The 18th Annual Northwest World Reggae Festival is set for July 29th and 30th at Beavercreek Meadows, near Beavercreek in Oregon. This year’s lineup includes: Marlon Asher, Prezident Brown, The Lambsbread, Reemah and many more.
In addition to the live musical entertainment, the event will also have art and craft booths as well as other family friendly features.
The organizers of the 9th Annual Boston Jerk Fest would like you to join them on July 1st and 2nd at their new location: the Harvard Athletic Complex at 145 North Harvard Street in Boston, Massachusetts.
They are promising an irie vibe filled with good music and food as they kick off the Boston leg of Jamaica’s 60th Anniversary of Independence celebration. Entertainment will be provided by Freddie and Chino McGregor backed by Code Red Band, as well as The Soul Rebel Project.
At the beginning of May two of the biggest names in afrobeat music – Kizz Daniel and Tekno – released Buga, a party track that’s all about showing-off ones achievements. It is a mega hit that is currently trending worldwide.
After keeping their fans in suspense for weeks, the men have just uploaded the official video to YouTube. if you have not yet seen it, check it out and remember to like, comment and share.
Jamaican singer, songwriter and producer Richie Stephens – who hails from the parish of Westmoreland – has just released another inspirational record titled Reverse the Curse. According to Stephens, he penned the song after observing how mean-spirited and grudgeful some people behave, especially towards someone who is succeeding in his or her pursuit.
The production of Reverse the Curse is a collaborative effort between Richie Stephens and his longtime friend and colleague Richard Davidson (CEO and owner of BoomRich Productions). Prior to the release of this record the men have jointly shared two other singles: Valley and Stay Positive. Their objective is to publish a full length studio album at the end of August.
The vocals and instruments for Reverse the Curse were recorded at Richie Stephens‘ Pot of Gold Studio. Musicians that worked on rhythm are: Courtney Panton (bass-guitar), Dave Green (drums), Robert Browne (guitar) and Othniel Lewis (piano); with recording and mixing engineer Marvin Jackson.
When asked if the words in the song were inspired by personal events, Stephens said: “This song is for everyone and also personal…It is the sound track of my life with all the challenges I faced over the years especially in music. People can relate to the lyrical content based on the realness of the song. Every living person go through these things at some point in life.” He went on to say: “I would like people to understand that God is still alive and we should keep the faith in him especially in these troubled times…Ask Father God to Reverse the curse and send it back to sender…”
Veteran reggae-dancehall artist Sizzla Kalonji has announced that he will be officially launching his latest business venture – Kalonji Grill – on Friday, July 1st at a street festival on King Street in Branford, Ontario, Canada.
He and his business partners objective is to prepare traditional Jamaican cuisine on open fire with professional grilling and smoking techniques. They will also use their own unique jerk seasoning which is made from scratch and comes in three different flavors.
The street festival will commence at 12pm on the aforementioned date, and will go on until midnight. Attendees are advised to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the festivities.
Rastafarian singer Burning Spear – one of the most influential and long-standing roots artists to emerge from the 70s – will be hitting The Masonic stage in San Francisco, California on Friday, July 22nd.
This is a part of Spear‘s Fan Appreciation Tour. Doors will open at 7pm and showtime is 8pm. Advance tickets are available on Live Nation’s website.
Last month I spoke with legendary guitarist Ernie Ranglin about his recently released album, Two Colors, done with saxophonist Dean Fraser. Because the twelve-track record was produced by both Dean Fraser and Tad ‘Jr. Tads’ Dawkins, I decided to speak with Dean to get some insights on the production. See our full conversation below.
Maria Jackson:Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview. I understand that you have a limited amount of time so I will just dive in.
In my recent conversation with Ernie Ranglin he said that you were the one that reached out to him to do this project. So my first question is why Ernie? I understand his musical accomplishments, but there are many other well established musicians in Jamaica, so why did you want to do Two Colors with Ernie Ranglin?
Dean Fraser:There’s no other like him mam, I wanted to do this years ago but never got the chance to, so when Tad Dawkins came to me with the thought, I had to make it happen. This is a special musician and a dream come true for me personally
Maria Jackson:Even though this is an instrumental album, you invited Big Youth on one of the tracks; what was your thinking behind that decision?
Dean Fraser:This just happened while recording the song, we wanted all Jamaica’s music to come out on this project. Jah Youth even though we categorize him as a DJ, I know him personally as a musical genius he listens to everything and knows a lot about Jazz so I chose him to be a guest
Maria Jackson:The titles that you have chosen for the songs on Two Colors are somewhat mysterious because there are no vocals to guide us as we listen. That said, what should we read into the following names: “Mi Nuh Kno,” “Nuh True,” “Sam-Fi,” “Joshua,” “Rangos” and “Papa R”? (I have my own interpretation for all the others)
Dean Fraser:Its Jamaican, so we use Jamaican slangs, terms; so the instrumentals speak for itself. Things Jamaica
Maria Jackson:What has the feedback been like since the full record came out?
Dean Fraser:When Wee Pow calls and says he need a special for Stone Love Sound you know this is a good record… breaking the barriers
Maria Jackson:You are always busy helping other artists in studio and on their shows, will you be doing a promo tour for Two Colors?
Dean Fraser:I have already been asked to do at lease 2 concerts and more will come
Maria Jackson:In my interview with Ernie he said that he hopes this is the start of a lot of collaborations between you two. Can you address that statement?
Dean Fraser:He’s such a humble and creative person I should be the one who’s saying that. It’s all good, we will work together always
Maria Jackson:You are such a musical giant. What drives you?
Dean Fraser:I just want to make good music all the time and we have enough talent in Jamaica to make lots of good music. I think I want to make a dancehall-trap project; it can and will be done
Maria Jackson:Finally, let me say thank you for Two Colors. It is a beautiful body of work that I personally enjoy listening. What do you want your fans and supporters to take away from this record?
Dean Fraser:The record was made with a passion for people to relax and enjoy irrespective of age, color or gender. I want people to drive to and from work listening to a Jamaican record that don’t disturb convo, play in the office, on your way to the country, having a drink, family reunion, just togetherness
Maria Jackson:Thank you Dean…
Dean Fraser: I thank u
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 