Shaggy Intoxicating At #1

Dancehall superstar’s new album ‘Intoxication’ debuts at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart, positive reviews continue to roll in. Next single “What’s Love” with hitmaker Akon With an album “that merges catchy choruses with deep, fluid growls landing like smart bombs over irresistible beats” (Village Voice), 20-times platinum dancehall superstar Shaggy debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums chart with his new album ‘Intoxication’ (Big Yard/ VP Records). �The #1 bow is the fourth time Shaggy has hit the top of the Reggae charts. The debut comes on the heels of critical acclaim for ‘Intoxication,’ with People magazine raving club smash “Church Heathen” “ingeniously intermixes dancehall riddims and Gregorian chant.” ��The next single released will be the undeniable “What’s Love,” featuring hitmaking machine Akon. �Akon adds a silky smooth chorus to the track, as Shaggy deliberates leaving his girl for all the wrong reasons. (Written By: Shore Fire Media)

Ghetto Youths Releases “Gang War Rhythm” featuring Damian Marley

Kicking Off GHETTO YOUTHS INTERNATIONAL Ramp-Up, All-Star One-Rhythm Compilation Set To Be Released Today (NEW YORK, July 17, 2007) With eleven versions featuring fourteen of dancehall’s biggest names, the GANG WAR RHYTHM is the fresh, tough champion sound of Summer, 2007. Starring on this album are today’s masters of dancehall, including three-time Grammy winner Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, with his metaphoric “One Loaf of Bread (Something for You);” and two of the hottest newer hands in dancehall, hardcore singer Mavado and three-man vocal threatVoice Mail, joining Vybz Kartel. A impressive roster of dancehall’s most-honored veterans also take part in the “Gang War” compilation, including Bad Boy recording artist Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Sizzla Kolonji, and Wayne Marshall. With its portentious symphonic depth, propulsive drumming and a nagging sampled woodwind hook, the “Gang War” rhythm has had DJs and dancers worldwide ringing the alarm from the dance floor ever since the first versions were released to the dancehall club underground earlier this spring. The GANG WAR RHYTHM comes to the American hip-hop scene with an impeccable double pedigree: the creator of the rhythm is Trevor “Baby G” James, son and protege of Lloyd “King Jammy” James. Additionally, the album is released in the U.S. market by GHETTO YOUTHS INTERNATIONAL, and is run by two Bob Marley sons, Stephen and Damian. With brother Julian also on the roster, the Ghetto Youths International label is launching a major expansion of its market presence this year, with albums in preparation by reggae singing sensation Javaughn and world-renowned rapper Mr. Cheeks, to follow the GANG WAR RHYTHM compilation. The first album released through Ghetto Youths International’s U.S. distributor, Universal, was the 2002 Grammy-winning Halfway Tree, by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. The GANG WAR RHYTHM collection is completed with the instrumental of the original track, and a “Gang War Medley,” featuring album tracks “juggled” by Damian Marley and Baby G. An all-star video shot to the medley version is currently in production. The GANG WAR RHYTHM various-artists album is set to be released July 17, 2007 on Ghetto Youths International/Yard Vybes Entertainment, distributed by Universal. GANG WAR RHYTHM Tracklisting: 1) Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley - One Loaf of Bread (Something For You) 2) Bounty Killer - It’s Okay 3) Mavado - Me and My Dogs 4) Vybz Kartel featuring Voice Mail - Play Ting 5) Sizzla Kolonji - Too Much Gang War 6) Elephant Man featuring Wayne Marshall - Over Di Wall 7) Mr. Evil (Leftside) - Liar Aidonia - MPs 9) Kibaki featuring Flexx - War Is On 10) Demarco - Story 11) Jagwa - Suffering 12) Gang War Instrumental 13) Gang War Medley (BONUS TRACK)

Reggae CD Review: Positively Nelsons - Wait A Minute

Album: Wait A Minute Artist: Positively Nelsons Genre: Roots Label: Positive Nelsons Reviewer: Jah Live (Dreadvibration Crew) Rating: 5/5

Give thanx to di most high for granting di Nelson Sista’s di inspiration to set up yet another great album…Blessed! Wait a minute is the second album by these sweet voiced Sisten, from St.Croix. An mi haffi seh…I man love it….just like the first one called No More Tumbleweed (2005). I can hear how dem a grow from that time,but also that they had their share of problems/Difficulties/Hardship, as you can hear in the first tune of this album, which in a way is a biography (so very nicely done), but also a message to each an everyone who try fi pull dem down! Yuh all better know that them do what them a do…out of a passion, that HAS to come out! An I for one am a so happy that they utter their Irieness an Conciousness with their sweet Blessed innocent voices! Bless yuh mi sistren an never give up yuh hear IJ For with tunes like; A Father’s Role, Complexity of Life, Faith Is Up To You, A Love For Jah an many more di nelson sista’s a stand dem ground!  FI TRUE! Check it, an find it to be more than worthy to be in yuh collection. An know I Sistren, Jah truly on yuh side deh yuh hear…I Jahlive I seh soJ I man Icerest an deepest love to yuh all. Blessed I Jahlive I

Macka Diamond’s Money O

Money O! is the latest chance promotion from Supreme Ventures and who better to endorse it than the DJ who made that slang a household name Macka Diamond herself.

Macka Diamond has been signed to a one-year endorsement deal with Supreme Ventures promoting the Money O! game of chance. Lucky persons can win $70,000 every month for a year…well you just have to check that one out.

However, there is no chance when it comes to Macka consistency in finding winners. Her latest song ‘Hula Hoop‘ is mashing up the place. The song is receiving some crazy rotation on the stations. Not just in Jamaica but all over the Caribbean.

In her recent performances in Bahamas, St. Vincent and St. Martin fans are going crazy over the ‘Hula Hoop‘. In fact, Macka has been ‘forbidden’ to DJ this one as she dances it so well!

The video which started airing two weeks ago has been receiving favourable responses from viewers. On the recent Courts all island promotion Macka Diamond send fans crazy doing the dance.

This Christmas season there will be lots of times to take in the very popular female DJ as she has a very busy calendar. December 22, she will be in MoBay, Christmas eve, 24 she moves on to Esso Tiger Mart.

Christmas Day Macka heads for St. Elizabeth where she will be in action on GT Taylor’s Magnum Christmas Extravaganza the following day, Boxing Day, December

26 she is exclusively booked to appear on Teensplash at James Bond Beach. Macka will put a cap on the season on Richie Stephen’s Unity Splash on January 1 in Westmoreland.
–
RAY ALEXANDER
TEL: JA. (876) 8775956
TEL: USA (347) 3945801
www.myspace.com/khoolbooking

“Many Lives” A Pick Of The Month

Washington, DC - Roots Music.nl, the Netherlands-based webzine recently published their review of
Ras Iba’s new album “Many Lives” (Mt. Nebo Records) and features it as a “Pick of the Month.” The source article is reprinted here and available at http://www.rootsmusic.nl/fc1.html?/roots_music_store.htm.
“Many Lives” and a host of other outstanding reggae releases are available at http://www.MTNEBORECORDS.com.

Iba first came to the worlds attention when he opened the Bambu Station productions compilation ‘Talkin’ Roots - Volume 1‘ in 2002 with his song ‘Chant’. With music in his blood, his father a musician, Iba had been the lead singer of some bands before but had never been very successful. His collaboration with Bambu Station led to the release of Iba’s first solo album, the rather successful Jah Lion - Children Of The Nile
(Mt. Nebo Records, 2003).

On his beautiful debut album Iba’s skilful singing, conscious lyrics and soulful backing made it stand out from the rest. The timbre of his voice and general feel of the album were very near to those of the works of the late Prince Lincoln. The typical humming, whining vocals Prince Lincoln could draw out and his staccato delivery of lyrics were very close to what Iba delivered on ‘Jah Lion - Children Of The Nile’. On his latest album it seems that he has grown considerably for his voice is now more his own and hence even better than before. The lyrics are almost all written by the man himself and the album is a bit more varied than its very fine predecessor.

The very wise, very well crafted and conscious lyrics betray an artist interested in the world’s runnings and hint that this man is probably not the next young Jamaican. The Jamaican people strive for a better island with a proper government first before they will become more interested in world affairs. Iba is from St. Croix, one of the US Virgin Islands, and has lived in Connecticut for some years. He is in his mid thirties and he does know what is wrong with the world today. From pollution to Iraq, love versus hate, the glorification of gangsters and consumer society, no issue is too big for Iba to write strong and meaningful lyrics about. In his own words: “The music is in the message and the message is in the music.” (from ‘Vibes’).

Iba is backed very professionally on all tracks by Bambu Station and the mix is excellent. Two tunes are spiced up with deejays, ‘Afrika’ boasts the award winning Ijah Menelik in top form and ‘Babylon Don’t Like‘ features the not yet known but potent still Rafijah. All tracks sound great except for maybe the fake violin in ‘Strongest Woman‘. Here an already very recognisable melody is unfortunately taken over the top into something kitsch, a problem that songs about mothers suffer easily and way too often. Please concider that this the album’s only flaw. My favourite track is hard to choose but the first and fourth (’Stay In The Right’ and ‘Save The World’) have such great synergy between lyrics and rhythm that they might just get the edge.

(Teacha Dan)”

Ras Iba is available for interviews upon request at contactus@mtneborecords.com. US and European tour dates are now being accepted for Spring and Summer 2007. Booking inquiries at 1-678-887-1912.

www.mtneborecords.com
www.rasibamusic.com
www.myspace.com/rasiba

by Ez Benjamin Public Relations / contactus@mtneborecords.com / 202-321-2263

Reggae CD Review: Lutan Fyah - Healthy Lifestyle

Album: Healthy Lifestyle Artist: Lutan Fyah Genre: Dancehall Label: VP Reviewer: Jah Live (Dreadvibration Crew) Rating: 5/5   Like inna di first review I had the Honour to write bout an album by di breddaman Lutan Fyah… him nah mek it easy pon IJ. Di review I man talk bout now is on the album called Time and Place (check it @ Bigupradio.com or @ Dreadvibration.com). Di bredda left mi with almost notin’ fi seh cause with da album deh…him a blow mi mind! Him do it again with this one, mi tell yuh. But this time man a got something fi seh! For with this ya one, and him variably Sweet an Rough voice, him set up yet another Scorcher album! With tunes like : THIEF IN JAH GARDEN, ROUGH A YARD, MAMA’S LOVE (tribute an honour to all a di Mother a Creation), NATURAL HERBS and di title tune HEALTHY LIFESTYLE an more, on this eleven track album… Di conscious lyrics never stop to flow! (mi sure him a go touch yuh soul) and especially wid di number seven tune called CHILDREN ARE MINE (wish the  whole world would feel, an know this!) Ova all, an album that belongs in yuh collection! Breddaman  Lutan Fyah, lookin’ forward to the next one keep di Fyah blazin an burn up di badness! Rastafari, Guide an Itec all a di weh I pray!                            Icere love an Raspec to yuh all,…one ras.                                                      Tafari!                                                    I Jahlive I

Reggae CD Review: Roger Robin - Take It Slow

Album: Take It Slow Artist: Roger Robin Genre: Lovers Rock Label: VP Reviewer: Jah Live (Dreadvibration Crew) Rating: 5/5   South East Londen born Roger Robin (a.k.a Roger Williams) started of at the age of eleven! An man a tell yuh…him voice is a real joy fi listen to! The influence of Maxi Priest a.o. are surely there, but still him a have him own sound! Though throughout di CD mi a hear sounds, that a put I through memory land’’HONOUR DI ROOTS INNA DI PRESENT FI INSURE DI FUTURE … just listen very carefull an yuh a go hear wa mi a seh Undiluted (1993) ( his debut album) wich was rewarded with  many rewards, among dem di BRITISH REGGAE INDUSTRIES BEST REGGAE ALBUM AWARD. Other albums,… I See Jah, Reflections, Robin…..aah yuh know just check: www.bigupradio.com fi all a di material di sweet voiced breddaman made. For tunes pon dis album like, “Harbouring Love,” “Brand New Crisis” (I favourite, what a scorcher!) “My God is Real,” “Rest and Pray” an so many others…this cd is a must have I tell yuh all. Yuh know weh fi find it Want to end this review by paying I man  Raspec to di Man Roger Robin…Keep up di Vibes!                                     Blessed love pon yuh all,…Icerely                                                     I Jahlive I

Reggae CD Review: Natural Black - Far From Reality

Album: Far From Reality Artist: Natural Black Label: Greensleeves Genre: Dancehall Reviewer: Leanne Clifford (bigupradio.com, UK) Rating: 5/5     This album is full of vibezzz n massive riddims, irie music to kick back n chill to. The biggest track on the album for me, is of course “Far From Reality” on the Seasons Riddim. This chune is hugeeeeee and would be the one people would give Natural Black recognition for. Also another track to recognise would be “Life Be The Same Way” on the Istanbul Riddim. 2 massive riddims there on one album, wah more could u ask for,and im giving this album 5/5 just for those 2 riddims alone and Natural Blacks contribution to them. There voice and lyrics a sound sweeettttttt!! Also on the album: People Crying Hard ears Jah Will Never Leave Us Cant Mix Intelligence Memories Of Life Never Hurt You One Big Family Nice It Nice Definetely a must have album for the reggae lovers to appreciate !!

Reggae Cd Review: Baby Cham - Ghetto Story

Oh Gosh, Where do i start … Its gonna have to be with Ghetto Story on the 85 riddim !! Boom! BIG BIG BIG chune, and probably chams best known. Also on the album are Ghetto Story Chapter 1 and 2 which feature Akon and Alicia Keys long side Baby Cham. And just as u thought the Ghetto Story could get no bigger!! These chunes are globally massive in so many of the clubs and so many artist a follow on this riddim. Cham set a way n move forward. Next track mi must mention is “Rude Boy Pledge” on the Stage Show Riddim woieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Da man know how to buss a lyric let me tell u, and he nuh forget his roots. “I cannot 4get where I come from, no mount a money can change man, still blaze the skunk, but sum leave the ghetto, get rich n turn punk” Other tracks feature pon the album be: Fat Punnany Boom Boom Dont Test Me Talk To Me Bad Boys Cham Wah Dem A Seh Now Love It like That Girl Vitamin S Baby Cham equivalant to a pink fizzy alchohol beverage should mebbe change his name to Jamaican Rum, cos he a hit hard, strong n mash up everyting !! Its to late, they cant stop him now. So go purchase the album quick time before it a sell off !!

Tanya Stephens’s New Album ‘Rebelution’ in stores August 29th

The quintessential Jamaican singer / songwriter, Tanya Stephens is equally adept at blazing the latest dancehall riddims as she is at blessing an acoustic guitar-driven ballad with lyrics that are insightful, relevant, comical, and often scathing……life and love observed with the honest eyes of a child, yet processed and returned to her audience with uncommon maturity and melody.  On “Rebelution,” Tanya Stephens once again displays her wit and musical sensibilities Tanya has scored international hits in the past with the classics “Goggle” and “You Nuh Ready Yet,”….songs still guaranteed to move the crowd in any setting.  Her last album “Gangsta Blues” yielded the one-drop anthem “It’s A Pity,” on the Doctors Darling riddim (a remix of Gregory Isaac’s smash Night Nurse). The song was clearly one of the biggest tunes of 2004, and arguably Tanya’s career, and introduced the rest of the world to Tanya Stephens, the single found its way onto commercial radio and eventually video outlets like MTV Jams.  The success of that single, followed by the critical acclaim from numerous media outlets (including the NY Times, Village Voice, Source, and Vibe Magazine) helped propel Tanya to the forefront of Jamaican music, and is the reason that nearly 2 years after it’s release, “Gangsta Blues” remains on the Billboard Reggae chart. On the 1st single “These Streets,” an airy acoustic guitar track, Tanya pleads with her thug-love to realize that “these streets don’t love you like I do.” Paying respect to the masters, Tanya borrows some rhythmic ideas on songs like “Dirty Thoughts,” where listeners will instantly recognize Bob Marley’s “Mr. Brown” riddim, and “To the Limit,” which draws on a classic Burning Spear riddim.  The song currently burning up the radio in Jamaica “Rescue,” produced by Irie FM’s Big A, is a reworking of Bunny Wailer’s “Ballroom Floor” Riddim. On this, her 4th LP, Tanya is poised to reach even greater international acclaim and finally be recognized by the masses as one of the great talents to emerge from Jamaica.  “Rebelution” features the musings of a songbird who is vulnerable enough to feel the pain, but tough enough to live through it. With a militant swagger, “Rebelution” is an edgy narrative of a street smart guerilla poet who continues to break the stereotype of what a female Jamaican artist should sound like. Smart and sexy, jagged and cunning, the lyrics flow out of the speakers and attack the unfortunate victims of her sharp tongue. This is not a passive listener’s record, nor is it a record for the weak hearted. It screams and bites in the gentlest way possible, with back handed compliments and sometimes less-than-reaffirming opinions. Armed with a fervent voice and classy demeanor Tanya tells her truth the way she sees it, uncompromising and uncensored. The evolution from the love scorned “Gangsta Blues” is apparent, but does not stray from the autobiographical, if anything “Rebelution” is the next chapter in her story. Already a cult hero in her native Jamaica, this album has Tanya Stephens crying from the hills and streets of Kingston… “Viva La Rebelution!”