Amy Wachtel was finding her musical feet in 1976 when two high school friends took her to see The Harder They Come, a Jamaican movie released four years earlier to critical acclaim. She remembers that crossroads in her life as if it were yesterday. “It was at the Uniondale Mini Cinema on Long Island, a local cinema known for showing cult classics, revivals, and midnight shows. While I didn’t understand much of what was said in the film, the … Read entire article »

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Ten years after it was released, the song Fade Away by California reggae band Rebelution has been certified gold in America for digital sales exceeding 500,000 units. The certification was issued by the Recording Industry Association of America on March 1. Fade Away features the vocals of the band’s lead vocalist Eric Rachmany. Rory Carey played keyboard on the track, while Wesley Finley played drums. Marley Williams provided the bass, while Meyerowitz plays trumpet. Fade Away is featured on the … Read entire article »

By Richard Nebens/The Direct– Paramount Pictures’ 2024 musical biopic, Bob Marley: One Love is not far from its online release date, leaving many to wonder when it will be available to stream. Featuring Kingsley Ben-Adir as reggae music icon Bob Marley, the new film highlights his rise to fame in the 1970s and moves forward until his tragic passing in 1981 at only 36 years old. More than doubling its production budget at the box office by grossing over $150 million worldwide (per Box … Read entire article »

Veteran singer Richie Stephens takes over the #1 spot on the Foundation Radio Network (TFRN) New York Reggae chart. Heartbeat, produced by Pot of Gold Productions, was released in December. It is the third #1 song for Stephens on the New York chart over the past four years. Stephens, who began his career in the 1980s on the north coast cabaret circuit, has had a string of hits over an enduring career with songs including Maniac with Bounty Killer, Take … Read entire article »