Now Hear This.....

Click on the links below to listen to the vibes!

• Soca
• Natural Black
• Reggae
• Gospel
  
• Daggerin Music
• A song for Mama
  

New Music:Tiffany Issacs - Want me back

A nice one from Ms. Tiffany Isaacs aka Bliss. I enjoyed listening to this throwback sound. Groovy!

X2: Jumo and Adrian - Album Launch

Taken in full from Stabroek News

In a searching sort of way the question can be asked whether the Kross Kolor duo of Adrian Dutchin and Jumo Primo has really set the standard in Guyanese music and manager Burchmore Simon would eagerly say yes, but whether the singers have or not a new kind of interest is certainly there.

“They have set it… the history and the record will show that they have set the standard because prior to the release of ‘Krazy’ Guyanese music was actually d-e-a-d. And I know I might be chastised for this but that is the truth,” Simon said at a pre-launch on Thursday for the group’s first studio album. Simon believes that the track, “Krazy” was the beginning of a beautiful revelation in local music.

The Bonny Alves and Eze Rockcliffes among others are well respected and recognized for the trail they blazed, but Simon is of the opinion that Jomo and Adrian revolutionized the way Guyanese music has connected to audiences here and abroad; that basically they have changed the game.

The frenzy that X2 (Jumo and Adrian) creates serves as the rationale for what Simon has said.

It has been five years, longer than it actually seems, since X2 first released the single “Krazy” and created an interest that previously was not there. Simon feels that they have “brought Kross Kolor and Guyana intense recognition” saying they now have a fan base in Europe. Incidentally, the duo will tour Europe next year following a request from a producer in Amsterdam who heard their sound and was fascinated. Simon disclosed on Thursday that the producer is spending some 35,000 euros on pre-tour promotional activities alone.

The success story that is X2 unfolds to a new chapter tonight when the album, ‘Kross Roads’ is officially launched at Duke Lodge. The album is the end of five years’ work beginning from the release of first single, offering a taste of a few songs previously recorded and 12 new tracks. It also includes a reggae remix of ‘Krazy’. Prior to the album launch X2 had released ten singles.

“Well you know this is who!” Jumo exclaimed on Thursday in his signature style before he went on to explain that the album embodies what they have represented over the years.

Jumo represents the raw energy of the group and his waist action is highly rated. According to him, they each bring a different style to the sound when it is combined.

Adrian, the showman of X2, was quick to point out that the album is fresh saying that it also celebrates what is local. “The album is there for people to judge. Hopefully people will go out and buy it, listen to it, love it and spread the word,” Adrian added. He said the journey over the years “was not easy”, adding that people never get to see the struggles.

In breaking down the new album, Simon said the basic ingredient which makes it fresh “is how the guys sound”. He said the album also moves away from digitalizing the sound and more emphasis has been placed on indigenous sounds given that a few percussion instruments were used. He also said that the sound is more acoustic.

As for a favourite track, he said, there is something for everyone including R&B and reggae, but Simon feels a little more connected to the track titled, “They Don’t Know’. According to him, it is a slow ballad type song which brings out the struggles of X2, “this is the track that has the least going on in it but it tells the real story,” he said.

X2 was one of the first local groups to be signed by corporate Guyana when it entered into a contract with U-Mobile and today it continues a relationship with Digicel.

Donovan White, Marketing Director at Digicel commended the group for developing Guyanese music to the level where it is on the crest of “great opportunities”. He noted that the home-grown talent of Adrian and Jumo has reached other Caribbean territories through their exploits with two regional bands. Jumo has been performing with Bryon Lee and the Dragonnaries while Adrian linked up with Krosfyah.

“I dare you to go out and buy the album,” White urged yesterday. “Don’t pirate it. Don’t beg them. Don’t steal their work. This is their blood, sweat and tears. They have done it because of you to put Guyana on the map.”

Simon, who is the Executive Producer on the album, explained that he has travelled and heard the music of X2 being played on New York streets. He said too that the Amsterdam producer who is linking up with the group next year actually heard the X2 sound coming from a café and investigated. The producer emailed Simon repeatedly, but the mails were ignored because they were in Dutch. The producer later visited Suriname and met another producer who knows Simon.

X2 album launch has been touted as the biggest to hit the country and the first in High Definition television. It gets underway tonight at around 10 o’clock. (ianaseales@yahoo.com)

Gospel: Vision

Vision is an all female group from the Eccles Assemblies of God. These ladies rock.

Lion of Judah (I like this one)





You lifted me:

Struck Root (sigh)

I was listening to this band todat after a long time and was thinking that their first 3 songs that they promoted were pretty damn good. So I decided to check them out on myspace and see what they are up to and what new music they have, then I read this shit:

StruckRoot is a four piece rock band from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The current lineup comprises Ricardo Dupret - Vocals, Andre Rahaman - Guitars, Rawle Staunton - Bass and Samuel Constantine - Drums.

The band was formed in Guyana (a country known mostly for the Jim Jones tragedy and located north of Brazil) March 2004 by Andre Rahaman. The original members consisted of Andre, Ricardo, drummer Jude Mendonca and bassist Romeo Yong.

This is all these ingrates can say about their homeland Guyana, Jim Jones? That's it?? So sad, they have to be fakers to sell themselves, we're from Brazil, that gives you so much cred doesn't it. Unpatriotic bastards!!

Is Dancehall going to the dogs?

With every generation comes change. Ever generation tries to outdo the previous generation. When Rock and Roll hit on the scene there was outcry that the world is going to hell in a handbasket. That didn't happen and it still will not. God music lasts and the others are forgotten. I don't know why dancehall is being picked on, if you look at the tv shows these days, everything is more racy and raunchy, vampire series, bachelor dating 12 women to find the perfect one, gay-couples match making, Kate and Jon.

Dancehall is Jamaica's contribution to the world, why would you want to even think of banning it? What/Who is behind this censorship? Who don't like it don't listen. These artists need to come together and stand up for their rights. Instead of calling for the banning also of Soca, they have their own artist association that will say ( as a jamaican would say) "if ona na like it, go suck yu ... Sex is a part of life and if as a parent you allow music to be your child's only teacher of things of a sexual nature, you have the lay the blame for their wayward behaviour on yourself. The onus in son you.


Other views - Letter to the Editor this week in the Stabroek News.

Dear Editor,

Change is inevitable. Everything changes over time, even music. And so we would have seen that within all the genres of music, there are changes in composition and delivery. This does not necessarily mean that the foundations of the different genres of music has changed, but just that subtle changes would have been made probably to phrasing, timing, harmony, or lyrical composition.

[...]

Reggae is a musical genre which was created here in the Caribbean in Jamaica and is one which has evolved and which continues to evolve. Reggae by right originated out of two other genres known as Ska and Rock-steady. Tempo wise it fits snugly in the middle of the two for it is slower than Ska and faster than Rocksteady.

Lyrically Reggae deals with a plethora of issues ranging from love, religion, drugs, poverty, colonialism, racism, and general third world politics. The genre also covers a lot of Pop music coming out of the United States and Europe.

But in the way that Reggae evolved from Ska, Reggae gave birth to Dancehall Reggae.

Discovered more or less by accident in the late 1970s, Dancehall Reggae, or Dub as it is popularly known, began simply with Disc Jockeys (DJs) chanting over the B side of Reggae 45 rpm records at Dances.

The lyrics for Dancehall were far less serious than those used in Reggae. A lot of emphasis was placed on the more socially appealing themes at that time, like the everyday Rude Bwoy, Area Dons or Donman, and a reverence for sexual dexterity in men and women.

[...]

Even though interspersed were some songs that glorified and promoted violence and also exposed the vulgar side of some artistes, it was not enough to taint the entire genre. People still rocked on to the Pepper Seed, Action, Medicine, Bogle, World Dance and the Stink Riddims, to name a few. Everyone got up and danced when Second Class Love came on with Carol Gonzalez and Buju Banton. That remains an all-time Dancehall classic!

Sadly the Dancehall arena has now changed drastically for the worst. Today the King Jammys and the Sly and Robbies of old have been replaced by producers like Stephen ‘Di Genius’ Mc Greggor, Not Nice and Daseca Productions. Beenie Man and Buju are still present, but they are now overshadowed by the likes of Movado, Vybz Kartel, Bugle, Demarco and Busy Signal just to name a few. Beautiful rhythmical Dancehall Reggae has been replaced by robotic heavily syncopated break beats and copious overdoses of synthesized keyboards. The poetic deliverance of messages of sexual grandeur and the often funny lines that dealt with strategies on how to get and keep a man or woman have all been replaced with hardcore verbal pornography! Many Dancehall artistes today have taken the themes of sex and violence way overboard. Absolutely nothing is left to the imagination.

The depiction of violence in modern Dancehall Reggae is as gruesome as it gets. And people go to parties to listen to this sewage of lyrics and actually claim to have fun. I am sorry for the generation of youth growing up on this filth called Dancehall Reggae. I often wonder what music this generation would play for their children as examples of music from their time.

Read the rest here. Also this video talks academically of the proposed banning.

Lyrics: Timeka Marshall - The Way You Love Me

This is her best song writing so far. Best line is "But on it's retreat It found it's corresponding beat."

THE WAY YOU LOVE ME

Never thought I'd Go through this again
My heart has been Sitting on a shelf
Never looking for anything
But on it's retreat
It found it's corresponding beat
Never thought I'd give it another try
But this love is taking over me
Can't hide

It's just the way you love love love love love me
Makes me wanna try again baby
The way you love love love love love me
Got me flying high

Summer aint summer
If it goes without it's shine
My days are winter
If I don't see you smile
Give me butterflies
Lift me right off my feet
Then sink right back to ground
Cause babe you make me weak

REPEAT CHORUS

I wasn't looking for no sweet love
But you came around and showed me some real love, yea
You give my heart an unfamiliar beat
You make my bitter sweet
You teach me to care
I wasn't looking for no sweet love
But you came around and showed me some real love, yea
You give my heart an unfamiliar beat
You make my bitter sweet
Erased all my fears

New Video: Timeka & Busy Signal-Feel Fah

It's here. iLike.

It's T-I-M-E-K-A!

So, Ms. Marshall's video with Busy Signal is premiering tonight on Jamaican tv, so youtube should have it in a few days or maybe by tomorrow.

Anyway, this is an interview in Kaieteur News with Busy Signal, in which he praises her talent.

The other side of Busy Signal - ‘Timeka is image and talent rolled up in one’

The name Busy Signal is taking the Caribbean reggae and dance hall music scene by storm. His music has attracted wide appeal from all ages, and the situation is not different on the local shores. While the artiste is known for some of the raunchier dancehall presentations, which he treated his Guyanese fans to during the recent Jamzone Summer Break Weeken, many fans argued that Busy Signal knows how to sing and make the ladies scream his name in wild abandon. On August 28, thanks to the Hits and Jams Entertainment group Guyanese Reggae and Dance Hall music lovers had a full dose of the artiste at the Jamzone Reggae splash and some are still talking about his performance.

Busy Signal, during a one-on-one interview with Kaieteur News Entertainment (KNE), said he is set to release a double album of Reggae and Dance Hall music in November and he promised that it will be a real collector’s item.

While he’s an energetic artiste there is another more positive side to Busy Signal the man as we discovered during a one-on-one interview.

KNE: Most people are of the opinion that youth cannot amount to much. As an artiste what have you to say to that?

Busy signal: As an artiste I can say for sure music for me is a blessing from God and I use it to uplift the youths and encourage them to keep out of trouble and to stay positive. I also encourage them to stay away from the bad side of the law and don’t get involved in the troubles and influences of the street.

KNE: What does ‘Busy’ use for inspiration in writing music?
Busy Signal: I use life and the people. I also look at the system and how people are treated.


KNE: You’ve been involved in the music industry for just about four and a half years. What have you learnt and what is the message to budding artistes?
Busy Signal: It eventually brings hype and bling but more than that, it’s a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. It is not about you; it’s about the people and giving them what they want to earn their love.

KNE: Where to from here musically?
Busy Signal: It’s just higher heights; no limits. I’m working on a double album that would feature one side reggae and another full of dance hall tracks for release in November.


KNE: You’ve worked with Guyanese artiste Timeka Marshall on the song ‘Feel fah’. What are your impressions of her as an artiste and her chances in the music industry?
Busy Signal: Image and talent rolled up in one. To me, she already got the image and not just taking for talking sake. I say she’s great, got a lot of talent and I recommend that she gets more songs out and showcase her creativity. For me, iIf she didn’t have talent I wouldn’t be on a song with her cause I don’t do joke stuff with my music and to me she’s not watered down. To me people have to really get their thing sought out for me to even listen, and when I heard her and realised her abilities as writer I say she’s one to look out for from Guyana and the Caribbean in time to come.

Gully vs Gaza

Well not exactly, but it's Jory vs Mr. Limpy.

I've been watching drama unfold with increasing interest since there are so many responses and chat backs.

In a nutshell Jory feels wronged by a promoter that has supposedly not paid him his monies for his performances. Using one of the promoter's faults, Jory successfully gets his point across without calling any names, lyrically it's brilliant, musically it's a lasting piece. Like any seh-seh story someone always have their piece to say, in jumps Fojo who used names and called both Jory and the promoter "Cry Baby." I didn't like this butting in, too many names being called. I guess I wasn't the only one because Ilaman jumps in with chat bout, where he calls Fojo a woman for getting into the seh-seh story. Alabama jumps in to attack with 2 songs, "Pay me" which was alright, it didn't seem like he took any sides just stating his position on being paid, however he butt back in with "What Jo don't know," heavily dissing Jory, calling him badminded and ungrateful, and possibly gay since he don't have a baby mother. Musically it sucked. Fire Fred, who I haven't heard in a while ain't tekking lef, he comes out swinging at Alabama. Alabama you in for a fight, try deh.

The art of fighting these musical wars is not using any names, which only Jory and Ilaman does, so I give it to them for this. The others need to watch it before somebody gets seriously hurt.

Why are both Alabama and Fire Fred dissing on Timeka?? What does she have to do with this? Yall don't try to pull down my girl, her video with Busy Signal premieres tonight in Jamaica. Can't wait.

New Music: Kester Deane & Friends

Live: Jory @ Movado in Guyana

Adrian Dutchin 'Finally' Releases an album

Adrian Dutchin the three times soca monarch has released an 17 track album appropriately titled "Finally."

According to gtvibes.com, this is a "collection of some of his work he compiled in response to public demand." It features a mixture of soca, chutney and a hint of RnB coming from Promises remix.

The album features collaborations with Peter Ram (For Me), Terry Gadraj (Rum Drinkers) and De Hitman

Also reported on GTvibes.com, Dutchin said he's very ready and feeling happy and excited about his fans having an original copy of the album in their hands and is also excited about being nominated for the 2009 Accolade awards in several categories.

Additionally, next year he might be back to regain his crown in the 2010 Soca Monarch competition. Good Luck.

New Music: Envy Riddim

New Riddim out of Brutal Tracks



Position Artist My Rank
1. Roger 7
2. Natural Black 4
3. Ilaman 3
4. Mystic 2
5. Tiffany 6
6. Lil J (out own Guyanese Sean Kingston) 2
7. Jory & Unknown artist 1
8. Kester Gospel on this riddim is a lil weird but hey gospel taking over. 5

I really like Ilaman and Mystic is such a unique character. Good job.

Labor Day Events

It's labor day weekend in NY. This year's parade is expected to pull nearly 2 million spectators and revellers. We I will not be on the parkway and have not been there for about 5 yrs. I can't deal with all those people, I'm patience is thin. I might pass around by the Guyanese corner. Yes, Guyanese corner, which leads me to to this, why Guyanese people can't get their sh*t together?

Come on, every year there's a big gathering at the Guyanese corner, why hasn't anyone organized this thing and make it meaningful. Ask the city for a permit and put it in the park next door. Have a lil donation going to send money to some home in Guyana or something man, geez Guyanese yall does make me feel so ashamed sometime.

What happen to Guyana Day, they organized this thing yet?

Secondly, with all our stars, why don't we have a float not a Trinidadian float with a Guyanese flag, a big Guyanese float, with out stars man, geez, do I ave to come up with some money and do this myself? Why don't we have fetes with these artists, Adrian and Jumo, Natural Black, even Timeka, wasn't she suppose to have performed in Maryland about 2 weeks ago? I just ain't even able type anymore, I vex!

Anyway there is the Guyanese folk festival this weekend. Go out and support we people.