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Thursday, August 5, 2010

►►► Throwback Thursday! ►►► Can A Poco Man Jam?!

Greetings!
 
Just the name of the riddim alone should tell
you that this riddim holds a vibes, but when
you play it, you know it.  The people move...
 
A Poco Man is one who practices a different
type of spirituality.  They claim to be able
to heal, ward off evil, and have visions that
pertain to your life.  There are some people
who believe in a Poco Man, and there are
others who don't. 
 
In 1990, Steely and Clevie created and produced
the Poco Man riddim which is a jump up, feel
good, 'kick out yuh foot' and jam type of riddim.
 
Featuring artistry from Capleton, Cutty Ranks
and Red Dragon (to name a few), it becomes
hard to say which fans prefer more, the lyrics
or the riddim!  The Shabba Ranks chunes "Dem
Bow" and "Trailer Load" became Dancehall
anthems for their time, and have inspired Konshens
to relick the riddim with Daddy and Hypa from
France for the 'Trailer Reloaded' riddim!
 
Broadcasting at 320kbps, and featuring the work
of most original artists to the riddim, catch Poco
Man here:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Album Review: Gyptian’s ‘Hold Yuh.’

It would be easy for us to do a straight forward review of Gyptian’s album ‘Hold Yuh,’ but we can’t!  We can’t tell you that you’re going to love track 2, “Beautiful Lady” because the bassline is so infectious, or that die hard Reggae fans will enjoy track 13, “Where You Belong,” which is set to the classic 50 pound riddim every fan can relate to!  No!

We can’t confirm that the singles “Hold Yuh” or “Nah Let Go” (Gyptians second release from the album) are ideally placed on the album, and just work with the rest of the album’s selections.  No, we can’t do that either because that would be too easy.  We can’t even go so far as to say that Gyptian’s album is one of the few Reggae releases for 2010 that successfully bridges mainstream cross over fans with the artists core Reggae fans to the point that both groups can attend his show and not be disappointed.  That too would be too simple.

What we can do, is confirm that Gyptian doesn’t allow the fame and attention of his well deserved success get to his head.  Instead we can confirm that he remains the humble Gyppy that we know and love.  We see him demonstrate that humility at the very end of the album on his chune “Selah” where he says a special thank you to people who helped him get to where he is.  People like his three children whom he calls his ‘beautiful three babies,’ Ron Muschette (well respected radio jock from Jamaica), and Elise Kelly.  The deeper beauty in “Selah” is acknowledging bredins like Zeko and Rhona Fox as well as fellow artists Bascom X and Ricky Blaze who collectively contribute to his shining success.

For all the people whose name Gyppy didn’t call, not to worry!  The next time he comes to your city, he’ll sit and reason with you same way, ignoring the fact that he is now super star status.

Gyptian’s album ‘Hold Yuh’ is available on i-Tunes as well as www.VPRecords.com and all leading digital retailers.



VP Artists Shine in Toronto for Caribana™ Weekend!

VP Artists Shine in Toronto for Caribana™ Weekend!
 
 
During the Caribana™ season, Toronto is known for the sounds of soca music from Trinidad and Tobago , and other Caribbean islands; however Caribana™ 2010 saw a record turnout by fans to hear VP Recording artists!
 
Queen IFrica, whose album ‘Montego Bay’ was well received in Canada, packed center stage at Harbourfront with 3,000 fans crammed to take in the performance and essence Queen IFrica delivers.  “I drove all the way from Barrie, Ontario to see her perform”, said Kathleen.  “There is something about her that all people can relate to, and I just love her!”  Confirming this, Kathleen held up a copy of the Queen’s latest album she hopes to get autographed.

On the other side of the city, Busy Signal, whose album "D.O.B." was released three weeks ago, was scheduled to perform at Lamport Stadium, the same venue which sees the Caribana King and Queen of the bands competition judged.  This marks Busy’s second appearance in as many months, as the star was in the city in April for an event called ‘Redemption.’

Rounding out the VP take over was Gyptian who performed at the 9th annual Irie Music Festival sponsored by TD Canada Trust.  The three-day festival featured performances by several notable Caribbean artists such as Fab 5, and Shurwayne Winchester as well as local artists Friendlyness and the Human Rights, Blessed and Melodic.

Gyptian, who attracted a record 4,000 people to the mid-sized park confirmed that the artist's popularity with fans in Toronto is solid.  In addition to topping i-Tunes sales (in Canada and abroad) for the single “Hold Yuh,” the star also tops charts on Canadian radio, has solid CD sales for his album of the same name, and is the most searched artist in North America according to Google.com.

“I brought my three-year old grand-daughter to see Gyptian perform,” said Margaret, a grandmother of four.  “She’s a huge fan of Gyptian and so am I!”

Additional VP Records artists in the city to perform included Anthony Cruz, Tinga Stewart and Byron Lee's Dragonaire's who all performed at Jambana.
VP’s artistic dominance continues as Queen IFrica is scheduled to perform in Europe as is Busy Signal and Gyptian between mid August through to the end of October.

For additional information on these, and other artists on the VP Records roster, log on to www.VPRecords.com.


About VP Records:

VP Records, based in Jamaica, Queens NY, is a pioneering force in the reggae music industry. From roots & culture to soca and dancehall, VP Records is the only record label that represents the full spectrum of Caribbean music. For the past 25 years, VP has stayed true to the grassroots from whence it came, always serving its core audience first, moving swiftly to keep up with the sounds of the street. At the same time, with the international success of artists like Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, Elephant Man, and Tanto Metro & Devonte, amongst others, VP has expanded its leadership in the effort to present Caribbean culture to a mainstream audience as worldwide demand dancehall reggae rises to new heights.


     

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

♦ Riddim Re-Up! ♦ Mafia McKoy Presents: Sizzla + Gyptian + Natural Black + More!

Greetings!
 
There are some chunes, and some riddims
that are instant classics, and I think we may
have found one in this 2009 production!
 
Mr. Mafia McKoy, the man responsible for
Loud Disturbance Records produced the
Silent Sky Riddim in 2009, which is making
a come back thanks to the hit record from
 
Boasting a nicely balanced guitar riff with a
humbled bassline, each artist adds lyrics
about love and life as well as social issues
making this riddim a favourite to play!
 
Featuring Abijah, Aisha, G-Whizz, Jay
McKay, Jimmy Riley, Mitch, Natural
Black, Norris Man and Sizzla, this riddim
is a must play, or rather a must repeat!
Honourable mention goes to the R&B infused
Jay McKay with the chune "So In Love"
which is certified FIRE!
 
Broadcasting at 320kbps, catch the Mafia
McKoy produced Silent Sky Riddim here:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Record Numbers for Toronto’s Caribana!

CARIBANA™ ARTS GROUP (CAG) reports a record 1.2 Million attendees at this year’s Caribana parade!

All along Toronto’s famed Lakeshore Boulevard West, from the CNE to Palais Royale, revelers and spectators celebrated the spirit of being free, and enjoyed energetic soca music as masqueraders danced, “chipped” and “jammed” in colourful costumes.  The parade, made up of steelbands, competing mas bands and guest bands, made its way along the three-kilometer parade route ensuring that spectators enjoyed the sights and sounds of Caribana.

 The parade, created by the CAG (formerly the Caribbean Cultural Committee), and now in its forty-third year, was opened with a blessing by a religious leader dressed in flowing African robes. He prayed for Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, Ontario’s Premier, Dalton McGuinty and Toronto’s Mayor, David Miller. He also noted the true meaning behind mas and Caribana, which is the emancipation of Africans from slavery. 

CAG Chair, Henry ‘King Cosmos’ Gomez said, “We are very pleased with the impact our festival of the Caribbean Carnival Arts has had on Toronto over the years. We are also proud to maintain our reputation of being the largest festival of its kind in North America, and to welcome others from around the world to have a taste of our distinctly Caribbean culture. However, going forward, the CAG would like to see relations improve with the FMC and the City of Toronto.”

Some of the dignitaries on hand for this year’s Caribana parade  included Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Federal Liberal party, Gerrard Kennedy, member of Parliament, George Smitherman and Rocco Rossi, mayoral candidates for the city of Toronto and Margaret Best, liberal MPP.

About CARIBANA™ ARTS GROUP (CAG):

CARIBANA™ ARTS GROUP (CAG), formerly known as the Caribbean Cultural Committee (CCC) was incorporated in 1967 for the purpose of celebrating Canada’s Centennial. The CAG is the legal owner of the CARIBANA™ Festival, and is chaired by Henry Gomez. In 2006, the City of Toronto appointed the Festival Management Committee to manage the CARIBANA™ Festival for one year.

E-mail inquiries to: caribanaartsgroup@gmail.com or call 647-225-8977



Pictured:  Henry 'King Cosmos' Gomez and Michael Ignatieff
 
 
 

Sunday, August 1, 2010

DJ C-Roy from WAVS 1170 AM Presents: Shauna Dixon - Closer!

Greetings!
 
DJ C-Roy from WAVS 1170 AM in Florida
has an ear for the finest talent, and today,
he presents to the network a true diamond!
 
Performing under her right name of Shauna
Dixon, this artists voice is as sweet as sugar
that you can't get enough of.
 
Having produced, written and recorded songs
for artists such as Glen Washington, Frankie
Paul, Singing Melody, Richie Stephens and
Sanchez, Shauna's lyrics are irresistible.  Having
studies classical piano, and being a trained
sound engineer, Shauna's fine tuned ears are
set to only hear proper chord structure, and
perfect pitch!
 
Debuting to the network on the 'One In A
Million' riddim, Shauna's chune "Closer"
is guaranteed to set the pace on the vibes
your listeners experience.  Trust me!
 
Broadcasting at 320kbps, and sampling my
millionth taste of sugar called "Closer," catch
the sweet vibes here:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, July 29, 2010

►►► Throwback Thursday! ►►► Times are not Soft!

Greetings!
 
Life can be a funny thing - sometimes you're
up, next minute your mid level, third minute
you're down, then you're soaring high again. 
In the midst of it all, the 'hard times' never last!
 
Produced by Stephen "Gibbo" Gibson & Errol
"ET" Thompson for their label, the riddim was
picked up by VP Records as a part of the riddim
driven series which dominated the airwaves
and dancehall's in 2004 and beyond.
 
Featuring artistry from I-Wayne with the now
infamous chune "Living In Love," Richie Spice's
"Ghetto Girl" and Capleton's "That Day Will
Come," all artists on the riddim chose the right
words to compliment the prominent bassline.
 
There are 15 artists on the riddim (I'm missing
Anthony Cruz and George Nooks - sorry!) to
help your listeners relive the memories of 2004!
 
Broadcasting at 320kbps, catch the Hard Times
riddim here:
 
Fast Facts:  Stephen 'Gibbo' Gibson is the son
of legendary producer Joe Gibbs!