Sly Dunbar (drums) and Robbie Shakespeare (bass), the arrangers, producers, songwriters, session musicians and developers of raw talent, are widely acknowledged as ‘the world’s greatest rhythm section’. ‘The Riddim Twins’ have been together for over 40 years….between them they are estimated to have played on or produced over 200,000 recordings. Their list of collaborators is a veritable who’s who – there’s every prominent Jamaican artist from Beenie Man to Sean Paul to Peter Tosh, Don Carlos, Michael Rose, Junior Reid, Shaggy, Cherine Anderson, Bitty Mclean, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Ini Kamoze; and they have played with and produced artists such as Ben Harper, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones, Grace Jones, Paul McCartney, Carlos Santana, Sinéad O’Connor, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, UB40’s Ali Campbell, Joe Cocker, No Doubt, the Fugees, Michael Franti and countless others.

Sly and Robbie, affectionately known as the Riddim Twins, are perhaps the premiere architects of the modern sound of Jamaican music. Building on the cornerstones of Studio 1 and other early pioneers of the Jamaican recording industry, Sly and Robbie became the driving force behind the fabled Channel 1 sound that dominated reggae throughout the late 70’s and early 80’s. Subsequent work, most notably with Peter Tosh and Black Uhuru, set the pace for the changing sound of reggae in the post-Bob Marley era. They continue to record and build bold new arrangements working consistently in the present moving into the future.

Sly and Robbie also have an extensive tour history on the world stage. Their group the Taxi Gang includes a horn section and features an ultimate lineup of top Jamaican recording musicians. Sly & Robbie and the Taxi Gang have recently been top performers on the Tribute to the Legends, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Reggae in the Desert and Reggae on the River. They tour North America, Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia and China. When Sly and Robbie and the Taxi Gang perform their music is far outside of the box – jazz Reggae – very courageous and experimental. Theirs is roots reggae music at its heights.
For bookings contact:  Peter Wardle | Kings Music International – Office: (510) 653-4069

On Friday, September 2nd, Karamanti will join Hiya Flames at the popular Vinyl Nights – stage show and dance – at Bruckenstern in Hamburg, Germany. The event is presented by Lion People Sound which is led by Uganda’s #1 reggae selector, Qulah (who now resides in Germany).
As the name implies, Vinyl Nights, is a celebration of the flat polyvinyl chloride discs that once dominated the reggae & dancehall industry. As a veteran DJ in the genre, Qulah has decades of hits on vinyl, as such, periodically he host an event dedicated to just that.
As previously stated, the event will be held at Bruckenstern Lounge, located at Stresemannsrabe 133 in Hamburg. Doors will open at 9pm and there is a 10€ entry fee.

Story by Adokwei Addo

The strains on a long-distance relationship are many and intense; couples who find themselves in this situation often quote “absence makes the heart grow fonder”; as a reassurance that their love will grow stronger over the difficulties of distance and time. But unless both partners show exceptional will and commitment to come together, such a relationship will soon fall to an equally common saying: “Out of sight, out of mind”. This sharp rhetoric in long distance relationships has been expressed in a song by Judanite titled “missing you”. The song is one that fuses a catchy dancehall rhythm with a heavy hook of African chants.

“From Westmoreland straight to London, Canada she just a fly back a China”. In another breath, the song depicts the life of a traveller and lover who has been everywhere but home. The mention of Westmoreland in the song suggests a call on Africans in the Diaspora, especially those in Jamaica to honor the long held promise of repatriation. Having been influenced by the island music, the Ghanaian youth doing Reggae Dancehall music have continuosly made the conscious effort to call on the island family back home, to the motherland.

Known in private life as Segbefia Etse Daniel, Judanite was born on May 22nd, 1986. He hails from Anyako in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. A drummer since the tender age of 10, Judanite has over years mastered his art and has been the ring Music and Dance leader In every institution, he found himself. Professionally Judanite started recording in 2001.

The vocal strength of Judanite cannot be over emphasized. His energy is complementing, never ceasing and ever greater, Judanite is seeking collaborations with the Island brethren.

Recording artist Sizzla (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

Eight years after his USA visa and work permit were revoked, sing-jay Sizzla ‘Kalonji’ will make his long awaited return to a New York stage when he appears at the 23rd annual Irie Jam Radio anniversary celebration on Labor Day Sunday, September 4th 2016 at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens.

Since the news broke that US immigration authorities “fly the gate” for the reggae artiste to perform stateside again, there has been an exciting buzz especially from his fans in the New York tri-state area who are overjoyed.

Bobby Clarke, CEO and founder of Irie Jam Radio is no stranger to working with Sizzla. In fact in 1995, Clarke an his team introduced the then young, fiery artist to the New York area for his first performance as part of the late Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell’s Exterminator camp with Luciano as headliner.