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.