Entertainment - January 2009!

Vybz Kartel Case Discharged

ANSEL COLLINS TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM “SOUNDS OF REGGAE” 2009

January 19 - Ansel Collins, the man who created the original Stalag 17 Riddim, Double Barrel Riddim, Monkey Spanner and Night Doctor to name a few of his composition's, is coming out with a new album titled SOUNDS OF REGGAE.  The album is scheduled to be released in April, 2009 and will feature Yellow Man, Toots Hibbert (Toots and The Maytals), Glen Washington, Leroy Sibbles, Rock group Rootz Underground plus more. Set to tour North America, Central America and South America and Japan 2009. The album was produced by Ra-Umi Alkebu-lan and will be release on the label Alkebu-lan “Sounds From The Continent”.  Few artistes have contributed more to Jamaican music than Ansel Collins, not necessarily as a featured artiste, though he can lay claim to two UK top 10 ten records, but more as one of the musicians who have helped form the music over the last 40 years.  He must be on many hundreds (probably even thousands!) of reggae tunes and, whenever the Reggae Hall of Fame is built, he will have the right to be among the first handful admitted.  Born in Jamaica in 1949, he began in the 60s as a singer but then switched, first to drums and then more fruitfully to keyboards.  In 1971, with vocalist Dave Barker, he recorded "Double Barrel" for the Winston Riley Techniques label.  The tune went to No 1 in the UK and young Ansel found himself, fresh from Jamaica, in the history books and on "Top of the Pops".   The first ever all-male duo to top the UK Pop charts saw the follow-up "Monkey Spanner" miss the top spot but still make the top 10.   Then in 1973, still with Riley, he recorded "Stalag 17", an instrumental track which no-one outside reggae knows and yet which everyone has heard, such is its popularity as a riddim or a sample – ask the likes of Nate Dogg, R.Kelly, Sade and every Reggae artist under the sun!!!!  Then, putting his stardom behind him, Collins spent the rest of the 70s busily working as a studio musician with every reputable aggregate that Jamaica could put together. This included being a member of the Bunny Lee house band The Aggrovators, and (with a young Sly and Robbie), the keyboardist of the Channel One house band, The Revolutionaries.  When Sly and Robbie set up their own Taxi label, he became part of their house band, the Taxi Gang too! He also worked with many of the most legendary producers of the 70s such as King Tubby and Lee Perry (for whom he wrote and recorded "Night Doctor").   Perhaps not satisfied with keyboards (and the occasional melodica), he would also feature as a percussionist for Marcia Griffiths and as backing vocalist for Jimmy Cliff! Also turning his hand to production, he produced an album "Save Our Planet Earth" and the single, "Jimmy Jimmy", for Mr. Cliff which became a bit of a signature tune for him.  There was no let-up in the 80s and 90s as he did session after session for most of the top names in Reggae music; indeed, when Beenie Man scored his first international solo hit, "Who Am I (Zim Zimma)", Ansel was there for the follow-up as a featured member of the Taxi Gang on "Foundation".  Now something of a Godfather figure in his native Portmore, Ansel can still be found producing up-and-coming artists like Shaggy soundalike Ragga G and Natty King. He can also still be seen touring with various artists including Turbulence, The Mighty Diamonds and his wife's nephew, I-Wayne.

It’s official, Ce’Cile long awaited album ‘Waiting’ is now in stores and available to the North American and Caribbean market.   Distributed by Tads Records International the album is also available online on iTunes.  The album includes four exclusive tracks for fans to enjoy namely So Fly featuring Beenie Man, Kinda Lovin, Burning Up, No Disturb Sign, Dance featuring Ding Dong and Don’t Go. With the album now out Ce’Cile is gearing up for her next performance which takes places on Sunday, January 18 at Bongos (American Airlines Arena- Miami) alongside Shaggy, Christopher Martin with Usain Bolt being a special guest in the house. January 31 will see her heading for the St Thomas Virgin Islands for another performance.  In between recording sessions and performances Ce’Cile has one main focus on her calendar for 2009 and that is to promote her Waiting album and in the promotional mix will be to release at least four songs as singles from the album including brand new tracks No Disturb Sign, Kinda Lovin, Burning UP and the already released So Fly featuring Beenie Man. With a new look and an always positive attitude Ce’Cile plans to embark on a US tour this summer to promote Waiting.  Ce’cile was also featured on Jasmine Sullivan’s remix Bust Your Windows which was produced by legendary Tony “CD” Kelly. As the awards season kicks off Ce’Cile has been nominated in the Hype TV Music Awards for Female Singer of the Year while for the EME Awards she is in contention for Female Singjay of the Year.

Montreal Reggae Festival's Original Producer Resigns

'Hit The Road Jack' - Hit new tune for Lady Ann!

Written by Lady Cham: The 'First Lady' of dancehall, Lady Ann has recently recorded a rendition of Ray Charles'  'Hit The Road Jack' and it has the ladies chanting "yes, hit the road Jack!"  This track which was produced by 'Flava' of No Doubt Records is hitting the streets at the right time for some women; there are men not living up to their responsibilities in these hard times and Lady Ann says "Tell me now, why you treat me this way?  Why you treat me so bad?..... You run up and down with all the girls in town........ You come in every night around 12:30, ask where you coming from, you doing overtime fi Paul.......   Hit The Road Jack and don't you come back no more!"  These are some of the lyrics that are touching the consciousness of women who are listening to the lyrics and realizing that they can do bad (and better) all by themselves, its time to fight back and say no more to the  ill treatment.  Check out more Lady Ann at  www.myspace.com/hotladyann Nuff respect to Lady Ann who continues to do her thing in reggae business.  Listen to the track on the Caribbean Connection Sunday, 2pm-4pm with Lady Cham & Ras Imeka through Vibes 24/7 www.westindiantimes.net/vibes247.htm or Hot 91.1fm!!

January 6 - Dennis Ferron Jr., aka Def Shade was born in Kingston Jamaica and like many young men sports, music and girls was his thing but he decided to take only two of the three topics seriously.  He was known to Jamaica as a high jumper, from Wolmer's Boy's School, the first school boy to jump 7 feet 31/2" or (2.20) meters on Jamaica's soil. Being one of the most talked about school boys in Jamaica he received a scholarship to Wallace State College in Hansville, Alabama U.S.A., where he won a gold medal for the high jump at the N.J.C A.A Athletes Association in Odyssey Texas and making the all American Team in high jump.  He is a man of many talents, like playing the piano, thanks to his father Dennis Ferron aka Jah D who inspired him. Def Shade used to sit and watch his father make and tune piano's. While he was doing track field, he also did a low budget movie called LET OFF SOMETHING. He moved to Canada, got settled and wrote songs.   Def Shade as a young new artist is sure to cause a stir in Toronto's reggae music community.  His performance is energetic, his vibes strong and moving with catchy smart lyrics, a true trendsetter who is already getting attention from fans and the media like Oprah Winfrey who quotes " Def Shade is an aspiring music artist and you should check him out for an album or check out his music at www.Myspace.com/defshade  he has great talent". He has also performed on the show “A St Mary Mi Come From” with Sizzla, Jah Cure, Capleton, Beenie Man, Chuck Fenda, Coco Tea, and many more. He is currently working on his album with Builders Music production, with producers Dia and Jah D.  He is one of many artist who is striving to reach to the top of his career by working a 11pm to 7:30am job daily, yet still having the energy to work on his album and live a normal lifestyle. While he continues to strive, obstacles are always in the way; however, he believes, "put your trust in the lord and take things one day at a time, because in this world nothing comes easy without putting up a fight, believe in yourself and your dreams will come true". He is a determine artist who will not stop until he gets what he wants. Def Shade has what it takes to become a top artist.