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.
Junior 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 Reid's 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. It's been a hard, busy schedule. They have toured consistently since the mid-90's, 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 bookings contact Peter Wardle King's Music International at (510) 326-8445, or online at reggaeangl@aol.com.
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 group's 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, Calif. East Bay, the Reggae Angels have been touring the last decade in the U.S., Hawaii, Canada and South America. They are well loved and respected. They've taken the message to many different markets. 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. They have 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-formed 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 Angels deliver high-energy performances with a happy, uplifting sound and sincere message. Their music speaks of God consciousness --- beneficial truths for humanity. The lyrics are condensed 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 spirituality, affirming and 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. See the website www.ReggaeAngels.com for music samples and upcoming show schedule.
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