Reggae Radio inna Kenya 24/7
By Wicks Odori

Yeah Mon! It's feeling Irie over inna Kenya (and the surrounding borders) as Jah vibes are alive on the airwaves on the newly launched Metro 101.9fm playing strictly Reggae vibes 24/7.

Being the first of its kind inna Africa, you can evidently see people on the streets, Shops, Matatus (Kenyan passenger vehicles sometimes called 'Manyangas"), Inns, Bars...I mean all over! You will be awed by the response and support so far a yard towards the noble idea of the first truly dedicated radio station for Reggae fans inna Africa! That has sent a very concrete message to other media houses on the land to stop treating Reggae fans with total disregard as if dem not deh! The massive have been yearning for the vibes along time and still dema gwaan like dem nah care,but look now what a happening........

There's especially this show that appears weekdays mornings featuring the Hot steppers Junior dread and Bill Odidi which boasts a very strong audience and you can feel it by the number of listeners calling in during that show Idren!

For long, Reggae fans had been sidelined and the response speaks volumes. The access to a more personalised reggae touch given the fact that Reggae artists come over inna Africa in Drops (station/sound system i.d.'s), although very few. Sometimes a place like Kenya, we get at most two major artists per year and sometimes even one! You may wonder maybe the response is not positive but aayyy! Can someone ask Joseph Hill or Glen Washington about the crowd, Rasta...........! The content that right now is being offered by the other stations is out of desperation. A means to cover their ignorant past..a past filled with denial of the very ardent fans that have been there but ignored. Like the great Reggae Legend Peter McIntosh woulda say, 'They must get a beaten....!'Now you see? A whole lot a dem now a gettin' a beating, Man.

This is evident in the airwaves by the way the other stations are trying amid desperately to bridge the gap by hurriedly starting to offer "some Reggae Program" The result? You get to listen to presenters who don't seem to be knowing what they are playing to massive! The sudden shift of listeners from them to the new station has caused total confusion. Man, total desperation to woo the ignored fans. Now most stations have created a "reggae slot". If you deh inna Kenya right now, seems like a Likkle Jamdung man! Radio stations are competing in playing reggae vibes (The vibes they so united against).

It had been common knowledge to most how the Reggae fans have been portrayed as monsters by being compared to such and how the police have been harassing the "Dread"(Though some Reggae fans are unruly-that me caan deny though it's totally different ting altogether Ras, Trust me!). And just like me continue seeing things, the stations are still bound to get a beaten up until when they gwaan deal with the right script fi di show Man........ Large up Metro House of Reggae 24/7 and all the selectors who know what dem doing in the studios, raspect Itinually!

The writer is a Reggae Ambassador Worldwide member, A DJ based Inna Kenya, he makes Nonstop Mix CD's and tapes. Contact: wickydonhotmail.com or wodiriyahoo.com for more info
 
 

Nature of Hope

Ohm Grown Records, Boogiewall Soundsystem and Odel Johnson have initiated The Nature of Hope campaign with the mandate to promote positive solutions and awareness towards the continuing land-mine problem in Africa. Globally millions of mines and left-over explosives threaten the lives of people and animals in more than 60 countries on this planet every day. Approximately 2.5 million new mines are laid each year, and once laid a mine can remain active for over 50 years. 100 million land mines are in the earth today, and every twenty minutes someone is killed or injured by a land mine detonation! 70% of all casualties in warfare are the result of land mines. The cost of removing all the active mines worldwide is estimated at US $33 billion!

Since Africa is the most affected and landmine-polluted region of the world, The Nature of Hope’s on-going mission is to aid in the complete re-establishment of African infrastructures, enabling our African families to return to and enjoy the harvest of their home land in safety and security. Ohm Grown Records is preleasing the first Nature of Hope compilation CD in 2006 with the voices and messages of today's conscious artists. 25% of the net proceeds will be donated directly to MgM (Menschen gegen Minen/ People Against Landmines) to help clean up landmines! MgM is a humanitarian non-profit organization that has performed landmine clean-up operations in African countries such as Mozambique and  Namibia, and has been removing land-mines in Angola for over 10 years, even throughout the civil war.  Last year MgM was able to clean up enough landmines in Angola for over 400,000 refugees to return to their homelands. With the support of our global Reggae community MgM can extend their operational fields to other African countries.  MgM has chosen Odel’s Hit Single "Fire in the Hole" as their official MgM de-mining song.

Ohm Grown Records is looking forward to globally celebrating the day with you when Africa is landmine free!

For further info please contact: OHM GROWN Records 416-536-5465

mediaohmgrownrecords.com
www.ohmgrownrecords.com
For updates please visit www.natureofhope.com
 
 

Lady J and Victor Essiet - Photo Russell Gerlach

Victor Essiet Visits KCSB Studios!
By Lady J

There is so much to say about this international musical mandate, but foremost is that Victor Essiet & the Mandators are on a serious mission to promote One Love & One World with an upcoming new release that boast production works by legendary Grammy-Winning drum and bass duo, Sly & Robbie.

Essiet took time to sit down in the KCSB studio and discuss highlights on ONE LOVE, ONE WORLD, as well as the formation of the Mandators, his earlier Nigerian and U. S works. which have achieved accolades, and the forthcoming "One Love, One World" Tour. Victor Essiet wasted no time making mention of the April 25th Mystic Records CD release of ONE LOVE, ONE WORLD which is as he notes "...about the unification of mankind. Coming together as people, we can go a longer way than standing alone"; a statement reminiscent of Dennis Brown's "No Man is an Island, No Man stands Alone" classic song.

Spirited with the energy of this charismatic Nigerian Superstar, the release contains 18-tracks diverse of tracks, some of which showcase Marley covers, "Dem Belly Full" & "Mi Friend (Duppy Conqueror)", and another track "Stand Up", which Victor insists "is in line to empower the people to just stand firm". Sure to keep you dancing, alongside new video shot east of Los Angeles, is "Conscious Party" with a bouncing party beat appropriate for the dance or the radio. Elated over the production quality of ONE LOVE, ONE WORLD, Victor explained, "It couldn't get better than this" Sly & Robbie. These guys are so talented and working with them humbles you because they are humble". He continues, "they can produce from hip-hop, R&B, reggae, and world music. You're gonna find that variety on this album."

Reminding us of his vision to mandate love and justice, Victor recalled his early exposure to music with the creation of the Mandators "back in the day in Secondary school in Africa" Lagos, Nigeria, I formed the Mandators Band and we were messengers, part of a message carrier to go across the world to give and share love."

His debut release SUNRISE was done at the age of thirteen and it was aimed at "encouraging others that the sun will rise again", with follow up releases IMAGINATION, and CRISIS by the age of seventeen. The latter of whom Essiet notes "became platinum and so huge. CRISIS became the number one hit all over Africa". Subsequent platinum-shining albums included RAT RACE and REBEL, all of which led to Victor being an established artist in his African homeland.

With the assistance of Roger Steffens, Victor Essiet's American debut was introduced released by Heartbeat Records which produced a compilation entitled POWER TO THE PEOPLE. His personal label, Mystic Records released CRUCIAL, which earned him the 1999 Best New Entertainer Award from International Reggae & World Music Awards. Victor shares, "we were surprised to have won the award. We never expected anything like that".

In the tradition of Bob Marley & Peter Toshs' landmark performances at the famous Roxy Theatre located on Hollywood's Sunset Strip, Victor Essiet & the Mandators are set for the album kickoff tour on April 29. The tour dates include shows in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Virginia, New York, & Maine to name a few.

Essiet summarizes his experience as "Traveling through time, from the struggle of losing everyone to being lucky to have survived civil war, Jah wanted me to be around to do some things and use music as a vehicle for positive messages".

For more info visit www.victoressiet.com and www.myspace.com/VictorEssiet

Lady J is the host and producer of "Fire Pon Rome" on 91.9FM KCSB, Sundays, from 1-3pm(PST) streaming online at www.kcsb.org
 
 

Reggae on the River
Tickets & Camping Passes are on Sale NOW

Reggae on the River 2006 moves just a wee bit away from its former location this year! There will be lots of camping and vending space and a wonderful experience for all at this unique festival located in the redwoods of Humboldt County. Pre-sale camping and tickets are on sale now. The Mateel Community Center Inc. and People Productions present the 23rd annual festival, which will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 4th, 5th and 6th, at the Dimmick Ranch and French's Camp in Piercy, California.

The festival organizers ask that you consider carpooling as an option to minimize the impact of excess traffic on the festival grounds and general vicinity.

The lineup features some of reggae's greatest artists from both past and present as well as artists from other World music genres. Here are just some of the artists featured on this year's festival. SIZZLA, DON CARLOS, SEAN PAUL, ZIGGY MARLEY, SLY AND ROBBIE, SINEAD O'CONNOR, BARRINGTON LEVY, SALIF KEITA (from Mali), ANTHONY B, SANCHEZ, GYPTIAN, HEAVYWEIGHT DUB CHAMPION, GIDI GIDI MAJI MAJI (from Kenya), K'NAAN (from Somalia), DEZARIE AND IKAHBA W/ THE MIDNIGHT BAND.

Tickets for this celebrated festival can be purchased in the Humboldt County area at; Wild Horse Records in Garberville, The Works in Eureka and Arcata, The Metro in Arcata, People's Records on Arcata, Moon Lady and Main Street Music in Willits, Ukiah Natural Foods in Ukiah, the Last Record Store in Santa Rosa and for Mateel members at the Mateel office in Redway. The price of the tickets for this year's Reggae on the River is $165.00 for the three-day festival.

Tickets and camping can also be purchased via mail order, or online with a credit card. For more information on mail order tickets and camping or to purchase tickets and camping with a credit card, visit www.reggaeontheriver.com or call the Reggae on the River hotline at 707 923-4583.

For your convenience, pre-event camping options will be available for purchase at all local ticket outlets. Presale camping options are listed below.

Dimmick's Ranch Thursday Arrival 4-days camping pass - $80 Next to concert bowl Express Lane Entry

Group Camping French's Camp Concert Bowl Friday Arrival 3-days camping pass Group $175. - RV $300 Across the river from concert bowl Pre-reserved spaces Express Lane Entry

Cooks Valley Thursday Arrival 4-days camping pass Adjacent to concert bowl Express Lane Entry

The French's Camp river bar camping will open, as usual, on Friday, August 4th. French's Camp has been serving the festival camping needs for 22 years. This camping is on a first-come-first-serve basis available to cars and walk-ins. For more information on artist lineup, camping options and pricing please visit the website at www.reggaeontheriver.com
 
 

CORRECTION

Last week's feature on Kush and Blood Fiyah Angels misspelled the band's web addresses. Please check out www.fiyahangels.com and www.myspace.com/fiyahangels.com. Our sincere apologies and maximum Raspect!

Ackee and saltfish is Jamaica's national dish. While this recipe has been "Americanized", it still delivers tasty results.

Ingredients

• 1 Can of Ackee, drained
• 1/2 lb boneless salt cod
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 sprig thyme
• 4 thin slices scotch bonnet pepper
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1 sweet pepper chopped
• Black pepper

Method

Soak the salt cod in a pot of water overnight to remove most of the salt. If the cod is still very salty, boil in water for 20 minutes. Drain cod and cut into small pieces.

Heat oil and butter in a frying pan. Add the onions, thyme and scotch bonnet pepper, tomato, cod and green peppers. Stir for a few minutes. Then add the can of drained ackee. Do not stir because this will cause the ackee to break up. Cook for a few more minutes then sprinkle with black pepper.

Best served with bammies, roast breadfruit, dumplings, or fried plantains.

Recipe courtesy of ReggaeTrain.com

In the beginning of our current stage of human evolution we developed spoken words. At first these sounds were without meaning, but soon, they began to create associations for people to describe common events, experiences, and places they had been. Perceptions and ideas shared by humans began to define various cultures. Soon each tribe developed their own ideas about our purpose on planet earth. As we were blessed by the bounty of the Earth's harvest, we began to use our hands for writing and not just survival. We began to beat on the drum and stomp on the ground. We let our voices chant in unison to the beat. We gave praises to the spirit of our words and used the Earth as a stage to dance upon. This week , I wish to share some spoken/written words of poetry. Poetry is inspired by the very dust which the whole Universe has been created. Feel free to email us any of your poetry to us as we would love to admire the gifts the Creator has bestowed upon you.

Gratitude

My child's hand in mine
A day without keeping time
A gray and dreary sky
A sunny blue sky sigh
These are the things for
which I am grateful
Eye contact with intent of love
A punch in the arm, a friendly shove
A woman's touch throughout life
A faithful wife
These are the things for which
I am grateful
A life without regret
An acrobat without a net
Milkshakes on a Monday night
Knowing you don't have to always be right
A friend who will listen
The way tears make your faces glisten
A good dog
A pain free jog
These are the things for which
I am grateful
Rainbows after rain
Days when I am sane
A song that helps remember the better times
A lyric that doesn't always rhyme
Provision
My vision
Brand new shoes
A written word that chases away the blues
Forever,
Leftovers,
Cereal,
Technology,
Prophecy,
Kisses,
Wishes,
Speed, need,
A life without greed,
Contentment,
No resentment,
Permanence and,
the permanence
of change

One Love,
Curt

Passionate for human rights and politics, bourgeoning writer Curt Byrum keeps his readers abreast of current news events. In addition to being a writer, he is a Respiratory Therapist residing in California. Curt also has a passion for music of all genres, writes experimental music and is a poet/lyricist. Reach Curt at curtreggaefestivaleguide.com. Website: www.jamescurtbyrum.com.

Courtesy of Roots Music Report "where only the music matters". This chart reflects the radio airplay spins of some of the most prominent people in the genre, worldwide. Reporters to the chart include over 100 radio stations who are playing reggae; record stores and distributors selling the reggae; clubs booking blues artists; and key music correspondents throughout the world.

For further information about the Roots Music Report, visit www.rootsmusicreport.com
 

Generated on: Wednesday 26th of April 2006 06:28:29 PM
TW	LW	Artist:	CD Title:	Label:	Weeks On:	Location:
1	2	SUGAR MINOTT	DANCEHALL BUSINESS	BLACK ROOTS	5	JAMAICA
2	NEW	MISTY IN ROOTS	WISE AND FOOLISH	MIR	1
3	1	BOB MARLEY & WAILERS	SLOGANS	ISLAND	6	JAMAICA
4	4	JR REID	ONE BLOOD	VP	5
5	NEW	NIGHTSHADE	MEETS SCIENTIST	ORGANIZED ELEMENTS	1
6	NEW	LIKKLE LION	BLOODSUCKER RIDDIM	JAHSOULJAH	1
7	NEW	VICTOR ESSIET	ONE LOVE, ONE WORLD	MYSTIC RECORDS	1	NIGERIA
8	3	MIDNITE	JAH GRID	I GRADE	5	ST CROIX
9	6	DENNIS BROWN	SUPER REGGAE AND SOUL HITS	TROJAN	5	JAMAICA
10	NEW	LIVE WYYA	SOLID MEDITATION	YAAD MUZIK	1
11	NEW	MONO & NIKITAMAN	FUR IMMER	ROOTDOWN	1
12	NEW	MESHACH	AWAKE	WEVOLUSION	1
13	NEW	STEVIE CULTURE	BLESSEN	KING STEP RECORDS	1
14	7	FAT FREDDY'S DROP	THE DROP	WANDERING EYE	5	AUSTRALIA
15	8	LUCIANO	JAH WORDS	RAS SANCTUARY	5
16	9	BURRO BANTON	RISE AND SHINE	MASSIVE B	5	JAMAICA
17	10	MICHAEL ROSE	BABYLON 9/11	LOVE INJECTION	5	JAMAICA
18	5	BURNING SPEAR	OUR MUSIC	BURNING MUSIC	5	JAMAICA
19	11	JOSEY WALES	COWBOY STYLE	SELF	5
20	NEW	RANKIN SCROO	ABOVE DEM	CRUCIAL YOUTH/PULL UUUP	1
21	NEW	EVERTON BLENDER	MY TIME	EXPLORER	1
22	NEW	JAH MASON	RISE	UPRISING MUSIC	1
23	NEW	BINGHI GHOST	STREET HITS	STREET SCHOLAR RECORDS	1
24	NEW	VAUGHN BENHAMIN & RAS L	THRU & TRUE	FASTAFARIA	1
25	NEW	DENNIS BOVEL	DECIBEL	PRESSURE SOUNDS	1
26	NEW	PETER BROGGS	IGZABIHIR YAKAL	KING SHILO	1
27	NEW	LUCIANO	GIDEON	VISION SOUNDS	1
28	NEW	JAH MEEK	TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL	VELOCITY SOUNDS/HOUSE OF RIDDIM	1
29	NEW	DAMIAN MARLEY	WELCOME TO JASMROCK	UNIVERSAL	1	JA
30	NEW	WARRIOR KING	HOLD THE FAITH	VP	1	JA
31	NEW	JAH CURE	FREEDOM BLUES	VP	1	JA
32	NEW	BLAAK LUNG	TO THE SOYULS FROM OLE	GREENSPHERE	1	CA
33	NEW	SHARA INDIO	LOOK TO THE EAST		1	HA
34	NEW	ETANA	ETANA	5TH ELEMENT RECORD	1	JA
35	NEW	DEZARIE	GRACIOUS MAMA AFRICA	AFRIKAN ROOTS LAB	1
36	NEW	TWINKLE BROTHERS	DUB MASSCRE PTS.3 & 4	TWINKLE MUSIC	1	USUK
37	NEW	GLADIATORS	DREADLOCKS TIME IS NOW	VIRGIN	1	JA
38	NEW	JR. ROOTS	HIDDON TREASURES V.2	EASY STAR	1	JA
39	NEW	WARRIIOR KING	VIRTUOS WOMAN	VP	1	JA
40	NEW	GARNETT SILK	REGGAE ANTHOLOGY	VP	1	JA
41	12	NATURAL BLACK	BE PATIENT	P G MUSIC	5	JAMAICA
42	13	JAH CURE	NEVER DIE LIKE A FOOL	DANGER ZONE	5	JAMAICA
43	14	ANTHONY B	SMOKE FREE	BOGALUSA	5	JAMAICA
44	15	MISTY IN ROOTS	FORWARD	KAZ	5	UK
45	16	LACKSLEY CASTELL	PRINCESS LADY	NEGUS ROOTS	5
46	17	YAMI BOLO	MINISTRY	SELF	5
47	NEW	GREGORY ISAACS	MR. ISAACS	BLOOD & FIRE	1	JA
48	NEW	BEAT PHARMACY	CONSTANT PRESSURE	DEEP SPACE MEDIA	1
49	NEW	LEROY SMART	DREAD HOT IN AFRICA	MAKASOUND	1
50	NEW	ABIJAH	SAMPLER	KRUCIAL REGGAE	1

Gain exposure by submitting an article to this E-Guide in exchange for free advertising for your reggae business. Topics encouraged: CD releases, industry news and band tours, Caribbean recipes and travel, inspirational pieces and fun reggae trivia. Your advertisements appear in the form of a text-based paragraph at the end of your article up to 60 words. Article word-count is approximately 360. Your article will be reviewed for relevancy; only articles that would be of interest to the reggae community are accepted. Submit articles to articlesreggaefestivaleguide.com. Your continued support makes the reggae community even stronger.

The weekly E-Guide is a wonderful resource for those who live, love and enjoy reggae and its vibrant culture. It encompasses the food, music and spirituality that define the unique and diverse community. You can expect CD releases and industry news, band tours, Caribbean recipes and travel, inspirational pieces, reggae trivia and of course, upcoming reggae festivals.

For years, the Reggae Festival Guide Magazine received numerous requests for updates on festivals via email, and on May 2, 2004, the webmaster of ReggaeFestivalGuide.com, Kristine Cummins partnered with the magazine (RBA Publishing), and published the first emailed issue of the E-Guide E-Newsletter. Within a few months, the E-Guide went from less than 100 to over 2500 subscribers! [Click here for amount of current subscribers]. In May of 2005, we upgraded the appearance to full color and now, a year later, we're back to free subscriptions and proud to announce our new Editor, Justine Ketola. You may email her at editorreggaefestivalEguide.com.

To reach thousands of reggae enthusiasts, click here to learn how to advertise in this Reggae Festival E-Guide E-Newsletter.
 

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