Jamaica’s The Bridge 99FM Adds Former Minister To Its List Of Broadcasters (@thebridge99fm)

Former Minister of Education, attorney at law and radio broadcaster Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Thwaites will return to prime time radio, as host of the ‘Public Eye’ that will simulcast starting Wednesday, September 15th on The Bridge 99FM in Jamaica (11am-1pm) and Irie Jam radio, WVIP, 93.5FM (noon – 2pm) in the tri-state area.

Mr. Thwaites has been an important voice in the community for over 50 years and he promises to have a different approach than the status quo when he sits behind The Bridge’s megaphone.

The former Minister of Education comes to the table with vast experience in media. He began his journalism career in 1966 and hosted his very first radio talk show in 1976. As an attorney, he established the Jamaica Legal Aid Clinic in 1972 and has provided legal representation for thousands of Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora. Minister Thwaites has been credited with the establishment of the Jamaica Legal Aid Clinic in 1972. He was also the clinic’s Managing Director.

Dean Fraser’s “Flat Bridge” Is A Timeless Contribution To The Reggae Industry (@Tadsrecord)

Every reggae lover knows the name Dean Fraser; regardless if they are very erudite about the genre or they only have a basic appreciation for it. The fact is Fraser, who is a master saxophonist, has literally contributed to hundreds of reggae recordings since the 1970s.
 
Persons fortunate to have worked with him will testify that he is a perfectionist both on stage and in the studio. Therefore, it goes without saying that his personal productions are held to the highest musical standards. But as he has always done, and will no doubt continue to do, Dean Fraser delivers!
 
His most recent contribution to the reggae industry is a thirteen-track instrumental album titled Flat Bridge. The project, which has two features: Andre ‘Stringy’ Marsh and Okiel McIntyre, is all live instruments with horns. There are a few dub mixes and a little improvisations, but all and all this is an authentic Jamaican reggae album that is very easy to listen to.
 
Flat Bridge is produced by Dean Fraser and Tad ‘Junior Tads’ Dawkins for Tad’s Record. The executive producers are Tad A. Dawkins and Tad A. Dawkins Jnr. It was released on all online music platforms, as well as on physical disc on June 4th, 2021.
 
While preparing this article, we scoured the internet to see what others are saying about Dean Fraser‘s Flat Bridge and were overwhelmed by all the positive reviews. Below are just a couple of the chatter we were able to copy and share.
THE Blaze (Uganda): “Dean Fraser’s Flat Bridge, has been on replay for me this whole week”
A Matter of Time (Malawi): “Well the man who produced one of the greatest Riddims ever made has released yet another Masterpiece.. Flat Bridge Dean Fraser”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN & DOWNLOAD “FLAT BRIDGE”

Ghost & Louie Culture Among Those Confirmed For “Legends In Concert”

The annual Legends In Concert is set to take place on Sunday, September 19th at Lithonia City Park (2515 Park Drive) in Lithonia, Georgia. Gates are scheduled to open at 2PM, but the actual show will not commence until 5.

This year’s lineup includes: Ghost, Tanya Stephens, Louie Culture and Ray, Goodman & Brown. The MC will be Tommy Cowan, with special guest Dr. Carlene Davis. Click here for tickets.

Derrick Scott Re-shares His Single “Hello Jesus”

In 2019, prior to the covid-19 global pandemic that resulted in the partial shut down of the music industry, reggae-gospel artist Derrick Scott released Hello Jesus. The song is an adaptation of a popular old reggae tune titled Hello Carol, performed by The Gladiators.

At the time Derrick remade the song to affirm his reliance on God, as well as his commitment to his faith. However, as persons are now attempting to get back to their lives, albeit in a new normal, Scott and his team thought it prudent to  re-share the track, which is undeniably very relevant in these times. 

On a bouncy reggae beat Scott sings: “hello Jesus I’m depending on you; you are at the control, I’m depending on you; from my heart & soul, I’m depending on you.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “HELLOW JESUS”

Have You Seen Gramps Morgan’s New Video “Positive Vibration”? (@grampsmorgan)

A few days ago Gramps Morgan shared the official video for Positive Vibration; track number one on his recently released album with the same name. In Jamaica whenever you hear the words ‘positive vibration’ together in a sentence, you immediately think good thoughts. Equally, Gramps‘ new video does something pleasing to the viewer.

If you have not yet seen it, click here or on the image above to check it out and remember to like, comment and share.

Third World Will Perform At Summerfest This Thursday (@ThirdWorldBand)

Summerfest, the festival that hosts over 800 acts and 1,000 performances on 11 stages across 9 days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is already in full swing. It kicked off on September 2nd and will go on until the 18th.

This Thursday, on September 9th, reggae ambassadors Third World will hit the stage at Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, located at 200 N Harbor Drive in Milwaukee. Click here for tickets

Queen Omega Gives An Insight Into Her Just Released Single “Natural”

On August 20th, Trinidadian reggae artist Queen Omega released the first single from her upcoming album Stars Align. The song, which is a hardcore dancehall track, is titled Natural. In order to get a better understanding of what inspired Natural I reached out to Omega, who was very gracious in answering my questions. Please see our conversation below.

1. What inspired the song Natural?

I looked at life and I see balance in everything positive & negative, beings male female. Also had time thinking about it all and I wanted to sing about the natural vibe that there is in love. 

2. Why did you decide to release this as the lead single for the album?

We discussed it with our team and we thought that this was a good song for the summer that would uplift people in these hard times. It was a hard decision tho looking at all that is coming next! 

3. Natural is extremely hardcore; is this what the rest of the album will be like?

Hard-core is definitely how I would love the album to be described so yes the rest will follow this vibe always about human relationships, the ups and down… This side project reflects all the positive and negative that you can find in relations. 

4. What do you want people to take away from the song Natural?

That love is a natural thing and that it can be found everywhere! Life cannot be lived without it. Love is the source of life no meaning without it. I want people to dance on the heavy riddim like the beautiful African dancers in the music video. 

5. What sort of feedback have you been getting about Natural since it came out?

People love the song because it’s about love and everyone needs love! Also we had confusing feedbacks about heterosexuality homosexuality and as a singer I don’t want people to think I’m judging their sexuality! I’m here to give a powerful message of love nothing else. 

6. What can you tell us about the producer of Natural (the beat maker), as the riddim is really powerful?

Nobletouch is a young gifted black man who is creating waves in the music scene in Trinidad….I love working with him it’s an organic & natural connection we have between the two of us. He is the bridge between me and the new generations of our Island. I wanted to highlight his music to show the world what kind of talented youth we have over here! 

7. When exactly will the album be released (month and day)?

The album (EP) will be released in November, I can’t give a date for now! But what is sure is that my next single is coming out September the 17th alongside a big man of the afrobeat industry!!! Can’t wait for you all to discover it. 
The pre-order of the EP will be available at the end of October, I can’t wait to share with you, the artwork and the rest of the songs. 

8. What if any role is Evidence Music playing in this project?

Evidence music is the label that is doing the distribution of this project in the world apart from Canada, there it’s Nuits D’afrique Disques which was created in 1998 to share African music in this country. My girl Badu (manager) and I produced the project with Nobletouch a young Trinidadian producer.

9. When and how did you start working with Evidence Music?

We started working with Evidence Music for this one project, and hope that we will carry on working with them as they are a professional team, sensitive to the culture we are spreading.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN & DOWNLOAD “NATURAL”