Over the last two years, David Rodigan and The Outlook Orchestra have come together to raise the bar in reggae music in Britain. Testament to this fact is the selling out of the Royal Festival Hall, Somerset House and the Royal Albert Hall – each in under an hour.

That said, on Sunday, June 12th, Horace Andy, Freddie McGregor and Bitty McLean will join David Rodigan and The Outlook Orchestra at Kenwood House (Hampstead Heath) in London. Joining them for this exclusive evening will be Gentleman’s Dub Club, Channel One Sound System, Hollie Cook and Don Letts. Get tickets here.

In a few days from now, Linval Thompson, the man known and respected both as a vocalist and producer, will share Help Them Jah Jah. The new reggae tune – produced by Big Feet Records – goes live on all music platforms on Friday, June 10th. It will be accompanied by an official lyric video.

Everyone who have had the opportunity to review the record have all concluded that it is an important song, especially for the times we are living in. On the track Thompson cries out to the Most High on behalf of the indigent and destitute. This is done in a dulcet, melodic manner – something he’s known for.

Linval stands in front of an all-star cast of musicians: Josh Harris (bass and keyboard), Santa Davis (drums) and Jallanzo (guitar). Mixing and mastering engineers are Umberto Echo and Earle Holder respectively.

Kaiser’s Hotel in Negril (Jamaica) will be hosting reggae legend I-Wayne on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19th. The roots reggae singer – who is known for his megahit songs “Living In Love” and “Can’t Satisfy Her” – will perform live, with support from Mylo and Mello Band.

Advance tickets are available for $1,500 JMD, while at the gate persons will be asked to pay $2,000 JMD. For additional information and links to ticket, contact (876) 942-0335 or (876) 287-2001.

After back-to-back postponements due to covid-19, Chant Down Baltimore is making its return on Saturday, June 25th. The free reggae music festival will be held at Carroll Park in Baltimore, Maryland; and as they have done in the past, they are asking attendees to bring a donation – canned goods, clothing or cash – to support Paul’s Place and The Baltimore Furniture Bank. Both are local non-profits helping marginalized residents in the city.

As this is the first concert since the pandemic, they have invited legendary reggae singer Freddie McGregor, trending sing-jay Iba Mahr and emerging artist Autarchii to perform. The artists will be supported by Derrick Barnett and The Statement Band.

This event was created in 2019 by WLOY Loyola Radio, I Never Knew TV and the Friends of Carroll Park.

On Friday, May 27th, Two Colors – the highly anticipated album from legendary musicians Dean Fraser and Ernie Ranglin – went live on all digital streaming platforms. The twelve-track instrumental project, which features reggae, ska, dub, mento etc., comes to us courtesy of Tad’s International Record.

In an effort to better understand the creative process, I reached out to Ernie Ranglin‘s agent – Dale Aslam – who facilitated a brief interview. See our conversation below. 

Maria Jackson:Can you talk about how you first connected with Dean Fraser? Was it through music or otherwise, and what was the experience like?

Ernie Ranglin:Through music. I was coming from a tour and he was among the group of people on the flight and someone asked him what he think about me and the answer that he gave them, you know, I appreciate it alot. And I think from there on I started to have a liking for him and I always watch his performance and I followed his works.

Maria Jackson:Have you ever collaborated with Dean before? 

Ernie Ranglin:Well yes. Not a whole lot but there are times when Floyd Lloyd Seivright had a thing going you know, and whenever there is anything that I could find as a section that could use a saxophone I would use him. 

Maria Jackson:Why “Two Colors”? How should Ernie Ranglin fans and Dean Fraser supporters interpret that title? Is there a hidden meaning?

Ernie Ranglin:Well Dean has his style and I have my style; that’s the colors. Well we are not really trying to show any difference we’re just trying to do things to make people feel happy and enjoy themself. That’s what we are focusing on.

Maria Jackson:The first single – De Ranglin – had reggae lovers all over the world anticipating the full album. Whose idea was it to have Big Youth on that track?

Ernie Ranglin:I don’t know; that was all Dean

Maria Jackson:Are the other songs similar in style to “De Ranglin,” or should persons looking to buy the album expect a very diverse project?

Ernie Ranglin: I think so because we have a variety of tunes so you know, we hope that it’s not something that people will get tired to listen to. It should be something that keeps them entertained.

Maria Jackson:What do you want listeners to take away from Two Colors after hearing the full LP?

Ernie Ranglin:Well to enjoy, and we hope that it could be a good memory for them

Maria Jackson:Any final words?

Ernie Ranglin: Well I hope that this will be the beginning of a very good set of things between Dean Fraser and myself.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “TWO COLORS”