Alice Russell - Hurry On Now (Boub Remix) VLS

This 7" has been sat in my record box for a couple of weeks now. Its a wicked reggae remix of English singer Alice Russell's Hurry On Now by a French producer called Boub. Its got a real old school 80s sound to it and comes with a dub on the B-side.

Alice Russell - Hurry On Now (Boub Remix) VLS

Sean Paul - "I use that image to sell records"

In an article by Krista Henry of the Jamaica Star, Sean Paul talks about being voted "Best Male Pop Act" at the AMAs and how it goes being an uptown guy in a downtown world.

"I'm not a pop artiste. I know I'm popular but I don't think of myself like that. To me Micheal Jackson is pop and Britney Spears, I don't think I'm like that.

Its suppose to be dancehall. There's so many dancehall artistes and everyone needs a chance. It just happens like that, people just don't know where to put this music"

And what about being an uptown browning?

"...If someone can be a great artiste and put out many songs and people feel that he's reached there because of this or he didn't reach there because of that- it is a bias that people have. I don't have it, I just do music."

And the future?

"Come January I'll be taking three months to heal from a knee surgery, do some records, I've been doing some lately, working with Renaissance, working with producer Stephen McGregor, looking for hot riddims otherwise."

Hopefully more "Infiltrate" than "Baby Boy".

Saxon Sound Meets Killamanjaro Part 3

Here's the next part of Saxon vs Jaro. This is Saxon's first 15 minute round.

'

Click.

Dawn Penn - "No No No" CDM

01-dawn_penn-you_dont_love_me-(original_radio)-jdr.mp3
02-dawn_penn-you_dont_love_me-(remix_edit)-jdr.mp3
03-dawn_penn-you_dont_love_me-(extended_mix)-jdr.mp3
04-dawn_penn-you_dont_love_me-(remix)-jdr.mp3
05-dawn_penn-you_dont_love_me-(instrumental_dub)-jdr.mp3

Click.

Big Abroad, Small Ah Yard

In Jamaica, there is a select group of artistes who can pack a venue whether they have a current hit song or not. There are others, who even with hits, still do not have much crowd pulling power. This is because the 'hit' is in the wrong place.

Artistes who, for example, release albums overseas before breaking in the local crowd are at a particular disadvantage where this is concerned. Because, regardless of having major sales abroad, particularly in Japan, there is no guarantee that fans will respond to the music locally.

"If you carry ganja to Japan and sell it, it will sell off. That does not mean it is the best, but it is available" Marc Johnson, celebrity publicist and entertainment consultant said.

Source

Cassette Ninja - Culture Mix Volume 7

Another wicked culture mix from Cassette Ninja!

Gridloc - Interesting Artist Worth Checking

Whilst checking over MySpace I found this guy's profile on MySpace Music. Kevin Chambers, aka Gridloc, is a 26 y/o from Jamaica. He's got three tunes on his MySpace page, one of which is on the PowerCut rhythm.

He's got Gyptian and I-Wayne on his MySpace friends list but only 144 profile views. One youth worth watching.

Click.

Wyclef Records For Snow Cone

YardFlex.com reports that Wyclef Jean has recorded a track for Rohan Fuller's, aka Jah Snow Cone, Peace and Love rhythm.

"Wyclef was here and he went to look for Mavado and Foota Hype, and while he was there, a friend of mine told him that he knew me, and Clef said 'get him on the phone'. We talked and I went up there to hold a vibe. Afterwards, him come and then he voiced and sent me the vocals to put on 'Peace and Love'. I worked closely with him to get it right, and as always, it was a great experience working with Clef"

The track is available to listen to on Fuller's MySpace page. Alternatively, download an mp3 from here.

Source

Saxon Sound Meets Killamanjaro Pt 2

Here is the second part of the Saxon vs Jaro clash. This is Killamanjaro's 30 minute round. Below is a YouTube preview (the first 10 minutes). Click on the MegaUpload link to download the full 188Mb MP4 file.

Megaupload

Saxon meets Jaro - Soundclash Video

Over the next week or so I will be posting video from the soundclash between Saxon Studio and Killamanjaro from October last year.

It was the first time both sounds had clashed on English soil for 20 years. The clash took the form

30 Minutes Saxon
30 Minutes Jaro
15 Minutes Saxon
15 Minutes Jaro
15 Minutes Saxon
15 Minutes Jaro
3 fi 3
1 fi 1

I'll be posting it in five or six parts over the next week or so. The videos will be in MP4 fomat, which is Ipod format but are view-able on PCs. They are best viewed in VLC Media Player, but should also play in Windows Media Player. The first part, Saxon's 30 minute round, is available for download now.

Enjoy & stay tuned!

Macka Diamond - Hula Hoop Video

Macka Diamond is back with a hot new song and video as part of a new round of tunes on the Bellevue rhythm from 2004.





Other tunes on the Bellevue 2006 rhythm are:

Elephant Man ~ Tic Tic Toc
Sanjy ~ Nuh Like Funny Man
UTG & Wesley Diamond ~ Pon Yuh Man
Voicemail ~ Yuh Pickney Dem
Vybz Kartel ~ Commandments

1xtra Dancehall Chart 23/11/2006

The 1xtra dancehall chart is presented by Robbo Ranx live on BBC 1xtra.

01 Collie Budz - Come Around
02 Stephen Marley, Jnr Gong & Buju - Traffic Jam
03 Elephant Man - Hot Love
04 Tony Matterhorn - Goodas
05 Tony Matterhorn ft Mr Easy - Wickedest Ride
06 Elephant Man - Limbo
07 Chuck Fender - Gash Dem
08 Vybz Kartel - Beyonce Wine
09 Tony Mattherhorn - Readsy Fi Party
10 Bounty Killer - Bullet Proof Skin

Mattherhorn got 3 tune pon the chart. Madness.

Shano-O & School Boy Dropped By P&L Records

The Jamaica Star today reports that Shano-O and School Boy have been released from their contract with P&L Records. Keona 'Kee Kee' Williams, speaking on behalf of P&L, said that it was a management decision to drop the pair.

"Shane-O was subsequently dropped because we are unable to see eye to eye with him right now. We had to let him go because of a few management differences, which arose since he became a part of the P&L family about two months ago... Also, I ('Kee Kee') was his designated manager and it has come to our attention that there is also somebody else representing him. "

"School Boy, based on the many rumours surrounding police accusations of his affiliation with a popular gang based in Spanish Town, Clinton 'Papa' Garibaldi, CEO of P&L Records and Laten Powell aka Lenny Hype, director of P&L, both decided to let go of School Boy."

Source

Peter Tosh' Family Stop Guitar Auction

YardFlex.com reports that the family of the late Peter Tosh have intervened in the sale of his M16-shaped Stratocaster. The guitar was due to be auctioned by the Flashpoint Film Festival via online auction site Ebay.

"I have decided to release this statement on the behalf of the Tosh family to let the general public know that we are wholeheartedly against this illegal auction scheduled to take place during the Flashpoint Film Festival. This guitar was given to our father by a fan in Los Angeles in 1983 during the Mama Africa World Tour. My brother, Horace Dave McIntosh, has been in contact with Flashpoint Film Festival and Marlene Brown, and is hoping to come to an agreement." said Jawara McIntosh, youngest son of the late reggae singer.

Source.

Kartel & D'Angel - Baby Daddy

Worst. Record. Ever. The only controversy over this record should be how she ever got so close to a microphone.

Judge for yourself.

Sean Paul wins American Music Award

Photo courtesy of GettyImages

Sean Paul took the award for "Pop/Rock Favourite Male Artist" at the 2006 American Music Awards, held last night in LA, beating Nick Lachey and Kanye West to the prize.

Coldcut & Roots Manuva - "Tru Skool"

A big, big tune has been released today. One which a lot of people should but wont hear. UK breaks pioneers Coldcut rub shoulders with the UK's premier rapper Roots Manuva on a 7" remix vinyl single that is BIG.

True, the track isn't pure dancehall, its not pure hiphop, its not pure anything -its a mashup of everything urban in the UK. CRUCIAL!

Available to buy here.

YardFlex News Overload!

YardFlex has a flurry of good stories today. The most interesting one is the story of one of their photo editors being threatened by people thought to be associating with Idonia, because of a piece on Hype TV regarding Deva Brat, a rival of Idonia's.

"The person called to say that 'p****hole Carlington, yu diss the deejay, and we ah cut yu inna yu face when we see you 'cause we tell yu nuffi do no Deva Brat story."

"Dem say if me do the story, dem ah go page me, and tings ah go happen to me. I had asked Idonia what his comments were, and he said he had no comments. They said I must not even put that he had no comments,"

They also report on the re-release of Fantan Mojah's "Hail The King" LP, originally released ini November 2005.

"Hail the Man [sic] did well in Europe but it was never really released on a widescale in Jamaica, so that's what I am looking to do now."

"I am focussing on songs of upliftment for my black people. No gunshot inna head songs from Fantan Mojah, yu nah go see that, righteousness and peace me a defend" he said.

The third story YardFlex has information regarding Vybz Kartel's forthcoming album, "Vybz Kartel presents Addi The Teacha". YardFlex reports that Kartel has been working with producer Stephen McGregor, who has produced some of 2006's biggest rhythms - Ghetto Whiskey & Red Bull & Guiness (w/ Delly Ranks), Stick It Up, & 12 Gauge (w/ Michael Brissett)

"Right now, I am working on some different songs, I have 12 exclusive tracks completed which will appear on my upcoming album"

Kartel also comments on the controversy over the his combination tune with D'Angel.

"Mi just build a song fi Arthur Wails and him say him have a girl fi sing pon it and dem mi find out say ah D'Angel, ah so the ting go."

All quotes courtesy of YardFlex.

Damian Marley Wedding Rumours Are False

After months of speculation and rumour, Junior Gong's representative, Jerome Hamilton, has stated that the rumours are not correct and Marley is not married. Hamilton said:

"There are absolutely no marriage plans, neither is he already married. Any talk of marriage is exactly what it is - talk".

Source.

Jamaica Top 10 Singles

The Jamaica Top 30 singles is presented by Richie B, host of Hot Mix on Hot 102FM.

01 Blazer - Ras Myrhdak

02 Life Seeds - I Wayne

03Let's Dance - Voice Mail

04 Wah Dis, Wah Dis - Capleton

05 These Streets - Tanya Stevens

06 Forty Sup'emmh - Capleton

07 Rude Boy Pledge - Cham

08 Hot Wuk - Mr. Vegas

09 Coming Over - Chuck Fender & Cherine Anderson

10 Traffic Jam - Stephen Marley, Junior Gong & Buju Banton

Gleaner reports on the death of the studio house band

The Upsetters (Randy's Studio, 1969)

Photo by J Collingwood, via Scratch

The Jamaica Gleaner today carries a very good article entitled "Studio Bands Fall Apart". The article reports on how the birth of the digital era, from King Jammy's Sleng Teng rhythm onwards, signalled the end of the traditional studio house band.

The Gleaner quotes Jackie Jackson, bass player for the Supersonics;

"When you put on a record you could hear a Coxsone tune and a Duke Reid (Treasure Isle owner) tune and you could hear the difference... Now everything is the same, because everything is mechanical," Jackson said.

Diddy wants more dancehall

Further to the announcement that Elephant Man is joining forces with rap's Satan, Sean Combs has announced he wants to sign more dancehall artists to his Bad Boy label. The world's biggest talent vacuum is apparently seeking a new a host after spending 10 years draining the hip-hop world completely dry of personality and credibility.

"We love the music and we have to give the reggae artistes an avenue to express themselves through Bad Boy Entertainment."

or in other words

"The$e Jamaicans are $elling load$ of record$s the$e day$ $o I'm going to get me $ome of that $weet, $weet $ugar."

Originally report in the Jamaica Star. Full article here.

Beenie Man sad at missing birth of child

According to the Jamaica Star, Beenie Man is real upset at missing the birth of his son due to a Canadian tour.

"It is not a pretty ting being here in Canada, and knowing that my wife, and my newborn son who me not even see yet is in Jamaica but that part of my job comes with the territory."

Though I understand the man has to make his money, why go abroad on tour during a time when you know your wife is about to produce the goods? Its not rocket science, Moses - 9 months later there will be a baby, just dont book foreign events during the end of that period if you want to be there.

Full article here.

Pre-Recording In The Dancehall

Ever imagined the world of cutting a dancehall record to be one where an artist walks into the studio through a cloud of ganja smoke, the producer runs his hot new rhythm through the speakers, the artist hears it, has a think, then steps up and drops 3 minutes of slackness? The reality is that some of the biggest songs around could have been sat on a shelf for weeks at a time, waiting for a producer to match the lyrics to a riddim.

The Jamaica Star quotes Flexx from TOK, amongst other artists, as saying "... If wi hear a riddim weh wi like an' feel it have potential, wi voice pon it an' sometimes wi all write songs and medley an' have every ting put down till wi find di right riddim to fit it".

The article also talks about how artists maintain a steady presence in the sometimes flash-in-the-pan world of dancehall by recording several songs to be played on radio whilst they are on tour. Or in QQ's case when he has homework.

Read the full piece, titled "Forget-Me-Not Songs" here.

VP Records - Strictly The Best #35 & #36

VP are about to drop the latest installments in their "Strictly The Best" series. #35 is a dancehall ting, #36 deals with the reggae.

01. Tony Matterhorn - Goodas 02 Mr Vegas - Hot Wuk 03. Sean Paul - All Out 04. Alaine - Wine 05. Idonia - Ukku 06. Bounty Killer & Idonia - From Them Dis 07. Perfect - No Badda Mi 08. Chuck Fender - Gash Dem & Light Dem 09. Mr Peppa - Gangsta Guerilla 10. Alozade - Bad Out Deh 11. Movado - How High 12. Capleton - Hits Pon Toppa Hits 13. Assassin - Good Over Evil 14. Buju Banton - Try Offa You 15. Bounty Killer - Hunting 16. Courtney John - Hey 17. TOK - Everybody Bounce 18. Sizzla ft K-Salam - Sail On
01 Daville - Always On My Mind 02 Gyptian - Beautiful Lady 03 Richie Spice - Brown Skin 04 Bitty McLean - Real Thing 05 Wayne Wonder - Love & Affection 06 Mr Vegas - Do You Know 07 Alaine - Deeper 08 Morgan Heritage - Love You Right 09 Jah Cure - What Will It Take 10 Divine Brown - Old Skool Love 11 Chuck Fender - Coming Over 12 Voicemail - Memories By The Score 13 Tarrus Riley - Stay With You 14 Cherine - Good Love 15 Roger Robin - For Life 16 Etana - Wrong Address 17 I Wayne - Life Seeds

18 Della Manley ft Mutabaruka - I Know

On sale from Monday (Nov 21st) on CD and LP.

Jamaica Top 20 Chart

Jamaica's top 20 records, by Richie B of Hot102FM.

01 I-Wayne - Life Seeds
02 Capleton - Forty Supemmh
03 Ras Myrdack - Blazer
04 Voicemail - Let's Dance
05 Tanya Stephens - These Streets
06 Wha Dis - Capleton
07 Nothing Wid Dem - Buju Banton
08 Jah Mason - Jah Mason
09 Tony Matterhorn - Goodas Fi Dem
10 Baby Cham - Rude Boy Pledge

Meant to post them on Sunday but forgot.

Elephant Man Apologises for Profanity

In an article carried by the Jamaica Star, Elephant Man responds to the comments made by the Prime Minster of Antigua & Barbuda asking young people to reject rap and dancehall music. Baldwin Spencer had originally said;

"Music that preaches violence and hate for each other serves no other purpose but to destroy. You must remove these vices from your lives."

Elephant Man responded;


"I wouldn't know why dem highlight me or which song dem hear wid some words weh upset dem, me woulda haffi know a wah dem a talk bout ... me do mostly party songs and happy songs, but at di same time wi cyan lef out di gangstas, di world haffi level, wi jus a please everybody."

Jamaica Star article here.

Sidewalk University & Ghetto Whiskey Riddim LPs released Monday!

Monday (14th Nov) sees the release of albums for two of the biggest rhythms of the year. Riddim Driven are releasing Sidewalk University - you get either 11 (LP) or 14 (CD) cuts plus the version, tho no Sean Paul/Wyclef. Expect a retail copy of that song next time SP has an album out.

Available from VPRecords or your local reggae store.

Not to be out-done Greensleeves are reppin the Ghetto Whiskey riddim, number 86 in their ongoing Rhythm Album series. They offer 19 cuts plus the version on the double-LP vinyl or the CD gives you 26 tracks and the version. Greensleeves are giving you a free mixtape from DJ Liquid (ZipFM, JA) when buying this riddim album.

Available from Greensleeves or your local store.

Beenie Baby Drops

YardFlex reports;
"Mr. and Mrs. Moses Davis would like to announce the birth of their son, Marco Dean on November 9, 2006. We are indeed grateful to God that he is healthy and that there were no complications during birth. We are certain that he will bring joy to our lives and strengthen our love for each other. We would like to thank family, friends and our fans for their prayers and best wishes at this time. We love you all."

Riddim Wars

In an article titled "Riddim Wars", Teino Evans and Kavelle Christie of the Jamaica Star report on the flip-side of the splicing debate - when artists voice on producers' riddims without permission.

According to veteran producer, Jack Scorpio, "man do it all di while, tek yuh riddim an voice pon it an sen it all over di world. Dem jus tek yuh riddim, guh inna studio an voice man pon it an we as di producer nah mek no money," Scorpio said.

Check the full article here.

Sizzla Announces US Tour Dates

StreetInsider.com reports: "NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 11/07/06 -- On the eve of his new release, dance hall legend Sizzla announces national tour dates. His new album, "The Overstanding," is scheduled to be released on November 21st, 2006. "The Overstanding" will be marketed and distributed by DDMG / Kalonji Records."

The dates and venues are;

11/24 Newark, NJ Terrace Ballroom
11/25 Bladensburg, MD Crossroads
11/28 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig
12/2 Columbus, OH AIRosa Villa
12/5 Wilmington, NC The Rox
12/6 Winston-Salem, NC Ziggy's
12/7 Raleigh, NC Lincoln, Theater
12/8 Norfolk, VA The Norva
12/9 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
12/12 Providence, RI Lupo's at The Strand
12/14 Stowe, VT Rusty Nail
12/15 Revere, MA Club Lido

Movado Gets Court Date

"Popular deejay Mavado, whose legal name is David Brooks, had his case set for a third mention date when he appeared before the court on Tuesday. " reports Sacha Walters from The Jamaican Star.

He will have to wait until December 7th for the case to continue.Full article available here.

Elephant Man joins with Diddy & Bad Boy

VP Records reports:

Sean “Diddy” Combs of Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment announced today a landmark deal with reggae/dancehall music label VP Records to market and distribute dancehall superstar, Elephant Man. “Elephant Man is one the greatest entertainers in his genre of music. When I saw him at Madison Square Garden ripping down the stage, I knew that he was the one. He will be a great addition to our team,” Sean “Diddy” Combs said. The first release from Elephant Man under the new Bad Boy/VP Records venture is slated for spring 2007 with a single and video expected in early 2007.

Full article here.

Jamaican Top 20 Chart 6th Nov 2006

Listen to the weekly Top 30 with Richie B on Hot 102FM

01 Capleton - Forty Supemh
02 I-Wayne - Life Seeds
03 Tanya Stephens - These Streets
04 Ras Myrdak - Blazer
05 Buju Banton - Nothing Wid Dem
06 Voicemail - Lets Dance
07 Wah Dis - Capleton
08 Goodas Fi Dem - Tony Matterhorn
09 Jah Mason - New York
10 Rude Boy Pledge - Baby Cham
11 Stephen Marley ft Jnr Gong & Buju - Traffic Jam
12 Gangsta Guerilla - Mr Pepper
13 Vybz Kartel - Tic Toc
14 Daville - On My Mind
15 Chezidek - Inna Di Road
16 Nanko - Loco Amor
17 Nikki Silk - Wandering Sheep
18 Capleton - Hit After Hit
19 Mr Vegas - Hot Wuk
20 TOK - Bounce

Power Cut - Too Much Of A Good Thing?

So the Power Cut riddim promo cd has dropped with 29 tunes on the rhythm. Artists range from the usual suspects (Idonia, Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Busy Signal) to the occasional suspects (Chino, Nicky B, Shano-O) to the "Why?"-suspects (Soltex 3000).

Power Cut is a decent riddim but why the producer voice 29 tunes pon him riddim? Thats too many, bout 19 too many - especially in an era when people dont bother paying for reggae anymore (hi soulseekers!) thats gonna hurt the producers wallet hard.

Matterhorn/Timberlake Remix VLS

Music World Entertainment have released another bootleg remix 45. Tony Matterhorn goes up against Justin Timberlake (with a little help from Gnarls Barkley) on the a-side whilst the b-side the Shabba Medley carries a better vibe. Dont really rate the Matterhorn/Timberlake thing much, doesn't really work... the Shabba wicked tho. Buy it!

Audio samples here.

Jamdown Report Launches!

Introducing Jamdown Report - a fresh new blog bringing you the best in news, music and opinion from Jamaica!

Expect the format to be played with at first, colour-schemes/layouts, etc.