See the link for pictorial highlights from the reggae group Bonafide's album launch at Terra Nova hotel earlier this week.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=369688569742528&set=a.369687843075934.91650.160448100666577&type=1&theater
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Marking Milestones with Muzik
"Cut to the quick/
deception was the tool/
performers poured music in the wound/...
Throwing off sparks/
bringing this Frankenstein/
skanking to life/
and ready to face the dawn/"
- "Rebel Love Revival" (excerpt)
c2009
Fifty years of political independence.
A half-century of existence for Founder/Production Chief Patrick "Tony Rebel" Barrett.
Almost two decades of successful and critically acclaimed stagings of Rebel Salute.
There was much to celebrate inside the ballroom of the Wyndham Kingston Tuesday night last and the invited musical guests proved more than nable to get the crowd of media, sponsors' reps, music fraternity and general well-wishers to appreciate the magnitude - and dynamism - of the occasion.
Battle of the Bands 2012 Jamaica finalists Raging Fyah overcame the first of the night's persistent sound glitches to deliver a rousing rendition of "Judgement Day" from their still growing repertoire. They would return in even finer form at the end of the night with "Far Away" and "Can't Run From Yourself". Similarly C-Sharp, still on a roll from their excellent CD release concert for "The Invitation" took their now trademark tight musicianship and audience rapport to even greater levels with a flawless delivery of "Reggae My Song".
In between those musical tentpoles, there were stirring comments from members of the head table, product pacakge giveaways from the sponsors and more scintillating musical stints, all guided with poise and relaxed wit by emcee Lady Renae. Ibamar, trombonist/vocalist Pesso, "basso profundo" Mikey Spice and veteran Edi "The Gun" Fitzroy all gave encouraging hints of things to come.
He didn't perform, but the "boss" Tony Rebel made another impassioned plea for more support for roots reggae, both from corporate circles and the media, a pleas supported - at least vocally - by his head table colleagues.
At night's end, with Pepsi and meatless cocktails awaiting eventgoers, the impression was distinctly left that Jamaica's globally revered musical brand was in good hands on the advent of the Golden Anniversary, and iwth the promise of new chapters to be written - and sung.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
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'
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'
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Boys Deserve Better
Some shows succeed in spite of themselves, while other, with the best of intentions, simply don't make the mark.
In that latter category file the Rotary Club 'Let's Do It For The Alpha Boys which unfolded on Saturday night (into the wee hours of Sunday morning) at th cavernous National Indoor Sports Centre.
The Alpha Boys School is as deserving of a tribute show as any institution in Jamaica - arguably the hemisphere - and the notion of combining jazz/big band showcase with a reggae/dancehall showcase must seemed a great idea to the organizers. The outcome however, was largely a case of reach exceeding grasp.
It started auspiciously with the Jamaica Military Band striking up the National Anthem and proceeding to spin out a mix of contemporary numbers. Thereafter, interspersed with video vignettes of legendary Alpha Boys School alumni, the sparse crowd was treated to various iterations of Alpha bands - an Alumni group, the Omega element (opposite of Alpha) and a clutch of the current boys. Longtime Alpha Boys' Band director Sparrow Martin, nattily decked out in a dark suit and robin-red hat, figured prominently in these segments. The Alumni started off tentatively but gathered steam remarkably zipping through standards like "Satin Doll" and pop hits like Otis Redding/Aretha Franklin's "Respect" with notable gusto.
But the audience seemed largely unmoved throughout the demonstration and the first discernible rise came from the 50/50 band, who with noted psychologist Aggrey Irons as toast master, did a good job reminding the audience of the word, sound and power of another great Jamaican: Petr Tosh. "African" was followed by "Buckingham Palace" which, with its message of defiant marijuana consumption was a neat bookend to the Damian Marley hit "Welcome To Jamrock" (and Ini Kamoze's "Worl A Reggae Music" which it samples)
Dubtonic Kru, which is in preparation for its Summer "Victory Tour" gave a workman-like performance that justified its selection as the World's Best new Band in Malaysia earlier this year.
LUST - sans Singing Melody - provided the first real sparks at the mid-point, delivering their known hits to the delight of the audience, which by this time had gathered a measure of coherence and heft, but only because some of those in the rafters had accepted the off to come and populate the sea of white seats in the centre floor. They also made a neat reference to the "Rapture craze" by taking the audience to church with a medley of gospel favourites.
This writer left to the strains of D'Angel with the dancehall heavy hitters still to come.
The Indoor Sports Centre's acoustics are notoriously unfriendly to bands. The emcees Jodian Gray, Drew Lawence and Denise 'Ises' Miller performed creditably (although some more links could have been made to the video tributes). The Hospitality area in the foyer was barely up to par (but the Grace Foods brand manager as exemplary in pouring the selection of wines on hand), and despite stage designer Bert Rose's appealing tributary touches in the foyer (and outside) the show area was as stark and unattractive as a moonscape.
Wiser options might have meant a more intimate venue with better opportunites for presentation, or even a multi-venue roadshow over a prescribed period during which donations could be solicited and the message of Alpha's integral role spread more deeply and effectively. At $4000 a pop, it was always going to be a tall order to fill the Arean in these times for a cuase, which while obviously worthy, has way less resonance to John Q Public today.
One has to think that both the legends of the past and the current students deserve better.
In that latter category file the Rotary Club 'Let's Do It For The Alpha Boys which unfolded on Saturday night (into the wee hours of Sunday morning) at th cavernous National Indoor Sports Centre.
The Alpha Boys School is as deserving of a tribute show as any institution in Jamaica - arguably the hemisphere - and the notion of combining jazz/big band showcase with a reggae/dancehall showcase must seemed a great idea to the organizers. The outcome however, was largely a case of reach exceeding grasp.
It started auspiciously with the Jamaica Military Band striking up the National Anthem and proceeding to spin out a mix of contemporary numbers. Thereafter, interspersed with video vignettes of legendary Alpha Boys School alumni, the sparse crowd was treated to various iterations of Alpha bands - an Alumni group, the Omega element (opposite of Alpha) and a clutch of the current boys. Longtime Alpha Boys' Band director Sparrow Martin, nattily decked out in a dark suit and robin-red hat, figured prominently in these segments. The Alumni started off tentatively but gathered steam remarkably zipping through standards like "Satin Doll" and pop hits like Otis Redding/Aretha Franklin's "Respect" with notable gusto.
But the audience seemed largely unmoved throughout the demonstration and the first discernible rise came from the 50/50 band, who with noted psychologist Aggrey Irons as toast master, did a good job reminding the audience of the word, sound and power of another great Jamaican: Petr Tosh. "African" was followed by "Buckingham Palace" which, with its message of defiant marijuana consumption was a neat bookend to the Damian Marley hit "Welcome To Jamrock" (and Ini Kamoze's "Worl A Reggae Music" which it samples)
Dubtonic Kru, which is in preparation for its Summer "Victory Tour" gave a workman-like performance that justified its selection as the World's Best new Band in Malaysia earlier this year.
LUST - sans Singing Melody - provided the first real sparks at the mid-point, delivering their known hits to the delight of the audience, which by this time had gathered a measure of coherence and heft, but only because some of those in the rafters had accepted the off to come and populate the sea of white seats in the centre floor. They also made a neat reference to the "Rapture craze" by taking the audience to church with a medley of gospel favourites.
This writer left to the strains of D'Angel with the dancehall heavy hitters still to come.
The Indoor Sports Centre's acoustics are notoriously unfriendly to bands. The emcees Jodian Gray, Drew Lawence and Denise 'Ises' Miller performed creditably (although some more links could have been made to the video tributes). The Hospitality area in the foyer was barely up to par (but the Grace Foods brand manager as exemplary in pouring the selection of wines on hand), and despite stage designer Bert Rose's appealing tributary touches in the foyer (and outside) the show area was as stark and unattractive as a moonscape.
Wiser options might have meant a more intimate venue with better opportunites for presentation, or even a multi-venue roadshow over a prescribed period during which donations could be solicited and the message of Alpha's integral role spread more deeply and effectively. At $4000 a pop, it was always going to be a tall order to fill the Arean in these times for a cuase, which while obviously worthy, has way less resonance to John Q Public today.
One has to think that both the legends of the past and the current students deserve better.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
"Birthday Girls" get special treat at Quad
Its a Lotto picker's dream rake.
Three talented young ladies, singers all, and born literally within two days of each other. In fact, singers, Dasea, Chanti-I, and Yasmine celebrate their May birthdays on the 1st, 3rd and 5th respectively.: 1-3-5.
And, th the Quad nightclub in New Kingston this past week they, and a sizeable audience got a stirring birthday treat in the persons of Tony Rebel and Tarrus Riley, who dropped in on the cabaret presentation and combined for a scintillating night of impromptu entertainment. The "Rebel" and "Singy-singy" vibrantly ran through now familiar "tune-for-tune tag team" act, trading excerpts of well-known hits by a range of artists.
The audience, which included notables such as comedians Blacka Ellis and Ity and Fancy Cat, could not get enough, and kept the two crooners - who came on at closing time - in the club well into the night. Not to be outdone, the three singing ladies also shone brightly, whether individually, in combination, or with the support of a raft of musicians. It was - in terms of personnel - one of, if not the biggest shows in he history of the long-running, high-quality live entertainment series.
Live Jammin' at Christopher's as the series has become known, is presented by Mo' Muzyk Pros and happens at the Quad on Tuesday and Thursday nights each week, beginning at 7:30pm
Three talented young ladies, singers all, and born literally within two days of each other. In fact, singers, Dasea, Chanti-I, and Yasmine celebrate their May birthdays on the 1st, 3rd and 5th respectively.: 1-3-5.
And, th the Quad nightclub in New Kingston this past week they, and a sizeable audience got a stirring birthday treat in the persons of Tony Rebel and Tarrus Riley, who dropped in on the cabaret presentation and combined for a scintillating night of impromptu entertainment. The "Rebel" and "Singy-singy" vibrantly ran through now familiar "tune-for-tune tag team" act, trading excerpts of well-known hits by a range of artists.
The audience, which included notables such as comedians Blacka Ellis and Ity and Fancy Cat, could not get enough, and kept the two crooners - who came on at closing time - in the club well into the night. Not to be outdone, the three singing ladies also shone brightly, whether individually, in combination, or with the support of a raft of musicians. It was - in terms of personnel - one of, if not the biggest shows in he history of the long-running, high-quality live entertainment series.
Live Jammin' at Christopher's as the series has become known, is presented by Mo' Muzyk Pros and happens at the Quad on Tuesday and Thursday nights each week, beginning at 7:30pm
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
ROOTZ UNDERGROUND RETURN TO RED BONES
International reggae band Rootz Underground, fresh off a multi-city tour of Europe, will play Red Bones the Blues Cafe in Kingston on Friday night (April 8).
The six-man aggregation last played the venue in December of 2010. Since that time, they have been busy fulfilling tour dates and also recording new material, even as they continue to push their sophomore full-length album, “Gravity.”
“We’ve been a away for a good while and we ready now to give our fans in Kingston, and especially at Red Bones, a taste of what’s been happening with Rootz Underground over the last few months,” says lead singer Steve “Lightnin’” Newland. “We always have a great vibe there and this time will be no different.
The band has also remained active on the social front, starting promoting its Rootz ReLeaf initiative, by which its fans around the globe are encouraged to plant trees in their neighbourhood and document that tree planting by photo, those items then being placed on the band’s website.
The European tour took Rootz Underground through Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany and France, the latter country including a performance at Paris’ renowned Zenith Music Hall, a venue which has also hosted the likes of Alpha Blondy and Canadian rockers The Arcade Fire. By month’s end, Rootz Underground will be heading to the southern Us state of Louisiana for the annual Festival de Louisiane, and will be hitting other events and venues in the southern and western US prior to and expected summer return across the Atlantic for more European dates.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Infinity: Next Up
Infinity (born Daniel Edwards) set another stone in his bid to be THE next international artiste out of Jamaica, with a suitably varied and scintillating set at Kingston's Red Bones the Blues Bar recently.Ably supported by vocalist Thamar, guitarist samuele Vivian, keyboardist Joshua Jones, percussionist Ouida Lewis, The list, eclectic from the start, was even more so in the second set, which featured an appearance from "Mr. Get It" Bryan Art. The set included originals like Seeds of Glory, the hot new single, "Save Me", Eyes of One" the playfully boasting "Ratings" and the haunting "So Many". Look to hear much more from this focussed yet unassuming musician over the coming weeks and months.
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