The exhibition will continue at AKTO for four-weeks during which time several special events are scheduled to reflect not just the music but the message in modern poster design. Events include a discussion panel on “How Design Can Help Spark Change”, a silk-screen printing demonstration by Manolis Angelakis from TIND (from which attendees will be invited to take home free editions of silk-screen posters designed by IRPC founder Michael Thompson), and a reggae party at the end of the exhibition hosted by the selector Rankin Johnny. Combining music, art and public awareness, the International Reggae Poster Contest seeks to actively engage people in a discussion through the visual and creative arts.

The objective of the First International Reggae Poster Contest is to promote awareness of reggae music and celebrate its positive impact on the world. The term Reggae invokes not just popular Jamaican musical genres—ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and dancehall—but all the unique social elements as well. The Jamaican sound system and Alpha Boys School, for example, two institutions that have supported the reggae community over the years are featured prominently in the exhibition. Designers from over 80 countries submitted over 1,000 designs and the exhibition features juried contributions from Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brasil, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Estonia, India, Iran, Jamaica, Libya, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Venezuela and Vietnam. The depth and breadth of the posters featured in the exhibition show the profound impact the music has had on an international level and reflects the positive energy of reggae is alive and well.

Michael Thompson, a Jamaican residing in the United States, and Greek designer, Maria Papaefstathiou, launched the groundbreaking contest 27 December 2011. The submissions window closed in March and a distinguished panel of judges from around the world selected the winners in June—1st Place: Alon Braier (Israel), 2nd Place: Zafer Lehimler (Turkey), 3rd Place: Rosario Nocera (Italy). For additional information about the contest and to view the 100 best posters online please visit http://www.reggaepostercontest.com. In Kingston, Jamaica, the exhibition, which was covered by local and international press, was hailed by Jamaican academic and commentator, Professor Carolyn Cooper, as a dynamic event in which the “powerful word and sound of music are transformed into the equally powerful image and ‘zeen’ of graphic art design.”

More than a contest, founders of the IRPC also have a long term vision in mind—the realization of a Reggae Hall of Fame—to document and bear witness to past achievements as well as the living heritage of reggae music. The IRPC is also a strong supporter of one of Jamaica’s musical success stores, Alpha Boys School, a residential vocational school for at-risk boys aged 8 to 18 years old. In addition to tailoring, agriculture and woodworking, Alpha’s music program has launched the careers of an all star list of reggae music pioneers in ska, rocksteady, dub and reggae including Don Drummond, Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace, Leroy Smart and Winston ‘Yellowman’ Foster. At the end of the exhibition, the posters will be auctioned to the public with the proceeds to benefit Alpha. The IRPC community is pleased to honor Alpha’s past while contributing to its future.

We invite you to join us.

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Sold! The Reggae Poster Charity Auction at the National Gallery of Jamaica completes successful fundraising effort for Alpha Boys School with support from both the music and visual arts communities.

Celebrity entertainment, great music, an exciting atmosphere and competitive bidding on reggae posters for a great cause made for an extremely successful charity auction on Sunday at the National Gallery of Jamaica to benefit Alpha Boys School. Consisting of limited edition prints of the top 50 posters from the First International Reggae Poster Contest as well as special contributions from jury members and renowned poster designers, the auction drew fans of Jamaican music and culture, art aficionados and Alpha supporters for an afternoon of good-natured competition. Although an event of this sort had never been attempted before, auctioneer Douglas Reid of the Grosvenor Galleries in Kingston kept the vibes moving and directed an exciting auction in which many posters surpassed their estimated values. Prior to the auction getting underway, Bunny Rugs, lead singer of 10-time Grammy nominee Third World, treated the crowd to two songs from, Time, his critically acclaimed new album, DJ Afifa and Baye Beluchi provided crucial real time musical and lyrical commentary and members of the Alpha Boys Band blessed the place with a handful of specially selected songs to launch the event. Adding to the unique format, celebrity auctioneer Bunny Rugs joined Douglas Reid for the sale of Luba Lukova‘s special poster contribution featuring Sister Ignatius. With Bunny Rugs providing color commentary, back-and-forth bidding between a number of interested parties reached a crescendo until the buyer was identified which sparked a long moment of spontaneous applause.

Posters that were not sold on Sunday and others from the top 100 that were held back will be put up for auction via eBay in February when Jamaica celebrates Reggae Month. In this way, art and music fans as well as Alpha supporters abroad may participate and take home a unique work of art.

Auction organizers send special thanks to the auctioneer Douglas Reid, DJ Afifa, Baye Beluchi and Bunny Rugs as well as Market Me JA and the auction sponsors: WISYNCO, Caribbean Producers of Jamaica, Caribbean Broilers, Elite Kreations, Blackwell Rum, Scotia Bank and Griot Music.

Pauletta Jones, Administrator of Alpha Boys School, put the auction in perspective. “We really had no idea what to expect but at the end of the day the whole effort surpassed our expectations. Not only is the financial assistance important right now but between the poster contest, poster exhibition and auction, Alpha is blessed to be introduced to the visual arts in this way and we’re excited to build on these wonderful relationships and opportunities.”

Alpha opened its doors in 1890 and quickly became known locally and abroad for its music program which leaves a legacy including dozens of jazz, ska, reggae and dancehall pioneers. The school is now also exploring the visual arts as a way to meet its mission of providing an education and opportunities for the boys in its care. Alpha students, for example, are now participating in the Saturday art program hosted at the National Gallery and the school is exploring ways to share more arts-related experiences with Alpha’s entire student population.

Director of the National Gallery of Jamaica, Dr Veerle Poupeye, points to a growing appreciation for contemporary visual art at large in explaining the success of the charity auction. “I’m extremely pleased we were able to contribute to such a successful milestone. The ‘World A Reggae’ exhibition here at the gallery and the auction drew great response from the public and press so I see lots of potential in this area going forward”.

Posters that were not sold on Sunday and others from the top 100 that were held back will be put up for auction via eBay in February when Jamaica celebrates Reggae Month. In this way, art and music fans as well as Alpha supporters abroad may participate and take home a unique work of art.

International Reggae Poster Contest founder Michael Thompson expressed great satisfaction with the vision he had set out in late 2011 coming full circle in 2012. “The idea for the First International Reggae Poster Contest was to generate an international discussion about the importance of reggae culture in Jamaica and abroad. Alpha Boys School, one of Jamaica and the music’s greatest success stories, was an ideal partner in this effort. Both I and my co-founder Maria Papaefstathiou are proud that the plan we set out has been realized and especially to know that strong relationships have been put in place with which we all can grow into the future.”

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Zion High Productions and A Train Entertainment are very pleased to announce the selection of two Zion High Productions releases from 2012 will be featured in the first round of Grammy nominations for the Reggae category — Jah Golden Throne, a various artists contemporary roots release, and Masterpiece, the most recent album from soulful reggae crooner, Glen Washington. Both records feature arrangements by the Zion I Kings, a triumvirate of roots producers drawing from Zion High, Lustre Kings and I Grade. First round ballots must be submitted by October 31st and Grammy nominations will be announced Wednesday December 5th. > read the full story <

Details for voting members of the Academy
FIELD 14: REGGAE Category
50: Best Reggae Album
045 Jah Golden Throne – Various Artists
052 Masterpiece – Glen Washington

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Click here for the full press release.

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l-r. michael thomoson, maria papaefstathiou + alon braier at the exhibition opening (photo courtesy susumba.com); michael thompson’s special contribution; michael thompson leading a visual arts workshop at alpha boys school

(Kingston, JA): Music, the visual arts and education came together twice in a very unique way this past week with the arrival of the World A Reggae: The 100 Best Entries from the First International Reggae Poster Contest exhibition in Jamaica at the National Gallery. On Sunday, September 30 the Alpha Boys Band provided live music at the exhibition opening and the following day the contest founders and contest winner visited Alpha Boys School for a special workshop with Alpha students. The inclusion of Alpha is the result of the Reggae Poster Contest’s goal to make the school both a theme and a beneficiary. Following the exhibition, in November, the posters will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to Alpha.

On Sunday the exhibition was opened by Gallery Director Veerle Poupeye, academic and writer Dr. Carolyn Cooper, contest founders Michael Thompson and Maria Papaefstathiou as well as contest winner Alon Briaer, who flew in from Israel for the event, and Jamaica’s own Taj Francis, the 5th place winner. The Alpha Boys Band led by bandmaster Winston ‘Sparrow’ Martin provided the soundtrack throughout the afternoon. As the inspiration for a significant proportion of the visual art featured in the 6-week exhibition the school is also well represented on the walls of the exhibition. Of the 100+ posters included in the exhibition, at least 20 mention Alpha Boys School by name and many incorporate in the artistic work a representation of Alpha’s mission to help disadvantaged youth through music and education. A special poster contribution by contest founder Michael Thompson, for example, presents Alpha Boys School in the contemporary spirit of urban street art with fine lines setting off the bold silhouette of a boy standing in front of his chair blowing a trombone (Don Drummond’s instrument of choice). And from Uruguay, Gonzalo Gomez Gaggero’s poster of a drumstick placed vertically below a pencil sharpener captures in stark visual terms the spirit of Alpha’s ongoing and everyday mission to use music and education to help develop well rounded young men.

“Reggae music is an international phenomenon and the Reggae Poster Contest Exhibition captures the legacy of not just Alpha but also individuals and technology visually,” says Alpha Boys School administrator, Sister Susan Frazer. “Its a fascinating exhibition that communicates the culture in a very innovative way.”

The day after the opening, Michael Thompson, Maria Papaefstathiou and Alon Braier visited Alpha Boys School for a special workshop in which Alpha students were introduced to poster making and a survey of posters submitted from around the world. The boys also saw firsthand the worldwide interest and respect for Alpha Boys School in illustrated form. Alpha students, staff and guests were treated to a slideshow curated by Michael Thompson and Maria Papaefstathiou of posters submitted from the Philipines, and from South Africa and from Korea to name just a few. The depth and breadth of the art had everyone in Alpha’s Assembly Hall on the edge of their seat for the next poster many of which included shout outs to Alpha which had everyone calling out “Alpha Boys School” in unison.

“The visit to Alpha Boys school was an amazing experience,” said Michael Thompson. “The boys I felt were delighted to hear about design and how it can benefit the school, I really enjoyed the trip and talk. what an experience of a lifetime”.

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l-r. reggae poster contest winner alon braier sits in with the alpha boys band; sister susan frazer

Alpha Boys School staff are looking forward to sharing the experience of the exhibition with students and staff. Alpha is a residential vocational home for at-risk boys in Kingston, Jamaica, serving in this capacity since the 19th century. Its music program is internationally known for graduating respected vocalists Yellowman and Leroy Smart as well as instrumentalists Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace and Don Drummond to name just a few. The Alpha Boys Band is currently directed by Winston ‘Sparrow’ Martin and and continues to be a source for Jamaican touring, session and hotel bands. In addition to music, Alpha Boys School offers its students a number of vocations including agriculture, woodworking and tailoring.

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l-r. contributions to the exhibition from Maria Cordona, Luba Lukova and Gonzalo Gomez Gaggero

Labor Day Weekend might be a popular time for rest and relaxation in the United States but Mr Vegas demonstrated once again he won’t rest if there’s a party to ‘tun up’ or a chance to ‘bruk it down’. So this past weekend Vegas brought the party to the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan in 6 high energy performances over 3 days assisted by DJ Starr on the ones and twos and the Big Apple’s eye-popping dancer Lickle Bit offering visual inspiration. The result? — This week “Bruk It Down” entered the HOT97 music chart at #14, a major milestone on arguably the most influential radio station on the planet.

Click here for the full release and photos >>

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(Kingston, Jamaica, August 27, 2012): Bunny Rugs wants to make great Time for his fans. Time, the new solo album from the lead singer of international pop reggae band Third World is a Time for listening fun and reflection. Bursting at the seams with talent, Rugs’ 15-track album will in no Time at all be a sound track to affairs of the heart as well as soldiers of conscious reggae worldwide. Here, Bunny’s seductive soulful reggae melodies provide an anchor to jazzy vocal experimentation and cool bass, drum, sax and piano riffs. Time practically stands still as one after another of Jamaica’s most respected musical minds–Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare (Sly & Robbie), Dean Fraser, Mikie Bennett, Dean Pond and Richard Bell (Star Trail), to name a few–contribute creative direction for Bunny Rugs’ artistic talents. Don’t waste any more Time, the album will be in stores September 11 on Rugs’ label imprint, Raw Edge Productions, and distributed exclusively by VPAL, a subsidiary of VP Records, the #1 international source for the best reggae music.

Those familiar with the Third World band (“96 Degrees In The Shade”, “Reggae Ambassador”) will undoubtedly recognize the inspirational vocal style that Rugs helped to translate into a signature international pop sound. Songs on Bunny’s solo album including “Don’t Give It Up”, “Never Gonna Give Up” and all boast that quintessential roots rock reggae sound. Shining bright is the adult contemporary “Heaven Sent – Dat Feeling”, the soft reggae rock heard in the message music on “Bed Of Roses” and the easy pop listening evoked by “What Kind Of Man”. Bunny’s compelling plea for “Solutions” was recorded in the popular gospel tradition with Nyabinghi drumming, emotive background vocals and a delicate soulful guitar solo allowing Bunny to make it his own.

Bunny Rugs is a firm believer that, “A man who has no respect for Time has no respect for himself”. Indeed, Time stands on its own with the first single, “Land We Love” (watch the video), Bunny’s tribute to his homeland in its 50th year of independence, setting the tone of unity and love in song and video. As Bunny says, “I am an extension of Third World and Third World is an extension of me.” In short, Bunny Rugs puts his soul on the line for the listener. Check “It’s Time”, “Just Deny”, “We’ve Got The Formula” and “Settling Down”, plaintive love songs sure to hit a nerve among soul aficionados from Motown to Montego Bay. And of course, reggae cyan done. “Reggae is the root,” says Bunny. “This Time, it comes from my heart and soul.” It’s the kind of reggae music where chunky guitar lines and a walking bass embrace a crisp percussion section. Bunny Rugs embraces the social commentary side of reggae on “Kurfew” and an unshakeable commitment to one love (at a time that is) on the Sly & Robbie produced “Love Is Blind” or “You’re My Everything” both of which stay true to the original one-drop style. With “Thinking About You” Bunny demonstrates a willingness to break the mold on verses sung in a unique toasting style.

For “TIME” Rugs has employed the same illustrious musical standards that has earned Third World numerous hits and countless awards over the past 39 years. Rugs’ top notch cast of producers and songwriters includes mixing board maestro, Rohan Dwyer, the aforementioned Mikie Bennett, Jamaica’s premiere drum and bass duo Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, saxophonist Dean Fraser, as well as, Augustus “Gussie” Clarke, Dean Pond of Rymshot, Delroy Pottinger, Sheldon “Young Veterans” Pennicott, Anthony “506” Blair, Elise Kelly of Irie FM and Richard “Bello” Bell, who co-wrote with Rugs the lyrics of seven of the album’s fifteen tracks.

Bunny Rugs is lead singer for one of the longest running reggae bands of all Time, Third World, which is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The group was formed in 1973 and has released a total of 23 plus albums and Rugs himself has released 4 solo albums. Bunny Rugs has been nominated 10 times for the prestigious Grammy Awards as a member of Third World. Collectively, Third World has received numerous awards, including most recently “New York City Ambassador Award” in November 2009 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the 1986 “United Nations Peace Medal”, and “Jamaica Music Industry Awards for Best Show Band” in 1992 and 1996 respectively. Rugs, along with his band mates Cat Coore and Richard Daley, are the spokespersons for the Jamaica Children’s Heart Fund / Chain of Hope, a cause they holds close and dear to their own heart.

Music fans waiting for that infectious pop and rock reggae vibe can take solace in the fact that Time is on their side. Featuring real instrumentation, top line production value and timeless performances by Jamaica’s musical legends, Bunny Rugs’ new album, Time, is set to stand the test of Time. In the ever changing world, Bunny Rugs proves that some things in “TIME” remain constant; Love conquers all and he remains the true Golden Voice of Reggae Music. Time is available September 11 on digital and CD formats via VPal, a subsideary of VP Records.

“All we have is…..TIME”, Bunny Rugs.

www.bunnyrugs.net
www.facebook.com/BunnyRugsThirdWorld
www.VPRecords.com
www.facebook.com/vpaldistribution
www.twitter.com/VPAL1

Connect online:
@mr_williamz $$ @greenlioncrew $$@sotlnews

(London, England, August 27, 2012): England is bracing for a musical coup. The Jamaican-born, British-bred Mr Williamz (2008 BBC Artiste of the Year) premiered “We Run England”, on Rinse FM’s The Heatwave radio program and now sets his sights on the whole of the country. “We Run England” is the debut single off the More Spiritual Riddim, a Green Lion production based around Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes’ legendary Ganja Smuggling melody. Available September 18^th on Soul of the Lion Records, “We Run England” traces Mr Williamz’ journey from Jamaica to his adopted home of England and then flips the script on social relations as we know them. Powerfully crafted but without losing its playfulness, “We Run England” is both fun and food for thought.

Of special note is the artwork for “We Run England” created by Dan Buller. Buller is a founding partner of the Heavyweight Art Installation known for mixed media live performance installations including music and the visual arts. Founded in Montreal and now spread across North America, Heavyweight is known for pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. Here, Buller’s portrait of the General Field Marshall pushes those royal boundaries just a tad bit further.

“We Run England” is one of five tracks on the More Spiritual Riddim which will drop in October. In addition to two tracks by Mr Williamz, the More Spiritual includes outstanding contributions from fellow UK vocalist YT, Million Stylez from Sweden alongside the leading voice of a new generation of Jamaican conscious reggae, Kabaka Pyramid, as well as acclaimed Jamaican deejay Perfect. Previous versions of Mr Williamz tracks on the riddim were featured on the 2011 Mr Williamz mixtape prepared by Green Lion’s Zeke Stern.

Stern, whose previous credits include Collie Buddz’ crossover hit, “Come Down”, brings a deep knowledge and respect for the roots of reggae music developed the old fashioned way, digging for records wherever they might be found. If reggae is the base, dub, hip hop and dancehall are the branches of the More Spiritual riddim. Mr Williamz burst on the reggae scene in 2008 with his debut single “Babylon in Helicopter” (Necessary Mayhem) which reached #1 in the U.S singles charts and #2 in the German reggae charts. The same year Mr.Williamz was honored by the BBC as the UK artiste of the year 2008. His follow up single “No Cigarette” was included on The Biggest Reggae Anthems 2009 (Greensleeves).

Know Thyself drops August 14 on CD + Digital

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Click here to view the complete press release online.

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With a soaring, honest, pure voice and strictly conscious lyrics, Know Thyself, Ras Batch’s highly-anticipated seventh album brings together the talents of the Virgin Islands and Jamaica in a unique and special roots reggae release on I Grade Records. I Grade Records’ founder and producer, Laurent ‘Tippy I’ Alfred produces and plays on the album, further developing the rich reggae community coming out of the Virgin Islands. In addition to the crisp arrangements of the Zion I Kings (Alfred, Andrew ‘Moon’ Bain, Jah D) Know Thyself also connects with a ‘who’s who’ of standout musical talents from Jamaica including Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace (drums), Dean Fraser (sax), Andrew Bassie Campbell (bass), Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith (guitar) and more. Ras Batch, whose acclaim stretches from his homeland of the Virgin Islands to as far as Brazil, France and throughout the United States, is set to travel even further, promoting positive vibes and the ability of roots rock reggae to bring together like-minded conscious people in unity and love. Know Thyself drops August 14 on CD and digital formats.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE ONLINE

Mr Vegas is taking a piece of “Sweet Jamaica” straight to his European fans with the two-week tour ready to begin July 20. Fresh off the release of his new double disc album, Sweet Jamaica (MV Music), and album launch events from Kingston to New York to Toronto, Mr Vegas in cooperation with Almighty One Promotions is ready to clear a trail of timeless foundation reggae and up-to-the-time dancehall from Switzerland to Italy, France, Germany and Belgium. Starting July 20 at Reeds Festival and ending August 4 at Reggae Geel Festival, Vegas, joined by the Jamaican based, MV Band, will celebrate not only the album but also the milestone of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence which officially takes place August 6, 2012. The tour includes club dates and the largest European festivals like Garance Reggae Festival in France and Rhur Reggae Festival in Germany.

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