Boomshots

Category: Reggae

  • Reasoning with Jack Scorpio: “Good Music Come In Like The Bible”

    Reasoning with Jack Scorpio: “Good Music Come In Like The Bible”

    Heartical Words of Wisdom From the Founder of Black Scorpio Sound System And Record Label

    Among the many icons, legends and superstars we were able to link up at Irie Jam’s recent 23 anniversary celebration concert was elder statesman Jack Scorpio of Black Scorpio sound. A giant in the industry and among men, this powerful pioneer has had his hands on the careers of a cornucopia of crème de la crème cultural current creators from Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs to Garnet Silk and Luciano to Beenie Man, Buju and Mega Banton to Capleton, Bounty Killer, Barrington Levy and Shabba Ranks of Jamaica’s Order of Distinction.  As a man who has launched legacies and banged out hits with the best of the best, Jack Scorpio knows a thing or two about the rules of engagement in the love and war of Dancehall and Roots and Culture Reggae. “My history too long fi talk,” said the tall man dressed in full white—but with a bit of perseverance, we convinced him to give it a try, and he took the time to share his insights with the BOOMSHOTS TV cameras.

    Jack Scorpio doesn’t come out to events often, but he was pleased that he attended Irie Jam’s 23rd anniversary and had positive vibes to share, especially of rising sun, Jahmiel, who he wants to work with, and the things Jahmiel had to share in terms of critiques of the current Dancehall culture. Scorpio likened today’s Dancehall to destructive drug dealing and called for balance. “Good music come like the bible,” he says, and it’s time for artists, and the selectors who play the chunes, to take it to the next level and make immortal music. Turn on and tune in as Jack Scorpio reasons on Dancehall dimensions, trends on the changing winds, and why hit songs with stamina and staying power solidify like Holy Scripture. Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Peter Tosh Unchained: “I’m Not A Politician, But I Suffer The Consequences”

    Peter Tosh Unchained: “I’m Not A Politician, But I Suffer The Consequences”

    Don’t Sleep—The Stepping Razor Is Still Dangerous

    “If you wanna live,” sang PETER TOSH beneath a full moon at Kingston, Jamaica’s National Stadium, “treat me good.” Standing firm as lightning flashed over the stage, the man called Stepping Razor spat bitter truths and ganja smoke in the faces of Prime Minister Michael Manley, opposition leader Edward Seaga, a gathering of their ghetto henchmen, and a large contingent of well-armed police—while thousands of Kingstonians bore witness. Tribal war between gangs loyal to Manley’s socialist PNP and Seaga’s right-wing JLP had claimed too many lives since the 1976 general elections, so on April 22, 1978, a big reggae show was held with the explicit aim of easing the tension. That same night, Tosh’s former bandmate Bob Marley managed to bring Manley and Seaga onstage for a symbolic joining of hands that did not exactly bring an end to the violence. It did, however, become an iconic tableau within Marley mythology, thanks in part to the documentary, Heartland Reggae. Tosh, on the other hand, refused to allow any American “pirates” to film his hour-long set. Thankfully an audio recording survives, preserving the songs and speeches that nearly cost him his life. Story Continues After The Jump… (more…)

  • Clive Hunt Pays Tribute to Bobby Ellis

    Clive Hunt Pays Tribute to Bobby Ellis

    Legendary Producer Remembers Jamaica’s Late Great Hornsman

    One of Jamaica’s most accomplished musicians, trumpet master Bobby Ellis, died on Tuesday at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The Jamaica Observer reports that he was admitted in late September suffering from pneumonia. During his 84 years on earth, Bobby Ellis and his trusty horn made a mighty legacy. A graduate of the famed Alpha Boys School, he often played alongside fellow alumni Tommy McCook, “Deadly” Headley Bennett, and the immortal tromphonist Don Drummond, and was awarded the Order of Distinction in 2014 for his outstanding contributions to Jamaican culture. His session works are too numerous to mention, from Boby Andy’s “I’ve Got To Go Back Home”  to Burning Spear’s classic Marcus Garvey album. Mr. Ellis arranged the horns for Jack Ruby’s stellar Black Disciples band and toured extensively with Spear over the years. He also collaborated with the noted jazz artist Herbie Mann. As news of Ellis’s passing has spread, numerous tributes have appeared on social media, but few more moving than that of legendary producer Clive “Uglyman” Hunt. Story Continues After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Lutan Fyah “Sweet Trichomes” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Lutan Fyah “Sweet Trichomes” Official Music Video

    Brand New Visuals Fi Di Ganja Man Dem

    Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica Lutan Fyah studied architecture and played professional football before launching into a music career in 1999. Cutting early records for Buju Banton’s Gargamel label, he would go on to collab with such culturally inclined artists as Lucinano and Turbulence. On his latest release, produced by Tim Dub, Fyah goes beyond the usual ganja tune cliches, giving a botanical lesson on the definition of “trichomes” and how these small glandular hairs growing from the epidermis of herb buds relate to the cultivation of the cannabis plant. Video After The Jump…
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  • Reasoning With The Ranks: “Every day, another star is born from the ghetto. A star isn’t born from the hills and society either. It’s from the ghetts that the youth dem ah push up.”

    Reasoning With The Ranks:
    “Every day, another star is born from the ghetto. A star isn’t born from the hills and society either. It’s from the ghetts that the youth dem ah push up.”

    In Honor of Shabba’s Order of Distinction, We Present An In-Depth Interview with the Dancehall Emperor

    “Triumphant,” said Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, better known to music lovers as Shabba Ranks. “Dat a my feeling right now because, as my mother used to tell me from I was little, hard work does pay off.” The dancehall emperor, who now resides in the United States, returned to Kingston, Jamaica this week to receive one of his homeland’s highest honors, the Order of Distinction. According to the Jamaica Observer, the crowd cheered wildly as the impeccably attired Ranks appeared on the great lawn at King’s House, the opulent residence of the island’s Governor General. Sir Patrick Allen personally bestowed the honor on this ghetto youth who took dancehall music around the world, earning the genre’s first gold record and two consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album. “So we can see dat de validation for hard work is jus’ greatness — good really begets good,” said Shabba. “For my island to look at me as one of those proteges and bestow the Order of Distinction pon me, when I first hear, it’s just delight, joy. It cause me to think about how, for so many years, me a work with the strength of my forefathers who did their work and still could not achieve dis in their lifetime… So mi jus’ proud.” The 50-year-old artist joins a distinguished group of  Jamaicans in the fields of music, art, sports, politics, medicine, and journalism. Fellow honorees include Usain Bolt, Sir Coxsone Dodd, and Lee “Scratch” Perry.  Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Courtney John “Strangers”

    HEAR THIS: Courtney John “Strangers”

    Warm & Easy Modern Vintage Groove With An Undeniable Edge of Tension

    Courtney John’s distinctive falsetto sets an enigmatic mood on this ominous dubwise selection. with uniqueness that simply radiates. The singer who brought us Made in Jamaica five years ago jetted to Paris to work on his forthcoming album, also entitled Strangers, scheduled for a January 25 release. Produced by Guillaume “Gee” Metenier—who decsribes his sound as psychedelic soul jazz funk and early reggae. The singer linked with Gee in Kingston, JA and they previously collaborated on a next banger called “All I Know.” The “Strangers” riddim track is performed by top players from Paris’ international music scene. This one is radiant, strange, and special. Audio After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “Kabaka vs. Pyramid” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “Kabaka vs. Pyramid” Official Music Video

    Accurate Lyricist Drops Battle-Rap-Themed Video

    Kabaka Pyramid continues the trend of Rastafarian artists rapping over boom bap hip-hop beats. In this video, aptly titled “Kabaka vs. Pyramid,” the artist pays homage to battle rap and stages a rap battle with himself. Hip hop has a long history of alter-egos, from Tupac/Makavelli to Eminem/Slim Shady, and even T.I. vs. T.I.P. Will the Bebble Rock spitter continue the trend in dancehall? Rockin’ over Biggie’s “Gimme The Loot” riddim, one persona keeps it patois while the other is twangin’ like a youth who spent time in Miami as he was coming up. Watch the video and find out who wins. Video After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Anthony Cruz “Where Would I Be” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Anthony Cruz “Where Would I Be” Official Music Video

    Giving Thanks For Guidance and Protection

    Anthony Cruz is one of those under-the-radar reggae singers whose understated excellence deserves more praise than it receives. We first noticed him when he was rolling with the 5th Element crew alongside Richie Spice and Chuck Fender (aka “The Poor People Defender). Although he can finesse a lover’s rock tune more sweetly than most, Cruz has always been at his best singing reality tunes. “Place Too Bloody” his combination with Buju Banton, and the Beres Hammond produced “Dem Block Di Road” on Harmony House’s “Feel Good” riddim are two outstanding examples. Yesterday Cruz released a new video on his official website revealing that his clean-cut look has been replaced with a ragga-ragga Rastafari image. In the song, produced by the legendary Bobby Digital, Cruz gives thanks for live, health, and strength—acknowledging that even when he feels he’s in “Cruz control” there is a higher power calling the shots. Dropping so soon after Jamaica’s close call with Hurricane Matthew, the message is as timely as the song is strong.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “Telephone Love”

    HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “Telephone Love”

    Cure Again

    Ever since returning from a successful Summer tour of Europe and dropping that “Rasta is passing through” video, Jah Cure has been hitting the studio hard. His Instagram feed shows off his work ethic, sipping lemon water and ginger juice in the morning, shuttling to and from the soundlab to build with “The Grammy team,” reasoning in the studio with ace producer Clive “Uglyman” Hunt. Today we enjoy the first fruit of his labors: a crucial lovers’ rock selection about the ins an outs of a long-distance relationship. “Good morning,” Cure sings as sweet as you please. “I see you missed my last calling.” (And don’t miss the extended dub mix soundbwoy!)  Sounds like Cure’s new album, which he’s been referring to as “Royal Soldiers,” is off to a strong start. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Fari Di Future Live At Reggae Bowl in New York City

    Fari Di Future Live At Reggae Bowl in New York City

    This Evening’s Reggae Bowl Expected to Serve Up  Savory Selections  

     One of the most highly anticipated events for this weekend, will take place at Le Cordon Bleu trained Chef, Michael Gordon’s restaurant, Ital Kitchen in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.  Gordon is preparing an all inclusive brunch with options such as “Red Steppa Veggie Steak,” “Tumeric Stew,” “Carrot Ginger Soup”, “Kale Quinoa Salad” and more. Co-organizer and visionary for this event, International Selector, Yaadcore will stir up a musical mix  to create a Reggae Aroma that represents 12 Yaad and his global production Dubwise  in all aspects. Newest reggae sensation, vocalist, Fari di Future will deliver a live acoustic performance with lead guitarist Josh David Barrett of Judah Tribe, to satisfy the soul. More After The Jump…

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  • Ten Classic Rita Marley Tunes You Need To Stop Sleeping On

    Ten Classic Rita Marley Tunes You Need To Stop Sleeping On

    Half The Story Has Never Been Told

    The whole world knows the Bob Marley legend, but how many overstand the fact that his wife Rita is an accomplished singer in her own right? Alpharita Constantia “Rita” Anderson was born 70 years ago in Santiago, Cuba and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She first met Robert Nesta Marley in the mid 1960s, when both were teenage recording artists at Sir Coxsone Dodd’s legendary Studio One, the “Motown Records” of Jamaica. Rita was lead vocalist for The Soulettes while Bob’s group was called The Wailing Wailers. The two would eventually get married and later tour the world, with Rita backing Bob as a member of his harmony section the I Three. Earlier this week Rita Marley was hospitalized after reportedly suffering a stroke. Our prayers go out to her family and fans around the world. In the meantime, let the music play. Audio After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Jah9 “Humble Me” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jah9 “Humble Me” Official Music Video

    Sometimes Life Is More Than Meets The I

    “Humble Me,” the first single off  Jah9’s new album (titled simply  9), is not to be confused with Norah Jones’ tune of the same title. Where Norah’s song is about falling on your knees and begging the Lord for forgiveness, Jah9’s is about appreci-loving the majestic complexity of creation and exploring heretofore unseen spiritual dimensions of the universe. (A “Natural Mystic” if you will.) The Ras Kassa–directed video for the song, which premiered yesterday on Jah9’s official site, demands close attention. We see the artist/lioness strolling through an ancient rain forest in a blue dress adorned with elaborate jewelry. Gazing awestruck at the green canopy above, pausing to admire a tiny fern, or observing a parade of ants marching across a massive tree root, she begins “tuning into the frequency”—and, perhaps, seeing more than just a forest. As the divine order begins to reveal itself, the viewer begin to notice fleeting glimpses of geometric shapes—as rendered by animator Dayne Chike Morrison—which become more and more apparent until Jah9’s insights become our own. Remember when Bob advised us to “emanicpate yourselves from mental slavery”? This is what it looks like. Video After The Jump…

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