Taj Weekes & Adowa Launch American Tour with New Single Release of "Peace and Love"

07-05

Matisyahu Premieres NEW Music Video “Sunshine” off his latest album Spark Seeker on Vevo.com

Spark Seeker Set For Release on July 17

(photo credit: Mark Squires)

“If the rest of upcoming album Spark Seeker hits this[Sunshine] groove, Matisyahu will have another crowd-pleaser on his hands.”- Billboard

“[Sunshine] is appropriately bright and optimistic, as Matisyahu showcases both his vocal and composition abilities, especially in the track’s instantly catchy chorus.” -YRB.com

“[Spark Seeker] is a collaboration that delivers through angles, improvisation and Judaic philosophy. By these rituals and spiritual deliveries, Matisyahu has created an album for the ears and for the hearts.”- Paste Magazine.com

Los Angeles, CA—June 21, 2012—Matisyahu has premiered the music video of his new single, “Sunshine” from his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, out on July 17^th, on Vevo.com today- watch HERE.  For this video, Matisyahu returned to the beautiful deserts of Israel where he recorded the album. Directed by Gil Green (John Legend, Usher, Timbaland), the cinematography is breathtaking and inspiring, making you feel as if you are a part of the Israeli landscape and culture.  The video illustrates one of the key messages of the album which is seeking the spark; finding the self which you left behind and reconnecting with your inner child.  The vivid footage seamlessly captures the essence of “Sunshine’s” uplifting lyrics and sweeping melody, proving it to be the perfect summer song and video.  For an inside perspective on the making of the video, click HERE or visit Matisyahu's Facebook and Twitter sites to watch this official sneak peak.

Since first emerging on the international stage in 2005, Matisyahu has established a reputation for transcending boundaries- from the stripped-down roots reggae of the gold-certified Live at Stubb’s to the trippy ministrations of the Grammy nominated Youth to the polished pop eclecticism of Light. Then, in 2010, he returned to the venerable Austin venue that introduced him for Live at Stubb’s, Vol. II, demonstrating that all of his travels had only strengthened his connection to his musical bedrock. Selling over 2 million albums worldwide, it was a whirlwind half-decade journey, one that earned Matisyahu a place in pop culture at large.

Now based with his family in Los Angeles, Matisyahu blasts off yet again with Spark Seeker, a bold new studio album that finds the one-of-a-kind vocalist and songwriter exploring uncharted territory with help from an expansive cast of collaborators from around the globe.  The album mixes ancient traditional sounds with futuristic electro beats, rapping with singing, and songs of the spirit with songs of the body.

Spark Seeker, produced by Kool Kojak (Nicki Minaj, Travis Barker, Ke$ha) is set for release on his own label, Fallen Sparks Records via Thirty Tigers/RED. He recorded the 13-track album in Los Angeles, New York and Israel. You can purchase, “Sunshine” on iTunes and Amazon.  The album has a depth to it as well as a lightness, which alludes to the most essential theme of the record--that everything in life, especially music, exists in mixtures and blends.  “Things are not as black and white as we would like to think.  Not everything can be oversimplified," says Matisyahu.  As one of America’s most successful touring artists, Matisyahu has also announced the first leg of an extensive Summer tour supporting the new release with co-headliners Dirty Heads.

Complete Tour Schedule (Click Here) 

07-05

Junior Kelly - Sunday, July 8, 2012 - Rose Garden - Brooklyn, NY

Easy Star All Stars Announce Their Next Tribute Album

Easy Star's Thrillah

Out August 28, 2012

FALL TOUR TO FOLLOW

Preorder the album, stream music and see video here:  http://easystarallstars.net/thrillah/

Following up on the hugely successful reggae tribute albums of Dub Side of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006) and Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009) comes the reggae adaptation of the greatest selling record of all time – Michael Jackson’s Thriller.  The album titled Easy Star’s Thrillah will be released August 28, 2012 (a day before the 53^rd anniversary of Jackson’s birth). 

Billie Jean Digital EP out June 10, 2012

Easy Star’s Thrillah brings back several of the reggae stars from previous albums, such as vocalists Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Steel Pulse, Luciano, Mojo Morgan (Morgan Heritage), alongside the diverse playing of guests Yossi Fine (David Bowie, Lou Reed, Stanley Jordan), Joe Tomino (Dub Trio/Matisyahu), Andy Farag (Umphrey’s McGee), and horn tracks courtesy of Israel’s highly-acclaimed funk/hip-hop band Hadag Nachash.  The album will be preceded by the July 10^th digital release of the Billie Jean EP, which includes two album tracks, along with non-album remixes and a dub version.

In selecting Thriller, Easy Star Records co-founder Lem Oppenheimer says, "We've always tackled the greats - The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Radiohead - but while we wanted to take on another huge album, we also wanted to blaze new trails. In Thriller we found those new trails in a number of firsts for the series: the first album by an American artist, the first non-concept album, the first R&B/soul record, as well as the first release from the 80s.”

“For me, I was most excited for Thriller,” says producer/arranger/guitarist Michael Goldwasser. “I was always more of an R&B/soul and reggae kid growing up and I have an intense personal connection to Michael Jackson’s music.”  As usual, the process initially involved Goldwasser spending a few months on arranging the songs. “Writing the arrangements for this album was a cool challenge.  I didn’t have to try to make non-dance music into dance music as on our previous albums because the original Thriller is so danceable already, but I needed to find ways to make each song groove in a different way from the original version.  I didn’t want any of the arrangements to be obvious in that regard.”In the end, Goldwasser’s arrangements are some of the most interesting in his career.

Now that the hard work in the studio is done, the band is looking forward to bringing this music on the road, adding some dance/pop songs to their already varied sets. The band’s live show, which was nominated for a UK Festy Award in 2009, already features tracks from the band’s previous three tribute albums, along with original material.  An extensive fall tour of the US and UK is already set up (US dates listed below), with more to come over the next year.  As the original Thriller album comes up on its 30-year anniversary in November, what better way to celebrate this timeless album than to catch the Easy Star All-Stars perform their reggae-infused versions of this pop masterpiece.

SAMPLE THE ALBUM! - http://easystarallstars.net/thrillah/#sample_album_section

PRE-ORDER NOW! - http://easystarallstars.net/thrillah/#pre_order_section

Easy Star All-Stars US Tour Dates:

Sep 7 Madison, WI High Noon          w/Cas Haley

Sep 8 Clarks Grove, MN Shangri-La Festival at Harmony Park

Sep 9 Des Moines, IA Wooly’s w/Passafire

Sep 10 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater w/Passafire

Sep 12 Fort Collins, CO Aggie Theater w/Passafire

Sep 13 Boulder, CO Fox Theater w/Passafire

Sep 14 Denver, CO Cervante’s Masterpiece Ballroom w/Passafire

Sep 15 Aspen, CO Belly Up w/Passafire

Sep 16 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge w/Passafire

Sep 18 Santa Barbara, CA SoHo w/Passafire

Sep 19 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern w/Passafire

Sep 20 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre w/Passafire

Sep 21 San Francisco, CA Slim’s w/Passafire

Sep 22 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst w/Passafire

Oct 4 New York, NY Irving Plaza            w/The Aggrolites, Passafire

Oct 6 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle w/The Aggrolites

Oct 7 Washington, DC Howard Theatre    w/The Aggrolites

Oct 9 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig   w/The Aggrolites

Oct 11 Chicago, IL Reggie’s   w/The Aggrolites

Oct 13 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace w/The Aggrolites

Oct 14 Syracuse, NY Westcott Theater    w/The Aggrolites

Oct 16 Boston, MA Paradise    w/The Aggrolites

Oct 17 Stowe, VT Rusty Nail   w/The Aggrolites

Oct 19 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theater    w/The Aggrolites

Oct 20 Philadelphia, PA The Blockley    w/The Aggrolites

# # #

For More Press Info: Please Contact Ryan Romana // ryan@pressjunkiepr.com // 415-385-1784

07-05

Reggae at the Lake - Cal-Neva Resort - Friday July 13th w/ the "Tosh Meets Marley”© Tour and Nkulee Dube, More!

Renegade Productions presents the annual Reggae at the Lake on Friday, July 13 featuring TOSH MEETS MARLEY Tour (featuring original members of Peter Tosh Band and Bob Marley's Wailers) and NKULEE DUBE (daughter of South African Reggae Legend, Lucky Dube), also EPH BEE CEE, Synrgy and DJ Treez. 

This all-ages roots-reggae dance party is at Cal-Neva Resort in the beautiful Frank Sinatra Showroom at 2 Stateline Road, Crystal Bay, Nevada 89402 (North Tahoe) with huge stage and dance floor; doors are at 8pm and music starts at 8:30pm. Tickets are $22 advance / $25 day of show (includes NV State Ent. tax). 

Advance tickets can be purchased at Cal-Neva Resort, New Moon Natural Foods (Tahoe City and Truckee), Recycled Records in Reno, or online at jambasetickets.com.

For more information contact Renegade Productions, 775-337-8344, info@renegadeshows.com or contact Cal-Neva Resort 775-832-4000.

07-12

United States West Coast

"Love Vibration Reggae Hit Makers Tour"

Multi Platinum Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Calton Coffie, and his band "HyaCercle," will begin this West Coast Tour in California to heat things UP! Performing the hits; "Bad Boys, Make You Sweat, and Reggae Dancer." Also touring is Joaquin "QUINO" McWhinney, of the group Big Mountain, Stevie Face, and Messenjah Selah.

Calton Coffie, best known as the co-writer and lead vocalist for the Grammy Award- winning, Cops theme song, "Bad Boys." The perennially popular song from the album of the same name can be heard nightly on the internationally syndicated television series "Cops," as well as in the movies "Minority Report," "Bad Boys," and "Beverly Hills Cop III." As the lead vocalist of the musical group Inner Circle, he recorded six albums, including "Bad Boys." His international chart topper, the hit record "Sweat, (a La,La,La,La, Long)," became the most-played record ever in Germany. Coffie’s solo album "Hot Cup of Calton Coffie," features 18 original songs written by Coffie and released on Coffie’s own label, Studio A Music Group. This tour promotes Coffie’s latest album release, "HOTTA CUP". Further information at: www.caltoncoffie.com or http://myspace.com/caltoncoffie.

Joaquin "QUINO" McWhinney, the lead vocalist from San Diego’s own Big Mountain had the whole world singing "Ooh Baby I Love Your Way". This artist arrived to the world stage as a product of a vibrant reggae scene that kept San Diego nightclubs packed throughout the 80’s and 90’s. They would go on to sell over 3.5 million records and tour in over 30 countries around the world. Quino was part of a reggae wave that captivated the world music scene and would become a part of the first generation of reggae artists that were readily included in play lists on mainstream radio. Further information at: www.bigmountain.tv

Messenjah Selah , was awarded Best New Male Vocalist, by the Atlanta Caribbean Awards, in 1999, and another for Best New Vocalist in 2001. A Transcendental, Conscious, Roots, Reggae, Singer/Songwriter/Producer. Having the opportunity to record with Jamaican "grassroots" producers and artists, resulted in the release of two "Hit" singles, "I Will Survive"  (w/Luciano), and "Joy" (w/Sizzla), appeared on his debut album entitled "Whosoever Will" (Stereo Records) in 2003. His second album "Breaking Babylon Curse" (Zion High/Lustre Kings, 2008), captures his main message, "Know yourself and by knowing yourself you will know the Creator." On this tour he will be promoting his soon to be released CD, "REMIND ME". Visit www.m-selah.com.

There are quite a few good singers on the rise in Jamaica who have shown that they have the pedigree to carry on the great singing tradition that the reggae genre has become famous for world-wide, One such artist is Stevie Face who has amassed a very exciting repertoire of hits, which includes a mixture of cover and original songs such as, "Coming Home Tonight, Tell It Like It Is, In the Living Years’ and his latest chart topper, "Thank You for Loving Me." The smooth-voiced singer’s music has impressed not only music lovers at home, but also abroad in England where he is currently ranked as one of the top reggae singers. This will be his first visit to California.

For Further information www.stevieface.com.

-AUGUST thru OCTOBER 2012

- For OPEN DATES in your area, information, press kits, digital images, music, interview…

CONTACT:

The Law Office of ROXANNE MOSLEY/ENTERTAINMENT 1700 Broadway Street, Suite 302 • Oakland, CA 94612

Email: RoxanneMosley.Entertainment.la@gmail.com

Office: 510.817.4909

07-12

Reggae Sun Ska Festival Heating Up French Beaches

Next to the ocean beaches, in the deep heart of the famous vineyard of Bordeaux, at Pauillac (France), The Reggae Sun Ska Festival is the biggest and oldest French reggae festival. The reggae sun ska festival is the Reggae Event of the summer touristic season, This year 15th Editon takes place on August, 3th, 4th and 5th, 2012. 

3 Days / 3 Stages / More than 45 Acts : A prestigious Line Up for the 15th Reggae Sun Ska Anniversary !!! 

08-02

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Festival season is upon us! We can help direct reggae fans to your website to learn about your festival, artists, cause and organization, and to buy tickets. 

Our site: www.reggaefestivalguide.com offers three ways to advertise: 

Featured Festival ads appear on the center of the homepage

Featured Festival banner graphic – 468 x 60 pixels - $150 per month 

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Jukebox – Send us MP3s of your artists and we will put them up on our website Jukebox at no charge during the months of June and July (with banner ad purchase).

During the months of June and July, there is no monthly minimum and the month can even be pro-rated. Also during these months banner production fee of $35 will be waived.

Also ask about our ad rates and info on our free, weekly electronic newsletter: The Reggae E-Guide delivering the latest reggae news to approximately 40,000 subscribers each week. Banner ad rates start at $25 per week. 

Act now, your festival is looming and we can help! 

One love,

Kaati and crew 

RBA Publishing Inc/Reggae Festival Guide Magazine

P.O. Box 50635, Reno, NV 89513

775-337-8344

advertising@reggaefestivalguide.com

www.ReggaeFestivalGuide.com 

Full Artist List Announced For 28^th Annual Reggae On The River- July 21 & 22 At Benbow Lake

What: 28^th annual Reggae On The River

Where: Benbow Lake State Recreation Area (Benbow, CA)

When: Saturday & Sunday, July 21 & 22, 2012

Why: A world-renown celebration of reggae and world music in our farewell to Benbow!

With the 28^th annual Reggae On The River a little over two months way on the weekend of July 21 & 22, the Mateel Community Center is gearing up for another great year of festival fun and is excited to announce the full list of confirmed talent for this year’s event.  Featuring nearly 30 classic and cutting-edge reggae and world music artists on two stages, the 2012 festival will feature Toots & The Maytals, Midnite, Romain Virgo, Lady Saw, Calypso Rose, Turbulence,  Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits, Fantan Mojah, Duane Stephenson, Nkulee Dube, Tosh Meets Marley, Pato Banton & The Now Generation, Yami Bolo, Alika, Saritah, Bambu Station, Reemah, Daniel Bambaata Marley, Humble Soul, Lady Passion,  i-Kronik, Winston Jarrett & Guidance Band, Junior Toots,  Quinto Sol, Indubious, Casper Loma Da Wa & The Mighty 602 Band, Winstrong, Yellow Wall Dub Squad, The Lions, Streetkind, Synrgy, and Juce, plus top local DJs and sound systems. Additionally, the event will also host more than 80 craft, food, and non-profit vendors, a lively kid zone, and an irie weekend on the banks of the majestic Eel River.  

Tickets are on sale now at www.reggaeontheriver.com and at select local and North Bay outlets for a price of $110 for the weekend pass.  Advance tickets are advised as this event sells out.  Please visit the ticket page of the festival website for a list of current ticket outlets and please note that single day tickets will only be available at the gate this year.

Camping reservations are also currently available at local campgrounds including Benbow Lake, Cook’s Valley, Richardson Grove, and Benbow Valley RV Resort, all of which are either on the shuttle route or walking distance to the concert.  For more information and sales links for these various campgrounds, visit the camping page of www.reggaeontheriver.com.

Stay tuned for more festival updates and other exciting news in the coming weeks and don’t miss this very special year as the festival says farewell to Benbow and gears up for a big return home to its original French’s Camp location in 2013 and beyond.   For more information on the 28^th annual Reggae On The River call the festival office at (707) 923-3368.

07-19

Respect Jamaica 50 Festival 25 July to 6 August at London’s indigO2 at The O2

This summer, to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence, The O2 in London will be transformed into a Caribbean oasis as over 50 artists take to the stage as part of Respect Jamaica 50. 

The two week extravaganza, from July 25 to August 6 will include a multitude of legendary Jamaican singers, DJs, writers, comedians, actors and poets showcasing the cultural depth and diversity of this esteemed nation. 

The line-up includes:

Damian Marley

Toots & The Maytals

Mighty Diamonds

Leroy Heptones Sibbles

Tarrus Riley

John Holt

Morgan Heritage

Lee Scratch

Perry Jah

Shaka Sound System

Shaggy

Bob Andy

Freddie McGregor

Maxi Priest Plus many more!

For more info and tickets visitwww.respectjamaica50.co.uk

07-19

Mid West Reggae Festival August 10-12 Cleveland, Ohio

Features Soja, Midnite, Don Carlos, and More!

08-09

Shade Reggae :: Life in the Shade

Here are two Smoking Tracks by International Reggae ICON! who just finished touring Asia.

The talented Reggae songstress is making her presence known in the US.

The Jamaican born singer ShadeReggae has been creating waves in the Reggae music industry for many years. She recently rapped up her tour of Asia where her new album “Life in the Shade”. Her album release tour went through six cities, Okinawa, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagasaki to name a few.  Recently, ShadeReggae opened up for Melodians at the Jamaica 50th Anniversary Concert in Atlanta. She had her fans rocking and singing to  her tune like "Coming back" and "My Toy" an brought a fan on stage to jam with her. Her performance was well received by a fabulous group of adoring fans. You can be sure that you will be seeing and hearing a lot more from this artist.

You can read more about ShadeReggae at her official website and her social network pages.

ShadeReggae is now open for West-coast Bookings:

Official Site:

http://www.shadereggae.comFacebook https://www.facebook.com/ShadeReggaeNow open for bookings and interviews. Please send your request to nhenry@jspproductions.com

My Soldiers                     Shade Coming Back

07-05