Kes the Band News! KTBLIVE: The Concert Experience

Returning home in the midst of tours of the U.S. and Europe, Kes the Band will present #KBTLIVE The Concert on July 13, 2013 at O2 Park in Chaguaramas.

Designed as a one-day music festival, rather than your typical fete, #KTBLIVE The Concert is an afternoon show for youth, designed to allow the band’s fans to experience the Kes show they might have been otherwise unable to, due to time or location constraints. The concert follows the #KTBLIVE Career Sessions held at secondary schools around Trinidad, which saw the band visit each school and deliver a music workshop and discussion accompanied by a mini performance. It aimed to encourage more in Trinidad & Tobago's education system to get involved in music and pushed for the reintroduction of music development, facilities and the provision of music-learning opportunities in the classroom for young creatives.

#KTBLIVE The Concert will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 3pm-8pm at O2 Park (formerly Mobs 2) in Harts Cut, Chaguaramas. The concert will feature performances by Kes the Band coupled with guest performances by both established and emerging young acts, as well as other attractions on the grounds and information for those interested in pursuing their own music. "Going to different schools and sharing our life experiences was not only inspiring for the students, but for ourselves as well," said Kees Dieffenthaller, lead singer for Kes the Band.. "It reminded us of where it all began. #KTBLIVE The Concert gives us the chance to celebrate with this generation of thinkers, believers and dreamers. May they continue to be inspired to create change and progress." Doors open at 3pm. Early-Bird Tickets are available for $150 TT each.

Tickets can be purchased at locations around Trinidad or at the door on the day of the event. For all ticket locations please visit the Kes the Band Facebook page or website. Through a hashtag contest on social media platforms twitter and instagram fans will also have the opportunity to win VIP backstage passes and Limited Edition #KTBLIVE T-Shirts. Follow Kes The Band on Twitter and Facebook for more details.

Video Preview - Morgan Heritage Perfect Love Song

On the heels of their recent U.S. Northeast tour spanning NYC, Albany, Boston and New Haven, Morgan Heritage give fans an exclusive look beyond the scenes of their latest music video, Perfect Love Song.

Mojo, Gramps, Lukes, Una and Peetah Morgan take fans on the set of their first video in five years for a sneak peak.

The visual for the first single off their upcoming summer album Here Come The Kings is directed by Spencer Antle of Island Company and was shot in the sunny Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami, Florida.

Perfect Love Song has already hit #1 on iTunes Japan Reggae Chart, NMT Top 10 Chart in Atlanta and the Karma Reggae Chart in the UK respectively. It has held the top spot on the latter for 4 consecutive weeks thus far.

It is currently #3 in Italy on the Top 20 Reggae Singles Chart and #14 on Choice FM's Top 20 Reggae Chart in the UK. It also recently topped Radio Dubplate's Hot Bubblers Chart before debuting at #10 on the weekly Reggae Charts in Canada.

TANYA CARTER CALLS ON BIRCH FOR EX-BOYFRIEND

After more than two dozen performances across the world, Belizean songstress, Tanya Carter, has decided to spread her wings to Jamaica. Excited about crossing over to Reggae, she has been working closely with Christopher Birch of Birchill Records, who produced and co-wrote her newest single: Ex-boyfriend.

Singing since the age of 5, Tanya takes her inspiration from Jamaican greats: Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Burning Spear; and discovered at an early age her passion for Reggae and Jamaica culture. The Belizean is no stranger to Jamaicans, having opened for Etana, Luciano, Lexxus and Morgan Heritage and decided to come to the home of Reggae music to get a better understanding of the culture around the genre she loves, and to work with some of the best producers in the business.

With several years of performing under her belt, she is currently working on her second album, which contains Reggae, Jazz, Electro, Pop, Dancehall and R&B infusions. Her versatility knows no bounds and her passion for music has resulted in a number of accolades. The greatest of which is being named “Best Female Vocalist of the Year” at the Belize Music Awards three years in a row (2010, 2011 and 2012). Tanya’s debut album Daydreaming was named the best album in Belize upon its release in 2011 and tunes from the album graced the airwaves in Jamaica, Los Angeles, Africa, Mexico and even climbed to number 3 on the Lithuanian music charts.

Now, on a path to making authentic Reggae music, Tanya’s new single Ex-boyfriend, produced by Birchill Records, is a one of a kind composition. The infectious beat and catchy lyrics make it impossible for you to listen to the song just once and fully captures the common emotions involved with having an ex-lover you are not quite over, something many ladies, and even some men, can identify with.

Christopher Birch of Birchill Records says he was happy to work with Tanya:”She is a real artiste, a great singer with the full package, she writes, she harmonizes, she is very talented and it was a pleasure working with her. I think she can make it in this industry, Reggae is a very aggressive industry, so she has to put out the right energy, which I think she has. We have plans for more tunes, and the next one is very catchy, so Jamaica needs to watch for Tanya.”

Tanya’s sultry voice and precise melody on the track allows for easy listening and in no time you realize you are singing along. Although several songs have been written about this relationship dilemma, Ex-boyfriend brings a fresh spin on the situation. She belts “I never knew this feeling that you’re giving me would take me to another place with your love, see I never knew the loving was so good that it scared me and it made me want to fly away with your love” in the first verse, telling a tale of the love she has for her ex-boyfriend despite being with a new beau.

Tanya shows her command of patois in the chorus where she sings: “Although mi new man a treat me right, mi wah back mi ex-boyfriend”. And the story continues to unravel, after she confesses: “I must admit I’m not over you although we parted‘bout a year or two, my new man he’ll never know, you’re the star of my show”.

Get the full story by listening to Tanya’s first Jamaican-produced single Ex-Boyfriend. 

APOLLO MUSIC CAFÉ: SOUL OF BRAZIL!

Percussionist, songwriter and vocalist, Davi Vieira sings "It's Friday! Whachagonna do? Party!" A native of Bahia, Davi has played with an impressive line-up of Grammy winners including Angelique Kidjo, Carlos Santana, Sergio Mendes and David Byrne. He currently leads a 6-piece band that fuses propulsive old school Axe and Repente with a refreshing dash of Brazilian Hip Hop.

Wunmi at the Apollo!

Wunmi regularly sets the underground dance music scene alight with London style, Lagos culture and New York energy. Recently, her astonishing resume includes work with Latin House kings Masters At Work, and Soul Jazz Records' international renowned artist, producer, and DJ Osunlade, on dance floor gems. Wunmi narrated the Nigeria 70 compilation album for Strut Records and also recently worked on the Red Hot + Riot Tribute to Fela Album (on the track "Zombie").

Her prodigious talent has also led her to work with artists such as UK soul outfit Soul II Soul, Ornette Coleman, Roy Ayers, Living Colour's Vernon Reid, and more. With Wunmi, expect infectious vocals, incredible dance, styling coveted by fashionistas around the world, and endless energy.


On Friday, October 7, Wunmi will headline Apollo Music Café's Sol Ascension -- a concert and dance party with live music and performances by Manchildblack and DJ Jihad Muhammad.

Order Tickets Here! 

Hindi Zahra

"[New Albums to Look Forward To - Fall 2011] Because this French Moroccan sometimes sings in Berber and sounds like Edith Piaf moved to Jamaica, got stoned, and started reading a lot of Rimbaud." — New York Magazine

Songstress Hindi Zahra makes her American debut with Handmade, an infectious album of exotic sounds that playfully savor East and West. Soul, reggae, jazz and a dash of gypsy, all intertwine with Hindi's heritage of bluesy Berber and swirling melodies on this impressive collection. Her voice, which slides between soul-inflected purrs and growls, and a clear resonance, is one of many talents Hindi taps as she stakes her claim alongside the likesof Norah Jones, Adele, and Sade.

Produced and arranged by Hindi in its entirety, Handmade features the first single, "Beautiful Tango," a smoky love ballad with a whistle-along melody, plus "Imik Si Mik" (Little by Little) and "Oursoul" - both sung in her native tongue. Closing with a series of six unplugged versions, Hindi re-imagines her original compositions with heightened intimacy - making for a thrilling 17 track debut album.

Hindi embarks on her debut US tour on Sept. 30 in Los Angeles, continuing to Portland, Seattle, Chicago, and culminating in  NYC at CMJ.

Cali P From Switzerland to Guadeloupe to Jamaica - Lyrical Fyah!

If you read Cali P’s official bio, he says that he is lyrical ‘faya,’ but there are some who don’t agree with that single word description!  For many, Cali P is more than lyrical fyah; he’s a truth teller, a nation builder, and female empowerer, all within the strides of music and entertainment.

Originally born in Switzerland and raised between Switzerland and Guadeloupe, this Reggae and Dancehall artist speaks to and for the Caribbean and African diaspora as he regularly chants that we are all one with no division.  These lyrics are evidenced in the song “Roll Deep” where the artist proudly states “we roll deep, and when we flex then we flex with the flex of the West Indies …” and goes on to sing “some call it West Indies, some say Caribbean, some call it yaad, but inna mih heart mih know we ah real African!”

In addition to being an incredible entertainer, Cali P is also an astute business man.  Partnering with medal earning ski giant Tanner Hall, sound selector turned record producer Anil "Phantom" Montaque and movie producer Eric Iberg, this foursome run Inspired Music Concepts which is responsible for hit records including "No Time" and “Like A Lion (Hotsteppa)” which were used in the soundtrack for the movie ‘Like A Lion’. In Switzerland the combination "As one" between Cali P and Switzerland's top rapper Stress, which was also co-produced by Inspired Music Concepts, is currently enjoying regular radio and TV play.

Spending time equally at home in Switzerland, Guadeloupe and Jamaica, Cali P is focused on staying true to his roots, and connected to the spirit and energy of the people, the very ones he represents through his music.  “Since I came to Jamaica I've been overwhelmed by the support and love of the people which means a lot to me, as it is the home of Reggae music” said the artist.  “My greatest inspiration comes from life and the people in this beautiful world.”

Partner Anil "Phantom" Montaque, the music producer says "Working with Cali P is always fun. Sometimes he provides the lyrics first and I make the beat for it. At other times my riddims inspire him to write a song. It's just a good vibe!"Cali P has collaborated with industry greats such as Freddie McGregor and Mykal Rose, and young artists GWhizz, Wasp and Devano.  He is also featured alongside Tarrus Riley, Omar Perry and Ziggy, and more on the Gorilla Riddim produced by Europe’s Necessary Mayhem.

Currently on tour in Europe, Cali P continues to draw large fans to venues, a reflection of the numbers his music receives on YouTube.  The artist is performing songs from his catalog, as well as songs fans can expect to hear on his upcoming album 'Unstoppable.'

For additional inquiries, contact inspiredrec@gmail.com.  For Media inquiries, contact L3Publicity@gmail.com.

>>>Cali P - Roll Deep<<<