Legendary soul singer Freddie Jackson will be performing at Hope Gardens in Kingston, Jamaica this Saturday, February 11th. Jackson will be supported by local acts Sanchez, Alaine, and Remone Watson, the 2023 Digicel Rising Star winner.
Freddie Jackson began his professional music career in the late 1970s, and by the mid eighties he was a household name with hits like You Are My Lady and Have You Ever Loved Somebody. For additional information about this event visit lovinthegardens-dot-com.
Last weekend, on Sunday, February 4th, the 66th Annual Grammy Awards were held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Below are all the winners in the five Gospel & Contemporary Christian Music categories.
Best Gospel Performance/Song
All Things
Kirk Franklin
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Your Power
Lecrae & Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Best Gospel Album
All Things New: Live In Orlando
Tye Tribbett
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Church Clothes 4
Lecrae
Best Roots Gospel Album
Echoes Of The South
Blind Boys Of Alabama
Reggae Month’s Young Reggae Ambassadors series will be in full swing this Saturday – February 10th – at Island Village in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This is a free event that will begin at 8:00 PM sharp.
The Young Reggae Ambassadors confirmed for this staging are Aza Lineage, D-Medz, Royal Blu, and Eesah. Veteran reggae artist Richie Spice will also be performing as a special guest.
Alwayne Love is one of reggae music’s best-kept secrets. After having two breakout singles many years ago under the moniker J Love, and then subsequently taking a long hiatus from the industry, Alwayne is back!
Born Jermaine Alwayne Love in St. Mary, Jamaica, he – in consultation with his new management team – opted to change his artist name from the former J Love to now Alwayne Love. A native of Broadgate, a small district in the aforementioned parish, Alwayne had a difficult childhood, one that unfortunately involved deeply distressing experiences. As a result, he was raised by his biological mother and stepfather, as well as with foster parents. His academic achievements were attained at Broadgate Basic, Mahoe Hill Primary, and St. Mary High School. Sadly, he did not complete the latter.
With all that he had to deal with at home, young Alwayne spent a lot of time at the local church, which is where he first started singing. In fact, he credits the word of God coupled with his childhood trauma and rejection as his main sources of inspiration. And although he is most known for performing reggae and dancehall tunes, he has made it clear that he has, and will continue to include gospel and inspirational music in his catalogue.
As he steps back into the music industry, Alwayne Love is coming with the very thing that has allowed him to work with Gyptian, Box Lunch Production, Tad’s International, and other credible artists and labels; good music. His come back tune, which will be released shortly, is a nostalgic reggae song called Africa The Motherland.
Alwayne Love is now under the management of Mark Burke of T25 Records.
On January 11, 2024, Boston-based roots artist JahRiffe released Closer, a song that is the epitome of authentic Rasta reggae music.
According to JahRiffe, he was inspired to write this one after reflecting on how much he appreciates his relationship with The Creator, and how his commitment to the Most High has resulted in his sense of security, inner peace, and overall well-being. Although Closer is an extremely strong faith-based record, it is also equally relaxing, and as such, possesses the ability to put listeners into a meditative state.
The beautiful one drop reggae rhythm was created by David “JAH David” Goldfine who played the drums, bass, percussion, lead keyboard, and lead guitar, and Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred who added the rhythm guitar and keyboard. Backing vocals were done by Ruel Klyve Moncrieffe, and it was mixed by Goldfine and mastered by Tom Waltz.
Reggae selectors in receipt of the track who are more drawn to conscious roots music have been celebrating Closer. It is already enjoying steady rotation from several deejays, with some pledging to always have it on their playlists. For his part, JahRiffe says he would like listeners to: “seek to be the best of you by knowing there is a higher part of you connected beyond the earth but the earth is where you bring it out. So always bring out the best of that.” He also added: “give thanks for the support please keep supporting and spreading good vibes in the world.”
Trinidadian reggae singer Marlon Asher will be performing at Longboard Margarita Bar – 180 Eureka Square – in Pacifica, California, on Saturday, March 23; starting at 8:00 PM PDT. He will be joined by Junior Toots, the son of the legendary Toots Hibbert of Toots & The Maytals, as well as host, Emcee Elijah from Nice Up Radio. Click here for tickets.
Jamaican Dave Productions will be presenting the 10th annual Bob Marley Birthday Celebration this Saturday, February 10th, at the Ardmore Music Hall, located at 23 East Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
It will feature a live performance by international reggae star Luciano along with special guests Jah People, The Exaltations, and Luv Smith. There will also be a DJ set by Solomonic Sounds with Rob Paine. Click here for tickets.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 