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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The 10th Annual Montreal International Reggae Festival Celebrates Capacity Crowds at the Old Port!

Last weekend the 10th edition of the Montreal International Reggae Festival (MIRF) attained new heights of popularity with a sold out crowd on Saturday night; and Friday and Sunday selling 97% of the total site capacity of 10,000 seats.
The weather was extraordinary, as were the Friday night performances that included Morgan Heritage, making a remarkable return to the MIRF stage for the third time. They performed all their greatest hits as well as extracts from their new album, Here Come the Kings with a dynamic set, despite the absence of Una Morgan, who fell ill after arriving in Montreal. Montreal roots rocking, Inword and energetic DJ Hawkeye had the honor of starting this evening after French Guyanese Chris Combette opened up with smooth and pristine Antillean hinged reggae rifts.
 
Traditionally known as dancehall night, Saturday featured some of the most relevant artists of the current scene: Toronto’s Dahlia; Dancehall Diva Tifa; Mr Vegas - performing his hits of the past fifteen years; Kes The Band - who brought out many of Montreal’s Eastern Caribbean revelers; Shaggy in top form and the electrifying Beenie Man. As mentioned by Howard "Stretch" Carr, MIRF emcee and host of West Indian Riddims on CKUT 90 3 FM, MIRF attracted an extraordinary number of visitors this year from as far as South America and the United Kingdom. CKUT 90.3 FM broadcasted live from the MIRF site for the entire Saturday evening and again on Sunday, bringing its listeners two hours of MIRF including the Yellowman set – during Bhum Bhum Tyme with hosts Pat Dillon-Moore and JD who were also MIRF emcees. 

Toronto’s Visionary and Montreal’s Jah Cutta and the Determination Band opened up on Sunday with thrilling and well received performances. Accompanied by the famous Sagittarius Band, the legendary DJ Yellowman gave a lively set, setting a high bar for young sensation Serani and singer Alaine. These opening acts warmed up the crowd in the early evening and the atmosphere was then perfect for the downright magical performance of Cocoa Tea

Freddie McGregor and his Big Ship crew closed the 10th edition of MIRF in fine style. Festival goers were roused once again, as soon as Freddie McGregor’s band started playing their instrumental medley - joined by the sweet voice of their veteran leader who performed his repertoire of classic ska as well as songs from his recent album, Di Captain. The only downside this year was the cancellation of Luciano’s scheduled appearance at MIRF following a visa problem that was beyond the control of MIRF.

The MIRF team would like to thank its partners, sponsors and the media for this edition of unprecedented success. See you next year! 

Quotes from some of our guests include "Surely one of the best reggae festivals in North America, comparable to the venerable Reggae on The River, California" Roger Steffens, and “The Montreal International Reggae Festival truly came of age in 2013, with a stellar line-up. What I enjoyed most were the festival's new free workshop series that included the wonderful three-hour multi-media presentation "The Internationalization of Reggae" by the world's foremost reggae historian, Roger Steffens. This year's festival was educational as well as entertaining, and the jerk chicken sold on-site was pretty damn good too! In 2013 the Montreal International Reggae Festival graduated to the ranks of the world's great reggae festivals," Richard "Bugs" Burnett, The Montreal Gazette!

Photo:  Cocoa Tea performing Sunday night

Monday, August 12, 2013

New Jersey Reggae Radio Playlist

Another great show this week!



SOUNDS OF THE CARIBBEAN - Hosted By Selecta Jerry
2:00pm to 6:00pm (EST) on 88.9FM

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Bob Marley & The Wailers – Positive Vibration – Babylon By Bus – Tuff Gong
Culture – Trust Me – Live In Africa - Ras
Gregory Isaacs – Kingston 14 – Made In Jamaica Soundtrack -
Twinkle Brothers – Since I Throw The Comb Away – Live At Reggae Sunsplash 1982 – Genes
Burning Spear – African Postman – Live In Paris – Burning Music
Blackbeard – Mint Ah Music – Dennis Bovell Strictly Dub Wise - Ballistic
Shabba Ranks – Roots & Culture – Dancehall Stylee: The Best Of Reggae Dancehall Music - Profile
Winston Jarrett – Roots Rock Reggae – Survival Is The Game – Young Tree
Linval Thompson – Cool Down Your Temper – Ride On Dreadlocks 1975-77 – Blood & Fire
Aswad – Chasing For The Breeze – Renaissance: 20 Crucial Tracks – Stylus
Barrington Levy – Jah Saved My Life – Power House Selectors Choice - VP
Sugar Minott – River Jordan – Collectors Collection Vol.1 – Heartbeat
Exuma – Come Together – Kingston Town: 18 Reggae Hits – Heartbeat
Johnny Clarke – Warrior – Niney The Observer: Roots With Quality – VP
Ranking Trevor – Whip Them Jah – Nioney The Observer: Roots With Quality – VP
Dennis Brown – Milk & Honey – Visions Of Dennis Brown - VP
Sojournah & Ahkee - So Sweet – Milk & Honey Riddim – White Label
Raphael – If Jah Is With You – Rub A Dub Market Riddim – Irie Vibration Records
Tydal – Silent Warrior – Train Line Records
Tarrus Riley – Gimmie Likkle One Drop – Reggae Gold 2013 – VP
Jesse Royal – Modern Day Judas – Rootsman Riddim – Overstand Entertainment
Chronixx – Here Comes Trouble – Rootsman Riddim – Overstand Entertainment
Tarrus Riley – Cold Girl – Rootsman Riddim – Overstand Entertainment
Lovindeer & Shabba Ranks – Manhunt – Dancehall Stylee: The Best Of Reggae Dancehall Music - Profile
Shaka Pow – Ol’ School Vibes – Nicko Rebel Music –
Chronixx – Odd Ras – DigitalVibez Entertainment
Fantan Mojah – Dun Dem – Stronger – Greensleeves
Tarrus Riley feat. Konshens – Good Girl Gone Bad – Contagious – VP
B Davis – Love Your Style – Towards The Light – Boom One Records
Shy Fx feat. Liam Bailey – Soon Come – Digital Soundboy
Dub Zone with Selecta Jerry: Dubwise and Local Reggae Happenings
Linval Thompson & The Aggrovators – Sukumaka Version – King Tubby’s In Fine Style – Trojan
King Tubby – Jah Jah Dub - Dub Fever – Delta Music
King Tubby – Parkway Dub – King Tubby Classics: The Lost Midnight Rock Dubs Chapter 3 – Rufus Music
Augustus Pablo – King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown – King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown – Shanachie
King Tubby feat. Barrington Levy – Shaolin Temple Dub – The Lost Mixes From King Tubby’s Studio: Barrington Levy In Dub – Auralux
King Tubby feat. Chantells & Barnabas – Sister Fay Version – King Tubby & Friends: Motion Dub Special – Motion
King Tubby & Soul Syndicate – Great Stone – Freedom Sounds In Dub – Blood & Fire
King Tubby with Roots Radics & Jah Thomas – King Tubby’s Gold – Dub Massive Chapter 2 – Trojan
Love Joys – All I Can Say – Lovers Rock Reggae Style – Wackies
Senya & Aston Family Man Barrett – Children Of The Ghetto – Cobra Style - Heartbeat
Paula Clarke – University – Oak Sound
Zema & The Gladiators – Time Of Trouble/Time Of Dub – Jubilee – Melchizedek
Sonya Spence – Talk Love – Reggae Songbirds: 17 Great Tracks From The High Note Label – Heatbeat
Alpha Blondy – Soutra – Mystic Power – VP
Alborosie – Play Fool To Catch Wise – Sound The System – VP
Anthony B – Defend My Own – Jungle Skunk Riddim – Irie Vibration Records
Luciano – Hard Road – Jungle Skunk Riddim – Irie Vibration Records
Kabaka Pyramid – Cyaa Study Me – Jungle Skunk Riddim - Irie Vibration Records
Snoop Lion feat. Mr Vegas – Fruit Juice – Re Incarnated – RCA
Green Lion Crew & Dre Island – What Is Mine Is Mine - Rough Road Riddim – Soul Of The Lion
Green Lion Crew & Jahdan Blakkamore – Life Is Greater - Rough Road Riddim – Soul Of The Lion
Green Lion Crew & Chronixx – Life Over Death - Rough Road Riddim – Soul Of The Lion
Green Lion Crew & Kabaka Pyramid – Liberal Opposer - Rough Road Riddim – Soul Of The Lion
Derrick Parker – Cool It Off – Dancehall Stylee: The Best Of Reggae Dancehall Music - Profile
Chronixx – Start A Fyah – Game Theory Riddim – Joshua Barlow
Richie Spice – Hang On – Gideon Boot – VP
Kojak- Hear Me Now Star – Dub Club: Foundation Come Again – Stones Throw
Tony Tuff – Rock, Rock – Ganja Farm
Cool runnings!

Friday, August 2, 2013

L3 Magazine’s August Issue ft. Alaine, King Addies, Ajrenaline



L3 Magazine’s August issue is finally here and features one of Reggae’s most loved singers, Alaine Laughton, one of the Sound Clash arena’s most respected (and feared) sounds, King Addies and one of Jamaica’s fastest rising stars, Ajrenaline.

Speaking exclusively to Tricia ‘ZJ Sparks’ Spence, Alaine opens up to the L3 audience about maintaining her stunning physique, how prayer helps to influence her music and similarities between her and Alicia Keys.  Alaine also shares a touching experience during an interview in Jambi, Kenya who was “calling about cows and goats in exchange for marriage!”

When it comes to the Sound arena, one of the most respected sounds is King Addies.  Now being managed by Irish and Chin, Natasha Von Castle sat down with King Pin to talk about the expectations that Sound Clash fans have of King Addies, and the Sounds upcoming performance at World Clash in their home town of New York.  The two also talk about the Biltmore era and how that helps the Sound in Clash today and the fact that “you want to win and lock off the other sound; that’s your goal.” 

Ajrenaline is one of Jamaica’s fastest rising sensations, and he speaks to Tricia ‘ZJ Sparks’ Spence about music and where he is within the industry right now.  How does his future look and what moves will he be making soon?  All this and more are revealed!

Artists in focus include Bryan Art and Sustane who will each be performing at the Montreal International Reggae Festival later this month, as well as Yung Image and one of Toronto’s promising vocalists, Kash who is ‘kalling all Soldiers home.’  Making their debut from New York is Ahkee and Sojournah who represent the Roots Reggae culture!  Also making an appearance is DJ Naz Gurl Power who is our DJ feature of the month!

Additional sections of interest are L3’s Top Digital Downloads and Rico Vibes Video Charts.  Music review of Chezidek, Red Fox and Bushwood are included as s the latest music releases of albums, riddims and mixtapes.  The model of the month / centerfold is shot through the lens of Jerome Dupont who make the color yellow, combined with a multi-color sequins pop for the camera.

Jimmy Tambou offers delicious vegan recipes and Heike Dempster walks us through Free Art Fridays in Miami, and in California, we get familiar with Subliminal Projects and their feature of BDX-LAX ‘Far Away so Close.’  New York’s own Rick Long, choreographer to the stars makes an appearance as does a review for Groovin in the Park.

All of this and more are available in the July issue of L3 Magazine which can be read exclusively at www.L3Magazine.com!

When you see this:  https://www.vizify.com/l3-magazine/twitter-video you will definitely want to advertise!  Contact Rohan ‘Dilinga’ Beckford via email at irie.rbeckford@gmail.com or by calling 347-370-6829 for rates as low as $150 USD!

Tracey Night Makes it a Night of Melodies in Midtown



With her international fan base growing, and core support from her fans in Florida rock solid, Tracey Night makes it a Night of Melodies in Midtown with a live intimate performance on August 10th, 2013 at SOHO Studio’s (2136 NW 1st Ave – Miami, FL 33127). 



Hosted by DJ Meat and produced by Allegro Entertainment, Tracey will give music lovers a vocal variety as she performs ballads as well as her Dancehall bangers including her popular song “Talk The Tings Dem” and “Missing You.”  Of her upcoming performance Tracey says “I’m really looking forward to this performance at SOHO Studio’s.  Performing for my fans and having them get to know me better through my music is important to me; I’m happy and can’t wait for August 10th!”  Tracey will be joined by DJ Zion and Déjà vu who will add additional entertainment.

Known for combining the feel of art-deco, and their innovative approach towards conceptual ideas, Allegro Entertainment excels in club promotion, talent development as well as theatre and notes that having Tracey perform is a perfect fit.  “We’ve heard a lot about Tracey and have worked with her in the past.  We’re anticipating a good performance from her when she takes the stage.”

Fans can get more information about Tracey’s performance by visiting www.allegroperformances.com or by connecting with the Dancehall Diva via Facebook or Twitter.  Fans can also connect with Tracey via YouTube.