Last Chart for Feb - Laden, Bescenta on Top

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

FEBRUARY 27, 2009

TOP 20 DANCE HALL SINGLES

TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 2 10 Time To Shine-Laden-Big Ship(1wk@#1) U-1
02 1 8 Romping Shop-Vybz Kartel feat Spice-Adidjaheim Records/NotNice(2wks@#1) D-1
03 3 10 Dip Again- Elephant Man feat. Ding Dong – Big Ship NM
04 4 21 Ghetto Prayer – Shane-O-Jam II NM
05 8 5 Last Man Standing-Vybz Kartel – U-3
06 7 8 I’m So Blessed - Mavado – Big Ship U-1
07 5 24 Burnin, Burnin- Miss Triniti feat. Beenie Man-Unseen Lab (2wks@#1) D-2
08 6 11 Flying Dagger (100 Stab)- Idonia- Equinoxx (pp#6) D-2
09 9 23 Move-KK Alese- Ruby Sarah Music (pp#7) NM
10 12 5 Ben Ova - RDX- U-2
11 13 4 Head Caan Hot So- Prodigal Son-Main Street Records U-2
12 14 5 This Means Money – Konshens – Head Concussion U-2
13 15 4 Get Wild-Vybz Kartel- Not Nice U-2
14 10 27 Rolling Deep-Flippa Mafia-T J Records (pp#5) D-4
15 16 4 Bubble-Charly Blacks-Fresh Ear U-1
16 11 19 Sweep-Elephant Man-Scatta Productions/Kings of Kings (3wks@#1) D-5
17 17 15 Million By A Mawning-Vybz Kartel-Don Corleon (3wks@#1 NM
18 18 17 Yuh Know Fi Wine-Beenie Man- 357 Records (pp#7) NM
19 19 22 No Games-Serani- TJ Records (pp#2) NM
20 20 10 No Chorus (Real Killer)-Mavado-Big Ship(pp#16) NM



TOP 20 REGGAE SINGLES

TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 2 18 Calm Down Yuh Nerves-Bescenta-Uplifting Music Int’l (2wks@#1) U-1
02 3 14 Jah Jah See Dem A Come-Sugar Roy/Conrad Crystal & Gyptian – Fireball U-1
03 1 17 I Love You Anyway-Barbee-It’s Not A Game Records (2wks@#1) D-2
04 5 11 Can’t Sleep-Romaine Virgo-Penthouse Records U-1
05 4 23 Nothing Change (Love Reigns)- Bugle/Tarrus Riley -Sons of Spoon Music(2wks@#1) D-1
06 6 17 My Jamaican Girl-Prince Pankhi-Otis Riddim Records (pp#5) NM
07 7 10 Missing You Right Now-Daville-Fashowzy NM
08 9 12 Good Morning Beautiful-Mark Ice-Big Lawd Records U-1
09 10 10 You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling-Noddy Virtue/Jodi-Ann Pantry-Reflection U-1
10 11 7 You’re My Inspiration –LUST- Born Music U-1
11 12 5 Bad Man Don’t Cry-Shaggy-Big Yard Music U-1
12 14 7 Another Bill Again-Tony Rebel-Penthouse U-2
13 15 5 Start Anew-Tarrus Riley-Juke Boxx U-2
14 8 27 A Better Man-Terry Linen-Uplifting Music Int’l Camp (2wks@#1) D-6
15 16 6 Music – Konshens – Tads Int’l U-1
16 17 5 Jah Jah Blessing –Etana feat Alborosie–Forward Records U-1
17 18 3 Cassava – Andrew Mistiq aka P. Zed –Inspire U-1
18 19 3 Save The Juvenile-Ruffian-Get Up Yute Records U-1
19 20 2 A Thousand Miles Away-Ras Penco-Uprize Music U-1
20 13 23 Tell It Like It Is-Stevie Face-Boot Camp (4wks@#1) D-7



TOP TEN ALBUMS/CD CHART


TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 1 17 I Can Feel Your Pain- Gyptian-VP Records/Cannon (2wks@#1)
NM
02 3 7 Reggae Jammin Vol. 1-Various Artistes- Tads Record Int’l U-1
03 2 12 Yes We Can-Cocoa Tea - Roaring Lion/Tads Int’l (3wks@1) D-1
04 5 7 Stronger – Fantan Mojah–Greensleeves U-1
05 6 5 Waiting – Cecile – Dangerzone U-1
06 4 14 Greatest Reggae One Drop Anthems-Various Artistes-Greensleeves D-2
07 7 18 Riddim Ruler- Drop It – Various Artistes-No Doubt Records/Tads Int’l (2wks@#1) NM
08 9 3 Pull Up Selector-Jimmy Riley-Taxi U-1
09 8 15 A Moment In Time -Beres Hammond -VP Records (4wks@#1) D-1
10 10 19 Loaded-Busy Signal-VP Records (1wk@#1) NM

Good music still Counts

Count Ossie receives Lifetime Achievement Award from JARIA

Kingston; Jamaica: The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association will present the inaugural JARIA Lifetime Achievement award to veteran musician Count Osie on Sunday March 1, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. This as the stars gather for the first ever Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) Honours Awards set to recognize eleven pioneers in the local music industry.

Facilitated by the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, JARIA, a non-governmental, non-profit organisation was formed by industry players who met over several weeks to plan reggae month 2009. As part of the celebrations during reggae month, JARIA will be presenting the following awards to eleven individuals: the JARIA Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Count Osie and The Mystic Revelations, the JARIA Engineers Honours Awards will go to Sylvan Morris and Sid Bucknor. The JARIA Producers Honour Awards recognizes Lesley Kong and Sonia Pottinger, the JARIA Sound Systems Honour Awards will be given to King Tubby and Jah Love, the JARIA Musicians Honour Awards to Lennie Hibbert and Ansel Collins and the JARIA Artistes Honour Awards will honour Dennis Brown and Pam Hall.

According to Junior Lincoln, of JARIA’s Honour Awards planning committee, all honourees have been pioneers in the music industry and have built the stepping stones for Jamaican music today. The Honour Awards Committee also comprises of Jackie Lynch Stewart, Steve Golding, Freddie McGregor, Paul “Computer Paul” Henton, Desi Young and Dwight “Heavy D” Myers.

Lincoln elaborated on some of the awardees, “Count Osie, he was an original niabinghi drummer who played a very important part in the early establishment of Jamaican music, he performed on the recording Oh Carolina, and was the anchor of the song when it was created. Count Osie is a member of the The Mystic Revelations of Rastafari who are still going strong after over fifty years. Sid Bucknor, was the engineer of many of the hits of the Skalities, the Maytals and other early Jamaican songs. He also played an integral role in the production of early studio one music. Sylvan Morris took over from Sid Bucknor at Studio One, he was then responsible for the reggae compilations at Studio One, Sid Bucknor was like the daddy and Sylvan Morris followed him.” he said.

Lesley Kong was an early producer who was responsible for music from the legendary Jimmy Cliff and Desmond Decker. Lincoln elaborates, “Our theme this year is ‘to the world’. Lesley Kong was responsible for international hits from Desmond Decker like Israelites, he was one of the first producers in the 1960s to have an international hit. The second awardee Sonia Pottinger was the lady of Jamaican music; she was the lady and still is the lady of Jamaican record producers.”

King Tubby, an early 1960s sound system operator was a pioneer when it came to dubs in the dancehall and can easily be referred to as the ‘dubmaster’ of Jamaican music while Jah Love was considered to be the first the Rasta sound system. Musician Lenny Hibbert is known for his contributions to the Alpha Boys School where he assisted countless boys to pursue careers in the music industry. Ainsley Collins is perhaps best known for the smash hit Double Barrel which helped bring Jamaican music to the world.

When it comes to pioneering male and female singers the names Dennis Brown and Pan Hall, the ‘crown prince of reggae music’ are often at the top of the list. Junior Lincoln describes, “Pam Hall, has been around since the seventies. Pam started as a backup singer, the good thing about her is she has been involved in every part of the industry, in the music and the well fare of Jamaican artistes. Dennis Brown, crown prince of reggae is in my view the greatest singer Jamaica has ever known.”

The Awards Ceremony will be streamed live on the JIS website as well as televised for later broadcasts

More E! for FREE

MUSIC UNITES!

in association with the Edna Manley College

cordially invites you to the



FREE Concert & Launch of the Jamaica Arts Endowment Fund
Monday, March 2 @ 7:30pm

Venue: School of Drama's Amphitheatre

Featuring: School of Music Jazz Ensemble, NEXUS & E- PARK BAND

Crack-Up Cross de Water Again!

MORE LAUGHTER COMING AS “PORTMORE CRACK-UP” CONTINUES


Mirth and madness continues across the causeway with the next staging of “Portmore Crack-Up” on Sunday, March 1, 2009. Doors open for a Taboo-sponsored, pre-show Cocktail Party at 5:00pm; and the joke-filled engagement will start promptly at 7:00pm at Klub Klymaxx (on the roof – Portmore Pines Plaza).

Lighting the fire of humour will be experienced A-list stand-up comic and popular actor, Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley; the consistently exciting and irreverent Apache Chief & Sarge; high-riding, young, comic star Leighton Smith; and the innovative comedic-medic Michael Abrahams. The proceedings will be ably guided and audience interaction facilitated by Portmore’s prince, Pretty Boy Floyd; and the energetic, bubbly, and vivacious Miss Kitty.

Spot prizes, surprise cameo appearances; and giveaways will also be in store for the audience, courtesy of Courts Jamaica Limited.

“Portmore Crack-Up” promises gales of laughter in the ‘Sunshine City’ on the last Sunday of each month. Produced by Ellis International, the series is endorsed by the Portmore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Patrons can enjoy the extra-special, free, ticket delivery service from Nice & Easy Tours by calling 898-6500 or 456-0505. At a cost of $1,000.00/each, pre-sold tickets are also available at: Western Sports, Liguanea; The Card Centre, 78 Slipe Road, Cross Roads; Genus Pharmacy, Shop # 25, Portmore Plaza; and Fuel Fashion, Shop# 64, Portmore Pines Plaza. At-the-door price will be $1,200.00/each.

“Portmore Crack-Up” is rated M for Mature. Sponsors are: Klub Klymaxx; FAME 95FM; HYPE TV; 876Radio.com; Courts Jamaica; Dr. Lushus; and Taboo.

No 'ifa' for Tifa: 2K9 is her year

2009 is off to a busy start for one of Dancehall's most promising young artiste, Latifa Brown, more popularly known as "Tifa". She has already kick started the year by being nominated for a total 5 awards in this years award season, namely, the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME), Youth View Awards and the RETV MVP Awards.

"It was an honour within itself to be nominated, even though I did not win any awards this year, it was still good to know that my work is being recognized within the industry and also by my fans," stated Tifa when asked about her recent nominations.

Although Tifa did not win the award for "Young, Hot and Hype Female", the dancehall diva gave a stellar performance at the 2009 Youth View Awards, which displayed not only her vocal talent, but also her skill in choreography. Tifa also recently performed to a sold out concert in Belize with the TNT crew, which consists of Tifa, Natalie Storm and Timberlee.

Tifa will be onboard a series of tours both Locally and Internationally and is currently going from parish-to-parish with RJR Cross Country Invasion, which will make it's final stop in Montego Bay at the end of the month. Other artists on the Cross Country Invasion include Konshens, Stacious, Cameal Davis, Chino, Laden, Romain Virgo, Sophia Squire, Kip Rich, Goddy Goddy and Nesbeth.

The dancehall artist will also be a part of the 2009 RETV School Tour, which is an Abstinence Awareness tour, which will visit 6 schools across the island over a 6-week period.

"I am thankful to the RJR Communications Group and RETV for giving me the opportunity to shine and spread my music to my existing fans and this also allows me to meet some new ones. The RJR Cross Country Invasion has been an amazing experience, and I expect that the RETV School Tour will be the same."

Tifa will be performing at the Dancehall Cares concert being held in Canada, which is a benefit concert in aid of the Bustamante Children's Hospital. Dancehall artist, Aidonia is also booked to perform at this charity event. After the concert, Tifa will also be performing at another show in Toronto. She has also been working on several projects for various producers that will be released next month.



-from Garrick Communications

"E is so very, very Extraordinary"

Not that we’re carrying a brief for the folks at the National Housing Trust (there was, after all, that statue, but that’s another debate), but they’ve made some fairly astute and beneficial choices in the way of culture.

One such was Emancipation Park, which revitalized the former ‘dust bowl inking the two major midtown thoroughfares (Oxford Road and Knutsford Boulevard). The other was commissioning composer-arranger-musician Peter Ashbourne to put together a large ensemble to play a Christmas concert in the aforementioned Emancipation Park, shortened, for practical purposes, to E-Park.

The band thus dubbed the E-Park Band, has proved itself to be nothing short of an absolute musical gift to the Jmaaican people (and other nationalities who may hear it), and Ashbourne & Co again vindicated themselves at Sunday evening’s Jazz in the Gardens, the first in the bi-monthly live series for 2009, at its familiar home in the Gardens of the Pegasus, a stone’s throw from the Park of the Band’s its conception.

That the programme was essentially a reprise of that performed in the Second City during the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival last month made it in no way less enjoyable. The high level of musicianship and –more importantly – the sheer joy amongst the 13-member ensemble and the instant rapport with the audience fuelled a great hopefulness for a return to the days when such bands were commonplace. This in spite of Ashbourne’s typically deadpan admission that “this is not an economic proposition; it’s a labour of love.”

the loving laboured and romped (yes, we’ll use that word) through a varied repertoire encompassing pop, reggae, the Great American Songbook, and a “dancehall instrumental piece, incorporating the sampled voice of a lady begging on the street among other things.

They were preceded by a group of which one hopes the market will also make room for, and which might be thought of as their successors, even at this relatively early stage. The Edna Manley Ensemble, comprising recent graduates –and one teacher – at the former Cultural Training Centre offered a similarly diverse repertoire delivered with no small measure of verve.

They started with a competent, if somewhat tentative “Autumn Leaves”. Violin soloist Rafiq Williams was hampered by indifferent sound levels (thankfully, the overall sound was much improved from previous Jazz in the gardens outings), with only bassist Alves Dean showing any noticeable assurance on his instrument.

The addition of two sparkling female vocalists changed that for the better. First Some Thomas who did a creditable job covering “Love Me Forever” by the late great Cynthia Schloss before taking things up a notch with vintage Jimmy Cliff – “The Lion Say.” Immediately following her, Abby Gaye Dallas confirmed that her fine showing at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Talent Stage was no fluke, putting her sultry vocals – and a neatly restrained sensuality – to good effect on “St Louis Blues” and “Night In Tunisia” (the latter employing lyrics improvised by Chaka Khan to fit the Dizzy Gillespie original). Courtney Fadlin, no stranger to the Pegasus faithful blew sweet and mellow on the smooth jazz classic, Grover Washington’s “Just The Two Of Us”

In an era when even established players are being made subservient to technology and even the art of selecting records for play has been steadily dehumanized, the sight - and sound - of a six-man horn section, complemented by guitar, bass, drums and two keyboards is truly a refreshing change, not to mention the truly exemplary vocal stylings of Karen Smith, Michael Sean Harris and the aforementioned EMC grads.

Sunday’s jazz in the Gardens offered, amid economic downturn and potential political upheaval, a genuine sign of hope. Let’s see where it leads.

Blues & more @ Hope Gardens

“Blues on the Green”
U.S. Embassy hosts annual free concert

Feel the power of Blues on the Green on Friday, February 27, during the United States Embassy’s free concert featuring American blues singer and guitarist Deborah Coleman at Hope Gardens in Kingston.

The concert comes courtesy of the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section and many distinguished sponsors in celebration of African American History Month.

Deborah Coleman has been described by USA Today as “one of blues music’s most exciting young talents.” Along with a discography that spans a decade, she gives knockout live performances that have made her one of the hottest acts on the contemporary blues scene. Meticulous and focused in the studio and highly charismatic onstage, Coleman has developed a guitar style that reflects the influences of Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Albert Collins and Larry Carlton. Her vocal inspirations are as often found in the singing of Chrissie Hynde and Patti Smith as in the recordings of Bessie Smith, Janis Joplin, Memphis Minnie and Alberta Hunter.

The free concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. and include The Maurice Gordon Group, headed by talented Jamaican guitarist Maurice Gordon, and local jazz and blues singer Myrna Hague.

Parking will be provided at both the Jamaica College parking lot and Gibson Avenue, Hope Pastures entrance to Hope Gardens. Starting at 5:30 p.m., shuttle buses will transport patrons from both parking lots to the concert venue. Patrons are encouraged to carpool to avoid inconvenienc

A Light Comedy Lyme

Last evening presented a rare opportunity, even among the current burgeoning comedy scene: several of Jamaica's best comics, all in one spot, just shooting the breeze, ribbing each other - for the audience's benefit - and riffing comedically on various aspects of life.
Call it 'holdin' a medz' comedy style, but it made for a refreshing evening's entertainment at the LimeLight entertainment centre in Half Way Tree (with the Portmore buses plying their trade outside).
The event is intended to be a monthly one (3rd Wednesday) as Limelight looks to take on the midweek entertainment demand, with -alternately -poetry, gospel, comedy and live music.
Sounds good to us.

Brayhan Art makes big play with 'Murda'

With not one, but two remixes kicking up a ruckus on airwaves (and terminals) across the globe, Brayhan Art is making a big and bold play for some well-deserved recognition with Murda Dem A Play.

The song addresses the seemingly entrenched problem of violent crime but not from the usual angle. Brayhan doesn't preach but still lays out the situation starkly, and in a manner that most listeners can easily relate.
"To how we see the situation." he remarked to this writer some time ago, when the re-mixes were still a thought and the original 'Murda' was burning up the charts, "it seems those guys almost tek the ting like a game, like how you woulda play gun as a kid, but is jsu dis is the real ting, an' people gettin' hurt and killed."

'Murda's' success is opening up even more doors for the lanky singer, with requests coming from as far afield as Japan and Germany for the singles. Meanwhile, work is continuing apace on his debut full-length CD, "Everybody Wanna Live" which should be commanding retail space and the media's attention in a couple months at most.

Born Bryan Grant in St. Ann, Jamaica, Brahyhan Art (Bryan Grant), his keen interest in music was inspired by his eldest brother, a recording artist known as Ray Grant. However, it was his mother who taught him his first three primary chords on which he’d improvise for the next couple of years. During Brahyhan's early teens, the guitar became secondary until years later when he began practicing for a college entry audition. Between teaching and singing, he also wrote songs for artistes such as George Nooks, Singing Melody, Bushman, Luciano, etc.
Today, devoted to his singing career the, Best New Artist for the year 2002 By; ER (Entertainment Report) TVJ, 2003, has done splendidly on many major shows including “Rebel Salute,” - on repeated occasions, “ATI,” “Fully Loaded,” “St. Mary Mi Come From” and “Unity Splash”, among others.
His international appearances include an extensive tour of the United States and Canada. Art sees himself as furthering and building on the marks set by the crooners who came before him, including the likes of Dennis Brown, Beres Hammond, and Toots Hibbert.

VP, Golden Krust seek Carib stars

The premier dancehall/reggae record label has teamed up with the popular Caribbean food franchise for Reggae’s Golden Krust Caribbean Star Search competition, giving musicians 18 years and older who are residents in the US, a place to showcase their talent.

Contestants simply need to upload a one-minute minimum performance video onto www.youtube.com/vprecords.

Winners will be chosen by the most votes received and the VP Records and Golden Krust “star” will have the selected song recorded by one of Jamaica’s top producers. The song will be featured on VP’ s Reggae Gold 2009, the genre’s most popular CD compilation worldwide known for the biggest hits of the year in reggae/dancehall.

This year’s Reggae Gold comes at a very important time — marking VP Records 30 Year Anniversary. In addition to Golden Krust, VP Records joins forces with JTI (Jamaica Trade & Invest), JTB (Jamaica Tourist Board) & Catch-A-Fire Clothing/Zionrootswear to celebrate this moment in history with their most successful annual album series.

Reggae’s Golden Krust Caribbean Star Search is an integral component to this multi-faceted marketing venture.

“All of us at VP Records are very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such a great campaign with Golden Krust”, states Cristy Barber VP of Marketing & Promotions for VP Records. “It’s always a pleasure to see other successful Caribbean companies wanting to help introduce new talent into our genre. This campaign will give musical hopefuls their time to shine,” she adds.

“Golden Krust is proud to be able to give young people an opportunity for musical stardom” commented, Lowell Hawthorne, president of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill. “Music is universal and this contest will afford some budding singers and songwriters a chance at success.”

The contest kicked off February 1, 2009 and continues through March 27, 2009. The emerging “Reggae Star” will be announced on VP Records YouTube channel, April 1.

For more information, email reggaegold@goldenkrustbakery.com or call 347.266.9759.

-From Reggae Wire News Network www.riddimjamaica.com

Beenie, Cruz for Belize

Beenie Man is headed to Central America next month to inaugurate the Belize Reggae Fest Series, an initiative of Triple T Productions and Nuff Muzik Productions to bring top tier Caribbean performers to Belize's ample community of Reggae music lovers.

On Saturday, March 7th, King Beenie and Reggae crooner Anthony Cruz are set to launch the Reggae Fest Series at the Princess Hotel and Casino with a lively mix of Dancehall and Lover's Rock, while DJ Andrew D of Irie Jam Radio 93.5FM in New York will be spinning the latest Reggae and Dancehall tunes from 'Yaad' (Yard) and 'abraad' (abroad) as Jamaica's favorite "Attitude Gyal" Dyema shows off Dancehall's latest fancy foot and hip work.

Triple T and Nuff Muzik are launching the Belize Reggae Fest Series in response to a tremendous demand for top tier Caribbean artists in Belize and other parts of Central America. Tasz Smith, CEO of the New York based Triple T Productions, was floored by the overwhelming response to Beenie Man at his last performance in Belize in 2005. After noticing that shows featuring top billing Caribbean entertainers were far and few between in Belize, Smith joined forces with Garth Guthrie of Nuff Muzik Productions in Florida, to initiate the Belize Reggae Fest Series, which will be bringing the most popular Reggae and Caribbean music artists to Central America.

A Quieter [Natalie] Storm?

"I Bruise Easily" the latest single being released by dancehall fashionista and singjay, Natalie Storm, speaks to the fact that there is much more to love than just sex.

On the heels of recent "daggering" debates that have created censorship and confusion in the dancehall, Natalie has released a single that shows a complex and more intimate side of being in love and the act of lovemaking.

Natalie Storm who has been known for her hardcore dancehall flavour on hit tracks such as "Back It Up" on Ward 21's Tear Up Jeans riddim, which became a dancehall anthem , "Talk Di Tings", and, "A Nuh My Fault" , showcases her eminent versatility on the single "I Bruise Easily" and also gives fans an opportunity to see and hear a softer side of the artist.

The track which is a Prodigal Entertainment production and also a cover from International Artist, Natasha Bedingfield is already set to be a clear Lovers Rock Anthem, which features all live musicians in a classic, reggae style. A treatment for the music video is currently being done by an Internationally acclaimed video director.

"The song is actually a cover from Natasha Bedingfield, and from the first time that I heard the single I really liked the song. I think that all women will be able to identify with this single," stated Natalie when asked why she chose to voice this particular song.

"A lot of people know that I could sing from before and have actually asked me to sing more … I think I'm gonna start doing some more of that (singing) and I think it will also help to broaden my horizons as and artist. I sing, Dj, write and now I'm also getting into the production element of the industry."

Storm was recently nominated in the 2009 EME Awards for Best New Artist (Female) and Singjay of the Year (Female), and has also received a nomination for Best Female Music Video – Back It Up, which was directed by Dexter Pottinger in the upcoming RETV MVP Awards.

She is also branching into production and is currently working on her debut riddim, Firestorm that will feature artists such as, Tifa, Timberlee and Ward 21 among others. She is also completing projects for Ward 21 and Swatch International, as well as global producers, Enur, Max Glazer and Ultra Records. Natalie Storm is also a part of the Swatch International and Passa Passa family.

The Charts Resume

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

FEBRUARY 6, 2009

TOP 20 DANCE HALL SINGLES

TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 1 21 Burnin, Burnin- Miss Triniti feat. Beenie Man-Unseen Lab (2wks@#1) NM
02 4 7 Time To Shine-Laden-Big Ship U-2
03 8 5 Romping Shop-Vybz Kartel feat Spice-Adidjaheim Records/NotNice U-5
04 5 7 Dip Again- Elephant Man feat. Ding Dong – Big Ship U-1
05 2 24 Rolling Deep-Flippa Mafia-T J Records D-3
06 6 18 Ghetto Prayer – Shane-O-Jam II NM
07 3 12 Million By A Mawning-Vybz Kartel-Don Corleon (3wks@#1 D-4
08 9 20 Move-KK Alese- Ruby Sarah Music U-1
09 11 8 Flying Dagger (100 Stab)- Idonia- Equinoxx U-2
10 7 16 Sweep-Elephant Man-Scatta Productions/Kings of Kings (3wks@#1) D-3
11 13 5 I’m So Blessed - Mavado – Big Ship U-2
12 10 14 Yuh Know Fi Wine-Beenie Man- 357 Records(pp#7) D-2
13 16 2 Last Man Standing-Vybz Kartel – U-3
14 12 19 No Games-Serani- TJ Records (pp#2) D-2
15 18 2 Ben Ova - RDX- U-3
16 14 7 No Chorus (Real Killer)-Mavado-Big Ship D-2
17 20 2 This Means Money – Konshens – Head Concussion U-3
18 - New Head Cyaan Hot So- Prodigal Son-Main Street Records
19 - New Bubble-Charly Blacks-Fresh Ear
20 - New Get wild-Vybz Kartel- Not Nice




TOP 20 REGGAE SINGLES

TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 1 20 Nothing Change (Love Reigns)- Bugle/Tarrus Riley -Sons of Spoon Music(2wks@#1) NM
02 3 14 Calm Down Yuh Nerves-Bescenta-Uplifting Music Int’l U-1
03 4 14 I Love You Anyway-Barbee-It’s Not A Game Records U-1
04 5 11 Jah Jah See Dem A Come-Sugar Roy/Conrad Crystal & Gyptian – Fireball U-1
05 6 14 My Jamaican Girl-Prince Pankhi-Otis Riddim Records U-1
06 2 24 A Better Man-Terry Linen-Uplifting Music Int’l Camp (2wks@#1) D-4
07 8 8 Can’t Sleep-Romaine Virgo-Penthouse Records U-1
08 11 7 Missing You Right Now-Daville-Fashowzy U-3
09 7 20 Tell It Like It Is-Stevie Face-Boot Camp (4wks@#1) D-2
10 10 9 Good Morning Beautiful-Mark Ice-Big Lawd Records NM
11 12 7 You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling-Noddy Virtue/Jodi-Ann Pantry-Reflection U-1
12 9 23 Stronger-D’Angel-Sons of Spoon (3wks@#1) D-3
13 15 4 You’re My Inspiration –LUST- Born Music U-2
14 16 4 Another Bill Again-Tony Rebel-Penthouse U-2
15 17 2 Bad Man Don’t Cry-Shaggy-Big Yard Music U-2
16 18 3 Music – Konshens – Tads Int’l U-2
17 20 2 Start Anew-Tarrus Riley-Juke Boxx U-3
18 19 3 Street Life – Richie Spice –Sons of Spoon U-1
19 14 19 Barak Obama-Cocoa Tea-Roaring Lion (2wks@1) D-5
20 13 16 I Feel Good – Beres Hammond – Penthouse (pp#2) D-7

Blues Rockin' Robin to Return

Canadian-born, texas-raised, honorary Jamaican rocker/songbird Robin Banks is setto return to Christopher's - the site of many of her greatest exploits - as the Mo' Muzyk Live series continues. Robin is scheduled to perform on April 23.

before that, Mary Isaacs will perform along with PON Fyah, come February 17. Other dates will be announced as they are confirmed.

Pull Up! Lil' Jon

Lil Jon is known to the hip-hop world as the "King of Crunk," a superstar rapper and producer. What they probably don't know is he started out as a dancehall selecta or deejay, as a member of the Four Seasons Sound System during the '90s, in his hometown of Atlanta. Now the entertainer, formally known as Jonathan Smith, is coming full circle, flirting with his love of Caribbean music by injecting his unique crunk flavor into this year's Carnival festivities in Trinidad.

Jon will not only be performing, but he has actually produced a beat for a collaboration between him, Latin hip-hop star Pitbull, and soca artist Machel Montano, called "Floor On Fire." The success of the production has evolved the track into a full-fledged riddim, with numerous Caribbean stars voicing on it, including Kevin Lyttle and Mr. Vegas. As a result, a new breed of soca is being introduced and will see its debut on soca's most prolific stage - Trinidad Carnival.

This is not the first major stage on which Jon has displayed his flair for island beats. He first appeared alongside Pitbull and Machel Montano at soca's other big festival, Crop Over in Barbados, last August. He was also in Trinidad recently to kick off Carnival, performing with Montano at the annual WASA Fete on January 31.


-from RHONA FOX

Music 2.0: Are You ready?

The following, from Ingrid Riley's tech monitor Silicon Caribe, I found compelling enough to share with the E-Square fam:

On Feb 5th, I entered the Globe Lobby of the Los Angeles Times Building in downtown Los Angeles as the only Caribbean representative at the 2nd annual EconMusic Conference, organized by UK based ContentNext Media. This year’s conference focused on the key strategic issues surrounding the economics of the digital music industry.

By the end of the first panel discussion which featured Courtney Holt (President, Myspace Music), David Ring (EVP, eLabs, Universal Music Group), Cory Ondrejka (SVP, Digital Strategy, EMI Music), Michael Spiegelman (Head of Yahoo! Music) and Chris Stephenson (GM, Global Marketing, Entertainment Business, Microsoft) I had to wonder whether Jamaica and by extension the Caribbean region was ready for the technologically driven strategies that industry players are implementing in order to remain competitive in the global music industry.

MUSIC 2.0?
Technology and music are much more intertwined than ever before and to become or remain competitive in the marketplace, ALL industry players MUST experiment with new technologies, new business models, and take on partnerships with providers of music hardware and software in order to satisfy the call for “ubiquity of music.”

The term “Music 2.0” (coined by Gerd Leonhard) correctly describes the nature of today’s music business, driven by digital, web-based strategies that allow consumers to access, acquire and interact with music in ways not previously available.

NEW BUSINESS MODELS
The Music 2.0 landscape has acted as a category 5 hurricane in the music business because it has allowed for the introduction of new players such as Live Nation (the largest booking agency for live shows in the world) and thousands of independent labels utilizing digital distribution strategies and forcing major labels to revisit their outdated business models.

David Ring from Universal Music Group and EMI executive Cory Ondrejka discussed the relevance of any single business model that could satisfy the needs of artists, labels, publishers and consumer. But the discussion proved that even the members of the “Big 4” (Sony, UMG, WMG and EMI) have no exact answer for a “best business model” and they are unable to predict with any level of certainty what type of model would stabilize the industry and technology in which form would rule supreme.

Major labels at this point have simply preferred to take on a slight experimental approach (allowing themselves just enough wiggle room to hold on to their massive 75% dominance in the music industry). Their only suggestion was that any player in the music industry must try to ADAPT to the dynamic changes.

Are players in the Caribbean ready to adapt? Or will we simply follow the lead of foreign entities and try to make their strategies work in our region and for our music? This may be much more than detrimental than we think.

Fred Croshal founder and CEO of Croshal Entertainment Group (www.croshalgroup.com) and former executive at SonyBMG and Maverick Music was a refreshing addition to the conference introducing his alternative business model, what he calls, the VIRTUAL RECORD LABEL. According to Croshal, who has been involved with the sale of over 100 million albums over his 30 year span in the music business “…the structure of the label gives the artist 100% ownership of their masters and allows for faster reaction time, lower costs and better results for the artist.” Croshal’s label provides the same services an artist would receive at a major label: sales, marketing, song placement, internet, publicity, budget management but there are no costly overheads to recoup. Could this model be the way of the future?

Croshal represents American Idol winner Rubben Studdard, RnB star Yamin Elliot, Jupiter Rising, Jackson Browne and numerous other hugely successful American acts.

Will Jamaican artists continue to look to the “Big 4” for deals when most major acts like Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jay Z, Nickelback, and Bruce Springsteen are moving away from them driven by a desire to actually “own” their music?

MYSPACE MUSIC AHEAD OF THE GAME
Courtney Holt, newly appointed President of Myspace Music and former EVP of Digital Music & Media at MTV Networks, delved into developments at the new arm from Myspace. Privately funded and driven by advertising revenue, and sponsorship, Myspace Music is an expansion of the different ways that members of the Myspace community can interact with artists and discover new music. They have come out ahead of the pack in terms of exploiting the social networking model to expand the reach and popularity of an artist and their music.

Myspace Music has several Jamaican artists listed under their Reggae category but so far none have been a featured artist or offered a deal for “secret shows” such as those received by 23-year-old British artist, Lilly Allen (3 secret shows on 3 continents). According to Holt, these “secret shows” have driven record sales for these artists in the hundreds of thousands. MySpace Music launched the Secret Shows franchise in January 2006 and has since hosted such acts as Rilo Kiley, Moby, Maroon 5, the Killers, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tenacious D, Ice Cube, James Blunt and Neil Diamond in cities around the world.

MOBILE MUSIC DEVELOPMENTS |SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
Even before XM and Sirius radio entered the market, several companies such as Yahoo! Music and Rhapsody had experimented with subscription offers for music consumers. All that have trekked this road have later on abandoned the idea. When I pressed Chris Stephenson from Microsoft about the need for change in consumer perception as it relates to music as a product, he agreed that there is a need to shift consumer perception from “ownership of music” to “access to music.”
If consumers continue to view music as a product to be physically owned, there will always be resistance to paying a monthly service charge to access music.

TICKETING
In Japan today, music lovers are able to purchase concert tickets directly from their mobile phones. I directed this question to members of the Mobile Music panel: Jeff Annison (Founder & CEO, Underground Labs), Daniel Cohen (VP, Business Development, Dada Entertainment) and Tom Conrad (CTO, Pandora) who all agreed that very soon mobile phone companies in the US will be following suit to possibly partner with event promoters or ticketing agencies such as TicketMaster and Live Nation, as this is a viable option in the market of bringing artists closer to their fanbase.

Jamaica has Island Stubs (www.islandstubs.com) is this a viable option for us as well? Have their executives started negotiations with entities in the mobile arena to possibly provide such a service?

THE DEATH OF THE CD
Currently, Microsoft is heading into a deal with BestBuy to offer preloaded ZUNES based on music that consumers like. Do we foresee any of these ZUNES being preloaded with Reggae/Jamaican/Caribbean music?

At this point the deal is being inked between Microsoft and the major labels, with Universal being a big fan of the idea. This move is a reflection of an effort on the part of record labels to utilize “recommendation technology” and “play catch up” to what other entities like Amazon and iTunes have been doing for years to better understand the needs of consumers. In addition to the massive 45% decline in CD sales since 2000, this ZUNE agreement signals the ever-nearing “death of the CD.”

Is VP Records and local acts who are still thinking of “pressing a CD” ready for this move? What plans does Record Plaza, Music Mart, Derek Harriott, CD Centre, Music Fair, and others have in store for Jamaican music consumers when the CD is out of the picture?

During the conference there was mention of many who stand to benefit from this new dynamism and the falling of old business models but is the Caribbean region technologically ready?

By the end of all the presentations I left the LA Times Building feeling that without the necessary technological infrastructure Jamaica and the Caribbean will most definitely be left behind in the shift to MUSIC 2.0

The '09 Grammys: HUH?? WTF??

Well, it seems after plucking Herbie Hancock's tribute to Joni Mitchell out of left field last year, the Grammy people have mebarked on a programme of rotating genres for the epotlight.
how else does one explain the choice of musical odd couple Robert Plant and Aliison Krauss for Song and Album of the Year (as well as three othe trophies).
Of course, both artistes' credentials are well established - Plant as former Led Zep front man and "Sea of Love" solo artiste and Krauss as the reigning queen of bluegrass, but this showering of praise just doesn't add up for me (not evne with the gifted if laconic T-Bone Burnett as producer)
Ah well, amybe this means reggae is next in the rotation so 2010 might be our year.

Yeaahhh, riiiight!

EMEs....the full 100 - or so

Controversy over his Rampin Shop collabo with Spice certainly hasn't hurt Vybz Kartel (or spice for that matter. Both the Gaza man and his recording partner picked the coveted DJ of the Year awards in their respective divisions at Thursday nite's EME awards - in front of a capacity crowd of invitees at the Pegasus Gardens.


Following the full list of nominees and eventual winners:

1. DJ OF THE YEAR (MALE)

(for a solo vocal performance)

VYBZ KARTEL

BEENIEMAN

ELEPHANT MAN

BUSY SIGNAL

ASSASSIN

BUJU BANTON

WINNER……………VYBZ KARTEL

2) DJ OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

(for a solo vocal performance)

MACKA DIAMOND

STACIOUS

TIFA

LADY SAW

SPICE

TIMBERLEE

WINNER………………SPICE









3)VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (MALE)

(for a solo vocal performance)

BERES HAMMOND

COCO TEA

TERRY LINEN

TARRUS RILEY

RICHIE SPICE

GEORGE NOOKS

COURTNEY JOHN

WINNER…………..TARRUS RILEY



4)VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

(for a solo vocal performance)

ETANA

JODI-ANN PANTRY

TESSANNE CHIN

CHERINE ANDERSON

BARBEE

MISS TRINITI

WINNER…………..ETANA

5)PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)

(overall best charting record producer in this category in the eligibility year)

S & A LOCKE TRUCK BACK

STEPHEN MCGREGOR BIG SHIP

D. & C. HARRINSINGH, C. MARSH DASECA

LINTON ‘TJ’ WHITE TJ RECORDS

SEAN SEANIZZLE’ REID SEANIZZLE

DONOVAN BENNETT DON CORLEON

TREVOR ‘Baby G’ JAMES BABY G

LLOYD JAMES Jnr JAM II

WINNER………..STEPHEN McGREGOR

6)PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

(overall best charting record producer in this category in the eligibility year)

KEMAR’DJ Flava’ Mc GREGOR – NO DOUBT REC

DELMAR ‘Della’ DRUMMOND – DANGER ZONE

DAMION ALLEN – UPLIFTING MUSIC INT’L.

DONOVAN BENNETT – DON CORLEON LABEL

KURT RILEY - AMG RECORDS

LLOYD AND MICHELLE CAMPBELL – JOE FRASER

WINNER…….KEMAR ‘DJ FLAVA’ McGREGOR





7)BEST NEW ARTIST (MALE)

(award to an artist whose release(s) during the eligibility year establishes his public identity)

BLACK RYNO

KONSHENS

BRAGGA

DEVA BRAT

CHARLY BLACK

LADEN

D – MAJOR

WINNER………….KONSHENS






8)BEST NEW ARTIST (FEMALE)

(award to an artist whose release(s) during the eligibility year establishes his public identity)

STACIOUS

TIFA

ALIBRA

SOPHIA BROWN

KK ALESE

PAMPUTAE

NATALEE STORM

WINNER………..STACIOUS

9)DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR

(for vocal performance(s) by established duos or groups)

MONSTER EMPIRE

RDX

LUST

MORGAN HERITAGE

ANDREW & WADA BLOOD

BLACK JUDAH

VOICEMAIL

WINNER……………..RDX

10) BIGGEST COMEBACK ARTIST

(award to an artist whose release(s) in the eligilibility year marked his/her ‘return’ to the charts after a long break)

HOPETON LINDO

LEROY SMART

MYKAL ROSE

HARRY TODDLER

COURTNEY MELODY

JIMMY RILEY

WINNER…………HARRY TODDLER


11. SONG OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)

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



ON THE ROCK

GULLY CREEPA

THE MISSION

GIMMI LIKKLE

WINE GYAL

I’M SO SPECIAL

TRAILER LOAD OF MONEY

WINNER

WINNER…………I’M SO SPECIAL

12. SONG OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

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

JUST AS I AM

MOOD FOR LOVE

DI PLANE LAND

DIFFERENT PAGE

NOTHING TO SMILE BOUT

BARAK OBAMA

WARRIOR LOVE

WINNER……………..JUST AS I AM










13. ALBUM OF THE YEAR

(award to artist(s) and producer(s) if different from artist(s))

MISSION IN PROGRESS – MORGAN HERITAGE

THE STRONG ONE – ETANA

INTOXICATION – SHAGGY

LET’S GET PHYSICAL – ELEPHANT MAN

DIAMOND SERIES ‘GOLD’ – GEORGE NOOKS

LOADED – BUSY SIGNAL

WINNER………ETANA

14) RECORDING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

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

VYBZ KARTEL

MAVADO

BEENIE MAN

ELEPHANT MAN

ETANA

ASSASSIN

SERANI

WINNER…………….MAVADO

15) CULTURAL /POSITIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

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

TARRUS RILEY

QUEEN IFRICA

RICHIE SPICE

MORGAN HERITAGE

I – OCTANE

KONSHENS

ETANA

WINNER…………….QUEEN IFRICA

16) BREAKTHRU ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to artist whose work attracted local and international attention, and who is getting the attention of a record label….or one who started work on, or released an album on said label)

ERUP

I – OCTANE

SHANE-O

PATRIOT

FLIPPA MAFIA

SERANI

D’ANGEL

WINNER………….SERANI



17) SONG WRITER/ LYRICIST OF THE YEAR

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

VYBZ KARTEL

BUJU BANTON

BUSY SIGNAL

FLIPPA MAFIA

MAVADO

BUGLE

KONSHENS


WINNER………………VYBZ KARTEL








18) SINGJAY OF THE YEAR (MALE)

(award to the artist with the best overall chart success in this category in the eligilibility year)

MAVADO

MR VEGAS

SERANI

BUGLE

DEMARCO

I – OCTANE

WINNER………….MAVADO





19) SINGJAY OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

(award to the artist with the best overall chart success in this category in the eligibility year)

CECILE

D’ANGEL

QUEEN IFRICA

MBC

NATALEE STORM

WINNER………………..D’ANGEL


20) COLLABO OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)

(for a collaborative vocal performance by artists who do not normally perform together)

THE MISSION – DAMIAN & STEPHEN MARLEY

BURNIN, BURNIN – MISS TRINITI & BEENIE MAN

SHAKE THAT BODY – PI FEAT. ELEPHANT MAN

DOH – SERANI & BUGLE

REAL JAMAICANS-MYKAL ROSE & BUSY SIGNAL

WINNER………..THE MISSION – DAMIAN & STEPHEN MARLEY

21) COLLABO OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

(for a collaborative vocal performance by artists who do not normally perform together)

BED OF ROSES = NODDY & JODI-ANN

PAIN – CAPLETON/BOBO ZARRO/CONTRACTOR

MERCY PLEASE – BLACK JUDAH & WARRIOR KING

WANT TEK LIFE – JNR. REID/ANDREW & WADA BLOOD

PULL UP SELECTA – TARRUS & JIMMY RILEY


WINNER………….BED OF ROSES – NODDY VIRTUE & JODIANN PANTRY


22) RHYTHM OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

(award to the producer)

RUB-A-DUB

JOURNEY

CHI CHI BUD

GOLDEN GATE

CHEMISTRY

SECRETS

WINNER………..RUB-A-DUB











23) RHYTHM OF THED YEAR (DANCE HALL)

(award to the producer)

UNFINISHED BIZNIZ

LOOK GAL

CHINEY – K

MISSION

SHOOT OUT

WORK OUT

GEAR BOX

WINNER………UNFINISHED BIZNIZ





24) REGGAE // DANCE HALL COMPILATION OF THE YEAR – VARIOUS ARTISTES

(award to the distributor // licensor)



REGGAE GOLD 2008

THE ULTIMATE REGGAE/DANCEHALL X-PERIENCE

JAMROCK CLASSICS

RIDDIM RULER – DROP IT

GREATEST REGGAE ONE DROP ANTHEMS (2008)

WINNER…………THE ULTIMATE REGGAE/ DANCEHALL X-PERIENCE








25) MOST IMPROVED ARTIST

(award to artist whose career improves dramatically in all areas over the eligilibility year)

D’ANGEL

I-OCTANE

ANDREW & WADA BLOOD

NODDY VIRTUE

CHRISTOPHER MARTIN
BUGLE

FLIPPA MAFIA

WINNER………………I-OCTANE

26) GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(award to artist adjudged the most popular in this category in the eligibility year)

GODDY GODDY

PRODIGAL SON

DJ NICHOLAS

OMARI

JUDITH GAYLE

MOSES

RYAN MARK

WINNER…………..PRODIGAL SON

HONOUR AWARDS:

27) VIDEO OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

BAD MAN DON’T CRY – SHAGGY (ARTIST)

BAD MAN DON’T CRY – JAY WILL

28. VIDEO OF THE YEAR (DANCEHALL)

TIC TOC – BUSY SIGNAL (ARTIST)

TIC TOC – RAS KASSA (DIRECTOR)

29. PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

BEENIE MAN @ REGGAE SUMFEST ‘08

30. GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR

CHAKA CHI CHI



31. BEST DRESSED ARTIST

MOSES ‘BEENIE MAN’ DAVIS


32. SHOW OF THE YEAR

A MOMENT IN TIME


33. DANCHALL TRENDSETTER OF THE YEAR

FLIPPA MAFIA

34. BEST ORIGINAL DANCE SONG/ MOVE OF THE YEAR

GULLY CREEPER – ELEPHANT MAN

GULLY CREEPER – CREATED BY ICE

35. ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR AWARDEES:



SONIA POTTINGER

FREDDIE McGREGOR

LLOYD ‘King Jammy’ JAMES







36) INTERNATIONAL FRIEND OF REGGAE

( Int’l. Super Stars will each receive these Awards for their continued support of Reggae)….

MISSY ELLIOTT

JASMIN SULLIVAN

JOHN LEGEND

ESTELLE