VP Records Releases King Jammy’s Companion CD - DVD Collection July 18

VP RECORDS RELEASES SEMINAL DIGITAL REGGAE CREATOR KING JAMMY’S COMPANION CD/DVD COLLECTION JULY 18

 ORIGINAL 80’S CHOICE CUTS PRODUCED BY THE KING FEATURING HIS GROUNDBREAKING RIDDIMS EVIDENT IN TODAY’S REGGAE HITS

            From the popular "Sleng Teng Resurrection" revived by Bounty Killa and its original vocalist Wayne Smith and the "World A Reggae" by Ini Kamoze and The Taxi recreated through Damian Marley’s hit "Welcome to Jamrock;" from the restoration of the Admiral Bailey’s "Punany" performed by Shabba Ranks in “Caan Dun”  to the remake of “Father Jungle Rock” in “Can’t Satisfy Her” by I-Wayne, the powerful reverberations of  King Jammy’s pivotal electronic riddims which ushered in the digital reggae movement are still felt all over the charts. Twenty years after these riddims were built, new generations of aspiring soundmen are still cutting dubs on these versions, still killing sounds in clashes from New York to Brixton, from Germany to Japan, forever dipping into King Jammy’s reggae repertoire.

            On July 18, VP Records will release a companion CD and DVD of King Jammy’s King At The Controls, King Jammy’s Essential Hits {from reggae’s} Digital Revolution 1985-1989, a tasty and important slice of the King’s indelible stamp on reggae music. It all began with “Sleng Teng” in 1985. With Jammy working his magic at the boards and Wayne Smith eking the tune out on a cheap Casio battery-powered keyboard, the simple hypnotic track came to life and changed reggae forever. At its debut at a big clash between King Jammy’s and Black Scorpio, Canadian journalist Beth Lesser was there and wrote in her classic book King Jammy’s, “[Jammy’s selector] Tupps opened right away with ‘Sleng Teng’ and the crowd went wild!...The bass sound coming out of those boxes was like nothing that had ever been heard before. It was absolutely clean – powerful and pounding. It just stopped your heart.” “Sleng Teng” paved the way for much change. Computer riddims suddenly controlled the dance floor and live instruments fell out of favor. Independent producers began to flourish because all that was needed were Casio and Yamaha keyboards and an Oberheim drum machine. Steely and Clevie gravitated to Jammy’s, bringing a new level of musicianship to the game and Bobby “Digital” Dixon took over mixing duties. A new dream team emerged, taking reggae into the present.

            The tracks on King At The Controls offer a solid sense of Jammy’s innovative sound and production during that era and showcases the young, unique talents Jammy nurtured. The tracks were chosen by Jammy and NYC-Jamaica main man, Johnny Wonder who, since the 80’s as a part of Jammy’s studio crew, was instrumental in bringing the hottest sounds emanating out of Jamaica to the NYC club scene, helping to break many an artist here.  From  “Music Lover,” featuring Shabba Ranks as a hungry young rising star to “I Love King Selassie,” featuring Black Uhuru in their early days, one of dancehall’s greatest DJ’s during his formative years; from Junior Reid singing “Boom Shack” as a young, local Watertown youth to Dennis Brown’s “The Exit,” highlighting the Crown Prince of Reggae foray into the digital age via the King, King At The Controls pays respect to King Jammy’s legacy and the depth of one man’s commitment to reggae music.

 

            The companion DVD is set in King Jammy’s own Waterhouse community and gives a glimpse of the environment the music emerged from and the man behind the boards.

            King At The Controls King Jammy Essential Hits {from reggae’s} Digital Revolution 1985-1989 will be followed by King Jammy’s Selector’s Choice on October 10th.  Selector’s Choice is a 10-disc boxed set compiled by the King and Johnny Wonder, organized riddim by riddim. It’s authentic, authoritative and indispensable.

King At The Controls track listing includes:

1. “Money Man Skank”- Half Pint


2. “Carpenter” – John Holt


3. “Agony” – Pinchers


4. “Punany” – Admiral Bailey


5. “Music Lover” – Shabba Ranks


6. “I Love King Selassie” – Black Uhuru


7. “Father Jungle Rock” – Nicodemus


8. “Water Pumping” – Johnny Osbourne


9. “Boom Shack” – Junior Reid


10. “Deh Wid You” – Super Black


11. “Children of the Ghetto” – Cocoa Tea


12. “The Exit” – Dennis Brown


13. “Run Down The World” – Nitty Gritty


14.  “Sleng Teng” – Wayne Smith


15. “She’s My Baby” – Leroy Gibbons


16.  “Rock Them One By One” – Eccleton Jarrett


17.  “Let Off Sup’m” – Leroy Smart


18.  “One Scotch” – Admiral Bailey & Chaka Demus


19.  “Serious Time” – Admiral Tibett


20.  “I Know The Score” – Frankie Paul

 

*Please note the track change on #1. The correct song is “Money Man Skank”- Half Pint not “Mr. Landlord”-Half Pint

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Roots Empress Dezarie set to light up the Bay Area July 27-29

Good Vibez Entertainment is honored to host three nights of the Roots Empress, Dezarie, plus the ferociously talented Luna Angel, to the greater Bay Area July 27, 28 & 29!



Roots empress Dezarie blessed the reggae community with the deliverance of her second album, "Gracious Mama Africa,” in 2005 and is now set to release her latest cd “Set the Flame” this July in conjunction with her summer tour. Expect a fire to erupt from within this young St Croix woman when she takes the stage!



As the Number 1 selling Female Reggae Artist in America (FYA & Gracious Mama), Dezarie is a singer of unrivaled abilities.  Her mesmerizing soothing vocals counteract with sharp, caustic and forceful chants to create a sound that resonates on all wavelengths.  The strength of her convictions and her sense of purpose manifests itself in deep and powerful lyrics. Her singing voice feels like a combination of Erykah Badu's smoky coolness, Lauryn Hill's strength and insightfulness, and Dido's elfin airiness. Frankly, her lyrics prove as thoughtful and provocative as any male singer out there, at times reminiscent of Midnite’s own master wordsmith Vaughn Benjamin.



After receiving Atlanta's "Best New Female Reggae Artist" award in 2001, Dezarie returned to her native island of St. Croix. Since that time, she has been working closely with Midnite, the players of instruments on her two latest albums and backing her on her tours. On the last tour Dezarie teased the crowd with a song or two from her forthcoming album including “Set the Flame” which really moved the crowds! Set to a baseline that resembles "Judgment Come", Dezarie calls on the audience to put up their lighters and "Bun down injustice, oppression, hatred and segregation" before ripping into the song lyrics:



"Moral corruption with vice in all form. Erase true morals of the young ones. Mis-education, brainwashing. White as snow Clorox to the mind. Unemployed and hunger. It's a game being played on the chessboard that all those in power created. Food shortages and financial panics. Organized crime war tactics.... Disgust is too nice of a word to describe how I feel about them.  So set the flame. Set the flame.  Set the flame."



Make no mistake about it Dezarie has arrived. Standing firm with fiery lyrics, an incredible voice and impassioned beliefs Dezarie is sure to ‘Set The Flame’ throughout the Four Corners of the earth for years to come.



Ikahba is the latest artist to emanate from the roots caldron currently bubbling on the island of St. Croix. His debut album 'Troddin To Zion" was released in January of this on the Afrikan Roots Lab record label. Like all ARL releases, "Troddin" features the preeminent roots band, Midnite, laying down some wicked bass lines and rhythms. Add a heavy dose of conscious lyrics along with Ron Benjamin's unique engineering skills and you've got the recipe for another cruzial album.



What distinguishes Ikahba is his ability to intersperse his cool soothing vocals (that many people find similar to Tenor Saw) with some chanting in which Ikahba throws down lyrics fierce and hard. This is perhaps best illustrated on the song "Wha Happen To Dem".



After crooning for about a minute over the "Maintain" riddim, Ika rips into some serious chanting:



"What an abomination now dem come ya so fe bring, de youths and dem borning mutated, a pure vampire warmonger is what dem come ya breeding."



Fellow Afrikan Roots Lab recording artist Mash joins Ikahba on the selection "Dem Skylarkin", with Dezarie sharing vocals on the title track. The outstanding harmonies and subtle background vocals give the entire album an 'easy-listening' roots feel to it, yet the lyrics are piercing and spellbinding.



Luna Angel brings her celestial birth name to bear on Move with Me, her debut album of personal, spiritual and political songs that reflect the talent and insight of an old soul on young shoulders. Luna writes irresistible pop melodies and soulful reggae rhythms, and her cool enchanting vocal summons up other modern pop chanteuses like Sade, Erikah and Alicia.



Born to a longtime musical family - a Jamaican mother and a French father in Marin County, California – Luna’s uncle is Junior Marvin who is the lead guitarist for the legendary Bob Marley’s Wailers band. She worked with her first group, the I-Rise Band and later attended the Jazz School in Berkeley. Backed by her own five-piece band, Luna was soon opening for major reggae artists including not only the Wailers, but also Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Buju Banton and Michael Franti to name a few. Every song on Move with Me has been written, co-produced, and arranged by Luna. Containing elements of reggae, R&B, jazz and a spice of dancehall; and some tunes that were composed in her teens. “Many of the songs are very old,” she says, “but when it was time to record them, we tried to put a new flavor on them. It’s like they’re old, but they’re completely new interpretations.” Talking about the songs on her debut album, Luna is confident and deliberate. With the title track “Move with Me” for example, “I just took my guitar and started strumming,” she recalls. “For me to write a song,” Luna confides, “I usually have to find a nice chord progression and, once I find it, it just starts spilling out.”



Luna Angel is poised for a serious long-term career in the pop and world music arena. “Music comes with evolution,” Luna observes, “I feel I will continue to grow with the music that I love so much.” Look out for Luna Angel on an airwave near you!

Three nights of the Roots Empress



DEZARIE

Plus Bay Area favorite, Luna Angel



Thursday, July 27

Mystic Theater – 23 Petaluma Blvd. Petaluma, CA 94952

$18 advance, Doors 8:00pm, 18 & over



Friday, July 28

Santa Cruz Vet’s Hall - 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz

$18 advance / $22 door, Doors 9:00pm, All Ages



Saturday, July 29

Studio Z - San Francisco, CA

$17 advance / $20 door, Doors 9:00pm, 18 & over



For more show info go to:

www.goodvibezmusic.com or call 831-421-9523

For press inquires, contact:



Amy Shapas

So You Can

831-479-0711 ph

831-479-4242 fax

soyoucan@sbcglobal.net

www.soyoucan.com

Jr. Reid, Reggae Angels,Wada and Andrew Blood, Baja B. And The One Blood Band Tour

After a successful month-long tour April and May of 2005, Junior Reid and the Reggae Angels had a top performance at Reggae on the River August 2005, and Headlined The Dreadstock Festival in Vallejo CA, and also headlined the stadium Rocktober festivals on four of the Hawaii Islands. Now, a year later they embark on the road again to do a tour of festivals and club dates including the Northwest World Reggae Festival and The Victoria Ska Festival in Canada.



Reid has a new CD called "Clean Up Your Heart", soon to be released. He has recently toured Japan, South America, and the US east and west coasts. Several of Reids hits such as "One Blood", "Mashing Up the Earth" and "Fit You Haffi Fit" have risen to anthem status. Junior Reid first won the hearts of people around the world as the lead vocalist for Black Uhuru. He has matured and gained strength as an artist performing internationally as well as producing other artists in his One Blood recording studio in Kingston, Jamaica. Junior Reid is a top festival performer with athletic showmanship and melodic phrasing. His message inspires people from all walks of life and he is a mentor to many Rasta enthusiasts. Junior is truly a man of the people always in demand. On the most recent American tour, the shows were consistently well attended.



Within the last couple years, the Reggae Angels completed a 50-city tour with Andrew Tosh (son of Reggae icon Peter Tosh), a 21- city tour with Junior Reid, a 9-city tour with the Abyssinians, a 9-week tour covering North America and Canada co-billed with Everton Blender, and another month-long tour with Junior Reid. After working the festival circuit, they did their fourth trip to Hawaii within a year where they co-billed with and backed Frankie Paul, who now resides in Gambia, Africa. Its been a hard, busy schedule. They have toured consistently since the mid-90s, bringing their spiritually uplifting message to the people. They are well loved. Lyrically their music affirms such qualities as generosity, balance and gratitude. The Reggae Angels have one of the most extensive discographies of any American Reggae band. Now touring with their 13th and latest release - Make Blessings, on the Explorer Recordings Label- the Reggae Angels should not be missed when they come to your area.

For more show info go to

http://www.reggaeangels.com/

For press inquiries, contact Amy Shapas of So You Can at 831-479-0711 or

amy@soyoucan.com

TOUR DATES 

June 27th Cooneys Santa Barbara, CA

June 28th - The Downtown Brewery - San Luis Obispo, CA

June 29th - The Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA

June 30th - World Beat Cultural Center - San Diego, CA

July 1st - The Belly Up - Solana Beach, CA

July 2nd - The Rhythm Lounge - Long Beach, CA

July 3rd - Palladium Tijuana, Mexico



July 4th - Sonoma Community Center - Sonoma, CA

July 5th - Caspar Inn - Caspar, CA

July 6th Ashkenaz Berkeley, CA

July 7th - The Catalyst - Santa Cruz, CA

July 8th - Mazzottis - Arcata, CA



July 10th - The Taboo - Eugene, OR

July 12th - Boundary Bay Brewery - Bellingham, WA

July 14th Garfinkles - Whistler, BC

July 15th - Victoria Curling Club (Victoria Ska Festival) - Victoria, BC

July 16th - The Fluid - Nelson, BC

July 17th - The Sidetrack Café - Edmonton, Alberta



July 18th - Flanagans - Whitefish, MT

July 19th - Charlie's - Bab, MT

July 20th - The Other Side - Missoula, MT

July 21st - The Zebra Cocktail Lounge - Bozeman, MT

July 22nd - The Big Easy - Spokane, WA

July 23rd - Northwest World Reggae Festival - Pudding River, OR



Biography: Junior Reid

To date, Jamaican-born singer Junior Reid, a devout Rastafarian regarded by many as a messenger from Jah, is best known for the hit singles Foreign Mind, One Blood, Boom Shak-a-Lak and Listen to the Voices. He also served as the lead singer for the Grammy Award-winning Reggae group Black Uhuru.



Born on the 6th of June, Delroy "Junior" Reid grew up in the Waterhouse district of West Kingston. Junior began his career at an early age, gaining his initial inspiration from a tough upbringing. He recorded his first single Know Myself at age fourteen for the late singer Hugh Mundell, released in the U.K. on the Greensleeves label. He then went on to form his own band, The Voice of Progress, and after a local hit with Minibus Driver the groups success was established with the album of the same name.



At the age of eighteen, Junior was asked to join Black Uhuru as lead singer. The group completed their transformation to international status while he was a member, nominated twice for a Grammy Award in the Reggae category.

After many changes in the music business and an agreed separation among the members of Black Uhuru, Junior returned to the solo arena and started his own production company, J.R. Productions.



Once again a solo artist, he recorded a number of songs for J.R. Productions and Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion label, enjoying considerable popularity with tracks such as Human Nature, A-1 Lover, Uplifting and Proud Statement. 1988 saw the release of Junior's first solo album, One Blood. The One Blood single was remixed by Paul "Trouble" Anderson and released worldwide on Big Life/Mercury Records. That track and Long Road received nominations for the prestigious Caribbean Music Awards and the Jamaica Music Industry Awards. He won awards for Best Album, Best Single, Best Song and Most Conscious Lyrics at the Jamaica Music Industry Awards. The follow-up to One Blood was the album Visa, which was distributed by the Greensleeves and Ras labels in addition to his J.R. Productions label.

During his music career Junior Reid has performed around the globe from Bermuda to Japan. He has proven to be a durable and popular entertainer on the world stage. In 1993, after a winning performance in Jamaica at the Montego Bay Superfest he toured Europe alongside Sugar Minott, the 809 Band, and Dub poet Mutabaruka. Junior was also featured in the biggest one-night show in Jamaica, the Sting, from 1996 to 98. Following exceptional performances at Sting and other shows he was offered a starring role in the Jamaican film Klash, produced by Billy Parker.



In 1997 Junior produced the album True World Order. He performed on the True World Order Tour in the United States and United Kingdom. He also teamed up with Busta Rhymes and Bounty Killa to record the hit single Change Like the Weather. He recorded the single Dreadful Day with rappers Poor Righteous Teachers and, joined by the artist Cannibus, recorded the song Frounsi Sound Bwoy for the Universal label.

Throughout his career he has done numerous interviews for television, radio and newspapers and performed extensively internationally. In a producing role, Junior has lent his talents to various other artists. Early on he worked with Dennis Brown, Gregory lsaacs and the Mighty Diamonds to name few. More recently he has produced Andrew & 'Wada Blood (his sons), Elephant Man, Delly Ranks, Luciano and Anthony B. Reid has worked closely with Rap artists such as Wu Tang Clan, Goroo from Gangstar, the Absolute Beginners (from Germany) and Cold Cut.



In the year 2000 Mr. Reid/J.R. Productions distributed the Emanuel Calling album, featuring the songs Mashing Up the Earth, John Law and Trod Up A-Zion. He toured the United States and Caribbean, garnering raves. In 2002 Rasta Government was released. Lost Vinyl Classics was released in 2005. Junior has a new album finished, soon to be released. With his incisive, prophetic lyrics and unstinting support for the ghetto man, Junior remains a powerful roots artist well known and loved worldwide.



Biography: Reggae Angels

Currently based in the San Francisco, California, the Reggae Angels have been touring the last decade in the U.S., Hawaii, Canada and South America. They are well loved and respected. Theyve taken the message to many different places. Top international artists have had the Reggae Angels back them, including Don Carlos, Horace Andy, Michael Rose, Big Youth, The Abyssinians, Edi Fitzroy, Bernard Collins, Carlton & The Shoes, Junior Murvin, Clinton Fearon, Everton Blender, Sugar Minott, Andrew Tosh, Junior Reid and Frankie Paul. The band has consistently met the needs of world-class performers, touring with them to the far reaches.



The Reggae Angels vocalists are Fenton Wardle, Cynthia Roots and Nasambu Wamalwa. Lead vocalist and bandleader Fenton Wardle started playing for the public at the age of twelve, playing his accordion in the streets in San Francisco. In 1982 Fenton fronted his first band Ily in New Hampshire, where he attended Dartmouth and graduated in 1984. In 1986 he formed a band on the West Coast called The Chosen Few. In 1989 the band re-grouped as The Elevations. Fenton sang lead and harmony vocals and played keyboards. With the Elevations, he produced two albums- Jah Guide and Good Judgment. In 1992 Fenton left the Elevations and started the Reggae Angels.



For his Reggae Angels unit, Fenton has produced Guard the Honor, Jealousy, Truth and Conviction, Spirit, Signs and Wonders, Which Road Will You Choose, Live Positive, Come To Jah, Save Our Souls, A Heart With Love, Balance and Make Blessings. Augustus Pablo is featured playing melodica and synthesizer on the earlier works, adding his melodious far eastern sound. The early mixing was done in Jamaica with some of the top engineers including Sylvan Morris, David Rowe, Soljie, Dr. Marshall and Hugh Palmer. Scientist mixed the next four CDs in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Balance and Make Blessings were mixed at Lion and Fox recording studios, in Alexandria, Virginia by Jim Fox. The Reggae Angels have one of the most prolific catalogues of any American based reggae band, including 13 CDs and numerous dubs.



Fans of reggae know The Reggae Angels deliver high-energy performances with a happy, uplifting sound and sincere message. Their music speaks of God consciousness. Their lyrics contain spiritual insights and teachings --- the message. All different ages and kinds of people love and appreciate the Reggae Angels, especially the spiritually inclined. Their focus is on clarifying the message of the prophets --- advice and prayers to bring us nearer to God. The Reggae Angels have their own recording studio in Oakland, California called The Workshop, where they help produce other artists as well as their own works. See the website

www.ReggaeAngels.com for music samples and upcoming show schedule.

For more show info go to

http://www.reggaeangels.com/

For press inquiries, contact Amy Shapas of So You Can at 831-479-0711 or

amy@soyoucan.com



Amy Shapas

So You Can

831-479-0711 ph

831-479-4242 fax


soyoucan@sbcglobal.net


http://www.soyoucan.com/