ROCKSTEADY PIONEER LYNN TAITT DEAD AT 75

Groundbreaking rocksteady guitarist Lynn Taitt -- who played on influential records by the Skatalites, Derrick Morgan and Desmond Dekker passed away last Wednesday, according to the Jamaica Gleaner. Taitt, who was 75 and a Montreal resident, succumbed to cancer.


Born Nerlyn Taitt in San Fernando, Trinidad, he picked up guitar in the early 1960s -- when he was well into his 20s -- first heading to Jamaica in August 1963 to perform at a gig arranged by the legendary Byron Lee and designed to celebrate the country's first year of Independence from England. Taitt stayed in Jamaica, where he played with the aforementioned ska pioneers, plus the Sheiks, Comets and the Cavaliers.

By 1966, Taitt's band, the Jets, helped launch the rocksteady movement by crafting the bassline for 'Take It Easy' by Hopeton Lewis, which many cite as genre's first song. Establishing the Federal Studios sound, Taitt went on to help craft Alton Ellis' staple 'Girl I've Got a Date.'

Taitt worked often with Leslie Kong -- the Chinese-Jamaican producer who first recorded Bob Marley -- lending his memorable riffs to Dekker's '007 (Shantytown).' In 1968, Taitt moved to Canada, living in Toronto in the 1970s before ultimately settling in Montreal. There he wrote for local reggae, jazz and calypso groups and played and recorded with the Kingpins, a local ska outfit.

REGGAE LABEL EXECUTIVE RAISES GRAMMY AWARENESS AMONG REGGAE PRODUCERS

Cristy Barber, the VP of marketing and promotions at VP Records, was tired of seeing some of the best acts in reggae continuously overlooked every time Grammy season rolled around. Now, as Billboard reports, she's taken it upon herself to lead a campaign to educate reggae artists and producers about the market-based benefits that the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences can offer.


Barber's already organized a January 21-25 conference in Jamaica, where she will meet with industry execs to discuss the Grammy nomination process. Her corporate gaze, though, extends well beyond Jamaica's borders, as she's looking to recruit 100 or more Recording Academy members from the global reggae industry to vote for the 2011 nominations. Currently, Jamaica has only one Recording Academy member, a shockingly low statistic that highlights how much reggae has been under (or mis) represented in recent Grammy nominations. There are some institutional barriers that hinder Jamaican involvement, though, most notably the requirement that all nominations be postmarked 2 weeks before they arrive in Los Angeles, an impossibly short time frame that has discouraged eligible Caribbean voters from joining the Academy.

Barber, who was once nominated for a Grammy herself back in 2005, and who presided over the Marley family's Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths labels, has been lobbying for a rule change for years, and this year, she finally succeeded; in 2011, Jamaican members will be able to vote online via PDF ballots, which should help turnout. Still, though, Barber and others recognize the need to raise awareness from the ground up. She's pretty confident she can be successful, too. As she says, "Winning a reggae Grammy offers a level of recognition that impacts sales, radio play and concert demands, essential elements in establishing a new generation of reggae stars. I wouldn't be doing the genre, the artists or Jamaica justice if I didn't embark on this campaign."

REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2010 @ HILTON KINGSTON

The REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL2010 @ HILTON KINGSTON will open February25 at the HILTON KINGSTON Ballroom with a Red Carpet Gala Reception and premiere of the Reggae documentary RUFFN' TUFF – FOUNDERS OF THE IMMORTAL RIDDIM by Japanese film maker Shizuo Ishi, featuring a galaxy of reggae stars including Leroy Sibbles, Bob Andy, Gregory Isaacs and John Holt all of whom are among the VIP reggae celebrities invited as Special Guests. Other films include premieres of 3 new Jamaican feature films and a rare documentary on Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

The HILTON KINGSTON Ballroom will be transformed into a Cinema for nightly screenings, while the Jonkanoo Lounge will host Lunchtime screenings, a Seminar and a special Children's programme. The HILTON KINGSTON offers a Reggae Film Festival accommodation package at reduced rates and will also offer Lunchtime Specials for midday cinema-goers.

Films already entered include features, documentaries and music videos by Jamaican and international directors, including entries from Hawaii, Italy, Japan, UK and Brazil. Awards will be presented by a panel of Judges in 9 categories including Best Film, Best Documentary and Best Music Video, and audiences will be invited to selected their favourites.

Several international film celebrities have been invited to attend, including noted director SPIKE LEE, rapper/actress EVE and ROGER GUENEVERE SMITH, star of Jamaican feature 'Betta Mus' Come' and 8 Spike Lee films, as well as the blockbuster “American Gangster” starring Denzel Washington. The noted actor will present a lecture with film clips as part of the REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL programme. Jamaican film celebrity guests include former heavyweight champ LENNOX LEWIS, star of 'Johnny Was” and star of two Jamaican feature films currently in production. In addition to Title Sponsor HILTON KINGSTON, sponsors include IRIE-FM, PHASE THREE and STANLEY MOTTA RENTALS.

The REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2010 @ HILTON KINGSTON is an activity of the Jamaica Film Academy established in 2008. This year's event is produced by a Planning Committee led by film maker and film festival organizer Barbara Blake Hannah. She said that since the first Reggae Film Festival in 2008, there have been many spinoffs, with festival films being invited to international events and winning awards. Film Festivals and people around the world, including Jamaica, have begun including reggae films in their programmes or presenting look-alike events, but these all have served to achieve the main objective of the Jamaica Film Academy, which is to promote Jamaican film culture and increase the opportunities for Jamaican film makers.

Blake-Hannah, who presented Jamaica's first film festival in 1974 and has produced several more since, has been a guest of international film festivals in Venice, Cuba, Iraq and Cannes. She is also producer/director of several films and worked on film productions including “The Harder They Come”, “A High Wind in Jamaica” and “Kla$h”. She and British film archivist Peter Gittins of Reggae Films UK conceptualized the first Reggae Film Festival in 2007 as a special event with private sector support. Mrs. Hannah continued developing the idea while working as Consultant to the Minister of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports on various projects including the planning and procedures for the first Reggae Month in 2008, into which the Reggae Film Festival was eventually incorporated with some government support.

The Jamaica Film Academy's aim is to see the Reggae Film Festival become an annual date in Jamaica’s events calendar that will provide Jamaican films with the needed international exposure that they deserve. Four different films have been made as a direct result of its first event in 2008 and two films premiered at the Reggae Film Festival 2009 have won international awards, evidence of just how important this event is.

The Jamaica Film Academy invites members of the Jamaican film industry and local businesses to help the Reggae Film Festival grow bigger and better. Further information on the REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2010 @ HILTON KINGSTON can be had at the official Reggae Film Festival website at www.jamaicafilmacademy.org.

PORTMORE EMPIRE SEEKS TO RECOUP LOSSES FROM GAZA KIM'S DEPARTURE

In light of the announcement that artist Kim Hamilton--formerly known as Gaza Kim, now known as Kym--has chosen to exit the Portmore Empire and Adidjahiem Records, Empire leader and record company CEO Adidja "Vybz Kartel" Palmer issues the following statement:


The Portmore Empire invested a substantial amount of money in the career of singer Kim Hamilton--filming music videos, printing promotional posters and clocking several hours in the studio honing her talent. We're disappointed that she felt the need to issue a press release to the media announcing her departure from the record label, Adidjaheim Records, without first notifying the company. This is particularly disturbing given the fact that she is still under contract and the record company has fulfilled its end of the agreement.

Nevertheless, we understand and respect her decision to leave even if we don't agree. We are prepared to negotiate the terms of her contract, to grant her creative freedom, while minimizing the impact on the company, as is customary in matters of business.

The Portmore Empire will continue to support and seek out young artistes in Dancehall. We believe that Jamaica has a never-ending reservoir of talent and the Empire will continue to develop and market young acts.

-Adidja Palmer-


This latest statement comes on the heels of a week-long firestorm of controversy surrounding an alleged attack on Kym at the hands of four men she claims to be affiliated with the Portmore Empire. Early this week, Vybz Kartel released a statement condemning the alleged attack on the 17-year old singer.

Source - Ms. Raine Inc

::.INTRODUCING CHRISTAR JAZZ-IT-UP.::

Night life in Kingston is on the verge of witnessing a weekly performance show that will stimulate the minds of the sophisticated listener and one that is poised to generate a buzz and inject new life in live performance shows in and around Kingston.


This bolt of energy will be created by Christar Jazz-It-Up. This weekly event is set to transform Wednesday nights starting on February 3, 2010. Some of Jamaica's finest talents in voice, instruments and others will come together week after week to put together an entertainment package that will satisfy the craving for good live performances. With the backdrop being provided by the Hope mountains and the cool atmosphere that is constantly evident in the evenings on Hope Road, Christar Villa's Hotel is an ideal location for an event that can only be deemed as ... 'Too cool for an average venue'.

The first week will see performances by Maurice Gordon, Mark Joseph, Leontre Roberts, Kai Wakeling and Jhamiela Smith. The later a budding Neo/soul artiste whose style her merging Reggae with Jazz into soulful pieces which leave even the unappreciative listener of Reggae music in awe.

Christar Jazz Nights is certainly the ‘coolest’ place to be on Wednesday nights.

BUGLE BRINGING THE JAMAICAN VIBE AND WARMTH TO UK

“I am more than energized and ready to bring a good vibe to my fans in the UK”

Monday, December 21, Kingston, Jamaica (A.I.M Inc.): Promoters operating out of the UK will be this year joining forces to bring one of reggae/dancehall’s hottest entertainers’ to warm the hearts of music lovers. Bugle will be representing the Daseca camp on this nine day tour which will see him delivering exhilarating performances from December 26th, 2009 through to January 4th, 2010.

After thrilling crowds on a recently concluded tour of Canada, that tour saw him sharing the stage with fellow dancehall acts Charly Black, Demarco and Konshens. Bugle has always been able to write and deliver songs that people can readily relate to and that has always allowed him to find great favour with party goers and reggae/dancehall enthusiasts worldwide. It is for this reason that fans in and around London continue to request live performances from Bugle time and time again.

Commenting on his upcoming tour Bugle assures, “I am more than energized and ready to bring a good vibe to my fans in the UK”. Fans in the UK can rest assured that they will be well entertained over the holiday season when Bugle makes this trip.


Some of the tour dates and times are listed below:

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009 (Brixton Mass)

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Friday, January 1, 2010 (Malcolm X Centre)

Skipping to the Rhythm of Success

Even though he has one of the most instantly recognised and popular hits of the year (Holiday with Chevaughn Clayton), has performed in many countries (including Japan and Brazil), and is now set to show his stuff on the upcoming Shaggy Dare to Care 2010 edition, come January 2, Ding Dong still insists on billing himself as "a dancer".

"Is dancin' bring me to the point where people round the world know me," said the founder of the Ravers Clavers crew, now some 18 members strong. "An' no matter what else me do, dancin' nah stop Me dance every night."

Which must make for a very hectic schedule as that 'what else' has grown to embrace not only recording artiste, but also producer (his most recent riddim project is the Giants) and entertainment mogul. His Nannyville Enterrprise has been signing and developing new talent at an expansive clip, and Ding Dong now seems to be on the crest of a surge greater than that of the Iraq War.

But the "dancer" is nothing if not focused, and humble. Of his call-up for the upcoming Dare to Care show he says, "it's a tremendous, big opportunity for me, seeing as many of the people on this bill is people who influence me, so I now have the opportunity to be an influencer".

Beyond the bright lights, Ding Dong sees his presence on the bill as a contribution to the cause. Specifically, he believes he can attract a younger audience not only to the show, but more importantly to the cause of giving. "Its not a matter of a lot of money, but you give what you have, cause this is something that benefit everybody, so me in my position can get the young people to understand that them can play a part too."

And his influence grows, what with the success of Holiday and the hot dance of the moment, Skip To My Lu, otherwise Summer Swing ("people keep askin' me if is two different dance, but is really the same thing"). His touring schedule looks even more hectic for the end of this year and into 2010, and he's already followed up Holiday with the new single and video Responsible Parents.

"My song, me just take them from life and things that me consider." he explains. "We keep away from all war and negativity. My children mus' able to listen to my tune and my mother mus' can listen to it too."

Source - REGGAEinc.