Reggae Book this Tuesday

Jérémie KROUBO DAGNINI

Will launch his book (written in french) :

"Les origines du reggae: retour aux sources. Mento, ska, rocksteady, early reggae"
" The origins of reggae: back to the sources. Mento, ska, rocksteady, early reggae"

At the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque,
Tuesday June 2nd, 2009, at 7.00pm

You are all invited to come...

Copies of the book will be available for sale.





Presentation of the Author:
Jérémie Kroubo Dagnini is a PhD candidate at the University Michel de Montaigne Bordeaux 3 (France), doing research on the history of Jamaican popular music in the 20th century.
For more information, click on the link: www.myspace.com/jeremiekroubodagnini

Presentation of the Book:
The book goes back over the origins of reggae, from Africa to Jamaica, from the era of slavery to the post-colonial period. In other words, it shows how the history of Jamaica (slavery, Evangelism, colonial and post-colonial politics, migration phenomena, urbanization, Americanization of Jamaican society...) has contributed to the development of Jamaican music. The author analyzes the socio-historico-cultural dynamics which resulted in the birth of reggae in the late 60's as well as the origins and evolutions of mento, ska and rocksteady, the main popular musical genres prior to reggae. The book contains rare and unpublished interviews and pictures of The Jolly Boys, Edward Seaga, Derrick Morgan, Toots, Alpha Boys' School, Johnny "Dizzy" Moore, Byron Lee, Prince Buster, The Kingstonians etc. The diversity within the book will delight all fans of Jamaican music/ culture.
For more information, click on the link:http://www.editions-harmattan.fr/index.asp?navig=catalogue&obj=livre&no=26984

When Giants Dance - two ATIs are One again

After a three-year hiatus "exploring different paths" according to the official line, (perhaps hastened by the economic climate) ATI is again one aprty series, with Appleton as title sponsor.

Last night's launch at the trendy Truck Stop on W Kings House saw media, fans, execs and others gather to enjoy Appleton & Coke, shoot the breeze, move to some music (Rennaissance was in the house) and hear the principals address the new dispensation

The now nine-year old Temptation Isle event has proven itself a winner for Independence/Eancipation weekend, with partygoers from across the island as well as across the seas - London, Miami, NYC, Baltimore and TO among other foreign cities coming in for the vibes, the sun and sand, and of course the libations

The "season" this year runs Aug 5- 9 and includes the following events:

Welcome Party
Hop-Hop Jouvert
Tempted "Glow"
Pretty in Pink on the Beach
Rhythm & Booze
Stages
ATI Toga Party
Colours
Wild Sides
Fusion

for more detial contact Rashaabbott56@aol.com

A Reggae-Rap Memorial Day

While the literati will be saoking up the Calabash Treasure beach Vibe, its rap & reggae up North:

Memorial Day weekend in Miami is touted as being even bigger than Superbowl weekend. From sunrise to sunset, the steamy action and activity-filled hot spot has become the nation's top destination for this holiday weekend. And BEST OF THE BEST, the superbowl of concert events, is just another reason why. The 10 hours of non-stop performances will take place this Sunday, May 24 at Bicentennial Park in Miami, Florida.

The City of Miami is looking forward to the thousands of visitors who abound for this major tourist attraction, now in its third year. "The City of Miami welcomes our Memorial Weekend visitors for the Best of the Best Concert, and we look forward to a fun, safe and music-filled weekend," states the Mayor of Miami, Manuel Diaz.

Boasting a star-studded lineup that includes the best reggae, dancehall and soca acts alongside the top names in hip-hop, rap and R&B, BEST OF THE BEST is living up to its creed of being the best Caribbean show in North America, and is sure to have the 45,000 capacity venue filled as local and international fans vie to see the stars live in action.

This musical marathon features Rick Ross, T-Pain, Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Elephant Man, Beenie Man, Mavado, Bounty Killer, Serani, Wayne Wonder, Capleton, Destra, Tony Matterhorn, Spice, Kip Rich, Flippa Mafia, Christopher Martin, Cocoa Tea, Ras Penco, Ce'Cile and The Stones.

Gates open at 1pm and the action kicks off at 1:30pm sharp at Bicentennial Park, located at 1075 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami. After the show is the official Best of the Best After Party, at Bongos Nightclub (located behind the American Airlines Arena), immediately following the show.

BAY-C of TOK Goes for the "BombRush"

With the impending release of “Our World” on the horizon, T.O.K’s Roshaun Clarke is steadily showcasing his prowess on the music scene under another capacity – as Producer.

For the past year, Bay-C (as he is better known) has been making waves locally and overseas with the production of hit singles such as “Miss World”, featuring TOK and Beenie Man, and riddims like Black Rain, Gargoyle and Money Tree. Despite what people may think, this artiste-turned-producer is not new to the production game. Already his work has been featured on Assassin’s debut album “Infiltrate” as well as Bounty Killer’s “Art of War – Mystery”. Now finally, he has emerged with his own album.

“Bombrush Hour” was released on April 22, 2009 through JVC, Japan, which has been home to several other heavy-hitters on the reggae/dancehall scene – Mavado, Elephant Man, Mighty Crown and T.O.K all fall on their roster.

Since its release, the album has steadily been climbing in sales, both in record stores as well as on the digital market. Most popular on the album are “Trapped” by T.O.K featuring Beenie man, the Rick James/Smoky Robinson cover of “Ebony Eyes” with Alex and Flexx of T.O.K, and the club-banger “Wave” which features Bay-C himself, alongside Tony Matterhorn, Sami-T of Mighty Crown and Cutty of Coppershot. All three songs have somehow pushed themselves into the Top 20 on Japan’s biggest downloading site Reggae Zion, a feat which many albums almost never achieve.

Also included on the album are tracks featuring soca heavyweight Machel Montano, dancehall’s Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel and promising Bombrush artiste Sleepy Hallowtips.

Bay-C will do promotion for “Bombrush Hour” when T.O.K visits Japan to participate in the annual BMI Music Festival in June. While there, “Bombrush Hour” and “Our World” will be promoted simultaneously.

Tifa "S-P-E-L-Ls It Out" in new video

Latifa Brown, more popularly known simply as TIFA, is slowly changing the dancehall game with her hit single “Spell It Out”.

“Spell It Out”, was released in mid-March and is already creating a frenzy in dancehall circles. The single was produced by hit-makers Ward 21 and truly showcases the diverse artist that Tifa has become. The track is currently mashing up the airwaves locally as well as, popular radio stations in North America, and Canada.

“I’m very happy, the video is finally going to be done, the song has surpassed many of my expectations, hopefully the video will do the same,” stated Tifa when asked about the current success of the single.

Tifa has teamed up once again with Dexter “3D” Pottinger to direct the music video for “Spell It Out” which will be shot on location in Kingston and in the studio this Sunday. Dexter Pottinger was also responsible for Tifa’s “Bottom of the Barrel” music video, which won the RETV MVP Award for Best Music Video Female last month.

“The video will have a Disney’s High School Musical feel to it, but with a yardie twist … I don’t want to give out too much information, just make sure you check out the video as soon as it drops, it will definitely not be one to be missed,” stated and excited Tifa when asked about the concept of the video.

Apart from organizing the video shoot for “Spell It Out ”, Tifa has been spending most her time for the last month in the recording studio. Fans can look out for two new hot singles, “Single” which is featured on the Kabba Kabba riddim, produced by Equinoxx and “Without Warning”, which was produced by Esco for 111 Productions. TNT aka Badda Badda Gang, which includes Tifa, Natalie Storm and Timberlee, are also slated to do some very important recordings overseas during the month of May.

Tifa is also slated to perform at the Federation Sound 10th Anniversary celebrations in Manhattan on May 19, 2009, which will feature a host of Dancehall’s finest including, Sean Paul, Leftside aka Dr. Evil, Chino and Laden, as well as, some of the leading sound systems in the industry.

-Garrick Communications

Apple Sez Thanks a billion....but stops the Baby Shaker

Dwonloading juggernaut Apple is either closing in on a billion downnloaded apps, or has already passed that mark, accordingto monitoring site tech Crunch (see below).
Meanwhile, it has pulleda controversial app, dubbed Baby Shaker, which allowed users to shake an aimageof a crying baby until red Xs come over its eyes.




"all know that Apple is closing in on a billion app downloads in the App Store. Currently, the counter on the main Apple.com claims it’s about 10 million away from the major number. But, Apple apparently already knows when the billion mark is going to be passed, because the billion celebration page is ready to go and can easily be accessed, right now.

And we know the exact time Apple is predicting when it will cross the mark — at least, right now (more below): 1:24:06 AM PST on April 23. Simply go to your system settings and set the date and time to anytime after that mark, and reload the main Apple page. You’ll be greeted by big picture on the landing page reading, “Thanks a billion. Over a billion downloads in just nine months. Only on the App Store.”

And actually, if you change to a before the mark Apple has set, you can see the counter advance closer and closer towards the billion mark.

Of course, this means that the number is at least somewhat tied (update below) to your computer’s clock rather than an actual billion app sales mark being triggered. Not that it’s all that surprising. After all, with so many apps being sold every second, can you really expect Apple to do anything other than estimate? This would be an issue though if said it was giving away a prize to the person who specifically downloaded the billionth app (it’s not)."

Dancehall A Go Pon Tour

“NEXT GENERATION” DANCEHALL TOUR GENERATING TREMENDOUS VIBES UP NORTH

With little over a week to go before the big Next Generation Dancehall Vibes - Part One Tour kicks off in North America, both the artistes - Spice, Kiprich, Konshens and Laden and their growing legion of fans are already stoked up with anticipation for the events.

The tour which begins in Boston, Massachusetts, at the Prince Hall, on Friday, May 01, continues the following night, Saturday May 02 at West Indian Social Club in Hartford, Connecticut and winds up in Washington DC at the Cross Roads Night Club on Sunday May 03.

With the continued popularity of Spice’s Romping Shop song,done in collaboration with Vybz Kartel as well as other past hits like Done Out, A Nuh My Fault, Whoa, Hotta, Inna di Light and the more recent Daggera she is expected to have the crowds eating out of the palm of her hands.

Kiprich, who has emerged as "The Clash Captain" having come out victorious at both Sting 08 and Follow Di Arrow will also be bringing a "full clip" of hit tunes for the fans.

Probably the best known of the artistes on the bill, having repeatedly passed through these territories several times in previous years, Kippo would be aware of the popularity of songs like Telephone Ting and Leggo Di Bwoy and should put his more recent hits including Coward, Me Nuh Fraid, Gangster, Baby Mama Drama and Ugly So (with Black-er) to good use during his performances.

The show will also feature Best New Artist (2008) ‘Winner’, Konshens, for whom anticipation is very high and not to be outdone, Big Ship camper Laden who is generating tremendous buzz on the strength of his positivty smash hit, “Time To Shine".

Meanwhile, Spice speaking on behalf of the other artistes said “we are all looking forward to these shows, to satisfy our loyal fans and to make new ones as well”.
Top radio jock Richie B (HOT 102 FM, Ja.) who will take the trip to guide the proceedings as emcee is also ‘in high anticipation mode’ pointing out that ‘all the artistes billed for the tour have earned their spot on this line-up’ and predicts that ‘each of them,with continued hard work, has the potential to become a much greater force to be reckoned with in the Dancehall arena in ensuing years’