Coney Island Reggae On The Boardwalk – Final Event For 2016 is Set for September 4 (@ConeyIslandFun)

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

13668011_10157343266510096_8303927028538285602_o The final edition of Coney Island Reggae On The Boardwalk for 2016 is set for Sunday, September 4, the day before Labor Day, on the iconic boardwalk at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, from 3 to 7 p.m.at West 20th Street.

This free, family-friendly event, celebrating Jamaican music and soundsystem DJ culture, has been held four times per summer since 2010 and is now regarded as the premier event of its kind in the US. Previous sessions in 2016 featured selectors Jah Wise (Tippertone International) and Jack “Black Scorpio” Johnson, among more than a dozen other Brooklyn-area reggae vinyl selectors.

The September 4 event will celebrate 50 years of ‘rock steady,’ Jamaica’s second major movement in popular music. VP Records will make available 200 copies of a sampler for its First Class Rock Steady compilation for a freewill donation on site of any amount to help cover the event’s expenses.

Celebrated DJ Downbeat The Ruler (Tony Screw) will be on hand to close out the festivities and special surprise guests are planned. Chanter International of Brooklyn (originally from Clifton, Hanover, Jamaica) provides Jamaican-style soundsystem for the all vinyl-records event.

For more info, visit the FB page @ https://www.facebook.com/ groups/coneyislandreggae/

Individuals can contribute to Coney Island Reggae On The Boardwalk in person at the event or through https://www.indiegogo.com/proj ects/coney-island-reggae-on- the-boardwalk-2016.

Video of Black Scorpio at Reggae On The Boardwalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=OUuC1fKOIoQ

Ghanaian Reggae Dancehall artiste Judanite releases “missing you” (@judanite)

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Story by Adokwei Addo

The strains on a long-distance relationship are many and intense; couples who find themselves in this situation often quote “absence makes the heart grow fonder”; as a reassurance that their love will grow stronger over the difficulties of distance and time. But unless both partners show exceptional will and commitment to come together, such a relationship will soon fall to an equally common saying: “Out of sight, out of mind”. This sharp rhetoric in long distance relationships has been expressed in a song by Judanite titled “missing you”. The song is one that fuses a catchy dancehall rhythm with a heavy hook of African chants.

“From Westmoreland straight to London, Canada she just a fly back a China”. In another breath, the song depicts the life of a traveller and lover who has been everywhere but home. The mention of Westmoreland in the song suggests a call on Africans in the Diaspora, especially those in Jamaica to honor the long held promise of repatriation. Having been influenced by the island music, the Ghanaian youth doing Reggae Dancehall music have continuosly made the conscious effort to call on the island family back home, to the motherland.

Known in private life as Segbefia Etse Daniel, Judanite was born on May 22nd, 1986. He hails from Anyako in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. A drummer since the tender age of 10, Judanite has over years mastered his art and has been the ring Music and Dance leader In every institution, he found himself. Professionally Judanite started recording in 2001.

The vocal strength of Judanite cannot be over emphasized. His energy is complementing, never ceasing and ever greater, Judanite is seeking collaborations with the Island brethren.

Jam Link Intl. will give Danes a free reggae concert this weekend in Aarhus – Aug.26/27

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

pre show square The Aarhus Reggae Festival Pre-show which is set for August 26^th and 27^th at the Godsbanen in Aarhus, Denmark, is being organized by Jam Link International, the outfit behind the annual reggae festival, in collaboration with Inversus Festival, another local promoter. The event will see live performances from: Karamanti , Unstoppable Fyah , Mwakenya, One Love Marley Band, Lappa Luma, Sinista Eskapone, Pops Jabu, Jah Turban, DJ Tiger Moth, Riddim Fex, Weapons of Mads Production, Kali-mah Sound, Jah Hero, Likkle Danny and Selector Qulah.

As the name implies, this staging will highlight some of the entertainment planned for the actual festival which will takes place on September 23^rd and 24^th at Voxhall (in Aarhus). For more information on the pre-show persons may visit the Facebook event page via the following link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1080997478622874/

The 2016 Merritone Family Funday will be dedicated to the memory of Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

The annual Merritone Family Funday, the largest Caribbean Family Funday in the USA will be held this year on Sunday, August 14, 10 AM – 7 PM at Heckscher State Park, Pavilion #2, East Islip, Long Island, NY. This year’s event will be dedicated to the memory and legacy of music maestro Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake who passed away in February and event organizers say they are planning a massive celebration to honor his legacy.

Winston was one of the famous Blake brothers (Trevor, Monte and Tyrone) who founded Merritone Music. Merritone was the first Jamaican Sound System to venture overseas taking “merri music” to cities such as London, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, New York, Hartford, Toronto, L. A, Atlanta, Boston, Seattle, and Washington D.C. At home, Blake and his brothers made a huge impact on the music industry as sound system operator, club owner and organizer of the popular Merritone Amateur Talent contest. Blake was given The Order of Distinction, Officer Class for his contribution to Jamaica’s entertainment industry over a decade ago. In 2012 he was the recipient of a proclamation from the office of Yvette Clarke, 11th Congressional District, New York and an ‘Appreciation Award,’ from Irie Jam Radio for his contribution to the music industry.

SIZZLA RETURNS TO NYC AFTER 8-YEAR ABSENCE

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Recording artist Sizzla (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

Eight years after his USA visa and work permit were revoked, sing-jay Sizzla ‘Kalonji’ will make his long awaited return to a New York stage when he appears at the 23rd annual Irie Jam Radio anniversary celebration on Labor Day Sunday, September 4th 2016 at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens.

Since the news broke that US immigration authorities “fly the gate” for the reggae artiste to perform stateside again, there has been an exciting buzz especially from his fans in the New York tri-state area who are overjoyed.

Bobby Clarke, CEO and founder of Irie Jam Radio is no stranger to working with Sizzla. In fact in 1995, Clarke an his team introduced the then young, fiery artist to the New York area for his first performance as part of the late Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell’s Exterminator camp with Luciano as headliner.

Kool & The Gang, Third World and Half Pint to headline the CaliCon Festival (@ThirdWorldBand @KoolntheGngLIVE)

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

California Conscious Music Festival (aka CaliCon) with Kool & The Gang, Third World and others comes to Sonoma County’s SOMO Village, located at 1100 Valley House Drive in Rohnert Park on Sunday, September 18th. Tickets are now on sale. The one-day, one-stage, six-band festival is being produced by Second Octave and the 2016 SOMO Concert Series.

The California Conscious Music Festival will deliver legendary artists, artisans and community goodness, with a clear vision to promote unity and green initiatives. The day will feature legendary funk kings, Kool & The Gang, reggae ambassadors Third World, Jamaican dancehall legend Half Pint, San Francisco favorites Native Elements, Mike Love, via Hawaii and Sebastopol’s very own, Sol Horizon.

Local gourmet food, artisans, craft and commercial vendors, wines and craft breweries will be featured to fulfill the festival’s vision. Doors open at 1pm, show starts at 2pm. General Admission is $60 and VIP is $125.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Raging Fyah wraps up U.S. Tour and gets ready for Europe (@Ragingfyah)

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

raging-fyah-2016-658x330 After their third studio album, “Everlasting,” debut at #2 on the Reggae billboard charts, Raging Fyah took their musical message on the road to show their appreciation and give thanks to fans and music lovers alike.

In July 2016, the roots reggae band embarked on their 2016 Everlasting U.S. Tour which took them to Washington DC, Boston, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California. Along the way, Raging Fyah amassed a legion of new fans and Everlasting memories.

Having completed what everyone – band members, music critiques, journalists etc. – considers a successful run in America, the group will now focus on their upcoming European tour which kicks off in Copenhagen, Denmark on October 4th.