The Rootz Rocked with Reggae

The print reviews in both the Observer and Gleaner (see immediately below) ahve palyed down their performance, but to these ears and eyes, Rootz Underground as the act of the night (despite strong performances all around at the C Spring Football field last Friday) at Welcome To Jamrock

No other act had the same laevel of urgency, the smae levle of control over their sound and visual presentation. Victims of the System sounded like a rallying cry resonating across the world (""enemy's a robber Babylonian"), Material Things was soul-piercing and everyone was vibrantly, joyously on the same page.

As said, there was nary a bad showing at Jamrock. Even the Killa, who inm yview wasfast slipping into irrelevance, delivered a compendium of his best-known hits (with hardly any Warlord rants).
Etana, in black evening dress connected instantly and stayed strong throughout and Tarrus sparkled. Even newcomer Collie Buddz performed above his flavour-of-the-month limitations.

Butthe night belonged to Stevie G and Co. The new year should bring more international attention with the release of their CD, Movement. they've spent a long time consistently doing the right things, and this writer is confident that even as the media crush grows, they'll grow right along with it - and beyond it.


http://jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20071223T180000-0500_130685_OBS_JAMROCK_WELCOMES_GREAT_ARTISTRY_.asp


http://www.jamaicagleaner.com/gleaner/20071224/ent/ent1.html

The Sounds of Brooklyn

I'm thinking hard about making this trip:

THE 2nd ANNUAL BROOKLYN JAZZ UNDERGROUND FESTIVAL
@ SMALLS - JANUARY 17, 18 & 19
Smalls is located at 183 West 10th Street, at 7th Avenue South

Thursday, January 17
8:00 PM: ANNE METTE IVERSEN QUARTET
Anne Mette Iversen (bass), John Ellis (saxophones), Danny Grissett (bass), Otis Brown III (drums)

10:00 PM: ALAN FERBER NONET
Alan Ferber (trombone), Scott Wendholt (trumpet), Will Vinson (alto sax), Chris Cheek (tenor sax), Douglas Yates (bass clarinet), Nate Radley (guitar), Bryn Roberts (piano), Matt Clohesy (bass), Mark Ferber (drums)

12:00 AM: BENNY LACKNER QUARTET
Benny Lackner (piano), Will Bernard (guitar), Andrew Emer (bass), Mark Ferber (drums)

Friday, January 18
8:00 PM: DAN PRATT ORGAN QUARTET
Dan Pratt (tenor sax), Alan Ferber (trombone), Jared Gold (bass), Mark Ferber (drums)

10:00 PM: JEROME SABBAGH QUARTET
Jerome Sabbagh (tenor sax), Ben Monder (guitar), Joe Martin (bass), Ted Poor (drums)

12:00 AM: SUNNY JAIN COLLECTIVE
Sunny Jain (drums), Steve Welsh (tenor sax), Marc Cary (piano), Gary Wang (bass)

Saturday, January 19
8:00 PM: ALEXIS CUADRADO PUZZLES QUARTET
Alexis Cuadrado (bass), Loren Stillman (alto sax), Brad Shepik (guitar), Mark Ferber (drums)

10:00 PM: TED POOR & BAD TOUCH
Ted Poor (drums), Loren Stillman (alto sax), Nate Radley (guitar), Gary Versace (piano/organ)

12:00 AM: TANYA KALMANOVITCH'S GIRLFIGHT
Tanya Kalmanovitch (viola/violin), Jacob Wick (trumpet), Aryeh Kobrinsky (bass),
Jonathan Goldberger (guitar), Fred Kennedy (drums)


Check out http://www.brooklynjazz.org for bios, mp3s, podcasts, blogs, photos and much more

Aisha has crossed over the 'Bridge'

Clearly, I don't even read my own posts.
Aisha is now part of the expanding Natural Bridge
outfit.

Aisha

Aisha
Originally uploaded by mike e.bop

Aisha, from her MySpace profile

robin banks

robin banks
Originally uploaded by mike e.bop

Robin Banks (from the cover of her CD, Honestly)

Legs Inc - quickies from Christopher's & The Village

They might be built differently, come form different parts of the world, and have different vocal styles, but blues diva Robyn Banks and reggae artiste (a limitng term, but it will have to suffice) Aisha Davis both have an uncanny ability to marry their innate and not inconsiderable sex appeal to substantial songs.

Christopher's
Robyn Banks made a strong return to Christopher's jazz Cafe on Tuesday night, dipping into her now familiar but irrestible goodie bag of blues standards, modern pop and extempo improvisation to thrill the Christopher's crowd yet again. Banks gave equal treatment to Etta James and Muddy Waters (turning Hoochie Coochie Man into Hoochie Coochie Woman, and also burning her way through I've Got my Mojo Workin') with sterling support from Jubba White on drums, Sheldon Barnes on ppaino/keyboard and Dale Haslam and surprise guest Rohan Reid on bass. Having proven to the Kinsgton nightlife crowd that she's no fluke, Banks, who is overcoming effects of a recent auto accident, returns to her regular haunt, Negril's Charela Inn for her customary Thursday evening slot (showtime: 7:30pm)

The Village
Up the road, the same night, Aisha Davis (is she still part of the big Yard camp? we have to confirm) held court in a cherry red baby-doll mini that may well have gotten her beheaded in Malaysia and other similar countries.
The raucous but respectful Village crowd , of course, had no such issues, and Davis established that she had a lot more going for her than endless legs and sinuous hips. Throughoutthe four or so numbers witnessed by this writer, she managed to stick mellow, sexy, hardcore and smart into one delightful jigsaw.
Of the tracks, Dem Boyz sounds most radio-ready, but whether or not local radio opens its doors to her, Davis has the goods and the aparent staying power to take her to the top of the 'hot female singer pack.' She deserves it.

Aisha @ the Village

KINGSTON BEER'S TUESDAY NITE LIVE



AND



NATURAL BRIDGE RECORDS

PRESENTS



AISHA DAVIS LIVE

a nice segue from Robyn Banks @ Christopher's

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11

AT VILLAGE CAFÉ
(BARBICAN)


AISHA DAVIS

SHOWTIME 10PM
MEDIA PERSONNEL WITH VALID MEDIA I.D. ENTER FREE




Each week Kingston Beer's TNL presents a unique blend of local and international artists live on stage

Launch 2 the East

Red Label Wine East Fest, the premier conscious reggae festival, will return on Saturday, December 29 following a one-year hiatus.
The one-night event, was officially presented to the media and entertainment fraternities at the Hilton Kingston on December 10, with representatives from the title sponsors, Red Label Wine and other sponsors present.
Morgan family patriarch Denroy Morgan, in officially disclosing the lineup, said the event will reclaim the solid reputation it has built for quality performances and production by showcasing the best of today's reggae music while highlighting the parish of St. Thomas. The festival is set to take place at the Goodyear Oval in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, its home since inception.
Representing Red Label, marketing manage Karlene Walters said the brand has long been associated with the vibrance and energy of Jamaican culture, and music in particular.


Acts already confirmed to exhibit stellar performances include Richie Spice, Sanchez, Elephant Man, Anthony B, Coco Tea,Morgan Heritage, Tarrus Riley,Alaine, Busy Signal, and Munga Honarebel.


check back later for pics.

Jamaica Vibes flyer

Jamaica Vibes flyer
Originally uploaded by mike e.bop

A new live series starting every Wednesday @ Weekenz. Check it out

R.I.P. Darren Khan

Got news this morning which stopped me in my tracks.
Darren Khan, whom I had recruited (on the recommendation of Analisa Chapman and above the stern reservations of Exec Editor Vernon Davidson) as a freelance

features writer/reviewer at the Observer, was founded burned to death in Surbiton Road apartment on Thursday

Darren had issues as well as do, but during his tenure at the Observer I saw the beginnings of a maturation process that was showing first in his writing and less so but still noticeable in his overall demeanour.
I'm very saddened by his death, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his mother, other family and friends.


"It may be easy to choose to live without Christ, but to die without Him is hell"

Karene's passions @ Christopher's

Karene Brown has been providing vocal support for some of the top Jamaican acts for the last few years, Tarrus Riley, Etana, Lymie Murray, Richie Spice, Chezedeck and others to name a few and on Thursday, December 20 she is moving from the background to the limelight as the featured singer at Christopher’s Jazz Café .

This will be her first appearance on the weekly Singer’s night put on by Griot Music in association with Christopher’s Jazz Café in their goal to make Jamaica the “Live music Capital” of the world. The series seeks to showcase young talents and give them an opportunity to develop into mature performers ready to take on the world of clubs and cafés.

Karene is a Pisces who has the attitude of a fighter and is steadfastly pursuing a career in Music and Fashion design and has dreams of having her own clothing line/fashion club and music bar. She is now studying Fashion design at the Edna Manley College School of Visual Arts having already studied music performance at the Edna Manley College School of Music.

Karene believes that "love is the greatest gift you can ever give to anyone" and cites Erykah Badu, Keisha Cole, Bob Marley and the music of the Pentecostal church that she grew up in as some of the major musical influences in her life and is excited about the prospect of communicating her personal vision to the Christopher’s audience where she has performed several times as a background vocalist.

Showtime is 7:30 pm and there is a cover charge of $400 which gives the patron a complimentary drink.

Tuesday Nite Comedy

KINGSTON BEER'S TUESDAY NITE LIVE PRESENTS:



THE COMEDY BUSS PULLS IN

HOSTED BY COMEDY BUSS



TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4

AT VILLAGE CAFÉ
(BARBICAN)



FEATURING:



ROHAN GUNTHER – 2006 WINNER
LEIGHTON SMITH
COMEDY BUSS 2007 SEMI FINALISTS:

GABRE NELSON

TASHANA GAYLE

DWIGHT SAMUELS

AND

DWAYNE SMITH

SHOWTIME 10PM
MEDIA PERSONNEL WITH VALID MEDIA I.D. ENTER FREE




Each week Kingston Beer's TNL presents a unique blend of local and international artists live on stage

Tenor Saw

Tenor Saw
Originally uploaded by mike e.bop

The unmistakable voice behind such classics as Ring The Alarm, Fever, Lots of Signs and other dancehall staples will be among those remembered at Booyaka! on December 1 at the Mas Camp in Kingston.
for more, keep checking Live Plug as well as booyaka.tv

A Ruby Night tonite

St Ann remembers Jack Ruby on November 24
By Carl Gilchrist

Little has been done, locally, since Jack Ruby’s death in 1989 to
highlight
or celebrate the work of this former sound system operator and record
producer.
Now Garwin Davis and his Tropical Vibes outfit, fresh from the
successful
staging of the inaugural Ocho Rios Seafood Festival in August, have
decided
to do something and will stage the first “Tribute to Jack Ruby”
show on
Saturday, November 24 at Lawrence Park in St Ann’s Bay.
Legendary sound systems Killamanjaro, King SturGav, Black Scorpio and
King
Jammy’s will line up in the park to lead the tribute and will be
complemented by a host of artistes.
The tribute is just recognition of the work of a man whose contribution
to
Jamaican music has gone largely unnoticed.
Ruby, real name Lawrence Lindo, is largely responsible for the rise to
stardom of St Ann reggae icon Burning Spear, producing the standard
reggae
album Marcus Garvey (1975), that pushed Spear to international
recognition.
Ruby also produced the albums Man in the Hills by Burning Spear and
Jack
Ruby Presents the Black Foundation, a various artist compilation.
Ruby also worked with several other local recording artistes including
Big
Youth, Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, The Heptones and Justin Hinds and the

Dominoes.
His Sound system, Jack Ruby HiFi, was one of the top sound systems in
Jamaica during the late 1970s into the 1980s.
According to Davis, it is high time Jamaica and St Ann in particular,
recognize the tremendous contribution the Lindo has made to Jamaican
music.
Jack Ruby’s legacy continues through his grandson Sean Kingston
(Kisean
Anderson) whose first hit Beautiful Girls has topped music charts
worldwide.

Ring the Alarm!

Ring the Alarm, not because, "another sound is dying," as was the reason for the late singjay Tenor Saw's musical warning before he left us more than a decade ago. But you may, as Daddy U Roy (happily still with us), advises even from a longer time, "Wake the town and tell the people". For in this case you may want to "chica-bow, chica-bow, chica-bow, wow wow", whatever that means - "Ring the Alarm" - another musical initiative is rising.

Without any crescendo, vociferousness, or loud decibels, the new musical initiative dubbed "Booyaka" was unveiled on Wednesday evening, at the Devonshire, Devon House, in Kingston.

With its historical significance, it was an appropriate choice of venue for the birthplace of Booyaka, which will see its christening on Saturday, December 1, at the Mas Camp on Oxford Road in Kingston.

Unlike Wednesday's launch, on that occasion Booyaka will unfold with a bang. It will be the inauguration of a unique annual dance, featuring the music of all the departed legends of reggae music.

We are not quite sure what the literal meaning of the word Booyaka is, or what Shabba Ranks, who was perhaps the first entertainer to have used it, meant. In that regard, assistance may have to be sought from experts like Dr Donna Hope, Dr Carolyn Cooper, or Joan Williams (all women), who write extensively on dancehall lexicon.

Whatever the meaning, the defining moments will come in the form of the experience at Mas Camp when Kilamanjaro, Jack Scorpio and Merritone, three legendary sound systems, will feature only the music of all reggae artistes who now sing in the choir of the great beyond.

In other words, Booyaka is a night of memorial for all the singers and players of instruments whom we revered because of their musical works. But Booyaka is more than a dance, in its broader concept, it's about the preservation of Jamaican music.

"...It's so good to see the love, especially of the artistes who are well supportive, who understand the vision, the concept of Booyaka," compere Deon Mattis noted in her opening remarks at the launch. "We hope to take Booyaka outside of Jamaica across the world as more than just a word that means a salute," the former Irie FM announcer added. "We hope to take this name Booyaka and have it on the lips of everyone when they think of Jamaica, think of our music and the contribution that our artistes have given us. Those gone before deserve a salute.

She further explained: "There are so many people around the world, and unfortunately in Jamaica and the Caribbean, that when you begin to mention names like Slim Smith, more and more, you have young faces looking at you wondering who, what and why. Why Tommy McCook must be celebrated, the Alpha Boys School is there and so what?"

"So we show why. We will have the sound systems coming along, reminding everyone of the history of the music and from whence it came. There will be pictures, there will be sounds, there will be the power of the music. Moreso, it is going to be online. Booyaka.tv."

Richard Foran, the first speaker at the launch, who is also the director of Alpha Boys School, shared with the gathering the history of that institution from which came a number of our musical icons and which will be the beneficiary of the event.
"Alpha, in truth, has been the nursery for the development of musical forms and rhythms that are synonymous with the name of Jamaica," he said, reminding the gathering that Jamaican music on the world stage would not be possible without Alpha Boys School.

Three students whom he referred to as future legends played a short medley of Island in the Sun and Linstead Market on their instruments. They were 12-year-old Nevaldo Reid on flute; Jermaine Mitchell, 15, on saxophone and on trombone, Chenneil Christian, 17.

"The concept of Booyaka came about as a result of a documentary that I have been working on for a number of years about all the reggae singers that have passed on. and I said to myself, probably it could work as an event," the conceptuliser Sandra Rose told Splash. "The calibre of music that we have to pull from. all these great artistes, so it just came to me that we should try this as an event and just play those music of the deceased artistes who have left us such a legacy to be proud of here in Jamaica," added the public relations and marketing consultant.

"The purpose of Booyaka is to help to document reggae history in Jamaica. It's really to help in the development of reggae music in Jamaica," emphasised Sandra Rose.
Guest speaker, former CVM anchor Helene Coley-Nicholson, now into law and a copyright specialist, spoke on the business of music and called for record producers to organise more effectively, while unshackling the artistes and composers, who in turn need to educate themselves concerning their rights.

Legendary radio jock, Barry Gordon, bouncing back from recent illness, and who will be the emcee for the first Booyaka, told the gathering that he was looking forward to being back on radio soon with his syndicated show to be launched in London.

Visiting performer from Brooklyn, New York, Denison George, paid tribute to the late Lucky Dube, who will be also honoured at Booyaka. The Grenadian lawyer turned singer, who was celebrating his first visit to Jamaica, described himself as a Garveyite and a fan of Lucky Dube and Jacob Miller.

In the house also were Luciano, who endorsed the event, and the mother and sister of Tenor Saw, who was mowed down by a hit-and- run driver in Houston,Texas at age 22 (19 years ago). Representatives of the three sound systems, which will be featured, were also in attendance. Jack Scorpio boasted he could play such music for an entire week; Merritone's Greg Ross bragged about playing a whole night of Dennis Brown, and DJ Fred Cover for Kilamanjaro, welcome the event declaring that the names of the departed legends should be kept alive.



see jamaicaobserver.com and booyaka.tv for more

Booyaka.tv

The link for info is booyaka.tv

Booyaka!

We'll be focussing on the inaugural tribute to the greats, Booyaka!
scheduled for Saturday Dec 1

keep checking the blog for excerpts, artiste profiles, sound system profiles, team member profiles, news reviews and other features
you cna slso got www.yardrose.com for info

Singer's Night in November

Coming to Christopher's jazz Cafe in November for the weekly Singer's Night
showcase:

Nov 8 - Marcus- I & the Revolutionaries;

Nov 15 - Carol Gonzales

Don't miss either

Hot event: Rootz Undeground 'Come up' at Red Bones

Here's hoping we get a break withthe rain this weekend as ROotz Underground, fresh from their succesful mini-tours of LA and S Florida, return to one of their
familiar local stomping grounds - Red Bones the blues Cafe this Saturday - showtime around 10:pm cover: J$500.
haven't caughthem live since Ocean Spray higlight at 2007 Air J jazz & Blues in January. Will be there.

About round-a-bout

A coomon feature in British and Euro roadways, the round-about
is a traffic control that routes incoming vehicles to different points
around a circular centre.
applied to quality entertainment, this blog will be a weekly listing
and preview of upcoming quality events throughout Jamaica
in the first instance 9the Caribbean's next0