Visa issues were the cause of Horace Andy missing several shows in the US recently, when he was scheduled to share the bill with dub and reggae heavyweights Sly and Robbie. The visa has been issued finally, Andy flew from Kingston, Jamaica to California, and the tour will proceed as planned. Cherine Anderson opens the concerts, warming up the crowd for Horace Andy’s roots reggae crooning and Sly and Robbie’s relentless and warm jamming on drums and bass. ([More →])

Here its is – the daily roundup of all things Cured! I imagine that Jah Cure is probably spending quality time with family and friends, rather than making public appearances. But that won’t stop people from talking about him, or stopping him in the street to video tape him singing an accapella of his newest song. We only have a few links today, and probably won’t have many more to round up until he starts doing some publicity. But for today, you can feast your eyes on this pic and feast your ears on this accapella! ([More →])

I have seen the future, and it is filled with conscious reggae. Not long ago, Island celebrated the 30th anniversary of Bob Marley’s Exodus album by reissuing it on USB and Micro SD digital devices, as well as mp3, CD and vinyl. Yesterday, the Anglican Church in Jamaica announced that the next publication of its church hymnal will include Peter Tosh’s version of “Psalm 27″ and Bob Marley’s “One Love” in the book of hymns! ([More →])

Sean Kingston is in his own music lane, but it’s a fast lane. The 17 year-old Jamaican American has dropped a summer hit with “Beautiful Girls.” He raps, he produces his own beats, he doesn’t cuss much, and he’s cutting his own path through the music industry. Those are some of the reasons why he has been invited to play at NYC’s Carifest in August. ([More →])

Reggae Country is now on our list of DRM-free music providers! I can’t tell you how excited I am about this development. It’s not easy to find reggae and dancehall music that will play on any player, that you can burn to cd and make mixtapes with. This is going to lead to great success for Reggae Country. ([More →])

Not sure how I missed this, looks like there’s another Ninjaman show in the US. I reported earlier that his NYC date would be the first in 15 years, well, it looks like he’s going to make the rounds while he is in the US! Oh PLEASE come to Cali Don Gorgon!!
Well, the shizzle goes down in Miami on Sunday night at the AT&T Amphitheatre. ([More →])

Today is July 23rd, Haile Selassie’s birthday. NPR is celebrating by sharing a discussion with Ras Michael and listening to Ethiopian, African, and Jamaican music. Ras Michael talks about Nyabingi music, reggae and spirituality as if he were telling a wonderful story. Listen in:
NPR News & Notes, “Ras Michael, Putting His Faith into Music”

If you scroll down that same page, you will find more radio programs about reggae and culture.

Now I know that ASCAP is a crooked business. This is just proof…

They say that music is a matter of taste and that not everyone will agree with who wins the awards or who sells the most albums and nonesuch. I agree. I don’t tend to like the music that gets a lot of mainstream attention, so I’m accustomed to being disappointed that the same watered down music gets more money and recognition each year while super-creative and conscious musicians continue the struggle to gain audience. ASCAP is one of those companies that creates these situations and enforces that they remain in place. Usually I dismiss ASCAP entirely, until they back a band that is both super-creative and unable to be watered down. Yeah Yeah Yeahs being a fantastic example. Other times, ASCAP enters my radar because of how horribly narrow-minded they are. This is one of those latter times. ([More →])

Displaying his versatility and enthusiasm for good music, Paul McCartney is excited about the new remix of “Nod Your Head” from his new album, Memory Almost Full. The remix was produced by Sly and Robbie, infamous for their collaborations as the Taxi Gang and with Sinead O’Connor on her “reggae album.” ([More →])

I recently reported on the Reggae Compassion Act – it made big news when Beenie Man, Sizzla, and Capleton signed it, agreeing to stop all performances and production of lyrics that condone violence towards gay people. It was noted then the artists who were considered “murder music” singers, including Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton. ([More →])

Reggae Carifest will outdo itself and all other reggae music festivals this year, when it brings the DON GORGON back to the stage!! Yes, the one and only NINJAMAN will perform live this summer in NYC, his first US appearance in 15 years! ([More →])

Jah Cure will be celebrating and giving thanks for his freedom, while Curefest will highlight reggae and dancehall music with a positive message. Curefest has announced a preliminary lineup of confirmed artists, with more big names being added up until the festival weekend – August 24-26th. ([More →])

The first ever Reggae Rising Music Festival will bring together so many reggae music heavyweights, they better build a rock solid stage to hold them up! ([More →])

BIG BIG News! Fans of dancehall and reggae have often discussed the elements of homophobia, racism, sexism, and other nasties in Jamaican music. The music industry goes through cycles of acceptance and rejection of these messages in music. ([More →])

Do you know where Buju Banton, Lady G, Doug E. Fresh, Inner Circle, Leon & The Peoples, BB Seaton & The Gaylads and more will be enjoying their 4th of July weekend? In Chicago, at the International Festival Of Life. All these artists plus more will be rocking and crooning to crowds of all ages and all backgrounds. ([More →])