Space Coast FM News
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 1:16 PM EST
S K Y .FM
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 1:15 PM EST
Tad’s eyes double album for Ja 50
MUSIC producer distributor Tad Dawkins plans to release a double album to mark Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence from Britain.
The set, titled Jamaica 50, is scheduled to be released in July, one month before Independence celebrations in Jamaica. It will be distributed by Dawkins’ Tads Records and contains 50 songs he produced or licensed for distribution during the last 30 years.
Dennis Brown 
Sugar Minott 
Johnny Osbourne 
George Nooks
“We’re still considering the final list but it’s something we’re excited about. An album like this is timely,” Dawkins told the Observer.
Heading the list of songs is Here I Come, the Dennis Brown anthem Dawkins produced while living in New York City in the late 1970s. Another Dawkins production, Johnny Osbourne’s dancehall classic Budy Bye will also be included.
Some of the songs Dawkins licensed over the years also made the cut. Most of them are dancehall or radio favourites such as Delroy Wilson’s Once Upon a Time, Lloyd Robinson’s Cuss Cuss, and Vanity and Mr DC by Sugar Minott.
More recent hits like George Nooks’ God Is Standing By, Just As I Am from LUST and Ray Darwin’s People Choice, will be on Jamaica 50.
Dawkins returned to Jamaica in 2000, after living in the United States for nearly 30 years. While there, he worked with Brad’s, the leading reggae distributor in New York City during the 1970s. He also played drums in the Dynamites, a show band that backed top reggae acts passing through the Big Apple.
Moving into music production, Dawkins produced an album by the Blues Busters (Blues Busters Top Of The Pops) that did well in Britain. However, it was his production of Brown’s Here I Come — which opened doors for him to work with leading acts of the early 1980s including Osbourne and Gregory Isaacs.
Last year, Dawkins released compilation albums from Brown and Isaacs. Satisfaction Feeling by Brown and Isaacs’ The Ruler (1972-1990) featured several songs he produced by both singers
The set, titled Jamaica 50, is scheduled to be released in July, one month before Independence celebrations in Jamaica. It will be distributed by Dawkins’ Tads Records and contains 50 songs he produced or licensed for distribution during the last 30 years.
Dennis Brown Sugar Minott Johnny Osbourne George Nooks“We’re still considering the final list but it’s something we’re excited about. An album like this is timely,” Dawkins told the Observer.
Heading the list of songs is Here I Come, the Dennis Brown anthem Dawkins produced while living in New York City in the late 1970s. Another Dawkins production, Johnny Osbourne’s dancehall classic Budy Bye will also be included.
Some of the songs Dawkins licensed over the years also made the cut. Most of them are dancehall or radio favourites such as Delroy Wilson’s Once Upon a Time, Lloyd Robinson’s Cuss Cuss, and Vanity and Mr DC by Sugar Minott.
More recent hits like George Nooks’ God Is Standing By, Just As I Am from LUST and Ray Darwin’s People Choice, will be on Jamaica 50.
Dawkins returned to Jamaica in 2000, after living in the United States for nearly 30 years. While there, he worked with Brad’s, the leading reggae distributor in New York City during the 1970s. He also played drums in the Dynamites, a show band that backed top reggae acts passing through the Big Apple.
Moving into music production, Dawkins produced an album by the Blues Busters (Blues Busters Top Of The Pops) that did well in Britain. However, it was his production of Brown’s Here I Come — which opened doors for him to work with leading acts of the early 1980s including Osbourne and Gregory Isaacs.
Last year, Dawkins released compilation albums from Brown and Isaacs. Satisfaction Feeling by Brown and Isaacs’ The Ruler (1972-1990) featured several songs he produced by both singers
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 1:38 PM EST
TVJ: REAL JAMAICAN RASTAMAN INTERVIEW ON SMILE JAMAICA (AVOCATE OF RASTAFARI)
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 12:31 PM EST
Popular artistes headline 'Sigma Corporate Run' concert
Admiral Baley was his usual entertaining self onstage.
The Silver Bird Steel Orchestra. - Contributed photosJamaican artistes Admiral Bailey, Wayne Marshall, Ken Boothe, and Digicel Rising star Latty J ignited the PanCaribbean Sigma Corporate Run Awards ceremony yesterday morning.
After a record run with over 16,000 registered participants and the overall run winner crossing the finish line in 14 minutes and 49 seconds, participants gathered in Emancipation Park for the awards ceremony.
The range of artistes in the line-up, from Ken Boothe to Latty J, loosely represented 50 years of Jamaican music in recognition of Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence.
Internationally acclaimed reggae artiste Ken Boothe brought his signature smooth reggae, rocksteady style to serenade participants of the run. He smoothly delivered hits like Everything I Own, Puppet On A String and When I Fall in Love, among others.
Admiral Bailey, who has long dominated the dancehall and soca stage, shook up the crowd with monster hits like Della Move, Ole Time Sumtin' and One Scotch.
Wayne Marshall, who is no stranger to helping the Bustamante Hospital for Children, electrified the crowd along with Donovan Perkins, president and CEO of Pan Caribbean Financial Service, Dr The Hon Usain Bolt, and MC Jenny Jenny 'swaggin' to his monster hit with the same name.
Perkins was moved by the response to the company's call for assistance. "We are pleased with the support thus far. Whilst we are not yet at our target, the mandate is now to garner the additional funds for this essential programme spearheaded by the Chain of Hope Jamaica," he said.
Media personalities, sports figures, entertainers, among others joined Corporate Jamaica teams for the annual PanCaribbean Sigma Corporate Run, the largest road race in the Caribbean.
Worthy cause
Under the theme 'Play your part, Save a heart', the charity event sought to raise $50 million for Chain of Hope Jamaica in support of the cardiac programme at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.
In addition to the diverse line-up for the concert, the event featured pre-race entertainment. The organisers paired the vivacious comedian Elva with dancer and media personality Tippa to lead out in the warm-up aerobics routine at the start line. The warm-up session at Emancipation Park was in the capable hands of Jamfit's Karelle Jones and the vibrant and energetic radio personality Jenny Jenny. Delando Colley, 2011 Digicel Rising Star contestant, flawlessly performed the National Anthem to commence the race.
Participants were treated to rousing performances from L'Acadco stilt walkers, St Patrick's Marching Band and the energetic Silver Bird Steel Orchestra.
Dean Barnett, managing director of Silver Bird Steel Orchestra with a team of 12 performing, reiterated his commitment to the event. He explained, "We are here each year because I have kids and I am very familiar with the cause. The team really wanted to give support, however possible, and we made sure we were here today."
Over 16,000 registered runners, walkers and wheelchair participants occupied the streets of Kingston in solidarity with the cause, while organisations and individuals continue to make monetary donations.
Monday, February 20th, 2012 12:40 PM EST
'Give us airplay' - Bunny Brown releases new album, bats for vintage artistes
Cecelia Campbell-Livingston
I would love to hear radio stations playing my songs the way they play Vybz Kartel. At least give the people an opportunity to hear both sides," opined veteran singer Joel 'Bunny' Brown, whose latest album, Bunny Brown Sings The Classic Soul Hits, was released on Valentine's Day.
Produced by Brown for his label, Joel's Ark Productions, he says the album is one that lovers of good music will enjoy. Among the covers are Heatwave's Always and Forever; Sam Cook's A Change Is Gonna Come, the Temptations' Just My Imagination, the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody and Michael Jackson's She's Out Of My Life.
"I expect this album to soar. Rod Stewart did a cover album and it soared, I'm expecting the same results for this one," said Brown.
"People enjoy good love songs," he continued. "Women love to be charmed and feel good about themselves. I feel they will gravitate to it."
Still, he is hoping Classic Soul Hits will receive some love from local disc jockeys.
"It's hard to get this kind of music played on some stations as they play mostly dancehall," said Brown. "Hopefully, my album will be listened to by all stations and they will give me the support."
Lack of airplay is not the only challenge facing Brown. His main issue is a lack of respect shown to 'foundation' artistes like himself.
"They get overlooked from major productions and the only time they are booked for events is when it's being organised by a promoter who specialises in our kind of shows," he said.
Bunny Brown is not the only 'vintage' artiste who has complained about lack of airplay for his new recordings. Similar cries have come from
Ernie Smith, Leroy Sibbles and Bob Andy.
Interestingly, one of contemporary reggae's biggest hitmakers is singer Beres Hammond, who is approaching 60.
Brown enjoyed success in the early 1970s as lead singer for the group, The Chosen Few. They had a well-received album of covers, named Hit After Hit in 1973, containing tracks such as You're A Big Girl Now, Ebony Eyes and Stranger On The Shore.
Originally from Richmond Park, Brown said he started singing in church, Olivet Gospel Hall, at age nine. He eventually joined his school choir at Campion College before becoming a professional singer with the Chosen Few.
Brown, who immigrated to England in the 1970s, returned to Jamaica in 2004 to resurrect his career. His last album, Ready For The World, was produced by Studio One founder, Clement 'Coxson' Dodd.
I would love to hear radio stations playing my songs the way they play Vybz Kartel. At least give the people an opportunity to hear both sides," opined veteran singer Joel 'Bunny' Brown, whose latest album, Bunny Brown Sings The Classic Soul Hits, was released on Valentine's Day.
Produced by Brown for his label, Joel's Ark Productions, he says the album is one that lovers of good music will enjoy. Among the covers are Heatwave's Always and Forever; Sam Cook's A Change Is Gonna Come, the Temptations' Just My Imagination, the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody and Michael Jackson's She's Out Of My Life.
"I expect this album to soar. Rod Stewart did a cover album and it soared, I'm expecting the same results for this one," said Brown.
"People enjoy good love songs," he continued. "Women love to be charmed and feel good about themselves. I feel they will gravitate to it."
Still, he is hoping Classic Soul Hits will receive some love from local disc jockeys.
"It's hard to get this kind of music played on some stations as they play mostly dancehall," said Brown. "Hopefully, my album will be listened to by all stations and they will give me the support."
Lack of airplay is not the only challenge facing Brown. His main issue is a lack of respect shown to 'foundation' artistes like himself.
"They get overlooked from major productions and the only time they are booked for events is when it's being organised by a promoter who specialises in our kind of shows," he said.
Bunny Brown is not the only 'vintage' artiste who has complained about lack of airplay for his new recordings. Similar cries have come from
Ernie Smith, Leroy Sibbles and Bob Andy.
Interestingly, one of contemporary reggae's biggest hitmakers is singer Beres Hammond, who is approaching 60.
Brown enjoyed success in the early 1970s as lead singer for the group, The Chosen Few. They had a well-received album of covers, named Hit After Hit in 1973, containing tracks such as You're A Big Girl Now, Ebony Eyes and Stranger On The Shore.
Originally from Richmond Park, Brown said he started singing in church, Olivet Gospel Hall, at age nine. He eventually joined his school choir at Campion College before becoming a professional singer with the Chosen Few.
Brown, who immigrated to England in the 1970s, returned to Jamaica in 2004 to resurrect his career. His last album, Ready For The World, was produced by Studio One founder, Clement 'Coxson' Dodd.
Go Home