Entertainment News
June 2004

MILESTONES

INCARCERATED

Andrew Tosh was incarcerated in a Downtown Bakersfield, California jail after disturbing the peace at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival. The son of the legendary Peter Tosh was charged on five counts 1. Obstructing the work of a peace officer; 2. Resisting arrest; 3. Driving under the influence of a controlled substance; 4. Threatening to terrorize; 5. Two (2) counts of battery on a peace officer. Andrew was last seen at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, where he rushed the stage and interrupted Burning Spear's performance. Andrew was escorted from the stage by event security forces. He is scheduled to appear in court again on 6/30/04. Since he's been in jail, he's racked up additional charges of battery on an officer, and he'll face those charges on 7/1. He's now in solitary confinement.

Bay Area local, Jamaican-born Collie Downer, was sentenced to 40 years in jail for rape charges on April 29, 2004. Downer was a presence throughout the reggae and Caribbean community. The local shuttle driver was accused of picking up a minor and taking her to his house where he alledgedly raped her for a continuous five hours. For the full story, see the San Francisco Examiner, http://www.examiner.com/article/index.cfm/i/051804n_rape.

PASSED

Reggae singer Barry Brown died May 29, 2004 on the premises of the Sone Waves Recording Studio in Kingston, Jamaica where it was reported that he fell and hit his head. Brown had been battling a substance abuse problem in addition to his asthmatic condition which led to a gradual deterioration of his health. The Studio One artist recorded album "Roots and Culture" with producer Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd. Brown is credited for such 1970s hits as Far East, Step It Up Youth Man, Natty Rootsman, Not So Lucky, We Just Can't Live Like This, Politician, Cool Pon Your Corner, Jah Jah Fire, Mafia, Jah Jah Say, among others.

IMMIGRATION OBSTACLES

Buju Banton will be banned from entering Britain following his conviction in April for possession and cultivation of marijuana. Jamaican Magistrates convicted Buju, 30, after a police raid on his studio complex in December, which uncovered a single marijuana plant. And although he was only punished with a fine of JA$9,000 or 60 days in prison, the sentence means that Buju, real name, Mark Myrie, is likely to be refused entry to Britain. He has already been banned from the U.S., where he has a number of forthcoming tour dates. A Home Office spokesman said: 'Where it is established that a person has been convicted of an offence outside of the UK, which would have been punishable with 12 months imprisonment or more, that person would usually be refused entry; unless admission is justified for strong compassionate reasons." The maximum sentence for cultivating marijuana in the UK is 14 years in prison.

Tabby of the Mighty Diamonds also had trouble entering the United States. He was unable to attend his date at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, June 18-20 in Northern California.

CARIJAMA ENDS IN VIOLENCE AGAIN

Oakland, California's Carijama Festival ended in violence again this year on May 31, 2004, despite a new location for the troubled Caribbean festival and an intense police presence. The event annually celebrates Oakland's ties to Jamaica, Cuba and the rest of the Caribbean.

The event, which moved from Mosswood Park to the Frank H. Ogawa Plaza this year, went smoothly from 10 a.m. when celebrants staged their annual parade until the festival's end at 5 p.m., police said.

Crowds of young people refused to obey police orders to disperse near the event's closing. Chaos ensued and about 100 police officers in full riot gear swept through downtown to control the crowds who loitered en masse around the BART station entrances at 12th and 19th streets. The stations were closed for about two hours at the request of the Oakland Police Department, although BART police reported no problems inside.

As of 8 p.m., one man had been arrested for gun possession after being chased down by officers along Telegraph Avenue. Shots were fired into the air at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, and also at 16th Street and Broadway, authorities said. It was not clear who did the shooting. A "sideshow" involving drivers showing off in their cars also erupted, and officers spent most of the evening stopping cars, ticketing the drivers and towing vehicles away.

MUSIC NEWS

VP Records released "Reggae Gold 2004" on June 15. Among the tracks on the compilation are "Dude (remix)" by Beenie Man, "In Har Heart" and "Turn it Up" by Capleton, "Jiggy" by Elephant Man, "No Guns to Town" by Natty King, "Earth a Run Red" by Richie Spice, "U Got Me" by Morgan Heritage, "Girls Gone Wild" by Assasin, and the Penthouse-production of "My Pride and Joy" by Beres Hammond. For more information, visit http://www.vprecords.com.

Wayne Wonder will collaborate with Neneh Cherry on a track called "Eyes on the Prize" for the upcoming official Athens 2004 Olympics pop music compilation. The disc, entitled "Unity" features artists representing 15 countries across 16 tracks relating to peace and harmony. Due Aug. 10 from EMI/Capitol Records, the set features Sting, Alice Cooper, Earth Wind & Fire, Lenny Kravitz and Destiny's Child. Proceeds from the album will benefit UNICEF, with EMI Music pledging a minimum donation of $180,000 to the organization's HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sasha and Ivy Queen collaborate on the single "Dat Sexy Body Espanol (Reggaeton Remix)" which is the first ever collaboration between a reggae artist and reggaeton artist.

2004 is Burning Spear's 35th year in the music business. As part of the year long celebration the Burning Music label is re-releasing remastered classic titles from the Burning Spear catalog. For more information, visit www.BurningSpear.net.

Cace Int'l TV in New York will broadcast eight shows filmed at Central Park SummerStage. Broadcasts include performances by Chaka Khan, Baaba Maal, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Me'Shell N'Degeocello, and many more. For Brooklyn and Manhattan schedules, visit www.caceinternational.com.

Caribbean beauty, Lunden De'Leon, started her own record label. Lunden started her career as a Swimsuit Illustrated Model gracing the covers of national and international magazines. The success of her modeling career led her to appearances on the NBC hit television sitcom Just Shoot Me as well as appearances in music videos for musical artists like Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Bon Jovi, and the Offspring. In September 2003, the supermodel-turned-actress opened the doors to her Los Angeles based record label Dirrty Records, signing award-winning rocker DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nailbomb). She's also in the process of signing a few reggae artists. For more information, visit: http://www.LundenDeLeon.com.

Mr. Vegas' new video "Tamale," was released in anticipation of his new album, "Pull Up" which hit the streets on June 29, 2004. For more information about the album and the artist, visit http://www.mr-vegas.com.

Angie Stone has a new album slated for a July 6, 2004 release. The CD, entitled "Stone Love," will be released by J Records. For more information, visit www.angiestoneonline.com.

Ric Roc and Shaggy released their single "Your Eyes" on June 21, 2004. The Jetstar website features an interview with Ric Roc.

Boogalu Productions has released a new Salsa Cubana DVD called "Salsa Suelta Candela" (Hot Loose Salsa). This DVD features a style of Salsa Cubana that is very popular in Cuba. For more information about purchasing this and other Boogalu DVDs, click here.

Quiet Storm Records recently released "Salsa from Hawaii II" by Son Caribe. Led by Eddie Ortiz (trumpeter, vocalist, and arranger), the group plays a wide variety of latin music styles from Cuba, Brazil and Puerto Rico. For more information, click here.

NEW MAGAZINES

The June/July issue of Reggaematic is available in print. This historic first print issue is 36 pages. Some highlights include an exclusive interview with Tanya Stephens, Q&A with Vybz Kartel, an interview with Nasio Fontaine, and much more. To purchase your copy, visit www.reggaematic.com.

S.O.C.A. (Souls of Caribbean America) Magazine is a new, beautiful, glossy, quarterly publication dedicated to increasing knowledge of Caribbean descendants and connoisseurs. It is independently owned and operated by Killamedia LLC, based in Atlanta, Georgia. To subscribe or advertise, visit http://www.socamagazine.com.

EVENTS

The Mateel Community Center Inc. and People Productions announced today that the 21st Annual Reggae on the River festival tickets are sold out. In a year that has been extremely challenging for the concert industry, Reggae on the River has again sold out in advance of the festival. This year's concert features Bounty Killer, Capleton, Midnite, and many more from August 8-10 in Piercy, California. For more information about what to bring and where to camp, visit http://www.reggaeontheriver.com

International Reggae Day (IRD) is July 1, 2004. The annual media festival hosted by Jamaica with participation from media organisations around the world will culminate in a media award reception at the Ashanti Restaurant, Hope Gardens, Kingston. Mutabaruka will provide music for the event beginning at 6:30pm. The day will also celebrate the late crown prince of reggae, Dennis Brown, in whose honour the media will feature archival material from his vast catalogue of classic Jamaican hits. 'D Brown' as he is fondly called, passed away on July 1, 1999, at the age 42. Other activities for the 2004 celebrations include a virtual media festival with special IRD programmes linking with international media houses from the US, Europe and the Caribbean. The celebrations will be anchored online at www.internationalreggaeday.com and electronic media houses will have the opportunity to link their programmes on the IRD website as well as with travelling reggae ambassadors for interviews.

The 12th Annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life happens in Washington Park, Chicago from July 2-5. Performers include Half Pint, Richie Stephens, Calypso Rose, Barrington Levy, Judy Mowatt, Mighty Sparrow and more.

Reggae Carifest is to be held on August 4, 2004 at Keyspan Park, 1904 Surf Ave., in Brooklyn,  NY. Tentative artists include Beenie Man, Capelton, Vybz Kartel, Bunji Garlin, Assassin, Richie Spice, Yellow Man, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Mr. Vegas, KC Jockey, Baby Cham, Ms. Ting, Supa Chile, Natty King, Chuck Fender, Mr. Easy, Chopper Ranks and much more to be confirmed. The Reggae Rags Clothing Line will be the official wear and co-sponsor of NY City's largest one-day reggae event. For more information log on to www.ReggaeCarifest.com or call 718-856-5946.

The four-day Irie Jamboree 2k4 festival will be held at Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, New York on Sunday August 22, 2004. The concert will present a fabulous line up of reggae, dancehall and old school superstars including top cultural singer, Luciano, lovers’ rock crooner Barrington Levy, Freddie McGregor, Bounty Killer, TOK, Cobra, Tanya Stephens, Richie Spice, Richie Stephens, Frankie Paul among others. A 4-day Irie Jamboree VIP season pass will be available for purchase at designated outlets for $100/person. For more information call 1888 IRIE NYC or visit the web site at www.iriejamboree.com.

July 18 is the date for the 7th annual Merritone Family Fun Day and Picnic at the Pinecrest Resort in Shelton, Connecticut. This annual affair features the music of Winston Blake, Merritone Disco with DJ Roy, DJ Carlton, Trevor Blake, Dubmaster & Desu in support. For more information contact Conroy Ellison at 516-483-7189.

TOURS

Burning Spear is currently touring the United States. Please visit http://www.burningspear.net for tour dates.

Luciano will begin a U.S. tour in August, jumping off from San Francisco on August 5 and ending in Farmingdale, NY on September 2.

Steel Pulse has a 32-date U.S. tour beginning on July 14 in Providence, Rhode Island.

The "Bob Marley Roots Rock Reggae Festival" Tour features Damian Jr. Gong Marley, Julian Marley, Stephen Marley, Toots & The Maytals, and Ziggy Marley. For tour dates, visit: http://www.rootsrockreggae.com/calendar.html

IMPORTANT NET SITES

Sudan Existe--This site is focused on the culture and genocide going on in the Sudan. Photos of the Nubian Mountains were taken from 1975 to 1979. The government of the North is enslaving and exterminating the indigenous tribes that inhabit the South of the country. This genocide has been happening since 1985 and it continues being ignored by the developed countries. There is also a link to the documentary "Nuba: Pure People" written and directed by Tomo Kriznar & Maja Weiss.

Tanty Records has a new online store selling new heavyweight dub music! http://kryton.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/tantyrecord. All available titles and their formats are there.

Wisdom Records, the only store in the Bay Area that focuses exclusively on reggae and dancehall music, sends out a weekly update of their new riddims, albums, DVD, and books in stock. For more information about the store, visit www.wisdomrecordssf.com.

Jah Trinity Sound System out of the U.K. has a new website. Check it out here: http://www.jahtrinity.com.

Trinidad and Tobago-born Christopher Ricardo Scipio is a homeopath and herbalist working to educate and treat people with Herpes. His site is http://www.natropractica.com.

REGGAE ON THE INTERNET

Asher Selector, from Geneva, Switzerland, has left Couleur3/Wareika–Swiss National Radio after 10 years and has decided to create his own radio playing 24/7. Raspect Radio will feature guest artists and selectors including Prince Alla and Stone Love and can be heard here:
http://live365.com/stations/raspectradio

Laura Gardner is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of http://www.jahworks.org. In addition to her journalistic contributions to various online and print publications, she is a graduate student of somatic psychology, and has worked alongside the Monterey Bay Reggae Fest, San Francisco's Reggae in the Park, and other music festivals in the Northern California area.