Likkle Lightning Wraps Up U.S.A Tour & Gets Ready To Head Back To Jamaica (@likklelightning)

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Tony Rebel & Likkle Lightning in Atlanta

For the past few weeks Likkle Lightning has been travelling in and around the U.S.A performing and promoting his music. He has been to several States including New York, Atlanta, New Orleans and Alabama where he was either booked to perform or engaged in some promotional activity. The recent series of events have been significant for Lightning’s career as he has had the opportunity to connect, and in some cases work with some of Jamaica’s most notable names in music: Tony Rebel, Warrior King, Everton Blender and that is just to name a few.

Upon his return to Jamaica in late July, Likkle Lightning will focus his attention on completing his album which he intends to have ready by September of this year. The project will be released on his very own label, SonHi Productions, where he is credited not just as a song writer but also as a producer.

New Dancehall Video: Konshens – 1000 Forward / Suh Mi Program (@KonshensSojah)

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

At the beginning of June Konshens released a double video for his tracks ‘1000 Forward’ and ‘Suh Mi Program.’ Both songs are lyrically aggressive and seem to be very personal. Though there are some negative undertones to ‘1000 forward’ the record does encourage independence and hard work.

“No boy nah put on man pot round a yard so me nuh too matter who nuh like me when me talk Man a independent yute weh work hard” sings Konshens under his own imprint label, Subkonshus Music.

WIZ Records Pays Tribute with the Middle Passage Soca Riddim (@ITSDRUE)

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

WIZ Records presents its newest hit soca compilation Middle Passage Riddim, available worldwide from all major digital retailers on July 10, 2015.

Producer Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell, who is at the helm of WIZ Records, is enjoying success with his releases, which are mainstays on soca charts and playlists and have been taking center stage at the various carnival celebrations around the Caribbean and world.

Featuring eight sizzling songs along with the instrumental version, Middle Passage Riddim showcases soca sensations Ricardo Drue, Pupa Leendi, Terra Kid,Shortpree, Lavaman, Supa Mario, Nubiaan, Muddy and Sheldon Douglas.

The Afrobeat-infused soca rhythm pays tribute to the profound journey of ancestors from Africa to the Caribbean, and scores another set of hits for WIZ Records, just in time for Grenada’s own carnival season known as Spicemas, which is currently underway.

TRACK LIST

1. Ricardo Drue – No Shame (Dirty)
2. Ricardo Drue – No Shame (Clean)
3. Pupa Leendi – Rumedy
4. Supa Mario – Living Meh Life
5. Lavaman – D Flow
6. Terra Kid and Muddy – You Do Me
7. Nubiaan – Connection
8. Shortpree – Diss Mas
9. WIZ Records – Middle Passage Riddim (Instrumental)

BERES HAMMOND & MONTY ALEXANDER TO PERFORM AT REGGAE JAZZ FEST (@BeresHammondOJ @MontyHKE)

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Monty and Beres

With Festival season in full effect Jammins Events has planned a fest of their own, “Reggae Jazz Fest”. A two day, two city festival for all jazz and classic reggae lovers alike. The “Reggae Jazz Fest” will include a live performance from Reggae Legend, Beres Hammond and his House of Harmony band along with the performance of a lifetime from Reggae-Jazz pianist Monty Alexander. The first show will take place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in downtown Newark,NJ on Friday, July 31st and the second show will take place at the newly renovated Kings Theatre in Brooklyn,NY on Saturday, August 1st.

Hugh Beresford Hammond musical career spans over 40 years and has had a remarkable uphill climb both on the musical charts and in the hearts of reggae lovers around the globe with chart topping hits and noteworthy collaborations. Throughout each era, Beres Hammond’s music has been the anthem for the reggae generation starting in the 70’s with songs like “One Step Ahead” and continuing in the 80’s with tunes like “Groovy Little Thing”, “What One Dance Can Do,” “Settling Down” and the unforgettable duet with Maxi Priest “How Can We Ease the Pain”. In the 90’s Beres topped the charts with songs like “Tempting to Touch”, “Is This a Sign” and “Respect to You Baby”. Within this decade, Beres Hammond has outdone himself releasing several albums which included hits such as “Putting up Resistance”, “No Disturb Sign” and the nostalgic melody of “Rockaway”. Beres most recent contribution to his musical vault is the “One Love One Life” album released in 2012. Beres has performed worldwide including notable NYC music venues such as the Theatre at Madison Square Garden, Barclay Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Radio City Music Hall, Forest Hill Stadium and many more

Self-taught Pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring and fusing the worlds of American jazz, popular song with the music of his native home Jamaica. To date Alexander has recorded over 70 albums as a leader. Alexander has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe and entertainment world: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare, among others. Alexander has toured the world including historic NYC music venues: Lincoln Center, Blue Note, and Carnegie Hall. In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Monty Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador.

Jammins Events possess a historic 28 years of experience in concert promotion and production in the US and on an international platform. Lead by George Crooks, founder and president, Jammins has successfully evolved into one of the premier event management and marketing companies based in New York. The width and breadth of the company’s expertise in indoor and outdoor events grows every year.

After Jammins Events’ sold out Mother’s Day Weekend in Kings Theatre, Reggae Jazz Fest is the latest anticipated show coming to New York & New Jersey. Seats for Reggae Jazz Fest are selling quickly. Doors open on Friday, July 31 at NJPAC at 7pm and on Saturday, August 1st at Kings Theatre at 8pm, Showtime is one (1) hour after doors are opened. Tickets for the #ReggaeJazzFest range from $69-$125 and are available for purchase now online on http://www.ticketmaster.com / http://www.njpac.org / http://www.kingstheatre.com or through your local ticket outlets. There is also the highly requested iEarMedia VIP Experience package which includes transportation to concert venue, meet & greet, beverages, pre-party access and additional features. For more information and tickets call 718.282.8041. Reggae Jazz Fest will be the a memorable way for the Tri-State to celebrate their love for Reggae and Jazz music and this is only the beginning!

GROOVIN IN THE PARK – NEW YORK’S PREMIER REGGAE & R&B SUMMER CONCERT PROMISES TO BE BIGGEST YET

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Billy Ocean

Organizers of New York City’s premier reggae and R&B summer festival, Groovin In The Park are extremely pleased with preparations for the 2015 installment which unfolds at Roy Wilkins Park on Sunday, June 28. With the success of last year’s event which pulled a record 20,000 patrons, the question is can they repeat and deliver an even bigger festival for 2015?

Thanks to meticulous planning and delivery on promise each year, Groovin’ in the Park now has a huge concert fan base who look forward to each year’s production. So far, patrons have embraced the star studded lineup with includes Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Michael Bolton, R&B sensation Billy Ocean, Morgan Heritage, Coco Tea, Luciano, Stitchie, Capleton and Judy Mowatt.

Stitchie

“We got off to an early start this year and I am happy to report that we are ahead of schedule in areas that are critical to having a successful festival” said Christopher Robert, founder and CEO of Groovin Inc.

Roberts noted that “Ticket sales are brisk; we have all our vendors in place, and we are going beyond the call of duty to ensure that the grounds are prepared. We are not leaving anything to chance.”

The superbly professional technical standards that the festival has set for executing this extravaganza has re-defined expectations for all other music festivals in the region.

“We have gone to great lengths to package a powerful and memorable event. All the artistes are upbeat and are ready to deliver first class performances. Our production team is also prepared to deliver the best lighting and sound ever” he said.

Barry-G

The addition of Boggieman’ ‘Barry G’ Gordon, the current ruler of afternoon radio in Jamaica as MC has spiked interest from Jamaicans in the Diaspora who grew up on the island in the 70’s, 80’s ad 90’s. Many people who grew up in Jamaica during the era, still talk with glee about the intense clashes Gordon had with Kiss FM’s David Rodigan from London, England.

Presenting sponsor of Groovin’ In The Park is the Door Restaurant. Supporting sponsors include The Smoke House, TD Bank, SQPA, Nutrament, Caribbean Foods Delight Inc, BullZii Marketing, Groovin’ Radio, Laparkin Shipping, Tower Isle Patties and VP Records. Log on to http://www.groovininthepark.com or http://www.groovinradiony.com for more information.

Hip-hop veterans The Roots and Erykah Badu took Philly audience on a journey in Hip-hop’s history (@fatbellybella @theroots)

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Erykah Badu and The Roots Live at Roots Picnic 2015, Photo by Mel D. Cole

At this year’s annual The Roots Picnic held in Philadelphia only a few days ago, Erykah Badu backed by The Roots band (with lead man Black Thought) delivered a mind blowing set. They took the audience into what seems like a time machine, performing some of the biggest hip-hop tracks from the past. Throughout their set they periodically invited other artists to join them on stage for particular songs. If you are a lover of real, authentic, honest hip-hop, relax and press play:

Dancehall Artist Talks About Being Loyal To One Woman (@akafareal)

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Road Runnaz Ent. recording artiste Fa’Real has now earn his spot on the list of new dancehall sensations to watch for 2015 and beyond.

The young and talented artiste who hails from Jamaica is now riding on a high with his latest release titled “Only One” produced by Hype Yawz Production Records “Its joy to see that success is now shining in my direction after all the hard work my team and I have put in day in, day out,” says Fa’Real.

He continues, “This is just the beginning of great things to come and with the continuous support of my team, friends and family, wi ago lef a legacy to be proud of.” Fa’Real’s song “Only One” which is quickly picking up steam and becoming a female anthem, is already in the process of putting together plans for the shooting of the video. Visuals has become a very essential part of increasing audience reach.

The song is inspired by real events as I mature and become wiser, I gain the knowledge to appreciate and be loyal to just one woman who fits the missing puzzle to my life.