Bob Marley – His Story

Bob Marley was a hero figure, in the classic mythological sense. His departure from this planet came at a point when his vision of One World, One Love – inspired by his belief in Rastafari – was beginning to be heard and felt. The last Bob Marley and the Wailers tour in 1980 attracted the largest audiences at that time for any musical act in Europe.

Bob's story is that of an archetype, which is why it continues to have such a powerful and ever-growing resonance: it embodies political repression, metaphysical and artistic insights, gangland warfare and various periods of mystical wilderness. And his audience continues to widen: to westerners Bob's apocalyptic truths prove inspirational and life-changing; in the Third World his impact goes much further. Not just among Jamaicans, but also the Hopi Indians of New Mexico and the Maoris of New Zealand, in Indonesia and India, and especially in those parts of West Africa from wihch slaves were plucked and taken to the New World, Bob is seen as a redeemer figure returning to lead this...

For the full article click here, or go to the Bob Marley Foundation’s website

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Marley boys for Bob celebrations in New Zealand

The sons of reggae legend Bob Marley, Ziggy and Stephen, will be welcomed to New Zealand at special honorary celebrations at Auckland Museum this Thursday, February 5.

The welcome, on the eve of Bob Marley’s birthday and Waitangi Day, will recall the historic visit of 1979 that established lasting links between New Zealand, Marley and reggae.

Musicians Ziggy and Stephen Marley, alongside Eddy Grant, Shaggy, Arrested Development, Inner Circle and artistes performing at the upcoming Raggamuffin Music Festival, will attend the “powhiri”. The event will be hosted by Nagati Whatua with invited guests and Dilworth Karaka of Herbs, who was involved in the influential welcome for Bob Marley and The Wailers 30 years ago. Marley’s 1979 concert, his only in this country, was a seminal event in the establishment of an indigenous reggae culture in New Zealand.

The powhiri he received left a lasting impression and strong connection with Maori. In his book Marley and Me, Don Taylor, who managed Marley’s career from 1974 to 1979, recalls the welcome. ‘If any one event was responsible for the rise of reggae in New Zealand, it was when the man himself, Bob Marley, played Western Springs in April 1979.

The Marley concert is remembered as one of the stadium’s most memorable occasions, with thousands of people of many persuasions singing, laughing and dancing. The first museum ‘Late’ event following the powhiri, called Late 01: Waitangi Eve, will explore progressive New Zealand identity in a discussion moderated by Finlay Macdonald. Music is provided by DJ Submariner.

Source: The Reggae News Agency

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Legend rolls in the millions

This week, while his fans celebrate the 64th anniversary of his birth, Bob Marley's Legend album has surpassed sales of 20 million copies worldwide.

Billboard Magazine reports that Legend, which is in its 978th week on its Catalogue Chart, has sold over 10 million units in the United States.

The album is currently number four on the chart, behind greatest hits efforts from Swedish dance group Abba, hard rock band Guns 'N' Roses and pop/rock band Journey. Only British rock group Pink Floyd's 1973 classic Dark Side of The Moon has been in the Catalogue Chart longer, with over 1500 weeks.

Legend was released by Island Records in May 1984, three years after Marley's death. The original compilation has 14 tracks, including No Woman, No Cry, Three Little Birds, Waiting in Vain, Redemption Song, Jamming, Exodus and Get Up, Stand Up.

A deluxe edition of Legend was released in 2002 by the Universal Music Group, which distributes the Island Records catalogue. It has two bonus tracks and alternative versions of the original songs.

In 2003, Legend was named number 46 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums. Marley, who was reggae's first superstar, died in May 1981 from cancer, at age 36.

Source: The Jamaica Gleaner

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Dennis Brown – The Crown Prince of Reggae

When Dennis Brown died in July, 1999, record producer Michael Bennett paid him the ultimate tribute. "He was the best thing to happen to a reggae song," said Bennett.

This marks the 10th year since the Crown Prince of Reggae's death from respiratory failure. Because it seemed he had been around for a lifetime, many found it difficult to believe he was only 42 years old.

Brown's influence on reggae is profound. George Nooks, Junior Delgado, Frankie Paul and Richie Stephens all took their cue from him, each capitalising on his distinctive sound.

The former 'boy wonder' had been recording since the late 1960s, starting out with Derrick Harriott who produced Lips of Wine, Brown's first hit song. He moved to the Studio One base of producer Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd where he cut two albums that announced Jamaican music's latest child star.

Brown's hits at Studio One included No Man Is An Island and Little Green Apples. While his stint with Dodd was a productive one, it was when he hooked up with producer Winston 'Niney' Holness that he became a bona fide star.

Working with the Soul Syndicate band, Holness and Brown recorded a series of songs that have become classics: Cassandra, Westbound Train, No More Will I Roam and Africa. Later, Brown would rate Holness as the best producer he worked with.

Although he did two powerful message albums (Visions, Words of Wisdom) for Joe Gibbs, his work with that producer was decidedly more commercial. It was with Gibbs that Brown had a golden run on Jamaican charts.

Ain't That Loving You, How Could I Live, Stay at Home and Love Has Found Its Way are some of Brown's biggest hits for Gibbs. The latter is taken from the album of the same name which was done for the major A&M Records.
While he had big hits with Sly and Robbie (Sitting and Watching, Revolution) and Willie Lindo (Inseparable), Brown's days as a chart-rider were over by the 1990s. Yet, he was still a big draw on the local live show circuit and toured regularly overseas.

10 years after his death, the Crown Prince's music retains its royal sheen.

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The JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival – A musical experience

When TurnKey Productions made Montego Bay the centre of the Caribbean from January 22-24 – it was for another premiere musical experience – the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival.

TurnKey Productions took over the Aqueduct in Rose Hall for three fantastic days of performances. Artistes like Estelle, Robin Thicke, Ashford and Simpson made “Thundering Thursday” a night to remember. Meanwhile Friday night was on fire with great stints on stage from Randy Crawford, Nikki Yanofsky, and Lionel Richie. Without a doubt, Saturday sizzled as Maxi Priest, The O’Jays, and Chicago brought the curtains down on this year’s Festival.

The experience TurnKey promised was made more complete by the presence of the much touted ‘Jazz Village’, complete with enough food spots and more than enough variety to satisfy any craving and an array of arts and craft exhibitors.

Festival organisers this year also moved the very popular showcase stage, to a more central location. The stage could be found in the food court this year, and proved to be a must-stop area for all during the intermissions from the main stage. Complete with emcee, Yendi Phillips, patrons were treated to thrilling sounds and vocals from upcoming talent from Jamaica, and overseas.

Customs officers at Sangster’s International Airport were kept busy all week, as tourists from all over the world came to the island’s second city to make memories at the 13th staging of the Festival, which is now used as a marketing tool for the island... and rightly so.

 “This vindicates the Festival,” Walter Elmore, executive producer of the Festival said. “The JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival is as much a musical experience, as it is an economic powerhouse. We continue to be a major income earner for the small and large players in the hospitality and entertainment sectors in Montego Bay”.

This year’s JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival saw performances from stars like Estelle, Robin Thicke, Ashford and Simpson, Nikki Yanofsky, Randy Crwaford, Lionel Richie, Maxi Priest, The O’Jays, and Chichago.

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Digicel headline sponsor for Bacchanal 2009

Digicel has once again been announced as headline sponsor for Bacchanal 2009 at the press conference held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, on Friday, January 29. This will be the sixth consecutive year that Digicel is partnering with what has become one of the most popular celebrations of the year.

This year's theme for Digicel's activities is Moulin Rouge, which dovetails into the wider Bacchanal theme of Gone Hollywood, and in bigger, better style, patrons are guaranteed to feel the pulsating energy of Bacchanal 2009.

Since its introduction to the market, Digicel has identified with several music forms in Jamaica at various events ranging from Sumfest to Genesis to Rising Stars and carnival.

With over nine weeks of exciting events, soca fans will experience the carnival flavour at weekly Friday night Mas Camp fetes where Digicel customers will have a chance to win a high-end phone and take advantage of special phone deals. Digicel will also be running a text promotion during the carnival season where two lucky patrons can win two Moulin Rouge costumes and the opportunity to jump with the Digicel band, and then get pampered at a spa right after that.

"Bacchanal 2008 was a great success and this year Digicel is guaranteeing patrons a more vibrant and exciting event," commented Maurice Bryan, Digicel's sponsorship and promotions manager.

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Ce'cile starts 2009 with a bang

Danger Zone/Sobe Entertainment recording artiste Ce'Cile has reaped more success coming off the well received launch of her latest album Waiting which has garnered wide acclaim; as one review puts it.

The artiste's large volume of high quality work has also been validated by her receiving numerous nominations this awards season.

Ce'Cile is nominated for Hype TV Singer of the Year along with several other top flight artistes while on the RETV MVP Awards she is nominated in the Best Music Video (Female) category with Ride Or Die. Ce'Cile's 2008 hit album track So Fly has also received several accolades including being placed at # 12 on the New York top 100 songs of 2008 compiled by Clinton Lindsay. For the track Danger Zone's Bad Gyal teamed up with renowned producer Scott Storch in collaboration with Beenie Man.

The song has done well since its release last year being in heavy rotation in the New York Tri-State area as well as featuring prominently on the Miami Reggae Charts as well. So Fly featuring Beenie Man has also been declared one of the Top Twenty songs in the Virgin Island for 2008.

Commenting on the nominations Ce'Cile said she is proud of the recognition.

"It's always good when fans recognise you for the hard work that you have done. I am happy to have been nominated for such awards and I know that this will give me even more inspiration to put out even more quality music this year" – Danger Zone/ Sobe Entertainment Artiste Ce'Cile

On Thursday, February 5 Ce'Cile will be performing at the Excellence in Music & Entertainment Awards (EMEs) at the fancy Jamaica Pegasus Hotel where she is nominated for Sing Jay of the year.

With such a good start to 2009 fans of Ce'Cile can expect greater things in the coming months as Ce'Cile continues to promote her latest album Waiting.

Source: Alykhat PR

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Life after Carlisle... Spragga Benz reflects

August 23, 2008 is a date that dancehall DJ Spragga Benz will not find easy to erase from his memory. It was the day he was greeted with the shocking news that his son Carlton Grant Jr aka Carlisle was shot and killed by the police.

Somehow, the DJ found the strength to do what he must in ensuring that everything that had to be done was carried out. With a philosophical smile Spragga told Observer that breaking down was just not an option.

Click here for the full article on the Jamaica Observer’s website

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Nuff love for Lutan Fyah's Africa

The spirit of brotherhood and harmony that engulfed the well-attended launch of Lutan Fyah's latest set, Africa, speaks volume of the esteem that this fresh voice of roots rock reggae's currently enjoys from his peers and fans alike.

All the new-wave conscious artistes as well as some of veterans were at Weekenz to shower him with "nuff love" in support for the 30-track double CD with four number one hits. They also loaned their gift of music to the night's rousing entertainment package.

Click here for full article on the Jamaica Observer’s website

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Obamarley

United States President Barack Obama seems to have fulfilled the theme of Bob Marley's Black Man Redemption, governing a country which once treated blacks as second-rate human beings. Obama's message and leadership, however, have never been about redeeming the black race, but of all people moving forward together despite race and nationality. Obama articulated this brilliantly in his speech, 'A more perfect union', on March 18, 2008, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Numerous parallels have been drawn between the two iconic black men. From similarities in facial features to each having a white parent and the likeness of their messages. Obama's theme of 'Yes we can' is prevalent in Marley's songs as he sought to mobilise people towards equality and unity.

Click here for full article on the Jamaica Gleaner’s website

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As we mentioned earlier, this month will be celebrated as Reggae Month for the second year, and Headlines will give you a synopsis of activities for each week in our publications for the month. Note carefully the dates of the activities!
 
Wednesday February 4
Bob Marley Symposium staged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission – 9 am
Reggae Cricket – W.I vs England
Passa Passa Salutes Reggae Month
No Joke School Tour
Bob Marley B’day Bash: Reggae Party – Negril – 10 pm – 2 am
Weddy Weddy Salutes Reggae Month

Thursday February 5
Bob Marley Symposium – 9 am
Reggae Cricket -   W.I. vs England
Bembe Salutes Reggae Month
Asylum Salutes Reggae Month
Bob Marley B’day Bash: Star Search – Negril – 7 pm – 1 am
EME Awards – Jamaica Pegasus       

Friday February 6
Bob Marley Symposium staged by JCDC – 9 am
Reggae Lounge at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
Reggae Cricket - W.I.  vs England
JAAVA Tribute to the Icons – Jamaica Pegasus Hotel – 8 pm (gates open @ 7 pm)
Bob Marley B’day Bash: Tribute Concert – Negril – 10 pm – 2am  

Saturday February 7
Reggae Cricket - W.I. vs England
Bob Marley B’day Bash: Bob Marley Night (Seastar Inn) – 6 pm – 11 pm
Bob Marley B’day Bash: Vintage Startime – Bourbon Beach Negril – 10 pm – 2 am

Sunday February 8
Reggae Month Reception – Hosted by Hon. Prime Minister – Jamaica House – 6 p.m.
Reggae Cricket - W.I.  vs England

Tuesday February 10
Annual Bob Marley Lecture – U.W.I.
No Joke School Tour

Wednesday February 11
Passa Passa Salutes Reggae Month
No Joke School Tour
Weddy Weddy Salutes Reggae Month

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