The tradition of Jamaican dancehall Sound System has often been referred to as a kind of mobile disco. The “dancehall disco” was the linchpin for the development of the entire Jamaican music industry – which today has evolved into reggae and modern dancehall genres. These “mobile discos” actually gave rise…
Tampa Bay journalist Patty Ryan, staff writer for the Tampa Bay Times has reported that lawyers for Jamaica’s reggae star Buju Banton (Mark Myrie) has made a new deal with the state prosecutors which will enable the artist release from US prison in January 2019. Under the new deal, pending…
Inner Circle, the original bad boys of reggae music are back with an 8-track EP on their original Tenement Yard Riddim. It features several artists including – Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Bugle, Assassin, Tanya Stephens and Daniel (Bambaata) Marley. The instrumental mix of Tenement Yard is worth the price of the…
I am tempted to say they are back, but that wouldn’t be true. Morgan Heritage never really went anywhere. They just keep putting out great music. This latest album – Strictly Roots include collaborations with several artists including Cronixx (Child of Jah), Young Jo Mersa Marley (Light it Up), Shaggy…
Jamaica multi-talented keyboard player Leslie Butler’s new album will have its official I-Tunes release on June 9. The album titled: We’ve Only Just Begun features classic standards like Witchita Lineman, Love Story, Shaft and the title track. Butler is one of Jamaica’s least known musical giants. His classic dub album…
Keith Porter & the Itals have released their latest album titled Mind over Matter. The 20-track set was released on May 5 on Ital Music label. Former lead singer Ronnie Davis is truly missed on this one.
Barrington (Double Trouble) Levy has ventured out where not many reggae artists have gone – releasing an all-acoustic album. The 15-cut album entitled AcousticLevy include several of the artist’s mega hits done in acoustic style. Among the tracks are anthems such as Murderer, Under Mi Sensi, Prison Oval, Teach the Youth and Black Roses. The album was released on May 5th – on the Tafari Records label.
New Music
Eddie Murphy dropped new reggae single titled “Oh Jah Jah” in January. The track is on VPAL music and is distributed by VP Records. Murphy wrote and co-produced the record with Ralph Hawkins and Trenten Gumbs.
Mystic Revealers are back together after Fifteen year to release their new album titled “Crucial Cuts”. The album is available on VP Records new Dub Rockers label. The album reunites the quartet of Billy “Mystic” Wilmot (vocal, guitar), Leroy “Lion” Edwards (bass), Nicholas “Drummie” Henry (drums) and Steve Davis (guitar and vocalist). Popular artists Sizzla, Anthony B and Chronixx contributed to the album.
Gone Too Soon
T Boots Harris, a friend, journalist and entertainment consultant, music industry insider and radio host died of a heart attack in August 2014 at the young age of 69. Harris was a big part of the Jamaican entertainment industry and “advisor” to many young reggae artists for more that forty years.
Hopeton Lewis – Montego Bay born reggae star turned Gospel singer left us in September 2014. Lewis became a household name in Jamaican music in 1966 when he joined Trinidadian – Lyn Tait’s band to recorded one of the country’s first reggae hits title “Take It Easy”. He followed up with several huge hits – the biggest – his 1970 festival song titled “Boom Shaka Lacka”. He released his first Gospel album in 2000.
Uziah Thompson – known to most reggae musicians, promoters and media as “Sticky”, one of reggae industry’s most accomplished percussionists died in August 2014. Sticky gave more that 50 of his 78 years to the reggae music industry. The long list of artists, whose music he “decorated” included The Wailers, The Mighty Diamonds, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, Jimmy Cliff, Ken Boothe and Gregory Isaacs.
John Holt – a true legend in Jamaican culture died at the age of 67 in October 2014. The former lead singer of the Paragons and later an extended solo career was a key building block of both the Studio One and Trojan labels. 
The singer/song writer was responsible for one of Jamaica’s earliest international hits – The Tide is High – covered by international star Blondie. Throughout his career Holt released 54 albums, including the classic collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra in 2001. His body of work earned him the national honor of Order of Distinction (Commander Class) by the Jamaican Government in 2004.
