Archive » Reggae Riddims

This page contains 9 entries posted under the "Reggae Riddims" category.

Another Reggae Remake Proves That Listening To The Radio Is A Waste of Time

Like many of you, I rarely listen to any radio on the FM dial. My musical joy usually comes in the form of mixtapes and downloads of below-the-radar artists, many of whom are featured on this website. Because of my Jamaican ancestry, I am always on the lookout for great reggae jams, so imagine my surprise when it was brought to my attention that Jamaica's own Andy Livingston remade One Republic's "Apologize," a staple of any pop music radio station. For this, I give a hearty "big up" and a sincere "thank you" to Brother Andy for releasing a nice track and sparing me the agony of having to listen to the Timbaland-produced One Republic (who?) track.

ill Mami | 06/09/2008 at 2:30 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Jazmine Sullivan Needs You Bad

If you don't know who Jazmine Sullivan is, then it's not too late to learn. The 20-year-old former child prodigy, Showtime at the Apollo and Black Lily phenom, and songwriter behind Fantasia's "Free Yourself" and Christina Milian's "Say I" is about to blow the roof off the sucker with her long-overdue debut album coming soon on J Records. She is bringing more fiyah with the reggae-influenced first single "I Need You Bad," which showcases her powerful, pleading vocals. She sounds like Lauryn Hill and Aretha Franklin's love child here. Missy puts her stamp on the song, but her presence isn't too intrusive. I don't know if Jazmine is West Indian or not, but I got to give her props for coming correct with this dash of island spice, even down to the on-point accent during the spoken parts. This is the perfect song the warmer months ahead; expect to hear this one at a cookout near you this summer. Pull up!

Jazmine Sullivan feat. Missy Elliott: "I Need You Bad"
(removed by request)

[Photo: Laura Kicey]

Butta | 04/29/2008 at 3:15 PM | Comments (19) | Permalink

Cedella Marley Booker (1926-2008)

Bob Marley's mother dead at 81 [MH]
Cedella Marley Booker [MySpace] [Wiki]

Butta | 04/10/2008 at 2:20 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Bob Marley Songs May Spark Bidding War

Not so shortly after it was announced that a movie based upon Rita Marley's biography, No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley, would be brought to movie screens next year, comes more news. Firstly, there is also Martin Scorcese documentary chronicling the reggae singer's life scheduled to be released in 2010. Secondly, the Marley family including Rita, will not be allowing the biopic producers access to any of the songs in Bob's catalogue. As Rita told the Hollywood Reporter, "When I sold the film rights to my book, the contract did not include any rights to use my husband's music."

Say what?

Unless the craziness that Lauryn Hill-Marley has been infected with is contagious, Rita Marley is dead serious. And the Marley family are behind the Martin Scorcese documentary. To hear executive producer Ziggy Marley tell it,

"All our efforts and support are currently directed toward the documentary. We believe that this project is the best way to represent our father's life from his perspective, and any other film project pertaining to our father will be empty without his music to support it."

Speculation is rampant that Rita is denying the movie rights to the Weinstein Company in order to up the bid for her husband's music being used for the biopic. For right now, this movie is without any of Bob Marley's music and, therefore, incapable of being brought to the big screen. And right about now, all this is sounding particularly good in Rita's favor that she will be hit off more for her husband's music. Sure, it sounds shady, but it's only business, never personal.

Rights Flap Jamming Marley Bio [HR]

ill Mami | 03/21/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Mikey Dread (1954-2008)

Break Down the Walls: So Long Mikey Dread [AMB]

Mikey Dread [Official] [AMG] [Wiki]

Butta | 03/21/2008 at 2:15 PM | Leave a Comment | Permalink

'Fall In Love' With Sanchez

This week's Diggin' in the Crates takes us to the beautiful island paradise of Jamaica, ancestral home to your SoulBounce sistren, ill Mami and myself. Last week iMami made mention of international artists putting their spin on American songs, and that brought to mind a Jamaican singer who built his career on reggae remakes of popular R&B and pop hits.

Sanchez, government name Kevin Jackson, released his first single in 1987, bringing the island vibe to the Chris De Burgh ballad "Lady In Red." Subsequent remakes followed of songs by everyone from Toni Braxton to Ready For the World to Brian McKnight with mixed results. Some worked, some didn't. But it was his retooling of the Shai tune "If I Ever Fall In Love" that impressed many and landed on the inaugural Reggae Gold compilation in '93. Unlike some of his mediocre offerings, Sanchez's "Fall In Love" was a delightful complement the original, and you could slow wine to it.

Nowadays the reggae crooner sings both soul and gospel music and still performs in the states and Caribbean. Until his next remake pops up on my radar, I'm going to practice rollin' it to this oldie but goodie. Come down, Selecta!

Sanchez: "Fall In Love"

Sanchez [Official] [MySpace]

Butta | 03/13/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

The Bob Marley Question

Now that Rita Marley has decided to produce a movie detailing the life of her late husband Bob Marley, tongues are already wagging about casting choices.

The widow Marley would like Lauryn Hill to portray her because "She sees my life as her life," and possibly her grandson Stefan as a young Bob. Popwatch has already posed the question of who should play Bob, citing Don Cheadle as a top choice. Personally, I think an unknown should take the role; once people start throwing out names of famous singers and actors, it becomes a vanity project. And we could probably use a film about a legendary person of color that doesn't default to Will Smith or Denzel, as if there aren't plenty of capable actors on the come-up that could master the work. [EW / Reuters]

nOvaMatic | 03/04/2008 at 4:19 PM | Comments (11) | Permalink