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CLINTON LINDSAY » Entries tagged with "Garnet Silk"

ANTHONY CRUZ LAUNCHES “PROJECT SHANICE” FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!

By Howard Campbell—  From left: Arrayma Smith (Garnet Silk’s daughter); Anthony Cruz; Rosalee Gage-Grey, CEO of the Child Development Agency (CDA); Rochelle Dixon, CDA communication officer; and Wayzero Smith (another daughter of Garnet Silk) at the launch of Cruz’ Project Shanice, Sowan’s Restaurant and Club, last Sunday. (Photos: Karl McLarty) THE loss of relatives or close friends have influenced artists to become advocates for diverse causes. Singer Anthony Cruz, whose daughter Shanice was murdered in February, intends to take a stand against domestic abuse. Last Sunday at Sowan’s Restaurant and Club in Kingston, Cruz launched Project Shanice, an outreach organization, to help victims of domestic violence. “It’s an awareness campaign. We want to create a platform where women and children can reach out to different agencies like the Child Development Agency to get their … Read entire article »

Filed under: BREAKING NEWS, GUEST RUNDOWNS

QUEEN IFRICA’S ADVICE TO FEMALE ARTISTS “TALENT BEFORE IMAGE!”

 By Mel Cooke—  Queen Ifrica— Speaking at the medical sciences complex University of the West Indies (UWI), last Tuesday during a Reggae Talk organised by the Department of Literatures in English, reggae artist Queen Ifrica had advice for female performers. Ifrica remarked that while it is said that women are not equal in reggae, a lot of women hide behind that as justification to not work hard. “Whatever you do, man or woman, it takes dedication, it takes work,” Ifrica said. “A lot of females I see prefer to take the route of image,” Ifrica said, summing up their attitude as “Image is everything, talent will come along”. However, she advised, “It has to be a package.” And she has had experience of image even before considering being a reggae artist. “I remember growing up and going through … Read entire article »

Filed under: BREAKING NEWS, GUEST RUNDOWNS

ANTHONY CRUZ SAYS HE IS SERIOUS ABOUT HIS RASTAFARIAN FAITH!

 Anthony Cruz—- IN recent months, singer Anthony Cruz has sported a new look. Shoulder-length locks and full-grown beard. Known in dancehall circles as a balladeer, he says he has found his calling in Rastafari. Cruz, who is in his early 40s, is aware of talk that his image is just that — an image. “First of all, Rasta is not image, is a way of life. A lot of people think is about growing yuh hair,” he said, adding: “This is not a transition, Rasta inna mi lineage; anybody who know Anthony Cruz know a so mi stay long time.” The Cruz lineage includes Garnet Silk, his nephew. Silk, who died in 1995, was a leader of the 1990’s roots-reggae renaissance. Aaron Silk, another roots vocalist, is also his nephew.Cruz said two of his latest … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

AFTER A LONG HIATUS, SONGWRITER ANTHONY ROCHESTER IS BACK TO HIS GAME!

   Anthony Rochester— DURING the 1990’s roots-reggae explosion, Anthony Rochester was a silent partner in a movement driven by artists such as Tony Rebel and Garnet Silk. Rochester wrote or co-wrote a number of hit songs for Silk (It’s Growing, The Rod, Fill Us Up With Your Mercy), Everton Blender (Coming Harder, Family Man) and Nadine Sutherland (I’m in Love). After a break, he is back in the fold, working with singer Jahmali on Done Deal, the singer’s EP which is scheduled for release next month. He wrote and produced two songs on the six-song project: Keep On Keeping On and Mother Nature. “I never really left the business…I’ve been writing as usual. I took some time to tend to my family who is and will always be my priority,” Rochester told the Sunday Observer from … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

SINGER JAHMALI PREPARES TO RELEASE NEW SONG/EP IN DECEMBER!

 Jahmali —- Roots artist Jahmali is preparing to get back in the mix during the next six weeks with a new song and EP. The song, Done Deal, is written by Jahmali and produced by Christopher ‘Acoustic Vibes’ Hurst. It is the precursor to an EP of the same name, expected to be released in December. Jahmali told Splash that Done Deal, the EP, is his most diverse work to date. “As wi travel the world wi experience new sounds an’ what people want to hear. The music still Rasta-centric but wi try work with some different sounds,” he said. Country Road, another song Jahmali wrote, is an ode to ska and features drummer Derrick Stewart, formerly of the Skatalites band. Armagideon is a rock-reggae number. Interestingly, two songs from the mini set (Keep On Keeping … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

“THE SUGAR MINOTT’S DAY TRIBUTE” EXPANDS TO TWO DAYS!

By Brian Bonitto—  (L) Sugar Minott (R) Pashion Minott—- VETERAN singer Frankie Paul is among several acts slated to perform on the fifth staging of the Sugar Minott’s Day Tribute at Youthman Promotions headquarters on Robert Crescent in Kingston. The two-day event begins with a stage show at 8:30 pm tonight. “Frankie Paul came to the studio a few days ago. He heard of the tribute and asked to be part of it. Dad had a lot of influence on Frankie Paul’s career… they did several songs together,” said Pashon Minott, daughter of Sugar Minott and part of the event’s planning committee. “Many of dad’s foundation friends will be there,” she continued. These friends include singers Junior Reid, Triston Palmer, Little John, Carl Dawkins, Errol Dunkley and the Mighty Diamonds. Sizzla Kalonji, Bounty … Read entire article »

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IT WAS A “MUSICAL TRIBUTE” TO GARNET SILK!

   (L-R) Garnet Silk, D Medz, Aaron Silk THE latest in the Conscious Reggae Party series at the Countryside Club took place Friday in St Andrew. In memory of singer Garnet Silk, it was an entertaining affair. Aaron Silk, younger brother of the late artiste who would have been 49 on April 2, delivered a lively set in tribute to his illustrious sibling who died tragically on December 9, 1994. After performing some of his own material such as The Right Path, Step Out and Fighting Brave, Aaron Silk and his Reel Vybz band rekindled the musical flames Garnet blazed with Mama Africa, Zion in a Vision and Oh Me Oh My. Silk’s former manager, Bridgette Anderson, recalled his passion for message music. “He was a force to be reckoned with and his presence on stage … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

RICHIE STEPHENS LIGHTS UP NIGHT-TWO OF THE JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL!

Richie Stephens and the Ska-tec dancers – Karrie Williams Photo—- By Karrie Williams— FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny:— Celebrated vocalist, Richie Stephens, lit up the Jamaica Jazz and Blues stage, at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium this evening half-way through Night Two. The singer came on shortly before 10:00 p.m., and wooed patrons with a slew of hit songs, covering various Reggae artistes and genres. In a performance that lasted approximately 45 minutes, inclusive of an encore, Stephens paid tribute to the late John Holt, Dennis Brown and Garnet Silk, singing a series of their best known hits. He further pleased patrons with some of his own classics including Every time You’re There and By Your Side. Stephens also performed a medley of gospel songs. But it was his Ska-inspired renditions featuring his ‘Ska-tec’ group of dancers, which brought the house down. Before leaving the stage Stephens told concert-goers that … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

PRODUCER COURTNEY COLE IS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL!

 Courtney Cole— A NUMBER of music producers emerged during the 1990s dancehall explosion. One of them was Courtney Cole, whose Roof International released several hit songs from its Ocho Rios base. Cole is still at the helm of Roof, though the label has moved to St Elizabeth where he works with mostly home-grown artists. “I’m dealing with some young talent like a 10-year-old named Simonia, who is going places,” said Cole. Let’s Live in Harmony by Simonia is one of Roof’s latest releases. According to Cole, the title sums up his label’s approach to music. “Everything we deal with is conscious, nothing out of the way,” he said. Dub poet Richie Innocent, gospel singer Meekle Melody and lovers rock singer Garth Swaby are some of the acts Cole has worked with recently. An auto-mechanic by trade, St … Read entire article »

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GARNET SILK TOP 25 SONGS!

GARNET SILK TOP 25 SONGS Compiled by Clinton Lindsay, culled from the New York/WNWK Top 20 Chart. 1 ZION IN A VISON 1993 Produced by: Lloyd “King Jammy” James 2 Kingly Character 1993 Prod: Bobby “Digital” Dixon 3 Hello Africa 1993 Prod: Richard “Bello” Bell 4 Fill Us Up With Your Mercy 1993 Prod: Lloyd “King Jammy” James 5 Splashing Dashing 1993 Prod: Bobby “Digital” Dixon 6 Fight Back w/Richie Stevens 1994 Prod: EJ Robinson 7 Complaint 1994 Prod: Donovan Germain 8 Lord Watch Over Our Shoulders 1994 Prod: Lloyd James 9 Oh Me Oh My 1993 Prod: Danny Browne 10 Music Is The Rod 1994 Prod: Bobby “Digital” Dixon 11 Everything I’ve Got 1993 Prod: Donovan Germain 12 Nothing Can Divide Us 1993 Prod: Courtney Cole 13 A Place In My Heart 1992 Prod: Bobby Digital 14 Lion Heart 1993 Prod: Donovan Germain 15 Cry Of My People 1995 Prod: EJ Robinson 16 A Man Is Just A Man 1995 Prod: … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS