TLP 022: Ken Boothe, the man and his music.

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:08:37 +0000

TLP 022
Sunday, May 6, 2012

From Denham Town, West Kingston to Hollywood, California, Ken Boothe has stories for days. The Listening Party’s Joshua Chamberlain not only sat down with the venerable Jamaican singer but was also given a tour of Boothe’s personal gallery/museum of photos, awards and paintings that adorn the walls of his home in Kingston. On TLP 022 take the listening tour and get the insight as well as the history straight from Mr Boothe at his yard in Jamaica.

Find more music from Ken Boothe on

$$$
$

EVERY SUNDAY
4pm EST WXGR 101.5 FM wxgrfm.org (USA)
10am EST NewsTalk 93.5 FM newstalk.com.jm (Jamaica)
8pm EST WAVS 1170 wavs1170.com
5am/7am/5pm/7pm EST BigUpRadio.com (Web)

Reviews. Mr Vegas – Sweet Jamaica (MV Music)

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:26:10 +0000

The album drops May 29.$$

Pre order today on >> $

Feat Shaggy, Luciano, Jovi Rockwell, Nadine Sutherland, Josie Wales

$$
Click here to watch the videos!
$$

Backed by crucial production from Mikey Bennett, Sly & Robbie and Steelie & Clevie, ‘Sweet Jamaica’ simultaneously satisfies the most discerning tastes of reggae and dancehall as well as world music fans everywhere.

“If tracks like these will become part of his stage shows as well, Mr Vegas will have no trouble at all to win over the audience.” read more (Dutch)

- Katrien Van der Aa/Reggae.be

***

“A great album. It’s going to cement [Mr Vegas's] place as one of Jamaica’s great artists”. read more

- Jesse Serwer, New-Times X LargeUp

TV. Mr Vegas’s smash hit included on Simon Cowell’s top UK talent competition, Britain’s Got Talent.

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 06:15:56 +0000

(May 8, 2012, London, United Kingdom): While preparing for the May 29th release of his double disc album, Sweet Jamaica, the world was reminded of Clifford Smith’s, aka Mr Vegas, bona fide international cred when “Heads High”, his breakout smash hit was featured during last week’s semi final of the hugely popular television show, Britain’s Got Talent which counts millions of viewers nightly.

Twist and Pulse Dance Company, runners up in the competition two years ago, returned to finals week this year more creative than ever. This was particularly true of their routine May 8th in which the 14-member group reeled off amazing back flipping and body popping moves choreographed to the classic song from Mr Vegas as well as other fellow hit music makers who together provided the sound track to the segment.

“I’m honored my music has stood the test of time,” says Vegas, “And it’s great that the music can inspire other innovators and creators, both locally and on an international stage like Britain’s Got Talent. Music really makes the world go round and I’m just blessed to be a part of it.”

Mr Vegas’s upcoming release, Sweet Jamaica, includes the current #1 hit, “Bruk It Down” which is inspiring a whole new generation of dancers world wide. The album will be available May 29th on CD and digital.

Britain’s Got Talent is a top-rated talent show competition produced by Simon Cowell (American Idol, Pop Idol, X Factor) and perhaps best known around the world for discovering the singer Susan Boyle.

Click to pre order today on Amazon

Happenings. Mr Vegas appearing live near you (May to August)

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:48:52 +0000

CHECK BACK SOON FOR NEW DATES…
$$
$$

May 11, Brooklyn @ Jouvay flyer

May 19, Trinidad @ Club Maracaus flyer

May 25, Toronto @ Kool Haus w/ Mavado flyer

May 26, Miami @ VP Records in-store (Miramar, FL)

May 27, Miami @ Best of the Best flyer

June 2, St Maarten @ St Maarten Festival Village

June 9, New York City @ VP Records retail store

June 9, New York City @ Massive B Anniversary flyer

June 22, Honduras, @ TBA

June 30, Belize @ Summer Rana flyer

July 6, Antigua @ H20 Wet Fete flyer

July 26-August 5, European Tour

Sweet Jamaica drops May 29 everywhere!

Click to pre order today on Amazon

Review. Truckback Records’ Sexxxtape Riddim (Montreal Mirror)

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:08:33 +0000

Click here to preview on
$$

Videos. From the album Sweet Jamaica by Mr Vegas

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:42:52 +0000

“Sweet Jamaica” will be available at your favorite e-tailer May 29th, 2012 via INgrooves.
Click to pre order today on Amazon
$$

BRUK IT DOWN (official video)

“Bruk It Down” has collectively amassed over 10 million views on YouTube. “Bruk it Down” is currently #1 on MTV Base chart, #1 in Jamaica, #1 on BBC 1 Extra in the UK.

SWEET JAMAICA (official video)
Mr Vegas featuring Shaggy and Josey Wales

Mr Vegas teams up with Grammy award-winning & Diamond-selling artiste Shaggy & the legendary Josey Wales in “Sweet Jamaica”. This video was shot all across Jamaica’s 14 parishes & is dedicated to Jamaica’s 50 years of independence.

BLACK AND PROUD –Nah Bleach (official video)

Mr Vegas addresses the topical subject of skin bleaching in the Black community and encourages young women to embrace their natural beauty and culture.

I AM BLESSED (official video)

With 2.5 Million views, the Gospel Dancehall Fusion, “I Am Blessed” was an instant runaway success for
Mr Vegas charting #1 though out the Caribbean diaspora.

CERTAIN LAW (official video)
Mr Vegas featuring Harry Toddler

“Certain Law” is a recent #1 on the MTV Base Dancehall video charts.

For more visit www.youtube.com/mrvegastv.

Music. Mr Vegas – Sweet Jamaica double disc (MV Music). Avail May 29.

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:12:21 +0000

How sweet it is! May 29^th marks official worldwide release of the new reggae and dancehall double disc CD, ‘Sweet Jamaica’, from international Jamaican artist, Mr Vegas.

Pre order on Amazon | Tour dates | Watch the music videos | Visit Mr Vegas Music website

2012 is a milestone year not only for Jamaica, which celebrates 50 years of independence, but also for international Jamaican reggae dancehall artist Clifford Smith, aka Mr Vegas (“Bruk It Down”, “Gallis”, “I Am Blessed” “Heads High”). In the spirit of togetherness,Mr Vegas’s new album, ‘Sweet Jamaica’, set to release May 29^th in digital and hard copy, unites reggae and dancehall in an unprecedented double-disc set. From 15 tracks of real roots reggae to 16 more of electrifying dancehall, ‘Sweet Jamaica’ is not only a complete listening experience, it’s a visual one too, just check the cover and album art done in retro event poster style. Including guest spots by Grammy winner Shaggy, roots standard bearer Luciano, the ‘General’ Josie Wales, Nadine Sutherland, sax maestro Dean Fraser and pop sensation Jovi Rockwell, the album presents a seamless mix of up-to-the-time dancehall (“Bruk It Down” – #1 on MTV Base chart, #1 in Jamaica, #1 on BBC 1 Extra in the UK) foundation one drop hits and unreleased original interpretations of reggae classics (“Sweet & Dandy”, “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and more). Backed by crucial production from Mikey Bennett, Sly & Robbie, Steelie & Clevie and Adde, not to mention the mixing and mastering skills of Rohan Dwyer, ‘Sweet Jamaica’ simultaneously satisfies the most discerning tastes of reggae and dancehall as well as world music fans everywhere. ‘Sweet Jamaica’ is the debut release from Vegas’ own label imprint, MV Music and is distributed by VP Records (CD) and INgrooves(digital).

‘Sweet Jamaica’ opens fittingly with the foundation of reggae music, where Jamaican folk traditions fuse with American R&B and gospel for an affect that ultimately move the body and soul. Mr Vegas just makes you want to move much, much more. ‘Sweet Jamaica’ connects past and present on songs like the first hit single and title track, “‘Sweet Jamaica’” featuring Shaggy and 80s star dancehall deejay Josie Wales as well as on “Can’t Stop” recorded with Jovi Rockwell and Sly & Robbie on the drum ‘n bass. Vegas’s updated versions of classic Jamaican hits like “Take It Easy” (Hopeton Lewis/1966) and even “Ob-La-De Ob-La-Da”(Beatles/1968) demonstrate the deepest respect Vegas has for the foundation and the artistic range he brings to Jamaican music.‘Sweet Jamaica’ invokes the warmth of past analog recordings, including innovative interpretations of seminal songs in Jamaica’s history. “Things Ruff” breaks down Jimmy Cliff’s “You Can Get It If You Really Want It” and builds it back in Vegas’s own image–including a wicked deejay segment–while “Gimme A Light” pays homage to Desmond Decker’s “Israelites” but this time in the context of an herbalist tribute.

Still, foundation reggae music alone cannot contain the creativity of Clifford Smith. Here, the dancehall side of ‘SweetJamaica’makes the transition from the present to the cutting edge of Jamaican music, the best example is this summers worldwide anthem,“Bruk It Down”. Also on the LP, dancehall’s fast rising super-producer from Sweden, Adde, lends his infectious vibe on the BBQ riddim to “Beautiful Life”. Mr Vegas’ renowned sense of humour and lyrical theater is on full display with “Champagne Rosé”–recorded on a remake of the Black Widow (1998) riddim–while “Certain Law” pokes fun at dancehall’s strict social code.“Party Tun Up”, recorded on a riddim composed by Teetimus and Suku from Ward 21, channels the pulse of current dancehall – insert girls and dancing here- based around Vegas’s fast deejay style and even songs with clear social commentary on the dancehall side of ‘Sweet Jamaica’, songs like “Black & Proud” and “Let The Music Play”, require you to move with the messenger.

Presenting reggae and dancehall like it’s never been done before, ‘Sweet Jamaica’ will undoubtedly be a milestone. “I want to be around in twenty years,” says Vegas, “and ‘Sweet Jamaica’ is the best way I can think of to put my stamp on the future, one in which real foundation reggae and dancehall both play a part, just like real life”.

Vegas is motivated in great part to be the change he wants to see. “It seems as if our younger producers are turning their backs on Reggae to ‘cross-over’ into the American and European mainstream markets. What they don’t realize is that all our artists, from Bob Marley to Shabba Ranks, Sean Paul, and myself, crossed into mainstream playlists with authentic Jamaican music. We set a trend that the rest of the world wants to follow, not the other way around.”

Mr. Vegas is a former MOBO award winner, in 2010 was nominated for Soul Train ‘Reggae Artist Year’ and performed at theSoulfusion Soul Train Awards in early 2011 and has performed live on the CBS Morning Show in New York. In 2011, and in collaboration with Shellian McBayne, Mr. Vegas initiated the Save Foundation Reggae campaign with a petition appealing to radio disc jockeys to include more reggae pioneers like Alton Ellis, Gregory Issacs, and Cynthia Schloss in their daily playlists. People from as far away as Kenya, Australia, and Qatar have signed the petition. Mr Vegas will be touring extensively thoughout Europe, the Caribbean Islands and North America summer 2012.

Reviews. Nazarenes – Meditation (I Grade Records)

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:54:37 +0000

Preview: $

Artist: Nazarenes
Album: Meditation
Label: I Grade Records

With roots in Ethiopia, Eritrea, the West Indies and northern Europe, Meditation is a testament to the distinct capacity of reggae as a vehicle for communication in a multi-cultural world.

Meditation “confirms just how great roots reggae can sound”. read more

- Erik Magni/Reggaemani

***

“Jazzy influences, funky beats, and vivid vocals with meaningful lyrics”. read more

- Matthew Forss/My World Music Friends

***

“An album that flows gracefully …another modern classic.” read more

- Karl Pearson/Reggaeville.com

***

Meditation is “a genuine and well done product of tangible unity.” read more
- AchisReggae.com

Book Launch. Rastafari In The New Mellennium (Syracuse University Press)

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:13:44 +0000

April 20, 2012
University of the West Indies Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica

Radio. The Listening Party 021 with Mr Vegas

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:45:06 +0000

TLP 021
Sunday, April 15, 2012

The Listening Party

What happens on The Listening Party 021 stays on The Listening Party. Well, not exactly, but Clifford Smith, aka Mr Vegas, is in the spotlight on TLP 021. Vegas has a new album on the road called Sweet Jamiaca which he hopes will put his career on firmer footing than he says it has been despite international hits like Heads High, which peaked at #69 on the US R&B chart and earned him a MOBO award in the UK. Subsequent hits like I am Blessed, Take Weh Yuhself, Hot Wuk, and most recently, Bruk It Down, would suggest Vegas has a lot to be happy about. But he tested retirement in 2008 and in a recent radio interview just a few weeks ago called dancehall “a hustle” and “a daily job that I have to do”. Find out what he meant and why the new album reflects his new long term outlook all while we party to the reggae side of the double disc album, Sweet Jamaica.

Preview “Sweet Jamaica” on

$$$
$

EVERY SUNDAY
4pm EST WXGR 101.5 FM wxgrfm.org (USA)
10am EST NewsTalk 93.5 FM newstalk.com.jm (Jamaica)
8pm EST WAVS 1170 wavs1170.com
5am/7am/5pm/7pm EST BigUpRadio.com (Web)