serious about inking business deals, sealing distribution arrangements, and exploring technological innovations. These are common at this festival, and Jamaicans are jumping on the wagon heavily this year.
Apart from the regular string of top shot producers, lawyers, and industry players, representatives from the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission have joined the parade as well. Also in the mix is a special set of young artistes including Oba Simba, Etana, Nanko, and Omar Reid, all considered still 'green' on the local circuit.

Developments in the music are virtually changing the business, and it appears that not many of the artistes and fans here have made full use of it. The world wide web has allowed artistes to post and broadcast themselves and their music to the world at any time and from almost any place.

With the advent of Podcasts, File sharing, and Blogging, where ring tones and tunes are shuffled around from gadget to gadget between friends, aggressive and smart marketing is needed for local artistes to establish themselves worldwide.

At the recent Press Launch for MIDEM, Geejam Studio's John Baker said times are different now, and local acts must cash in on it.

"The industry is very different now," he remarked. "We're actually going through an apocalyptic change and it's a very positive thing for Jamaica...The Record business is being monopolized by major corporations for many years. Gradually they're swallowing each other up which leaves people like us to develop independent entities again, through digital means."

Many artistes here make tons of cash annually, so they're able to comfortably invest in technology and pay for unconventional marketing. Bearing these rapid changes worldwide, why aren't more of them using the technology more often to launch themselves in other markets?
Attorney-at-law Lloyd Stanbury feels the old ways of the music business are limited in today's cutting edge world.

"The business is changing, pretty soon not many people will be going to a record shop," he declared at the launch.
"It's no longer about getting a record deal from a company, it's about finding a way to get your music to the kids, who are kicking."

With 2007 starting with this conference, hopefully the seeds will bear fruit for 2007. This could probably be the proverbial hand that dancehall pundits have been crying for to slap some sense into the dancehall business, so it can focus on making more money, rather than enduring only on hype and horror.

The response to the Hot Wuck has by far exceeded Vegas' expectations of the song. He is amazed at the buzz that is still surrounding it after dominating the latter part of 2006. 'Hot Wuck is now sitting pretty at the number one spot on the New York Chart.

On Youtube.com the video is enjoying as much as over 200,000 hits from enthusiastic fans of the dance, not to mention his Sting 2006 performance which is on the site and enjoying just as many hits.

But the singjay doesn't have the time to revel in its success as he has a full calendar of performances lined up for the rest of this month and going into next month.

This weekend Vegas will be shooting the video for 'Raging Bull' another song that is tearing the dancehall scene apart right now. Under the direction of Richard Delaphena the singjay is expecting the buzz to be even greater after its premier.

On January 26 Vegas will be performing on Spectrum, the following day, January 27 he is slated to perform in Bahamas. He returns to the island only to gear up again for Trinidad Carnival where he will be unleashing the remixed soca version of the 'Hot Wuck'.

Those songs should be enough to keep the singjay very busy and happy but he just keeps coming with the hot tunes! His latest release 'To The Bank' with Opal which is recorded on the same riddim as Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable' is getting some crazy rotation on radio right now.

Among his other popular songs hotting up the scene also are 'Nuh Friend From Dem', 'Teck Whey Yuself',

'Gangsta' and 'Lean Wid It'.

The long-awaited, unprecedented and extraordinary live concert in Atlanta, themed "Reggae Sensations" includes performances by an all-star line-up of legendary and prolific reggae idols. This 27-city, eight-week "For the Love of It" Tour was kicked off on January 3 in San Francisco, CA, and is crisscrossing the USA, making stops in major cities such as Colorado, Chicago, Hartford, Miami, New York, Orlando and, our hometown, metro-Atlanta.

ABOUT BERES

Beres Hammond: a living legend and prolific singer, songwriter and producer with a reggae music career spanning more than 30 years. Beres Hammond has poured his smoky-sweet voice-an instrument of subtlety and power reminiscent of an Otis Redding, Luther Vandross or a Teddy Pendergrass-over every kind of music track, from the funked-up reggae jams of the '70s, to the lush instrumentation of soul sounds, as well as the spare digital beat of his 1985 dancehall breakthrough "What One Dance Can Do." Unlike any other reggae artist, Beres Hammond has blazed a trail of modern classics for a variety of producers, from the strugglers' anthem "Putting Up Resistance" (Tappa) to lovers' laments like "Come Back Home" (Star Trail) and "Double Trouble" (Steely & Clevie).

Beres's sophisticated musical taste is well suited to translate easily across cultural divides, yet the international reggae massive has remained his most loyal fan base. Among his many collaborative hits are stints with Buju Banton and Maxi Priest's first American hit, "How Can We Ease the Pain," in 1990. A brief encounter with Elektra Records in 1994 yielded the excellent album In Control with its R&B-flavored single "No Disturb Sign." To this date, Beres Hammond has continuously delivered hit songs that ease the mind and move the soul.

ABOUT MARCIA

Marcia Griffiths: known as the "Empress of Reggae music," this recording superstar has a career spanning 40 years to date and still going strong. She hits high points internationally as a soloist and as a duo with Bob Andy, as Bob and Marcia. She has toured the world as a member of the I-threes with Bob Marley and the Wailers. Subsequently, as a soloist, she hit the Billboard chart with the "Electric Boogie Song" and created a world class dance, the Electric Slide.

Leon and the Peoples: Multi-talented actor Leon, best known for starring roles in The Temptations, The Five Heartbeats, Cool Runnings and The Little Richard Story is also a singer/songwriter, who has led the "Peoples" band in developing their signature sound. The Peoples Band features top-notch musical talent, high energy live performances and a commitment to sharing the reggae-soul sound and spirit to a world-wide audience. Leon passionately leads the band with his smooth and sultry vocals to heartfelt lyrics, many of which he has personally written.

"This is a great opportunity for us to be touring with reggae stalwart Beres Hammond. Beres has had such a long and distinguished career in the industry and is such a great performer. He is one of the best singer/songwriters and my personal favorite" Leon was quoted as saying.