| February 11, 2008 |
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Vol 5, Issue 5
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AFRICA UNITE RELEASED ON DVD!
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DVD AVAILABLE 2/12/08
The documentary "Africa Unite" had its official world premiere in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this past September. Award-winning filmmaker Stephanie Black and Executive Producer Rita Marley returned to Addis, where in 2005, 300,000 people from across the globe helped the Marley family celebrate Bob Marley's 60th birthday with a massive, outdoor concert. The September 15, 2008 screening--the Ethiopian calendar is based on an ancient Egyptian system and Ethiopian dates fall seven to eight years behind western dates--was hosted by President Negasso Gidada at the National Palace and coincided with Ethiopia's celebration of the millennium.
The 2005 concert was the realization of an ambitious vision of unity building that Bob preached about when he himself performed his historic 1980 Zimbabwe concert. The Africa Unite foundation, founded by the Marley family to promote pan-Africanism, organized the week-long celebration and sponsored the attendance of students from African countries like Ghana and Kenya as well as Rastas from the countryside of Jamaica for a conference and continuing dialogue.
While the film is anchored by the marathon Marley benefit concert in historic Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, there are parallel narratives that help to create a fuller picture of Bob Marley's personal dream of a Pan-African movement on the continent and throughout the Diaspora.
Ras "Bongo" Tawney, featured in Black's award winning documentary "Life and Debt," begins his sojourn in the humble hills of Jamaica, complete with a Nyabingi send off. "I will tell the whole Rasta community [of my trip]," he promises as his neighbors line the countryside dirt road to see his cab off. His journey is a spiritual one and brings him to tears often.
"It meant so much to me that Ras Tawney was able to make the trip," says Stephanie Black. "It was really more of a sojourn. It meant everything to him, as you can see in the film. If there had been money to send his wife and family, I'm absolutely certain his trip would have been one way."
Tawney's recollections of the early and severe discrimination that Rastas faced on the island make clear how far the Rastafarian movement has really traveled. He remembers when merely wearing dreadlocks was considered not fashion, but a crime. Ironically, even when a group of Rastas who'd traveled from Shashamane, a village in the interior of Ethiopia that HIM Selassie gifted to a community of Rasta repatriates, to the airport in Addis to greet Mother Cedella Booker for the February 2005 celebration, they were turned away by airport security. "I didn't include it in the film," says Black. "But it was a reminder of the struggle Rastas have in terms of discrimination. That's why the screening at the Palace [in September of '08] was so important. Rita invited the entire Shashamane community and the respect and love the President showed them was such an honor, so healing. After the film, President Gidada told us Africa Unite would be screened at schools throughout the country, that'd it would be used as an educational tool to teach children about Bob and the Rastafarian movement."
In addition to the concert, Africa Unite hosted a week of symposiums on the history of the Pan African movement and workshops for the dozens of young grassroots organizers and students from all over the continent. As teenagers from Ghana seek out fellow students from South Africa and Rwanda and exchange personal narratives about their homes and lives and their visions of the future, it becomes clear how meaningful their interaction is. "Because of the history of colonization, and the carving up of different countries, it's been impractical for Africans to travel within Africa. West Africans literally had to fly to Paris or London to get to the South Africa or Kenya," explains Black. "What was so beautiful is the way they'd initially introduce themselves through the arts---through music and dance. It was their calling card, their name tags literally became their national dance and song. These kids were young and earnest but they understood themselves to be future leaders."
Footage from these workshops and symposiums go further still in demonstrating the amount of education and organizing necessary to rebuild a present day movement that reclaims the mid 20th century goals of leaders like Jomo Kenyatta and Haile Selassie. Black includes archival footage of Selassie's historical, controversial speech delivered to the League of Nations the summer of 1936 when Italy was beginning its illegal invasion of Ethiopia. The only country unconquered by colonialists, Africa Unite offers a concise history lesson on Ethiopia and its revered place as a thoroughly independent nation. During the weeklong Africa Unite festival Bob Marley's son Ziggy visits the Organization of African Unity, established in 1963 in Addis Ababa when Emperor Selassie I convened 32 African independent states. Though disbanded in 2002 by South African President Mbeki and replaced by the African Union, Ziggy tells crew members he still "feels the history" of the landmark.
Black acknowledges the challenge of presenting a truncated history of the vast diasporic Pan African movement that inspired Bob Marley's "Africa Unite." Instead of a biopic about Marley, she chose instead to explore the ideas that inspired him. "There's not an artist in the world who is both the commercial success and the inspiration that Bob is. We approached this film not as a way to gaze upon Bob, but to direct the viewer's gaze on the things that were important to Bob: His Majesty, Ethiopia, a united Diasporic movement."
The Africa Unite Foundation held its 4th Annual Conference in Kingston on Bob Marley's birthday February 6, 2008. The film "Africa Unite" will make its premiere in Jamaica during the conference, and the DVD of the film will be available for wide release in early February.
There have been several screenings to premiere the film in the past week around North America including the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.
For more information on Africa Unite visit www.palmpictures.com
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CONGRATULATIONS, STEPHEN MARLEY, GRAMMY WIN
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The 50th Anniversay of the staging of the Grammy Awards was held last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. As is the general practice, the reggae Grammy was announced in the pre-telecast award ceremony.
Stephen Marley's album MIND CONTROL released on Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths/Universal Republic was the winner in the Reggae category. Congratulations Stephen Marley and all of the nominees for your work and contributions in reggae music.
The Grammy nominees in the reggae category included:
Burning Spear: The Burning Spear Experience (Burning Music)
Toots & The Maytals: Light Your Light (Fantasy)
Sly & Robbie: Anniversary (Taxi Records)
Lee Perry: The End of An American Dream (Megawave)
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Organic or not? Check the label
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Second part of a four-part series on Organics From Chef Mayra, your personal Organic CARIB Chef
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed. Any farmer or food manufacturer who labels and sells a product as organic must be USDA certified as meeting these standards. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification.
Products certified 95 percent or more organic display this USDA sticker. If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it's produced and processed according to the USDA standards and that at least 95 percent of the food's ingredients are organically produced. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it.
Products that are completely organic such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry a small USDA seal. Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal or the following wording on their package labels, depending on the number of organic ingredients:
100 percent organic. Products that are completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.
Organic. Products that are at least 95 percent organic.
Made with organic ingredients. These are products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The organic seal can't be used on these packages.
Foods containing less than 70 percent organic ingredients can't use the organic seal or the word "organic" on their product label. They can include the organic items in their ingredient list, however.
You may see other terms on food labels, such as all-natural, free-range or hormone-free. These descriptions may be important to you, but don't confuse them with the term organic. Only those foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.
http://www.mychefmayra.com/
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Dennis Brown 24-hour Internet Radio Coming On Stream
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The preservation of the legacy of the Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Emmanuel Brown, is on the threshold of a new dimension.
If everything goes according to plan, within a few months, the reggae icon whose 51st birthday was celebrated on February 1, will be further immortalised with the establishment of a 24-hour Internet radio station exclusively for his music.
Producers said that for the past three years, they have been putting together an audio-biography on the life of Dennis Brown with words from Dennis himself, talking about his life when he initially started as a singer all the way up into his 40s with interviews with the people he mentioned, like Byron Lee, Edward Seaga, Coxsone Dodd, Derrick Harriot, Alton Ellis, and producer Joe Gibbs.
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JAMAICA FAREWELL REACHES OFF-BROADWAY IN NEW YORK
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Note: This notice comes right from Debra Ehrhardt, the lead of this highly-acclaimed one-woman show
Dear friends & fellow Jamaicans,
I'm excited to share with you the wonderful news that Jamaica Farewell will be premiering off-Broadway March 2nd with previews starting Feb 22nd. I know you'll want to book your tickets now because they're half price for previews only and they are going fast.
Without you, this dream could never have been realized. Once again I ask for your support in getting the word out and forwarding the flier to everyone you know because this is a show that will inspire you, motivate you and encourage you to hold onto your hopes and dreams and never give up.
I look forward to seeing you there for the new production of 'Jamaica Farewell.'
Nuff love and respeck!
Debra
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CHERINE'S NEW SONG, & GOOD LOVE FOR GRAMMY'S
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What a way to start 2008.
Cherine Anderson has had the honor and pleasure of collaborating with many extremely talented artists at this early stage in her career: Wyclef Jean, Chuck Fenda, Paul McCartney, Bootsy Collins and Ky-mani Marley; to name a few. Next name to be added to this distinguished list: Britney Spears?
Correct.
The Dancehall-Soul songstress has started off her year collaborating with Sly & Robbie and pop princess Britney Spears on the remix to Spears' latest single entitled "Piece of Me", newly released on iTunes (as one of six remixes). The tune, featuring a fresh, feisty voiced Cherine Anderson, is 'pure-fyah', and definitely a club banger. For those familiar with Anderson's prior work, her showing on the "Piece of Me" remix exhibits her vast versatility as an artist - from soulful crooning in her latest single "You & Me Against the World", to switching seamlessly to an aggressive DJ style in "Piece of Me". All the while, Cherine holds her own alongside the Grammy Award winning crew. Cherine Anderson and Britney Spears; an unlikely collaboration - true. But when the result sounds this impressive, why question the likelihood?
Spears' "Piece of Me" is currently:
#10 - Billboard's "Hot Digital Songs" Chart
#18 - Pop 100 Chart
#21 - Hot 100 Chart
Check out the Piece of Me remix
*****COMING IN FEBRUARY available for FREE DOWNLOAD*****
Cherine's Mixtape Street Anthems
Hosted by: Rory of Stone Love
Featuring: Wyclef Jean, Britney Spears, David Rodigan
among others.
As well as exclusive first listens from Cherine's
forthcoming debut album.
In 2007, Cherine Anderson went to work. The release of several chart topping songs and videos, directing the video for her powerfully relevant "Kingston State of Mind", commanding the stage while headlining the summer's Sly & Robbie tour, and co-starring in MTV Tempo's interactive TV drama Choices. Now all Cherine's efforts in 2007 are definitely being recognized.
GRAMMY!
Cherine's song "Good Love" (her first official single, written and vocally arranged by her), is one of the songs which make up Sly & Robbie and The Taxi Gang's Anniversary album, which has been honored with a 2008 Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. Cherine is thrilled to have contributed to this album, feels blessed to have association with a Grammy nomination at this early stage in her career and wishes Sly & Robbie the best at this Sunday's Grammy Awards.
REGGAE ACADEMY AWARDS!
Cherine will be attending the First Annual Reggae Academy Awards, February 24, 2008. She will be in attendance as a presenter and will be performing at the event. Cherine is proud of the two nominations she has received from the industry: Best Solo Female Vocalist and Best Collaboration/Duo for "Coming Over Tonight" with Chuck Fender.
RADIO AWARDS!
Anderson has also been nominated for two Excellence in Music Awards from Hot 102 FM: Female Vocalist of the Year and Best Collaboration of the Year (Reggae) for "Coming Over Tonight" with Chuck Fender. Last year she was pleased to win the Best Female Vocalist Award. Irie FM has also graced Cherine with two nominations: Female Singer of the Year and Best Dressed Artist (Female).
2008 is looking to be another jam-packed year for the busy songstress...and she'd have it no other way.
SEE CHERINE!
2/15-2/16 - Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA
2/17 - San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego CA
2/24 - Reggae Academy Awards, Kingston
VISIT myspace.com/cherineanderson to check out the new song!
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The Annual Ragga Muffins Festival - 4 Big Shows!
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Buy your tickets today! Go to www.raggamuffinsfestival.com
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Important Disclaimer
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Please note RBA Publishing Inc. is not able to accept responsibility for any losses or damages to any person acting on information contained on these pages, or warrant that information contained within articles, etc. are bona fide. Please check any details carefully before parting with any money.
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Richie B's Weekly Hot Mix Top 20
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This is for the week of 2/2/08 from Richie B, Hot 102 FM Jamaica
Top 20 Reggae Singles
TW LW WOC Play Song - Artist - Label
1 3 17 St. Jago De La Vega (1 wk @ #1) - Lutan Fyah - Mac D Records
2 2 17 Mi Nah Rub - Queen Ifrica - Downsound Records
3 1 14 Daddy Don't Touch Me There (2 wks @ #1) - Queen Ifrica - No Doubt Records
4 4 22 Praise God - Little Hero - Inspire Records
5 7 9 Sometimes - Courtney "Yogi" John - Fi Wi Music
6 5 15 Bonafide Girl (2 wks @ #1) - Shaggy feat. Rik Rok & Tony Gold - Big Yard
7 8 10 Old Rugged Cross - George Nooks - Tad's International
8 6 10 Missing You - Junior Kelly & Barbee - B & P Production
9 10 9 From August Town - Duane Stephenson - Cannon/VP Records
10 11 8 Warrior Love - Etana - Freemind
11 9 13 Fling It Up Pon Mi - Da'Ville - Big Yard
12 13 5 Stronger Pt. 2 - Fantan Mojah - Maximum Sound
13 16 3 Just Like The Rain - Courtney Melody - Smith Mansion/Reggae Vibes
14 12 20 Fallen Soldiers (2 wks @ #1) - Demarco - Star Kutt
15 14 5 Yesterday - Da'Ville - Fashowzy
16 17 5 Book Of Life - I-Wayne - Loyal Soldiers
17 15 18 We Nuh Trust Dem - Prestige - Timeless Records
18 20 2 Lion Paw - Tarrus Riley - Cannon
19 19 25 I'm Waiting - Ce'Cile - Danger Zone
20 18 23 Poverty (2 wks @ #1) - Cocoa Tea - Minor7 Flat5
Top 20 Dancehall Singles
TW LW WOC Song - Artist - Label
1 1 9 Click Mi Finger (2 wks @ #1) - Erup - Truck Back
2 3 7 Pon Di Edge - Busy Signal - Star Kutt
3 2 16 Pick It Up & Drop It (2 wks @ #1) - Sean Paul - Birchill Records
4 6 6 Doh - Serani feat. Bugle - Daseca
5 5 20 Nah Go A Jail Again (4 wks @ #1) - Busy Signal - Jam 2
6 4 19 Don't Follow - Buju Banton - Heart Of Love
7 9 7 Don't Run In - Harry Toddler - Truck Back
8 11 5 Shoot Out - Mykal Rose - John John
9 7 11 Dandy Shandy - Macka Diamond - Birchill
10 8 13 Empire Army - Vybz Kartel - Big Ship
11 14 5 Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten - Demarco - John John
12 15 4 Nuff Love/Buddy Buddy - Charly Black - M-Bass Production
13 10 16 Dance (2 wks @ #1) - RDX feat. Jigsy - Apt 19 Productions
14 12 8 Dreaming Of You - Beenie Man & Alaine - Sleepy Splu
15 19 2 Bembe - Voicemail - Big Ship
16 13 20 Dem A Sissy - Assassin - Don Corleon
17 16 7 Mama Cry - Beenie Man - 357 Records
18 17 10 When My Gun Rise - Munga - Heart of Love
19 18 26 Give It Up (3 wks @ #1) - Beenie Man feat. Barbee - 357 Records
20 20 12 Squeeze Her Breast - Mavado - H20 Records
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REGGAE FESTIVAL GUIDE WANTS YOUR "REGGAELLECTION"
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Reggae Memories Wanted!
Are you someone that loves to share your love of reggae or the experiences that came with it? Please write a 200 word or less description of your favorite memory and send it in for consideration to justine at reggaefestivalguide dot com.
Please include your name, city where you live, and a high resolution (300 dpi) photo of you or your memory to be considered for inclusion in the 2008 print edition of the Reggae Festival Guide magazine. Please send by February 29, 2008.
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Reggae Festival Guide 2008 Magazine Now Accepting Advertising Reservations
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Reach 100,000 reggae fans this spring with an ad in the 2008 Reggae Festival Guide magazine. Affordable and effective!
For rates, deadlines and dimensions, simply email advertising@reggaefestivalguide.com or call 775-337-8344.
The Reggae Guide Sez.....Ride the RFG Express To Success!
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UPCOMING RENEGADE CONCERTS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHERN OREGON
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Monday, Feb 18 - ANTHONY B
Harlows, Sacramento, CA
Wednesday, February 20 - ANTHONY B
Miners Foundry, Nevada City, CA
Thurs, Feb 21 - GREGORY ISAACS
Opening act Rootz Underground
Harlows Sacramento, CA
Sat, February 23 - PREZIDENT BROWN
Sawtooth Ridge Cafe, Tahoe City, CA
Wednesday, February 27
MIDNITE AND PREZIDENT BROWN
Mateel Comm. Ctr, Redway, CA
Friday, February 29
MIDNITE AND PREZIDENT BROWN
Historic Ashland Armory, Ashland, OR
For more info or to order tickets visit www.renegadeshows.com or call 530-583-2801.
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LUCIANO CELEBRATES RELEASE OF JAH IS MY NAVIGATOR
Luciano is embarking on a series of release parties in celebration of the new release JAH IS MY NAVIGATOR. COME MEET, GREET & BLESS UP JAH MESSENJAH!
Feb 13 2008 9:00P WORLD BEAT CULTURAL CENTER, 2100 PARK BLVD - Luciano Album Release Party SAN DIEGO
Feb 14 2008 4:00P IN STORE - JAH LAMBS & LIONS - 1030 S. FAIRFAX AVE- Luciano In-Store Signing !! LOS ANGELES, California
Feb 14 2008 9:00P THE DRAGON FLY, SANTA MONICA BLVD - Luciano Album Release Party HOLLYWOOD, California
Feb 15 2008 9:00P THE CATALYST, 1011 PACIFIC AVE - Luciano Album Release Party SANTA CRUZ, California
Feb 16 2008 6:00P IN STORE @ RASPUTINS MUSIC, 2401 TELEGRAPH AVE - LUCIANO IN-STORE PERFORMANCE & SIGNING ! 6 -7PM !! BERKELEY, California
Feb 16 2008 9:00P KARIBBEAN CITY, 1408 WEBSTER STREET - Luciano Album Release Party 9PM - 2AM OAKLAND, California
Feb 17 2008 9:00PM MATEEL COMMUNITY CENTER, 59 RUSK LANE - Luciano Album Release Party REDWAY, California
Feb 22 2008 8:00P ST LUCIA W.I
Mar 1 2008 8:00P GUARCARA PARK, POINTE A PIERRE
Mar 8 2008 8:00P PRIORY, ST ANN - JAMAICA
Mar 22 2008 8:00P FANTAN MOJAH’S BIRTHDAY BASH !!
U.S. Spring Tour with Jah Messenjah Band:
March 27, 2008 San Juan Capistrano CA The Coach House
March 28, 2008 Los Angeles, CA Crash Mansion
March 29, 2008 San Diego, CA World Beat Center
March 30, 2008 San Luis Obispo, CA The Graduate
April 1, 2008 Portland, Oregon The Crystal Ballroom
April 2, 2008 Seattle, Washington Neumos
April 3, 2008 Eugene, Oregon TBA
April 4, 2008 Santa Cruz, CA Vet Hall
April 5, 2008 Sacramento, CA Harlow’s
April 6, 2008 Arcata, CA Arcata Community Center
April 7, 2008 San Francisco, CA The Independent
April 8, 2008 Boulder, Colorado Fox Theater
April 9, 2008 Aspen, Colorado Belly UP
April 11, 2008 Santa Fe, New Mexico Sante Fe Brewing Company
April 12, 2008 Denver, Colorado Cervantes
April 13, 2008 Salt Lake City, Utah Palladium
April 16, 2008 Kansas City, M G's Jamaican Quisine
April 17, 2008 TBA
April 18, 2008 Austin, Texas Flamingo Cantina
April 19, 2008 Austin, Texas Austin Reggae Festival
April 20, 2008 Dallas, Texas Palm Beach Reggae Club
April 22, 2008 TBA TBA
April 23, 2008 St Louis, Mo Club Viva
April 24, 2008 Ann Arbor, Michigan Blind Pig
April 25, 2008 Columbus, Ohio Alrosa Villa
April 26, 2008 Cincinnati, Ohio Annies
April 27, 2008 Chicago, Illinois The Wild Hare
April 29, 2008 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
April 30, 2008 Manhattan, New York SOBS
May 1, 2008 New Haven, CT Toads Place
May 2, 2008 Boston TBA
May 3, 2008 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance Theater
May 4, 2008 Norfolk, VA
International Reggae Icon, Luciano is returning to the US for a series of concerts in the West, Midwest, and Northwest Northwest region of the US beginning March 27, 2008 and concluding May 4, 2008.
Joining Luciano are: Mikey General and Jahmessenjah Band.
Fans can expect new material from his latest album "Jah Is My Navigator," as well as classic Luciano songs.
Luciano is undeniably an ambassador for Jah, who’s always committed to the survival of Roots Reggae. His music is timeless and edifying. His mission is to uplift humanity with inspirational messages that demand global appeal. And since the release his landmark CD in 1995, Where There Is Life, succeeded by more than 40 full-length albums that have garnered tremendous acclaim, Jah Is My Navigator, the Rastaman’s latest release on VP, is arguably the quintessential Culture album for 2008.
Seasoned with the sing-jay’s everlasting melody of spiritual salvation, repatriation, global harmony and most importantly, saving the battered souls of consciousless youth, Jah Is My Navigator embraces Luciano’s powerful baritone over traditional One Drop riddims, accompanied by prophetic lyrics that are both peaceful and nourishing. "The true navigator is the almighty," says Luciano, who penned the albums compelling heading from the title track written by Taurus Riley. "…People depending on all different types of navigation, even vehicles now a days come with navigation system…Jah Is My Navigator is an essential title that is needed right now." Spoken like an obedient courier who truly exemplifies hope for the bleak state of authentic Roots music.
Justifiably known to many as The Messenger, Luciano, born Jepther Washington McClymont in Mandeville Jamaica, modestly admits that the key to his continued success is making positive music to inspire other people. "I’ve been true to the cause and true to my purpose, using my talent to glorify the almighty…making music is one of my greatest joys…as a true Roots singer…I feel satisfaction and honestly have to stay on this righteous pathway," says the international reggae phenomenon who recently joined John Legend for a benefit concert in Ghana, to raise money to fight, guinea worm, a waterborne disease.
Redemptive glory songs are the foundation of Luciano’s life. He was raised singing in the choir at an Adventist church and as Luciano grew older, he began rocking the mic at local dances and youth clubs. In the late 80’s, Luciano fled to Kingston with hopes of transforming his musical talent into a flourishing career; with faith and determination, he crossed paths with Freddie McGregor who initially helped propel his craft to the next level. However, due to Freddie’s demanding touring schedule, he was unable to devote sufficient time into developing Luciano’s singer/songwriting skills. But Luciano was sent Phillip "Fatis" Burell of Xterminator Records, who managed the gifted singers career until 1999, bringing his musical talent to the forefront on tunes like, Poor and Simple, Chant Out, Its Me Again Jah and Lord Give Me Strength.
Produced by the legendary Dean Fraser who was one of the mighty forces behind brilliant Luciano releases such as 1997’s "Messenger" and 1999’s "Sweep Over My Soul," Jah Is My Navigator is destined to appeal to both dedicated and casual reggae fans. Flooded with soothing glory songs and a special guest appearance by Andrew Tosh (son of late, great, Peter Tosh) on Luci’s sweet rendition of the reggae icon’s 1960’s boom tune, I’m The Tuffest, you are reminded that this effort ascends to exceptional musical heights.
Luciano’s opening wail on Sweet Jamaica, a heartfelt plea to save the suffering island from destruction, is so passionate as he cries, gimme back me sweet Jamaica/ too much gun de bout ya/ too much shot a fire/ lawd a too much murder. "It’s sad to know that a country that produce so many great prophets, messengers and proper role models is going down in such darkness," confesses the proud father.
The prophet preaches the truth while setting out on a mission to run bad mind people and corrupt government officials out of power on Wise Up Youth; embraces an unconventional, very spiritual/musical approach to crooning about marijuana on beautiful ganja anthem, Hard Herbs; and tries to persuade a love interest on sensual ladies ballad, Wish You Were Mine.
In these troubled times, when authentic culture music is struggling to resonate over infectious x-rated lyrics, Luciano remains true to the fundamental principles of Reggae music. "We have such a rich heritage. If we look back, we see Reggae was based on roots and messages. People like Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and Third World shed sweat and tears to set the foundation we are currently basking on. God has given each one of us something that we can add to life…there is enough inspiration for the people, we just need everyone’s effort." Humbly reaffirming that Jah is Lucianos’s only constant source of eternal navigation.
Get the most updated tour information possible by visiting http://www.myspace.com/lucianomessenjah, http://lucianoreggae.com, http://www.vprecords.com/ and http://pollstar.com/
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Benazir Bhutto: In Jah
It just may be that in the future, the name Benazir Bhutto may be as synonymous with World War Three as Archduke Franz Ferdinand was to World War One. Her assassination at the end of 2007 was a tragedy. It will be interesting to see what this new year will bring to a world already full of challenges. As I look forward into 2008, I remain optimistic. I remain hopeful that peace is possible in Pakistan and in the Middle East. In the Reggae community we celebrate diversity and put our faith in righteousness to prevail in the end. We claim One World, One Love. Therefore, if one part of us is without food, shelter, education , and/or freedom...we all suffer. The worlds needs more leaders like Mrs. Bhutto. "Even among people living in India she was respected. That is saying a lot!", says Ms. Sanam Bains, a citizen of India studying medicine in California. Remember, these two countries (India and Pakistan) were at war because of religious and political reasons after Great Britain granted independence after WW2. This speaks volumes to her character. Mrs Benazir Bhutto, we are thankful for your boldness and steadfastness in the pursuit of peace and freedom. We pray for your family, friends and country as we are are all better for having known you. Pakistan and India are beautiful countries with many intelligent, peaceful people raising families, and they desperately need our prayers and attention. An unstable country with nuclear weapons is bad for everyone. In the coming year please join us in praying for this situation...In the name of Jah.
One Love, James Curt Byrum
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The weekly E-Guide is a wonderful resource for those who live, love and enjoy reggae and its vibrant culture. It encompasses the music, energy and spirituality that define this unique and diverse community worldwide. You can expect CD releases and industry news, band tours, inspirational pieces, reggae trivia and of course, upcoming reggae festivals.
The Reggae Festival Guide Magazine is an annual publication which comes out in May. RBA Publishing (also home of sister publication Blues Festival Guide) prints 100,000 copies of the magazine which spotlights festivals throughout the year, feature stories on festivals around the world, radio DJ listings and stories with messages of upliftment.
For years, the Reggae Festival Guide Magazine received numerous requests for updates on festivals via email, and on May 2, 2004, the webmaster of ReggaeFestivalGuide.com, Kristine Cummins partnered with the magazine (RBA Publishing), and published the first emailed issue of the E-Guide E-Newsletter.
The readership is now over 10,000 reggae fans and counting. Each week, The Reggae Festival E-Guide reaches members of the Reggae community around the world.
The E-Guide is currently edited by Reggae Festival Guide's Marketing Director, Justine Ketola. Click here to email Justine.
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