Before The Dawn ... Buju Banton's Prophetic Album available now

Gargamel Music, Inc. is pleased to announce that Reggae superstar Buju Banton's prophetic new album, Before The Dawn is in stores and online in North America today. While the release date for the UK and France is set for next Monday, October 4, the album will be available in the rest of Europe this Friday, October 1.

The ninth studio album by the international music icon, Before The Dawn boasts 10 powerful tracks that comprise some of the most powerful songs written by Banton since his professional entry into the music business over twenty years ago. In an exclusive interview featured in the new issue of Hip-Hop Weekly magazine, Buju says, "All the songs on this album were written before I and I found I self in this current situation, yet they all speak profoundly to what I and I am going through right now... You might can lock the flesh but you can never lock the spirit of Rasta." The album has already catapulted to the #2 position on iTunes' Top Reggae Albums Chart.

Recorded at Banton's own Gargamel Music studio in Kingston, Jamaica, Before The Dawn literally pierces the soul with traditional roots on the track "Do Good," classic rock on the tune "No Smoking At All," and heartfelt Reggae on the especially potent "Battered & Bruised." The album's unofficial anthem, "Innocent" strikes a highly personal chord that will resonate deeply with longtime fans.

Despite his current incarceration, Buju was heavily involved in putting together this latest offering - from choosing the final track listing and laboring over the phone with the producers and engineers to get the mixes just right, to conceptualizing the project's distinguished packaging. Physical copies of the album contain a special note written from inside the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, Florida, where he has been housed since January.

Buju Banton finally had his day in court when the trial, which had been riddled with delays, kicked off on Monday, September 20, in Tampa, Florida. An esteemed team of federal criminal defense attorneys, led by David Oscar Markus of Markus & Markus Law, represented the four time Grammy-nominated artist. After four days of testimony and 15 hours of deliberation by a 12 person jury, the Honorable Judge James Moody declared a mistrial. The case will be retried this December. In the meantime, Mr. Markus has filed a motion for bond in an attempt to spring Banton out of jail while he awaits his new trial. A hearing on the motion has already been set for Wednesday, October 6.

Before The Dawn ... Buju Banton's Prophetic Album available now

Duane Stephenson Releases 'Black Gold'

Contemporary roots reggae artist Duane Stephenson returns with his sophomore album, Black Gold, courtesy of VP Records. The 15-track album features his signature sounds, from ballads to roots reggae, and his musical skills and heartfelt sentiments on this album will resonate with fans and be sure to gain him new ones.

"In the face of great hardship, great men and great music will rise," reveals Stephenson. "Black Gold is great work in my eyes and I'm bringing my fans back to the root and essence of reggae music."

Stephenson has been spreading his new tunes to fans far and wide, as the opening act for The Wailers on their current U.S. tour. (See tour dates below). He is also the featured performer for the weekly Rock With Squeeze artist showcase, at SOB's in New York City on Monday, October 4.

Stephenson's debut album, August Town (VP Records, 2007), was lauded as one of the best reggae albums that year. This new studio effort sees Stephenson teaming up again with legendary reggae producer, Dean Fraser, for the majority of its production. His first single, "Rescue Me," features Gramps Morgan and the video, which was shot in New York City, is set to hit airwaves shortly.

Duane Stephenson Releases 'Black Gold'

No party permits, say police

Permits for parties to be held in the Kingston and St Andrew area will not be granted during the limited state of emergency currently enforced.
While Kingston and St Andrew remain under a limited state of emergency since last week following the recent upsurge of violence, the party community will have to bear the brunt of the state of emergency.
When THE WEEKEND STAR spoke to Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, head of the Half-Way Tree police, he explained that for his division, no permission for events held after 6 p.m. would be granted.
He said: "The regulations during this time clearly speak to no gatherings until things go back to normal, then persons are to apply 10 days before the event for permits." A month-long state of emergency was called on Sunday, May 23. Last Wednesday, a curfew was also imposed on sections of the Corporate Area.
Knight added: "My advice is to apply to the commissioner of police for permission during this time until the curfew ends in the next three weeks."
Since the unrest in Kingston, a number of events had to be postponed due to the violence and the state of emergency. Events such as Levels, Equilibrium, Good Times, Wet Sundaze, among others were postponed until further notice.
For summer series May Daze, which kicked off on the first Friday of May, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, and was scheduled to run for five weeks, last week's edition was postponed and tonight's edition faces the same fate.


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Source: Jamaica Star

No party permits, say police

No US visa ... but it's a busy season for Beenie

Dancehall deejay Moses Davis, aka Beenie Man, refuses to sit and twiddle his thumbs while he plays the waiting game with the United States embassy, which recently revoked both his work permit and his visitor's visa to that country. "He's doing a lot of recordings ... not just locally, but also for several foreign-based producers," his ultra-elusive manager, Blue, told Splash.

Moses is in the studio voicing right now. I don't want to interrupt, because it will throw him off," Blue explained, managing to sound apologetic.Actually, it was quite an experience just having a conversation with Blue via telephone, as he truly deserves his reputation of not answering his cellphone. But on Tuesday, Blue was all charm and chatter as he hastily dismissed all suggestions that Beenie Man was singing the blues.

According to Blue, who is also Beenie's brother, the two were at Renaissance's studio because the deejay woke up that morning "with a song in him head" and he just had to get it out.

"We usually work at our studio, 357, but he needed to do this fast and this studio is just down the road," Blue said, adding that Beenie has been really very busy. "He has new songs out and they are doing very well ... the deejay is building his repertoire and staying current," Blue said.

However, he did admit that the lack of a US work permit had affected their earnings, but an upbeat Blue noted the artiste was still travelling overseas as the doors to the Caribbean, Europe and South America remained open and the welcome mat was out. And, of course, there was the revelation from Blue that the Almighty is always looking out for those He favours.

"God a work with we," Blue testified solemnly and with bountiful conviction. "We always had Caribbean dates ... and South America ... but it come in like we getting more of dem dates deh since this thing (the visa revocation) happen," he explained.

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Source: Jamaica Observer

No US visa ... but it's a busy season for Beenie

Old-school reggae artistes cry foul

In recent times, the airwaves have been monopolised by music from modernised dancehall, placing traditional reggae artistes on the back bench in terms of radio play and overall media coverage, causing many to view the media with disgust.

The Gleaner met with some of these artistes to get their opinions as it relates to the current controversy.

Tappa Zukie, a reggae superstar in the early 1970s, is one such artiste crying foul. Known for hit singles such as Oh Lord and Chalice To Chalice, Tappa Zukie claims that today's audience is only given one aspect of local music, resulting in a lack of appreciation for traditional reggae artistes such as himself.

"I grew up in a time when we didn't have to pay for airplay. now it is not so," he said.

"That is why we have to release our albums in Europe, I believe the music fraternity needs a revolution," he added.

Tappa Zukie has 13 studio albums to his name and has produced over 70 albums for other artistes including U Roy, Beres Hammond and a host of others.

Vintage songwriter Ruddy Isaacs, brother of Gregory Isaacs, subscribes to the same ideas.

According to Isaacs, radio stations have been giving airtime to the same artistes over and over.

"We are getting an unfair deal in Jamaican media and, to make it worse, when you go to foreign countries, we are more accepted than regular artistes," the disgruntled songwriter said. According to him, the voices of all the different types of entertainers in Jamaica should be given the opportunity for their work to be appreciated through increased airplay.

Earl Hepton, who has hit singles such has Book Of Rules, Pretty Looks and Fatty Fatty in the 1990s, said the media had forgotten about traditional reggae artistes despite the fact that their music is of good substance. He also blames it on the digital music evolution. "I would cut out the computer thing if I could because it mash up the music. now all they want to hear is digital productions instead of real authentic material." he said.

Carl Dawkins, known for his single Satisfaction in the 1970s, also expressed concern. He too accused the media of employing a pay-to-play system. According to Dawkins, the reduced airplay results from the system. he also claims that as a result of their songs not being played, there is a reduction in their capacity to get booked for stage shows in the island.

Ken Boothe, however, relates that not all journalists are guilty, making note of Bob Clarke, a disc Jockey on Irie Fm who is known for playing music from the vintage era on his show.

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Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Old-school reggae artistes cry foul

Jodian Pantry - Mirror Mirror

Jodian Pantry - Mirror Mirror

Artistes sing about siege

Since the unrest in the Corporate Area and Spanish Town, many songs which speak to the situation have hit the airwaves.

Having done No Guns To Town years ago, Natty King recorded Country Under Siege last Saturday, only days after intense shooting in sections of Kingston and Spanish Town, which left many dead or injured.

In the song, Natty King says: "Country under siege, bad bwoy soldier and police inna shoot-out/ Hear corn a beat and baby inna house, grandma can't peep out/ Guns and bombs, do you see those signs/ It wussa than Judas time/ So much people dead and just a few guns find/ Mi nuh love how dem a use mankind."

He said he was not planning to do a song about the incidents but was pressured to do so.

"Social commentary a Natty King thing. Mi know the whole vibe seh most artistes a guh come sing 'bout it and mi neva really plan fi do no song 'bout it. But people a come to me and a ask if mi nuh do no song yet," said Natty King, while noting that he arrived in the island on Monday in the heart of the intense battle between the security forces and thugs.

He also said he would be doing a monthlong promotional tour in Europe for his new album Born To Be Free.

Tarrus Riley has also penned songs about the issues facing the country in recent times. He did Sweet Jamaica for Jon Jon, Mi Homeland for Shane Brown and Wildfire for Don Corleon, which was done a day before the security forces entered West Kingston. In Wildfire, he sings: "Protect di people Jah/ Nuh mek dem get caught inna di crossfire." 

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Source: Jamaica Star

Artistes sing about siege