Out Now on Pre Release CD

http://www.lulu.com/content/compact-disc/revelation-congo/8711785

New Night Out in London - Wreck It Up

Outernational Listening Party!

A live Pama I'ntl Outernational online listening party is coming outta the USA today courtesy of www.realpunkradio.com

with Real Punk Radio DJ Gabe Pressure and Sean Flowerdew from Pama Intl.. This event will include a track by track play, interview and listener interaction through the chat room, log on and get involved it could be a lot of fun.

Date/Time 3pm EST. Sunday April 18th, 2010 ***THAT'S 8PM UK TIME!***

ITATION RECORDS - CLEARLY RIDDIM

It's clear to see Itation Records has founds its groove. Following up Delly Ranx' Good Profile (2009) and its UnitedReggae.com Roots Riddim of the Year award-winning World Go Round Riddim(2008), Itation is proud to announce the upcoming release of the brand new ...........Clearly Riddim.
On the Clearly Riddim, another wicked one drop, Itation sticks to its award winning formula, teaming up once more with production team, Tune In Crew, for a partnership that is sure to be a chart topper once again. Ahead of its official APRIL 2010 album release, the first tracks to hit the streets from Kali Blaxx and Pressure take the funky keyboard, cool and deadly guitar and thick bass lines of the Clearly Riddim and make it their own. One of Jamaica's brightest rising stars, Kali Blaxx has a must-hear tough love lesson to teach on "Nah Trust Dem" while Pressure, the pride of the Virgin Isands, offers a compelling motivational message for the world on "Be What You Want To Be". Two sides of the same coin, Kali Blaxx and Pressure provide a gripping preview of what is to come from Lutan Fyah, Fanton Mojah, Delly Ranx, Mega Banton and many more of the finest and most sought after vocalists in contemporary reggae music.

See Dem Grow Riddim

BABYCLONE BAND proudly presents his new project

SEE DEM GROW RIDDIM

produced by IkaRooTs MuSiK and 149 RECORDS!It's a nice joyful riddim, with upcoming artists like Mr. Diamond, Jalam, Jah Rueben Mystic and Chillavert.
Listen the megamix here :Deezer Streaming
Website
www.myspace.com/149records
www.myspace.com/babyclone
www.myspace.com/ikaroots

The SEE DEM GROW RIDDIM is available on legal downloading :
Itunes : HERE
Fnac : HERE
Virgin Media : HERE
Amazon : HERE
eMusic : HERE
& Napster, Nokia Music Store....

Don't forget, the DATTA RIDDIM is again available on CD (babyclone-band@hotmail.fr) and on legal downloading...And out soon, the new big riddim of the 149 RECORDS : BRIGHTER DAY RIDDIM!

Sprinline Free Rock & Reggae Night (Corsica Fr)

Dub Vibrations Chapter 1

The Underground Element

From all 4 corners of the reggae world artists and producers
Are working constantly on creations that draw inspiration from
Their musical hero’s from time ,everywhere one looks on the internet you’ll come across the underground reggae artist bubblin up in fine style their emulation of and their way of presenting reggae and all that comes from reggae whether it be dub, dancehall, roots vocal, or good old fashioned instrumentals.
The Underground movement has grown at a phenomenal rate during the last 5 years and on many community driven artist websites you’ll come across many of the same artist names profiling themselves alongside their key spars and presented here on this free download album by the Revolutionary Dub Vibrations collective is a selection of these uprising musicians.
This album ‘chapter 1’ is a compilation put together from the works of these artists who have all donated one of their tunes from their immense archives to the collective’s project and goes to showcase their particular talents in dub arena. All style dub.
Twenty tracks presented along with the cover artwork and press sheet with a hastily knocked out but required license sheet
In a zip as free download (see link below) and featuring such well known and respected community artist & producer names such as El Bib – Natty I – Bandulu Dub – Don Fe – Earlyworm – Yabass - Jah Billah and Doc Remix to name but 8 who have during the past few years built up quite a following within the underground community across Europe and farther reaching continents by receiving
regular underground radio plays and participating in live concert gatherings and/or putting out releases online (free & commercial)
If any one are experts in presenting their portfolio’s to the world online it’s the underground arena and the underground arena are running things their way and this scares the pants off the big corporate labels who simply just don’t know how to deal with it.
The artists are the label now they are in control of their works.
The roots of reggae music ,the foundation sound from the small island of Jamaica in the Caribbean is now well and truly being felt all across the globe as thousands of artists and producers bring us the continuing musical story of that sound and in their own unique way. Twenty tunes on this first free release so too many to review in depth here but I’d like to pick a few favourites of mine from this first Chapter – everyone’s ears and preferences are different- but check out : Don Fe “Dub El Step”, Earlyworm “Walking Stick” ,Soloman Jabby “Rootsman Dub” , Jahno with Lion I Levi “Rude Bwoy Dub”
And Yabass “Majesty” these tracks a fine mix of modern digi dub and old time dub technique. Chapter 1 showcasing in fine style the many varied styles of the dub art form.
Indeed at times during the past three years Springline has had the pleasure of linking up with and doing occasional musical business with some of the names appearing on this exciting album and we look forward to hearing the forthcoming second chapter vol2 of Dub Vibrations. Play it loud in ya car ,play it loud in ya house and support the underground uprising reggae music generation for they are the new foundation.
Many of the artists appearing on this album have their own profile pages on various community websites so why not link up with some of them ,enjoy their vibes and say ‘Hi’.
*Download the album for free and check out project news by visiting the official website at www.dubvibrations.com

PAMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Loads of news from Pama Intl this month and first off heres a list of updated tour dates through untill August

PAMA INTERNATIONAL - Outernational tour pt.2

April 2010
02 Darlington The Forum +The Equalisers
03 Leeds The Well **free 7" for first 50 people through the doors
29 Belfast Black Box
30 Blaenau Ffestiniog Cell

May 2010
01 Hereford The Blue Rooms
02 Swansea The Garage
08 Labadoux Festival, Belgium
14 London Jazz Cafe
plus The Tighten Up Crew w/ Mistah Brown, Tim P & Champian MC pon di mic plus Buster Shuffle
16 Bearded Theory Festival
21 Newbury Soul Searchers marquee
28 Hebden Bridge Trades Club
29 Kelso National Scooter Rally
30 Strummer Camp

July 2010
17 Llangollen Festival

August 2010
07 Run To The Hills scooter rally, Derbyshire
08 Fordham Festival
11 Broadstairs Folk Festival
13 Vintage @ Goodwood
14 Boomtown Fair, Buckinghamshire

For full details on tickets/times/support bands go to www.pamainternational.co.uk/gigs

As you will see the band are back performing at London's legendary Jazz Cafe on Friday 14th May, with support coming from one of the most exciting bands in London at the moment... Buster Shuffle!
Also on the night will be London's finest club night purveyors... The Tighten Up Crew with Mistah Brown, Tim P and Champian MC pon di mic.

-

-
Pick up your tickets early as past Jazz Cafe shows have been rammed.
Tickets available now from
www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F004442082069F5?brand=jazz_cafe&camefrom=CFC_UK_MAMA_JC_JCWEB

PAMA OUTERNATIONAL USA RELEASE: 20 April'10

Huge goings on in USA for Pama Intl. As the release of the Pama Outernational album draws closer in N.America (20th April 2010) things are really hotting up over there. A series of listening parties for Outernational are scheduled for Toronto, LA, San Diego, Washington DC, Austin, Long Beach, 2 in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Phillidephia and more to come!

For a full list or listening parties and other events check out their brand new American website at http://www.pamaintl.com/

You can also check out the video trailer for Outernational's American release on that site or via www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJp5YkuF5I8

You can also pre-order the CD and vinyl versions of Outernational in USA now at
www.musicaloccupation.com/products-page/music/

The lead single from Outernational is now available in N.America on iTunes.
If you get the chance please leave a review on the site while you’re there.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-still-love-you-more/id333992208


DON LETTS DOCUMENTARY

Four Pama Intl songs are included on the new documentary about Don Letts, including ‘Question The Answer’ taken from the new album “Pama Outernational’ on the trailer. More news to follow on the full release info but in the meantime here’s the trailer for it http://www.superstonicsound.com/

It is being taken to all major film fests will be screened at the Roundhouse, Café 1001, the Lovebox pre-festival party, Portobello Film Festival, with plenty more to come.

EQUALITY & JUSTICE FOR ALL ON US TV SERIES

A track from the new Pama International album is included in a web series called “Oblivion The Series” dealing with life in a fictional town filled with offbeat skinheads, mods, goths, punks and so much more. Parts of the episode were filmed at Bar Italia Classics in Van Nuys, CA which will be hosting a listening party for the new album as part of the Official Specials’ LA Scooter Event on Thursday April 15th.

Check out the episode here: http://vimeo.com/7690131

PAMA INTL REISSUES - First 2 albums available again
Pama Intl's first two albums are now available again after being deleted for years, compete with a bunch of bonus tracks, first up is

Pama International - Pama International (RRHIT10CD)

Pama Intl's self-titled debut CD was originally released back in 2002. The collective immediately set out their soul-induced ska, rocksteady and reggae stall. Featuring an all-star cast with members from Steel Pulse, Galliano, Pop Will Eat Itself, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Style Council, Big Boss Man and UK skasters The Loafers, Special Beat, Intensified and Ska Cubano, it has become something of a cult album in the UK and beyond. The album is crammed full of eclectic sounds. Old school meets new in this soundclash of 60’s ska, northern soul, lovers rock, rocksteady, and even a Sly & The Family Stone classic. The CD comes with 5 bonus versions, taken from the now deleted Pama Intl-Dub Store Special ep, which was mixed by Groove Corporation. These tracks also feature Lynval Golding (The Specials) and Lee Thompson (Madness).

Pama International - Too Many Freaks Not Enough Stages (RRHIT11CD)

After much critical acclaim for their first album Pama International returned with their second album “Too Many Freaks Not Enough Stages” in 2004. Produced by Fuzz Townsend, (insatible solo artist and drummer with Bentley Rhythm Ace and Pop Will Eat Itself), who also picked up drumming duties on the album. It's a much sparser affair, with some beautiful song writing. Again fronted by long time musical cohorts Sean Flowerdew and Finny,
The Too Many Freaks reissue comes complete with 3 previously unreleased demo versions and 'All About You' G Corp version (taken from the now deleted 'Dub Store Special' ep)

Both of these will be available in HMV and all good record shops. You can order them now direct
/www.rockersrevolt.com/productspage/?view_type=grid&product_search=pama&search=Search

Any problems ordering online just email enquiries@rockersrevolt.com


PAMA INTERNATIONAL - I STILL LOVE YOU MORE (BONGOLIAN VERSION) & 7" VINYL

Also out in the next couple of weeks... The third (and last) in the series of Pama Intl's limited edition 7"s from 'Outernational' is set to be a version affair. Mirroring the second 7" (which featured I Still Love You More b/w Equality & Justice For All) the next 7" is set to be the killer soul version of 'I Still Love You More' (Bongolian version) and a dub of Equality and Justice for All. The first 2 singles were red and yellow vinyl, this on will be on green vinyl completing the set. Again it will be hand numbered/300 copies only. Be sure to pre-order your copy now if you want one. The first two 7"s have now both sold out.

To preorder your copy here go here
www.rockersrevolt.com/products-page/genre/pama-international---i-still-love-you-more-bongolian-version--vinyl/

Phew....that's all for now!

http://www.rockersrevolt.com/

http://www.pamainternational.co.uk/

IDITAFARI & FAMILY

IDITAFARI & FAMILY is a true familyband coming from Germany (Ruhrpott) living in the city called DORTMUND. Playing Roots Rebel Music straight from the Heart!
Family Members are:

I DiTa (Father) 49 years guitarplayer, songwriter
Jutta (Mother) 47 years vocals
Till (son) 28 years bass, sound
Moritz (son) 26 years vocals, lyrics
Fritz (son) 23 years drums, lyrics
Yvo (son) 21 years keyboards, lyrics
Janni 23years keyboards
Nikola 21years keyboards
Anton guitar2

Dita Fari saw Bob Marley in 1980 on one of his last concerts in Dortmund. The Inspiration from that day gave him power to follow the History of the Rastafari-Movement for more than 25 years. During this long journey Dita Fari was working as a socialworker and songwriter teaching school-drop-out-children.

The official stage carrier of IDITAFARI FAMILY started in the year 2000 playing a Benefit-Concert for croatian children in Split (Croatia). On shows brother Anton G. from Poland plays also rootsguitar.

2002 IDI Family show with Misty in Roots
2004 IDI Family show with Ijahman
2005 IDI Family show planed with Lucky Dube
2006 IDI Family show with Lion of Judah
2007 IDI Family Jamrock Festival in Düsseldorf with the Original Spears, Iqulah & Nitelife. AND MORE.....

The music is pure creative reggae inspired from the classic bands of Jamaican yesteryear . Not only do they have their own unique sound and way of recording one can hear a wonderful mixture of inspirations coming through in their vibes
Burning Spear , Culture and The In Crowd to name but three.
What stands out to us is their sheer belief and commitment to their cause and sound. Absolute roots inspired and delivered with authority.
We were overjoyed that the band chose to deliver a tune exclusively for the Springline archive “Spring Water” and this tune appears upon this special digi EP
Which is being sent out to selected spars and DJ’s as a promotional package via SpringlineRecords’ new label JAH URBAN SOUND.
Last month (March) saw a complete Iditafari music showcase on our internet station UPRISING RADIO with in the first two weeks of the month over 1000 launches of the stream.

http://live365.com/stations/springlinemusic

Naptali - Long Journey

Oneness records of Germany have just released a corking debut album "Long Journey", from the singer Naptali.
After some promising outings from the young Jamaican last year a 14 Track album is now available.
For more than 2 years the boys from Munich have worked with Naptali with the result being a captivating combination of marvelous, original live riddims and a refreshing singular voice.

The first name Naptali apparently derives from ancient Hebrew and Biblical texts, and according to the press release blurb...
"In the book of the genesis Naptali is defined as a sixth son Jacob and as a founder of the large trunk of the Napthali. Today we see the rebirth of the son Jacob in shape of the singer Naptali."
He was born in January in Delacree park, Kingston 13 (Jamaica) and brought up in Spaulding Clarendon. Since his childhood has displayed a creative musical talent. At the age of 19 he decided to become a singer with a desire to spread his message of Consciousness and Righteousness. In the year 2000 Napali moved to Kingston where he met the 'Messenger' Luciano, who took Naptali under his wing and supported him on his musical journey. Armed with his faith in justice he became a Rastafari.
The album has influences from Sizzla to Jah Cure and from Dennis Brown to Bob Marley and is full of classic reggae sentiments. I feel this album should propel Naptali on to the reggae world stage as a very credible roots artist.

For a full review check out...
http://www.unitedreggae.com/articles/n347/031710/naptali-long-journey

Tracklist:

Show Dem Love
What Goes Around
Long Journey
And They Cry (Feat. Sara Lugo)
Grandma (Feat. Arofat)
Fire Burn
Seven Miles (Feat. Luciano)
What They’re Fighting For
More Love (Feat. Lutan Fyah & Arofat)
Rise Up In The Morning
Redeemer
The Law Of Attraction
We The People
Seven Brothers

Phyllis Dillon

Phyllis Dillon, sometimes known as Shirley Kay, was born in 1948 in Linstead, St. Catherine, Jamaica. She was influenced by American singers Connie Francis, Patti Page and Dionne Warwick and like many of her contemporaries she began her singing career via entering talent contests. It was during one such contest at the Glass Bucket Club in Kingston, with the group The Vulcans, that Duke Reid's session guitarist Lynn Taitt first heard Dillon and recommended her to Reid for an audition.

Dillon was 18 when she recorded her first record; the self penned "Don’t Stay Away", for Duke Reid on his lucrative Treasure Isle record label in 1966. While most of Dillon’s subsequent recordings would be covers of popular and obscure American songs including Bettye Swann's "Make Me Yours", Perry Como's "Tulips and Heather," The Grass Roots' "Midnight Confessions," and Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With"; "Don't Stay Away" was an original composition featuring Tommy McCook and the Supersonics as the backing band. Another original song Dillon recorded was "It’s Rocking Time" but this was later turned into the Alton Ellis' hit "Rocksteady".

While these early recordings demonstrate Dillon's mastery of the rocksteady sound, a much slower, soulful, response to the sultry weather that made ska's upbeat rhythm and tempo undesirable even impracticable, it was no indication of her greatest performance, 1967’s "Perfidia". Popularized by the American surf rock band The Ventures, "Perfidia" is a 1940 song written by Alberto Domínguez and made popular by the Cuban bandleader, Xavier Cugat.
At the end of 1967, Dillon moved to New York and over following five years, she spent living a double life of a family and career in the United States while flying frequently back to Jamaica to continue recording for Reid.
After a number of singles and an album entitled 'Living in Love', Dillon decided to call a halt to her career in 1971 because of the effect incessant travelling and touring was having on her young family plus her growing discontent at the lack of financial reimbursement she was receiving for all this work. She was only 23 years old.
In 1991, Michael Bonnet, the entertainment director for the Oceanea Hotel in Kingston approached Dillon inviting her to sing. Her refusal at first was later rescinded and sparked a revitalized interest in performing and recording. In the years following, Dillon toured the UK, Germany and Japan. In 1998 she returned to the recording studio with Lynn Taitt, marked by re-interest in ska music in the United States. She remained active until illness took hold with her eventually passing away from cancer on 15th April 2004 in New York, at the age of 56.

Manasseh meets the Equalizer

Having visited the Young Disciples the other month it reminded me of this album from way back when. Now the Acid Jazz label is not the first name that springs to mind when talking of reggae labels and in truth why should they as they are not, but in 1994 the label took the plunge and released Manasseh meets the The Equaliser 'Dub the Millennium'.

Manasseh is, DJ, producer, Nick Raphael who started out by blagging his way, with his home made and 'Jah Tubbys' amp sound system into the 1985 Notting Hill Carnival, where they played all day and night. Their mainly roots inspired system went down a storm and it wasn't long before they were playing all kinds of blues parties around London
As the Manasseh Sound System name grew so further opportunities arose. A chance to provide reggae music at some of the big warehouse parties that went on the mid to late 80s proved to be a big turning point as it led to meeting Femi (Young Disciples) and the brothers Joey and Norman Jay. In fact it was the Jay brothers, in early 1987, who got them a late night show, from 3am to 7am or whenever somebody else turned up!, on the legendary London pirate station Kiss FM.
1988 was the year of the first major release from Manasseh, who had hooked up with Scruff Guilder the year before. Their joint project was known as Sound Iration in Dub and the first single "Seventh Seal" was cut on the 8/8/88 and became big on the roots scene, especially at Jah Shaka's with whom they had clashed with earlier in the year. The tune was also widely credited with being the first new wave UK dub track. This was then followed by the release in March 1989 of an album on W.A.U. Mr. Modo records, a label that was the brainchild of Alex Patterson (The Orb) and Youth (Killing Joke). The album sold well and the label went on to release some other notable roots/dub albums produced by Manasseh and Scruff such as Tena Stelin's first LP "Wicked Invention" (a vocal set to S.I. in Dub); Lidj Incorporated: Black Liberation and the Dub album to it, as well as various singles.
The early 90s saw the setting up of the Riz Label along with Gil Cang who shared music and production duties, Eddie Rocksteady and Mak Gilchrist, who ran the label. The first releases were Orville Smith's ‘Leaving Rome’, Bob Skeng's ‘Education’ and Earl 16's ‘Natural Roots’. Earl 16's track was very well received and helped the label quickly establish itself as one of the leading UK roots labels. Other big things on Riz were Admiral Tibet "Permission", Marcella French "Be Still" (on a funky vibe) and Manasseh meets the Equalizer "Soul Jah" which also went on to be part of the ‘Dub The Millennium’ album.
Riz originally released ‘Manasseh meets the Equalizer’ LP (the Equalizer being Jeremy Armstrong) on vinyl where it created a lot of interest. The album was then licensed to Acid Jazz records who had been toying with putting out some roots music and were maybe more tuned in than some to the slightly jazzy flavour of the record. For this album is not “pure reggae” but an album created with roots /dub reggae at its heart and then fusing, soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop and ambient acid house, even rock on and around it, in fact it’s a blend of just about everything that had been happening on the London club scene over the last 10 years. It is fair to say that big bassed, hypnotic sway of ‘Absentee’ with its delicate melodica moments and featuring a vocal chant, courtesy of Danny Red is as strong as this gets with this album. This however doesn’t mean we should all switch off and go home after this opening track, but its worth hanging around as there are more than just one or two moments that deserve to be heard. ‘Shakout’ has a strong, bright skank vibe to it provided by a quicker tempo and triumphant sounding brass explosions. Elements of electronica start to creep in from ‘Spirit Dance’ as the effects take a hold, but it does get a bit repetitive towards the end. 'Market Place' is a simple, lolling drum and bass riddim with light percussion interspersed over the top. 'Circle of Stone' paints its soundscape on to a beating rootical throbbing bass heavy riddim with echoing keyboard and string arrangements.In fact all this tunes are never over fussy; the other instrumentation is always used as an emphasis on the basic riddim which tends to flow at the same even keel throughout each song. Sometimes like in 'Souljah' with it's laid back funky wah guitar licks it sounds as if the music here is created more as if by chance in a jam and so adding to the ambience of the whole thing, nothing is forced it just a natural and easy flow that is easy to drift along to.

-

Dub the Millennium
Track Listing

1. Absentee

2. Shakout

3. Spirit Dance
4. Market Place
5. Circle of Stone

6. East

7. Wikkaman

8. Aquarius

9. One Small Step

10. Millennium
11. Souljah

12. Surface Tension

The Impressions - Young Mods Forgotten Story

Sometimes described as the quintessential Chicago soul group, the Impressions’ would garner a place in R&B history for having been the starting point in the careers of soul legends Jerry Butler, Leroy Hutson and of course Curtis Mayfield if nothing else. They where also a huge influence on a lot of Jamaican acts of the 60's and early 70's with their strong association with the civil rights movement appealing to many along with their pitch perfect harmonies. Over the years, the likes of Junior Murvin, Prince Lincoln and the iconic Lee Perry have all testified to this at some point.

I believe this was one if not the last album they did with Mayfield, with the title hinting at something of a concept album, but alas not. What you do get is an excellent collection of predominantly love inspired songs with a couple of their renowned political / message songs thrown in. 'Choice of Colors' is probably the strongest of these as it takes an investigative look at black feelings about race. Perhaps a bit heavy in places as it asks the deep questions of “If you had a choice of colours, which one would you choose, my brothers? If there was no day or night, which would you prefer to be right?”. Closing number “Mighty Mighty (Spade & Whitey)” has more of a party, celebratory vibe going on calling on blacks and whites to join together, with this song also being funkier and their previous offerings and giving a glimpse of where Mayfield would soon be heading with his own solo work. The love songs are of more standard fare but with the musical arrangement work with the strings and horns by Johnny Pate and Donny Hathaway really drench this album with melodic class.
One of the songs from this batch that really jumps out at me is 'Seven Years'. It took me a couple of listens before I realised this joyous sounding love song was in fact about the heralding of the end of a worn out affair and the new lease of life that was felt by its demise.
'Wherever You Leadeth Me' has that nice slidy northern soul feel in the horns, while 'My Deceiving Heart' and 'Jealous Man' have subtle blusey, gospel feels to their heart felt emotion.
Worst of the bunch is 'The Girl I Find'. It comes over a bit cheesy with its dove cries but only someone like the Mayfield can get away with it and stop it becoming real gorgonzola!This is a classic album of short and sweet songs, with only 'Choice of Colors' coming in at over 3 minutes and a must for any aficionados of 60's soul

Kinyama Sounds - Reggae Dishes

Out now is a new release from a reggae collective based in Geneva Switzerland called Kinyama Sounds.

It's their first official album and it's called "Reggae Dishes". The album consists of all new riddims' by their in house band with these being voiced by established artists like Chezidek, Brother Culture, Prince Alla, Rod Taylor and others plus new and exciting vocalists from around the globe. It's a fulfilling main course of roots flavoured sounds that acts hopefully as showcase of things to come. Reggae Dishes was available on all major digital platforms like iTunes, Amazon, and Napster from 1st March.
Visit United Reggae for a full review...

www.unitedreggae.com/articles/n345/030810/kinyama-sounds-present-reggae-dishes

As well as the album some of the songs have been pressed on 7" vinyl so check their web site for more details.
www.kinyamasounds.com/

With new tunes planned to be released every couple of months or so this could turn out to be a very exciting venture.

Summerjam in Germany

This years Summerjam at the Fuehlinger Lake in Cologne, Germany sees it celebrate its 25th year and will take place between the 2nd and 4th July.
The motto for the event is 'LET THE SPIRIT RISE' which organisers say gives "an indication on the large variety of the musical spectrum of the 25th edition of the festival, but also expresses the pleasure of three relaxed summer days improving one’s mind and letting the soul tangle – all this perfectly legal, just with the strength of the Vibes and Riddims"

The festival is a place where both visitors and artists of different generations can meet; creating a unique atmosphere that has made the festival famous all over the world. Reggae still is the soul of the Summerjam Festival, with artists hailing from the Caribbean and Africa having been on the programme almost exclusively.

This year other musical forms derived from these influences and that have also helped inspire young musicians to find a style of their own and to start a career by themselves have found their proper place in the anniversary program, so helping to bring a new generation to the festival and hopefully keep it exciting.

You can keep up to date with what is happening at The Summerjam Festival by visiting their website http://www.summerjam.de/ , or by joining them at MySpace, Twitter, Youtube and Facebook

These social sites are well worth visiting as daily news on the Festival can be found and sometimes before it's announced on the regular festival site

http://www.myspace.com/summerjamreggaefestival
http://www.facebook.com/summerjamfestival
http://twitter.com/Summerjam
http://www.youtube.com/user/SUMMERJAMOFFICIAL


http://summerjam.de/daten/Image/scrollfriends/Shortcut/sj-banner1b_400x200.gif


The full list of artists confirmed so far in alphabetical order is Balkan Beat Box
Blumentopf
Danakil & General Levy
Dellé
Die Orsons
Don Carlos & Dub Vision
Easy Star All-Stars
Fantan Mojah
Gentleman & The Evolution
Gil Scott Heron
Inner Circle
Jah Mason
Jamaram Julian Marley
LaBrassBanda
Lutan Fyah
Max Herre
Midnite
Miss Platnum
Mono & Nikitaman
Morodo
Mr. Vegas & Thugz Band
Nas & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
Nneka
Ohrbooten
Queen Ifrica
Rootz Underground
SinsemiliaSmoke
SOJA
Tony Rebel
Toots and the Maytals

Jamaican Label Art

I've been pointed in the direction of a great new and interesting site that, vinyl lovers out there in particular should really enjoy.
It's basically what it says.... pictures of label art from old Jamaican record releases on 7" and 12" plus a selection of various ephemera. It must have taken an age to put together and really have been a labour of love. The colour and design on some of the labels and covers is really great with many I should imagine being rare and hard to find so go check it out to see some real old skool style and fashion!

www.iancauser.plus.com/jamaicanlabelart/index.html

Derrick Morgan - Live At The Gaff

Next month on Saturday, 29 May 2010 you can catch

Derrick Morgan

singer of the seminal rude boy classic, "Tougher Than Tough"

Live at The Gaff on Holloway Rd in London.

Morgan was a big star back in the day and in 1960 became the only artist ever to fill the places from one to seven on the Jamaican pop chart simultaneously.

Doors open at 8pm with the fun and frivolity going on until 3am what more could you want.

Tickets on sale now from http://www.wegottickets.com/

-

This Is Springline......

Coming at the latter part of this year Sprinline are hoping to have produced and published a book entitled "This is Springline". The book will be a coffee table style publication, in that it can be picked up and browsed with ease, with the reader being able to jump around it at their leisure. The aim of it all is to help publicise the world of uprising and underground reggae world with the pages being filled with all Springline release artwork plus a complete discography and many bits of artwork, flyers and pics from various other bands and labels. The written side of the book will be composed from various people and cover their thoughts, ideas and even some of the history behind their various projects.This bold and ambitious plan is being undertaken by Springline main man Gibsy who has always pushed and fought to get reggae music opened up to a wider audience by trying to give underground music makers a platform to express themselves whether it be by internet radio or the Springline Music label

-

Prince Jammy Presents Strictly Dub & More

Out this month (12th April 2010) on Pressure Sounds is the obscure Prince Jammy dub album 'Prince Jammy Presents Strictly Dub' on, on single CD and Vinyl format.

Lloyd ‘King Jammy’ James is rightly revered for his dance hall domination during the second half of the eighties as record producer and sound system controller. But prior to his coronation Prince Jammy, as King Tubby’s right hand man, was famed for his crucial dub mixes at Tubby’s studio and for his infrequent forays into record production. This essential Pressure Sounds release originated as an obscure dub album that briefly surfaced in New York in the early eighties on the ‘Jammys Records’ label. It has since come to be rightly regarded by students and scholars of the dub school not only as a minor masterpiece of Jammy’s mixing style but also as an early demonstration of his masterful production techniques.
Produced, arranged, mixed and remixed by Prince Jammy, with the cream of Kingston’s session players, the set proved to be an early indication of the beginning of a new musical era created, paradoxically, by referring back to the classic rhythms of the sixties and seventies. The album is powered by the legendary drum and bass combination of Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare with the trumpet of Bobby Ellis and the alto saxophone of ‘Deadly’ Hedley Bennett coming to the fore on tracks such as ‘Old Country Dub’ and ‘271 Utica Dub’. Featuring updates of many classic rock steady and reggae rhythms including ‘Baba Boom’ and ‘Ali Baba’ from Treasure Isle, ‘Always Together’ from Studio One and the Baba Brooks ska classic ‘Shank I Sheck’ for King Edwards interspersed with a selection of original rhythms including one of Jammy’s early roots masterpieces: the apocalyptic ‘Jah Fire Will Be Burning’ from Hugh Mundell. The bonus CD only tracks, spare, lean recuts of two more Studio One classics: Jackie Mittoo’s ‘Hot Milk’ and Lester Sterling’s interpretation of Bert Kaempfert’s ‘Afrikaan Beat’, both date from a slightly later period.
Although the track titles, such as ‘Brooklyn Dub’ and ‘Bronx Fashion Dub’, reflect the fact that that the album was first released in New York the original cover artwork (showcased again on this Pressure Sounds release) shows Prince Jammy at the controls of the mixing desk in King Tubby’s Dromilly Avenue studio in the heart of Kingston’s Waterhouse ghetto… the spiritual home of dub music.
Musicians:

Bass: Robert ‘Robbie’ Shakespeare

Drums: Lowell ‘Sly’ Dunbar

Guitar: Winston ‘Bo Peep’ Bowen & Radcliffe ‘Duggie’ Bryan

Organ: Ansel ‘Pinkie’ Collins & Winston ‘Brubeck’ Wright

Piano: Gladstone ‘Gladdy’ Anderson

Alto Saxophone: ‘Deadly’ Hedley Bennett

Trumpet: Bobby Ellis

Percussion: Uziah ‘Sticky’ Thompson & Noel ‘Scully’ Simms

Produced & Arranged by: Prince Jammy
Remixed at: King Tubby’s Recording Studio, 18 Dromilly Avenue, Kingston 11, Jamaica Track Listing:

Chapter 1
1. Immigrant Dub

2. Basement Dub

3. Brooklyn Dub

4. B.Q.E. Dub

5. Interboro Dub

Chapter 2
1. Old Country Dub

2. 42nd Street Dub

3. 271 Utica Dub

4. Bronx Fashion Dub

5. Strictly Dub

Bonus CD only tracks

1. Mother Dub

2. Dis Dub Rule

To coincide with this re-release they are also issuing 3off superb Jammy’s seven inch singles on the Jammy’s label. They are available on heavyweight vinyl with a specially designed card sleeve.

Released late last month were Attaras 'Brimstone And Fire' c/w 'Cool Fire Version' and Freddie McKay's 'Rock A Bye Woman' c/w 'Rock A Bye Version'.
The Attras track was produced by Joe Higgs and featuring Attaras, with members of the Wailing Souls and Joe Higgs (who need no introduction) in harmony. This is a top class vocal release and also very, very rare. The 45, on Joe’s own ‘Elevation’ label, comes in a picture sleeve and is backed by a restrained old style instrumental version and is licensed exclusively to Pressure Sounds from the Estate of Joe Higgs.
McKay's track shows him to be one of the best exponents of the more soulful side of Jamaican roots music. Freddie McKay recorded for Studio One and Treasure Isle before working with various producers in the seventies. ‘Rock A Bye Woman’ is a rare self-production with an up-tempo feel and punchy horns. Seriously in demand on the revival circuit for a number of years the passionate vocal side is backed here with a riveting ‘high pass filter’ style version. Top quality music from one of reggae’s great-unsung heroes.

Finally this month will see the release of Wayne Smith's 'Time Is A Moment In Space'.
There was a time when Jammy was just a Prince and his coronation as King Jammy in the early eighties was largely due to records like this! Jammy and Wayne Smith would go on to change reggae music forever with ‘Under Me Sleng Teng’ but, when they voiced this melancholy masterpiece, there was very little hint of the forthcoming digital revolution. It Showcases the more mellow side of Jammy’s production techniques with its haunting keyboard counter melody and the chilled out dub side entitled ‘Life Is A Moment In Space’ it was a moderate seller first time around but demand for the tune has grown ever since.

-

Dub Conference Pt 4

DEEP ROOT /UNIVERSAL EGG RELEASE
DUB CONFERENCE SERIES PART 4

Abassi All stars in collaboration with Deep Root present the fourth release in the DUB CONFERENCE 7 inch release series which features collaborations between Abassi All Stars and other dub producers from around the globe.

This time its the turn of the Dub All Sense crew from Caserta, Italy alongside Abassi. The theme of the series is to take a co-written tune and have it mixed by each production team, presenting the results as totally EXCLUSIVE mixes that will not be featured on any other release.

This 7” release is a limited edition as always on Deep Root and is on 12th April 2010 on a rather fetching PINK vinyl

These tunes already have UK and German radio air play and sound system play on Iration Steppers, Vibronics, King Shiloh, Jah Tubby World System and perch’s Abassi Hi Power Systems


.Side A
African Pressure by Abassi All Stars
Side B
Africa by Dub All Sense

orders
perch@wobblyweb.com
More info on this release
www.wobblyweb.com/ue/abassi-all-stars-meet-dub-all-se.html

More info on Abassi All Stars
www.wobblyweb.com/ue/abassiallstars.html

Zion Train & Abassi Sound Systems

As well as releasing the 4th instalment of their Dub Conference series this month Abassi can be seen live on

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 at Hi Power in Session, Sensor Club, Cologne, Germany
www.myspace.com/Fabassidub

Also stable mates Zion Train Sound System can be found out and about at the
Amigdala Theatre, Trezzo Sull'Ada (BG), Italy on Fri, 23 Apr 2010

Sat, 24 Apr 2010, Patchanka, Monta (CN) Italy
www.myspace.com/2Fmonta_patchanka

Sun, 25 Apr 2010, Supernatural festival, Belgrade, Serbia
http://www.supernaturalfest.com%2F

Thu, 29 Apr 2010, Play Studios, Reading, England
http://www.playinreading.com/

Fri, 30 Apr 2010, Eat Your Greens, Masque, Liverpool, England
www.myspace.com/eatyourgreensuk

Sat, 01 May 2010
Zion Train live at Sawyer's All Dayer, Kettering, England. Starts time14.30with.... THE SKINTS, CRACKED ACTORS, THE PRESSURETONES, BLACK SKULL SQUADRON, ELECTRIC DUB GURU
www.myspace.com/sawyersvenuecouk

If you've not experienced them live before there is also a great Zion Train show from Summer 2009 in Portugal online at
www.centralmusical.pt/watch.php?v=7445

Find them all at:
http://www.wobblyweb.com/
www.myspace.com/ziontrainindub
www.myspace.com/abassidub
www.myspace.com/deeprootdub www.myspace.com/universalegg