Jah Bami Makes A New Album of Conscious Thought and Musical Arrangement
After releasing the Suave mixtape, Jah Bami and Suns of Dub will release “Riddimentary” on April 28 with VP Records. In addition to this high output of music and preceding a tour of Europe and The United States, Jah Bami released one of his best solo albums to date, “20/20” this month. Album Review After The Jump
Keeping Sound System Safe From The Culture Vultures
As co-founder of Irish & Chin, one of the most respected reggae promotion companies in the world, Garfield “Chin” Bourne has left his mark on the music industry and popular culture as a whole. He is the founder of SoundChat Radio and a range of media ventures, but Chin may be best known as a leading advocate of sound system culture at a time where hardcore soundclash audience is aging, and the appropriation of dancehall culture is not limited to international artists reworking Jamaican rhythms to hit the pop charts. The rise of EDM music and the success of the recent Red Bull Culture Clash highlight the impact of Jamaican sound systems on worldwide pop music, even as the originators of the culture who are still active tend to be marginalized. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Keeping Soundclash Culture Afloat
There are many reasons to love the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise—the performances, the fans, the total immersion in what the one and only Shinehead has likened to a “Rub-a-dub Disneyland”—but WTJRC’s unfailing support of sound system culture may be the best reason of all. A plethora of legendary sounds—from King Jammy’$ to Stone Love to Metro Media, Bodyguard, Black Scorpio, Bass Odyssey, Downbeat The Ruler, Renaissance Disco, and Mighty Crown—have juggled on board Damian Marley’s cruise over the years, presenting reggae and dancehall music with an intensity of feeling and cultural correctness that no normal disc jockey or cyber playlist could hope to replicate. Moreover, for the past two years WTJRC has presented the world’s first ever Soundclash at Sea, showcasing the excitement of top-ranking battle-tested selectors going tune for tune in a musical death match with support from respected clash promoters Irish & Chin. Exposing international reggae fans to authentic hardcore sound clash is important for many reasons, especially at a time when Red Bull’s Culture Clash can fill 20,000 capacity arenas. So as Boomshots continues our 2016 Year in Review, we have to acknowledge the rise of the Soundclash at Sea, which is both a burial and a resurrenction of sorts. Video & Photos After The Jump… (more…)
“We play big tune and we nah have no fear” Leggo…
This May 26 through 28 Chronixx and the Zincfence Redemption will touch down in Japan for the first time alongside the internationally acclaimed Mighty Crown sound, aka the Far East Rulaz, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary in the business. Founded in 1991 by friends from Yokohama, Japan, Mighty Crown made their name by playing clubs and selling self-produced mix tapes throughout Japan. In that spirit Masta Simon, Sami T and Cojie put together a special mix with Di Steam Minista as a way to “welcome the Rasta youth inna khaki suit” on his first visit to Japan. 2016 will be a big touring year for Chronixx who will also perform in Africa, UK, and Europe. You already know this one features some wicked duplate specials. Audio & Tour Date After The Jump… (more…)
Addis Pablo and Ras Jammy Buck Up The Far East Rulers Inna Dubwise Extravaganja
“We’ve pretty much been working on this forever,” says Addis Pablo, son of melodica master Augustus Pablo and co-founder of Suns of Dub, along with Ras Jammy, who is (contrary to popular belief) no relation to King Jammy nor—despite a striking similarity of appearance—to the elder Pablo’s frequent sparring partner Hugh Mundell. The pair first met at Rockers International Record Shop and began dubbing live—with Addis on melodica and Jammy mixing tunes and crucial sound effects—at Jamaican hotspots like Kingston Dub Club. Inspiration for this mixtape struck when the Suns traveled to Japan (Land of the Rising Sun) last October and linked with Cojie, Mighty Crown’s roots/foundation specialist, and began plotting their brand-new 40-track hour-plus excursion pon the version. The sounds thereon includes self-produced instrumental tracks and dubplate specials seasoned with vocals by the likes of Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Sizzla, Luciano, Lauryn Hill, and Mr. Williamz. Suns of Dub begins a UK tour today (see the full schedule below) and will tour Europe this summer as an onstage dub production team onstage with an expanded lineup (including Jah Bammy on vocals, Carlo on binghi drums and additional instrumentation courtesy of Dub Assassin) plus a 16-track mixing board to allow unique and precise mixes at each and every show. “We try to keep it spontaneous,” says Addis, “the next thing we could add a rock guitar or a violin or a tuba.” Ras Jammy agrees that audiences should expect the unexpected. “Last year we were playing the chalice onstage and smoke up the place.” Addis adds, laughing, “Steamers!” Audio & Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Mighty Crown vs Metro Media vs Bass Odyssey—Some Selector Get Chuck Overboard
From the moment Jr. Gong first announced the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, the concept was clearly a game-changer. Bringing an outernational audience of reggae lovers on board a luxury liner with a stellar lineup of reggae and dancehall talent made last year’s maiden voyage such a success that this year the cruise will set off from Miami to Jamaica and back not once but twice. As crucial as the main deck stage shows were, a huge part of the cruise’s unique vibes were the spontaneous sound system freestyle sessions. And this year the sound systems will play an even bigger role. Stone Love Movement and Jammy’$ Super Power will return again—Papa Jammy promises to bring a few surprise guests along this year. Shinehead will return as well, having made a powerful impression with Kingston 12 sound. The UK champion sound Saxon Studio will be making its first appearance on the cruise along with fast-chat DJ legend Papa Levi of “Mi God Mi King” fame. But perhaps the most exciting announcement is that this year’s cruise will include the first-ever Soundclash on the Sea. Which sounds will have to walk the plank? Details After The Jump… (more…)
The Dancehall Icon Celebrates A Career Without Compare
With 22 years in the music industry, Carlton Errington Grant aka Spragga Benz, tours the world, on long journeys from his home in Dunkirk, Kingston, Jamaica. However, despite his worldwide success, the dancehall icon remains deeply rooted to his humble beginnings with LA Benz sound. This weekend, he will return home for his Bongo Bash at “LA Benz Corner” in Duhaney Park, Lessing Avenue, Kingston 20 on Saturday, May 31, 2014. Ricky Villa, owner of LA Benz, who has now passed on, encouraged Spragga to first enter the studio and this followed with a big break, when he voiced some dubs for Buju Banton. More After The Jump…
The Far East Rulers Came Through To Rock SOBs—And the Tour Continues
Mighty Crown came together 22 years ago with a love for foundation reggae music. These friends from Yokohama, Japan started producing sound mixes in 1991 and then began participating in sound clashes before establishing a legacy as mighty as their name. In 1999 they became Japanese Sound Clash Champion and then went on to win several sound clashes in the United Kingdom, United States and in the Caribbean. They teamed up with Irish and Chin Entertainment in 2000 to expand their international relations. These creative business men have earned endorsement deals with Nike Sportswear, New Era and Clarks. Moreover, in 2006 Mighty Crown teamed up with Nike Sportswear to design some of the highest selling custom-made sneakers. This collaboration produced a line of footwear made for royalty with the luster of pattern leather and block design patterns. They also own “Lifestyle Records” record company and have collaborated with many reggae and hip-hop artists on shows such as “Back to the Hardcore” and Reggae Sai (“Sai” means festival in Japanese).
First stop in New York for the Far East Rulers aka Mighty Crown was Radio Lily’s “Strictly Boomshots” show for a live interview with Rob Kenner and Mighty Crown selectors Sami-T and Masta Simon, who spoke about the night when Drake passed through their dance in Toronto. Next stop was the legendary Sounds of Brazil (SOB’s) for a highly anticipated concert. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Boomshots Reggae Mondays at SOBs Kicks Off Tomorrow With The Far East Rulerz
The reigning World Clash champion sound Mighty Crown, aka The Far East Rulerz, will rock SOBs in New York City on April 15, 2013 for the first edition of Boomshots Reggae Mondays. Mighty Crown will also appear on RadioLily.com for the #StrictlyBoomshots show. After 21 years in the music business Mighty Crown has distinguished themselves as one of the leading sound systems in reggae history. They have not only represented for Japanese dancehall culture but they have broken new ground as a business entity by signing joint ventures with corporate sponsors like Nike, Clarks, Stussy and New Era. Back in Japan, Mighty Crown has their business empire, including a clothing line, magazine, and they promote some of the biggest events including their Reggae Sai festival. In anticipation of their SOBs debut, Boomshots spoke with Sami T, who was driving through Jamaica’s countryside at the time, to speak about Mighty Crown’s legacy is the dancehall industry. Interview and Videos After The Jump….