Phillip “Winta” James PRODUCER Winta James recently released the Gratitude rhythm via his Overstand Records imprint. The project features six artistes, Jaz Elise, Samory-I, Mortimer, Kumar, Naomi Cowan, and Ras-I. A contemporary one-drop reggae beat, it features traditional drum and bass from Chris Meredith and Wilburn “Squidly” Cole. The songs, recorded during the novel coronavirus pandemic, finds the artistes in a reflective mood, their lyrics centreing around themes of gratefulness, love, faith, and self-awareness. On April 27 a launch of the … Read entire article »

Recorded by Alton Ellis in 1967 at the height of the rock steady craze, Willow Tree never fails to get the joint jumping at Jamaican dances. Singer Ian Sweetness is the latest to take a crack at the revered ballad. He produced his version for Audio Sweetness Production. “I don’t remember the story about Willow Tree but it was a song that I heard others sing but just never felt it. I’m saying it needed more passion, … Read entire article »

The parish of St. Thomas in eastern Jamaica is known for its scenic coastline and thriving banana industry. It has also produced its share of reggae artists including The Slickers (of Johnny Too Bad fame), Bushman, Natty King and Popcaan. Kurency Kurency, a singer from the Trinityville area of the parish, is determined to be the next big thing out of that region. His latest song is All Alone, released in March. It is inspired by an unhappy … Read entire article »

One of many roots-reggae groups that formed in Jamaica during the 1970s, Time Unlimited never hit it big as The Mighty Diamonds or The Wailing Souls, but they recorded a number of inspirational songs including 2000 Years. Recently, that song’s militant melody was revived as the Generation Gap Riddim. It is co-produced by Autarchii, Linton Hinds Jr. and Donovan Joseph, a former member of Time Unlimited who is also Autarchii’s father. The Generation Gap Riddim has four … Read entire article »

By Anthony Turrner/Gleaner Writer— Beverley Kelso Singer Beverley Kelso, one of the founding members of the original Wailers with Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Junior Braithwaite and Cherry Smith, will be honored with a United States Congressional Proclamation from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. The proclamation will be presented to Kelso at the upcoming Westchester Reggae Festival on May 29, the organizers have announced. Kelso was thrust in the spotlight in 1963, when, at age 14, Marley asked … Read entire article »

The 1970s charm of Leave The Door Open by Silk Sonic made that R&B ballad one of the biggest hits of 2021. For his reggae version, Anthony Cruz also went for an old school feel.He sought the father-and-son team of Willie and Kashief Lindo, who played bass and engineered the recording session. Fellow singer Lymie Murray handled backing vocals. Anthony Cruz Cruz is excited about how things turned out on the song which is distributed by Tad’s … Read entire article »

The ATF Band calls on one of soft rock’s classic ballads for their homage to ‘the good herb’ on Collie Weed, the quartet’s latest song. Released on May 13, the single borrows the melody of Summer Breeze, a massive hit for American duo Seals And Croft in 1972. The ATF Band: L-R Herbie Harris, Stephen Lee, Courtland White, Lyndon Webb “Our keyboard player and lead vocalist Herbie (Harris) had done a demo about three years ago of Summer … Read entire article »

From Maria Jackson Magazine— The brand new single from Trench Town recording artist Hugh English is official out. Produced by Big Feet Records and distributed by VPal Music, Evil Con Evil is a steady one-drop reggae tune that laments on the wrongful and immoral actions taken by some. English wrote the song while the pandemic was at its peak in 2020. He said he felt led to pen the words after seeing so many wicked things happening in the world. Persons who are familiar … Read entire article »

As a child, TaviiZoey got a thrill watching her mother on stage, performing gospel songs. She followed her footsteps into the music business but as a secular artist.Millionaire, produced by Ireland Records, is her latest song. The raunchy number was released in March, five months after the singjay made her recording debut. TaviiZoey She describes Millionaire as having an “international crossover type sound” that will hopefully be her breakthrough.TaviiZoey is aware of the intense competition in dancehall … Read entire article »

I Need You, the new album from veteran singer Audley Rollen, drops on May 25. It celebrates a personal landmark for the South Florida-based artist. “It is significant in that after 55 years of creating and recording music, this album is right up there with some of the better works I’ve done. It contains two number one songs; the timeless Never Knew Love Til You and its follow-up, Close To You,” he noted. “It is noteworthy … Read entire article »