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