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CLINTON LINDSAY » Entries tagged with "Iba Mahr"

ARE ARTISTS ABANDONING JAMAICA AFTER FINDING SUCCESS ABOARD?

By Curtis Campbell—- Tarrus Riley (left) and Iba Mahr performing at the Half-Way Tree Transport Center, St Andrew, last Sunday at the Pan 2016 final.— Between 2012 and 2014, there was a strong resurgence of reggae music on local airwaves and even on the hardcore dancehall scene. However, fast forward to 2016, the presence of the genre has again dipped locally, with no major hits coming from reggae acts. In contrast to dancehall, which continues to dominate local radio and parties, reggae seems to bear more lasting fruits in the overseas market, resulting in more nominations in the current Grammy list. Aside from Devin Di Dakta, who is nominated for a collaborative album – also featuring the work of Sly and Robbie and JL – dancehall acts like Alkaline, Vybz Kartel and Future Fambo … Read entire article »

Filed under: BREAKING NEWS, GUEST RUNDOWNS

VP RECORDS’ VPAL DISTRIBUTION, IS KEEPING THE BEAT ALIVE!

 By Howard Campbell—- Top: Israel Vibration—  Bottom: (L) Macka B (R) Donovan Williams WITH music sales experiencing a global meltdown in the past decade, independent companies like VP Records sought different ways to make money. Six years ago, the Queens, New York label launched its VP Associated Label (VPAL) which distributes music by artists and producers looking to tap into mainstream and remote markets. Donovan Williams, label manager at VPAL, said 2015 has been its most productive year. “It has been a good year, we’ve seen substantial growth on the distribution and the production side and we’ve gotten inquiries from so many independent artists, producers & managers worldwide about our services,” Williams told the Sunday Observer. He said VPAL distributed over 50 digital albums, nearly 500 singles and six physical (compact discs) albums in 2015. The digital/CD albums … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

ROOTS SINGER IBA MAHR, TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM “DIAMOND SOX” NOVEMBER 20!

ROOTS SINGER IBA MAHR, TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM “DIAMOND SOX” NOVEMBER 20!

With a consistent pool of hits, fans will no longer wait in vain, as ace Reggae artist Iba Mahr will release his debut album ‘DIAMOND SOX’ on November 20, 2015. The 15 track album was produced by Jermaine Edwards and Roland Mcdermot for Born Rollin Productions and will be distributed by the VP Records affiliate, VPAL. According to the artist, “Diamond Sox features members of my musical family such as the legendary saxophonist Dean Fraser, Capleton, … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS, NEW RELEASES

TAD’S RECORDS TO RELEASE COMPILATION SET FEATURING NEO-ROOTS ARTISTS!

   Top(L-R) Jesse Royal, Iba Mahr & Kabaka Pyramid Bottom (L-R) Richie Spice, Chronixx, Jah Cure— MUSIC producer and distributor Tad Dawkins acknowledges the neo-roots movement with the Roots Reggae Revivalist Vol 1 album which will be released by his Tad’s International Record on April 21. The set contains songs by a number of new-wave roots artists such as Chronixx (Give me a Try), Jesse Royal (Singing the Blues), Iba Mahr (Babylon Debating) and Kabaka Pyramid, who teams with Tarrus Riley on Fly The Gate. There are also tracks by older roots singers including Richie Spice with Bad Weather and Jah Cure (Territory). Dawkins said the compilation’s release is timely. “The thought came to mind with the shifting of the genre to a more conscious new sound to reggae. This started to take place around the time … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

CANADIAN-BASED SINGER EXCO LEVI, STICKING TO HIS ROOTS!

 Exco Levi– CANADA’S reggae market has been growing steadily over the years with Jamaicans and their descendants working to take the music to that market. However, the artists in that market have never been able to cross over into the home market in Jamaica and make a name for themselves on the Rock. One reggae act is working to change all of this and has begun reaping the benefits. Exco Levi, born Wayne Ford Levy, migrated to Canada 10 years ago and after a number of odd jobs, decided it was the music of his homeland that would be his chosen path. But like all Canadian reggae acts, Exco Levi wanted recognition at home. His search would lead him to veteran music producer and CEO of Penthouse Records Donovan Germain. “Richie Stephens took me to Germain … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

BEFORE THE DANCEHALL MALEE, ROOTS-REGGAE ARTISTS DELIVER POSITIVE VIBES AT STING 2014!

By Richard Johnson—   Capleton in performance at Sting 2014 held at the JamWorld Entertainment Complex in St Catherine on Boxing Day. (PHOTOS: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)— THE dancehall acts would have had to be excellent performers to outdo their reggae counterparts at the 2014 staging of the popular annual stage show Sting. From their earliest sets at the JamWorld Complex in Portmore on Friday night, it was clear that the reggae acts were determined not to be outdone. They put in workman-like performances to earn the respect of the tough Sting crowd. Performances such as former Rising Stars finalist Dann I, Royal Flames, Droop Lion, Exco Levi and Iba Mahr were able to move the sizeable audience which streamed into the venue. These acts, with their conscious lyrics, sought and received the adoration of patrons who … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

THE 5TH ANNUAL DENNIS BROWN CONCERT TAKES PLACE IN KINGSTON, FEBRUARY 23!

THE 5TH ANNUAL DENNIS BROWN CONCERT TAKES PLACE IN KINGSTON, FEBRUARY 23!

  KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) says that this year’s 5th Annual Dennis Brown Concert will take place on the Kingston Waterfront, on Sunday, February 23 starting at 5:00pm. The concert will feature “some of the biggest names in reggae music, all performing for free, in paying tribute and continuing the love and respect for the reggae icon who died on July 1, 1999” He was 42 years old. JARIA said that the line-up also … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

ROOTS SINGER IBA MAHR, HUMBLED BY EUROPE’S LOVE FOR HIS MUSIC!

ROOTS SINGER IBA MAHR, HUMBLED BY EUROPE’S LOVE FOR HIS MUSIC!

Iba Mahr—- By Curtis Campbell—- Reggae artist Iba MaHr is spreading his musical wings in Europe, following several requests from European promoters to have him on their festival line-ups. The artist, who recently performed at the record-breaking Rototom Sunsplash in Benicàssim, Spain, is now plotting to produce and release his debut album after coming to the realisation that Europe is calling for one. Iba MaHr executed a month-long European tour in August called ‘Let Jah Lead The Way’. This tour saw him performing … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

RAS MICHAEL HAILS THE RESURGENCE OF ROOTS REGGAE!

RAS MICHAEL HAILS THE RESURGENCE OF ROOTS REGGAE!

By Howard Campbell —- INFLUENTIAL Nyahbinghi drummer Ras Michael says while he is pleased with the latest roots-reggae resurgence, he hopes its exponents honour the principles of their predecessors. “The traditions of the people and history of wi culture must take root, because a lot of the elders from my time make the ultimate sacrifice for this culture to be established around the world. What’s going on now is strong but we need some togetherness and understanding,” … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS