San Francisco, CA - The music scene in America has forgotten one of the most important factors of creative expression. The words, or lyrics, which have been so important to past generations, have given way to simple "party" lyrics and "sing along" hooks, whose basic message hopes to reach only the least common denominator of today's listening and music buying audience. Gone are the days when people sang to communicate social and political awareness, while the real "truthspeakers" are snuffed out or ignored until they loose the will to create. Music as we know it has always been a sort of "newspaper" which gives the listener insight on current events and the news of our times. Somewhere along these lines the message got lost.
With this, "The Power of Words" concept in mind, Independent Distribution Collective (IDC) an artist friendly CD distribution company, decided to develop a small tour which would not only feature artists with a message, but artists who would make that message the main focal point of their live performances. IDC chose two artists from their vast catalog who put the lyrics at the forefront of their live performances. One artist, Haji Mike, is a Cypriot Poet, MC and Ph.D. who spent many years in England, where he was exposed to both reggae music and spoken word poetry. His tireless efforts to help heal a decades long division in his homeland of Cyprus, and his constant support of the youth culture there makes it easy to see why he was chosen for this tour. The other artist, Karney, is a San Francisco born Singer/Songwriter who has toured all of the US, and performed and written songs alongside countless different and diverse musical icons. Always a socially conscious person, and supporter of many forms of creative art, Karney's biting wit and political lyrics are always present in any of her live shows. This tour will also feature some amazing local acts in each of these cities.
It is important for this tour to reach audiences who are looking for a message in today's music. With that in mind IDC focused on a few markets in Northern California, which have always been home to social change in America. San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Chico, California seem perfect places for these shows. With this small tour as a proving ground, IDC hopes to launch dozens of these types of tours across the US over the next few years. This tour will include live musical performances with a full band, acoustic performances, and even a few spoken word poetry and educational presentations. Please help support independent and intelligent music.
For more information or to arrange interviews with these artists please feel free to contact Steffen Franz at IDC, 415 292-7007 or e-mail standout@independentdistro.com
The "Power of Words" Tour, Summer 2006
Independent Distribution Collective, Olive Tree Music, Tangent Records and Positive Sound Massive Recordings present The "Power of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney plus Stand Out Selector and the Poetz4Peace Riddim Section, plus many great guest artists.
Saturday 7/22 "Running a Label in the Digital Age" Multimedia Presentation by Haji Mike Noon-3pm Presented by Pyramind: The Institute For Advanced Digital Audio Training and AMP3 @ Pyramind Sound 880 Folsom Street, San Francisco. For more info or to reserve a ticket call 415 896-9800 or visit www.pyramind.com Free to Pyramind Students, and AMP3 Members otherwise $10 per person Limited Capacity - reserve tickets now.
Saturday 7/22 The Red Victorian and Peace Cafe presents Cypriot poet Haji Mike reading selected works of poetry at The Peace Cafe in the lobby of The Red Vic, 1665 Haight Street at Cole, San Francisco. For more information please call (415) 864-1978 Doors at 7 pm, all ages, Free to everyone... Donations welcome
Tuesday 7/25 JSP and IDC present the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney, plus special guests Good Luck Joes at Red Devil Lounge 1695 Polk Street at Clay, San Francisco. For more information please call (415) 921-1695 or www.reddevillounge.com Doors @ 8pm $5.00 in advance, $7.00 day of show.
Wednesday 7/26 Good Vibez Entertainment presents the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney, plus special guests at The Attic, 931 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, California. For more information please call (831) 460-1800 www.theatticsantacruz.com or
www.goodvibezmusic.com Doors @ 8pm $7.00
Thursday 7/27 Conscious Wise Scribe Visions presents the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney, plus special guest Mama Labeba and special guest DJs at Crux Art Collective, 7 Commerce Ct. ..110, Chico, CA (530) 892-2354 or www.cruxarts.com for more information . Doors @ 8pm Show @ 9pm $7.00
Friday 7/28 IDC and Chameleon Music presents Heavy Hitters Fridays featuring an Acoustic Evening with the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney, plus special guests at Brainwash Cafe 1122 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA. Call 415 255-4866 or visit www.brainwash.com or www.chameleonmusic.com for more info. Show @ 8 pm Free to Everyone!
Haji Mike's new album "The Storyman" and Karney's two recent releases "All Connected" and "Karney" are distributed in the US by Independent Distribution Collective and are available at all fine music retailers and online at CD Baby.com and on i-Tunes.
Check out the following web links for background on these artists:
www.hajimike.com
www.karney.org
www.independentdistro.com
______________________________________
Independent Distribution Collective
1693 Polk Street, Suite 202 SF, CA, 94109, USA
415.292.7007 phone 415.292.5007 fax
www.independentdistro.com
Independent Music Moving Forward!!!
Wholesale Music Distribution by
Independents for Independents...
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Power of Words California Tour
Monday, July 03, 2006
Katchafire Gets Usa Distribution Deal And Tour Dates For Hawaii And UK
Katchafire, Aotearoa's top reggae band, have gained an American distribution deal with 2b1 Multimedia in San Francisco. 2b1 is a specialist label with a strong live reggae catalogue of international acts. The owner, Boots Hughston, is a music industry legend around San Francisco, having been a session player to the stars, major live venue owner and a supplier of music production services, as well as being one of the visionary few who created the venue site that has become REGGAE ON THE RIVER, the premiere live reggae event in the US for over 20 years!
2b1 is, in turn, distributed throughout the USA by the highly-rated Sony/BMG-owned Red Distribution. The latter's most recent success being breakthrough reggae act Matisyahu.
Katchafire will now play live performances in the US this August in support of the 22nd July release in the States of REVIVAL. This will be part of an extensive headline tour of Hawaii, which includes fronting both nights of the annual BIRTHDAY BASH event for top radio station KCCN in Honolulu.
The UK will not miss out either - an extensive tour has been arranged for July and dates are as follows:-
Thursday 13 July
The Coronet, 28 New Kent Rd, London
8pm til 1am
DJs: tbc
£12 advance / £15 door
Friday 14 July
Larmer Tree Festival, Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire
Other Acts: Afro Celt Soundsystem, Dreadzone, Seth Lakeman etc
Sold Out
http://www.larmertreefestival.co.uk
Saturday 15 July
Cypress Avenue, Cork, Ireland
8pm til 2am
DJ: Dr Fiasco
10e advance / 12e door
http://www.cyprusavenue.ie/
Sunday 16 July
Crawdaddy, Dublin, Ireland
8pm til 12am
DJ: Dr Fiasco
12e advance / 15e door
http://www.pod.ie/crawdaddy.php
Tuesday 18 July
Liquid Rooms, 9c Victoria St, Edinburgh
8pm til 12am
DJs: Mungo’s Hi-Fi
£12 adv / £15 door
http://www.liquidroom.com/
Thursday 20 July
The Croft, Stokes Croft, Bristol
8pm til 1am
DJs: Dubwize Soundsystem
£10 adv / £12 door
http://www.the-croft.com/
Friday 21 July
Llangollen Fringe Festival, Llangollen, Wales
7pm til 1am
DJ: Earthdoctor
£9 adv
http://www.llangollenfringe.co.uk/
Saturday 22 July
Monkey Café, 13 Castle Street, Swansea, Wales
8pm til 2am
DJs: Survival Soundsystem
Price tbc
http://www.monkeycafe.co.uk/monkey.html?v=1
Sunday 23 July
Ashton Court Festival, Bristol
http://www.ashtoncourtfestival.com/
£5
Sunday 23 July
Truck Festival, Oxfordshire
Other Acts: Mystery Jets, Chicks on Speed etc
http://www.truckfestival.org/
SOLD OUT
For further information on the UK tour please contact: anton@trailermedia.com
Katchafire and Mai Music would like to extend a very sincere ‘thank you’ to all the individuals like yourselves who have responded to their music and given them support, resulting in the USA distribution deal and tour dates into these important international arenas.
For further information please contact:
Gaylene Martin
Email: Gaylene.kiwi@xtra.co.nz
Victor Stent, Mai Music
Email: victor@maimusic.co.nz
Nadine Sutherland Turns Up The Heat
After a year on the small screen as a judge on the most popular television programme in Jamaica, Nadine Sutherland is set to make BIG waves this summer with a string of new singles, tour dates, and the release of her long awaited album.
Nadine turned quite a few heads during her recent video shoot for her new single entitled “Keep Me Safe” (Eight76 Records). A mixture of tourists, community residents, and passers-by to the downtown Kingston area stopped in their tracks at the sight of Nadine Sutherland in her element. Nadine is known for her dynamic energy and presence before an audience, and director Nordia Rose wisely used the busy locale as a backdrop for the songstress. The appreciative and enthusiastic crowd let Nadine know how much she’s been missed and that her fans are hungry for more. Nadine has also recently recorded another upcoming single “Cyan Tek It” featuring Chrisinti (Eight76 Records). The video for “Cyan Tek It” was also directed by Nordia Rose.
Nadine also returns to the stage as one of the headliners of the much anticipated Reggae Sunsplash 2006 in Jamaica this August. What’s more, she will also be joining Chrisinti and the rest of the Eight76 crew on select dates of the 2006 Eight76 All Star summer tour including the Sea Breeze Festival on July 23 in long beach, California. Nadine is looking forward to performing her songs from her long repertoire of hits (“Action”, “Babyface”, “Wicked & Wild”, etc.) and new material from her album. Interested promoters should contact Myshjua Archibald at Eight76 Records (786) 251-7202 / allarc@aol.com
As a business minded entertainer, Nadine has wisely established her own company, Nadsipadsi Enterprises Incorporated. Nadsipadsi’s purpose it to work hand in hand with various companies on projects that further Nadine’s long-term career goals. This allows her television, recording, and performing endeavors to flourish. Upcoming projects include the launch of the official Nadine Sutherland website where fans can interact directly with Nadine. In addition, Nadine has already begun shooting the latest season of Digicel’s Rising Stars on TVJ in Jamaica along with fellow judges Anthony Miller and Clyde McKenzie.
Nadine Sutherland’s star continues to burn brightly with a new album, videos, singles, a sizzling live show, and a spot on the HOTTEST television programme in Jamaica’s history. Keep an eye on her- you don’t want to miss your moment in the sun!
About Eight76 Records:
Founded in 2002 by Kenroy "YahBreeze" Archibald along with his wife and partner, Myshjua Archibald, Eight76 Records is the official music label of All Arc Enterprises as an outlet for the performing, production, and writing talents at All Arc Productions. The label launched itself into the international marketplace in 2004 with the release of the RUSTIC, SKASMATIC, and RETRORESPEK which feature the talents of veterans like Marcia Griffiths, Luciano, Mikey General, Nadine Sutherland, YahBreeze, producer Barry O'Hare. Recent CD releases on the Eight76 Records label include emerging stars Evette and Fyah Blaze and popular roots reggae singer, Chrisinti. For more information visit the company's official website: www.Eight76Records.com.
For further information contact:
US/Canada: Foundation Media - Russell Gerlach: (562) 948-3008 / ReggaeRuss@aol.com
Jamaica: Headline Entertainment - Jerome Hamilton: (876) 960-0382 / Jerome@Headline.com.jm
All Arc Enterprises/Eight76 Records - Myshjua Archibald: (305) 234-5883 / AllArc@aol.com
Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide member (#1833)
Friday, June 30, 2006
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:
- “Money Man Skank”- Half Pint
- “Carpenter” – John Holt
- “Agony” – Pinchers
- “Punany” – Admiral Bailey
- “Music Lover” – Shabba Ranks
- “I Love King Selassie” – Black Uhuru
- “Father Jungle Rock” – Nicodemus
- “Water Pumping” – Johnny Osbourne
- “Boom Shack” – Junior Reid
- “Deh Wid You” – Super Black
- “Children of the Ghetto” – Cocoa Tea
- “The Exit” – Dennis Brown
- “Run Down The World” – Nitty Gritty
- “Sleng Teng” – Wayne Smith
- “She’s My Baby” – Leroy Gibbons
- “Rock Them One By One” – Eccleton Jarrett
- “Let Off Sup’m” – Leroy Smart
- “One Scotch” – Admiral Bailey & Chaka Demus
- “Serious Time” – Admiral Tibett
- “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/
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