New Reggae Release: Morgan Heritage – Reggae Night (@morganheritage)

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Morgan Heritage releases their new single from their upcoming album, due out this spring. ‘Reggae Night’ sees keyboardist DreZion playing a featured role alongside the Morgan Heritage Family. The track is the second single off the upcoming album behind ‘Selah,’ and the first of 2017.

Inspired by the great Jimmy Cliff song, ‘Reggae Night’ is a feel-good song co-produced by featured artist DreZion. The track can be streamed and downloaded from any of the major digital music platforms: http://smarturl.it/ReggaeNight

 

Jamaica’s Reggae Month Kicks Off With Dennis Brown Tribute Concert (@ReggaeMonth)

img-20170126-wa0004With Kingston’s designation as a Creative City of Music by UNESCO in 2015, the Reggae Month Committee made the decision to produce this year’s staging of Reggae Month under the theme “Reggae Mecca”. For the last two years, the association has been advancing the discussions on the importance of assuming the nation’s rightful ownership of the music as an indigenous product of Jamaica with the most recent theme in 2016 of “Reggae Mekyah”.

Playing on the popular moniker “mecca” the activities will include the signature Reggae Wednesdays in Mandela Park, Half Way Tree beginning with a tribute to Dennis Brown entitled Di Root.  Popular artists will celebrate the crown Prince with songs of their own and his catalogue in a three hour packed show beginning at 6:30 pm on Wednesday February 1, 2017. As usual the show is free to the public.

On Sunday January 29 the month activities will receive its usual blessings with a Church Service in Trench Town at the Praise City International with special performances from Mary Isaacs, Ibo Cooper, Nexus and URIM 7 beginning at 10:00 am.

Reggae Month was officially declared On January 9th 2008 by the then Governor General of Jamaica. This was done to highlight and celebrate the impact of the musical genre on the country’s social, cultural and economic development. Additionally, the birthdays of two of Jamaica’s and Reggae Music’s late icons are commemorated during the month of February:  The late Dennis Brown also known as the ‘Crown Prince of Reggae’, is celebrated on February 1, while the late Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley, the renowned ‘King of Reggae’ is celebrated on February 6.

Raging Fyah is now Jamaica’s Reggae Music Ambassador (@Ragingfyah @Babsy_grange)

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Adding to the prestigious honor of being nominated for 2017 Best Reggae Album by the Grammy committee, Pele, Demar, Anthony Watson, Courtland “Gizmo” White and Kumar, collectively known as Raging Fyah add “Jamaica’s Reggae Music Ambassador” to their numerous honors.

Members of the band met with Minister Grange on Friday, January 20, 2017, to solidify their new role. Minister Grange also used the opportunity to once again congratulate the band on their recent Grammy nomination and to wish them well on their upcoming tour.

On January 24th, Raging Fyah embarked on the 2017 “Winter Roots Tour” which will see the band perform coast to coast throughout the United States commencing in Santa Cruz, California and ending March 10th in Tucson, Arizona.

5th Annual Levitate Music & Arts Festival Confirms Ziggy Marley (@ziggymarley)

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The “biggest little festival” in Massachusetts just grew a little bigger. Starting off as a humble friendly barbeque, the Levitate Music and Arts Festival has since grown into a full-fledged weekend-long festival featuring top national touring acts, expecting a draw of over 10,000 fans per day. The fifth year will see the festival running two days: Saturday, July 8th and Sunday, July 9th.

The festival has gathered a lot of attention from fans and press alike most notably receiving a nomination from Pollstar Concert Industry Awards for “Music Festival of the Year.

Join them in Marshfield, MA for 2 days of music, 3 stages, 20 bands, art vendors, food trucks, and cold beer. Anticipate a slew of amazing performances, one of which will be from Ziggy Marley. Click here for ticket info!

Likkle Lightning Releases Debut Album, “Conditions of Life” (@likklelightning)

conditions-of-life-albumConditions of Life, the debut album from reggae artist Likkle Lightning, was released on January 15th. The project, which has been in the making for a few years, features all the previously released songs from the artist, along with some new recordings (‘Temptation,’ ‘Early Morning Flash,’ ‘Busy Fox,’ ‘Magnum Tonic Wine,’ ‘Cyaan Sleep,’ ‘Burn Dem Out,’ ‘Babylon,’ ‘Mama Africa,’ ‘Dark African Girl,’ ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Matey Laugh’).

Fans, supporters and critics alike, will be pleased to learn that all songs were recorded at Tuff Gong Studios and mixed and mastered at Anchor in Kingston, Jamaica. Engineers that worked on the album are: Roland McDermot and Michael ‘Boxy’ Howell; and musicians include: Donald Dennis (Bass), Shaun Dawson and Oral Brown (Drums), Kevoy Webster (Keyboard), Garth Forrester (Guitar), with backing vocals by Nicole Bird. All songs were written and produced by Likkle Lightning for his own Sonhi Productions label.

Since he came on the scene a few years ago, Likkle Lightning has been consistent in advancing his musical career. He is known by many as an authentic Rasta man that makes quality songs. Even after losing his son in 2014, the artist was able to bounce back and continued to make uplifting roots reggae music. When asked what inspires him, he said, “I want to help by inspiring all peoples to live together happily and realize their blessings, no matter how little they have.”

Conditions of Life is available for streaming and download via http://www.cdbaby.com/artist/likklelightning and http://likklelightning.com. It is also on all major digital music platforms such as: iTunes, Rapsody, Amazon etc.

DJ Nicholas, Deitrick Haddon & Others Deliver at AIM First Fest in Jamaica

Story by: Don McDowell

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Deitrick Haddon live at AIM First Fest 

The AIM Financial Corporation sponsored AIM First Fest held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on January 2, 2017 is being hailed as a resounding success for its
organization, presentation, and coordination, with many feeling it was worth it.

AIM First Fest showcased a star segment of tier one Jamaican gospel artistes Prodigal Son,
Rondell Positive, DJ Nicholas, and Kevin Downswell alongside Preachers of LA’s Deitrick Haddon, pastor, lyricist, and singer.

Patrons experienced the effulgent Rondell Positive in full flight in tandem with the ever effervescent iWorshipp doing background vocals as he delivered More Than A Conqueror, Stick Nor Stones, Fire Medley, and closing with the high energy Keeping Me Alive.

The welcoming applause to Prodigal Son’s return to the local stage after a dearth was phenomenal. Prodigal’s entre Blessings a Run Mi Down set the crowd on fire as they sang and danced.

Prodigal Son blessed the AIM First Fest crowd with Bongo Town, Head Cyaa Hot Suh, I Wish, and God Again. In closing his set, in true prodigal fashion, Prodigal Son asked forgiveness for any hurt or pain caused previously to his fans, arising from previous controversies.

The Mr. “Turn up the Volume” DJ Nicholas musically taught his audience on Divine Mathematics, exercises at the Holy Ghost Gym, biology class on blood constituents, and also on exorcism to Move That Squatter (Satan).

After a seemingly disconnected start singing on tracks, Grammy nominee Dietrick Haddon ‘upped his game’ by calling on his Jamaican audience for 60 seconds of praise, as he moved to his 2008 hit He’s Able“. Yes “him tun up d place” creating an atmosphere of worship as the crowd sang and praised the Most High God Yahweh.

Pastor Haddon after sharing a short testimony of backsliding some time ago moved the people to repentance and rejoicing, as he, with the help of Downswell’s band segued into Well Done, Its On The Way featuring DJ Nicholas, and Love Him Like I Do. Some patrons generally felt Haddon redeemed himself and represented well eventually.

Closing the curtain, Kevin Downswell’s, brilliant performance in praise and worship stimulated fans to another level of praise as he belted out You Make Me Stronger, Goodbye World, Already Done, and was accompanied by Prodigal Son in a high energy rendering of That’s Enough and Cyaa Cold with each ministering to different sides of the audience.

The Aim First Fest package also featured Party King rides, games, giveaways, food, and a shopping village, plus professional security and police patrols.

Other artistes performing included George Nooks, Perpetual Sounds of Praise, Rev. Glen Graham among others. Mc’s were Nadine Blair, Basillia Barnaby-Cuffe, and the show’s
promoter Markland Edwards.

With its veritable list of corporate supporters including title sponsors AIM Financial Corporation, the RJR Communications Group, Grace Kennedy Money Services, and others, it may be that Action Entertainment – promoters of the event has broken through to significant corporate sponsorship of gospel events.

3rd Annual Bob Marley Birthday Tribute & Aquarius’ Birthday Celebration set for February 12th in Atlanta (@highlanda)

highlanda-bob-marleyHighlanda Sound, a purpose-driven organization that is on a mission to entertain and promote high quality reggae music worldwide, is excited to announce as well as invite everyone out there to their upcoming 72nd birthday bash for the late reggae superstar and legend – Bob Marley.

Dubbed as the 3rd annual Bob Marley Birthday tribute, this enviable event is being put together and promoted by Highlanda Sound, The Honorary Citizen and ĀGARD. The show will also be an Aquarius’ Birthday Celebration for ĀGARD and Kahlil Wonda from Highlanda Sound. Suffice it to say that the event has been scheduled as a special February edition of the monthly Rub-A-Dub ATL – a nightlife event that takes place monthly on second Sundays in Atlanta.

Details are as follows:
Venue: Wildpitch Music Hall (255 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta 30303)
Date: Sunday, February 12, 2017
Time: 6PM till midnight
Ticket Prices: $15 online, $20 at the door

Tickets are now available and can be secured online by clicking here. Speaking excitedly, a spokesperson of Highlanda Sound said; “The last installment was completely sold out. This upcoming edition promises to be greater. It will be an evening of roots rock reggae as Ijahknowah and B.R.A.P captivates the audience with live reggae music.”

“Furthermore, we’ve got music by DJs: Natural Vibes, Innocent, Black Magic, ĀGARD, Highlanda, and DJ Passport. Food will be supplied by the popular Webba’s Jerk Hut. This
particular edition of the Bob Marley birthday tribute will be taken over the top by all our performing artists and DJs. We therefore urge you to get your tickets early so as to not miss out on the fun and electrifying experience” he concluded.

To know more about the Bob Marley Birthday tribute, click here.