BOB MARLEY 70th BIRTHDAY BASH – ATLANTA (@highlanda)

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Highlanda Sound will be hosting A Bob Marley Tribute event at Studio No. 7, an art gallery, craft bar, eatery, and lounge in downtown Atlanta, voted Best of 2014 by Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine.

The tribute event will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 from 10pm-3am to commemorate Marley’s 70th birthday, as well as to honor the birthday of Highlanda Sound co-founder ĀGARD. Highlanda’s Kahlil Wonda, who shares an Aquarius birthdate with his wife, will also be celebrating on this special occasion. Musical selections as global as Marley himself will be presented all night by Highlanda Sound’s other co-founder, SuperPEC Archangel alongside selector M.I.C and surprise guests.

Located at 393 Marietta Street near to The World of Coca-Cola and Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, the venue Studio No. 7 is billed as a space for creatives and will offers a blend of art, cuisine, cocktails and music for this event. Tickets starting at $10 will be available online and at the door. RSVP: ABobMarleyTribute@gmail.com for complimentary admission.

Although he passed away in 1981, Bob Marley’s music still accounts for over half of all reggae music sales, and his message continues to resonate across the globe as a beacon of truth, justice, and love.

“Mr. and Mrs. Wonda and I wanted to organize a big Aquarius anniversary, meanwhile Highlanda’s supporters were asking for a special event on a weekend since many folks are unable to attend Rocksteady on 1st Sundays. This all coincided with Bob’s 70th and Studio No. 7’s interest in hosting an event with Marley-inspired music. More than just reggae, its an international music phenomena and a great way to infuse people,” said ĀGARD, founder of Highlanda Sound and ĀGARD Entertainment.

About Highlanda Sound

Highlanda Sound was started by DJ’s Superpec, Kahlil Wonda, and ĀGARD, who had a vision of creating an entertaining experiences and promoting reggae music world wide. Highlanda Sound launched in the spring of 1999. To learn more, visit Highlanda.net or call Kahlil Wonda at (404) 552-0492.

About Studio No. 7

Located between West Midtown and downtown Atlanta houses an art gallery, test kitchen, and lounge. The space is reminiscent of a New York City loft with its exposed brick and high ceilings, and is the perfect place for drinks, great food and late night events. To learn more, visit StudioNo7.com or call Earl Adams at (404) 549-9839.

New Year Message from the Chairman of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (@JReggaeIndustry)

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Looking forward to 2015 the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) is elated at finally having the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre as the Reggae Village for our February 2015, month long, Reggae Month activities. We congratulate the Reggae Month committee for guiding the process and thank the JCDC for their kind consideration.

We look forward to Reggae Wednesdays, Reggae University, the second mounting of the Annual Trade Fair, the possibility of discovering the “next big reggae phenomenon” during our Tuesday Live activities, the Friday evening relaxation sessions and of course, a special Valentine’s Day Dance featuring Stone Love. All of these activities plus having lunch each and every day while enjoying the best of our music, dance and drama will happen from the 1st to the 28th of February inclusive in the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. Outside of that venue we will be experiencing the Annual Awards at the Courtleigh Auditorium, the Dennis Brown Earth Day Show on the Kingston Water Front and the Trench Town Festival. Please inform all of your family and friends, especially those overseas, that the place to escape the snow is Kingston, Jamaica, every day of February 2015 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.

As we review the year 2014, the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) hereby expresses gratitude to all our board members, committee members and general membership for your contribution of dues, voluntary service to the organization as well as your attendance and presentations to the board and general meetings. Special thanks to the working groups that led and implemented the successful: Reggae Month activities, first Annual Ska Festival, training and mounting of the Duppy Band series during the Independence Celebrations. We are most grateful to our sponsors for their kind contributions. In this regard we would like to specially mention the Ministry of Youth and Culture, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the CHASE fund, the JCDC, Jamaica National and Wisynco as well as the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts for allowing us space for our meetings.

We congratulate Marcia Griffiths, Phil Chen, Bobby Ellis, Dwight Pinkney, Winston “Wee Pow” Powell (of Stone Love) and Steven Woodham on receiving Jamaican National Honours. We do regret the passing of Uziah “Sticky” Thompson, Otis Wright, Phillip Smart, Lincoln “Style” Scott, Wayne “Sleng Teng” Smith, Cebert “Jackie” Bernard (lead singer of the Kingstonians), Joseph “Powda” Bennett (formerly of The Jolly Boys) and Chad Young (former CEO of Irie and ZIP), Hopeton Lewis, Desmond Miles, William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke, Feea Daughter of Zion, Newton Simons, John Holt, Rev. David Keane (SonShine Singers), David Johns and Barbara Jones-Lewis. We offer condolences to their families and loved ones and the assurance that they are now joined with the great celestial music fraternity.

To all our supporters through the years, we say thanks. The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) wishes the best for all in what is shaping up to be a blessed 2015.

IMAR SHEPHARD – New Single – “DO IT” (@ImarShephard)

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Reggae rising star Imar Shephard will welcome 2015 with “Do It” the first of several singles from his highly-anticipated debut album. The single is scheduled for release January 13, 2015 on the “Nyah Bless Music” record label.

“Do It” is an upbeat soca – reggae fusion produced by Karl Morrison of the StarPlayer Music Group for Nyah Bless Music. The song is very crisp with exciting vocal arrangements. The single is available on I Tunes and on all digital retailers worldwide.

“This song is a tribute to the ladies who love to dance, states Imar. “Music is a tool that brings happiness to many people and I love to see people happy and having fun”

“Do It” endorses women’s empowerment through music and dance. While the song focuses on the ‘physical benefits of dancing – it further elaborates on the power women find in having control of their bodies and sexuality.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN – “DO IT”

Karamanti release video for “Big Woman Ting”

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

While on tour in Europe Karamanti shot the video for her single “Big Woman Ting”, one of her more popular tracks in that region. The video features two of Scandanavia’s top female dance groups, the Vuvuzela Dance Crew and the Kazoo Dancers. As the beat was built by a producer from Zimbabwe, Karamanti was also fortunate to get an African model, Lea Monde, to play a key role in the video.

Persons may check out the official video for “Big Woman Ting” on Karamanti’s youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6jaiiKgVKU. And DJs may download the song from a link placed in the description box.

Jamaica’s 2010 Magnum King Press Fyah still burning! (@PressFyah)

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Press Fyah, who was crowned the king of Jamaica’s popular TV show, Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall a few years ago is still working on making a name for himself in the industry.

Although the winning of the Magnum crown in 2010 did not translate into a recording or management contract, Press Fyah remained committed to pushing his music independently, something he continues to do even today. His catalogue includes “far away” on the Starkutt Record Label (Demarco), “close to me” a Sajay Production, the Rainfall Riddim Compilation by Good Good Production, and that is just to name a few. His most recent release is a single entitled “road users” which is on the Charlie Pro Record Label and all his songs are available online for streaming and download.

He was recently invited to Jamaica’s News Talk 93FM to give an update on his life after the competition. See the entire interview here

Fans and supporters of Press Fyah can catch him performing live in Portland in April on the Blakkout Tour. For more information on this event join the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1382937172001371/

Bunji Garlin – Our Time (@BUNJIGARLIN)

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

We are a people of culture and strong spiritual beliefs. We move with music as though it is our birthright and as though we are music itself. We are the people of the third world sun that moves to our own beat while the wide world fast forwards through time. All that we know,existed for a century yet still we were left in shadow. Now we live in a time where odds are defied. Constantly hearing from our own kind that our music and our creatives will never reach anywhere just because of their own lack of resolve and fortitude.

We now enjoy a moment where soca music is on mainstream platforms around the world, our creatives are signed to major labels, where we have internationally recognized awards to our music, where internationally recognized print and online media now do reviews and report on ‘A soca album’ and this is just the beginning. Written by Bunji Garlin and produced by a class producer, Sheriff of Black Ice Studio. Sheriff also produced Differentology, Carnival Tabanca and Cosmopolitan. We present a song that sums it all up. This is ‘OUR TIME’.

With a locally structured version we call the Tapia House Mix and an international structured version called The Sheriff Mix, selectors and overall music listeners can enjoy both vibes of the same song since we are no longer confined to just one form of thinking. Happy new year and go brave into the future because the moment is here. This is OUR TIME.

Written and performed by Bunji Garlin
Produced and mixed by Sheriff of Black Ice Studios
Mastered by Madmen Producers

Marlon Asher – Babylon Brutality (@GanjaFarmr)

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

In the past few years America has seen its political system publicly criticized by its citizens as they protest against police brutality and other forms of injustice. The masses in America seems as though they are at a breaking point and are now speaking out, many of them for the first time.

One group of people that has consistently addressed the issue of police brutality, government greed, and injustice overall is Rastafarians. Mr. Marlon Asher, the “Ganja Farmer” or “Cowboy” affectionately known to his friends is a native Trinidadian and is also known for his affiliation with Rastafari.

Here is the official video for his single “Babylon Brutality”