As the end of year holiday season approaches, parties, street dances and stageshows are popping up across Jamaica on a daily basis. One event that a lot of persons in St. Ann are anticipating is the “A Good Time Is Guaranteed” concert.
This is an affair that will feature performances by Chezidek, Charly Black, Zamunda, Little Hero, Pzed, and many more. It will be held at Litas Lawn in the Fort George District, this Friday, December 16. Entrance fee is $1,500 JMD.
After the success of their last collaboration – World Right Now – veteran recording artist Little Hero and reggae-dancehall imprint Pandemic Records, have once again partnered on a new track titled Bad Man Round Here.
The song was published on November 25th, and it serves as confirmation that brothers Sheldon and LeroyEdwards – owners of Pandemic Records – will be doing a full length studio album with the St. Ann singer. Hero said as much in a recent interview with The Star, one of Jamaica’s national newspapers: “Pandemic Records is like family to me, and I love working with them, so I’ve decided to record my next album for them. We’ve already begun working on the project. So far we’ve recorded some very good songs, it’s going to be an awesome album. It should be ready for release early next year.”
Little Hero is affectionately referred to as God man, this is because he has – since very early in his career – kept his lyrics and message positive, inspirational and God centered. Bad Man Round Here is no different. On this record he addresses Jamaica’s out-of-control rude-boy culture that’s resulted in an unbelievably high murder rate.
Bad Man Round Here is expected to follow in the footsteps of the song that recently held the #1 spot on Richie B’s Reggae Chart (World Right Now). It can be streamed and downloaded from iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, and all other major music platforms.
The king of lovers-rock reggae, Beres Hammond, has once again shared another beautiful ballad. His newest release is titled I Need Your Love, and it was published on November 25 by VP Music Group.
Like he has done so many times before, Hammond – in collaboration with his production team – successfully composed a melodious reggae record that tells the story of man who adores his woman, and is not shy about making it known. This is truly an addictive tune that rivals some of Beres‘ biggest hits.
If you have not done so as yet, stream and/or download I Need Your Love from your preferred music platform.
The Far From Reality singer, Natural Black, returns with a catchy new ska tune called Mission To Conquer. It was officially released earlier today – Friday, December 9th – via Big Feet Records.
Mission To Conquer has an interesting back-story. The song that is now available to the public is very different from the one penned and recorded by Natural Black in October. Significant changes were made by executive producer Josh Harris – who also played bass and keyboard on the track – and members of his production team: Santa Davis (drums), Jallanzo (lead guitar), Tommy Tikkanen (mixing engineer) and Earle Holder (mastering engineer). Sections were edited and some lines removed; not because there was an issue with what Natural wrote, but rather to make the overall song more euphonious.
Harris summed up his feelings about the final mix with six words: “I think it’s a hit song…!” While Natural Black, after hearing the changes, indicated his approval by uttering the Jamaican jargon commonly used for agreement: “respect.”
If you are into ska music you will love this tune, and if you’re not, this song will convert you. Stream and/or download it now from iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and all other major music platforms.
Earlier in the year roots-reggae artist Tradition Man Wolo – who hails from the West African nation, Ghana – released his debut album, aptly titled Reggae Man. The record has a total of nine tracks, two of which are remakes of popular songs: Book Of Rules, sang by The Heptones in the 70s, and The Lady In Red, done by British-Irish singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh in 1986. It also has two remixes (of tracks one and two): Come Home and Back Again.
As the Kwanzaa season approaches Tradition Man Wolo and his team felt it prudent to create some visuals for the song Come Home. To that end, the official video – which was shot and edited in Ghana – was shared this past Monday (December 5th).
Tradition Man explains the importance of publishing the clip now in the following statement: “This video is being released in December to coincide with the homecoming season in Ghana when many Africans in the diaspora visit Africa. The song “Come Home” from my album “Reggae Man” is a call from Africa to all Africans in the diaspora to come back home and help rebuild mother Africa. It also implores Africans on the continent to welcome their brothers and sisters back home when they arrive.”
Scenes for Come Home were captured in the Eastern, Greater Accra and Central Regions of Ghana, and they highlight the difficult history of Africans – at home and in the diaspora – while simultaneously telling their miraculous story of survival and hope.
Mello, relaxing and refreshing are some of the words used to summarize what’s felt when listening to Dean Fraser’s 16-track album, Nyabingi Christmas. The pulsating sound of the African drums, coupled with the melodies played by the wind instruments – led by Jamaican saxophone guru Dean Fraser – is all anyone need this time of year.
The LP, which was produced by Fraser and Tad A. Dawkins Jnr., features some of our most treasured Christmas carols. Felice Navidad, Deck The Halls, Long Time Ago, Do You Hear What I Hear, The Little Drummer Boy, and I Wish You A Merry Christmas are some of the songs performed on this record.
Musicians that contributed to the project are: Kirk Bennett on drums; Congo Billy, Hector Lewis, Denver Smith and Kirk Bennett (nyabingi drums); Andrew ‘Stringy’ Marsh on piano; Mikey Fletcher (upright bass); Dario Morgan and Monty Lamont Savory on guitar; Zoe Brown (flute); Dwight Richards and Okeil McIntyre on trumpet; Everton Pessoa (trombone); and Dean Fraser on lead saxophone.
Nyabinghi Christmas is available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms courtesy of Tad’s Record Inc.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “NYABINGHI CHRISTMAS”
In September of this year, Gramps Morgan – a member of the international reggae group Morgan Heritage – released a six-track EP titled Deeper. The project can appropriately be classified as soul music fused with Caribbean rhythms, done in acoustic style.
At the end of November Gramps shared the official video for track #3, Butterfly. If you have not yet seen the visuals, click here or on the image above to check it out, and remember to like, comment and share.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 