 Brooklyn, NY, September 23, 2006: Highly acclaimed conscious singer Rob Symeonn, “The Spark Igniter” will be blazing the Reggae scene with The Chosen One, his debut album for Redbud Recordings on November 7th. Named for the hit title single, The Chosen One pours Symeonn’s sweet, smokey vocals over the heavy drum and bass sounds of classic Roots reggae. With searing social commentary and empowering lyrical content, the album seeks to fill in the missing gaps in contemporary music.
“My goal is to feed the people with the spiritual food that they are starving for,” explains Symeonn, a devout Rastafarian. “Taking Selassie I teachings to the people is like taking them to a restaurant. When dem hungry, they go eat in a restaurant, but this is a restaurant feeding them conscious food to uplift themselves. “ The album boasts 17 of Symeonn’s tailor-made Roots tunes with rifts and melodies created in collaboration with some of Reggae’s legendary musicians including Val Douglas, Noel Alphonso (son of legendary Skatalite Roland Alphonso), Bongo Herman, Dalton Browne, Kevin Batchelor, and Andy Brassford. The Chosen One also features guest appearances from Junior Kelly, Terry Ganzie, Willow Wilson, and Simple Man, with stellar production for Noel Alphonso, Victor Ticklah Axelrod, and Brooklyn’s DJ Mikey Assassin of Demolition Sound. The first releases, the title single “The Chosen One,” and “Cold Outside” have been embraced by Hot 97, New York City’s top urban radio station, enjoying heavy rotation on Bobby Konders and Jabba’s On Da Reggae Tip show. The singles have also been enjoying regular airplay on WBLS’s Carib Fever with New York’s staple Caribbean radio personality Dahved Levy. Overseas stations such as Sweden’s P3 Rytm, Rise Up 99.3FM in Lyon, France, and Spain’s Bass Culture 91.4 out of Madrid, have also picked up the tunes in addition to internet stations from Canada, England, and Hungary. “The Chosen One” has also been featured on high-profile compilations such as J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science, and Riddim Magazine’s 2006 summer promotional CD. Migrating from the Caribbean to Brooklyn, NY as a child, Rob Symeonn got his start singing on Flatbush’s famous One Love International Sound System. His first single “Anything for Jah” was released on Easy Star Records in 1997. The follow up single “Delilah,” a combination tune with veteran deejay Ranking Joe, gained a lot of momentum in the States and the Caribbean. THC Music in Hawaii released his first full-length album, Abso-Rootly Hot, in 2001. He has shared the stage with notable foundation Reggae artists Wailing Souls, Sister Carol, and The Meditations, as well as celebrated contemporary acts I-Wayne, Fantan Mojah, Bitty McLean, and Khari Kill. Named for the Biblical high-priest “Simeon the Just,” known for his piety for life, and benevolence toward his people, Symeonn sees The Chosen One as a “voice for the have nots, the downpressed, the fatherless—the voice of those society has forgotten.” When asked why he chose to embark upon a career in music he simply states: “I didn’t choose music. It chose me. It’s my calling. It’s what I was chosen for.” The Chosen One will be in stores November 7th. For more information on Rob Symeonn visit www.myspace.com/robsymeonn www.redbudrecords.com For interviews and media requests, contact Publicist Stan E. Smith: stansmith24@hotmail.com or 347 236 5830 |
October 30, 2006
Acclaimed Roots Singer Rob Symeonn Releases New Album “The Chosen One” Nov 7th
October 27, 2006
Edi Fitzroy Signs Record Deal With San Jose Base Record Label King Step Recordings
 October 26, 2006 – San Jose, CA – Edi Fitzroy, The King of Conscious Reggae, signed a multi-year record deal for his new album “Hold The Vibes” with San Jose based record label King Step Recordings. Jamaica and San Jose are not close to each other, but this unlikely pair work together in perfect harmony.
Adam Heller founder of King Step Recordings and Producer Joe Bressler are neighbors and form the nucleolus of this winning team. Adam is also the founder of ReggaeDJ.com and has been serving the Reggae community since the late 80’s. Besides producing several albums for multiple artists, Joe founded Riddimbank.com, which boasts thousands of riddims. Joe also plays keyboards and was the heart of the Reggae band Massawa for many years. Massawa was known as the best Reggae backing band on the West Coast in the 90’s. Fitzroy’s first hit, “Miss Molly Colly’, broke into the Jamaican Top 10 in 1978 and the hits kept coming, including “African Religion”, “The Gun” and “Stylee”, leading to a tour of the UK supporting punk group the Clash (The). He then put out the massive hit “Check For You Once” (number one on the Jamaican Hit Parade chart for four weeks), followed by “Youth Man In Penitentiary” and “Have You Ever”. His hit ‘What A Trick’ spent 23 weeks on the Jamaican Hit Parade. Edi received the Press Association of Jamaica Award in Recognition of his contribution to the development of local (Jamaican music). He received the Award for the Most Culturally- Orientated Artist in the 7th, 8th and 9th Annual International Music Awards held in Miami, Chicago and Jamaica respectively. He also received the Rockers Award for the Most Conscious Performer, after coming out with a tribute crowing to women, titled ‘Princess Black’. “Hold The Vibes” has been in the works for almost a decade and is being compared to Edi’s best works. The album features a classic acoustic vibe and superb vocals that are sure to last the test of time. It displays a conscious, explosive and energetic Edi Fitzroy. Edi has always been a consummate artist. He makes music for the love of music and the message it spreads. His messages are always of love, peace and equal rights. The long awaited album will soon be released. The Independent Distribution Collective (IDC) is the main distributor for Edi Fitzroy’s new album “Hold The Vibes”. “Hold The Vibes” will be in stores coast to coast within weeks. IDC has revolutionized the independent music distribution business as a whole. Using the “Strength in Numbers” concept, and employing grassroots and industry tested practices, IDC has created a whole new avenue for current and next generation artists who are trying to bring their music to the public. To find out more about IDC, please visit their website http://www.independentdistro.com. Contact: Adam Heller |
It’s Official, Bounty Killer Along With The Alliance Join The VP Records Roster
 October 26th, 2006, Jamaica, NY–VP Records seals exclusive album agreements with The Alliance and Bounty Killer. The indestructible force of The Alliance consists of honorary members, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Wayne Marshall, Vybz Kartel, as well as, new protégés Movado, Busy Signal, Aidonia, and Bling Dawg. In early 2007, The Alliance will release some of the baddest tunes on their debut album. Then in the summer of 2007, Bounty Killer will return with his solo album featuring all new material to make another mark in dancehall history.
This November, VP will reintroduce Bounty’s musical genius to the world with “Nah No Mercy…The Warlord Scrolls,” featuring 41 of his most esteemed hits over the last decade. Besides this collection, it has been over three years since Bounty Killer’s last solo album, so this much anticipated venture is long overdue. “Bounty is one of Jamaica’s greatest icons and has been in the business for over 10 years producing, dee-jaying and developing new talent. He will continue to build on these legacies during the development of his new solo album as well as The Alliance’s release,” states Bounty’s manager Julian Jones-Griffiths. Since the early 90s, VP has been involved with Bounty Killer’s previous projects, including his last Ghetto Dictionary albums (the Grammy nominated “Art of War” and the successful “The Mystery”). CEO of VP Records, Chris Chin, elaborates, “It’s always a pleasure to work with a multi-faceted artist like Bounty because the opportunity is endless. Both Bounty and The Alliance have unique elements that appeal to both dancehall and hip-hop fans, so we plan to expand on this success and transcend even more borders.” Tiffany Mea |
October 26, 2006
BOOM SHOTS #51 with special guest ANTHONY B on Bigupradio.com
 November kicks off the right way on the weekly show BOOM SHOTS as the amazing ANTHONY B stops by the show for an exclusive interview wiht DJ BOOM. Anthony B is one of the hardest working guys in the reggae business and has just released a new album called “Gather and Come” on the Penitentiary label. So many hits you’ll need to run out and buy this album before it’s off the shelves. Tune in to find out why so many people can’t get enough of Anthony B! DJ Boom will also have a very special Anthony B mix for all the fans. Also check out the new DJ BOOM dancehall mixtape “YARD ROCK ” found on BassmentalitySound.com. ONE LOVE
About ANTHONY B: Born Keith Anthony Blair on March 31, 1976 in the rural sugar farming community of Clarkstown located in the northwestern Jamaican parish of Trelawny, Anthony B grew up in a deeply religious family. Singing hymns in church (as well as giving impromptu performances on the roadside in his community) helped Anthony refine his vocal skills. “My mother was an Adventist and my grandmother was a Revivalist, so I’d have to go to church both Saturday and Sunday,” he recalls. Anthony however, chose his own spiritual path, adopting the Rastafarian way of life as a teenager, a decision that caused dissension among his family members. “As a youth growing up, my grandmother say dem Rasta is a blackheart people and they said I had to leave if I didn’t trim (cut his dreadlocks). I wasn’t going to change so I went to live with my aunt and uncle in Portmore (a suburb of Jamaica’s capital city Kingston).” Find out more: http://www.anthonyb.comSubscribe to the BOOM SHOTS Podcast on Yahoo or http://www.myspace.com/djboom |
Snoop Dog & Damian Marley LIVE in SF
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| This Sunday don’t miss Snoop Dog and Damian Marley LIVE in San Francisco’s Bill Graham’s Civic Auditorium. |
| Oct 29, 2006 |
| 6:30 PM PST |
| Snoop Dog & Damian Marley |
| $39.50 |
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| http://www.livenation.com |
| Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (more details) |
| 99 Grove Street |
| San Francisco, CA 94102 |
| 415.974.4060 |
Anthony B LIVE in Sacramento
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| Harlows will host Anthony B and Wisdom on Saturday, October 28 at 9pm. Anthony B (born Keith Anthony Blair) is the living personification of Afrikan consciousness in Reggae. His single “Nah Vote Again” was a major factor in making the Jamaican elections of Thursday, December 18, 1997, the most peaceful one since the insidious cancer of gun violence was introduced in West and Central Kingston, prior to the elections of 1967. Like his hero, Peter Tosh, the most revolutionary of the Wailing Wailers, he is an uncompromising Pan Afrikanist, in the tradition of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero and the founder and leader of the largest Afrikan organization ever, the Universal Negro Improvement Association and Afrikan Communities League, U.N.I.A. and A.C.L. |
| Oct 28, 2006 |
| 9:00 PM PST |
| $20 ADVANCE |
| 21+ |
| http://www.renegadeshows.com |
| HARLOWS (more details) |
| 2708 J Street |
| Sacramento, CA USA |
October 24, 2006
BOOM SHOTS #50 with reggae artist Perfect on Bigupradio.com Oct 25th
 PERFECT, also known as “Mr. Perfect” visits the show BOOM SHOTS this week. Tune in Wednesday October 25th for a special interview and musical showcase of the reggae artsit Perfect. Perfect has hit like “Hand Cart Bwoy,” “Shoulda Neva” and “Amerimaka.” DJ Boom has a very special Perfect mixset you will not hear anywhere else! You will also hear the latest tracks out of Jamaica and all the hottest riddims this week. Tune in this Wednesday and every Wednesday to hear DJ Boom spin the best reggae dancehall streaming online! Also check out the new DJ BOOM dancehall mixtape “IGNITE” found on BassmentalitySound.com. ONE LOVEAbout LEXXUS:
Born on March 26, Greg Rose is the third child in a family of four children. He grew up in the cool hills of Bamboo, which is south of St. Anns Bay and east of Browns Town, in the parish of St. Ann. Perfect has always been exposed to various genres of music, and spent many evenings listening to and singing his favorite songs. Determined to break into mainstream recording, Perfect did a few self-produced recordings in 2001. A Rastafarian, Perfects lyrics are deep and straightforward, yet unforgettably melodious, leaving you to keep listening to them over and over. Simply put, he keeps his lyrics real, and apologetically uses it as his medium in the education and self-awareness of oppressed people. Find out more: PERFECT Bio Subscribe to the BOOM SHOTS Podcast on Yahoo or http://www.myspace.com/djboom |
October 23, 2006
Reggae Cd Review: Baby Cham – Ghetto Story
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October 22, 2006
Vegas Coming at you with ‘Raging Bull’
 “Music confuse me…too much bad songs out there!” are the words coming from the singjay that is tearing up the dancehall scene right now with ‘Hot Wuck’. From the vibes coming out of the dancehall Hot Wuck seems to be the “maddest, baddest ting out deh now!”And no one is enjoying those vibes more than Vegas. He is now gearing up to unleash “a new ting” on the massive and dancehall fans had better gear up for it! Vegas has teamed up with Over Mars from the Ravers Clavers dancers for ‘Raging Bull’. The singjay is very excited about it as he says the dancers have already created a dance that will be busting the place for it. He was all fired up to launch it but had a slight set back as one of the dancers was injured. Vegas also has another song ‘Teck Wey Yuhself’ and according to him “it a come wid crazy vibes!” Two weeks ago it was sheer pandemonium in Grenada where Vegas performed. When he drew for ‘Do You Know’ Fans went crazy. “I’m getting crazy love from the massive, I have no complaints,” Vegas commented happily. RAY ALEXANDER |
October 21, 2006
Elephant Man, Diddy and Nicole from Pussy Cat Dolls in Collaboration
 Superstar deejay Elephant Man’s stocks are certainly rising on the international scene. The energetic dancehall artiste has teamed with internationally acclaimed hip-hop giant Diddy and singer Nicole of the group Pussy Cat Doll for the single titled ‘Come Give Me‘ on the Bad Boy label.
The Q45-managed artiste says the song is doing very well with regular rotation on local as well as overseas radio stations. Already there are plans in place for a music video for ‘Come Give Me’. They are doing treatment for the video that is expected very soon. RAY ALEXANDER |
