Boomshots

Category: Foundation

Classics

  • Vans OTW x The Blackouts Reggae Compilation

    Vans OTW x The Blackouts Link With VP Records On One Mad Compilation

    Vans OTW and The Blackouts (Ako and Atiba Jefferson) created a free reggae compilation using VP Record’s massive catalog of artists. Since VP is “Miles Ahead In Reggae Music” it was only natural that Ako and Atiba chose them as their base to meticulously select each artist for this vinyl (yes you read correctly) compilation. Once the tracks were chosen, the pair and Vans hopped on a plane for Jamaica to embark on the final piece of the project. (more…)

  • Mr. Vegas To Sing “Sweet Jamaica” Unplugged

    The Dancehall Singer Goes Back To His Reggae Roots On RadioLily.com

    2012 isn’t just the Mayan apocalypse. It also marks the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence—and to mark the occasion, Mr. Vegas will be releasing a hard-hitting double album called Sweet Jamaica. Tomorrow night he’ll preview the album in an exclusive acoustic set streaming live on RadioLily.com.

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  • R.I.P. King Stitt

    No Matter What The People Say, King Stitt Led The Way

    Order of merit to the foundation of the music. Yesterday the pioneering DJ King Stitt passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Live From The Turntable Club

    Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson & Big Youth With The Soul Syndicate In 1974

    What we’re about to do right now is go back. Waaay back. The year is 1974. The place, Kingston Jamaica’s fabulous Turntable Club. Chinna Smith and the Soul Syndicate band are rocking live on the bandstand with King Tubby’s and Errol T on the mix and Niney the Observer in the building. Man like D.Brown, Delroy Wilson, and Big Youth round the microphone stand—alongside the big bad hornsman Mr. Alexander Portious doing the best Gregory Isaacs cover version ever. Are you ready for some real live reggae music? (more…)

  • The Techniques Top 21

    21 Reasons Why The Late Great Winston Riley’s Music Can’t Stop Play

    (Photo By Luca D’Agostino – Rototom Sunsplash)

    Late last night came the grim news that Winston Riley—one of the last true living legends in the reggae industry—has died. Riley made musical history both as a singer and a producer over a half-century span. Starting as a founding member of the vocal group The Techniques, he went on to establish the prolific and pioneering Techniques label, which released the instrumental hit “Double Barrel” that went on to top the UK charts. He created the immortal Stalag riddim, a strong contender for the greatest reggae instrumental of all time. He produced breakthrough hits by artists as diverse as General Echo, Tenor Saw, Super Cat, Sanchez, Red Dragon, Buju Banton, and Spragga Benz, just to name a few. He had been attacked at home last November, suffering gunshot wounds in the head and arm from which he never fully recovered. “Turning into a producer is a very good ting,” he told the Jamaica Gleaner in 2008. “Yuh achieve a great goal, but is not an easy road.”
    In recent years he’d been working on refurbishing the Techniques headquarters on Kingston’s Orange Street into a museum commemorating the music to which he devoted his life. His efforts were rewarded with senseless violence. Upon hearing the news, the only thing that came to mind was one of the less famous cuts from Mr. Riley’s classic Stalag 17 album:

    Brigadier Jerry “What Kind Of World” (1985)

    “What type of world are we living in?” Briggy asks, his voice filled with righteous indignation. “Jah know it is a sin…”
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  • David Rodigan Receives Royal Honor

    Reggae Radio Legend To Join “Most Excellent Order Of British Empire”

    Congratulations to David Rodigan, the legendary UK radio personality who will receive a royal order of chivalry, becoming a member of the “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” for his contributions to broadcasting. Rodigan has represented all forms of reggae music on British airwaves and beyond for over 30 years—from programs on BBC Radio and on KISS FM to countless sound clashes all over the world. No word yet whether Mr. Ram Jam will receive his honor personally from the Queen, but he’s sure to think of her next time he dips in the box and draws for this one. Dub it with your majesty… Ya know? (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jimmy Cliff “Many Rivers To Cross” LIVE

    40 Years After Starring In The Harder They Come, He’s Still Coming Hard

    As Vivien Goldman observed in her excellent review of Jimmy Cliff’s recent unplugged set at Miss Lily’s Variety, for Mr. Cliff “every night is like a first night.” Standing three feet away from the 63-year-old living legend—watching him strum his guitar and feeling him nail every high note while perched on a bar stool with his cap to the back—was enough to make me forget half the live shows I’ve ever seen. Thankfully, LargeUpTV captured the moment for posterity, so you don’t need to be mad if you were unable to squeeze in there with the Miss Lily’s posse that night, or you somehow missed the live broadcast (including Pat McKay’s irie interview) on Sirius Satellite Radio. (more…)

  • In Memoriam: Leonard Dillon aka The Ethiopian

    Ska And Rock Steady Pioneer Flies Away Home

    The AP is reporting that Leonard Dillon, the founder of the seminal ska and rock steady group The Ethiopians, has died in Jamaica at age 68. (more…)

  • Game, Daz Dillinger & Snoop in Australia

    Supafest Flashback Brought To You By The Makers Of Good Fred Oil Listening to Game’s mind-blowing #REDAlbum brought back memories of Supafest this past Spring. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Shaggy & Tarrus Riley “Just Another Girl”

    Brand New Music From Shaggy’s Upcoming Album Summer In Kingston

    This Saturday in Kingston, they’ll be blocking off the streets for Shaggy’s album release party and the premiere of his new video for the single “Sugar Cane.” You’ve already heard that catchy summer-time scorcher, but we’ve got the exclusive preview of the extra-heavy lead cut off Summer In Kingston, his 8-track strickly digital release, which drops July 19th. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: K’La “All Your Love”

    Turn Your Lights Down Low, K’La The Lyricist Wants To Let It All Go

    K’la The Lyricist is the hottest thing to come out of Gary Indiana, since Michael, Janet, and Tito headed for Hollywood. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Shabba Ranks “None A Dem”

    Big Dutty Stinkin Shabba Puts Some Likkle Prentice DJs In Check

    Some of y’all mouseclick selectors don’t remember the days when playing sound meant posting up at the 45 shop each and every week. And whenever a fresh Shabba Ranks selection hit the market, you knew you had to pick up two copies just to protect your life. (more…)