Blessed Love, One and All. This Week in Reggae, we have word that Vybz Kartel may be released as early as March of this year, and Buju finally joins social media and addresses millions of fans.
February has seen the release of music from a few of our favorites such as Tarrus Riley, Luciano, Busy Signal and Ky-Mani Marley among others. We have local reggae news and birthday shouts in This Week in Reggae.
– A Likkle Labrish –
We begin and end this week’s “Likkle Labrish” with none other than the Gong himself…
BOB MARLEY’s former London home is to have a Blue Plaque installed.
The iconic reggae singer resided in the house in Chelsea after an assassination attempt was made on his life in Jamaica. Marley lived with his band The Wailers in the house, which is located on Oakley Street, off King’s Road, in 1977. During the time that they were living in the house, the band finished the recording of their album Exodus. London’s blue plaques scheme is an initiative run by English Heritage. The plaques celebrate the links between notable figures of the past and the city’s buildings. To be eligible for a blue plaque, the candidate must have died at least 20 years ago.
BUJU BANTON speaks for the first time since his release from prison. He has also released his upcoming “Long Walk to Freedom Tour” dates.
VYBZ KARTEL could be free in a matter of weeks!
In January, Bert Samuels, the attorney for Kartel, said his team was looking at a March deadline for the Appeal Court to return with a verdict.
“It’s a new term, and we are hoping that during this term, which lasts up to the end of March, we will get the judgement,” Samuels said during an interview. “So we are anxiously awaiting the judgement in that case, and we’re very very optimistic, so let’s see what happens.”
Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, and Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, are jointly charged with Kahira Jones and Andre St John for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
At the end of the trial, which lasted 65 days, the four were convicted by an 11-member jury and received life sentences. Vybz Kartel will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years.
The MARLEY family has put out a new video of Bob Marley’s “Easy Skanking” with imagery of life in Jamaica that inspired his music.
– New Music –
A few jewels released in February 2019.
– The Happenings: Local Reggae News –
The week started with EarthKry with their unique fusion of roots, reggae, and R&B, opening for J BOOG’S (aka Jerry Afemata) performance at the Showbox SoDo. The crowd just loves J. Boog. He’s one of these feel-good reggae performers whose smooth vocals, such as in the song titled Rose Petals, and Good Vibes (featuring Chaka Demus) takes you right to the islands. One of the things I love about J Boog’s West Coast Island Vibes is that touch of Jamaican Flava’ that he spins into his music. One can tell he’s been to the home of reggae, the studios in Jamaica, working with the originators. Hopefully, you were there witness his performance. If not, I grabbed a sampling:
This week tickets went on sale for ZIGGY MARLEY and Michael Franti & Spearhead’s performance at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22, 2019. If you’re like me and prefer to be up-close with reserved seats, then do wait. As of now there are still reserved seats available, but they’re sure to sell out.
Also, don’t forget that our local favorite CLINTON FEARON & Boogie Brown Band with Georgetown Orbits will be in Nectar Lounge in two weeks on March 9, 2019. And, his show always sells out so get those tickets.
If you have a local reggae event, you’d like for us to include in This Week in Reggae; please contact us at info [at] reggaeinseattle [dot] com.
– Blessed Earth Strong –
This week we celebrate the Blessed Earth Strong of the following artists:
Bob Andy
Horace Andy
Ranking Roger
Sophia George
Carlene Davis and…
Blessed Earth Strong to Damian Beckett aka “Cham” aka “Baby Cham”.
Born in Saint Andrew Parish, Cham’s career began in the early 1990s. He is most most well known for his 2006 single “Ghetto Story” from his major label debut album of the same name. He is still referred to as “Baby Cham” by his Jamaican fans and fans from around the world despite the name change to “Cham”.
– This Week in Reggae Playlist –
Every week, our Selecta Rawleeman puts together some of hardest hitting Reggae and Dancehall mixes. Every week is a new playlist, so make sure you’re following us on Spotify: RISE
– Meditation of the Week –
“The Time Has Come When I and I Should Know That We Are One”
– Burning Spear –
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UNTIL NEXT WEEK – ONE LOVE
