Boomshots

Category: Lovers Rock

  • WATCH THIS: Giants of Lovers Rock

    Fresh From London: Reshma B Interviews Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson, Peter Hunnigale, and More Reggae may have been born in Jamaica, but these days it’s a worldwide phenomenon. And the first place it spread was toEngland, where Jamaicans abroad created their own unique sound that came to be known as Lovers Rock. One of the first tunes to establish the sound was Louisa Mark’s “Caught You In A Lie” recorded in 1974 when the girl from West London was only a teenager. Smash hits like Janet Kay’s “Silly Games” and Carroll Thompson’s “Hopelessly In Love” kept the excitement building. It was a London thing, soon to be adopted all around the world. Japanese fans idolized the London girls and even the big boys from the Island—including legends like Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, and Sugar Minott—adopted the lovers rock sound. And the movement continues in 2012, with new voices like Lovella Ellis, daughter of the late great Alton Ellis stepping up to keep the legacy alive. On October 27th the IndigO2 hosted the Giants of Lovers Rock Part 4, bringing together some of the finest vocalists in England, singing of love and heartbreak and everything in between. Reshma B served as guest host, and she took us backstage for an all-access tour. What’s not to love? Video Interviews After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Beres Hammond & Friends Live In London

    Beres Welcomes Romain Virgo and Tarrus Riley Onstage At Wembley Arena, And They All Chat With RGAT

    On the final night of the Beres & Friends tour at London’s Wembley Arena, Beres invites Romain Virgo onstage to perform “Can’t Sleep” and bigs up the young singer to the fullest. But that’s not all. Beres also called Tarrus Riley onstage to perform “Groovy Little Thing” and then Dean Fraser sealed the deal with a tasty sax solo. And you already know the ReggaeGirlAboutTown was there to capture the moment. Another Boomshots.com exclusive. Photos and Video by Ravi Sidhu (@REDNivars) After The Jump…
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  • INTERVIEW: Up Close With Kehv

    Find Out Why They Call Him “The Prince Of Reggae Soul”

    Kehv is a soulful reggae artist who’s been doing his thing for quite some time now—almost a decade to be exact. You may not know his name yet but pay attention: Kehv has international appeal and fans across the globe. We’re going to give you a little taste of what Kehv is all about musically right here, the rest is just a matter of time. The genre needs more music like Kehv’s right yah now. Bring back the real rub-a-dub style! Check it… Interview After The Jump (more…)

  • Beres Hammond Set To Drop New Album

    The Double Disc “One Love, One Life” Will Show Both Sides of Hammond’s Artistry

    A new Beres Hammond release is always cause for celebration. From love songs like “What One Dance Can Do” and “Tempted To Touch” to reality tunes like “Warriors Don’t Cry” and “Putting Up Resistance” the maestro’s catalog runs the gamut of styles and sounds, and the classics never seem to stop coming. (more…)

  • THROWBACK: Garnet Silk “Nothing Can Divide Us” Live

    The Archangel Testifies To The Power of Love

    From “Splashing Dashing” to “Mama Africa” to the “Lion Roars,” Garnet Silk blessed us with some amazing records during his brief, brilliant time on earth. The LPs and 45s trace the outlines of a stellar career, but if you never got the chance to experience Garnet live, then you’ll never fully overstand why so many people believed his voice would lead reggae to the promised land. Just check out this classic performance on Buju & Friends stage show, as Garnet sings about a love so powerful that nothing—and no one—can stand in its way. Anyone who’s ever been kept apart from the one they love by powers beyond their control will be sure to feel Garnet’s fire when he sings: “I was born to love you. And you were born to love me too. And I can’t deny it, for I love you more each minute.” One look at the ladies in the crowd and you can plainly see the’re feeling it too. Hard to believe it’s been so long since the archangel flew away home. (more…)

  • Damian Marley Stole My Heart

    “Affairs Of The Heart” Might Just Be The Realest Love Song Ever

    “Affairs Of The Heart“…that’s something the entire universe can relate to. We all love, and no matter how tough people act, we all get mushy on the inside when we think about the object(s) of our affection. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Cocoa Tea & D’Angel “Love Is”

    Cocoa Tea Makes His Case But D’Angel Nuh Easy At All

    In the latest release from his own Roaring Lion label, Cocoa Tea flings down some sweet lyrics, pleading his case to rest in D’Angel’s nest. But this girl isn’t so easily impressed. I have a feeling she may be playing hard to get. Go deh Cocoa.
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  • WATCH THIS: Lutah Fyah ft. Lady G “This Love”

    This Is What It Looks Like: Lutan and Lady G Link For A Lovers Duet

    Lutan Fyah and Lady G join forces for a sweet lovers duet on Breadback Productions’ slow-burning Longlife Riddim. Just like the love they’re singing about, this tune is total niceness.
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  • WATCH THIS: Ilhame ft. Ky-Mani Marley “Still Waiting” Video

    French Moroccan Beauty Flips The Classic Marley Love Song From A Female Point of View

    Ilhame is a Paris native with Moroccan roots and an outernational vision. “Still Waiting” is the first single from her debut album Just Wish It, due this summer. llhame (pronounced Eel-um) captures the feeling of Bob’s original with her own soulful, feminine flavor. Ky-Mani Marley adds his own unmistakable touch with his sweetly scratchy vocals. And isn’t that Karen Marley sipping champagne with Ilhame on a sunny L.A. afternoon? Though she’s singing in French and Arabic, the message is clear: if you love somebody, don’t keep them waiting.

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  • HEAR THIS: Wilfred Limonious “Young Love”

    Who Knew That Dancehall’s Greatest Graphic Artist Was A Wicked Singer Too?

    When Matt Goias sent me this tune via email the subject line read simply “Peep The Singer,” I had no idea what to make of it. On first listen “Young Love” sounded like just another reggae rarity — a slightly randy lover’s rock selection about a lonely old man man who’s had his eye on a pretty young thing for years. But then Matt forwarded the seven-inch single’s label, lovingly rendered in shades of blue. No doubt about it, that’s the work of Limonious, the undisputed champion of dancehall album art. The prolific—and sadly now deceased—artist has attracted something of a cult following.  And that was before we knew he could sing too.

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  • HEAR THIS: Mavado “Soulja Girl”

    Brand New Gully Gaad For The Girls—”She’s The One I Bust My K With”

    “I’m her Romeo, she’s my Juliet,” Mavado sings on this exclusive leak from his DJ Khaled project. Soaring vocals, epic echo and a touch of steel drum synths—voila! Something sweet and smooth for the ladies. And of course a true Soulja Girl holds her man down in good times and bad. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Amy Winehouse “Our Day Will Come”

    The Lioness Roars So Sweetly On This Romantic Cover Version

    “Amy always said, ‘Hey we need a reggae song for this album,’” the singer’s longtime friend and producer Salaam Remi said earlier this week at a listening session for the forthcoming album, Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which kicks off with a bright & bouncy reggae version of the dreamy Ruby & The Romantics chart-topper from 1962. “This is a vocal that she did early in her career, but in true Amy form. And when I was playing different songs for her family, everybody was like ‘That’s it, the reggae one.’” The same song was covered in 1971 by The Heptones in a dreamy Rock Steady stylee, but Remi’s 2011 remix is steppin’ it hotter this year. (more…)