Jamaica Observer

New movements from Oku

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:00 AM

PIONEER dub poet Oku Onuora will release his latest album, A Movement, in Kingston on Tuesday.

Co-produced by Onuora and Courtney Panton, the set was launched digitally yesterday by Zojak World Wide.

Next week's release on compact disc takes place during the Poetry Society of Jamaica's monthly fellowship at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Onuora, 61, told the Jamaica Observer that A Movement was inspired by his daughter Ayana and the recent resurgence in Jamaican poetry.

"I am inspired by the new generation of poetic voices, particularly Jawara [Ellis]. The sequel to (Jawara's) recording Sketches has reignited my passion for the works," he said.

The album is also a tribute to his wife Adugo Ranglin-Onuora who died July 5, 2011. She produced his first recordings.

Onura describes A Movement as an experimental piece.

The album features jazz pianist Monty Alexander and acclaimed rhythm duo Sly and Robbie.

A Movement is Onuora's third dub poetry album. His first, the critically-acclaimed Pressure Drop, was released in 1984

That was followed by Bus Out in 2005.

Born Orlando Wong, Oku Onura's writing first came to prominence in the 1970s while he was incarcerated for armed robbery.

His poems caught the attention of academic Mervyn Morris who played a significant role in getting his work published.

Labour Day treat for W Kingston residents

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:00 AM

RESIDENTS of West Kingston are in for a treat on Labour Day when the popular roots plays, Krosses and Scandal hold centre stage at the Denham Town High School.

The show begins at 6:00 p.m.

"This is the final showing of Krosses in Jamaica, so everybody needs to come out to see it. After this show, wi ah fly out to the US, then London and then we will be doing a Caribbean tour," said actor Maxwell 'Maama' Grant, a member of the Krosses cast.

Grant co-stars with Keith 'Shebada' Ramsey while Scandal features Christopher 'Johnny' Daley, Michael Nicholson, Deon Silvera and Garfield 'Bad Boy Trevor' Reid.

Grant said the two-for-one "recession package" is a way for promoters Stages Productions to give back to the people of West Kingston.

"The people of West Kingston have given us so much support, so we are giving them 'brawta'. They pay for one show and get the other free."

Proceeds from the event will go to the What Can A Brother Do For Another Fund which helps the elderly and indigents from West Kingston communities.

Cat Eyes takes on removing shackles

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:00 AM

SINGER Cat Eyes is pushing her latest single, Shackles of Shame, done on the Big One Drop rhythm.

According to Cat Eyes — whose recent songs include Feel So Right — Shackles of Shame addresses the issue of persons wrongfully incarcerated.

"I've taken on a topic that's totally new for me and I really hope the people will like it. It is a song that talks about people being locked down unfairly by the system; it's a very serious song," she said.

Other artistes on the Big One Drop are Richie Spice, Spanner Banner, Lukie D, George Nooks, Pliers, Hezron, Lady G, Stevie Face, Snatcha, TonyD Clutcheye and Turban X.

Toots on the mend

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:00 AM

REGGAE legend Toots Hibbert and his Maytals band will continue their acoustic shows in the United States despite Toots being injured in Virginia Saturday.

The singer is scheduled to perform at The Hamilton in Washington DC tomorrow. He played the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Centre in New York City Sunday.

Andrea Davis, publicist for Toots and The Maytals, told the Jamaica Observer that the 68-year-old Toots has recovered after being struck on the forehead by a bottle thrown by a drunken fan.

The incident took place at the Dominion Riverrock Festival.

Toots was performing his hit song, Country Roads, when the man hurled a Vodka bottle onstage and struck him.

The wound required several stitches at the VCU Medical Center. The drunken fan was arrested and charged by police.

Toots and The Maytals' current tour comprises acoustic dates based on his Grammy-nominated album, Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged in Strawberry Hill.

The band started their trek on May 20 in Annapolis, Maryland. They are scheduled to close on June 1 at Trinity Hall in Norfolk, Connecticut.

Toots and The Maytals are known for classic songs such as 54-46, Monkey Man and Bam Bam. They have been one of the top touring reggae acts for over a decade.

The group won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2005 with True Love.

Toots on the mend

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'Jah Wayne' yearns for mainstream

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:00 AM

NEGRIL producer Dwayne 'Jah Wayne' Bacchas says there is little opportunity for upcoming artistes in that Westmoreland town.

On a personal level, the biggest obstacle is lack of airplay for his Jah Wayne Records productions.

"When I record big names, the songs get a little airplay but the upcoming artistes never get played. It's really hard from this side. Most of the radio stations don't pay much attention to the songs we submit," Bacchas told the Jamaica Observer.

Anthony B and Charlie Black are two of the established acts who have recorded for Jah Wayne Records. Younger artistes include Money Dreamer, Andrew Taylor, Swallow and Mojo Herb.

Bacchas was born and raised in Negril, a seaside area which is one of Jamaica's leading tourist centres.

He was lured into music by his brother who owned a sound system.

He started out as a selector on the Lazeme sound system, but as much as he enjoyed selecting, Bacchas soon turned his attention to music production.

Five years ago, he set up a recording studio on Negril's West End. Among the rhythms he has recorded are the Negril and Jah Soul.

Mainstream success has eluded him so far. But while many would have thrown in the towel, Bacchas says his love of music keeps him going.

'Jah Wayne'

yearns for

mainstream

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IMAGINE...not magic but magical

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:00 AM

FORMER Miss Jamaica World and producer Cathi Levy has done it again with the creation of a theatrical experience that is nothing short of magical.

Imagine -- a journey into a world where the impossible is possible -- showcased to Jamaica first-world theatrical standards, featuring actors in full flight some 25 feet above the stage and 3D props. Designed by Disney and Sesame Street Live master props and puppet creator Jeremy Thorpe, came to life right before the audience's eyes.

The two-hour show features 14 acts mastering theatre-in-black puppetry; pantomime; choreosign -- a synthesis of hands and bodies communicating in sign language; story-telling; dance and mosaic. All this is portrayed with the use of lights, colours and movements transcending traditional culture and popular culture in a kaleidoscopic theatrical experience, which until now you could perhaps only imagine.

Imagine features a cast of hearing and deaf youth and seeks to underscore that the only difference between the deaf and the hearing is the ability to hear.

The synchronisation that the full cast displays is truly awe-inspiring and the messages brought out in the themes of the acts, particularly those performed by the deaf cast, resonate loudly.

The complete programme of works has something for everybody, making it the ideal family event for the Labour Day holiday. The show has several elements of surprise that seek to bring the audience into the sublime world of imagination. From a trip to 'dream land' or perhaps 'nightmare land', to a voyage under the sea, the audience will surely find Imagine experience simply magical... a word of caution, expect the unexpected.

Imagine will be on show for only two more performances at the National Indoor Sports Centre -- Wednesday May 22 at 8.00 pm and Thursday May 23 at 2.00 pm.

— Andre Marriott-Blake

IMAGINE...not magic but magical

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Levy scores with the KIDS

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:00 AM

TWO-AND-A-HALF-year-old Kenya-Marie accompanied her parents to Cathi Levy's production Imagine Not Magic... but Magical at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew on Sunday.

She sat wide-eyed, awaiting what would unfold. Once darkness enveloped the auditorium, she let out: "Wow!" — the first in a series from her for the night.

In ingenious fashion — through mime, puppetry, the creative work in black-light theatre and sign language — Levy would weave the 'imagine' theme throughout the two-hour skits and presentations.

Levy, 25 years ago, revolutionised children's entertainment with the Little People and Teen Players Club and clearly has not lost her ability to reach the younger market.

As for the older segment, well, the jury is still out.

One of the main problems with the production is the 'down time' in between skits. While one understands it is necessary to allow for set changes, it creates a lag and weighs on the attention span. Effort could be made to stage some front-of-curtain performances to act as 'bumpers' to fill these gaps.

That aside, the younger audience members became part of what unfolded on stage.

The skits which generated interest included The Yellow Submarine and I'd Like to Build the World a Home, with its great use of puppetry set to Whitney Houston's Greatest Love of All.

It was the story-telling skit, complete with the 'duppy', which had the main character Zebedee hovering above the audience inside the auditorium that held the youngsters' attention.

Many were intrigued as Levy's 'huge monster', with wings flapping slowly, moved towards the actor and gobbled him up and then returned to its lair with Zebedee dangling from the clutches of its beak.

The interactive finale proves another high point for Kenya-Marie who ends the evening clapping and shouting: "Bravo!"

Taylor Swift wins 8 Billboard Awards

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:00 AM

ANOTHER day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.

Swift won eight of 11 awards, including top artiste and top Billboard 200 album for Red. She told the crowd: "You are the longest and best relationship I ever had."

She also had a colourful performance of her hit 22 — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.

Justin Bieber also performed — twice — and was also a multiple winner with three awards, including top male artiste, social artiste and the fan-voted milestone award, beating out Swift and Bruno Mars. When accepting the latter — where boos were heard — he alluded to the tumultuous weeks he's had in the public eye.

Taylor Swift wins

8 Billboard Awards

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Jay-Z quashes baby rumours

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:00 AM

BEYONCE pregnancy rumours have reached a fevered pitch, and now, it seems, hubby Jay-Z is trying to douse them.

According to ABC News, programme director Ebro Darden of New York's Hot 97 said today on the radio that he heard from Jay-Z that reports of Beyonce being pregnant with their second child are false.

Darden, also known as Old Man Ebro, said he emailed Jay-Z on Friday to send his best wishes on Beyonce's reported second pregnancy..

"I emailed on some congratulations, send my love to the family, blah, blah, blah," Ebro said. "He emailed me back and said it's not true."

Jay-Z quashes baby rumours

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Around the Entertainment Globe

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:00 AM

1 Songstress and American Idol judge, Mariah Carey, releases the video for her latest single Beautiful, which features Miguel.

2 The long-awaited The Dream and Jay-Z collaboration came to fruition with High Art. The track is off The Dream's upcoming album entitled IV Play.

3 Solange Knowles adds visuals to Locked in Closets, a cut from her EP True.

4 Jennifer Lopez teams up with Pitbull for her new single Live It Up. The song serves as their third collaboration in three years.

5 Leah LaBelle, dual protégé of legendary producers Pharrell Williams and Jermaine Dupri, amps the promotion for her single Lolita with a video.

Around the Entertainment Globe

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Hit or Miss: Nuh Compatible - Bugle

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:00 AM

Bugle has always been one of the better songwriters within the dancehall/reggae genres since he came on the scene in the mid-2000s as a singjay. His storytelling ability has put him ahead of the pack in comparison to many. But unfortunately, isn't given his rightful dues despite his talent.

Nuh Compatible is Bugle's latest single, and the track has the potential to be his biggest since the cult classic What I'm Gonna Do.

Nuh Compatible is a narrative tale of a crumbling relationship at a stage of disrepair due to the differences between the two partners. Bugle plays the protagonist, whose modest and subtle personality doesn't mesh well with his braggadocious partner.

Bugle's witty comparisons throughout the song are sure to grab listeners, as one-liners such as "Yuh wan be Star, but me a Observer" are sure to entertain.

On the production side, UIM complimented the song's tone with an instrumental backdrop of mid-tempo light synths and drums, which did not drown the vocals of the song.

In the materialistic world that we live in today, it's great to hear an artiste of a mainly boastful genre, move away from the order of the day and give listeners unexpected awesomeness.

Nuh Compatible - Bugle

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Youth arrested after Toots injured in US

Monday, May 20, 2013 8:43 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Police in the United States have arrested a 19-year-old man and charged him with aggravated assault after the lead singer of the Grammy Award winning reggae group - Toots and the Maytals - was injured during a performance over the weekend.

Police said that a bottle that was thrown on the stage while the group was performing at the Dominion Riverrock concert in Richmond, Virginia, hitting Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert in the head.

He was taken to hospital and treated. Police have not named the 19-year-old youth.

Toots and the Maytals, known for classics such as “Pressure Drop”, “Sweet and Dandy,” and “54-46” asked fans who may have evidence of the alleged crime to contact them.

“Any fans who were present and who saw anything, please send this page ...with your contact info so our staff can reach out to you. Thank you,” Toots & the Maytals wrote on their Facebook page.

Organisers of the three-day festival, which combines sports, music and river life, said the concert was immediately stopped after Toots was hit, and spectators were asked to leave.

Despite the incident, festival organisers said Hibbert remained in good spirits and was disappointed the concert had to be ended early.

40-y-o Virgin

Monday, May 20, 2013 1:00 AM

VIRGIN Records, the British record company that helped launch the international careers of The Mighty Diamonds and Shaggy, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

The label was founded in 1973 by Richard Branson, now listed as one of the world's wealthiest businessmen.

Branson has assembled a formidable team to produce a series of events marking the milestone, including four shows at the KOKO venue in London.

A double compact disc with some of the best known songs produced by Virgin over the years, will be released. So too 40 compilation albums containing landmark recordings released by Virgin and its subsidiaries which include the reggae labels, Caroline and Front Line.

By the mid-1970s, Virgin had established itself in the British music industry, releasing albums by cutting-edge acts like Mike Oldfield and The Sex Pistols.

Branson signed several reggae acts to Virgin late that decade, including The Mighty Diamonds, Johnny Clarke and Gregory Isaacs.

The company also distributed noted albums such as Peter Tosh's Legalize It and Black Uhuru's self-titled set in the United Kingdom.

In the 1990s, Virgin enjoyed its greatest commercial success with albums by Janet Jackson and novelty acts like the Spice Girls.

Shaggy's 1998 platinum album Boombastic was distributed by Virgin, while Beenie Man's Art and Life won the company a Best Reggae Album Grammy Award in 2001.

40 years of Virgin music

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Spugy B, keeping it positive for Rema

Monday, May 20, 2013 2:00 AM

GROWING up in the Kingston community of Wilton Gardens, Jervis Clarke recalls jamming at house parties with Air Wolf, his father's sound system.

Those sessions had a significant bearing on Clarke, known in music circles as producer/singer Spugy B.

"Artiste like Sizzla an' I-Wayne (then known as Little Wicked) used to pass through. Right there my music career start," Spugy B, 29, told the Jamaica Observer.

For the past four years, he has operated the Unisyz Muzik label from his home in Wilton Gardens, a politically-fractious area known as Rema.

It contains a miniscule recording booth where acts such as Bushman, Potential Kid, Admiral Tibet, Captain Barkey and Carl Dawkins have 'voiced' songs for the fledgling company.

Prior to producing, Spugy B recorded songs like Pon Dem Babylon System for producer Don Corleon. But he has temporarily put his vocal career on hold to establish Unisyz Muzik.

He says it was while doing the studio rounds as an artiste that he decided to start his own production company.

"Many times there was no money for studio time, so mi jus' sey might as well mi do mi own thing," he stated.

Spugy B's training as a computer technician was critical to launching his small enterprise. While working at the (FINSAC), he developed relationships with clients who would help get Unisyz off the ground.

"A lotta times I never charged them, so anytime they went abroad an' asked what I needed, I asked for a monitor, a microphone, things like that."

It has paid off in terms of regular recording dates with established and emerging artistes.

To date, Unisyz Music has produced two compilation albums of songs featuring the aforementioned artistes.

Spugy B, keeping it positive for Rema

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Portmore gets 'Famous'

Monday, May 20, 2013 1:00 AM

PORTMORE re-entered the club scene on Friday with the opening of Famous nightclub along the Port Henderson strip.

The 6,500 square-foot facility is sponsored by telecommunications company LIME and operated by the KLE Group, which is also behind two other popular leisure venues: The Fiction Lounge and Usain Bolt's Tracks and Records.

According to KLE CEO, Gary Matalon, the Famous is a boon for Portmore which had a thriving club scene with Cactus during the 1990s.

"Coming to Portmore is a big move for us as it has been years since the Sunshine City has had a major nightlife entertainment spot, not since the Cactus. We have made a big investment and this club is designed to match up to the likes one would find in the party meccas of the world," Matalon told the Jamaica Observer.

"Dancehall now has a new home and LIME is excited to reinforce our support of Jamaican culture with this venture," said Carlo Redwood, LIME's vice-president of marketing.

Patrons were treated to a performance from dancehall artiste Busy Signal.

Portmore gets 'Famous'

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Cook 'Kyso' dead at 66

Monday, May 20, 2013 2:00 AM

Vivian 'Kyso' Hendricks, who toured as the official cook for Jimmy Cliff and Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, died Saturday at age 66.

Hendricks passed away at the National Chest Hospital in St Andrew, his daughter Roberta Hendricks told the Jamaica Observer.

She said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Her father had been admitted to the hospital Thursday after complaining of respiratory problems.

Kyso had surgery in California three years ago for a collapsed lung.

Born in Trench Town, Kyso told the Observer in April that his first major culinary assignment was preparing daily meals for artistes at the Channel One studio in Kingston during the 1970s.

His skills caught the attention of Cliff with whom he worked for seven years, starting in 1980.

He also toured with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers and Black Uhuru.

Vivian 'Kyso' Hendricks is survived by mother, wife Mercedes, four children, eight grandchildren, brothers and sisters.

Cook 'Kyso' dead at 66

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Rebirth wins Talent Rush

Monday, May 20, 2013 2:00 AM

FRANKLIN Town-based dance group Rebirth were the winners of the inaugural staging of Talent Rush held at the Scout's headquarters on Camp Road in St Andrew recently.

The four-member group took home the Burger King trophy and a cash prize of $20,000.

Event conceptualiser Dawodi Simpson of East Kingston said the event — sponsored by Burger King — was to provide an opportunity to unearth new talent.

"It was opened to talent from anywhere in the Corporate Area but, as we expected most of the talent came from the immediate communities like Vineyard and Franklin Town and as far away as Spanish Town," Simpson said.

"We had a good turn. There were a lot of talents and very good performances."

Simpson said he intends to put on a fashion show which could assist in financing a back-to-school programme for his community.

Other outstanding acts on the evening were all-girl dance group TNS Clique from Spanish Town, which finished second; and Marley B, a singjay from Manley Meadows, who finished third.

Rebirth wins Talent Rush

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Ochi jazz fest from June 8-16

Monday, May 20, 2013 2:00 AM

HAROLD Davis, Dr Cathy Brown, and Sparrow Martin's Ska Re-Birth are some of the top-shelf local acts booked for the 23rd annual Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival during Jazz Week from June 8 to 16.

The week kicks off with Meet the Stars Jazz Party at the Hotel Four Seasons in St Andrew on Saturday, June 8 starting at 7:00 pm.

The fun continues the following day with a sumptuous Champagne Jazz Brunch on the Sunday, June 9 at the same venue. Serving up a musical feast will be keyboardist Alex Martin Blanken, and songstress Christine Fisher.

A free concert at will be held Ocean Village Shopping Centre in Ocho Rios while the closing event is a Father's Day concert at the Turtle River Park on Sunday, June 16.

The on June 13 in Ocho Rios and the closing Father's Day concert at the Turtle River Park in Ocho Rios on Sunday, June 16.

Other hot spots during Jazz Week is the Redbones Blues Café and the Sunset Resort Jamaica Grande.

Among the impressive line-up of acts for jazz week include Saxophonist YolanDA Brown, the musical prodigy out of the United Kingdom who put her PHd on hold to pursue her musical career; Darren Sheppard, with the electronic steel pan, known as a PHI (Percussive Harmonic Instrument) out of Trinidad; the multi-talented Idris Ackamoor - percussionist, alto saxophonist; tap dancer and actor.

'Ochi' jazz fest from June 8 -16

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Star Trek rules

Monday, May 20, 2013 2:00 AM

LOS ANGELES, USA (AP) — Star Trek: Into Darkness has warped its way to a US$70.6 million domestic launch from Friday to Sunday, though it's not setting any light-speed records with a debut that's lower than the studio's expectations.

The latest voyage of the starship Enterprise fell short of its predecessor, 2009's Star Trek, which opened with US$75.2 million.

Since premiering Wednesday in huge-screen IMAX theatres and expanding Thursday to general cinemas, Into Darkness has pulled in US$84.1 million, well below distributor Paramount's initial forecast of US$100 million. The film has added US$80.5 million overseas.

The Star Trek sequel bumped Iron Man 3 down to second-place after two weekends on top. Robert Downey Jr's superhero saga took in US$35.2 million domestically and US$40.2 million overseas, shooting its worldwide total to nearly US$1.1 billion.

Star Trek rules

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Big Kenny takes chance on reggae

Sunday, May 19, 2013 2:00 AM

THOUGH he grew up in the farmlands of Culpeper, Virginia, singer Big Kenny says his musical tastes were not limited to the country sounds the region is known for.

"We had AM radio that played everything... George Jones, The Beatles, Bob Marley. I listened to everything," he told the Sunday Observer.

Big Kenny is in Jamaica to film a music video for Hope Chance, a song he recorded with singer Ky-Mani Marley.

Hope Chance is among the first batch of recordings for Electro Shine, a project featuring an eclectic group of musicians including former Eurhythmics member Dave Stewart and country singer Megyn Mullins.

For 49-year-old Big Kenny — who has made a name in country music as part of the duo Big and Rich — working with Marley is an opportunity to "expand my art".

He says Electro Shine was conceived last year after he and Marley were introduced by a mutual friend.

Though their backgrounds are vastly different, Big Kenny says he and Marley share a musical vision.

"His message is one love, my family always said 'love everybody'. We both want to make music that will take everybody to a good place," he told the Sunday Observer.

Two of the places Marley and Big Kenny filmed Hope Chance are steeped in music history. The Tuff Gong studio is owned by Marley's family, while the Trench Town Culture Yard is where his father, Bob Marley, once lived.

Culpeper, Virginia where William Kenneth Alphin (Big Kenny's real name) was born is a totally different scene from Kingston's concrete jungle which inspired many of Marley's songs.

He started off as a solo act, recording a country album for the Los Angeles-based Hollywood Records in 1999 before striking up a fruitful partnership with singer Jim Rich as Big and Rich.

They recorded four albums for Warner Bros which sold over five million copies and spawned 10 hit songs on Billboard's country chart.

With the Electro Shine project, Big Kenny has also found kindred spirits with a conviction to "making music from the ground up".

"We're talking about real organic music...acoustic guitar, banjos, fiddles," he said. "It's about music without prejudice."

Big Kenny takes chance on reggae

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Curly Lox's Road to Zion

Sunday, May 19, 2013 2:00 AM

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of Macka Diamond, Vybz Kartel and D'Angel, another dancehall entertainer is looking to publish a book.

Patrick Gaynor (aka Curly Lox), half of the duo Twin of Twins, is in talks with a publisher to release his manuscript Road to Zion.

Gaynor describes the project as a personal account of his life. He said it is inspired by the death of his six-year-old son Zion Emmanuel in 2007.

"This has really been a long time in the making. I decided to write the book one week after the death of my son. It's really my story... the story of where I'm from intertwined with the politics of the music business, the up-side and down-sides," Gaynor tells the Sunday Observer.

He says among the most revealing aspects of the book is his take on the local entertainment industry.

"People will realise how misunderstood we are as artistes. How our opinions are seen as an attack as opposed to being done without malice. People will also be able to read about how we are alienated as artistes...we have never charted here in Jamaica and get very little airplay in Jamaica."

Gaynor did not identify the potential publisher for his proposed book.

The Twins, which also comprises his brother Paul, are promoting the 10th volume of their popular mix-up mixtape and a collaboration with singer Jahvinci.

Curly Lox's Road to Zion

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Highlighting roots-reggae

Sunday, May 19, 2013 2:00 AM

LOCATED in rural Hatfield, Westmoreland, the Highlight Recording Studio is a small operation committed to making big-time music.

Its production team is led by veteran musician Paul 'Sly' Francis. Journeyman roots-reggae group The Itals have recorded there, as well as artistes from Africa and Europe.

Straight From The Heart, The Itals' 2010 album, was produced at Highlight by Francis. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

"With my little voicing room and equipment I do my thing," Francis told the Sunday Observer.

He says the studio started modestly three years ago with a radio and computer but has evolved into a state-of-the art recording facility.

Francis' focus is recording and releasing quality roots-reggae music which still has a significant following overseas, especially in Europe.

"I work with a lot of guys out of Europe and Africa such as Dutch Gold and Papa D and the 6 Revelation Band," said Francis.

Though he works with budding artistes including his daughter Shankika, Francis prefers working with veteran acts such as The Itals.

"The Itals are selling but not in Jamaica. Everyone writing the same story here and that's not taking us anywhere," he said.

Francis has toured the world as a drummer with acts such as The Mighty Diamonds, Mykal Rose and Tony Rebel.

While on the road, he says he observed the positive response to roots music. That has inspired him to produce sounds with international appeal.

Born in the Westmoreland district of Burnt Savannah, Francis is in his early 50s. He decided to open a recording studio in his home parish after working two years as an engineer with American producer Steve Weinstein at the Jah Freedom studio in Negril.

Francis divides his studio duties by playing in bands on the North Coast hotel circuit.

Highlighting roots-reggae

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'Soundbox' booms this Wednesday

Sunday, May 19, 2013 2:00 AM

VETERAN music producer Winston 'Niney' Holness launches his Observer Soundbox Studio on Wednesday.

Located at Lyndhurst Road in Kingston, the studio has been in operation since March with several auditions for singers.

"At that time (Wednesday) we will be presenting the new talents that we have selected," said Bridgette Anderson, publicist for Observer Soundbox.

Following two months of auditions the artistes selected for recording are Malakiyah, Iyashine and Somay. They are scheduled to perform at the launch.

According to Anderson, seven tracks have been recorded in live sessions conducted by bassist Errol 'Flabba' Holt of the Roots Radics Band.

Holness was one of the top reggae producers in the 1970s. His hit songs include Ken Boothe's Silver Words and Westbound Train by Dennis Brown.

'Soundbox' booms this Wednesday

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Sean Paul for 'O2' next month

Sunday, May 19, 2013 2:00 AM

INTERNATIONAL recording artiste Sean Paul will be headlining two United Kingdom gigs next month.

The We Be Burnin' singer will be performing at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on June 5.

The following day, he will be on stage at the Manchester Ritz.

"I love performing in the UK. It is like performing all over the world in one place because there are so many different cultures," Sean Paul said.

"My UK fans show me a lot of love and I love them back," he continued.

Sean Paul, whose given name is Sean Paul Henriques, is currently in Switzerland with local backing outfit Badda Bandz.

With over 25 collaborations, he said working with other artistes is a plus as it develops young talents as well as enhances the careers of the more experienced.

"I'm always looking for new talent and people to have me feeling fresh about my music. Sometimes collaborations come into play," he said.

This year Sean Paul was featured on a single What About Us by British Girl Group The Saturdays. The track entered the Official UK charts at number 1 with over 100,000 sales in its first week.

Sean Paul for 'O2' next month

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PHOTO: Voicemail performs

Sunday, May 19, 2013 2:00 AM

Dancehall duo Voicemail performing at a Mother's Day brunch on the East Lawn of Devon House in St Andrew last Sunday.

Voicemail

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