Strike up The Reggae Oil, Seven-year Itch and more

Busy week for music, coming off the highs of Buju, Rebel and Sizzla and going into the upcoming Reggae Month and the "Jazz & Blues" fest.

IRIE-FM's Brian Schmidt (above) called reggae music "Jamaica's oil" and lamented the fact that while Jamaica was billed as the home of reggae, reggae did not presently feel at home in Jamaica. he gathering at JAMPRO's conference room for Reggae Month also heard from two great "drillers" Sangie Davis(left) and Earl "Chinna" Smith. First on the agenda for February is the Dennis Brown tribute concert on Feb3 at the Edna Manley College.

Bob Marley, February-born, is also a big part of Reggae Month observances and in the courtyard of his former home and studio at 56 Hope Road, up n' comer Protoje made his own fitting start to Marley/Reggae month with the launch of his debut full-length Cd, 7-Year Itch.

And dub is a fundamental derivative of the reggae sound, distilled to its drum n' bass essentials. In the hands of the Dubtonic Kru, that distillate is enriched by organic doses of rock, Latin, jazz and other world sounds. Its the mix that the band is banking on to take them to the top of the upcoming Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB) scheduled for February 27 in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. In the interim, they are busy honing their craft, with live appearances and practice.

Who Needs A band? Sizzla Raises the roof at the Village

I'd normally be the last person to support an artiste performing to tracks, even in the confines of a small, semi-outdoor lounge like Kingston's Village Blues Bar.

But when you're Sizzla Kalonji, and you can have audiences eating out of your hand (and screaming the lyrics to your songs) from the opening number to the last, then who needs a band.

the Judgment Yard chief delivered two of the most powerful sets - although the second devolved into a bit of raunchfest - that I've seen in quite some time, and all with just "freeze-dried riddim tracks" spun by a DJ. Most, if not all his best hits were represented. There was some new material also, and the man christened Miguel Collins too the time to inform the audience he was brushing up on his "ancient tongues" such as Amharic, Gize and Hebrew (though he didn't offer any noticeable evidence of mastering those difficult languages).

Still, it was one of those rare nights when artiste and audience were totally in sync, and that irreplacably electric energy resulted.

Punching in the Pagoda: Wray & Nephew Contender goes the distance

The sport of boxing needed a shot in the arm; mobile giant Claro needed a sport sponsorship to shore up their football interests, and Wray & Nephew needed an entree for its renewed public push, especially its legendary White Overproof brand.

all those factors have aligned in the Contender, which taped its third week of fist-flying action at Kingston's Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) Centre on Wednesday night.

In the main bout, a spirited Glenroy "Bumpy" Blackwood found the going too bumpy against the more skillful, more ring-savvy Sakima Mullings and in the end, his corner threw in the towel in the 5th round (out of six).

There was music, fights, and, of course, Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum cocktails through the night. A definite knockout, and Emx was there.

"One Worl- A music" at Red Bones

Starting off with the "Ital-Jamaican" combo of Samuele Vivian on guitar, Alves Reid on bass, and Toti Denaro on drums, the night's music at Red Bones expanded to accommodate a variety of musicians and styles, all to a fair-sized but very appreciative audience.

Drummer Denaro (shown here hand-drumming on the snare) stood out as a model of passion without bombast. His work on the drum kit was shot through with inventiveness, dynamism and -  most of all - abandon.

Full review and more pics on Monday.

Cafe Crooner - Mike Harris @ Susie's

Words, particularly for those of us who make a living from them, are so often inadequate. It would hardly be an overstatement to say that Michael Sean Harris is the best male vocalist we have in Jamaica - and indeed, have had for some time.


His awesome talents, as singer, songwriter and bandleader are sadly not enough to earn him widescale notice in the present rubric, notwithstanding the exposure afforded by his stint as Judge on TVJ's choir programme All Together Sing.

It was enough though, to lure a fair-sized crowd out to Kingston's Susie's Coffee bar and Terrace - where of course, the focus is not so much of java, but on harder brews and spirits. Time, and the early onset of influenza, meant we could not take in much, but we caught Harris belting out chestnuts like Third World's "96 Degrees in The Shade" and his own composiiton, "Everyday".

Susie's, through Seretse Small's Griot Music company features live music each Wednesday - No cover.

Pool Guys: Hotels seek to make splash with weeknight entertainment

At the two major hotels on the capital's Knutsford Strip, those seeking a late evening poolside recharge with food, drink and music are being well catered for.  At the Wyndham,  patrons who navigated the craft stall could hear the sound of 2010 Battle of the Bands finalists, Macca Tree Band
 delved into the Jamaican songbook, serving up ska and reggae hits. Down the road, at the Pegasus, guitar ace, Rupert Bent Snr got things started with the aid of his computer, smartly accompanying tracks that included the obligatory Bob Marley, but also pop/r&b gems like James Ingram's "One Hundred Ways" and Earth Wind And Fire's "After The Love is Gone".

He would later be joined by accompanists Othniel "Ottey" Lewis on keys, Dale Brown on bass and drummer Chris Tyrell, the latter having just returned from a European stint with Jimmy Cliff. Australia is next on the agenda for Tyrell, who's also pursuing some production and personal recording projects. EW&F returned to the lineup, this time with "September" and there was more reggae in the form of Third World's take on the OJays chestnut, "Now That We've Found Love".

The two venue join a number of smaller haunts in and around Kingston that are spurring the beginnings of a live music renaissance for the capital, one some three or four years in the making, but still in need of serious support, attention and investment.

Life Of Riley: Tarrus Live at 38A

"She's Royal" is just one of those songs.

One of those that you enjoy hearing the hundredth time, and even the thousandth time, as much as the first. That goes double for seeing Tarrus Riley perform it live, as he did on Sunday night at the very happening 38a entertainment centre, on Trafalgar Road.

With the reliable Dean Fraser and the top-notch Black Soil band in support, Riley could do no wrong, especially for the ladies, who screamed on cue and sang their anthem word for word.

Liveplug-Emx was on hand (we spoke briefly with the singer afterwards - more on that in another post) and captured a few highlights

for more pics - go to our Facebook page - facebook.com and click Tarrus Live

Legends....Made, and in the Making

The New Year's Night edition of Plug n' Play ( a plucky joint effort for live music by Dubtonic Kru along with Jonkanoo Lounge 7 Stepping Razor Productions) redeemed itself from a horribly late start Friday night (the last of 2010, although the show did not actually proceed until 1 am, Jan 01 11).



Legend Max Romeo was in fine form, but pretty much lost the night's honours to his progeny, two youngsters who perform as Romenal. Natural talent and charisma abound in these two boys and like other reggae scions (Kenyatta Hill, the Tosh and Marley boys) they should be commanding headlines in the future.

The master returned with chestnuts from his catalog before calling up guest Dennis Alcapone (recovering from a sprained ankle ) to join him for a fitting finale.

This is a series that has potential, if only the band members would kick it in gear with the punctuality.
A few visual  highlights