Half Pint—– By Sheena Gayle– International reggae star Half Pint has secured a major publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and a deal with Harmonix Music Systems to have his music played in a series of music video games, a move manager Loyal Haylett revealed is a major push for reggae. “What this deal represents is that Half Pint’s music will now be in a position to be played in movies, commercials, ring tones and a variety of … Read entire article »

Motion, one of the artists cut from DownSounds Records, stands with then manager Josef Bogdanovich—   By Jordane Delahaye—- The online universe was buzzing last week with news that DownSound Records (DSR) had dropped four artists from its roster. CEO Josef Bogdanovich opened up to The Gleaner about the way forward. The artists reportedly dropped by the company are Motion, Lolly, G Warren and Tempricher. According to Bogdanovich, DSR constantly examines development and cost associated with each artist in an … Read entire article »

SINGJAY Anthony B was released from the Methodist Dallas Medical Centre in Texas yesterday. He was admitted there last Saturday after collapsing during a performance at a Dallas nightclub. According to his publicist, Ronnie Tomlinson, he was suffering from dehydration and exhaustion. “He is now resting and drinking lots of fluids, as per doctors orders,” Tomlinson said in an e-mail response to the Jamaica Observer. “Thanks to all my fans who said a prayer for the I,” Anthony B … Read entire article »

South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela and Jamaican reggae performer Jimmy Cliff are the first of the international acts to be announced for next year’s Womadelaide Festival. Australian groups The Cat Empire and The Herd will also perform at the world music event next March. A further 25 acts will be revealed at the end of this month and the full program is due to be released in late November. Womadelaide director Ian Scobie said the Adelaide event … Read entire article »

Freddie McGregor—   By Mel Cooke Freddie McGregor releases album in Japan, looks to Ja In the introduction to his latest album, Freddie McGregor – Di Captain, Jenni Jenni gives a synopsis of a music career which has spanned almost 50 years and produced over 30 albums and numerous singles. The number 30 also figures in another way in McGregor’s life, as his most recent trip to Japan (where Di Captain was released on September 5) was his 30th time to the Far East. … Read entire article »

By David Ariosto—- Alex Karras and Emmanuel Lewis on the set of “Webster” in 1986.—– (CNN) — Alex Karras, the burly defensive lineman turned actor in the ABC sitcom “Webster,” died Wednesday surrounded by his family in their Los Angeles home following a hard-fought battle with kidney disease, heart disease, dementia and stomach cancer, according to a family spokesman. He was 77. “Alex was known to family and friends as a gentle, loving, generous man who loved gardening and preparing Greek … Read entire article »

Princess Menen – ‘Won’t Back Down’ New York: Brooklyn based reggae singer Princess Menem is counting her lucky stars after her duet single (Sweetest Song) with American Grammy superstar Moby was included in the soundtrack for the movie “Won’t Back Down” which premiered in theaters on September 28. The movie, which stars Viola Davis, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Holly Hunter, tells the story of a persistent single mother who teams with a determined teacher, looking to transform a failing public … Read entire article »

By Richard Johnson—— AN all-star line-up of local artists is being assembled for a National Heroes’ Day tribute to Jamaica’s athletes at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. The event, under the theme Jamaica’s Musical History Honouring our Olympic Journey, is scheduled for the National Arena in St Andrew on Monday. Top: Konshens, Bottom: Leroy Sibbles It will trace the country’s Olympic achievements from 1948 to the present, as well as the development of Jamaican music. Ricardo ‘Ricky’ … Read entire article »

AFTER a six-year hiatus, Wayne Wonder’s latest album — My Way — is scheduled for release December 4. The 14-track collection is produced by Wonder’s Singso Music and was recorded in Jamaica and the United States. Wayne Wonder “My Way has some new twists. I make sure my sound is updated like a MacBook Pro, but I’m sticking to what I do best. I’m a lover at heart, so that is what I sing about and why my … Read entire article »

Trombonist Rico Rodriguez—. By Herbie Miller—- For his extensive contribution to the development of Jamaican popular music, the jazz trombonist, producer, and ska pioneer, Emmanuel ‘Rico’ Rodriguez, MBE, is being awarded the silver Musgrave medal by the Institute of Jamaica. The institute recognises outstanding Jamaicans in the fields of the arts, literature and science, a tradition that began from as far back as 1897. Fellow musician, pianist Dr Don Shirley (bronze), and the Herbert Morrison High School band (silver) are also … Read entire article »