By Ed Christman Not only is J&R Music World coming back, but it’s returning sooner than anyone thought. In October, J&R will launch as a store-within-a-store inside Century 21’s flagship, located across the way from the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan. The store closed its doors this past April. J&R Music and Computer…
Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer Deejay Agent Sasco is part of the wave of contemporary dancehall recording artistes who are now releasing 1990s-inspired music. According to the lyrical Assassin (the previous and alternative name under which he performs), he always wanted artistes to revert to the type of music created in that era of Jamaican popular…
By Howard Campbell Observer senior writer OF the countless sound systems Jamaica has produced, few match the achievements of Stone Love, which celebrates its 44th anniversary this year. Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, the man who started Stone Love in the Molynes Road area of Kingston in 1972, will receive the Order of Distinction during the…
By: Jamaica Observer When guitarist Dwight Pinkney moved to Kingston from Mandeville in the late 1960s, there was plenty of work for session musicians. Pinkney, whose career started with The Sharks at Studio One, has been awarded the Order of Distinction for his contribution to the development of Jamaican music. The 69-year-old will receive…
New York, New York. Reggae artist Richie Stephens performed live to launch his album “Real Reggae Music”, which features 14 songs. Stephens performed songs from the new album showcasing his experience and versatility as a seasoned reggae musician, compelling the audience to shout out their appreciation. Despite being held at 10.30p.m. on a Sunday night…
By Kevin Jackson Observer Writer Singer Romain Virgo continues a busy recording schedule with a cover of British singer Sam Smith’s hit single Stay With Me. It was produced by Niko Browne for Lifeline Music. Virgo has another cover — Michael Bolton’s Soul Provider — which is making the rounds. He has also released…
Reggae got another international boost on Tuesday when Stephen ‘Ragga’ Marley made a special appearance on BET’s 106 & Park. The eight-time Grammy-winning artiste made a brief showing on the evening show to premiere the music video for one of his most recent tracks, Rock Stone. The single is one of several tracks from his…
BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer MARCIA Griffiths, one of reggae’s enduring talents, leads a field of entertainment stalwarts receiving awards in the annual National Honours and Awards. Griffiths will receive the Order of Distinction (Commander class) at the ceremony which takes place October 20 at King’s House. It is the country’s fifth highest…
Delyno Brown (born August 5, 1981), better known as Pressure or Pressure Buss Pipe, is a reggae artist from Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. He gained his early experience working on the Star Lion sound system in the late 1990s. His debut album, The Pressure Is On, was produced by Dean Pond and released in…
By: Jamaica Observer SOUND system Renaissance Disco will mark 25 years in the business with a party dubbed Monument at Mas Camp in New Kingston on Friday. According to Renaissance’s disc jock and front man Delano Thomas, the party not only serves to mark a major milestone, but to celebrate with their loyal fans….
By: Jamaica Observer Veteran artiste talks Festival song, Studio One and more THIS year marks Freddie McGregor’s 52nd year in the music business. The Clarendon-born singer started at the legendary Studio One as a protege/ward of the label’s founder, producer Clement ‘Coxson’ Dodd. McGregor performs at the Grand Gala tomorrow at the National Stadium,…
Carlton Hilton, singer and songwriter born August 4, 1974 in Kingston, Jamaica. Hylton began his career while in his teens when he performed on various sound systems. He first came to prominence in 1993 when he recorded with producer Clifton ‘Specialist’ Dillon.
Dean Ivanhoe Fraser ( Dean Frazer) (born 4 August 1957) is a Jamaican saxophonist who has contributed to hundreds of reggae recordings since the mid-1970s. He was awarded the Musgrave Medal by the Jamaican government in 1993 in recognition of his services to music.
