Wayne Lyrics Although scorned by some music pundits as the decade dancehall/reggae lost its way to ‘slackness’, the 1980s were still a good time for the roots and culture singer. One of that era’s survivors, Wayne Lyrics stays true to form on I Conquered, his latest album,  which was released in October.  He got his start on sound systems in his native St. Mary parish and Spanish Town where he called home for several years. Lyrics, who began recording … Read entire article »

By Howard Campbell/Observer senior writer— Kashief Lindo RELEASED in 1972, The Coldest Days Of My Life hears The Chi-Lites at their harmonious best. Kashief Lindo, a big fan of soul music from that era, puts a reggae spin on a classic song produced by his father Willie Lindo. The lovers’ rock ballad is scheduled for release on November 25 by Heavy Beat Records, the Florida-based company owned by the Lindos. “What I love about music from the 70s are the melodies … Read entire article »

Smile Today is the latest single from Hezron‘s M.O.A.M (Man On A Mission) album, released in the summer – August 19 – via Tad’s Record Inc. This upbeat ska fused song is exactly what we all need to hear right now. On this one Hezron tells the story of a man who is struggling financially; someone who by all accounts seems dissatisfied with the direction his life is going in. However, despite all the obstacles he is faced with, he refuses to surrender to … Read entire article »

New Instant Classic From Beres Hammond… Beres Hammond, the Lover’s Rock icon with the quintessential voice that fans worldwide hold above all others in the genre, delivers a new instant classic ballad for fans entitled “I Need Your Love.” Conveying the sentiment of love from a man to his special lady, Beres’s flawless performance holds true to his signature vocals and poetic ability to tell beautiful stories of love.  The artist’s newest single holds him in luster as one of … Read entire article »

By Howard Campbell — Lavie Lujah There is a boldness to the title of singer Lavie Lujah’s debut album. I Am Lavie Lujah, released in late October, realizes a dream he had growing up in his native St Elizabeth. I Am Lavie Lujah hit the market one year after the Toronto-based artiste won the inaugural Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC) with Certified Yardie, which is one of 21 songs on the album. “I feel excited and fulfilled to know that a dream … Read entire article »

Kevin Hyll Veteran disc jockey Kevin Hylton, known as Kevin Hyll, has officially ventured into the recording artiste world with the release of his cover version of the country music hit single I Believe In You, which was originally recorded by Don Williams. Clinton Lindsay’s The Foundation Radio Network has added the song to heavy rotation and it is getting good positive feedback from listeners. The original single was nominated for Country Music Song of the Year in … Read entire article »

By Santana Salmon/CaribbeanNationalWeekly— Grammy award-winning reggae icon, Buju Banton, has released a new song titled “Si Mi Clean” featuring fellow dancehall artiste Busy Signal. Banton and track collaborator Busy Signal trade bars at what appears on the surface as a celebration of the success afforded to them from the hustle of creating great musical art – The ‘come-up,’ per se. A purely enjoyable danceable fantastical celebration of reaching a level of success that most people surely only … Read entire article »

After two well-received secular songs, Da’Ville shows his spiritual side on To Jireh, his latest effort. It was released in September by his Global Merchant Music Group. Written by Da’Ville, it hears the veteran singer in soul-searching mode, reflecting on experiences that led to his conversion to Christianity last year. “There are so many reasons (that led him to Christ) but just to mention a few here; things like breaking generational curses and changing the imprints left … Read entire article »

Yasus Afari to release poetry album ‘Golden Spoon Maroon’ in November. The synergy between VPAL Music, an arm of US-based VP Records, and Yasus’ SenYAcum Edutainment is timely as it signals the label’s support of Jamaican poetry and an acknowledgement that every song is a poem set to music. The forthcoming release of the disc, with tracks such as Golden Spoon Maroon, Plain and Simple, What a Sinting and Mama Africa We Love You, is … Read entire article »

JC Lodge Veteran British-Jamaican reggae singer JC Lodge is using her latest single – Love Uprising – to encourage some much needed constructive transformation in the world. On the record, she calls on all of us – male female, black white, young old etc. – to be more tolerant, patient and open as we deal with ourselves and each other. The track is well timed because life here on earth – regardless of your specified location – has gotten extremely turbulent; … Read entire article »