The brand new book, “Redemption,” which is curated by Cedella Marley, is now available to the public in both hardcover and digital formats. It features selected quotes from Bob Marley’s speeches, interviews and writings.
Click here for the link to purchase, and for additional information.
Capleton, aka King Shango, is known and loved not only for his music but also for his ongoing efforts to uplift and encourage everyone, especially inner-city youths. That passion is on full display in his latest single “Have Some Hope,” which was released via the Truesounds Un Ltd. label on September 11th.
The audio release was accompanied by some stunning visuals. Click here or on the image above to check it out, and remember to like, comment and share.
On Wednesday, September 16th, Digicel Jamaica will host a virtual 5K event to assist those with special needs. It will stream on both their Facebook and Instagram accounts starting at 11 AM (JA time).
Reggae recording artist Jesse Royal will perform, while radio personality Ms. Kitty will carry out the MC duties.
Determined to carry on the legacy of arguably reggae’s greatest group, The New Melodians are gearing up to record new songs and perform on major shows. The New Melodians are Winston Dias, Taurus Alphonso and Lee Milo.
Milo officially joined the group last year, replacing founder Trevor McNaughton who died in 2018. A drummer/vocalist, he is a veteran of the South Florida reggae scene, having recorded and played with the Tishan band for many years.
Dias, Alphonso and Milo have done a handful of dates together, the most high-profile being the Red Rose For Gregory Valentine’s Day show in Kingston, Jamaica last February. According to Dias, who had a hit song as a teenager in 1964 with Cericy Tea, Red Rose For Gregory was a timely introduction to a Jamaican audience. “It exposed our talent, and we are happy and proud about the response. A lot of potential shows came from it,” he said.
Dias and Alphonso joined McNaughton in The Melodians after the deaths of original members Brent Dowe and Trevor Brevett in 2006 and 2013, respectively. That edition performed throughout South Florida, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Milo, whose real name is Lee Spence, is originally from Montego Bay. He learned drums as a boy with the Salvation Army. As a youth in Jamaica, he remembers listening to The Melodians. “Mi used to love songs like Everybody Bawling and Come on Little Girl. Those songs were ahead of them time,” he said.
Formed in Greenwich Farm, Kingston, The Melodians are one of reggae’s storied groups. McNaughton, Brevett and Dowe had a series of hits at producer Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle studio during the rocksteady craze of the 1960s, such as “Little Nut Tree,” “Swing And Dine” and “Sweet Sensation.” Their biggest hit was “By The Rivers of Babylon,” produced by Leslie Kong.
In early July, Reggae Vibes Music released what many industry insiders are calling one of the best reggae rhythm driven compilation for the Summer, the “World Rebirth Riddim.” The album features top-tier reggae artists such as: Anthony B, Jah Cure, Lutan Fyah, Turbulence, Yami Bolo, Rufftop Rock I, Tony Curtis, Powerman and Ginjah.
As the label continues to promote the project, they are now sharing the official video for “Twitter Friend,” which is Lutan Fyah‘s song on the riddim. In spite of the many restrictions placed us because of the covid-19 pandemic, the director – Demar Williams (Phoenix Studioz JA) – still managed to capture clips that accurately reflect the lyrics and coherently tells the story.
“Twitter Friend” is the tale of an obsessed female fan who consistently and aggressively pursue Lutan Fyah on his social media accounts.
When the song was first released in July, Lutan Fyah was asked to give a statement about it and he said the following: “Social media notifications stimulate a lot of women. The serotonin pops like bubbles in their heads. Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Facebook.. They are in need of more happy chemicals to bring them higher than the follow count….. They can’t live happily with just one “Like.” In my experience I learn a lot about attention seekers on social media who always want to be seen. Incidentally that’s where a lot of men find their wives.“
A few days ago we reported that reggae giant Toots Hibbert was hospitalized with respiratory problems. Today we are learning that he has succumb to those difficulties. See statement from his team below.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel ‘Toots’ Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.
The family and his management team would like to thank the medical teams and professionals for their care and diligence, and ask that you respect their privacy during their time of grief.
Mr. Hibbert is survived by his wife of 39 years, Miss D, and his seven of eight children.”
If there is an award for the hardest working reggae artist, Anthony B would be in the running! The Jamaican singer has been consistently toiling throughout the pandemic. He has dropped an album, released singles, done shows – both live on stage and virtual – and we are now learning of a new video.
The new visuals is for his song on the Cali Roots Riddim called “Chill Out.” Click here or on the image above to watch the video and remember to like, comment and share.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 