Tarrus Riley: Adam & Eve Riddim
” by Kevin Lloyd.
Kevin Lloyd – Oh Mama
Various Artists: Miss Lily’s Family Style Artwork
Known for serving up Jamaica’s freshest beats and top-notch cuisine in downtown Manhattan, Miss Lily’s has become a social and cultural hub for all things Caribbean. The island aesthetic is reflected throughout the swanky decor of their restaurant, bakery, juice bar and variety shop – which serves as a record store, gallery space and home to internet broadcast station, Radio Lily. Miss Lily’s Variety Shop, located directly next door to the restaurant, celebrates their first year in business and launches a brand new CD series Miss Lily’s Family Style (VP Records) on January 22.
The first installment is executive produced by Radio Lily resident DJ Max Glazer along with one of Miss Lily’s founding partners, Paul Salmon, who also owns Jamaica’s award-winning Rockhouse Hotel and co-founded Joe’s Pub in Manhattan. Enclosed in the CD’s vintage vinyl-inspired packaging are in-depth liner notes written by reggae journalist and Radio Lily DJ Rob Kenner along with a free download card of a 43-minute mix by DJ Max Glazer.
Beres Hammond – One Love , One Life – Artwork
Beres Hammond’s new album One Love, One Life reaches #1 on U.S. Billboard Reggae Chart after five weeks in the market. One Love, One Life (VP/Harmony House Records) has been Top 5 on the Reggae albums chart since its November 13th release, with sales climbing the past two weeks.
This success comes off the heels of his recent U.S. concert performances at Brooklyn’s Barclays Arena on December 12 and Hard Rock Cafe in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on December 14. While in New York City, Beres also sat in with The Roots on December 11 to make his national late night television debut on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
“Beres’ touring and the national media exposure played a major role in this increase” states Aaron Talbert, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for VP Records. “CD sales at the venues and the in store appearances in New York and Miami really put the album in front of the fans,” he adds.
“We hope to continue the momentum through Christmas and into 2013. “We are happy and proud to see Beres at the top of the chart,” states VP Records President Chris Chin.
One Love, One Life is Beres Hammond’s first studio album since One Moment In Time released in 2008 on VP/ Harmony House Records. Beres had a hand in producing 19 of the 20 songs one this new double-disc collection. The first disc One Love includes his signature classic lover’s rock sound on new singles like “No Candle Light” and “Keep Me Warm,” while the second disc One Life contains more of his socially-conscious, spiritually-empowering tunes including “You Stand Alone,” “Truth Will Live On” and “Prime Time.”
VP RECORDS TEAMS UP WITH WORLDSOUND TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE FROM ANUHEA FEATURING TARRUS RILEY ”ONLY MAN IN THE WORLD” AVAILABLE DECEMBER 4.
Anuhea Featuring Tarrus Riley – Only Man In The World – Artwork
The first track from Dub Rockers concept album available April 2013
Hawaiian singer-songwriter Anuhea teams up with Jamaican reggae vocalist Tarrus Riley on the new single “Only Man In The World,” available digitally and on 7″ vinyl December 4th. The sultry duet was written by Anuhea and also includes an acoustic mix of the song.
“Only Man In The World” is the first song from Dub Rockers, a new compilation blending reggae from Jamaica with non-Caribbean sources. Slated for release in April 2013, the album will showcase Jamaica’s top artists (Etana, Morgan Heritage, I Wayne) with the latest wave of reggae-influenced musicians based primarily in the United States (Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Bad Brains, SOJA).
For more information about Anuhea visit www.anuheajams.com
Congratulations to Etana on the November 1st birth of her daughter Nyla, the inspiration for her forthcoming album “Better Tomorrow.” The hit single from the album is entitled “Reggae.”
Soulful reggae singer, Etana releases the EP titled, Reggae on November 13. This three-track treat is an appetizer to her highly anticipated third album, A Better Tomorrow. The VP Records upcoming album is scheduled to arrive just in time for Black History Month, February 2013. The EP is now available on I-tunes and features the title track, Reggae, A Better Tomorrow and Foreplay To Love (Start Over). Etana thrills on all three compositions, with each reflecting different aspects of her undeniable talent.
1. Reggae
“Recording reggae was amazing, I could feel the passion, it was like making love to the music. I was engulfed in the rhythms from the drums, the bass and the guitar, they all brought on a sense of bringing new to life to the world”, says Etana. The intimate love ballad is slow, soft and seductive. The songstress smoothly puts a witty play on her words to express a raging love for the enthralling genre of music.
2. A Better Tomorrow
The title track for Etana’s upcoming third album is a definite preview of what is to come in a few months. The catchy mid tempo piece is inspirational and right up the songbird’s alley. Motivating, uplifting and purely positive lyrics flow from her crystal clear chords. As she belts each note you can feel her emotions blaring through the speakers. Etana was compelled to write this song after watching two young children in a documentary visit a dump to source food on a daily basis. The story brought the singer to tears, this pain encouraged her to pen each line on finding a brighter future for A better Tomorrow.
3. Foreplay To Love (Start Over)
A come clean story which many can relate to. “Lets start over , found a love that’s new, you’re not my only lover”, Etana croons of a love triangle she wants a second chance at making right. This confessional will appeal to many as it portrays a realistic dynamic of life.
These three tracks are fulfilling, yet they will enhance that crave for Etana’s full disc. The Free singer is ready to return to Centre stage and available for bookings starting December 1st. Freemind music is her exclusive booking agent for more info visit www.EtanaThestrongOne.com
Listen More from ETANA on Reverbnation
Richie Stephens & Gentleman – Live Your Life – Artwork
Richie Stephens is still celebrating the massive response from the hit single “Live Your Life”. Now adding the final touches for the upcoming new album with Gentleman dropping November 27th 2012.
Coming soon is a brand new Beres Hammond studio album entitled “One Love , One Life.” Beres Hammond is a master of romance, delivering smooth vocals over easy riddims on his upcoming 20 song, 2 CD release titled “One Love, One Life” (in stores November 13). The tracks offer different versions of the winning Beres Hammond formula of soulful phrasing and memorable hooks.
Beres Hammond – One Love , One Life – Artwork
“Overtime” from Gyptian is featured on Reggae Gold 2012 and is the lead track from the Overtime riddim. Produced by Justus Arison (Overproof Riddim), the track captures Gyptian expressing his passions for the ladies as only he can. The mid-tempo groove has a strong appeal for females and the vocal performance is consistent with Gyptian favorites from recent past.
internationally-acclaimed reggae artist, Junior Kelly
As far as internationally-acclaimed reggae artist, Junior Kelly, is concerned, his years spent under contract with VP Records were not only productive and interesting, they contributed significantly to his development and progress globally.
“They were seven good years musically and otherwise,” Kelly said in an interview. “And seven is really such an awesome number, so it was significant and appropriate that after seven years, we closed the chapter on what proved to be a mutually beneficial agreement,” the conscious Rasta Artiste stated.
It was in 2003 that Junior Kelly inked the deal with reggae music giant, VP Records, and began a musical journey of exploration that took him along a meandering learning curve. The 2010 opus, Red Pond, signaled the delivery of the final album for VP under the contractual obligations. However, while Red Pond gained critical acclaim, there are some who feel that the true potential of the album was never fully capitalized and that the artist would have benefited more had there been an effective and penetrative marketing thrust in place.
Kelly’s management admit that they have heard all the critics, but for them, that chapter has been closed and they are looking towards a future filled with more conscious, uplifting music. However, they were quick to point out that this doesn’t mean that they would never work with VP again.
“The vibes between us and VP is great. All respect is due to them and we salute the Chin family for their contribution to the development of reggae and dancehall music,” was the message from Junior Kelly’s team.
“We were even considering extending the contractual period and doing another album for Chris (Chin), but we finally made the decision to do some work on our own and explore other options,” a representative for Junior Kelly explained.
The VP contract, as is the norm with many binding recording contracts, demanded exclusivity, giving the artiste little room to manoeuvre in terms of production choices. Now that Kelly has regained his independence, so to speak, he has been linking with other producers, listening keenly to the riddims and experiencing the beat of reggae music on various levels.
One of the first singles that he dropped in the post-VP era was “Been There”, a Big Bomb Entertainment release on the Broadleaf Riddim. “Been There” worked its way to number one on the Richie B Jamaica Music Countdown, made the Top 5 on the long-running New York Reggae Singles Chart and dominated the Stampede Street Chart during the summer.
When Junior Kelly heard that the single had topped the chart, he commented, “I give thanks to all those who worked assiduously to make this single number one. Naturally, it’s a good feeling when fans endorse your music and it gives me the encouragement to continue along this path.”
“Been There” adds to Junior Kelly’s list of songs which have impacted in a huge way. Among them are the “Sunshine,” “Boom Draw”, “Hungry Days,” “Missing You” (with Bar-bee)”, “Too Late” with Queen Ifrica, “Receive” and the blockbuster, breakout single, “Love So Nice“, which spent a record 15 weeks at number one.
Junior Kelly has been in the business of making uplifting and empowering reggae music for more than 25 years. Beginning his career during Dancehall’s ‘rude boy’ era in the late ’80s, Kelly’s inspiring messages have always made him a standout artist within Jamaica’s heavily populated entertainment scene.
His breakthrough single “Love So Nice” established him as a bonafide star in 2000. His commanding juxtaposition of precisely timed, deejayed rhymes and melodic singing, coupled with his vivid storytelling abilities, took the song to #1 on the Jamaican charts. The album “Love So Nice”, released in 2001, also spawned the well-received singles which brought him recognition throughout the Caribbean, North America, and Europe.
