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.

YahMan! DJ Naaman Goes Deep

Much has been made - rightly so - about the exploits of Chronixx, Kabaka, Protoje and the other young Jamaican reggae revivialists.

But at the risk of hyperbole, its very probable that reggae's next "saviour" just might come from a point further east. From the[ coast of Dieppe, France, singjay Naaman (given name: Martin Mussard) has emerged from the fully equipped with the lyrical flow, mental dedication and emotional resonance to confidently add his name to the upper echelons of  reggae's brightest stars.

French singjay Naaman (right) greets the writer

It was the heavy rhythms and engaging messages of reggae's legends (Marley included) that first hooked the young singer, the raggamuffin styles of the likes of Capleton, Sizzla and Lutan Fyah coming shortly thereafter as he devoured all the Jamaican music product available. It wasn't long before he had formed a sound system with some other enterprising locals.

In 2012, following the equally inevitable mixtape, (featured track: Skanking Shoes")the sing jay made a big French tour with more than 70 dates making and meeting numerous new fans. He also created a buzz on the web, scoring over 600 000 views in the space of a year!

Those milestones were enough to earn him the title of Revelation of 2013 by the Reggae Victories (Reggae.fr / France), but still a trip to the source of the music beckoned. he fulfilled that marker on the musical totem pole last year, describing the feeling of touching down on Jamaican soil as "awesome and incredible". But now Naaman is armed with a full-length  follow-up to the previous compilation, this time titled Deep Rockers Back A Yard!

Naaman and his team successfully enlisted the contributions of drumming maestro Sly Dunbar and guitar ace Dalton Browne on this recording, with the process also being overseen on the production side by Sam Clayton and Stephen Stewart, the latte also doubling on keyboards. The recording took place at the famed Harry J Studios in Kingston - under the shadow of the Long Mountain range. The geographical reference is important, Stewart says, as the album is part of a long-term collaboration between French outfit Soul Beats, and Warieka Music (named for the eastern part of the Long Mountain range. The label, he adds is all about returning to a holistic approach of developing artistes of international quality wherever they hail form and working intently with them to  put out and promote top-notch recordings of substance.
Standout tracks on the immediately engaging disc include The House Of Love" and "Rebel For Life" featuring Cutty Ranks, and the lilting acoustic closer, "One Day" which in fact recorded in the DJ's home district of Normandie with his original band.

Naâman says positivity and life are his priority and his boyish ease in conversation lends credence to that statement. He is typically effusive about the vibe that greets him here in Jamaica, and having checked the "recording box" he would next like to add a Jamaican live performance to his musical bucket list. 'Though I haven't been to every country, Jamaica so far is the perfect place for music. I really feel special when I come here and it helped me in putting my truth and my authentic vibes out to the public through this record. If I don't live it, I don't sing it."
A line well worth remembering as Naaman stakes his claim to reggae pre-eminence

The rain fell, but not the Mountains: @Jimi's Jam

The weathervforecast had proffered a 20% chance of showers, which merely made it inevitable when the heavens did actually open up.

But, thwarted meteorologists aside, the lingering downpour had no I'll effects on the small but enthusiastic group that converged on the Asante Adonai property in the St Ann hills on Sunday. What could possiblyprove such powerful draw? Jimi Hendrix, or more specifically, the remembrance thereof. On ten occasion of the 69th anniversary of the birth of the legendary guitarist, broadcaster, psychologist (and owner of the sprawling hillside estate) and lifelong Hendrix devotee Leachim hosted the official inaugural Hendrix Tribute, dubbed "Jimi's Jam".

The event was conceived to have three main elements: cinematic, dubbed Fillmore Tropical (after the famed Fillmore West and East Theatres where he famously performed; Hendrix on Wax ( as well as CD and digital turntable); and Hendrix Live. Although the rain put paid to the outdoor cinema, the other two elements came together to excellent effect.

The selector duties were lArgely split between the host and dj Afifa who through her Sounds of Life outfit, turned a fiitingly eclectic set of Hendrix originals, tunes from artistes influenced by Hendrix and Hendrix covers - the latter notably including Angelique Kidjo's smoking' rendition of "Voodoo Chile" and - most indelible of all to this writer - The Cure's take on "Purple Haze".

The live segment overcame the much delayed arrival of drummer Akil Karram to prove a welcome finish tothe event. Guitarists Maurice Gordon and Omar Francis cranked up at a moderate pace with "Hey Joe", bassist Shurwayne Thompson adapting speedily to what was unfamiliar material. With the previously lost-in-transit Karram scurrying onto the stage, the vibe quickly belled and the thusly formed quartet stretched out with aplomb on a dub-tinged "Machine Gun" as the rain subsided. More similar explorations followed and on the closer " Little Wing" Karram ceded the drum chair to the previously unheralded but undoubtedly talented Shane Campbell.

Apart from the musical appetite, patrons' cravings for sustenance were sated by organic fare from "Stoosh in de Bush" which included Cilantro-pumpkin soup, homemade bread and a delectable egg-less, flour-less chocolate cake. Artist Richard Von White also had his unique mixed media reproductions on display.

Altogether a great jump-off in tribute to the man who famously said, "fall mountains, just don't fall on me." The mountains held up, and the forecast for the future of this event looks bright.

Altogether, a memorable jump-off for the man who famously claimed "fall mountains, jut don'