Govanah in reggae

Di Govanah

Desmond Ray Williams began his career as Di Govanah at age 15 when he stamped his class as a talented  lyricist by decimating his teacher in a DJ showdown on a concert at his school, Maldon High, St James. With his star potential now exposed, Di Govanah's fan base quickly started to grow and by age 17 he had already recorded two albums: "Combination" and "Musically Equipped".

From those relatively humble beginnings, Williams matured rapidly in the business, and has racked up an enviable list of performance credits, including Reggae Sumfest and Reggae Fever. On the recording front, his output includes such tracks as "Time Like This", "Jah Say Don't" and "Inna Trouble."

Having been thus seasoned, the artiste believes he is close to the top of his game creatively, and anticipates a busy period over the coming months , during which time he will appear on several local shows whilst he prepares for a European trip come this summer. To accompany him on that tour of the continent is Swiss band Gully Echo, with producer Aron Franchetti. 

Ahead of that though, Govanah remains very active in the studios and is set to release a new EP, entitled "(Jam) Session". Already his fans are eagerly anticipating his arrival and commonly regard him as the "Young Peter Tosh". Accompanying him on this tour is 

Assessing his career to date, and reflecting on the struggles he quietly and humbly endured, the artiste is filled with pride, optimism and a sense of mission. "This marks a very exhilarating time for me musically as I strive to achieve the heights. My goal is to be a  voice for Jah people bringing a positive message while maintaining my musical relevance". 

Fully confident in the abundance of his talent and blessed with talent and with an infectious personality to match, Di Govanah is now set to unleash his arsenal of conscious reggae/Dancehall music to the world and is tipped to become one of Jamaica's leading break-out artistes of 2015.

Look out for Di Govanah, he is definately one to watch.

Riddims, Rasta and Redemption: Reggae Wednesdays night 1

Inasmuch as he starred in several Pantomimes, the late Randolph "Ranny" Williams (also lovingly known as "Mas Ran" was not widely acknowledged as a singer, nor would he have been expected to have much facility with the reggae genre (he passe about 6 months before Bob Marley, but at the gae of 68)

So it was ironic yet fitting that under  the light of a new moon (and man-made props), the Centre named in his honour hosted fantastic expositions of the very essence of the reggae genre - the percussion-driven Afro-centric rhythms of the likes of Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus.

Complete with life-size screen backdrop, and full production credits, the Ranny Williams stage seemd tailor-made for the regal Ras Michael dressed in a peach caftan and trousers with immaculate white sneakers. He regaled the constantly growing audience with tracks such as "Birds in the Treetop"  "Give love" and "None A Jah Jah Children Nuh Cry"
ably supported by both his son and grandaughter, the latter a vocalistto watch in her own right.

They were preceded (and aided) by the Warrior Love band, who have been stalwarts for the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) in its annual presentations of Reggae Month, now finding, since last year, a permanent home at Ranny Williams.

Before them, the night started in rousing fashion, with the Akwaaba Drummers, comprising some of the most accomplished percussionists working in Jamaica today. A lone female dancer sought o accentuate and translate some of the energy being generated by the instruments, which included the "kitchen cabinet" a homemade percussion and multi-phonic creation of writer-musician-artist M'bala.

When this writer left, the audience had been treated to a sterling display by a unique multi-generational cast: the likes of trombone virtuoso Nambo Robinson and  drummer extraordinaire Desi Jones alongside youngsters such as Shiah Coore (son of Stephen "Cat" Coore), saxophonist Sheldon Palmer and Desi's son Joshua on bass. their expanded repertoire  took in soul (the Isley Bros. "Livin' for the Love of You") as well as r n' b (the Whispers' "And The Beat Goes On") and contemporary reggae.

Above it all, "Mas Ran" flashed a toothy, silvery grin of approaval.


The Reggae month calendar featuresa wide range of musical and other cultural events throughout february. For details, visitthe JaRIA website at www.jariajamaica.com

Reggae Month launched

There was music too, of course, and lots of speeches and conversation, but this was the visual highlight of Tuesday night's Reggae Month 2015 Media Launch in Kingston. I'll have updates and reports on reggae Month events as they unfold in February

Holt's Volts to reverberate in Trelawny

Reggae giant the late John Holt

Organisers of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival have tapped some of the best roots rock Reggae stalwarts to present a Tribute to the Late John Holt. Few singers have influenced generations of reggae acts than John Holt, the consummate lovers rock artiste. The tribute features nine acts is a pulsating Reggae party on Thursday, January 29 at the Trelawny Stadium.

Holt died in October in London at age 69, leaving a remarkable catalogue of music. That legacy will be recognised on opening night of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival on January 29. The lineup includes singers Errol Dunkley, George Nooks, Judy Mowatt, Cornell Campbell, vocal group The Tamlins and deejay Josey Wales all backed by Lloyd Parks and We The People Band, each artiste will dedicate part of their set to Holt. Also on Thursday night is soca artiste Oscar B with his band Oscar B and Vibes, promising an energetic, fun-filled performance.

According to the Jazz team, Holt's enduring career and massive cache of hit songs influenced the selection of acts on opening night. 

 

Holt hailed from Greenwich Town, a fishing community in Kingston with a rich music heritage. He set the pace for other singers from the area by winning the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour contest multiple times in the 1950s while still a student at Calabar High School.

He had numerous hits in the rocksteady era with harmony trio, The Paragons (On the Beach, The Tide is High and Danger in Your Eyes), before going on to an even more successful solo career.

As a solo act, Holt racked up hits such as Stick by Me, A Love I Can Feel, Ali Baba and Police in Helicopter. The latter announced Holt as a dancehall performer in 1981. John Holt inspired a generation of reggae singers who emerged during the 1970s, including Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Johnny Clarke and Freddie McGregor.

 

The 2015 staging of the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival, The Art of Music is slated to take place from January 29 - January 31 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. This year's Festival will feature extraordinary acts such as the multi Grammy-Award winning vocalist Mariah Carey, the energetic sibling group The Pointer Sisters, 2014 Billboard Chart toppers Magic, former lead singer of Chicago and soloist Peter Cetera, R&B Soul icon Charlie Wilson, North American based Reggae band, Soja, Bajan Saxophonist, Arturo Tappin, Roots Reggae group Morgan Heritage Reggae Crooner and Richie 'Ska Teck' Stephens. 

The Journey of the Drum

The Jamaica Music Museum will be hosting its 4th Annual Grounation Series for Reggae/ Black History Month - February 2015. Grounation will explore how the role of the drums at the foundation of African Culture has conveyed philosophical and social ideas leading to the shaping of new cultures, values and aesthetics of the diaspora and peoples of the New World.

This year's presenters will include Maxine Gordon, Dr. Christopher Johnson, Dr. Kenneth Bilby and Dr. Matthew Smith . Performers will include Jamaican Master Percussionist Larry McDonald and Drumquestra, Phillip Supersad and Ozone. 

Reggae Month 2K15: More riddims, More Groundings, More on show

Anticipation continues to build for February as the annual reggae Month approaches.

The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA)is promising a bigger and better event this year including the following events as part of the choices for "edutainment" which complement the standard Reggae Month offerings:

- Grounation Series at The Institute of Jamaica – February 1, 8, 15, 22

- Trench Town Festival “Jamming at the Bass”, Ambassador Theatre – February 1

- Uptown Mondays, Savannah Plaza, February 2, 9, 16, 23

- Lyming at Culture Yard, Trench Town, February 4

- Weddy Weddy, Burlington Ave, February, 4, 11, 18, 25

This year, in the Reggae Village at Ranny Williams Entertainment Complex, the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) will introduce four new and three repackaged events, namely:

- JaRIA LIVE: a weekly series presenting local renown and upcoming talent - February 3, 10, 17 and 24. February 17 and 24 will be dubbed Ladies' Nights. This event began last year at a different location but comes home to the Reggae Village this year.

- JaRIA Mixer: a weekly Friday "after-work jam" with games and music by a guest selector - February 6, 13, 20, 27

- Lunchtime Entertainment will be a big attraction throughout the month of February, as the best of music, dance, poetry and drama will be served along with culinary delights from the Reggae Month concessionaires.

- JaRIA Dance Vibz: a creative dance show in the Louise Bennett Theatre interweaving music and movement - February 21

- Reggae Praise, a music ministry show featuring top gospel artistes, is not a new event. What is new is that it is now holding its own, on Sunday February 8, instead of being one element of Reggae Wednesdays.

- Neither is the Jamaica Music Symposium a new event. However, it will now be a 2-day event in collaboration with the University of the West Indies on February 15 and 16.

- Movie Night on February 23 is an offshoot of the very successful screening of documentaries and a movie during Reggae Month 2014

The annual Dennis Brown tribute event is organised by The Dennis Brown Trust, Leggo Records, Sounds and Pressure and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA). Artistes perform in tribute to Dennis Emmanuel Brown. 

Visit  www.jariajamaica.com to get information on all Reggae Month activities.

Musical "Pon-Fusion" at Jojo's

Corinne Bailey-Rae brushing up against Dennis Brown? Prince and John Legend in the same show with Frankie Paul and John Holt?

Genres dissolved and made way for fun and musicianship during the latest exposition of Live music Saturdays at JojJo's Jerk Pit

The night's feature act was up and coming singer Deji, who brought a clean clear tone and genuine warmth to some of the aforementioned and standards like Peggy Lee's "Fever"

The bill also also featured singer Stratdon who put his vocal gifts and easygoing presence to good use.

all well served by Pon Fyah, the resourceful musical tandem of O'zuone on keys (including some driving bass riffs) and drummer Junior "Bird" Baillie, the latter regaling this writer with his experiences as musical director for Sean Paul (you just don't know how much of a diva Beyonce can be) as well as Mariah Carey, J-Lo, and others.

Deji

Stratdon