Caught up with veteran reggae crooner Freddie McGregor earlier this week while he was on his way to the funeral service for singer Craig Dennis. McGregor revealed that he is in the process of re-recording some of his more familiar material, with the assistance of some of dancehall's biggest names.

"I am working on an album where I will be singing over some of my hits in an acoustic setting," he said. "I plan on having Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel and Mavado on some of the songs."
The still untitled album will contain 40 songs. "It is going to be a double CD package and there will be something on the album for everyone. I am looking at having it released by February next year," McGregor said.

Apart from his very own musical interests, McGregor's children - Yeshemabeth, Steven and Chino - are very much active in music circles.

Yeshemabeth is working on a new album to be released in Japan, while Chino, who was featured on the hit Red Bull And Guinness last year, is releasing his debut album, Unstoppable Chino, in September.

Steven has been at the helm of the Big Ship label, leading it towards the current generation of music fans. He has been instrumental in the creation of a number of hot beat projects including Tremor, Red Bull And Guinness, 2000 and 70's and The Party. Steven recently signed with EMI Publishing.

Shifta records collaboration with J Records artiste C Ride

Up-and-coming deejay Shifta has been missing from the local circuit for a while. However, he has informed this column that he has been finishing up a degree in business at a university in Florida.

On the music side, Shifta and members of the Fras Crew, including Sick N Head and Prestige, performed at the Upsalla Reggae Festival in Holland more than a week ago.

He recently recorded the song Got My Things with J Records rapper C Ride. In October, Shifta's mixed tape Frastraighted Volume 3 will be released.

Macka Diamond does the Dandy Shandy

Macka Diamond has again teamed up with producer Christopher Birch for another potential smash. Their latest collaboration comes in the form of the track Dandy Shandy, which is featured on the madness rhythm.

Macka told this column that the video for the radio hit was to have been done over the past week. However, due to the effects of Hurricane Dean, the plans for the video shoot have been delayed.

"We might shoot the video next week, depending on how a number of factors are worked out," said Macka. Asha, from the Slingshot production house, will be directing the video.
Previously, Macka and Birch teamed up for recordings on the Thrilla, Military and Stage Time rhythms.

Akon, Collie Buddz and others line up for Shaggy's Intoxication

Led by the first single Bonafide Girl, Shaggy will release his 17-track album Intoxication on Big Yard/VP Records on October 16.

Rik Rok, Tony Gold, Rayvon, Akon, Collie Buddz, and Sizzla are among those who appear on the album.
Shaggy's last album, Clothes Drop, was released in 2005.

I-Octane heads to Canada this weekend

The young deejay I-Octane, whose single, Stab Vampire, has been doing well over the past few months, will deliver his first overseas performance this weekend in Canada.

I-Octane, who is currently under the guidance of the Arrows label, will perform on three shows in Canada.

Formerly known as Richie Rich, he first started out with Donovan Germain's Penthouse label. The Sandy Bay, Clarendon native has released a new single titled Run Yet.

Kronik nominated for American Black Music Honours award

Deejay Kronik has picked up a nomination for the 2007 American Black Music Honours. He has been nominated in the Best Reggae Performer category. The American Black Music Awards 2007 Honours will take place on August 26 at the Cashman Convention Centre Theatre in Las Vegas.

Kronik is a deejay/singer/songwriter and producer. He has released the album Life, as well as numerous singles. He began his career in the industry selecting and deejaying in studios in Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Negril. In 1998, he released his first single, Gold Is My Treasure, that went to number 11 on the RJR Radio charts. His music is strongly influenced by the likes of Buju Banton, Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Bob Marley, Garnet Silk and Lucky Dube, just to name a few.

Born Everton Anthony Edwards in Clarendon, Kronik started his singing career in junior high school where he won numerous singing contests. He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

BITS AND PIECES

. Beenie Man and Beres Hammond will head to Dominica's 11th staging of the World Creole Music Festival which takes place October 26-28.

. On the Billboard album chart, Disney's teenage musical vehicle, High School Musical Part 2, debuted at number one with a staggering 615,000 copies sold in its first week of release. The first instalment of the High School Musical soundtrack hit the top of the Billboard album chart last year and has, to date, sold more than 4.1 million copies in North America.

. Rapper Kanye West is number one in the UK this week with his new single Stronger, the second single from his forthcoming album Graduation, which is due out in September. The video for Stronger was directed by Hype Williams. It was shot over nine days in Japan and took three months to complete.

. In tribute to the memory of his late father, Joseph Hill, former frontman for the reggae group Culture, singer Kenyatta Hill is releasing the song Daddy on Tafari Records. The song deals with the emotional pain and uncertainty that he felt after the death of his father. Joseph Hill died on August 19 last year. Kenyatta's debut album will be released later this year. Incidentally, the Two Sevens Clash: 30th Anniversary Edition compilation by Culture moves from number 14 to number 8 on the latest Billboard Reggae album chart.

. Cham's latest hit, Conscience, featured on Donovan Bennett's Silver Screen rhythm, was initially recorded almost two years ago.

Correction: In an article published in the Daily Observer on Monday, August 13, titled 'Dancehall acts endorse REP JA T-shirt Line', I reported that Elephant Man was among the entertainers who endorsed the t-shirt line. However, this is not the case. I regret the error.

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