DA POWER HOUSE RADIO

Rocksteady pioneer Nerlin Taitt dead

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Taitt

Nerlin ‘Lynn’ Taitt, the Trinidadian guitarist many musicologists credit with the birth of rocksteady, has died. The WACK 90.1 radio station in Trinidad reported on its website that he passed away at age 75 on Wednesday in Montreal, Canada.

No cause of death was given.

Taitt, who was born in Trinidad’s San Fernando region, emigrated to Canada in 1968. He first came to Jamaica in August 1963 as a musician to play in celebrations to mark Jamaica’s first year of Independence from Britain.

He became a regular session player in Jamaica during the ska era, recording with the genre’s biggest acts including The Skatalites and Derrick Morgan.

But it was the rocksteady sound that Taitt is most associated. He perfected that beat by playing in influential bands such as The Cavaliers, Comets and The Jets, which was the most prolific.

His bandmates in The Jets included guitarist Lynford ‘Hux’ Brown, keyboardists Gladstone Anderson and Winston Wright and saxophonist Headley Bennett.

Among the many hits Taitt played on was Take It Easy by Hopeton Lewis, which many argue is the first rocksteady song. He also worked on Girl I’ve Got a Date by Alton Ellis.

musicians

Taitt recorded with Jamaica’s biggest producers of the 1960s, including arch-rivals Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd and Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid, Bunny Lee, Sonia Pottinger and Leslie Kong.

Some of Taitt’s most appreciated work was done with Kong, a Chinese-Jamaican who was the first person to record Bob Marley. Taitt played on most hit songs by singer Desmond Dekker, Kong’s star act.

His jangly opening riffs helped make Dekker’s 007 (Shantytown) a classic.

Taitt also recorded several songs with African-American impresario Danny Sims and singer Johnny Nash.

In the 1970s, Taitt was part of a colony of rocksteady musicians living in Toronto. Others included Leroy Sibbles of The Heptones, and keyboardist Jackie Mittoo who Taitt worked with in The Skatalites.

Audrey Reid back to her roots

“One more dictionary! Unu see how me haffi buy one more dictionary fi me son? I don’t know why him caan stop lose tings!” This is the greeting from Audrey Reid, dictionary in hand, as she hurriedly alights her SUV, in an attempt to make up for lost time. The star of stage and screen is not typically late for appointments but this morning a meeting with her son’s teacher has delayed her arrival. Those who know her would not be surprised. Reid is a very committed mother of three, a fact which is underscored by her decision to join the cast of Passa Passa Daily, the latest comedic offering from Stages Productions. “I had other offers on the table but that would mean extended time away from my children. Passa Passa Daily presented an opportunity to remain at the top of my game while taking care of my family, so it was a win-win situation,” offers Reid.

Popularly known for her role as Marcia in the film Dancehall Queen, she reminds us that this is a minute fraction of her work having showcased most of her craft overseas, particularly in England. Her impressive repertoire includes Shakespeare, melodramatic and religious-themed productions and now having started her career in roots, she is excited to be back. “Establishing my own style has been central to ensuring my longevity as an actor. Audiences can expect me to be unpredictable but at the same time they know that I am going to be true to the character, nothing watered down. If I don’t think I can do justice to a role, I don’t do it. I ensure that even the costumes make a statement about my character”, says Reid.

This time around she takes on the role of Bibsy whom she describes as colourful, mouthy, cantankerous, inquisitive, coarse, a big “set-on”, even while being one of the biggest cowards in the community. Bibsy is the ‘out-a-road’ correspondent for Chu Chu (Cleve Warren) who is trying to establish herself as a reporter for the newspaper Passa Passa Daily. Bibsy manages to get her new employer Chu Chu in a world of trouble. They are both a match made in…well, definitely not heaven. Garfield ‘Bad Bwoy Trevor’ Reid, director of the production, is happy to have the star on board. “Audrey has excellent command of the stage and the ability to manipulate the audience without even saying a word. I articulate my vision and she’s good to go, it just happens. It’s a riot to see her teamed with Chu Chu.”

Written by Everton Dawkins, Passa Passa Daily is the third instalment of the highly successful Passa Passa series and places Reid in a cast including season favourites Chu Chu, Pearl (Suzette Barrett) and Officer Roy Lickshot (Stede ‘Jooky Jam’ Flash). The cast is completed by seasoned actors Orville Hall (Nyah), Patrick Smith (Mayor Blackwood), Felisha Lord (Darling), Luke Ellington (Stylish) and newcomer Evelyn ‘Carnival Mumma’ Forbes (Icilda). Passa Passa Daily opens on Friday, February 5, 2010 at the Green Gables Theatre.

CHERINE
MAKES JAZZ FEST DEBUT
Dancehall Soulstress to share stage with Babyface, Joss Stone and more…

She’s passionate, soulful, empowering and full of youthful positive vibes. Dancehall Soulstress Cherine Anderson, arguably the busiest  and one of the most talented young female Jamaican singers today,  is set to grace the mainstage of Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival on Thursday, January 28, at The Greenfield stadium in Trelawny.  Anderson will perform alongside Babyface, The Whispers, Joss Stone, Monty Alexander and Joe Roy Jackson.

A musical breath of fresh air, the young artist hails from the tough streets of East Kingston, Jamaica, and has spent the last two years building a reputation of hard-hitting songs and captivating live performances.  Cherine became familiar to Jamaican audiences first as an acclaimed child actress, having starred in two of Jamaica’s most successful films, Dancehall Queen and One Love.  She has been nominated for multiple awards and was named Best Actress in a feature by MTV2 for the film One Love.

Movies aside, the singer/songwriter’s debut recording “Good Love” appeared on Sly & Robbie’s Grammy Award nominated album Anniversary.  Media and reggae music lovers both at home and abroad quickly took notice of Anderson’s powerful voice .  She has been steadily rising with local hits like “Coming Over Tonight”, “Kingston State of Mind”, “Good Love” and more recently “Talk if Yuh Talking” and “Shine On Jamaica”.

When asked what we can expect from her performance on Jazz, she responds, “Come out and expect to have a good time. There is a lot going on in the world right now so this performance is more than just entertainment, it’s for a cause.  Jazz & Blues has decided to donate to Haiti’s Earthquake Relief, and I’m gonna give it my everything.  I’ll be performing  something extra special for my supporters and those who will be seeing me for the first time.”

Last year was a big year for Anderson.  She performed at three events celebrating the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington DC (The Green Ball, The Peace Ball, Rock the Vote/Calvin Klein inaugural party), as well as the World Games Special Olympics in Idaho, USA. In August 2009, Cherine made history by becoming the first Jamaican female singer to hit the Billboard Rock charts.  She is credited as a featured performer on Michael Franti and Spearhead’s “Say Hey (I Love You)” single.  The song peaked at #1 on Billboard Heatseekers charts as well as iTunes Alternative Charts.  “Say Hey (I Love You)” also reached #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, and simultaneously registered on six other Billboard charts (Digital Songs, Pop Song, Adult Contemporary, Adult Pop Songs and the Radio Songs charts).

Only in her twenties, Anderson has already collaborated on official remixes with legendary artists including Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney, Britney Spears and Wyclef Jean, all before releasing her much anticipated debut album, which is scheduled to be released in 2010.  Anderson spent last year touring Europe, Australia and North American with drum and bass legendary duo Sly & Robbie, the prolific Michael Franti & Spearhead and multi-platinum rock band Counting Crows.  She also made her US television debut with Spearhead, appearing on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and recently performed live on the Ellen Degeneres Show.

Tyrical Gives Exciting Performance At Pepsi Rebel Salute

Fast rising deejay Tyrical who has been nominated by the Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards in the Break through Artist of the Year category, gave a delightful performance at the just concluded Pepsi Rebel Salute which was held on Saturday night. Clad in a yellow outfit Tyrical came on stage sometime after 10:PM singing his big hit tune Want My Own, which immediately drew a very positive response from the large audience.

The very creative deejay showed off his versatility by performing a reworked version of Reggae King Bob Marley’s classic No Woman Nuh Cry, entitled No Haiti No Cry. His passionate tribute to the people of the earthquake stricken country was all also a winner with the audience. He closed out his short but entertaining set with Ghetto Prayer and World Lock.

Tyrical is currently enjoying good rotation on radio stations both locally and abroad with new singles such as Want Mi, Too Close, War Inna Reggae and Bless Mi Soul.

Protoje Collaborates With Don Corleon

2010 is shaping up to be an explosive year for talented new reggae artist Protoje, who is looking to take his career to new heights under the guidance of his cousin Donovan ‘Don Corleon’ Bennett. Since he began working with the topflight record producer last December he has been writing and recording a number of tracks to complete his upcoming album The Seven Year Itch. The first fruit of this wonderful collaboration is a haunting reggae track titled Dread which has been getting heavy radio play both locally and abroad since its release two weeks ago. Dread has been endorsed by the likes of top jocks such ZJ Liquid (ZIP FM), ZJ Elektra (ZIP FM) and DJ Wayne (IRIE FM) among others.

“A Don Corleon production will be very good to build on my current momentum,” said Protoje, whose given name is Oje Ollivierre.

“Dread was the one,” explained Corleon as he recalls listening to a selection of his kin’s tracks one day in his studio. After being told that the tune had been recorded and remixed on three separate occasions without the desired outcome, the prolific hit making producer decided it was time for proper execution. The first verse begins with a reminiscent reference to the recently arrested Buju Banton (“hockey jersey inna heat, Patrick Ewings on the feet / Buju Banton on the beat, uunu ‘member dat! / ’92 December dat!”), a mere coincidence since Protoje wrote the song a long time ago.

Don had been following Protoje’s music for much longer than most in the industry but wanted to give the artiste more time to grow and develop as a vocalist and a songwriter. However after watching Protoje perform at the Seven Year Wish concert last December at Weekenz Don was thoroughly impressed. Protoje who was the headline act for the event which was staged by his record label and management company House Of Diggy, had delivered a very exciting performance that left everyone in the venue in awe. Dread was among the songs he performed and Don was there to witness it up close.

Since then, industry insiders have been implying – indeed expecting – that Protoje is destined for international stardom. This has lead many to wonder why it took Don Corleon so long to collaborate with the artiste given the blood connection.

“Not because he’s my cousin means I was going to just give him a buss in the business. He had to prove himself first,” said Don. “Now his writing is better and his vocals have improved tremendously.” “He is indeed ready for the big break now.”

Timmi Burrell Scores His First Number One

After several weeks on the RETV MVP video charts Westside Konnection Records recording artist Timmi Burrell has finally jumped into the number one spot with his music video for his self produced single, titled Why Did You Leave. The Negril based artist and his management team is very happy about the response the video has received since it was released late last year. The music video is also receiving good rotation on other television stations such as HYPE TV, CVM, CVM PLUS and NTV.

“I am very happy that my video is number one right now on RETV.” “It’s my first of many to come, I am looking for great success this year and the year is young”, said the artist whose real name is Clive Timothy Burrell.

Timmy Burrell is also booked to appear on this year’s staging of the Miss Beaches Sand Bay beauty pageant. This event will be held at the Kool Runnings Water Park in Negril on Saturday the 30^th of January.

Richie Spice Wows Negril Escape crowd

Written by TORI SHAE

An overwhelming amount of patrons came out to see topflight reggae artist Richie Spice in performance on Tuesday the 19th of January at the Negril Escape Resort. The event was the weekly Negril One Love Reggae concert series, which is proving to be quite a hit amongst music lovers in the western end of the island. On Tuesday night Richie Spice delivered that could possibly be the performance of the series, which has had some very memorable performances so far from the likes of Sanchez, Tarrus, Riley, Jah Cure, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Etana, Freddie McGregor and Queen Ifrica. Dressed causally in a white T shirt, Blue Jeans, Sneakers and a white Turban Richie Spice entered the stage to thunderous applause at 11PM. However his performance was far from casual as the prolific hit maker delivered a very potent performance that lasted over an hour long. The audience was in a tizzy as Spice reeled of hits such as What A Day, Blood Again, Earth A Run Red, Black Like A Tar, Brown Skin, Grooving, Ghetto Girl, Street Life, A No Me Dat, Don’t Call Me No Dog, Marijuana Pon Di Corner, World Is A Cycle, Plain Land and Kings & Queen. Even after his encore the fans were begging for more. The opening acts were Ali C and Singing Honor who both did very well. Richie Spice’s younger brother Snatcha who was not officially billed for show also delivered a well received performance.

source: entertainment by Rallo, one876entertainment.com, jamaicagleaner.com, jamaicaobserver.com

What’s up peeps,  been missing in action for a while but I’m BACK.  Had to tie up a few loose end so I could concentrate on you!!!.

I hope you all were still listening to me on theladydshow.com or dapowerhouseradio.com.

Well here is the news!!!

Bounty Killer case stalled until 2010!

Alliance leader Bounty Killer returned to court on Wednesday when the illegal possession of firearm case against him continued, however, the case stalled when a major witness failed to appear. The next court date is March 24, 2010..

The deejay, whose real name is Rodney Basil Price, is charged with illegal possession of firearm, assault at common law and unlawful wounding. The deejay is also accused of using a firearm to hit a policeman during an altercation in New Kingston in September 2007.

When the case was mentioned last month in the Corporate Area Gun Court, it was postponed because the deejay’s attorney-at-law had been away on business and could not attend. It is alleged that on September 27, 2007, Bounty Killer and a group of men reportedly assaulted the complainant along St Lucia Avenue. It is further alleged that an off-duty policeman left a club and saw a number of vehicles blocking a section of the roadway. Several men, including Bounty Killer, and the late dancer David ‘Ice’ Smith, were allegedly at the scene. Another man, Callis Bowen, said to be an ex-policeman, is also jointly charged with the deejay.

The policeman tried to get the men to move the vehicles but was reportedly assaulted and fired at. A report was made to the New Kingston Police and a file later sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who ruled that Price should be charged.

Killer, who has been at the forefront of dancehall for almost two decades, has had a checkered record with the law. He was recently freed of assault charges in a matter where he was accused of assaulting a female when the complainant decided she did not want to pursue the matter.

The deejay was charged with possession of ganja by police in the business and clubbing district of New Kingston last month, just days after he pleaded not guilty to drug charges in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.
Another case relates to traffic violations allegedly committed in late 2008. He was accused by the police of breaking seven red lights, obstructing traffic and refusing to undergo a breathalyser test in an early-morning incident.

Beenie yanked from NZ show following gay pressure

Monday Musings

with Yasmin

Monday, November 16, 2009

Following headlines over the weekend that gay lobby groups in New Zealand were presuring the promoters of music festival, Big Day Out, to pull Beenie Man from the line-up, and subsequent defence of their decision to use him as the only reggae act, the promoters have now backpedalled and have yanked the deejay from the concert.

Beenie Man… yanked from line-up for music festival Big Day Out

Internet reports say that New Zealand MP Kevin Hague was among those objecting to the inclusion of the King of the Dancehall based on his anti-gay lyrics. Hague noted that hate-mongering is not welcome in New Zealand, and reportedly urged the Big Day Out to uninvite Beenie.

“Music is a powerful shaper of culture, values, attitudes and behaviour,” said Hague. “Music that denigrates gay men and lesbians in the most extreme way imaginable sends some very powerful signals both to young gay and lesbian people but also to their peers. It is not true that ’sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’.

“Hate speech like that of Beenie Man gives permission to prejudice and discrimination and creates it where it didn’t previously exist. It blights and diminishes the lives of all who are exposed to it, most particularly young lesbian and gay people who suffer violence, harassment, lowered self-esteem and all the consequent health and social problems.”

Gay reaction stemmed from a song recorded by the deejay in which he says, “I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays.”

The promoters had said in a previous release that they were aware of Beenie Man’s controversial past, but he had renounced those feelings and was now promoting “peaceful and humanistic values”.

However, a release posted yesterday said, “The depth of feeling and hurt amongst these groups has convinced us that for us to proceed with his Big Day Out appearances was, and would continue to be, divisive among our audience members and would mar the enjoyment of the event for many.”

Beenie Man, as is the norm, could not be reached for comment.

The sad part about this is that it’s not just Beenie who has lost out, it’s the music. This is a lost opportunity to promote reggae/dancehall in a major way and would no doubt have been a big boost - financially and otherwise - for Beenie Man himself. The fact is that there must have been big demand for this artiste for the promoters to have included him in a line-up with names such as Lily Allen, Muse, Eskimo Joe, The Mars Volta, Calvin Harris, Lisa Mitchell, the Horrors, and others. Between January 15 and 31, the Big Day Out will be held in Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, and according to the concert’s website, many of the venues are already sold out.

Beenie Blocked by Gays from Australia gig

Gay rights groups are moving to block Beenie Man’s inclusion on an annual Big Day Out events in Australia and New Zealand.

A release from Peter Thatchell of the Outrage! group claims that: “Beenie Man, one of Jamaica’s leading reggae stars, has had hit tunes which incite the murder of lesbians and gay men.

In his hit tune Damn, Beenie Man sings: “I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the queers.” Another of his hit tunes, Bad Man Chi Chi Man (Bad Man Queer Man), instructs listeners to kill gay DJs and boasts that people would gladly go to jail for killing a queer:
“If yuh nuh chi chi (queer) man wave yuh right hand and (NO!!!) / If yuh nuh lesbian wave yuh right hand and (NO!!!) / Some bwoy will go a jail fi kill man tun bad man chi chi man!!! / Tell mi, sumfest it should a be a showdown / Yuh seem to run off a stage like a clown (Kill Dem DJ!!!)”.

Chi Chi Man is a very offensive Jamaican patois homophobic slang insult, equivalent to the insulting words queer, poof and faggot, the release said.

Despite this evidence, Big Day Out organisers in Melbourne are considering going ahead with Beenie Man’s concert in the city.

The article went on to say that Big Day Out organiser Susan Forrester has contacted Peter Tatchell of the gay rights group OutRage! in London, who is the International Coordinator of the Stop Murder Music campaign. Her contact details are (03) 9820 4677 and susan@bigdayout.com

Mr Tatchell has replied to her, calling on Big Day Out to cancel Beenie Man’s concert. He wrote to Ms Forrester as follows:

“Beenie Man is clearly unrepentant. He has never apologised for urging the killing of gay people. In fact, he put out a statement saying ‘I no apologise’. You would not consider hosting Beenie Man if he was a white racist singer who had called for the murder of black people. You would dump him. Why the double standards?” queried Mr Tatchell, who is Melbourne-born but London based since 1971.

Beenie Man is also being considered as a guest performer at Auckland’s Big Day Out, according to its promoter Campbell Smith.

Jahvinci STILL a member of the Portmore Empire - Kartel says

Contrary to reports surfacing on the Internet and in the streets of the Corporate Area, Jahvinci is still a member of the Portmore Empire and will honour all contractual arrangements made for him to perform overseas and locally.

“Yea, man,” Adidja Palmer, the head of the Portmore Empire, told one876entertainment yesterday when asked if the Watch Yu Friends singer was still a member of dancehall’s hottest music outfit. “Jah is still a member of the Empire.”

Last week, reports surfaced that Jahvinci, who scored a number one single with Watch Yu Friends, had been beaten up by enforcers affiliated to the Empire group. The rumours were further fuelled when the singer did not perform at the last two legs of the RE High School tour, and missed the Millennium Countdown 9 show in The Bahamas. However, Jahvinci has repeatedly shot down rumours that the incident happened.

Lots of flossing for Flippa this holiday season

Monday, November 16, 2009

Deejay Flippa Mafia, having enjoyed a good run this year, is preparing for a busy end-of- year and is all set to close 2009 in style.

Flippa Mafia

The deejay was exciting at the recent Barefoot Beach concert in Montego Bay, headlined by American rapper Soulja Boy, and is anticipating great upcoming performances.

“It’s just lots of crazy work . flossing like a king and keeping the fans happy,” Flippa said.

Now that his single, Foundation Over Hype, is making strides on the Hype chart and seems set to score him his second number one for the year, the Flossing King is not about to drop the baton. He dismissed the feud with flamboyant deejay Elephant Man as nothing to hype about and instead says he is focused on his career.

“I will be performing at Club Amazura in Queens on November 26, Canada on the 28th and a treat in Trench Town on December 12. The proceeds from this will be for the education of the youths,” explained the deejay, whose money-throwing gimmicks during his performances earned him welcome attention.

The deejay will have his first performace in England December 17-19 and says he is “eager to touch Europe”.

He returns to the island for GT Taylor’s Christmas Extravaganza on December 25 and Supreme Promotions’ Sting, the greatest one-night show on earth, on Boxing Day at Jamworld.

source: jamaicaobserver.com, one876entertainment.com,