Veteran reggae artist Junior Reid is gearing up for the One Blood Family Festival on Saturday, June 3rd, at Plantation Cove in Priory, St. Ann, Jamaica. He has invited some of the biggest names in reggae and dancehall to join him, as the event is also his 60th birthday celebration. 

Among the confirmed acts is legendary roots singer Sister Carol, who is currently promoting her latest single – Nubian Wombman – released in March via Tad’s Record. She will share the stage with other reggae legends: Sizzla Kalonji, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Louie Culture, I Wayne, Big Youth, Bushman, Turbulence, Warrior King, Chuck Fenda, Leroy Sibbles, and that is just to name a few.

In a recent interview with The Gleaner, Junior Reid had this to say regarding the show: “This is a day-and-night affair, and it’s going to be a great event. I am trying to bring back the family in music, we need those bonds, that’s not how we used to live, and I love the youths, we have to show them the right way, the live band is the thing, family is the thing. All the people on the show are like my family, they are my blood, my One Blood family, and this event is showing that we stand for the same thing, and that love is still there in the business.” 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “NUBIAN WOMBMAN”

This year’s Radiate Windrush Festival – scheduled for Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th – is celebrating 75 years of Windrush. Sadly, there are rumors that this will be the last staging of the beloved cultural event.

To that end, Wendy Cummins and her colleagues (the organizers) spared no expense in the 2023 production. They have booked international reggae star Richie Spice, who will be the headliner, alongside soca royalty Terri Lyons and UK sensation Misha B.

Burgess Park on Albany Road in London is the place to be from 12 noon to 9pm on both days! In addition to the live performances, several DJs: Hyper Spice, DJ Dubz, Eternity Sounds, 5th Avenue & DJ Milktray, will be on hand to spin some of the best music.

Fest of Spring Caribbean Wine, Food & Music Festival is arguably one of the fastest growing and most exciting Caribbean spring festivals in the DMV! It features some of the region’s best wine and food vendors, as well as great live music from popular local and international artists. The two main headliners this year are Etana and Mighty Mystic.

Location is the Potomac Polo Arena (Muldoon’s Farm) – 18905 Beallsville Road – in Poolesville, Maryland; and the date is Saturday, June 10th. Tickets can be purchased from eventbrite.

Coordinators of the 3-day Sierra Nevada World Music Festival – scheduled for Friday, June 16th, through Sunday, June 18th, 2023 – have announced the daily lineup.

On Friday, they will have performances by Luciano, Kabaka Pyramid, Kumar & The Original Fyah, Warrior Sound International, and Jah Warrior Shelter HiFi. The following day – Saturday – will see Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, Derrick Morgan, Johnny Clarke, Soul Syndicate, Blvk H3ro, Rory Stone Love, Soul Ska, Brazilbeat Sound System, Oakland with Juan G and Boomfire.

And on Sunday, the final day, the featured artists are Burning Spear, Protoje, Lila Ike, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Norma Fraser, Wesli, The Clarendonians and The Steady 45s. Get additional information and links to tickets via their website: snwmf-dot-com.

Event promoters Street Cred JA will be hosting a unique Father’s Day event! On Sunday, June 18th they will be serving up Reggae For Breakfast at Hope Gardens’ Pavilion from 9am to 4pm.

On the menu is a live band show with performances by King Yellow Man, Queen Ifrica, Warrior King, Duane Stephenson, Singer J, Mackeehan, Darrio and Ikalay. General admission is $3,000 presold and $4,000 at the gate.

British reggae artist Bitty McLean, who rose to prominence in the 90s, has released a new album called Forward. The collaborative LP, done with the legendary Sly & Robbie, was published on April 14, 2023 via the Tabou1 imprint.

Since early in his career, McLean has been working with the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and production duo. The two brands connected on a studio album entitled Movin’ On in 2007, and again on The Taxi Sessions in 2013. In addition to their work in the studio, McLean, Sly & Robbie also toured together. They performed in Japan, Europe and Morocco in 2008 and 2009.

Click here or on the image above to stream/download the new record, Forward, from your preferred music platform.