Thursday, November 5, 2009

Coming Soon: Royal Afrikan Soldiers Resurge

Look out for the remegnece of Royal Afrikan Soldiers. The group, which now comprises Neto Meeks and Ginsu (Takura has gone off to pursue solo interests) is coming with a multi-pronged media attack over the comming months. Already out is the single "The Real Jamaica Jamaica" (feat Ginsu) and th duo will also be releasing their video package, "Sharpshootas".

Monday, September 28, 2009

Return of the Blackburns

Palm productions on Sunday presented the a preview of the new season of its Royal Palm "spinoff" - "The Blackburns of Royal Palm Estate" at the conference room of Jamaica trade & Invest (JTI)

Palm honcho Lennie Little-White said the producers had "listened to the public" and brought the focus of the show more toward romance and intrigue as well as struggles for the control of the estate, and away from the violence of previous years.

he also said that despite the addition of several new faces (including a youngster out of Chicago who will play Ted Jr, the last of patriarch Ted Blackburn's progeny), the foundation members of the Royal Palm Estate show were not forgotten ad would be making appearances at various times.

media and other guests were shown highlight reels from the new season, while co-sponsors Taboo/Mandingo presented samples of their tonic wine/energy drink

Thursday, September 3, 2009

the charts - "Hindu Vybz"

SEPTEMBER 4, 2009

TOP 20 DANCE HALL SINGLES

TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 2 9 Completely- Vybz Kartel Feat Hindu – Big Ship (1wk@#1)U-1
02 1 17 Think Bout Mi - Macka Diamond & Unicorn – Notice (1wk@#1) D-1
03 4 7 Mockingbird – Mavado – Firelinks U-1
04 3 21 Ugly – Kiprich & Black-er – Fresh Ear(2wks@#1) D-1
05 6 10 My Life- Gee Whizz – TJ Records U-1
06 9 5 Couple Up – TOK – Fresh Ear U-3
07 5 19 Unfinished House – Flippa Mafia-Liv-Up Records(2wks@#1) D-2
08 7 22 Hallelujah – Elephant Man –Very Huge Records (2wks@#1) D-1
09 8 14 From Mawning (Never Change)- Chino – Big Ship (pp#6) D-1
10 11 8 No Man Room – Ding Dong – Fresh Ear U-1
11 12 7 Dollar Sign – Black Ryno – Adidjaheim/Not Nice U-1
12 13 3 Something A Go Happen - Vybz Kartel – Firelinks U-1
13 14 5 Ever Clean – Beenie Man - Young Blood U-1
14 10 13 Spell It Out – Tifa – Ward 21 (pp#7) D-4
15 16 4 Unfair Officer – WASP – WMP U-1
16 20 2 Love Dem - Vybz Kartel - Heart of Love U-4
17 18 3 Hustle – Iyara – Rescue Production U-1
18 19 3 Back Broke – Junior Pinchers – Sloppishizzle Records U-1
19 15 12 The Good Life – Stacious - Liv-Up Records (pp#9) D-4
20 23 2 Versitility – Vybz Kartel – Head Concussion U-3
21 22 2 Blame Life – Bugle – TJ Records U-1
22 24 2 So Fine – Sean Paul – VP Records/Atlantic U-2
23 17 24 Mind Pon Mi Money – Vybz Kartel –Liv-Up Records (4wks@#1) D-6
24 25 2 Hurt Mi – Spragga Benz/I-Octane – Arrows Recording U-1
25 21 18 High Unda-Mavado- Liv-Up Records (pp#5) D-4

TOP 20 REGGAE SINGLES

TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 1 14 Pressuring The Poor-Spring-I & Ras Shiloh-Tren-setta Productions (2wks@#1) NM
02 2 13 Talk It Over – Lt Brooksie – Sounie Productions NM
03 4 15 Wanna Go Home-Romaine Virgo-Vikings & Peat Music U-1
04 3 17 You’ll Never Find - Jah Cure – Don Corleon (2wks@#1) D-1
05 5 13 I’m Free – Jahranimo feat Jah Cure – Lighting Ball Production NM
06 6 12 Talk If You Talking – Cherine Anderson – Taxi NM
07 8 11 Street Life – Richie Spice – Sons of Spoon U-1
08 9 10 I Wanna Wake Up With You –Stevie Face – Boot Camp U-1
09 12 8 Fuss Nor Fight – Stream – House of Hits U-3
10 11 7 Weak To You – Sophia Brown – Music Mecca/321 Strong U-1
11 13 6 Caan Cool – Khago – Pot of Gold U-2
12 7 24 Too Late – Junior Kelly & Queen Ifrica – AL.TA.FA.AN (1wk@#1) D-5
13 14 7 Sold Out – Bonafide – Broad Yard Records U-1
14 15 6 All About You – Wayne Wonder – Big Ship U-1
15 17 10 Heart of Stone – Taddy P feat Tanya Stephens – Bass Inna Yu Face Records U-2
16 19 3 Mama You Alone – I-Octane – Arrows Recording U-3
17 18 4 Melody to My Song – Christopher Martin – Baby G U-1
18 10 25 Under My Skin- Anthony Red Roze –Taxi (1wk@#1) D-8
19 21 2 Lioness on the Rise – Queen Ifrica – Penthouse U-2
20 22 2 Rastaman – Macka Diamond – U-2
21 23 2 Wash The Tears – Gramps Morgan – Dada Son Ent. U-2
22 24 2 Always on my Mind – George Nooks – Tads Records U-2
23 25 2 Secrets – Petah Morgan – Juke Boxx U-2
24 - New Ghetto Vibes –Lady G – House of Hits
25 - New Try Jah Love – Josie Mel & Smokey Benz – Minor 7, Flat 5


TOP TEN ALBUMS/CD CHART


TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 1 15 The Hit List-Various Artistes- Tads Int’l Records (2wks@#1) NM
02 3 11 Reggae Gold – Various Artistes – VP Records U-1
03 2 12 Montego Bay – Queen Ifrica – VP Records (2wks@#1) D-1
04 6 8 A Better Man – Terry Linen – Tad’s Int’l Records U-2
05 7 6 Contagious – Tarrus Riley – VP Records U-2
06 4 23 Universal Cure – Jah Cure – SOBE/Danger Zone (5wks@#1) D-2
07 8 5 2 Sides of My Heart – Gramps Morgan – Dada Son U-1
08 5 10 Made In Jamaica – Courtney John – FiWi Music D-3
09 10 3 Family Time – Ziggy Marley – Tuff Gong U-1
10 - New Our World – TOK – VP Records

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Pop-Jazz Fusion, NeatltyTied With Strings

Jazz in the Gardens

The Intermittent rain played a bit of a trick o nthe organizers of Jazz in the Gardens Sunday last. No sooner had the decision been taken to move the proceedings inside the Pegasus ballroom than the rain essentially eased for good.

Not to worry. If patrons forget couldn't see the stars come out, they saw - heard - quite a few on the inside, established and rising.

Oneo f the night's finds, Locksley Dixon, opened the show, that is right after Deis Jones, Dale Haslam and Chris McDonald got the audience warmed up. Joined by two 'back-singers' Dixon let his guitar do the singing and scored well on the 1st Michael Jackson tribute of the night, "Will You Be There"

The night's other find, Negril-based guitarist Lincoln Thomas, also channeled Jackson in "Gone Too Soon" and also showed his deft touch on pop gems like John Legend's "Ordinary People" and James Ingram's "One Hundred Ways"

Special guest Sherry Winston, a flautist form the US, opened with Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" and took the audience on a funk-filled journey that included MJ's "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"

In between those were commanding performances from the likes of Rupert Bent Snr ("Concierto de Aranjuez" segueing neatly inro Chick Corea's "Spain") Seretse Small and Maurice Gordon (who tutored Gordon as well as Haslam at various periods)

All made for a very intersting "Conversation" repped by guitars. the series contiunes October 25

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Your Name is My Game!

ARTISTES!
MANAGERS!
PROMOTERS!

What's in a nmae? Plenty. A name that sticks i nthe minds of your public can be worth more than gold - or can lead to gold (as in gold-level sales).


just send me background on artiste(solo or gorup), album, concert or event to liveplug@yahoo.com or liveplug22@gmail.com and I'll set up a consultation.

Put yourself or your project out there with a name that will stick like glue, and never wear out

contact me today

Saturday, June 20, 2009

KOTE 2k9 OPENING NIGHT SHOW

"TABLE-TOP DeVices" & GAS MONEY GET UP TO SPEED

So much happening wtis wekend into next week, can barely catch my breath, so just some quick thoughts on Friday night's opener:

From alt-rockers Gas Money, there was no "Smooth Criminal" butthere was something arguably better, a great cover of Black Uhuru's "If I Should Leave Babylon" that started in a rootsy (almost ROotz Underground) vein before kicking up to speed in typical GM style. "Inner Voice" and "Wooden Doll" were also standouts from cherubic vocal front man Fabian Pinkney.
An even better vocal performance came from Michael Sean Harris who romped through an atlas of styilistic territory aided by the seven-piece (plus three back-up singers)combo De Vices. Harris himself chipped in on violin, engaging the other violinist, Mijanne Webster in several terrific call-and-response strings sequences on "Live and Let Die" a favourite in his repertoire.
Another favourite for this writer is Paul Simon's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" which in Harris' capabale hands engenrdered much singing along, but the highlight of the evening was the gorgeous, lilting ballad "Take It Or Leave It" written by Harris' former Berklee colleague Ann Chandler.

have to mention the audio quality which was poor and indeed poor sound seems to be par for the course for too many of our live venues and shows. It was noticebale, especially during Gas Money's set, and in the case of Harris' would have been glaring ifa lesser talent had been involved.

Nonetheless, the performances capped a great opening night, and with saxophone star Jacques Schwarz-Bart and local hero Tony Green to look forward to over the next 48 hours, the musical base of KOTE is well covered.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Chuckleberry, Vegas "Blessed" with the "Good Life" on top

JAMAICA MUSIC COUNTDOWN

By Richie B, host – “HOT MIX” on Hot 102FM

MAY 29, 2009


TOP 20 DANCE HALL SINGLES


TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL


01 1 11 I Am Blessed-Mr. Vegas-Liv-Up (2wks@#1) NM

02 2 12 Mama-Vybz Kartel- Not Nice/Adidjaheim Records (2wks@#1)

NM

03 4 10 Mind Pon Mi Money – Vybz Kartel –Liv-Up Records U-1

04 5 10 Hustler For Life (La La La) –Andrew & Wada Blood-Notice U-1

05 7 9 Watch Your Friends-Javinchi-Not Nice/Adidjaheim Records U-2

06 8 8 Hallelujah – Elephant Man –Very Huge Records U-2

07 3 18 This Means Money – Konshens – Head Concussion (pp#3) D-4

08 6 23 Dip Again- Elephant Man feat. Ding Dong – Big Ship(1wk@#1) D-2

09 12 7 Ugly – Kiprich & Black-er –Fresh Ear U-3

10 11 12 Bad 2 Da Bone-Brick & Lace-Birchill Records U-1

11 9 23 Time To Shine-Laden-Big Ship (3wks@#1) D-2

12 14 5 Unfinished House – Flippa Mafia- Liv-Up Records U-2

13 10 17 Head Caan Hot So- Prodigal Son-Main Street Records(2wks@#1) D-3

14 16 4 High Unda-Mavado- Liv-Up Records U-2

15 17 4 Good Girl, Gone Bad-Tarrus Riley feat Konshens-Head Concussion U-2

16 18 3 Rich This Year-Charley Blacks – Copper Shot U-2

17 19 3 Think Bout Mi - Macka Diamond & Unicorn – Notice U-2

18 13 21 I’m So Blessed - Mavado – Big Ship (2wks@#1) D-5

19 15 11 Man A Galis-Ding Dong-Notice (pp#9) D-4

20 - New Never Gonna Cry -Daville-Fashozy



TOP 20 REGGAE SINGLES

TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL


01 1 13 Good Life-Chuckle Berry-Taxi (3wks@#1) NM

02 2 13 Call On Me- Jah Cure feat Phyllisia -SOBE/Dangerzone NM

03 3 15 A Thousand Miles Away-Ras Penco-Uprize Music (3wks@#1)

NM
04 4 12 Head Above The Water – Capleton – Downsound Records NM

05 5 18 Jah Jah Blessing –Etana feat Alborosie–Forward Records NM

06 9 8 So In Love –Hezron – Tads Int’l Records U-3

07 6 23 Missing You Right Now-Daville-Fashozy (2wks@#1) D-1

08 8 16 Cassava – Andrew Mistiq aka P. Zed –Inspire NM

09 10 11 Under My Skin- Anthony Red Roze –Taxi U-1

10 7 16 Save The Juvenile-Ruffian-Get Up Yute Records (pp#7) D-3

11 12 7 Pray Fi Dem – Harry Toddler-Downsound U-1

12 13 10 Too Late – Junior Kelly & Queen Ifrica – AL.TA.FA.AN U-1

13 14 6 Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing-Anthony Cruz-Footsteps U-1

14 16 4 Baby Mama Drama -Kiprich-House-A-Star U-2

15 15 5 Human Nature-Tarrus Riley-Rhythm of Life NM

16 11 23 You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling-Noddy Virtue/Jodi-Ann Pantry-Reflection (pp#4) D-5

17 19 3 You’ll Never Find - Jah Cure – Don Corleon U-2

18 18 4 Far Away-Queen Ifrica – Flames Productions NM

19 20 2 Dumpling Shop-Lloyd Lovindeer/Mama Tia-TSOJ U-1

20 - New Wanna Go Home-Romaine Virgo-Vikings & Peat Music


TOP TEN ALBUMS/CD CHART
TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL


01 2 5 Rasta Got Soul- Buju Banton-Gargamel (1wk@#1) U-1

02 1 16 Pull Up Selector-Jimmy Riley-Taxi (1wk@#1) D-1

03 3 8 Universal Cure – Jah Cure – SOBE/Danger Zone NM

04 4 10 Mr. Brooks – A Better Tomorrow – Mavado - VP Records (4wks@#1) NM

05 6 8 Brand New Me – Gregory Isaacs –Tads Int’l Records U-1

06 7 4 Ghetto Youth-ology – Sizzla – Firehouse U-1

07 5 18 Waiting – Cecile – Danger Zone (2wks@#1) D-2

08 8 8 The Very Best of Elephant Man-Elephant Man – VP Records NM

09 10 2 Spotlight – Sophia Brown – Music Mecca/321 Strong U-1

10 9 20 Reggae Jammin Vol. 1-Various Artistes- Tads Int’l Records (3wks@#1) D-1

____________________NOTES_____________________________________


Numbers in bracket indicate the number of weeks at the No. 1 Spot.

Key: U – Upward, D – Down, NM – Non-Mover