A Timeless Classic Still Melting Hearts in 2015
Spouge, a hybrid of latin, jazz, ska and calypso music, became popular in Barbados in the 1960s. Jackie Opel was the first to take this music to the rest of the Caribbean. With his untimely passing, Spouge lost its momentum. However, a few songs have stood the test of time. Among these timeless classics, “Walk Away From Love” written by Shirley Stewart and Richard Walters, stands out for its poignant lyrics. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
The Grammy-Winning R&B Star Is A Bashment Girl At Heart
Melanie Fiona is best known for heart-wrenching hits like “It Kills Me” and “4 A.M.,” which have made the soulful singer a major star among American R&B fans. The two-time Grammy winner grew up in Toronto as the daughter of first-generation Guaynese immigrants. Her Caribbean influences have always been clear to the educated ear, from her dramatic vocal delivery to specific songs like “Somebody Come Get Me,” which was released under her old nom-de-reggae Syren Hall, as well as “No Cigarette Smoke,” her smoldering duet with Stephen Marley. Melanie continues to flaunt her Caribbean colors on “All My Love,” a new reggae-flavored duet with Toronto soul singer Glenn Lewis. Listening to the song there’s no mistaking the fact that Melanie’s Caribbean roots run deep. So we thought it would be cool to ask her to pick her top 10 reggae and dancehall tracks. Her picks speak volumes about her musical taste, her artistic temperment, and (dare we say it?) MF’s wild side. Click through the gallery above to check out Melanie’s selections and then read her candid conversation with Reshma B. Video And Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Reshma B Chops It Up With The Peckings Family
Reshma B dropped by the legendary Peckings Studio 1 in Shepherd’s Bush, West London to chat with Chris Peckings about carrying on his family’s musical legacy. Chris tells how his father George Price aka Peckings grew up with the founding fathers of Jamaica’s reggae industry before moving to London in 1960, establishing what would become a UK reggae institution. Since then his sons have released a string of crucial tunes blending new talent like Bitty McLean, Gappy Ranks, and Christopher Ellis with vintage riddims—winning awards and mad respect along the way. Reshma B even got the scoop on how the link between Peckings and producers like Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, and Prince Buster became so strong. Listen up as Duke and Chris Peckings break it all down for the ReggaeGirlAboutTown. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Bitty McLean And The Outlaw Josey Wales Link Up Over A Sly + Robbie Production
We’re excited to announce the soon-to-be released “Running Over” single by Bitty McLean featuring non other than “The Outlaw” himself Josey Wales, and if you think that wasn’t enough the track is produced the legendary foundation duo Sly & Robbie. The will also be released on a 12 inch 45RPM “Disco 45” single on 180g vinyl with a heavy cardboard picture sleeve, with a discomix version of this cover of Freddy McKay’s hit with foundation dancehall legend Josey Wales. The riddim was built by sampling Black Uhuru’s “Shine Eye Girl,” however for Bitty’s upcoming album another version of the riddim will be used which was recorded recently in Kingston with the Taxi crew. Check out the trailer after the jump. (more…)