The annual Toronto Carnival officially kicks off this Thursday, the 3rd of August, and will be in full swing until Monday, the 7th. As is the case every year, several top-tier soca artists will flock to the city for public appearances, performances, or just to party.
The big show for 2023 is Jab Jab J’Ouvert set for Friday, August 4th at Markham Meadows – 8100 Steeles Avenue East – in Markham, Ont. Tallpree, Problem Child, Wuss Wayz, Motto, Mr. Legz, Skinny Banton, Jaxx, and Marlo are just some of the confirmed performers.
Manchester recording artist Ragga Lox, who’s been living in the United States since the late 80s, has just delivered his long awaited thirteen-track studio album. Released on Sunday, July 23rd, the LP is called Climbing, and it features collaborations with Revelashan and Rob Symeon.
The inspiration for the record came from the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Ragga Lox. As a matter of fact, the lead single – Spliff & Beer – was penned after he lost some close friends and family members to the virus. Once the first track was shared – in January 2022 – and based on the positive feedback it got, Lox immediately began working on the full album with the hopes of releasing it last summer. However, after several delays and setbacks, he and his team opted to push it forward to now.
Climbing has a perfect mix of reggae (Reach For The Stars, They Shall Never, Reggae Island, Mama Said & Families); dancehall (Spliff & Beer, Tough Times & Touch); and even world music fused with hip-hop (Climbing, Reggae Memory Lane, Try & Royalty). All songs were done with the highest standards. The songwriting and vocal performances are flawless, and the overall production quality is beyond reproach.
That said, the thing that stands out the most on this LP is Ragga Lox‘s story. He brags about his skills as a lyricist while putting those very skills on display. He narrates the tale of losing his father, mother and mentors. His Rastafarian beliefs and way of life are artfully painted throughout this record. In short, Climbing is a five-star album, and if nothing else it shows that Ragga Lox has climbed his way to the top of the musical mountain.
Veteran dancehall artist Louie Culture will host Memory Lane – a 80s, 90s, and early 2000s dance – at a location to-be-announced in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, August 19th.
The dancehall legend will be supported by Renaissance Disco, Supa Twitch, Navis BomB and DJ Bread. Passes and additional information can be obtained at memorylaneatl-dot-com.
On Sunday, August 20th, Marcus Garvey In Schools (MGIS) and Jamaica National Group (JN) will present the Garvey One Destiny Concert at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, Jamaica.
It will star Mortimer, Nesbeth, Sizzla Kalonji, Julian Marley, Fab 5, Gem Myers, Bongo Herman and Queen Ifrica. Comedian Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis will join media personality Debbie Bissoon as hosts.
Starting time is 5pm and there is $6,000 JMD general entrance fee. VIP is $8,000.
The Jamaica Railway Corporation will be having a roundtrip train excursion on Emancipation Day, August 1, 2023, from the Spanish Town Train Station to the Linstead Train Station departing at 10:00 am.
Tickets are now available at the following locations:
– Jamaica Railway Corporation’s Head Office at 142 Barry Street, Downtown Kingston – Spanish Town Train Station – Genus Pharmacy in Portmore
A tour guide will walk guests through the history of different sites on the journey. There will be live entertainment at the stop in Linstead, where dancehall recording artist General Degree will put on a show.
Attendees will also get the opportunity to support the Linstead community as they will have Jamaican treats on sale. There will be secured parking at the Spanish Town Train Station.
After what seems like years of teasing, Jamaica’s dancehall king Beenie Man has finally given us an official release date for his highly anticipated album, Simma. The date is Thursday, August 31st, 2023.
Simma will feature nineteen tracks produced by Roel Powell, Seanizzle, Frankie Music, Richie D, Walshie Fire, Teddy Riley, Rohan Smith, Tony Kelly and several other noteworthy names in reggae-dancehall production.
Trench Town recording artist Hugh English has once again given us a tuff song that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. Titled Where Do We Go From Here, the beautiful reggae record was officially released yesterday – Friday, July 21st – via Big Feet Records.
On top of perfectly meshed bass and keyboard (played by Josh Harris), drums by Santa Davis, and stunning harmonies sung by the legendary Pam Hall, Hugh asks us to contemplate what should we – as individuals and collectively as a society – do next. This after outlining the indisputable fact that global communities have plunged into darkness, lacking moral values of any sort.
Even though it was just shared, the track has already gotten the stamp of approval from reggae selectors who’ve received a promo copy (courtesy of Maria Jackson 27’s Record Pool). The general consensus is that this is one of Hugh English‘s strongest songs to date.
Where Do We Go From Hereis now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify, Tidal, and all other streaming platforms.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 