G-Whizz Releases New Tracks, Works Toward Album

April 7, 2011 - Kingston, Jamaica - Singer, G-Whizz known for his mega-hit, Life and follow up singles, Tomorrow, Weekend, Night or Day and more, has been hard at work preparing for the release of his summer debut album.

The still untitled album is nearing completion and is scheduled to be released in Japan by a record label there. G-Whizz whose correct name is Garland Rowe says, “The album was originally scheduled to be released in April but we revised a number of things, so that, plus the devastation in Japan caused a lot of things to get pushed back. But we are now back on track and we are expecting a great album.”

G-Whizz has also recently released three new singles, which he says will be in heavy rotation on the airwaves over the next few weeks. Who Jah Bless produced by Gachapan Records from Japan, Bartender produced by TJ Records and Mi Goal on the Smooth Bass Riddim produced by Fams House Records, for which a medley video also featuring Munga Honorebel, Laden and Krissy is currently in rotation.

In addition, G-Whizz has been hitting the streets on the Irie FM Road Shows where he has gotten the chance to not only perform for, but also interact with his wide fan base.

“That has been a great vibe so far, travelling around the island and getting to showcase the older tracks that people are familiar with and also the newer ones that I just released. So far the reception has been a great one. I can’t complain,” he says.

Third World Picks The Big Apple To Premiere Album

(New York, NY, April 2, 2011): Grammy Nominated group, Third World, will travel to New York to premiere their 23rd album, Patriots. Executive Produced by Third World Music Group and Co-produced by Dean Pond, the thirteen track album features collaborations with the late Gregory Isaacs, Marcia Griffiths, Tessanne Chin, Capleton, Stephen and Damian Marley, Toots Hibbert, Sly Dumbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Dean Frazier, Inner Circle, Mykal Rose, Jessica Yapp (on violin), Junior Reid, and Tarrus Riley.

With several promotional events scheduled, the band will kick-off the week-long promotions with an in-store signing and Meet and Greet at VP Records Retail Store in Queens, New York on Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 3pm-6pm.

Third World Music Group and VP Records recently joined forces to distribute the hardcopy of the album, which is scheduled to hit stores on April 5, 2011. The pairing adds to the growing repertoire of major releases through the newly formed VP Associated Labels Group (VPAL) which includes physical distribution for the group as well as marketing services through VP's label services

On Monday, April 4, 2011, the band will perform live in studio at Sirius XM Radio in New York City. Sirius XM's The Joint is giving a fan the opportunity to attend the intimate and exclusive performance. Those who are interested should visit http://www.siriusxm.com/thejoint for a chance to win. In between appearances the group will take over the airwaves with interviews on radio stations such as Caribbean Fever 107.5FM, LinkUp 93.5FM, Irie Jam 93.5FM, Road Block Radio, WRSU 88.7FM, WBAI 99.5FM, WUSB 90.1FM and Royal Radio.

Then on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at Highline Ballroom located at 431 West 16th Street, New York, Third World will premiere the album and perform live with special guest, Donahue Jarrett and Tessanne Chin, who is featured on the album (Commercial). Sponsored by VP Records, Linkup Media, WBLS 107.5FM, JAMPACT, UWIAA New York Chapter and Middle Passage Commission Corp and Unchained Forever Inc., the event will be hosted by Pat McKay of Sirius XM Radio and Dahved Levy of Caribbean Fever WBLS 107.5FM.

April 5th will not only be about the album, but also about Third World and their accomplishments as a group. To reward those accomplishments, they will be honored by the UWIAA New York Chapter, JAMPACT and the United Nation's Middle Passage Commission Corp and Unchained Forever Inc.

To close out the week, the band will conduct a music workshop, hosted by UWIAA New York Chapter, VicRae Inc. and Triple 7 Entertainment, on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York.For more information, visit www.thirworldband.com. To purchase tickets for the April 5th event, visit http://www.highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1871.

Shocking Murray Ready to Dominate Locally!‏

Now that he has established himself well in the European market, reggae/dancehall singjay Shocking Murray said he’s ready to dominate locally.

The soothing reggae chanter has impressively made a name for himself overseas, after a successful five-year stint promoting his debut album, ‘Rise to the Top’ which was released in 2006, on the German MK Music label. And, given the reception he has received across Europe , the Portland-native now believes it’s time for him to target local audiences.

“I’m working harder, keeping the focus and being more careful about who I’m working with,” said Murray, in reference to his desire to conquer the local music industry.

The singjay is currently promoting two singles off his soon to be released album; these are the anti-violence Johnny and Natural Livity, which he believes will strike a positive chord with Jamaicans as they speak to specific issues facing the island.

Shocking Murray, whose also getting ready to release his second album ‘Trodding On’ this year, said “Jamaicans are going through so much now, that the only thing close to perfect satisfaction for them is good music. This is exactly what my new singles will provide for them.”

Though the singjay is currently on a mission to get his material out to the Jamaican public, his journey in music really began in 1990 when he linked up with producers IUS and Devon Bradshaw and recorded his first single Drum, at the Black Scorpio studio in Kingston.

After another four released singles, a young Shocking Murray was discovered by Black Uhuru’s legendary former lead Michael Rose who later introduced him to Squidly Cole, this lead to the release of two singles, Position and Heaven Holiday, which was distributed by Tuff Gong record label in 1992.

In 1995 Shocking Murray got his breakthrough hit in the form of Woman You Me Want, featuring fellow reggae artiste Antonio. The success generated from the single propelled Shocking Murray to pursue greener pastures in Europe, which resulted in him performing at several major festivals and stage shows across the continent.

Anything less than complete success for Shocking Murray would qualify as failure, given the energy that the father-of-one has invested in his music in recent years. He’s content that with hard work and extreme patience, therefore for him success is inevitable.

And, though he admitted that the business is still difficult locally, he firmly believes that he will make it on local soil. “Artistes and musicians are still struggling to get their music out there. But, good music never dies and that is what the people want,” he said.

Video: Vybz Kartel Ft Sheba - Benz Punany/You & Him Deh