Fourth Street Sisters go their separate ways

The female quartet Fourth Street Sister which was formed approximately 10 years is no longer together.

Althea Hewitt, the former lead singer of the group, told Splash that "the group broke up and I am basically expanding my horizons. The other members had other visions of where they wanted to be so they decided to move on".

Hewitt recently began her trek into another dimension as far as her recording career is concerned. She recorded a combination titled Friend Of Mine with Beres Hammond.

"It's a nice song and we are hoping it will be on my upcoming album. Beres says he might use it for his album as well,"
Hewitt said. The song was produced by Hammond for his Harmony House label.

Fyah Blaze blazing a path of consciousness

When Kevin Morris, a former guidance counsellor and university student, decided to pursue a musical direction, little did he anticipate the kind of feedback that he has been receiving of late. Now known as Fyah Blaze, he recently released his debut album Truth And Rights on the Eight76 Records imprint. The album has been doing quite well in the US, especially in the South Florida area, where it peaked at number five on the reggae album chart. The title track is number three this week on the South Florida Top 20 Reggae chart. Over on the New York Reggae chart, the single debuted a week ago at number 27.

But who exactly is Fyah Blaze? He was born in Harbour View in Kingston and attended Kingston College. He migrated to New York when he was 13. He and his family moved to Florida after completing studies at Albany State University. It was then that Fyah Blaze took up a job as a guidance counsellor, but when the music bug bit him, he decided to follow his dreams.

Commenting on how he got the name Fyah Blaze, he said: "A bredren DJ of mine by the name of Herbalist gave me the name because he said my lyrics were blazing."

"My decision to enter music was a calling that got stronger over time and really took hold after I graduated from college. I was working a full-time job and thought I could do my music as I got more support and encouragement from many people and decided to pursue that calling. My conviction and dedication is to the music and to defend truths and rights," he said.

Fyah Blaze lists Bob Marley, Sizzla, Capleton, Jackie Mittoo, John Lennon, and Lenny Kravitz among his musical influences.

On his debut 16-track album Truth and Rights, Fyah Blaze worked with Kenroy 'Yahbreeze' Archibald, Luciano, Richie Stephens, Evette, Nambo Robinson and Dean Fraser among others. "Versatility, strong writing skills and positive songs with melodies that reggae fans can enjoy. There is a little roots rock, ska and even some dancehall and alternative rock," was how Fyah Blaze described his album. .

Fyah Blaze made his recording debut with King of Kings for the Cave Man label in Jamaica. He describes his style as being unique and versatile.

"My sound is unique and versatile. I deejay and sing-jay on the album. My label and I try to bring a level of professionalism that is not common these days for an independent company dealing exclusively with reggae music," he said.

Beenie Man tops Martin's International Reggae and World Music Awards nominations

Dancehall Kingpin Beenie Man who's single Frame I and I has been making inroads on the local scene, picked up the most nominations in the 24th annual Martin's International Reggae and World Music Awards. Beenie Man received eight nominations.

Luciano, Toots Hibbert and Elephant Man were each nominated in six categories.

The International Reggae and World Music Awards, which is promoted each year by Jamaican born Ephraim Martin, recognises the best in reggae and world beat music at the global level. The event takes place at Columbia University- Alfred Lerner Hall on Mother's Day, Sunday May 7. Among the confirmed performers are Luciano, Frankie Paul, Mutabaruka, Jackie Brown, Sister Carol, Empress Isis and the Mighty Sparrow.

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Billboard magazine has named the New York-based independent reggae music distributor VP Records as the Top Reggae Label. The label's 31st edition of its annual Strictly The Best compilation was named Top Reggae Album. The list is based on Billboard chart information covering the 12-month period starting with the February 7, 2004, issue through the January 29, 2005, issue. The independent charts are a summary of all the titles sold by non-major distributors (not under the umbrella of the four largest record company conglomerates). Top albums are based exclusively on point-of-sale information compiled by Nielsen Soundscan.

Singer Yogie is now recording under his real name Courtney John. He decided on the name change because he heard his son calling him 'Yogie' and he didn't like it. Courtney John's latest single Good Life on the remake of the Cassava Piece rhythm was recently released by Fat Eyes. It was produced by Lynford 'Fatta' Marshall and Collin 'Bulby' York.

A 34 year-old song is the new number one song on the UK Singles chart this week. Tony Christie's Is This The Way To Amarillo shot to number one this week. The song, which was co-written by one, time teen idol Neil Sedaka, was first recorded by Christie back in 1971. His version reached number 18 on the UK Singles chart back then. In 1977, Sedaka took his version of the song to number 44 on the Billboard pop chart in the US.

Some sad news, remember the group Starpoint which scored a handful of hits on the R&B charts in the 1980s including He Wants My Body, The More We Love, Till The End Of Time, Restless, and the crossover smash Object of My Desire? The lead singer Renee Diggs, who sang on all those juicy hits, died last week from multiple sclerosis. She was 50 years-old.

Alton Ellis performed at the Jungle Nightclub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida last weekend. Meanwhile, we heard that Fantan Mojah scored big on his second time performing in Canada last weekend. According to reports, Mojah was in nick form, reeling out the hits Hungry and Hail The King.

"I just got back from Toronto, and trust me it was near pandemonium. I performed at the Zone 1 nightclub with Everton Blender. It was my second time in Canada. Last year, I performed at the Montreal Reggae Festival and this year I am booked again for that festival. I have put in a lot of work and it is now paying off," Fantan Mojah said. Fantan left the island on Tuesday for New York. He performs at the Elite Ark this weekend with I-Wayne and Bascom X.

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