Happy Birthday Robert Nesta Marley!

Greetings!

 

Today would have marked the 66th Birthday of the great Robert Nesta Marley, and today we celebrate his music, his life and his teachings!

 

There is not one community in any part of the world who doesn't first associate Bob Marley

with Reggae.  His image is the most duplicated image of any Jamaican and is ranked at #8 as

the most earning artist who is no longer with us.

 

So, what was it about Bob Marley, or rather his music that so many people gravitated to?  In my opinion, it was and is a combination of two factor: 1.  His lyrics.  People of every nationality, from every walk of life could and can relate to every word he sang.  2.  The music.  There is no doubt that when the Wailers came together and put down some heavy roots music, it moved your soul.  Not your ears, or your feet, but your soul which is the reason why, every time you hear Bob's music, it moves you; even being 30 plus years later.

 

Whether you're in your teens, or you're an elder, today, we can agree on one thing:  Robert Nesta Marley is the King of Reggae.  He was the only one of his kind, and that status will never change.

 

Pour some liquor, light a candle or chant a psalms.  However you do it, celebrate his life and legacy today.  

 

 

>>>Bob Marley - Africa Unite<<< 

 

 

 

 

ZJ Sparks Unleashes Soca Fury!

Fans of ZJ Sparks know her style when she throws down on the Zip FM Airwaves and knows how HOTTTT she gets with the Reggae and Dancehall.

Today, and thanks to ZJ Sparks herself, fans can listen to her throw down some Soca vibes that are guaranteed to do 2 things:  reduce inches from your waist and make you lose weight!
Featuring the best voices in Groovy Soca and hard core Soca, Sparks looks after the Socaphiles of the world!

Catch the mix by clicking on the links below, and make sure you send us your feedback so we can pass it on.  Better yet, tell Sparkie directly on @twitter!

>>>ZJ Sparks - Groovy Soca, 2011<<<

- or -

>>>ZJ Sparks - Mega Soca Mix, 2011<<<

A Personal Note from Natasha Von Castle

Greetings;

It’s not very often that we use our blog spot to send messages on a personal note, but today we are doing so for what we feel to be a worthy cause.

88.1 CKLN FM is one of Canada’s oldest community radio stations, and has been an outlet for several artists, promoters, and industry movers and shakers in terms of launching their music careers, promoting their events or getting information out to their audience about a cause. 

This same station is on the verge of losing its broadcasting license, and we have decided to make our voice globally known in asking you to become an ally with CKLN and its fight to save its license.

We encourage you to visit www.ckln.fm to read the decision by the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as to why they’ve decided to revoke the stations license to broadcast, and also ask that you sign the online petition in support of the station.

To paint a more clear picture; you may be an artist, or may work with an artist who needs radio play in Canada.  As a result of the Commission’s decision, you have one less outlet for fans to know your work, which means one less tour stop when you come to Canada, which means the potential for a reduction in your income.  On a more global level, if this can happen in Toronto, Canada, a country which is supportive of independence and community based activity, what more can happen in the U.S., the U.K., Europe and all other parts of the world?

We encourage you to become involved and do as much as you can.  If you’re not able to participate, please pray; all efforts together will make the difference.

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ckln881/

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ckln881/http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ckln881/

With sincerest thanks in advance,

Natasha Von Castle

DUANE STEPHENSON ON TOUR IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK GOLD!

Duane Stephenson is currently on his fourth tour outing with reggae’s legendary group The Wailers.  Recent tours throughout South America and the U.S. have garnered a positive response with sold out performances for this compelling songwriter and versatile singer.  Performing songs from his September, 2010 VP Records release, BLACK GOLD as well as songs from his debut album FROM AUGUST TOWN (2007), Duane explains that he is: “meeting many fans for the first time and these fans are a bit out of the scope of the traditional reggae market, working with the Wailers, and the support has been great so far.”    

Duane’s introduction to The Wailers was through their work with the United Nations World Food Programme. He was invited to write a song “A Step for Mankind” to support the WFP.  Duane is currently working on a new song whose proceeds will benefit the World Food Programme’s largest global operation in Sudan.

In October, 2010 Duane was invited by the World Food Programme to honor of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the The George McGovern Leadership Award Ceremony as part of his work to spread the message of the need for more action in addressing the issue of world hunger.

As for the scope of his contribution as a reggae artist and humanitarian, he explains: “What I am doing is part of a larger mandate.  The more you can do to make the world a better place for everybody, it is really a pleasure to do the little bit that I am actually doing, the feeling is great.  It is something worthwhile as there are not many of these opportunities left.”

Duane Stephenson, The Wailers Uprising Tour with Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds

2/3/11    Bourbon Theatre  - Lincoln, Nebraska   show time: 10:00
2/4/11    First Avenue - Minneapolis, Minnesota  show time: 11:00
2/5/11    Blue Moose - Iowa City, Iowa  show time: 8:00
2/8/11    Majestic Theatre - Madison, Wisconsin  show time: 10:30
2/9/11    The Ark - Ann Arbor, Michigan  show time: 8:45
2/10/11   Bluebird - Bloomington, Indiana   show time: 9:00
2/11/11   The Rave at Eagles Auditorium -  Milwaukee, Wisconsin  show time: 10:00
2/12/11   House of Blues - Chicago, Illinois  show time: 10:00
2/13/11   The Kent Stage - Kent, Ohio  show time 10:00
2/16/11   Pickle Barrel Nightclub - Killington, Vermont  show time  11:00
2/16/11   Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center  - Stowe, Vermont   show time: 8:45
2/18/11   Festival Montreal En Lumiere - Montreal, Quebec   show time: 9:00
2/19/11   The Music Hall - Portsmouth, New Hampshire  show time: 8:45
2/20/11   Tarrytown Music Hall - Tarrytown, New York  show time:  7:45
4/2/11     Lake Worth Reggae Festival - Lake Worth, Florida  show time: 8:00
4/10/11   Steamboat Springs Ski Area - Steamboat Springs, Colorado show time: 3:00
5/20/11   Chesapeake Jubilee Festival, Main Stage - Chesapeake, Virginia
               show time:  7:00

♠ HOTTT New Reggae! ♠ Cutty Ranks - Blood Stain!

It is undisputed that Cutty Ranks is a master of Dancehall.  The grit of his voice and the energy in his lyrics make him one of the most respected artists of his era, and an icon by the younger generation.

Mr. Ranks has teamed with Chiney K Productions To give us a new chune called “Blood Stain.”  Originally produced and voiced in 2010, the team has decided to release the chune now, especially with what is happening to people in the world at the hands of politicians and leaders.  This chune connects.

Pree the lyrics:

“Mr. Politician / is this the people dem vote for?

We cannot solve crime wid so-so guns and bullets.

We have to find other solutions / we have to start

From the wheel / go down to the shock / then we

Move to the snapper / then we reach dih sprat /

Dih place hot … “

Catch Cutty Ranks and the chune “Blood Stain” by clicking the song title below.  As always, pass on your feedback so we can pass it on!

Cutty Ranks - Blood Stain

Zip Jock Sparks 'Shells' The Party!

One of Zip FM's hottest DJ's, ZJ Sparks absolutely 'shelled' down Soca Junkies this past weekend.  With toppa top selections, Sparkie had every body at the venue moving in unison to every song.

The Lime All Island Carnival was so well attended, and people had such a good time that fans are asking where the next party is going to be.  "Sparkie nuh normal" said Suzie.  "She mix up everybody with her selections and crowd loved it!"

On Friday (February 4th) you can catch Sparkie in Jamaica at Sidony's Purple and White Birthday Bash.  For more info, Tweet with Sparkie here:  @ZJSparks or @L3Magazine

♠ HOTTT New Dancehall! ♠ Voicemail - Bewitched!

If ever there was a modern day classic Dancehall chune, it would have to be “Bewitched” by Voicemail.  It’s a classic because this is the last chune recorded with O’Neil before he passed.

Produced by Nicko Rebel for Nicko Rebel Music, the riddim is built on synthesized sounds and an 808 kick drum which is consistent with today’s Dancehall sounds.  Add to that the lyrics in which Voicemail talks about The charms ladies use to hold the attention of men,and we have a chune ready for the radio, Dancehall and mixtape.

Request it from your favourite jock at your favourite radio station.  You can also load the song on your i-players by purchasing the song from i-tunes here:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bewitched-single/id413047248