All Set For Fun In The Son Launch Next Thursday

Kingston, Jamaica (February 16, 2011) -- All systems are a go for the March 19 staging of the Best Dressed Fun In The Son Festival, which is slated to take place on the grounds of the UWI Mona Bowl, St. Andrew.

The exceptional event which has garnered a reputation for its unmatched activities and stellar musical lineup, will be launched next week Thursday, February 24 at the Church on The Rock at 7 p.m. The launch which has been likened to a theatrical production, will set the tone for this year’s proceedings under the Fun In The Son banner.

According to Tommy Cowan, head of Glory Music, the operators of the event, “This year’s launch and event will be an unforgettable one. At the launch, we will be outlining all the activities and artistes both the patrons and the media will be able to look forward to on this year’s event. So we are inviting everyone out, because we guarantee there will be something there of interest for everyone and we'll be pulling a lot of surprises out of the hat, so to speak.”

This year’s Best Dressed Fun In The Son marks a return to the event’s activities in previous years. In recent years, the event which became a one day event, mainly focusing on the concert, will again be expanded to become a four day series of events.

Among the activities planned beginning on Thursday, March 17 are: a Word and Worship session, A Gospel Jazz Night and the grand culmination – the grand concert on Saturday, March 19.

“The Best Dressed Fun In The Son series is about having fun with the family, your friends and great clean music and fun. Entry to the event is grand finale, which is the concert will be free and you name the activity and we will have it there,” says Cowan.

Headlining this year’s event will be one of gospel music’s biggest international entertainer’s, Tye Tribbett, who is known for his dynamic and upbeat tracks, Fresh, Keep Me, Stand Out, He Has Made Me Glad and more. In addition, he is joined by the ranks of reggae/dancehall gospel heavy-hitter, Papa San, the inspirational Carlene Davis, the energetic Prodigal Son, the uplifting Kevin Downswell and more.

Tanya Stephens Releases Shame On You

Singjay, Tanya Stephens has released yet another breathtaking single, Shame On You.

Known for her elevated lyrics and almost incomparable story-telling techniques, the track is done on a soca/zouk beat and was produced by the group 'Youth Waves' from St. Maarten.

The upbeat zouk beat tells the story of two persons who meet and the female doesn't want the night to end. The chorus reads: "If you don't let me love you/Shame on you/If you don't let me hold you/ Shame on you/I know you're fighting the feeling/Shame on you/Your nervousness revealing/Shame on you."

Stephens who is internationally known for her singles, It's A Pity, Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Di Yet, Boom Wuk, These Streets says this was her first time recording on a zouk beat and may not be her last. "I've always been a lover of music, not just one particular genre.

So I welcomed the opportunity to work with these guys and record on the beat. Since it's release persons, particularly soca lovers and those in other islands have been gravitating towards it." A video for the single will be released in upcoming weeks.

The artiste who also released her free online album, Infallible early last year has also been working on yet another album.

"The previous album Infallible and its tracks did well last year especially in the overseas market. Whenever I perform overseas everybody has a favourite. Fans were receptive to the idea of a free album that they could download, especially in an age of decreasing album sales. For the upcoming album, I haven't settled on a release date yet and other specifics, but there is one in the works," says Stephens.

Romeich's Love Affair With Gospel‏

With the release of Omari's Jehovah Guide Me which was produced by Romeich Major on his Romeich Records label, some have questioned the two music mavericks' decision to collaborate.

Romeich who is widely known for his Rave We A Rave beat featuring Konshens and Chino, Bank In A Mi Pocket riddim featuring Bounty Killer, Versatile, T-Nez and more, the Table Fi Table riddim featuring Chino with Tun It Up An Done, TOK's Money Christmas, Tony Matterhorn with Last Sex Symbol and more, says the Feel So Good riddim on which Omari's Jehovah Guide Me was recorded was a perfect fit.

"That song was actually the first track to be recorded on the Feel So Good reggae riddim. Omari heard it and liked the beat and came up with the perfect concept and words to go along with it and we took it from there.

The song has a great inspirational vibe to it and everybody, no matter where you come from will always look to God, especially when you look around and see some things happening or encounter daily stress in the streets or at work. So it's a song and riddim that can inspire people no matter what background they are from," says Romeich.

Romeich who is also the island's leading designer, with clients ranging from most of those in the entertainment fraternity and corporate giants also went on to say, "When I make music, I don't put it in a category and say no I won't record a gospel artiste. Music is music, no matter the genre.

My love affair wid good music goes much further than that. So fans can continue looking out for some fresh, great beats with inspirational artistes like Omari, dancehall artistes like Chino, Aidonia, Versatile, Bounty Killer and more. There are no boundaries in music, so just look out for more great things coming up in a few weeks."

Omari Back With New Single

After his debut hit single, Help, gospel artiste Omari seemed to be missing in action on the mainstream scene.

Omari however says he has remained at the forefront of the gospel scene winning both a Marlin award and an IRAWMA award last year and has been working on his debut album which is slated for release in March.

In addition, during that time period Omari has changed his management and booking company to Hub Entertainment. "A lot of fine-tuning has been happening so the release of the album can go according to schedule", says Omari.

As a precursor to the album, the singer has also released the first single from the upcoming project, Jehovah Guide Me, which was produced by Romeich Records.

Omari says, "Similar to Help, this track, Jehovah Guide Me isn't beating people over the heads about what they should and shouldn't do. It's more about us looking to God as our help despite whatever it is that we go through.

Some people may call it 'conscious reggae', some may call it gospel. I don't necessarily want to be categorised or have people focus on that. I want to always make music that is positive, powerful and uplifting."The video for Jehovah Guide Me which was released last week is scheduled to hit all major local and Caribbean airwaves early next week.

"People can look out for that and keep an eye out for the album which will be coming in a few weeks," he said.

Omari -Jehovia Guide

VP Records Releases Chino's "From Mawning" EP

As the countdown to Chino McGregor's first US album kicks into high gear, VP Records had released the EP, From Mawning, containing four of Chino's most widely known hits.

The tracks From Mawning, Pon Yuh Head, Ruff It Up and Protected were the songs selected to introduce the singer to the US audience prior to the release of the album and are being disseminated for sale via iTunes and other online sites.

The US debut album which was originally scheduled for a March release date, now has a tentative release date of May 24.Chino says, "All the tracks are done, but we wanted to ensure all the other logistics were 100 percent in place before the release of the album. I think it's something that fans will really love. Those who have heard a sneak preview are excited about it, so everyone should just keep an ear out for it when it drops. A lot of unexpected material will be on it."

The singjay who was nominated for two Youth View awards will be off the island for most of February and March as he begins to pave the way for his upcoming album.

Is The Reggae/Dancehall Industry Turning Away Female Talents?‏

On August 30th 2010, BET (Black Entertainment Television) did a documentary about the dwindling presence of women in hip-hop. The documentary featured approximately 10 women who have worked, or is working in the industry in some aspect. One of the women made a comment that sparked a debate within the hip-hop community, and that was, “when it comes to hip-hop, it’s a man’s world”.

After meeting and working with several women in the Reggae/Dancehall industry and getting a first hand account of some of their experiences, I would like us, (the Reggae/Dancehall community) to have a discussion about how we see the women within this genre.

The woman that has most recently stirred my interest in this topic is reggae-soul singer, LeAnn who has always had a love and appreciation for reggae music. Most Jamaicans may be familiar with her as Keisha Wright, which is the name she used a few years ago when she was enjoying a fair amount of success as an emerging artist. Back then she was working the industry circuit, getting herself on both reggae and jazz shows nationwide and also releasing music with well established artists.

As she points out, her progress as an artist has been stymied by the way the men dominating the business viewed her. She recounts that several producers would offer to work with her but more often than not their work had to be seasoned with other things not pertaining to music. Her reluctance to submit to their terms would result in their loss of interest. LeAnn also recounted experiences such as being questioned about her involvement with a partner and being exposed to producers who feared working because of possible jealousy from a boyfriend.

After turning away from the music industry for a couple of years, LeAnn is re-entering with a better understanding of how to position herself as a woman in this business. She believes that at the end of the day it boils down to how talented and determined you are.

Armed with a God given talent to sing, and her own support team (consisting of PR, management and booking agents) LeAnn is now ready to give it another go. She is re-releasing a single she did with Beenie Man entitled “stan” (this song was released in Japan some time ago and was quite successful there) as well as a brand new single called “free”. Persons can download both singles absolutely free at http://www.mediafire.com/?z1mclbaqb5jyala.

LeAnn is also currently in discussion with Russcuttaz Music Production, a Jamaican based record label, regarding the possibility of the two joining forces in a three years recording deal.

For more information about LeAnn: www.reverbnation.com/leann

Video: Tiana ft. Skitzo - Dat Mi Want Remix