- More Than Music.

XLR8R MAGAZINE HAS NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR TRUCKBACK RECORDS

September 22, 2009. XLR8R Magazine, known for “accelerating music and culture”, has recognized TRUCKBACK RECORDS as part of its annual “Labels We Love” series. read more…

XLR8R (pronounced “accelerator”) is a magazine and website that covers music, culture, style, and technology. While XLR8R’s initial focus was on electronic music, it has over the years widened its scope to include indie rock, hip-hop, and reggae/ dancehall music as well as related trends in style, art, fashion, and technology. XLR8R’s website, xlr8r.com, features breaking music and culture news as well as high-resolution music videos and free weekly MP3 downloads and podcasts.

While Jamaican culture is known for its ingenuity, Truckback Records has taken resourcefulness to an entirely new level. Founded by brothers Steve, Andrew and Adrian Locke, Truckback Records is just what it claims to be, a recording studio built inside the cargo compartment of a retired (but still working) container truck. That was in 2006. And since then, Truckback has grown up fast. The Gearbox Riddim notched two #1 songs in Jamaica (Erup “Click My Finger”, Harry Toddler “Don’t Run In”), a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 R&B/Hip Hop chart (Erup “Click My Finger”) as well top ten hits in London, New York, Miami and Japan, “Rhythm of the Year” nominations in 2007 and 2008 as well as a nod for 2008 Producer of the Year by the EME and HYPE-TV Awards committees. Shout outs from Fader and XLR8R magazines have minted the studio’s unique place in reggae and dance culture worldwide.

Despite its success, TruckBack still runs on the grassroots, creative energies of brothers Steve and Adrian Locke, proof of which is evident in projects like the Ole Axle (2008), Clutch (2008), Springblade (late 2008) and Dash Board (2009) riddims as well as their innovative roots project featuring the conscious DJ, Baijie. In the meantime, TruckBack will be driving reggae, dancehall and simply good music to new levels on the way.

BET’S “THE DEAL” HAS THE LATEST ON ERUP

September 14, 2009.

The crossover success of the infectious grooves of Erup’s “Click My Finger” (Truckback Records) continues with Erup on BET’s ‘THE DEAL’. Hosted by MeMpHitz and DJ Diamond Kuts and filmed on location at VP Records’ New York City location, Erup is joined by TOK, Taurus Riley, Sean Kingston and a special segment with Buju Banton will also be included.

The Deal airs late Monday Sept 14 or early Tuseday AM on BET, depending on your location. Check your local cable listings for times and channels in your area. See The Deal’s website for more info.

DELLY RANX – GOOD PROFILE (ITATION RECORDS)

Itation Records, which recently minted its hit-making status with a 2008 Roots Riddim Of The Year award from United Reggae for its World Go Round riddim is proud to release its first album featuring Delly Ranx on September 15th. Good Profile features production from Buju Banton, John John, Muzik Factor, Chimney Records as well as Itation’s own quality work over 18 dancehall, reggae and dance tracks with Hip Hop and R&B mixed in for good measure. Guest appearances by Johnny Osbourne, Chico, Fiona, JR and instrumental arrangements from Tune In Crew put Good Profile on a different level among dancehall releases. Two singles, “Wish Good”, and “Ice Cream Love” featuring foundation dancehall artist, Johnny Osbourne, are already receiving love everywhere and the latest single, “Rasta Nah Bow”, will burn the flame even higher!

Opening with the hit single, “Wish Good”, on Itation’s massive one drop World Go Round Riddim, Delly Ranx sets a cool and conscious tone. Singing to his strengths, a skillful mix of creative lyrics and tight production, Delly continues a rootsy poetic flow on Past The Worst”. Good Profile sees Jamaica’s top deejay, Buju Banton, contribute a pair of sure fire dance hits from the other side of the vocal booth. Buju, the producer, and Delly, the vocalist, first team up on “Murder”, a singular song carrying a serious message as well as massive bass and pointed percussion creating a trigger reaction of unrestrained body whining. And on “Pleasure Pain” Buju gives Delly a bright one drop riddim to play with as Delly sings: just smile when know see me a come/woman you know you caan done. “Caah Get Me Out” is a straight up dancehall joint displaying Delly Ranx’ unsullied street cred. Versatility, however, is crucial and “Working Class” adds a creeping orchestral Hip Hop mix with entertaining results. Foundation dancehall artist, Johnny Osbourne, adds his stamp of approval to “Ice Cream Love”—a unique smash version of Johnny’s original—which has been burning up the charts all over the world on the shoulders of its heavyweight riddim and JR Music’s Lloyd James nasty production. “Lady Of My Dreams”, “Virgin Wine” (featuring JR), and “Im Going Crazy” (featuring Chico) make sure the ladies are satisfied with just the right lyrics and body moving melodies. Delly takes a spiritual tone on “Rasta Nah Bow”, an Itation production with the indisputable Tune In Crew providing a driving roots riddim that never tires. And the energy doesn’t disappear from track to track as “Do Good” takes a bouncy electro vibe and passes it off to Itation’s Higher Meditation Riddim led by Delly’s compelling “Don’t Burn The Fields”. Nothing can dull his shine on “Don’t Choose”, another Tune In/Itation collaboration whose melodic lines ebb and flow in tandem with Delly’s lyrical stream of consciousness. “Hold Me Close” on the Show Love Riddim brings Fiona into the mix for a passionate “he said, she said” type of moment. R&B is the order of the day on “Things Friend” whose catchy hooks poke holes in the motives of pretend friends. Hip Hop vibes on “World Need Love” and dancefloor beats on “Sensi Love” complete Good Profile with a little something for everybody. It’s a good look for Delly Ranx and promises to be a great listen for reggae and dance fans everywhere!

GOOD PROFILE TRACKLISTING

1. Wish Good
2. Past The Worst
3. Murder
4. Caah Get Me Out
5. Working Class
6. Ice Cream Love ft. Johnny Osbourne
7. Lady Of My Dreams
8. Rasta Nah Bow
9. I’m Going Crazy ft. Chico
10. Virgin Wine ft. JR
11. Do Good
12. Don’t Burn The Fields
13. Don’t Choose For Me
14. Hold Me Close ft. Fiona
15. Pleasure Pain
16. Things Friend
17. World Need Love
18. Sensi Ride

CAMERON & THE TRENTON STREET COLLABORATIVE – EPONYMOUS (NAYA RECORDS)

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Pianist, keyboardist, percussionist, arranger and composer, Cameron Greenlee built a musical foundation while growing up in the Bronx, New York. In addition to classical training at the Universities of Miami and New Hampshire in the United States as well as El Conservatorio de Música de Toledo, Spain, Greenlee’s artistic influences range from blues to reggae, baroque to punk—his is an innovative artistry embedded with a relentless yearning for that new and unique sonic realm. More recently, a seasoned session musician on recordings including St. Croix’s Midnite and Jamaica’s Ernie Smith, Greenlee has also backed jazz virtuoso Branford Marsalis, Hip Hop pioneer Slick Rick and is now touring with the Skatalites, renowned worldwide as Jamaica’s first pop sensation.

Inspired by early Augustus Pablo records, recent Ernie Ranglin productions and anything Monty Alexander puts his name on, Cameron is proud to step into the bandleader’s position on this adventurous project. Indeed, the mystique of foundation Jamaican roots music never sounded so clear as it does here on his new EP with the Trenton Street Collaborative. An instrumental project, Greenlee keys a musical back and forth between sometimes delicate and sometimes brash—but always compelling—saxophone, melodica, percussion and horn solos played by some of the most respected musicians on the scene: Cedric ‘IM’ Brooks (The Skatalites), Andy Bassford (Toots & The Maytals, Dennis Brown) and Kevin Bachelor (Steel Pulse, Miles Davis). To experience Greenlee’s piano going toe to toe with funky guitar riffs over a Rastafarian percussive beat, for example, reestablishes the link between the original grounation sessions held at the Wareika Hill community outside Kingston, Jamaica in the 60s that sparked the emergence of reggae with the spirit of the music today.

“Nor’easter” sets the tone by adding a bright piano ska riff, tights horns and punctuated percussion to a creeping bass line for a cool jazzy groove. Dubwise breakdowns bridge the divide between Cameron Greenlee’s haunting organ on “Lazy Bones” and the powerful spirit of the original composer, the immortal Jackie Mitoo, effectively linking past and present on this ska classic. And while the powerful minimalism of rasta drumming is central on “In The Wolves Den”, a funky reggae party is created nonetheless with crisp guitar and horn arrangements. “Please Sunrise” is Cameron Greenlee’s cleverly crafted piano-led answer to Augustus Pablo’s original. Here, Greenlee & the Trenton Street massive respond with an original bluesy collaboration highlighted by Greenlee’s piano as well as superb organ and melodica arrangements. With emphatic final statements by the entire Trenton Street crew, “Out Of Darkness” completes the musical journey. However, as with any journey, and for all jazz, roots and reggae fans, this will really be but a first step among many for Cameron Greenlee & The Trenton Street Collaborative.

BEENIE MAN – WINTER 2009 EP (TRUCKBACK RECORDS)

Beenie Man’s new EP (Truckback Records) expects to be a big hit online with huge dancehall and roots riddims like Gearbox, Sparkplug and Springblade in the mix.

I-OCTANE – “LOSE A FRIEND” (TRUCKBACK RECORDS)

“Lose A Friend” is connecting with cultural and dancehall fans alike on its way to becoming a massive hit in the streets and on radio playlists worldwide. With the video expected to be complete in another week, I-Octane and Truckback Records are ready to take the song to a level rarely seen in cultural music.

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“The tune just connect with people on so many levels,” according to I-Octane. “It is inspirational and also a way to remember loved ones. Both dancehall and cultural fans find something they love.”

Released on Truckback Records earlier this year, “Lose A Friend” benefits from the collective musical composition efforts of Truckback’s Steve and Adrian Locke in cooperation with Nigel Staff. Mixed by Junior Linton of Arrows Production; and together with I-Octane’s song writing.

“Lose A Friend” is one of two Truckback Records productions on Greensleeves’ ‘best of’ compilation, Ragga Ragga Ragga 2010.

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BAIJIE – SUMMER EP (TRUCKBACK RECORDS)

For those interested in the real roots and culture, Baijie’s hit breakthrough song, “That’s Life” (now climbing the charts) is joined by “Global Warning” (which presents a candid – and catchy – view of human influence on the world around us) and “Sanctify” (recorded over a modern interpretation of the classic Death In The Arena riddim). “That’s Life” and “Global Warning” are the first two singles from Baijie’s upcoming album, Equilibrium, coming Summer 2009.

Tracklisting

That’s Life
Sanctify
Global Warning

BUNNY WAILER REPS FOR JAMAICA ON VIBE MAGAZINE’S ‘FINAL’ COVER (AUGUST 2009)

Vibe Magazine’s Rob Kenner talked with Bunny Wailer about his lastest project, Blackheart Man featuring remastered and extended dub versions, for the final newsstand issue of Vibe Magazine.

CECILE – WORTH IT (DANGERZONE)

Launching 2009 in true ‘bad gyal’ style, Jamaican reggae artist Ce’Cile – a member of the Danger Zone camp – is proud to bring forward the special extended digital release, Worth It. “Worth It” will be available on I-Tunes and other e-tailers worldwide January 27th. While Ce’Cile is sometimes known as the ‘bad gyal’ of reggae, Worth It will surprise fans with of its musical breadth and artistic depth, crisscrossing dancehall credibility and human empathy in order to resonate with reggae and urban music fans of all types, men and women alike. Featuring brand new tracks, international crossover hits, timeless dancehall and lovers reggae classics, hype remixes and exceptional guest artists in Shaggy, Beenie Man and Trina, Worth It continues the tradition of Jamaican female artists leading the way with ingenious lyrics, relentless energy and an artistic vision of worldwide proportions.

Opening with “So Fly”, the smash combination with Beenie Man and closing with the brand new track, “Promise”, Ce’Cile packs the album with both sexy and smarts, showcasing the totality of one of Jamaica’s leading female vocalists. In between, Worth It offers a diverse musical mix of roots vibes on “Don’t Go” and “Kinda Lovin’”, catchy pop grooves on “Talk Talk”, “Hot Like That” featuring Trina and “Ride or Die”, recorded on the Journeys Riddim. (“Ride Or Die” is also the latest single off the album to climb the reggae and urban charts worldwide.) Of course, Ce’Cile includes a masterful set for her core urban and dancehall fans. “Burning Up” and “Dance”, featuring Jamaican dance trendsetter, Ding Dong, capture the energetic spirit of current dancehall while the lover’s anthem “Waiting” (a top ten hit around the world), “Fakin’” and “Bedroom” combine both Ce’Cile’s female sensuality and dancehall credibility. Worth It further separates itself from the rest with blazing crossover joints like the title track, “Worth It”, “No Disturb Sign”, a driving remix of “Waiting” in which Ce’Cile is now joined by Shaggy, the bubbly “Hot Like We”, the R&B influenced “Promise” and Scot Storch produced “So Fly”. Meticulously assembled, Ce’Cile successfully manages to negotiate her artistic versatility and personal desire to stay true to herself as a classy and confident female artist.

Ce’Cile’s creative track record on Worth It is matched only by a who’s who of production credit. In addition to Ce’Cile’s own productions (“Ride Or Die”, “Don’t Go”), co-producers Kirkle Dove, Baby G, Steelie ; Cleevie, Cordell ‘Skatta’ Burrell, Arif Cooper and Hip Hop hit-maker, Scot Storch, among others, bring an unparalleled musical standard and reputation such that the album clearly speaks for itself. Indeed, this choice selection of tracks from one of Jamaica’s brightest stars is definitely Worth It.

VIDEO: BAIJIE – “THAT’S LIFE”

Conscious and contemporary.

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