Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority, Lyttleton Shirley, represented the Victoria Jubilee Hospital at the launch of the Supreme Foundation where an expensive life-saving machine was promised. The newly formed organisation will be handing over eight essential foetal monitoring devices that could save a significant number of newborns. One of those is already on its way to the hospital. Michael March, products manager of Jamaica Hospital Supplies disclosed that the instruments were the first of … Read entire article »

By Dave Rodney—- Denroy Morgan — Reggae icon avoids jail time after weed charges scaled down to misdemeanour—- Reggae icon and hit-maker Denroy Morgan, who was last September charged with possession of 25 pounds of marijuana in the Bronx, New York, walked away from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in lower Manhattan virtually unscathed with only 90 days’ probation and a court filing fee of US$25. The patriarch of one of reggae’s … Read entire article »

Beenie Man— By Davina Henry—- The controversial Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) is offering to help dancehall and reggae artists respond to efforts by gay-rights groups overseas to boycott their performances and music. Some Jamaican artists who have divorced themselves from ‘murder music’ have, in recent time, come under renewed attacks from gay-rights activists. The sanctions have resulted in recent mass protests and cancellations. But J-FLAG Executive Director Dane Lewis said the organisation is concerned about … Read entire article »

BY Howard Campbell—– AN executive at VP Records believes Americans are tuning out from dancehall/reggae because Jamaican artists no longer tour. Neil Robertson, who is in charge of touring at the Queens, New York label, says lack of road activity has hurt the contemporary reggae act. “The artists aren’t touring the mainstream music venues in the United States. Without touring, the artists can’t develop awareness of their brand,” Robertson told the Sunday Observer. “What most top Jamaican acts … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL—— AS far as sales go, 2012 is a year players in dancehall/reggae will want to forget in a hurry. Figures from the American sales tracking company, SoundScan, show dismal returns from some of the big names in Jamaican music. (L-R) JIMMY CLIFF… tops reggae album sales with Rebirth selling 33,843. MATISYAHU… Spark Seeker showed a modest 49,527   While singjay Popcaan had a minor hit in the United States with Only Man, no album by an artist … Read entire article »

By Gary Stoller and Gary Strauss—–, Suspected shooter among dead at elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. Police have younger brother in custody. Shooter’s mom was a teacher at the school and was killed. (Photo: By Jessica Hill, AP) STORY HIGHLIGHTS Terrifying morning shootings made students scramble for their lives At least two weapons recovered from scene, lone 24-year-old gunman dead Some relieved parents reunited with frightened kids NEWTOWN, Conn. — A lone gunman killed 26 people at an elementary school here, including … Read entire article »

By SIMONE MORGAN—— A lot of good things happened for singjay Popcaan in 2012. He had hit singles, overseas gigs and was in demand by producers at home and abroad. Much of Popcaan’s success this year spilled over from 2011. The 23-year-old scored big last year with the single Ravin and tasted even bigger success with Only Man which peaked at number 89 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart in March. POPCAAN…Only Man peaked at number 89 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop … Read entire article »

By Howard Campbell—- In commemoration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence from Britain, the Jamaica Observer’s Entertainment section recognises 50 greats who have made significant, yet unheralded contributions to the country’s culture. Today, we feature the music-producing Corporate Area community of Greenwich Farm. ROOTSMEN made the trod to Greenwich Farm in the 1970s when they were looking for tasty seafood or a good draw of ‘herb’. And there was the music too. King of Greenwich Farm producer Bunny … Read entire article »

Journeyman roots artist Prezident Brown hopes the positive response to his I Sound Is From Creation album during a recent trip to France, is a sign of bigger things in 2013. The self-described chanter did four shows in the cities of Montpelier, Paris, Lyon and Marseille, areas he had not been in some time. The Paris gig was a concert with veteran roots singer Willie Williams, while the others were done in a sound system setting. PREZIDENT … Read entire article »

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) says that people planning to travel overseas and who have outstanding tax liabilities could be barred from leaving the island. This move the TAJ said is part of its enhanced compliance programme targetting taxpayers “who have undisputed liabilities and have been contacted but remain delinquent.” This will prevent such persons from leaving the island until the outstanding matters have been cleared or suitable written arrangements have been made to … Read entire article »