DING DONG ‘skips’ onto success

Even though he has one of the most instantly recognized and popiular hits of the year (“Holiday” with Chevaughn Clayton), has performed in many countries (including Japan and Brazil), and is now set to show his stuff on the upcoming Shaggy Dare to Care 2010 edition, come January 2, Ding Dong still insists on billing himself as “a dancer.”

“Is dancin’ bring me to the point where people round the world know me” said the founder of the Ravers Clavers crew, now some 18 members strong. “An’ no matter what else me do, dancin’ nah stop Me dance every night.”

Which must make for a very hectic schedule as that ‘what else’ has grown to embrace not only recording artiste, but also producer (his most recent riddim project is the “Giants”) and entertainment mogul. His Nannyville Enterrprise has been signing and developing new talent at an expansive clip, and Ding Dong now seems to be on the crest of a surge greater than that of the Iraq War.

But the “dancer” is nothing if not focused, and humble. Of his call-up for the upcoming Dare to Care show he says, “it’s a tremendous, big opportunity for me, seeing as many of the people on this bill is people who influence me, so I now have the opportunity to be an influencer.”

Beyond the bright lights – Ding Dong sees his presence on the bill as a contribution to the cause. Specifically, he believes he can attract a younger audience not only to the show, but more importantly to the cause of giving. “Its not a matter of a lot of money, but you give what you have, cause this is something that benefit everybody, so me in my position can get the young people to understand that them can play a part too.”

And his influence grows, what with the success of “Holiday” and the hot dance of the moment, Skip To My Lu, otherwise Summer Swing (“people keep askin’ me if is two different dance, but is really the same thing”). His touring schedule looks even more hectic for the end of this year and into 2010, and he’s already followed up “Holiday” with the new single and video “Responsible Parents”.

“My song, me just take them from life and things that me consider.” he explains. “We keep away from all war and negativity. “My children mus’ able to listen to my tune and my mother mus’ can listen to it too.”

Jamaica Jazz and Blues Band Quest goes online - JamaicaObserver.com

Jamaica Jazz and Blues Band Quest goes online - JamaicaObserver.com

aspiring artists can go to jamaicajazzandblues.com

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".

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

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

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

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