BY HOWARD CAMPBELL—Observer senior writer— Chris Blackwell — ELVIS Presley was king of rock and roll and soul music was ready to explode in the United States in 1959. That year, a brash young Jamaican entrepreneur named Chris Blackwell started a company called Island Records in Kingston. Island Records celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. As Jamaican as ackee and saltfish, it is usually credited with launching the international careers of Millie Small, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley and The … Read entire article »

Captions: Luciano and Bridgett Anderson at the April 27 thanksgiving service for guitarist Winston ‘Bo Pee’ Bowen, in Kingston, Jamaica. George ‘Dusty’ Miller and Donald Dennis of the Firehouse Crew, arrive for the April 27 thanksgiving service for guitarist Winston ‘Bo Pee’ Bowen, in Kingston, Jamaica. The New Life Assembly of God Church in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, overflowed with respect for Winston ‘Bo Pee’ Bowen on April 27. His family and colleagues from the music industry turned … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON—Observer writer— Veteran roots singer Cocoa Tea re-enters the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart this week at number 13 with Music Is Our Business. The 20-song set was released March 15 by the VP Music Group. It features 15 previously released singles and five previously unreleased master recordings from producer Bobby “Bobby Digital” Dixon’s Digital B label. The latter batch was recorded between 1987 and 2003. Prior to Music Is Our Business, Cocoa Tea had 11 albums, all … Read entire article »

BY BRIAN BONITTO—Associate Editor — TOM Tavares-Finson, attor ney-at-law representing singer George Nooks, says his client is “looking to sue the police for false arrest”. According to the high-profile lawyer, Nooks is considering legal action for an alleged incident last weekend. “The police arrested him on Friday and took him to the narcotics police (on Spanish Town Road). They said he had swallowed some substance and took him to the Kingston Public Hospital, where they had him until his … Read entire article »

Singer Peabo Bryson suffered a mild heart attack over the weekend and is currently in the hospital … TMZ has learned.  A rep for Peabo tells TMZ … the Grammy-winning balladeer was at his home in Georgia early Saturday morning when he suffered the mild heart attack. We’re told Peabo’s currently responsive and both his medical team and family are optimistic he’ll make a speedy recovery. The rep tells us, “At this time, privacy is requested; however, the thoughts … Read entire article »

John Singleton dies at 51 LOS ANGELES — The family of director John Singleton told FOX4 film critic Shawn Edwards early Monday that Singleton has died. NEW YORK – OCTOBER 25: John Singleton attends the premiere of “For Colored Girls” at Ziegfeld Theatre on October 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) Singleton had been in a coma after suffering a major stroke more than a week ago. Singleton’s family had previously confirmed he suffered a … Read entire article »

By Yasmine Peru – Senior Gleaner Writer—t Freddie McGregor– With the birth of his Big Ship Records, legendary reggae singer Freddie McGregor was dubbed the ‘Captain of the Big Ship’, a moniker he wears with pride, especially considering that his children are numbered among the vessel’s able-bodied crew. And even though one of McGregor’s sons, Grammy Award-winning producer Stephen, is very busy working on Rihanna’s reggae album and on a project with Gwen Stefani, the Big Ship … Read entire article »

BY RICHARD JOHNSON—Observer senior reporter— Buju Banton shares a moment with Rihanna following his performance in Barbados on Saturday.  From all indications the Long Walk to Freedom tour by reggae artiste Buju Banton continued its history-making ways with the fourth stop in Barbados on Saturday. Reports out of the sister Caribbean isle are calling the show ‘the biggest ever in Barbados’, as bumper crowds turned out at Kensington Oval, in the country’s capital Bridgetown, to witness the reggae/ … Read entire article »