Determined to carry on the legacy of arguably reggae’s greatest group, The New Melodians are gearing up to record new songs and perform on major shows. The New Melodians are Winston Dias, Taurus Alphonso and Lee Milo.

Milo officially joined the group last year, replacing founder Trevor McNaughton who died in 2018. A drummer/vocalist, he is a veteran of the South Florida reggae scene, having recorded and played with the Tishan band for many years.

Dias, Alphonso and Milo have done a handful of dates together, the most high-profile being the Red Rose For Gregory Valentine’s Day show in Kingston, Jamaica last February. According to Dias, who had a hit song as a teenager in 1964 with Cericy Tea, Red Rose For Gregory was a timely introduction to a Jamaican audience. “It exposed our talent, and we are happy and proud about the response. A lot of potential shows came from it,” he said.

Dias and Alphonso joined McNaughton in The Melodians after the deaths of original members Brent Dowe and Trevor Brevett in 2006 and 2013, respectively. That edition performed throughout South Florida, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Milo, whose real name is Lee Spence, is originally from Montego Bay. He learned drums as a boy with the Salvation Army. As a youth in Jamaica, he remembers listening to The Melodians. “Mi used to love songs like Everybody Bawling and Come on Little Girl. Those songs were ahead of them time,” he said.

Formed in Greenwich Farm, Kingston, The Melodians are one of reggae’s storied groups. McNaughton, Brevett and Dowe had a series of hits at producer Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle studio during the rocksteady craze of the 1960s, such as “Little Nut Tree,” “Swing And Dine” and “Sweet Sensation.” Their biggest hit was “By The Rivers of Babylon,” produced by Leslie Kong.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MELODIANS CURRENT SINGLE

In early July, Reggae Vibes Music released what many industry insiders are calling one of the best reggae rhythm driven compilation for the Summer, the “World Rebirth Riddim.” The album features top-tier reggae artists such as: Anthony B, Jah Cure, Lutan Fyah, Turbulence, Yami Bolo, Rufftop Rock I, Tony Curtis, Powerman and Ginjah.

As the label continues to promote the project, they are now sharing the official video for “Twitter Friend,” which is Lutan Fyah‘s song on the riddim. In spite of the many restrictions placed us because of the covid-19 pandemic, the director – Demar Williams (Phoenix Studioz JA) – still managed to capture clips that accurately reflect the lyrics and coherently tells the story. 

“Twitter Friend” is the tale of an obsessed female fan who consistently and aggressively pursue Lutan Fyah on his social media accounts. 

When the song was first released in July, Lutan Fyah was asked to give a statement about it and he said the following: “Social media notifications stimulate a lot of women. The serotonin pops like bubbles in their heads. Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Facebook.. They are in need of more happy chemicals to bring them higher than the follow count….. They can’t live happily with just one “Like.” In my experience I learn a lot about attention seekers on social media who always want to be seen. Incidentally that’s where a lot of men find their wives.“

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “TWITTER FRIEND”

A few days ago we reported that reggae giant Toots Hibbert was hospitalized with respiratory problems. Today we are learning that he has succumb to those difficulties. See statement from his team below.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel ‘Toots’ Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.

The family and his management team would like to thank the medical teams and professionals for their care and diligence, and ask that you respect their privacy during their time of grief.

Mr. Hibbert is survived by his wife of 39 years, Miss D, and his seven of eight children.”