When Ricky D Lova kicked off his career as a music producer in the late 1990’s, he worked with some of the hottest dancehall artists. Over time, he discovered that big names come with big egos.For his latest project, Little Lane Riddim, he called on acts who appeared on Should Have Known Better, his previous compilation album. Those artists include Milton Blake who does Gwaan So and J.R. Blessington whose song on the Little Lane … Read entire article »

BY RICHARD JOHNSON—Observer senior reporter—5 Multi-Grammy Award winner Stephen Marley is at the helm of a project aimed at shining reggae’s light on the work of celebrated African American singer, musician, and songwriter Nina Simone. Celebrating Nina: A Reggae Tribute to Nina Simone will be released Friday on the Ghetto Youths International label. The project will feature a number of women on the seven-track EP presenting Nina Simone’s work with a reggae reinterpretation. Stephen Marley The lead single Four Women, reimagined with … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELLObserver senior writer With groundbreaking albums like Rastafari and Dadawa, Ras Michael And The Sons of Negus’s place in the annals of roots-reggae is assured. The master drummer retains a zest for recording fresh material which can be heard on Jah Love, his new album, which was released in February by the Zion Disc company. Ras Michael co-produced the set with American multi-instrumentalist Steve Verhault. In an interview with the Jamaica Observer last week from his California home, he … Read entire article »

Song highlights “women who have gone through the wringer” By Sade Gardner/Gleaner Staff Reporter Nadine Sutherland (right), and mother Beverly Sutherland in a scene from Nadine’s ‘Queen’ music video— “I can’t believe I’m going to be … no, I believe it – I’m 54,” singer Nadine Sutherland squealed in a phone call interview with The Gleaner. She had initially intended to release Queen for her birthday today. The project, her first executive-produced, all-hands-on-deck record, will instead debut on March 25 as a … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL–Observer senior writer– Lady G & Malii KNOWN for dancehall standards like Nuff Respect , Lady G takes on a new sound with No Mis-Education , a take on Pink Floyd’s classic Another Brick in The Wall Pt 2 . The veteran deejay’s version features her daughter Malii. The rock-flavored No Mis-Education is scheduled for release in early May on Indie Rootz Records out of Montreal, Canada. Garnett “Bobby” Pottinger, a Jamaican, produced it and played all instruments while Canadian Brian Kotler is the song’s … Read entire article »

Mackie Conscious’  “THE WORLD IS IN TROUBLE” recorded in 2008, is once again creating waves as the war between Russia and Ukraine heats up. Radio and TV stations around the world as far away as Africa and Europe, are playing the song like it’s brand new. Mackie Conscious believes good music will last forever and sees this as just another one of his beliefs coming true. Mackie Conscious To say the world is in trouble because mankind fails to … Read entire article »

.’ If Tony Levy seems comfortable singing songs from different genres, that should come as no surprise. Since his youth in Barbados, he has been attracted to music from diverse cultures. “I love music, I have always loved music. Love Earth Wind And Fire, George Benson and Bobby Caldwell. In Barbados, we were bombarded with Jamaican culture so there was also a lot of reggae,” said Levy. The bespectacled artist has lived in South Florida for 30 years. … Read entire article »

 Hip hop artist Lord Abstract, who hails from Lansing, Michigan and lives in Nashville, Tennessee, has an affinity for Jamaican dancehall music. For his new song “Body Hot” (out today via Tuff Gong International), the rapper went straight to the source to tap two of genre’s leading icons, including the legendary Beenie Man and Mr. Lexx. With its hard-hitting beat and rapid fire verses, “Body Hot” embodies elements of the renowned ‘90s dancehall era that is still celebrated today. Lord Abstract laid the … Read entire article »

  “I’m Happy” is Jamaican singer Mary Isaacs’ latest track. Written by her with a few lyrical contributions by Sangie Davis who also did arrangement/producer duties, the song is released through Issachar Muzik label and distributed by Tuff Gong International.  Executive Producer, Jah Lloyd of Issachar Muzik saw Mary perform and contacted her to do a collaboration with him. On this track, Mary is feeling happy and blessed after waiting, yearning, praying, and wanting the right love to complete her life. About Mary Isaacs: Mary Isaacs launched her … Read entire article »

Nazz Genna Located in eastern Jamaica, Portland parish is famous for its lush landscape and spicy jerked food. It’s where Nazz Genna started making music as a boy and he hasn’t stopped. The singer is based in Orlando, Florida where he has been recording songs like I’m Living, a collaboration with fellow Portland native, Drizzy Fade. Produced by 1Press Records, it was released last summer. Drizzy Fade Strongly influenced by lovers rock star Sanchez, Nazz Genna has … Read entire article »