Rootz on the Move

Rootz Underground continues to spread their brand of reggae in many places and ways. Following is a patrial list of upcoming appearances and developments:

Rootz Underground 2008 updates

Here is a preview of some releases and updates:

Hammer Video releases Feb 1, 2008

Up Coming shows...

Feb. 2nd - w/ LITTLE FEAT, Grand Lido Negril

Feb. 16th - Ragga Muffin Festival, Long Beach California
http://www.raggamuffinsfestival.com/

Feb. 20th - w/ Gregory Isaacs, Luis Obispo California

Feb. 21st - w/ Gregory Isaacs, Sacremento California

Feb. 22nd - Angel Majik, Berkeley California

Feb. 24th - w/ Midnite, Petaluma California

Mar. 12th - 16th South By Southwest Conference, Austin Texas

April - MOVEMENT Album Launch, Kingston Jamaica

May 31st - Best of The Best, Miami Florida

June 20th - 22nd - Sierra Nevada Festival, California

To Havana & Back, via Texas

It was one of those nights - pianist luke Dixon and CO (Co. being "Jubba White on drums and Alves Reid on bass)pinch hit for an incapacitated Harold Butler, the scheduled act and - lo and behold - by the second set, no one was missing Harold.
Add the presence of Cuban percussion maestro Gilberto for a couple of magical numbers during the second set, and the presence of a busload of Texas college undergrads in the third (supposedly here on some sociology exercise - yaah, riiight) and Christopher's live showcase on Tuesday night sped toward the juke joint it was desired, if not meant to be, with spontaneous dancing and good vibes all around.
By the time the band played their last encore, a half-improvised Latin variation, even the normally ultra-cliquish folks at the back of the C-shaped power bar were getting into it, and those folks preparing to sample jazz in Mobay got a perfect mood-setter.
Of ocurse we all wish the best for the Butler, but given the great performance of his replacements, we have to say: Harold who?

Mini Live Plug in print

The new Live Plug mini-mag is in final production as I write this. The papepr will be launched a the Air Jmaaic jazz & Blues festival Jan 24-26 in Montego Bay.

keep your eyes peeled, not only for the print version, but for Live Plug TV coming soon

Richie B's Best of Entertainment

Excellence in Music and Entertainment awards EME's Set For February 7


By popular demand the fourth installment of the Annual Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards, (EMEs) will for the first time be aired from outside the studios of Hot 102 FM. The venue for this year's awards will be The Gardens of The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel 81 Knutsford BLVB Kingston.

The brainchild of renowned radio personality Richard 'Richie B' Burgess, the EME Awards emerged four years ago out of a need for an authentic, legitimate and grass roots based awards for Jamaican music and entertainment. Since its inception, the EMEs have increased in popularity and now has the full backing of the CVM Group. Its is based on this popularity that the awards have been moved to a bigger venue to accommodate the large following amassed over the years and will be broadcast on CVM TV.

This year the EMEs will be modelled off the famed Grammy Awards, with all the pomp and pageantry that is characteristic of such an award. Efforts are afoot to make 2008s EMEs the best award show ever staged on the shores of Jamaica.

The 2008 EMEs will recognise the achievements of the top performers from within the recording industry between October 01, 2006 and September 30, 2007. There are approximately 25 categories ranging from DJ of the Year, Best New Artiste, Song of the Year, Vocalist of the year and Producer of the year. Winners are determined based on their performance on The Weekly Jamaica Music Countdown which is presented on Hot 102 FM every Friday afternoon during the Hot Mix hosted by Richie B. This countdown is compiled from the contribution of sound system selectors, Night Clubs, record shops island wide and other radio DJs. This year's awards will also be extra special, as there will be for the first time, several 'honour' awards presented to some stalwarts and stand-outs who have made a great contribution to the growth and development of the Jamaican music industry.

The prestigious EME Awards is designed to change the face of the local entertainment calendar and bring out the best of the entertainment market. There is heightened anticipation in the entertainment industry and players are clamouring for tickets to this all inclusive exclusive, by invitation only event.





4TH ANNUAL EXCELLENCE in MUSIC and ENTERTAINMENT (EME) AWARDS NOMINATIONS LIST – 2008

For Recordings Released During The Eligibility Year October 01,2006 – September 30,2007

Note: more or less than five (5) nominations in a category is the result of ties

CATEGORIES // NOMINEES

(1) DJ OF THE YEAR (Male) (for a solo vocal performance)



1. SHAGGY

2. VYBZ KARTEL

3. BEENIE MAN

4. MUNGA

5. BUSY SIGNAL



(2) DJ / SINGJAY OF THE YEAR (Female) (for a solo vocal performance)



1. MACKA DIAMOND

2. D'ANGEL

3. QUEEN IFRICA

4. LADY SAW

5. TIMBER-LEE



(3) VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Male) (for a solo vocal performance)



1. TAURRUS RILEY

2. DAVILLE

3. COCO TEA

4. JAH CURE

5. RICHIE SPICE



(4)VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Female)

(for a solo vocal performance)

1. ALAINE

2. CHERINE ANDERSON

3. CECILE

4. ETANA

5. TAMI CHIN









(5) PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (Dance Hall) (overall best charting record producer in this category In the eligibility year)

1. ROBERT LIVINGSTON for BIG YARD MUSIC

2. DONOVAN BENNETT for DON CORLEON RECORDS

3. STEPHEN McGREGOR for BIG SHIP MUSIC

4. MARIO 'C'AMPBELL for 357 RECORDS

5. CHRISTOPHER BIRCH for BIRCH HILL RECORDS



(6) PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (Reggae) (overall best charting record producer in this category in the eligibility year)

1. KEMAR McGREGOR for NO DOUBT RECORDS

2. JOSEPH BOGDANOVICH & ANDREW PRENDERGAST for DOWN SOUND RECORDS

3. ARIF COOPER for FRESH EAR MUSIC

4. DONOVAN GERMAIN for PENTHOUSE RECORDS

5. ROBERT LIVINGSTON for BIG YARD MUSIC

6. SHANE BROWN for JUKE BOKK PRODUCTIONS



(7) BEST NEW ARTIST (Male) (award to an artist whose release(s) during the

eligibility year establishes his public identity)

1. DEMARCO

2. I-OCTANE

3. MUNGA

4. BUGLE

5. SERANI



(8) BEST NEW ARTIST (Female) (award to an artist whose release(s) during the eligibility year establishes her public identity)



1. NATALIE

2. BARBEE

3. MISS TRINITI

4. IRIE – LOVE

5. TIMBER-LEE







(9) DUO / GROUP OF THE YEAR (for vocal performance(s) by established duos or groups)



1. BRICK AND LACE

2. TOK

3. MORGAN HERITAGE

4. RDX

5. VOICE MAIL

6. CHAKA DEMUS AND PLIERS





(10) BIGGEST COMEBACK ARTIST OF THE YEAR (award to an artist whose

release(s) in the eligilibility year marked his/her 'return' to the charts after a long break)



1. NINJAMAN

2. RAY DARWIN

3. ANTHONY B

4. CHAKA DEMUS AND PLIERS

5. COCO TEA



(11) SONG OF THE YEAR (Dance Hall) (award to the artist and producer who scored

the biggest charting song in this category during the eligibility year)



1. CHURCH HEATHEN

2. BACK IT UP

3. FALLEN SOLDIERS

4. GULLY SIDE

5. WINE PON YUH

6. NAH GO A JAIL



(12) SONG OF THE YEAR (Reggae)

(award to the artist and producer who score the biggest charting song in this category during the eligilibity year)



1. SHE'S ROYAL

2. STICKY

3. THE WORLD IS A CYCLE

4. BELOW THE WAIST

5. ROOTS

6. BOARD HOUSE





(13) TOP INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to an artist whose solo or collaborative release(s) allowed for greater penetration of the international marketplace)



1. JUNIOR REID

2. COLLIE BUDDZ

3. STEPHEN MARLEY

4. SHAGGY

5. SEAN PAUL

6. BUJU BANTON



(14) ALBUM OF THE YEAR ( award to artist(s) and producer(s) if different from artist(s))



1. TOO BAD …………………………….....BUJU BANTON

2. PARABLES………………………………..TARRUS RILEY

3. MIND CONTROL……………………….STEPHEN MARLEY

4. ON MY MIND……………………………DAVILLE

5. THE LIVING FIRE……………………..CHUCK FENDER

6. WALK OUT………………………………..LADY SAW



(15) RECORDING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to the artist with the most charting hits in the eligilibility year)



1. MAVADO

2. BEENIE MAN

3. SHAGGY

4. MUNGA

5. BUSY SIGNAL

6. MR VEGAs









(16) CULTURAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to artist with the best cultural recording(s) in the eligibility year)



1. LUTAN FYAH

2. QUEEN IFRICA

3. ETANA

4. TARRUS RILEY

5. JAH CURE

6. PRESSURE





(17) BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to artist whose work attracted local and international attention and who signed to a label and/or started work on, or released an album on said label)



1. BRICK AND LACE

2. PRESSURE

3. DEMARCO

4. ETANA

5. ALAINE

6. CHRISTOPHER MARTIN



(18) SONG WRITER / LYRICIST OF THE YEAR (Reggae / Dance Hall)

(award to artist whose writing skills on all charting songs were of a consistently high standard )

1. ASSASSIN

2. VYBZ KARTEL

3. BUSY SIGNAL

The BIG 4

Advt.

How to Buss Session


The BIG 4 Questions of Artiste promotion

WHY?


WHO?


WHAT?



HOW?


For the answers, email liveplug22@gmail.com
or call 426-3106 to register
for our exciting, career-making session series.

Live music Review

Christopher's Tuesday Night Review

'Easy Bouncin' with Kamla

There was, back in the foggy past of Jamaican radio, a programme by the name of Easy Bounce, the format of which perfectly backed up both sides of the name. It was not the detestable 'easy listening' lullabies that many people seem to fall prey to, but neither was the 'bounce' so racy as to turn off those in search of musical refreshment.
That search was easily satisfied on Tuesday night as the deceptively unassuming pianist took the crowd through three sets that had enough of the 'usual' crowd-pleasers, but was unusual in the treatment of same. From I Shot The Sheriff and So Jah Say and Satta Massa Gana to the Herbie Hancock standbys, Watermelon Man and Cantaloupe Island to Mercy Mercy Mercy, Hamilton didn't so much lead her three cohorts (Shurwayne Thompson on bass, Akil 'Red bull' Karram on drums and music night Founder Seretse Small on the now familiar 'naked' guitar, with the body cut out on each side), as she held council with them, checking off changes and encouraging solos.
The final set, with its versions of David Rudder's The Hammer among others got a few feet a dancing. By nights' end, Kamla had proven that she was a worthy addition to the growing stable of Christopher's 'regulars (this was at least her third visit), not to mention to the small stage at the Air Jmaaica Jazz and blues festival - coming in two weeks.


Next Tuesday: The 'Butler' returns to Do it

Would You pay Your Audience?

The above soundsl ike a radical thought, but its just one of the ideas submitted by events mag Time Out Chicago as they seek to improve the scene for live music

Sound advice
We weigh in on how to improve the local music scene in 2008.
By TOC Music staff


Get creative with self-promotion
You wouldn¹t know it by looking at the deluge of flyers on Milwaukee Avenue,
but promoting your band isn¹t as easy at it once was. Only geeks go to
record stores, people can easily delete mass e-mails from your bandŠso how
do you bring people out in 2008? Jazz keyboardist Jim Baker, who hosts an
excellent residency at Logan Square¹s Hotti Biscotti Tuesday nights, has
figured out one potential way: Pay them. Instead of putting his resources
into T-shirts and postcards, Baker gives people anywhere from a few cents to
a dollar, just for ³dutifully listening.² And apparently, more people are
coming out. While we wouldn¹t advise other acts to similarly go for broke,
hey, take a cue from the man¹s inventiveness.‹Matthew Lurie


Find more ways to overcome sinking CD sales
Struggling labels in all genres would do well to look toward Chicago¹s
Thrill Jockey and Delmark Records for inspiration. Last year Thrill Jockey
launched Fina Music, a digital music store that not only showcases its own
bands, but many other labels as well. Meanwhile, the venerable blues and
jazz imprint Delmark has carved a new niche in the DVD market, which matches
faces to names for acts like Little Arthur Duncan, Nicole Mitchell and Ari
Brown. Label head Bob Koester won¹t divulge numbers, but says the DVDs have
sold beyond expectations, occasionally outselling the same artists¹
CDs.‹James Porter

Add a little originality to mainstream-jazz monikers
Take a careful look and tell us if you notice the common thread: Chicago
Jazz Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Chicago
Jazz Composers Collective and Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble. Here¹s a
radical idea: Unless you want to sound faceless, get rid of the words
Chicago and jazz in your names. Avant-garde jazz groups have been a model of
cool-name christening for too long (take Loose Assembly, Who Cares How Long
You Sink, Frequency, Block and Tackle, to name a few). A name should spark
the imagination, not dull it.‹ML

Foster the live R&B scene
As acts like R. Kelly and Syleena Johnson have proved, our contemporary R&B
scene still thrives. The only hitch? Rising acts are forced straight into
the studio because there¹s nowhere for them to gig. Sure, you can go to
clubs like the Prop House and dance to newish soul grooves, while places
like Morseland and Funky Buddha Lounge have attempted to showcase local live
R&B talent, but if there is a black equivalent of the Double Door or the
Empty Bottle, we have yet to hear about it. No one is doing anything with
the New Regal building (a.k.a. Chicago¹s answer to the Apollo) on 79th
Street near Stony Island‹that could be a golden opportunity waiting in the
wings.‹JP

Continue to support all-ages shows
For a while there, things were looking dire for Chicago music fans under 21.
When the Fireside Bowl returned to being a bowling alley in 2004, the city
lost its legendary all-ages venue for underground music. The second blow
came in 2005, when the Fireside¹s would-be successor, the Bottom Lounge, was
shut down due to the CTA¹s Brown Line expansion. Good thing other venues
stepped up. Reggie¹s Rock Club opened in the South Loop last September; the
Empty Bottle¹s bookings beyond its flagship bar expanded to more all-ages
spaces (next up is Congress Theater starting in April); and other clubs are
doing the same. As for the Bottom Lounge? It plans to reopen in West Town in
February, giving us even more to look forward to in 2008.‹AS
--

Happy New Year

happy New Year for mLive Plug

we're revved up and ready to go for '08, delivering coverge nad more of the best
live events,performers and promoters.

Stay with us. It's going to be a great ride

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