Jamaican Music Archives - Beaver on the Beats

A Better Today And Tomorrow With Etana

October 5, 2014 by Beaver on the Beats 6 Comments

If the soulful voice of Jamaican diva Etana over the reggae skank in her music don’t make you feel good, or at least better, I don’t know what possibly will.

Soul Diva of Reggae

Etana is an Angie Stone, Jill Scott, India Arie or Leela James of reggae music. Like those divas of stature in the soul/r&b world, Etana’s vocal musicality and sublime sounding voice are delightful to listen to time and timelessly again. Also like those ladies, Etana’s lyrics are positive and conscious ones, full of emotion. Because finally like Angie, Jill, India and Aria, Etana is all Woman.

Her 2013 album Better Tomorrow was a refreshing dose of flawlessly played, good contemporary reggae music. It maintained the warm, living, gentle sounds and feelings of old-school roots reggae (helped by the fact it was mostly recorded at Kingston’s Tuff Gong Studios); but also bought the sound into the modern day with subtle flavours of other music genres in the mix.

Better Tomorrow (2013)

“Reggae is Reggae”

“You can’t mix reggae with other things. Reggae is Reggae.”

Those were the words of one Jamaican to me about Jamaican music.

Of course you can mix reggae with any other style of music (some more successfully than others no doubt 🙂 ). Music artists all over the world do so – with very cool musical results. Jamaican artists living outside of Jamaica do so too. Etana is one of them.

Better Tomorrow is reggae music for sure. But it’s reggae infused with subtle, flavorsome sounds of soul, r&b, gospel and funk.

For Etana and the other music artists in the world making fresh sounding ‘reggae fusion’ (as well as for ‘reggae reggae’ artists) the musical world is a much richer one.

Whether it’s ‘reggae that’s just reggae’ or not, listening to Etana’s music and hearing her soulful voice, makes me feel good. It makes my today a better one. Simple isn’t it? Good ole Music Medicine.

Get a dose yourself with these sample Etana tracks from Better Tomorrow. Don’t be fooled by the compressed mp3 version. Imagine the goodness of the many other sounds you’ll hear in the music if you get it on vinyl or cd.

Better Tomorrow (2013)

**‘Queen’ – Etana – Better Tomorrow (2013)**

**‘Whole New World’ – Etana – Better Tomorrow (2013)**

**‘Better Tomorrow’ – Etana – Better Tomorrow (2013)**

You feel good now, right? Or at least better than before you listened yes?

The good news to make our tomorrow better is that another dose of Etana’s music medicine is coming soon with the October 28th release of her new album I Rise.

Thankfully we can definitely buy this new release in hard-copy – and pre-order it from VP Records.

I Rise (2014)

Etana has 2 other albums before Better Tomorrow. You can buy each cd separately or get the set of 3 for a great price through VP.

Better Tomorrow (2013)

Free Expressions (2011)

The Strong One (2008)

Extra lucky peeps can have themselves the live Etana experience at New Zealand’s Raggamuffin festival this December.

Filed Under: Etana, Jamaica, Jamaican Music Tagged With: better tomorrow, etana, i-rise, Jamaican Music, queen, reggae, soul

Jamaican Music and Dance – Culture Snapshots

August 4, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats Leave a Comment

Three weeks in 3 of Jamaica’s major musical hubs – Kingston, Montego Bay & Negril – checking outand soaking up as much Jamaican music and dance culture as possible.

Not much time to truly know anything much about any place. No time to know anything about the rest of Jamaica (including Ochos Rios – another hub).But enough time to experience some things of Jamaican music & dance culture – which I’m happy to be told are wrong. And lots of time to talk with Jamaicans themselves.

Snapshots…

Edgy, Non-Touristy Kingston

City life, busy life. Urban sprawl amongst green mountains. Few tourists. Go about your business without any attention.

Kingston, Jamaica

Parties. Some live shows. Clubs. Bars. Recording studios. Dance crews. Festivals (check out KOTE). More parties.

Fashionable, touristy Montego Bay

Gritty, busy, small downtown + the ‘Hip Strip’ – one side of the road lined with souvenir shops, the other with expensive resorts that own most of the main beach. Shop owners and taxi drivers on the Hip Strip will talk to you to get your business, but elsewhere nobody will pay you any attention.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Parties. Dance crews. Dancehall dance competitions & shows (including International Dancehall Queen in early August). Fashion shows. Reggae Sumfest in July. Other festivals. Some live shows. More Parties.

Chilled, touristy Negril

Miles of stunning Caribbean beach (free, as it should be) lined with an uncountable number of resorts, bars, restaurants, hustlers and hawkers competing to lure the many tourists. More rootsy and chilled vibe than MoBay- but intensely hustled. Expect that everyone who talks to you wants something from you.

Negril, Jamaica

Parties. Regular live music gigs (some original). Beach sound systems. Beach Bars & clubs. More Parties.

That’s Beaver’s over-simplified, general snapshot of Kingston, Negril and MoBay anyway.

Jamaicans Say

What do Jamaicans themselves in Kingston, Montego Bay & Negril say about Jamaican music and dance culture?

Dance

“I hear the music and I just have to dance. I can’t help it.”

Fusion Music

“Ya Mon. Jamaica have music mixing different styles. Some bands play reggae. Some bands play ska. Same play Dancehall. Some bands play mento. Some other bands play calypso.”

“You can’t mix reggae with other things. Reggae is reggae.”

Live Music

“Live shows are the best. That’s where the energy is at.”

Parties

“There are parties going on every night in MoBay at this place and that place. Take your pick.”

“Jamaican parties don’t start til about 12 am. People keep partying til the morning. When do Jamaicans ever sleep? I can get 5 or 10 minutes sleep and I’m okay.”

Jamaica’s Holy Music Grail

“Lots of international music artists come to Jamaica searching for da musical essence.“

“People outside Jamaica keep trying to steal our music culture.”

Regulating Music

“Kingston and MoBay have the same laws for shutting down events at 2 am. Parties go later in MoBay because the laws are enforced in Kingston, not in MoBay. There are tourists spending money in MoBay.”

Radio

“Any Jamaican radio stations that don’t play lots of commercials? Nah, only some that have short segments without ads. The independent radio stations are on the ground, in the streets.“

Kingston v Negril

“The difference between Negril and Kingston for music is that Kingston has the best recording studios and is great for that, but not for live shows. Lots more live shows happen in Negril and there’s lots of tourists so there’s more chance to display your talents.”

Negril’s recording studio

Talent

“Jamaica is a blessed island. We have so many music stars.“

Happiness

“Jamaica has la crème de la crème of happy people.”

Loss of Inhibitions, and Discretion

“What happens in Jamaica, stays in Jamaica.”

They are the things Jamaicans told me about their music and dance culture (plus some things I already wrote about when I was in Kingston). Some are positive, some negative, like what’s going on everywhere in the world.

Beaver Says…

Fun Jamaican Parties

Parties, Parties & more Parties can be found happening at one location or another, on every night of the week. Ask a Jamaican “What’s happening tonight?” and they’ll answer “Well, today is Wednesday [or whatever other day it is]. That means this Party is on there”.

Lots (all?) of Jamaican Parties seem to be sponsored by big corporate companies. Maybe in these days if the sponsorship wasn’t here then the parties wouldn’t happen? Way back when in Jamaica, when sound systems started up, people just set up on the street and had the party. Jamaicans can’t do that now because of laws and regulations about ‘noise’.

Music and Dance are the core of the Parties.

The dance & movement happening at those Parties is pretty darned incredible.

People at the Parties are having fun.

Free parties, are the most fun – and a realer taste of Jamaica because they don’t cost money that Jamaicans don’t have but tourists do.

Dress right for the Parties, and anywhere else you go. Image and fashion are key in some Jamaican sub-cultures, Dancehall especially.

Music in Public Spaces

The best of the musical experiences in Kingstonand even more so in Montego Bay & Negril, is being able to hear music in public and private spaces everywhere you go – day and night.

Most music you hear played in Jamaica is reggae or dancehall. Or a fusion of reggae & dancehall. Some with a tiny touch of hip hop in some.

Most music you hear in Jamaica is pretty great quality. The exception is the very badly-chosen North American pop music, from all decades + much dancehall.

I heard no rock music. No jazz music. No blues music. No world music. No metal.music, no funk music, or any other genre of music – except for the blues, jazz and Latin music played at Redbones Blues Cafe in Kingston.

Jamaicans are fiercely proud and protective of Jamaican reggae and dancehall music. So many Jamaicans I spoke with gave me the impression they weren’t interested in what’s happening musically in the rest of the world. Some were surprised to hear reggae music is created in other countries, including in their neighbouring Latin American countries.

I want musical diversity in my life, and the music I love most is a fusion of genres of some sorts. I would miss that global music diversity living in Jamaica and hearing mostly just reggae, dancehall and terrible USA pop music around me.But whatever the type of music being played in Jamaica – it is all music, and it is being heard by people in public spaces everywhere – day and night. It made my Jamaican days happy ones.

Hearing music makes life richer. Especially in public life .

I want more of it in my life, and everyone else’s.

Better yet if the music is great.

Music and dance are truly alive, well, and pumping in and through Jamaica.

There might’ve been less original, live shows as I’d hoped to find. I might’ve been disappointed that it was hard to find contemporary Jamaican music to buy in Jamaica. There might be more Dancehall than I can handle, and pop music that I’m not into. But the music is there – being played, and being heard. I love being around it. I love being in it. `

Jamaica – may you never ever “Hush”!

Jamaica Again

Definitely more Jamaican music and dance vibes on it’s Caribbean shores are coming in my lifetime. I just need a little rest for now :).

Until I get back I’ve got my take-away bag of contemporary Jamaican music to delve into soon. Lots of musical surprises are awaiting me and that’s a pretty exciting thing yes?

My music bag got bigger at Montego Bay Airport on my way out of Jamaica. I found what I think might be THE coolest airport shop of any kind in the world – and definitely 1 of the 3 best music stores I found in Jamaica: Tad’s International.

Reggae music in the airportmusic shop, as well as in all other Jamaican airport stores, is the last thing you hear as you leave Jamaica. It’s a beautiful thing 🙂 .

Filed Under: Dance, Jamaican Music, Music Stores Tagged With: jamaican dance, Jamaican Music, jamaican parties, Kingston, Montego Bay, negril

Reggae Sumfest Wrap Up – Is It Really ‘The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth’?

August 2, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats Leave a Comment

Reggae Sumfest dubs itself as ‘the greatest reggae show on earth’. That’s a big claim.

They could be right.

Some Jamaicans, and even some foreigners with a love for Jamaican music, say they think there are better reggae festivals in Jamaica than Reggae Sumfest. Roots reggae festival Rebel Salute in St Ann every January is given as an example. Reggae Sumfest 2013 was my first and only Jamaican festival so far, so I can’t say.

There are also other reggae festivals in the world besides Jamaica. I’ve been to some, but not all of them. Until I’ve done so I can’t say whether or not Reggae Sumfest is the greatest on Earth.

What I can say without doubt is that Reggae Sumfest 2013 was the greatest reggae show I have been to on Earth, so far.

The Music

Most importantly…

The quality of music, of musicianship, of artistry and of dance by almost every performer at Reggae Sumfest, one after the other over 3 long concert nights, was absolutely phenomenal.

: Tarrus Riley – International Night 1

: Lady Saw-Dancehall Night

: Damian Marley-International Night 2

All 3 concert nights were an amazing taste, and showcase of Jamaican music and dance. Any music by Jamaican artists that I wasn’t into so much, was performed in such a professional and entertaining way as to make me appreciate and love it anyway.

The only shows I was bored by were those of international artists Flo Rida and Miguel.

Festival Runnings

Other fundamental factors that help make a music festival a good experience were all there at Reggae Sumfest:

The Reggae Sumfest site (Catherine Hall) is an open field space with fresh air and a starry sky for listening and dancing to music under. No tents to claw your way into and find a space to see, hear or move, feeling suffocated in the process. You can move around the site easily, find a spot and enjoy it comfortably. For me that open outdoor space with the natural elements around makes all the difference in creating a really pleasurable festival experience.
Main stage sound was very high quality.
Stage lighting and visuals were beautiful.
Main stage could easily be seen from everywhere on the festival site. Plus there were lots of screens to otherwise see.
Artist changeovers were fast and efficient.
Tickets were cheap for a festival of that quality and length ($135 for all 3 concert nights or-$210 for VIP).
Drinks at the bar were reasonably priced by Jamaican standards where tourists are involved – and really cheap compared to most other music festivals around the world.

Beres Hammond-International Night 1

I guess after the experiences of 21 annual Reggae Sumfests, organisers have the most important things figured out. What I assume to be a big festival budget from sponsorship support, is no doubt helpful to organisers in improving quality.

A Fun Festival Community

Something almost as important as the quality of music, but something for which Reggae Sumfest is not responsible, is the people that participate in the festival.

A community of people sharing a common experience is formed at every festival, for however long that festival runs.

The communities of people that were formed at Reggae Sumfest (tourists and Jamaicans), were soooooo much fun. The feeling at the festival was either friendly, earthy and fun (International Nights 1 and 2) – or slightly more intense but hot, sexy and fun (Dancehall Night).

I have to say it again – Jamaicans know how to have a really fun, awesome party. No matter what else you can say about the party music or people or venue, every party I’ve been to in Jamaica these past weeks except for one, has been a fun one. People having a good time with music and dance at the core.

Reggae Sumfest was a very fun Jamaican party over 3 nights (+ the Beach Party & a White Party earlier in the week). It was the most fun music festival environment of any type of music festival I’ve experienced before.

The Greatest Reggae Show On Earth

I loved every hour of the festival marathon that Reggae Sumfest 2013 was.

For quality of music and dance, and the fun factor, Reggae Sumfest 2013 is definitely the greatest reggae show that I have experienced on Earth, so far anyway.

I will keep checking other festivals out, but I will also be back again to Montego Bay for more Reggae Sumfests.

I’d love to hear from you if you’ve experienced or heard about any other reggae festivals in the world that might have a good claim to being ‘the greatest’ on Earth.

Filed Under: Jamaican Music, Reggae Sumfest Tagged With: Jamaican Music, jamaican music festivals, Reggae Sumfest, reggae sumfest 2013

International Night 2 Closes The Reggae Sumfest 2013 Marathon in Style

August 1, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats Leave a Comment

Saturday was the last leg of the Reggae Sumfest 2013 music and dance marathon in Montego Bay, Jamaica…International Night 2. Another sunrise finishing affair, and another awesome one.

I’ve said it before and I’ll just have to keep saying it…Jamaican parties are fun. The party at International Night 2 was no exception.

Same festival as on Dancehall Night and International Night 1 – but with different artists, drawing a different crowd and creating a different vibe (still friendly and chilled ones).

Chronixx

Like on Dancehall Night and International Night 1, every one of the musicians in the bands was absolutely top quality and super cool to watch and listen to. Same for the back-up singers.

Again on International Night 2 the main stage sound, lighting, visuals and band changeovers could not be faulted.

International Night 2 Music

I got to International Night 2 in time to catch Romain Virgo – Chronixx – Miguel – Damian Marley – and Chalice.

: Romain Virgo

: Damian Marley

: Chronixx

All music and all performances, mostly of the roots reggae kind like at International Night 1, were stellar. All except one that is.

Miguel

Oh Miguel, I can happily (now) admit to never having heard any of your songs before Reggae Sumfest. I heard you were a bit famous, somewhere in the pop/r&b genre, and I was willing to give you a chance. But man you were disappointing – musically (the songs themselves – pop that sounded ever so boring to me) – and the performance (I had hoped for some mind blowing soulful voice, but I didn’t get it, at all).

Chronixx

Chronixx, a young and very popular artist in Jamaican reggae right now, was good. The music was sweet sounding, but most of it was too cheesy for my taste.

Chronixx

Damian Marley

The highlight act – the phenomenal act of International Night 2 – was Damian Marley.

Damian Marley

One Kingston taxi driver told me Jamaicans in Jamaica don’t listen much to Damian Marley’s music. I’m not sure I believe him – there was a big crowd for him at Reggae Sumfest.

Damian Marley’s albums are listened to a lot in my world. I love listening and dancing to his music – a high quality and unique sounding fusion of reggae, dancehall and hip hop. To my ears, it sounds different to all other reggae music, past or present. With conscious lyrics.

Reggae Sumfest was the 2nd time I’ve been blessed to catch Damian Marley live.

The first time was in 2006 at the Byron Bay Blues Festival in Australia. That show is in my top 5 best live music experiences ever. It was a spiritual experience – as live shows should be. I couldn’t now give you any details about that gig. All I remember, in my mind and in my body, is the blissful and uplifting feeling it gave me.

The Reggae Sumfest set moved me a little less than the Australian show, but that wasn’t necessarily anything to do with Damian Marley or his band. The show was amazing – and made me feel happy.

Damian Marley’s band was awesome. All of them put on a stellar performance. I especially love the guy who runs around the stage the whole show with the Ethiopian flag – he makes me feel even happier.

I feel blessed for another special live Damian Marley experience – and will take as many more of them as I can find in the future.

End of the Reggae Sumfest Marathon

Veteran roots reggae group Chalice closed International Night 2 at sunrise – and the Reggae Sumest 2013 music and dance marathon was finished.

The marathon was physically exhausting, but a culturally and spiritually reviving one. It was also a super, super fun one.

I hated the feeling of the Reggae Sumfest finish – the same as I do at the end of every great festival I’ve been a part of.

Reggae Sumfest was an especially hard festival to leave behind because it was such an incredible week of quality music and dance. Also because Jamaica and Reggae Sumfest are a long way from Australia!

Romain Virgo

Filed Under: Damian Marley, Jamaica, Jamaican Music, Reggae Sumfest Tagged With: damian marley, international night 1, Reggae Sumfest, reggae sumfest 2013

International Night 1 of Reggae Sumfest 2013 – Awesome Music & Friendly Roots Vibes

July 31, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats Leave a Comment

International Night 1 of Reggae Sumfest 2013…

Day 2 of the 3-day live reggae and dancehall music marathon in Montego Bay, Jamaica. My favourite of the 3 concert nights at Reggae Sumfest.

Beres Hammond at International Night 1

International Night 1 Vibes

International Night 1 had a very different feel to the previous Dancehall Night. The vibes were friendlier, earthier and much more chilled. There were also less people than on Dancehall Night (Jamaican Macky was right). That made it more comfortable and easier to find space and move around the festival site.

International Night 1 Music

The music on International Night 1 was mostly of the roots rock reggae kind – with conscious lyrics.

Almost every artist on the program gave an absolutely top quality performance…

Barrington Levy + Tarrus Riley + Iba Mahr + Beres Hammond + Jah Cure + Nature.

: Iba Mahr

: Barrington Levy

: Tarrus Riley

: Beres Hammond

: Jah Cure

Beres Hammond and his lovers rock reggae music was smooth and simply lovely.

Beres Hammond may just have the coolest, funkiest band on this earth.

Flo Rida from the States was the only exception to the above. The music was tedious – and out of step with the flow of the rest on the program.

Every musician in the accompanying bands was incredible. The rhythm sections were some of the greatest players I’ve heard. I also loved hearing some horns in Jamaican music again after so much hornless dancehall.

: Tarrus Riley’s band

: Tarrus Riley – International Night 1

The back-up singers were awesome to watch and hear – and sexy in a wholesome kind of way (compared to sexy in a raunchy dancehall way).

Beres Hammond

The absolute stand out acts of International Night 1 were Barrington Levy and Tarrus Riley. Their concerts at Reggae Sumfest have gone into my lifetime stand-out-gig list.

Barrington Levy

Barrington Levy is absolutely awesome. He was actually one of the earliest of the dancehall artists. A tasty, stylish form of dancehall. He had some amusing and interesting things to say and sing about contemporary dancehall music and culture at his Reggae Sumfest show:

“We don’t need no dancers or smoke up here on the stage. Just the music.”

I’d say Barrington Levy’s music is now a mix of reggae, dancehall, jazz, rock n roll (yes), r&b & funk. He even has a song called ‘Dancehall Rock’. It is grooving, funking dancehall fusion. Interestingly, Barrington Levy has spent a lot of time outside of Jamaica – even sings about it in the song videoed below.

Barrington Levy

I loved Barrington Levy’s music, and the amazing performance by he and his band.

Check out all of this video of Barrington Levy at Reggae Sumfest to hear the mix of musical flavours…

Tarrus Riley

Tarrus Riley is a kind of contemporary reggae I wanted to find in Jamaica.

The music sounded fresh, and unique. Tarrus Riley’s sweet voice did too.

That sound is influenced by his always musical life as the son of world travelling, veteran Jamaican roots singer Jimmy Riley. He was also exposed to more music from being raised outside of Jamaica and deejaying before turning to song writing.

Tarrus Riley might be my best new musical find in Jamaica so far.

2 short videos of Tarrus Riley live at Reggae Sumfest here…

On International Night 1, just like on Dancehall Night, Reggae Sumfest’s main stage was run professionally and efficiently – with flawless sound, lighting, visuals and band changeovers.

Jah Cure

Jah Cure was a cruisy reggae close to International Night 1 in the morning light.

Jah Cure

It was the 2nd Reggae Sumfest morning in the open air, where daylight was suddenly there – without warning that a whole long festival night of quality live music was over, already. This time the sunrise music was of the roots reggae kind rather than the dancehall.

International Night 1 was my favourite of the three Reggae Sumfest concert nights – for its friendly vibes and its musical style. I loved all of it and recommend it to all reggae music lovers.

Filed Under: Barrington Levy, Beres Hammond, Jamaica, Jamaican Music, Reggae Sumfest, Tarrus Riley Tagged With: barrington levy, beres hammond, international night 1, Reggae Sumfest, reggae sumfest 2013, tarrus riley

Dancehall Night @ Reggae Sumfest – A Hot, Fun Festival Party

July 30, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats

Reggae Sumfest 2013 – a week long music/dance festival marathon in Montego Bay, Jamaica – done!

The 3 concert nights kicked off on Thursday with Dancehall Night – basically a really fun, happening and hot all night party on festival grounds.

“Just One Part of Our Culture “

Before Dancehall Night, a Jamaican named Macky (a roots reggae lover) told me this:

That dancehall music you heard last night is only one part of our music culture in Jamaica. Dancehall Night will get the biggest crowd at Reggae Sumfest, but it won’t be the nicer one.

Was Macky right?

Dancehall Night drawing the biggest crowd of the 3 Reggae Sumfest concert nights? Definitely.
Dancehall music being only 1 part of Jamaican music culture? Of course. But it was the biggest crowd because dancehall is a huge part of contemporary mainstream music and culture.
Dancehall Night crowd not being “the nicer one”? Well, Dancehall Night definitely had a certain vibe– a bit more intense than the earthier, more chilled crowd at the 2 International Nights that followed with their roots reggae rock vibes.

The Dancehall Night crowd was fun. They knew how to have a really long, good, fun party – more than any other festival crowd I’ve been in.

Reggae Sumfest Space

The festival space is a grass field near the centre of Montego Bay (Catherine Hall).

1 main stage at the front of the field.

A VIP area front and side of stage – filled with tourists, and Jamaicans who can and do pay the extra $ for the VIP ticket. The rest of the field space – the livelier, grittier and generally more fun & happening area of the festival.

Around the outside of the field are food stalls, bars and toilets.

There are also lots of structures set up by sponsors. Lots of them have a members box on the top level. One has dancers and DJs. Two are mini stages hosting short performances between main stage sets.

Movement around the festival site is easy. Stage visibility is good from everywhere on site – with lots of screens. Quality of sound is good in most places. Stage lighting and visuals are beautiful. Band changeovers are quick and efficient.

Dancehall Night Music

All Dancehall Night artists except I Octane were straight up dancehall.

I don’t love dancehall music. Reggaeton music came from dancehall. I have a healthy loathing for reggaeton. To me most reggaeton music sounds the same – and most dancehall music sounds the same.

There’s also a whole conversation we could have about some dancehall lyrics. It would kind of go the same as the one about reggaeton lyrics.

No matter what can be said about dancehall music, one thing is for sure: each and every live performance at Dancehall Night was incredibly entertaining and fun.

The performers sang and toasted brilliantly – each with a sexy and energetic stage presence. Outrageously awesome outfits. Quality musicianship from the bands. Constant dance and movement by both the artist and dancers joining them on stage some times.

Dancehall Night Men

Male artists on the bill included Beenie Man, I Octane, I Wayne, Popcaan, Aidonia, Bounty Killer, Assassin, Kip Rich, Tommy Lee Sparta, RDX & Bugle.

: I Wayne

: Popcaan

: RDX

: RDX

: Beenie Man

: Bugle

Check out some videos of I Wayne’s Dancehall Night show…

King of Dancehall

Musically I Octane was my favourite male artist of the night. I’ve crowned him my Dancehall King – even though his music has more reggae flavours than the other dancehall artists on the program. Sorry Beenie Man.

I Octane

Dancehall Night Women

The female artists at Dancehall Night kicked all the wannabe Dancehall Kings’ butts!

Lady Saw – Macka Diamond – Spice – Baby Tash – Danielle DI.

: Lady Saw – Queen of Dancehall

: Danielle DI

: Spice

: Spice-Dancehall Night

: Macka Diamond

: Baby Tash

Talented, feisty, hot women powering the stage.

Check out a video here of Spice performing on Dancehall Night…

THE Queen of Dancehall

One of those Dancehall Night ladies is the rightful title holder of Queen of Dancehall. She is Lady Saw.

Her feisty and powerful performance was the most incredible one of the night for me. When Lady Saw was on stage it felt to me like she was the Queen of every single person and thing at the festival.

I’m told The Queen is switching from dancehall to gospel music. I think Lady Saw will sound divine singing gospel.

Lady Saw – Queen of Dancehall

: Lady Saw live @ Dancehall Night, Reggae Sumfest 2013

: Lady Saw-Dancehall Night

Must-see video of Lady Saw’s first song on Dancehall Night…

Where’s the Vinyl & CDs?

No music cds or vinyl for sale at Reggae Sumfest – what a shame for the artists with so many tourists at the festival with money in their pockets to spend on Jamaican music.

Dancehall Dance

Dance is an integral part of Dancehall culture – so Dancehall Night was as much a dance fest as a music fest.

Everywhere you looked you saw amazing dancers – on the stages, in cages and in the crowd.

Macka Diamond

Spice

The amazing dancers were just another reason, maybe even more than the music, why I loved every single hour of Dancehall Night.

Sponsors Supporting Music?

Be prepared. Being at Reggae Sumfest was like watching a very awesome music and dance show on a commercial tv channel. Between artist sets all those great viewing screens are filled with commercials – for insurance and phone companies, car parts, hair products, beer, energy drinks, and the morning after pill. There are also those sponsor booths I told you about. I’m told it’s the norm in Jamaica.

Every poster I see for parties in Jamaica seems to be sponsored by some (generally big) company. I wonder if those corporate sponsors are a necessary part of keeping the Jamaican music and dance culture alive?

Dancehall Night Vibes

Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest = Fun vibes. Party vibes. Hot vibes. Jamaicans know how to party real, real good.

I loved being part of it. I was entertained from start to finish.

Dancehall Night was just the start of the marathon that is Reggae Sumfest. It was the first of 3 mornings I watched the sun come up with the rest of the crowd – so tired – but so happy for a night of great music and amazing dance.

Filed Under: Beenie Man, I Wayne, Jamaican Music, Lady Saw, Reggae Sumfest, Spice Tagged With: dancehall night, iwayne, lady saw, queen of dancehall, Reggae Sumfest, reggae sumfest 2013

Jamaican Dance Crews Ruled MoBay Nite Out & Rule My Jamaican World

July 27, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats

Jamaican parties are so much fun, even the tamer ones. Outdoor parties in open air environments are the best. And Jamaican dancers now rule my Jamaican world.

By the end of Monday’s free ‘MoBay Nite Out’ Party at Old Hospital Park in Montego Bay, the dance crews had my jaw to the ground. Travelling half way across the world to get to Jamaica all felt worth it at that moment.

MoBay Nite Out was a nice Party – good vibes all round. It was in a park by the sea. It was a full moon. It was free, which meant accessibility for people of all means and a more local flavour than the previous night at the Reggae Sumfest Beach Party. There were kids there enjoying it, generally always a good sign of a friendly event.

The DJ for the night, DJ Shem, did the same thing I hated when he played at the official Sumfest Beach Party – played too much American pop music. I loved watching him up there though, just for his posse of one or two ‘assistants’ always standing there with him in support.

At the start of the night, the boring and predictable tourist games went on again. I learned this lesson a second time in Montego Bay – do not listen to taxi drivers about when events start here. The good stuff happens late. Do not arrive until midnight.

The singers and toasters who graced the stage during the night were certainly entertaining – some good, some bad.

But it was the dance crews at MoBay Nite Out who absolutely rocked my world – doing their thing on the stage, and in the crowd.

Never in my life before, not anywhere in the world I’ve been, have I seen such amazing dancers. I’ve seen incredible dancers across the Caribbean waters in Cuba (and elsewhere in the world), but for me there is something extra special about the way Jamaicans move. Maybe it’s the infusion of freedom in Jamaican music and dance that Cuba doesn’t have?

Whatever it is, it is special, it is hot, and I am totally and utterly hooked on it.

The female dance crews certainly have their acrobatic tricks and rump shaking down, and were super hot, talented and sexy.

It was the male dance crew members who really did it for me though. Not because they were also super hot and sexy. Because stylistically they were so much more diverse and varied in their moves than the women.

That was at the official MoBay Nite Out Party. Those dancers continued battling on in the street into the wee hours of the morning . Crowds of people, the dancers amongst them, lined each side of the street facing one another. The dancers battled one another from their respective side of the road as the cars passed through on the road between them. It rocked my world again like no dance ever has before.

Check out these dodgy videos of the tamer stuff here…

My Jamaican mission was always music, but the dance is such an amazing part of this culture too. I must find more.

Filed Under: Dance, Jamaica, Jamaican Music Tagged With: jamaican dance, Jamaican Dance Crews, Jamaican dancers, MoBay Nite Out

Reggae Sumfest Beach Party – Arrive Late

July 24, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats Leave a Comment

The Reggae Sumfest Beach Party kicked off the 2013 festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The Beach Party started badly. It did get better and better though – ending with a smile.

Most of the things I could have done without came in the first half of the night:

*The first couple of DJ’s playing North American pop songs that I don’t really want to hear anywhere in the world I am, and especially not in Jamaica. Celine Dion is popular in Jamaica I’m told.

DJ Shem

*Some interesting singers in between DJ sets.

*Bikini clad dancing girls on show. Sexy sure, but believe me that the sexier ones were definitely in the crowd just naturally doin their thing).

*The foam pit.

*The tourists bought on stage to generally put on an embarrassing show for everyone.

Those sorts of things I just wasn’t into, at all. Maybe they think that’s what tourists want? Not me.

I wanted great music in a more natural and tasteful environment.

A musical event in an outdoor setting can make up for so much though can’t it? It can make the whole experience so much more pleasurable- no matter what deficiencies an event might or might not have.

The Beach Party was on a patch of Caribbean sands and grass -with a cool night breeze blowing under a nearly full moon. Those things got me through the wait for the good stuff of the night. They also made the whole night’s experience a much more delightful one overall.

Things did get better, and better. I eventually got most of what I wanted from the Reggae Sumfest Beach Party.

The mechanical bull and foaming pit came down, the tourist games stopped and the DJ’s changed. Then came some music and dance delights in a more natural environment.

*Great music. Great DJ’s. Tasty reggae and dancehall, with occasional touches of hip hop and soul, skillfully mixed up by DJ Baby Thug, DJ Smoke and DJ Crazy Neil.

*Awesome dancers – Jamaicans in the crowd just naturally doing the amazing and hot thing they do. I love watching people move their bodies however they move them, and I now love love love watching Jamaicans move the way they do. Stylin. Hot. Stylin. Hot. Stylin. Hot. The Jamaican men, women and even the beautiful, smiling 10 year old girl with more moves now than I would ever have if I trained for the rest of my life.

In the end it was some tasty music and tasty dancing that made me stay at the Beach Party til the end…shaking my booty worse than every Jamaican in the crowd!

If I get to the Reggae Sumfest Beach Party again, I will arrive later in the night – when the games are finished and the really good stuff has kicked in. “Jamaicans party late” I have now heard countless times from Jamaicans, and must remember.

Filed Under: Jamaican Music, Reggae Sumfest Tagged With: Beach Party, Beach Party 2013, Jamaican Festivals, Reggae Sumfest, Reggae Sumfest Beach Party

Redbones Blues Cafe – Supporting Jamaican Music & Arts

July 23, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats Leave a Comment

Jamaica’s musical history and culture is rich yes. Like all (most?) places in the world though, support for the arts becomes harder and harder to find.

In that environment, Kingston’s Redbones Blues Cafe is a cultural treasure to be savoured.

Kingston’s Cultural Institution

Redbones Blues Cafe is a cultural institution in Kingston. Its 15 year anniversary book is testament to that – full of positive commentaries from Jamaicans and foreigners about their experiences there.

Further testament is Redbones’ regular and loyal clientele. They keep going back to Redbones for a lot of good reasons- all of which put together, create a really special experience of being there.

Redbones Blues Cafe Specialties

Jamaican and World Music

Really importantly, Redbones Blues Cafe is one of a handful of Kingston venues supporting live Jamaican music.

You can sit in a beautiful courtyard setting and hear original live music gigs there at least 2 nights a week – with DJ’s on other nights. The music you’ll hear will cover genres of all sorts from all over the world – including reggae yes :).

Living Roots live@ Redbones

Supporting other Jamaican and foreign art forms

Redbones Blues Cafe regularly hosts visual arts exhibitions, film showings, theatre productions, vibes verse poetry nights and other arts events.

Friendly, Passionate People

The family that runs Redbones (since 1996) and their loyal staff, are welcoming, friendly and great company.

They are also passionate about the cultural space they want to create for people to enjoy. That passion and their creative vision shows in every aspect of the Redbones venue and the experience you’ll have there.

Food, Glorious Food

Redbones serves up really delicious Caribbean fusion meals –at reasonable prices in what is generally a pretty expensive country.

Character, Style and Ambience

Each different space at Redbones – indoor dining, outside dining, courtyard and bar – is oozing musical character, history and art.

Beautiful ambient lighting everywhere- walls decorated with vinyl records, musical instruments, photos and art works – your pick of bar stools, couches or chairs – make every space a pleasure to hang out in, and hard to leave.

Blessed Be All

Blessed is Kingston and Jamaica that Redbones Blues Cafe exists. There are not enough places like it left in the world.

Blessed am I that I found Redbones and was able to spend many delightful hours there in good company listening to great music.

If you get to Kingston, find Redbones, and you’ll keep finding it again and again.

If you make it there in June, check out the annual KOTE (Kingston on the Edge) Urban Arts Festival. It’s a 10 day event held at Redbones and other Kingston venues, showcasing a wide range of Kingston artists of every sort.

Thanks be to Redbones Blues Cafe for helping to keep Jamaican music and arts alive for us all.

Filed Under: Jamaica, Jamaican Music, Redbones Blues Cafe Tagged With: Jamaican Music, Jamaican music venues, KOTE, live jamaican music, Red Bones, redbones, redbones blues

“Reggae Has a Fight”

July 21, 2013 by Beaver on the Beats Leave a Comment

“Reggae has a fight”.

“We’re losing our culture.”

These are the sorts of things people in Kingston have been saying to me all week – most of them venue and music store owners.

Gone are the days when Jamaicans bought music from music stores.

Now Jamaicans get music on-line for free or buy it from bootleggers on the streets. Economic conditions for most Jamaicans mean that is the only option for getting music, but it is a choice for many others. An important one, I think.

Gone are the days when Jamaicans bought lots of Jamaican music.

Now, the radio stations and record stores are inundated with music from North America. “Jamaicans are less and less Afro-Centric” a venue owner said to me this week. If the Jamaican wedding reception I’m listening to outside my door right now is any indication, every song from the U.S.A., that person may be right.

Gone are the days when music stores sold lots of Jamaican music.

Now, as I discovered on my missions to different Kingston music stores this week, very little current Jamaican music can be found in those stores. It is mostly foreigners like me who are looking for it. Most Jamaican music, even when made in Jamaica, is sent overseas to be pressed to CD, and not much of it comes back to Jamaican shores. “You need to go to London or New York to find Jamaican music” they tell me.

Prices in Jamaican$, U.S$ and Euros

Gone are the days when Jamaican bands played regularly in Jamaica. Gone are the days when those bands had lots of venues to play in.

Now, for many Jamaican bands to make most of their income for the whole year, they tour overseas for the Summer.

Now, there are few venues in Jamaica supporting regular live music gigs.

Gone are the days when sound systems could set up on the street and go.

Now, government regulations imposing shut down times, and requiring a sound system operator to get five or so permits, makes it hard for sound systems to be set up and to make a profit.

These are the things I’ve been told this week when searching for current/recent Jamaican music to buy and take home with me, and also for live gigs to go to. This is what that record store owner meant when he said “Reggae has a fight”.

You might say these same stories apply everywhere in the world. That’s probably true, certainly in Australia as well as most countries I’ve visited (always looking for the same thing – local music and gigs). I’m always just as disappointed about it.

Do these things affect Jamaica more than other countries where the stories are the same? I don’t know. I can’t help thinking about another thing said to me by the same Kingston music store owner who said “Reggae has a fight”:

“Reggae is Jamaica’s biggest export. What will we do when that’s gone?”

I have my bag of Jamaican music to take home with me and enjoy. It was a bigger mission finding it than I had hoped – and I wanted the bag to be bigger – but they ain’t bootlegs.

I found some live gigs in Kingston town, and a few supportive venues – but I wish there were more.

Maybe you’ve been to Jamaica? Maybe you had a different experience to me? I’d love to hear good news stories that prove I don’t know what I’m talking about.

For anyone in Kingston looking to buy current Jamaican music (on CD): Most items in my music bag are from the Music Mart in Half Way Tree (8 South Ave). A couple are from Tuff Gong. Strangely enough, every album in that bag and a couple more, I found on my way out of Kingston – at the airport music shop. Stranger still is that they were cheaper than I paid in the city.

Filed Under: Jamaican Music, Music Stores Tagged With: Jamaican Music, jamaican music stores, Jamaican music venues, music mart, Tuff Gong

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