My concert review of the Mad Professor show at Mighty in San Francisco is looooong overdue. Things have been crazy at my “day job” so the reviews were the first thing to get put on the back burner. So, enjoy these photos from the concert on March 15, 2008 and this short review:
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Earlier this month, I interviewed Elephant Man, Jamaica’s wildest entertainer. We discussed his new album, Let’s Get Physical on Diddy’s Bad Boy Records label, and Ele revealed a few juicy tidbits that haven’t made headlines yet. So, of course, I’m happy to share them with you! He mentioned that the next single off Let’s Get Physical will be his collaboration with Chris Brown. Man, the ladies are just mad about this barely-legal RnB star! I get so many emails and comments about Chris! The song he did with Elephant Man is called “Feel The Steam” and you can listen to it here:

Elephant Man + Chris Brown - “Feel The Steam”

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So far, “Magnificent” is my favorite song on Estelle’s new album Shine. Kardinal Offishall brings spice to Estelle’s sugar while smooth dub basslines stir it up. Listen here:

You might have noticed the new Soul Food playlist under the player these days. Just Estelle and Nina Simone so far, but I’ll be adding some Erykah and Al Green soon enuff….

Dutty Artz is just about to drop their premiere release, featuring the bangin ragga stylings of Jahdan Blakkamore. I got hold of this tune “Go Round Payola” and can’t stop playing it since:

Flip side with tracklist after the jump… ([More →])

Stack$ and Jah Cure picked a good day to release their new video. “Flying High (National Smoke Day)” was uploaded on 4/20 and received a record-breaking number of views in the first day. Check it out:

Stack$ & Jah Cure - “Flying High (National Smoke Day)”:

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We get a new peek into Grand Theft Auto IV today with the introduction of Playboy X. He sounds like he might be from Jamaica, New York or round about. Poor Vico doesn’t seem to understand a word of it…

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See if you can find these geezas:

and this guy:

in this new Toddla T video - “Sound Tape Killin”:

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Mavado recorded a dubplate special for Barack Obama on Baby G’s Mission Riddim! Meanwhile, his remix with Jay-Z is topping the charts and he recorded music for Grand Theft Auto IV. Life is treating David Brooks pretty well in ‘08! ([More →])

The 4th and final preview of the new Grand Theft Auto IV video game features Mavado’s BIG tune, “Real McKoy”! GTA 4 hits the streets April 29th.

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Jr Gong Damian Marley premiered his new video this week for “One Loaf Of Bread (Something For You)”. The tune is off the Gang War riddim compilation on Tuff Gong Records and the video is beautifully shot on 8mm film. The black and white super 8mm footage was all shot in Haiti, while the color super 8mm footage was all shot in South Africa.

Damian Marley - One Loaf Of Bread (Something For You)

Gang War riddim is becoming a favorite of mine this year. Every tune I’ve heard on this militant production is heart-felt and serious. The music brings a real conscious vibe that made even Damian sound good!
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The Energy God gets to know the “Gully Creepa” in his new video. Elephant Man told the Observer, “We just release the video and it bad. We have the dance lock and throw way di key.” The song is off Elephant Man’s loooooong awaited LP Let’s Get Physical and the video was directed by Julia Braham.

Elephant Man - “Gully Creepa/BOOM!”:

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The new Mavado vid for “Last Night” is finally here! Little X directed this gully tale from Mavado’s debut album Gangsta For Life.

We also have this mash-up of Mavado and Jay-Z on the Mission riddim - the tune is called “The Rock”:

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(I’m still working on this ^ new feature, so let me know if it works for you or not. Thanks! )

My favorite track on the new Erykah Badu album New Amerykah is the Madlib production “Healer”:

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A Heatwave mash-up of General Levy and Lily Allen titled “Mad LDN”:

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Reggae music lost another champion of the island sound: Joe Gibbs, legendary producer, recording engineer, label founder and manager died of a heart attack at the age of 65. Gibbs created one of my favorite reggae tunes of all time - “Two Sevens Clash” - recorded by Culture in 1977. Gibbs also created many of the big roots and rock-steady riddims of the late 60’s and early 70’s and continued to produce hit after hit throughout the 80’s dancehall era. ([More →])