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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Studio Trax

J

oe Fraser Records' Lloyd & Michelle Campbell, took a trip to Barbados at the end of last month and recorded two tracks at the Lethal Studio in Upton, St. Michael, owned and operated by producer and engineer Deepu Panjwani.  The subject of their recordings was the elusive female singer, Sandra Cross.  Born in the United Kingdom, Sandra Cross became a singing sensation in the Reggae Lovers Rock market after releasing songs such as "Country Living," a remake of the Mighty Diamonds original cut, "You're Lying," "Its You," and "I Adore You."  Her last studio albums were both released in Japan in 1997/1998 for Pioneer Records.  Now living on the sunny island of Barbados for the last 14 years, Ms. Cross returned to the recording studio under the watchful eye and sensitive ears of Joe Fraser Records.  Listen out for the track on the Loving Pauper rhythm - "Behind it All," and the second track on the Hypocrite rhythm, tentatively named "All I Ask." The Campbell’s visited the island's two popular radio stations 98.1FM The One, and chatted with the morning hostess, the Hurricane, and then took a trip over to Hot 95.3FM to meet with John Doe, and to promote the positive musical vibes coming out of South Florida.

Proving that two great entities in the music business can work amicably together, Joe Fraser Records and Heavy Beat Studio recently joined together to film the DVD for Kashief Lindo’s chart topping single, "Paradise Jamdown."  The video was shot on location here in South Florida and across the water in Jamdown, in line with the concept of the song - the inexcusable social problems taking place there.

Ryan Dangerous has been busy creating some serious music for his own label, as well as for Willbert Productions.  Currently in the works is a 17-track various artists album featuring a mix of Culture, Ska, Dancehall and Pop/Contemporary.  Featuring tracks from local deejay Honorable, fairly new R&B artist Orphelia Duggan, who had previously toured with Ky-Mani Marley, Hip Hop group Wynter Dynasty, and South Florida's hot young sensation, Luddy.  The studio plans to release Luddy's "Do Your Thing," as the first single from the unfinished album this June.  Also in the works is the brand new album from Reggae and Cultural artist Determine.  With tracks already completed such as "Birds and the Bees," "Nice Girl," "Playing with My Mind," and the proposed title track, "A Better Look at Me," their titles speak volumes of the work that has already been done.  Listen out for the first single from the album, which is a cut of the Eurythmics hit song, “Sweet Dreams,” featuring the Hispanic songstress Julissa.  Dangerous claims it's the best album he has ever produced in his career and promises that this album will take the music industry by storm!

Over in Miramar at Jasfar Records, elite producer and sound engineer, Jason Sterling is busy putting the final touches to various musical projects.  Although much of the music market calls for multiple tracks on the same rhythm, Sterling is striving to make and record what he calls 'everlasting music' - music that will sell and play for years.  He is a good candidate for this role after working in his engineering role for almost 14 years with many renowned producers and artists such as Sly & Robbie, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Grace Jones, pop diva Cyndi Lauper, Freddie McGregor, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, and Lloyd Campbell of Joe Fraser Records to mention a few.  Causion, Fiona, Screwdriver and Glen Washington, have all blessed his microphones recently, so the listening public should be on the listen out for "There’s No Me Without You," from Fiona, and "Where Will I Go," courtesy of the Washy one.  Also from Washington is the track "Hooligan," originally composed by veteran John Holt. "Hooligan" is likely to become the title track from his upcoming album out of Jasfar Records.  Make sure you check out his most recent various artists’ album release called Solid.  With contributions by Annette Brisette with "In Line," Gentleman and Causion singing "Jah is the Ruler," Freddie McGregor and "Tek Wi Fah," and Richie Spice offering "That's Life," among the 15 tracks, this album refreshingly steers away from the many one rhythm albums flooding the market.

The Black Chiney label, who rode the charts last year with hits such as, "Who You Calling Nigger," by Capleton, "Father Elephant," care of Elephant Man, and "Turnin Me On" by sisters Nina Sky, have completed their most recent project, the Octane rhythm.  Under rhythm maker D ‘Supa Dups’ Chin Quee’s creative ear, it features among other acts, "Set Yuh Free" by Beenie Man, "Math Class" by Vybz Kartel," "New Gangster Nation," by Ward 21, and "Stress Driven" by Chico. Mr. Lex, Captain Barkey, Mr. Easy, Notch, and Mr. Lex are also included on the new rhythm.  With an eerie similarity to 'Flabba' Malcolm’s Headache Rhythm, the selector and producer has elected to release the entire rhythm one time under VP Records’ Riddim Driven series this June, rather than as individual tracks.  The reason for this according to a spokesman from Black Chiney is to cut down on the ever-growing bootlegging epidemic and to ensure all the artists on the rhythm get a fair and equal chance of airplay, club play and promotion.

Willie Chin of C-Lab Studios in Kendall, and member of the Black Chiney Sound System, is also busy working on his own solo projects.  Right now his focus is on a Roots Reggae one drop rhythm that will be totally different from the work that his popular cousin churns out on Dancehall beats.  So far he has recorded "Only Think of You My Baby," with top vocalist Notch, and several other cuts with Lutan Fyah, Nicky B, Mr. Perfect and Sadeki to name a few.  Keep your eyes peeled and ears open for these and other hot tracks coming from Studios near you.

On the Box

Do you remember Yard Vibez TV?  They re-invested themselves as Vibezz TV after beginning with a mostly Jamaican based program.  The reason for the change according to CEO Kelly Tucker was to include other genres of music who did not really understand the meaning behind "Yard."  Now being broadcast on Channel 79 in Pembroke Pines on Sundays and Mondays for an hour, and Channel 19 in Miami, their goal is to bring you their programming 24 hours a day in the future, and to syndicate it on national television.  In the meantime, watch them doing interviews, the Top Ten Caribbean Music Videos (based on record sales from top Reggae retailers), the Caribbean Business segment featuring a prominent community business, and the Artist of the Week interview.  Log onto their website to request the music video that you want to see each week: www.VibezzTelevision.com.

Over at Karib Link TV, the producers are bringing more Caribbean Entertainment to South Florida Comcast viewers, with the opportunity to catch their half hour show Tuesdays through Saturdays, between 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.  With two years of broadcasting under their TV belt, you can get a dose of Caribbean culture, entertainment, live performances and interviews on a regular basis.  May also featured the live taping of Marlon "Ganja Farmer" Asher, who appeared in Fort Lauderdale's Trends Nightclub.  This month will see Jamaica's hot dancer turned deejay, Ding Dong, doing his thing on the third Thursday of the month at the same venue.  According to Donsville, one of the producers for Karib Link TV, the Thursday night, once a month gig allows them to gain extra footage that puts them above their competitors.  Coupling this with their exquisite editing skills, which they have perfected over the years, it gives them the much needed edge to stay one step ahead at all times!

Video Mix maintains its edge on the market with 24-hour programming on WFUN Channel 48 in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.  Now reaching over one million viewers with artist interviews and music videos since the beginning of the year, special focus is placed on the Caribbean market for two hours every day with Island Vibes airing between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Island Vibes remains one of their most popular blocks of music featuring Reggae, Soca, Compas and a sprinkle of Reggaeton videos.  Hosted by Giselle D Wassi One on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Eternal Vibes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Money D on a Monday, their recent special guests have included, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Baby Cham, and Morgan Heritage.

Video Alley with hostess Suzie Q features the weekly Top 10 video countdown every Sunday at 5:00 p.m. on Comcast Cable channel in Fort Lauderdale.  Other markets include Jamaica, the UK, California, Africa and several more countries throughout the Europe.  Videos are chosen by the viewers when they log onto ReggaeTopTen.com and vote for the videos they want to see that day – a formula that works and generates over a million hits to the website each month.  Video Alley has been on the air since October 2001 and features the Artist Spotlight section, where artists introduce themselves, are briefly interviewed, and their video is premiered.  Video’s on the Edge shows clips from five videos that almost made it into that week’s chart.  During May, two of the special artist’s of the week were Beenie Man and his recording artist fiancée, D’Angel, both featured in separate interviews. 

Reggae Radio News

Tanto Irie and Lady English celebrated five years of broadcasting on Hot 105.1FM recently, with a celebration and live broadcast in Hollywood.  The outpouring of love and support came from friends, family, colleagues, and listeners, and donations were collected for the CAMEO charity organization.  The milestone was celebrated in style with the party lasting into the breakfast hours.  Don't forget to check the dynamic duo out at their brand new website at www.ReggaeRunnins.net.

The Reggae airwaves have been quiet over at Power 96 on Sunday nights, where popular local deejay and selector Lance O has been hosting Dancehall Nice Again between 10:00 p.m. and midnight.  Replaced by generic R&B grooves, Lance O said there is no real reason why he is off the air at the moment, but he will be back there soon?  In the meantime, if you are a fan of Lance O's radio expertise, listen to him on syndicated website radio station Reggae Vibes, which is produced, written and hosted by Lance O.  This syndicated program offers a Reggae Top 10, vital Reggae news, crucial information about the worlds' favorite Reggae artists and their current projects.  The program has progressed from a locally aired show, a nationwide program, and now into an international success on over 100 stations around the world.  Check Reggae Vibes at  www.kulchashok.com under Reggae Vibes.

Radio presenter, Richie Rich, has recently joined the WAVS 1170AM team for the Friday Mix and Top 11 Countdown between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. each Friday.  If you are driving around South Florida in Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach you can tune into Richie’s broadcast live on the air.  You can also catch Richie Rich on VibezRadio.com Mondays to Fridays between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for your morning nutrition, and where listeners from various states and countries come together to vibe with him and each other.  Check out his website for his concert dates and other information at www.richierichlive.com.

Mixx 96.1FM has updated and announced their brand new Spring/Summer radio schedule.  Check it out on our Radio Schedule page (five).  Congratulations also goes out to Leighton P. Walsh, the deejay better known as Walshy Killa, who’s Throwback Thursdays program won “Best Reggae Radio Program” from Miami New Times.  They chose Walshy from a list of programs featuring Reggae music and bestowed this Best Of honor to him for 2006!

Catch more Sights and Sounds in next month's issue!