Check Out The Glen Washington Collection!!

Like most successful artists, Washington evolved from humble beginnings. Born in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica he is currently one of the most in demand artist in reggae music; this has come after many years of recording and waiting in the wings. In 1997, he released his debut album ‘Brother To Brother’ and, to date, has released 10 albums. Fans and critics alike say there is not one bad song in his catalog.  The triumph of Glen Washington’s endurance has been 25 years in the making.

Over the years, Washington has recorded sporadically as a solo singer and extensively as a studio drummer and, has laid tracks for various artists. Simultaneously, Washington was a full-time drummer (sometimes singer) in several different bands, such as: The Avengers, The Titans, and Happiness Unlimited. With Happiness Unlimited he migrated to the USA to work with Stevie Wonder. The other Bands he played with are Calabash and Bands that backed Artists such as Leroy Sibbles, Shinehead, Junior Reid, Gregory Isaacs, Sister Carol and the Meditations.

From the resurgence of Glen Washington’s singing career, his smooth, raspy, bass voice has often been likened to that of Beres Hammond. Washington says, “Beres is one of my favorite entertainers, so I regard it as a compliment to be compared with him.” With the release of over forty singles and eleven albums in four years, Washington has established himself as not only a singer but, also as a gifted songwriter who penned his own songs.

Glen Washington the International Reggae Ambassador is the kind of artist who never stop working, he will be launching his Europe Tour, the first leg of his European tour will begin March 2012, and back to North and South America.  A new Album Glen Washington's “Master Piece” will be release also March 2012 and from this Album a Single has already taken over the airwaves Title   “There A Joy”

www.glenwashington.net

12-22

Radio host & community partners help to raise money for Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas –“A Merry Reggae Christmas CD Drive”/Win airline tickets to Jamaica!

(Las Vegas, NV – Dec 20, 2011) - Local radio 91.5 KUNV host and personality, Steve Edwards, is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas to raise money to build homes for working families in Clark County.

Steve the former host of a ReggaeTing radio show is now inviting music fans to buy the New Day CD on line at www.reggaeting.com and be automatically entered to a win round trip airline tickets to Jamaica! “The aim is to go totally viral, if you dig Bob Marley you will love this CD” says Edwards, the executive producer of the compilation.

Steve has also enlisted community partners AT&T, Canes Chicken, The Jamaica Tourist Board and the University of Las Vegas Rebel Yell on line newspaper, http://unlvrebelyell.com/ to help with the drive by utilizing their social media outlets to spread the word for this great cause.

The CD features the best of Vegas reggae artists plus the emerging new talent out of Jamaica. Net proceeds from sales will go to Habitat Las Vegas with the goal set at selling 2000 CDs or more this holiday season. The promotion runs until Jan 31^st 2012.

“This is a wonderful effort by local musicians to support working families in our community,” said Guy Amato, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas. “Steve has been persistent in his efforts to get this project launched”Money raised from CD sales will be used for the construction of homes in Clark County in 2012.

The CD features the best of today’s reggae with local artists from Las Vegas including, Bob David, Kronik, Michael Black, Mikey Gits, One Pin Short plus emerging artists from Jamaica; Luciano, Warrior King, Natural Black, Etana, Richie Spice, Duane Stephenson, Tarrus Riley and Dennis Mckay (Mackie Conscious).

For more details and samples of the songs log on to www.reggaeting.com

About Habitat for Humanity Las VegasEstablished in Clark County, Nevada in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas has completed 62 homes. Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas is a not-for-profit organization that builds decent, affordable housing with the help of volunteer labor and donated time and materials and funds. Each home is sold at no profit and with a no-interest mortgage to local working families who otherwise might be forced to live in substandard housing. These families contribute "sweat equity" by helping in the construction of their own homes. www.habitatlasvegas.org

01-12

SGT. REMO RELEASES DEBUT HIT SINGLE “HOW LONG” DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!

Jah Yutes Entertainment is proud to announce the release of Sgt. Remo’s debut single “How Long” as featured in the “Reggae SoulJahs Worldwide Vol. 1” compilation and the “Brighter Smile Riddim EP”. This is Sgt. Remo’s first official solo release and it has been very well received by listeners. The song is a thought provoking call to action with lyrics such as “how long must we living inna this situation, things them are wrong… tell me what more, tell me what we haffi do to get out of this hole” Sgt. Remo is a native of Juarez, Mexico and today resides in Jacksonville, Florida. He has recorded Reggae Dancehall music for a number of years and this summer was part of the Reggae SoulJahs Camouflage Tour. 

The Camouflage Tour featured General Smiley of Michigan & Smiley hall of fame, Sgt. Remo, Mister Kali, and DJ Yahru El Guru and performed in 12 cities throughout the mid-west and east coast.  This was a promotional tour for the release of the “Reggae SoulJahs Worldwide Vol. 1” compilation album. The compilation features three songs from each artist including Dubstep remixes by DJ Yahru El Guru. The album includes production by Ruff Company Records, Dread I Arts, Ceremony Studios, and Full Grown Productions. The album is available at itunes, Amazon MP3, and CD Baby. Physical copies are available at CD Baby. 

Sgt. Remo’s website www.sgtremo.com is now published and in full operation. The website is the home of Sgt. Remo Music and Jah Yutes Entertainment. It features detailed information about Sgt. Remo including a detailed biography, music and merchandise store, contacts, media, and Remo’s personal blog.

www.sgtremo.com

www.facebook.com/people/Sgt-Remo/1620048883

www.twitter.com/sergeantremo

www.reverbnation.com/sgtremo 

Hyperlink:

 “Brighter Smile Riddim EP”

12-29

News and Greetings from Pato Banton

12-22

RENO, NV: REBELUTION W/ PEP LOVE-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31

Exclusive Reggae eGuide Interview:

Rusty Zinn NOT a Newcomer to Reggae

Rusty Zinn with eGuide Editor Yvonne Varner

I caught up with Rusty Zinn last Sunday after a performance and asked for a quick interview.  He agreed and here's the result.......

REeG - Catchy title, hunh?  Thank you so much for the interview - only a few questions.  Nice to meet you!  Let's get to it.  So, there are articles floating around now saying that you are a newcomer to Reggae music, let's touch on that first.  How long have you been enjoying the Reggae music scene?

(with Scully Sims in Kingston) 

RZ -  Yeah, I guess that would depend on what somebody considers being a newcomer! He! He! I've been singing and performing Reggae music now for about ten years! It seems like the media wants to keep sensationalizing my journey into Reggae music. Maybe they think it's a good story, but to me I guess it's long yesterday's news and I'm only concerned with the future. I have two Reggae CD's at this point. The first one I recorded with  Fully Fullwood, Tony Chin and Santa Davis. We cut that back in 2006. My latest CD was mostly recorded in Kingston, Jamaica back in 2009 with Reggae luminaries such as Sly Dunbar, Mikey Chung, Boris Gardiner, Robbie Lyn, Scully Simms  and others. It's called "Manifestation" and it's on the 9 Above Records label. So, I guess I'm just trying to say that I've been very busy over the past few years manifesting my journey into Jamaican music. This is my passion!

RFeG -  Who would be your most infuencial Reggae artists?  Let's say top 3?

                                                                                    (with Sly Dunbar in Jamaica)

RZ - That's a very tough question to answer but I would say the great Joe Higgs who is considered The Godfather of Reggae would be at the top of the list. Of course most people know that he taught Bob & The Wailers many vocal techniques and tutored them, so to speak, but I love Joe's music because of what a fantastic singer he was and what an insightful and conscious songwriter he was as well. I think his music goes over alot of people's heads. He always seemed to avoid all the cliches and dogma of your average Reggae performer. He was one of a kind. There will never be 

another Joe Higgs. Boy, if I had to pick just two other singers, I would have to say the great Alton Ellis has had a huge impact on my style and really it was seeing him perform live  that was a sort of an epiphany for me which changed my musical direction forever. Another classic Rock Steady singer like Alton I love would be Ken Boothe who is still going strong. He has a such a wicked soulful singing style. It's like a cross between Otis Redding and Nat King Cole. So, I guess you can tell I love really classic Jamaican singers coming from the foundation and roots of the music that we know as Reggae today!

RFeG -  What is the major difference between Reggae performances versus other genres that you have experienced?

RZ - Another tough question to answer. I find that music is either good or bad. Those are really like the two genres ya know! He! He! I guess I find that younger people seem to embrace Reggae music more than Blues and if the vibes are right at certain Reggae shows, there may at times be a higher level of consciousness. The main thing in Reggae for me, is that there can often times be a similarity to singing Blues which may be the subject of sufferation, but in Reggae there always seems to be light at the end of the tunnel where in Blues there often is not that light in the end of the story! He! He! But I would say Love songs are my favorite! As Ken Boothe says, "love songs stand predominate"! What's not conscious about singing a love song for a woman? It's all part of creation! Bless!

Thank you so much!  We at Reggae Festival eGuide appreciate the time and effort you put into your music!

Love, Peace, Happyness & Music,

Yvonne Varner

Rusty Zinn Rusty Reggae.com

12-22

I-taweh Launch at Wickie Wackie in Jamaica 12-14

Tap Nat Muzik recording artist I-taweh performed to a jubilant crowd at the launch of his debut release, Overload on Wednesday, December 14th at Wickie Wackie in Jamaica.  The event attracted artists and media persons from throughout the island to pay tribute to this well-respected musician turned front man.  I-taweh is based in California but has a strong base in Jamaica.  Since the explosion of the song Overload on radio and the video on television, he has been in Jamaica to witness the reaction of listeners first-hand. It has been gratifying and energizing for the artist to have people from all corners respond to the message of the lyrics that address the serious legacy of slavery in the context of modern roots music with a Rasta message.  Attention has been placed on the song's message with radio personnel receiving requests for the song from university scholars for analysis in the classroom setting.   

His band the Reggae Lions formed quite recently for the launch event and I-taweh reacted by noting,  "I feel really good about my band, the oldest one is only 27, it was incredible to hear them play, they are so young".  He also enlisted veterans Nambo Robinson on trombone along with Everton Gayle on saxophone as well as Time aka Count Ossie Jr. on percussion.  I-taweh was truly grateful for all of the effort put in to reach this point of the album launch, and remarked "I couldn't imagine that this day would come." The ensemble wowed the audience moving through the rich selection of tracks  the singer/songwriter composed and recorded over a seven year period in Jamaica, France and the United States. 

Artistes were invited to the stage towards the end of the evening including Sister Carol, and Prezident Brown both of whom have toured with I-taweh in the past.  The ambiance at the venue was magical with candlelight and lanterns adorning the natural setting as a bonfire kindled at the shoreline. 

I-taweh's roots are in the parish of St. Ann, and the Prickly Pole community where his talents bloomed from the solid roots foundation of live performance.  Also known as Danny Gits, his experience as a bass player and musical director for the likes of the late Sugar Minott, as well as numerous tours with Sister Carol and  Everton Blender are all part of a long history that includes work as the youngest member of the Nyabhingi group,  Mystic Revelation of Rastafari.

In the U.S., the Overload album has been very well-received at traditional reggae radio and was selected to be part of the Direct TV cable network's menu of reggae material. The release has also been added to Pandora, the online radio outlet, and has been featured in several on-line publications worldwide.  In Jamaica, the release has received significant support at radio and the album is currently in the #3 position on the Hot102 FM chart.

www.i-taweh.com

12-22

Book Review: Empress Menen Asfaw 

The Mother of the Ethiopian Nation

Revealing, well written and rich with historic photographs, this just published biography marks the 120th anniversary of Empress Menen’s birth and the 100th anniversary of her marriage to Haile Sellassie I, the last reining Emperor of Ethiopia. Empress Menen Asfaw was a remarkable leader and visionary who was solely responsible for building the first high school for young women in Ethiopia, as well as vocational schools, churches and childcare centers for the health and well being of the Ethiopian people. An illuminated example of generosity and motherhood, Empress Menen was a steady source of strength for her husband throughout their fifty years of marriage.

The date of Empress Menen’s birth has been somewhat controversial.  She was born to nobility in the remote highland enclave of Ambessel, in the area known as Egua, Ethiopia. All dates in the book are expressed in both the Ethiopian Calendar (EC), and the more common Gregorian Calendar (GC), which is more than seven years ahead of that. Her birth date was recorded as March 25, 1883 (EC), and this date converts to April 3, 1891 (GC). Empress Menen’s life story unfolds as one of compassion and great faith.

This notable book came about when the editor of the original manuscript, Anjahli Parnell, traveled to Ethiopia in 2009 with the intention of learning more about Empress Menen. While there, to her astonishment she was handed a rare copy of a biography of Empress Menen Asfaw, which was written shortly after her passing in 1962.

With permission from the Ethiopian Crown Council, the original volume was translated from the ancient Ge’ez language. Now, enhanced with additional events, life stories and accounts of the important contributions of this feminine pillar of Ethiopian history, is her new biography, Empress Menen Asfaw, The Mother of the Ethiopian Nation.

240 pages  *  62 historic photographs  *  $19.99 + shipping  Paperback or ebook

 Available at:    www.atlasbooks.com       or: 1-800-BookLog

Endorsement by HIH Ermias Sahle Selassie, Menen’s Grandson and President of the Ethiopian Crown Council -

“The rich, complex and challenging life of Empress Menen has remained obscure for decades. With the first time translation and publication of this new volume, I trust readers will once again become reacquainted with the life of the Empress and her great contribution to her faith, her country and her family.” 

12-22

Reggae Festival Guide - Early-Bird Discount for Print Magazine Advertisers

REGGAE FESTIVAL GUIDE Magazine

EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT OFFER –

15% off current Rate Card

This coming May 2012, the Reggae Festival Guide magazine will be publishing its 18th annual Issue!

This is once-a-year opportunity for you to market your band, festival, product or service on a national level with just one ad.

The Guide is the largest and oldest reggae magazine in the world. The greater majority of our advertisers run their ad with us year after year because of the great response they get from our readers.

100,000 copies are distributed for Free across the United States

and thousands more read it online in Digital Format from a link on our homepage.

Street date for annual print magazine: May 21

Pay before December 31 and enjoy a 15% discount

Actual artwork isn’t due until May.

NOTE: AD PRICES WILL INCREASE ON JANUARY 1– SO ORDER AND PAY FOR YOUR AD BEFORE the EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE.

The Discount is off CURRENT Rate Card – a double savings for you!

DIGITAL ADVERTISING ALSO AVAILABLE

And ask about adding an online presence with a banner ad on our top-ranking website (www.ReggaeFestivalGuide.com);

on our weekly electronic newsletter (Reggae e-Guide); and on our iPhone app.

We can create a package discount for you when you order two or more types of advertising.

Don’t reinvent the wheel – you do what you do best and we do what we do best  which is:  develop massive reggae-centric databases for you to market to with one of our 6 media products:

Print Magazine

Digital Magazine

Website

eGuide newsletter

iPhone app

Facebook

We can put your face, your brand, your music, your  links etc out there to the reggae massive!

Just drop us an email or call and we will send you a Media Kit.

Bless,

Kaati  - Publisher

Reggae Business Association

775-337-8344

fax: 775/337-6499

advertising@reggaefestivalguide.com

Www.reggaefestivalguide.com

Seasons Greetings from the Staff of RBA Publishing!!

XMAS N NEW YEAR JINGLE BY DELLY RANX

12-22