"The Ultimate 2011" - 25 of 2011's Biggest Dancehall & Reggae Tunes

Jamaican-based recording/publishing giant Tad’s Record, known to music fans around the world as ‘the Ultimate Reggae Xperience’ is unveiling a monumental experience in Dancehall. The Ultimate 2011 – Tad’s collection of twenty-five of the year’s foremost Dancehall bangers – will hit stores and digital outlets on Friday, August 26th.

The Ultimate 2011 features Vybz Kartel’s monster anthem “Summertime,” Mavado’s “Star Bwoy,” “Things A Come Up” by Buju Banton, and “Miss A Loop” from I-Octane, as well as pounding singles from Dancehall icons Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, and Lady Saw.

Lyrical pros Assassin and Aidonia, Roots soldiers Richie Spice Herzon and Jah Cure, sirens Danielle and Cherine Anderson, and newcomer Chan Dizzy round out the list of diverse and extraordinary talent on The Ultimate 2011.

“Tad’s Records strives to provide music lovers with ‘the ultimate’ experience in Jamaica’s rich musical landscape,” says Tad A. Dawkins, founder and CEO of Tad’s Record Inc. “ ‘The Ultimate 2011’ gives fans a rare collection of the absolute best that Dancehall has to offer this year.”

For more information on The Ultimate 2011 visit www.tadsrecord.com.

Montreal International Reggae Festival 2011‏

Photographer: Brian Kotler

[Montreal, Canada] This year the Montreal International Reggae Festival celebrated it’s 8th year of bringing together all the different genres of reggae from across the world. The festival attracts thousands of people every year with live music from the best upcoming artists all the up to well known foundation acts. Festival-goers also enjoyed culinary delicacies from some of Montreal's best Caribbean restaurants and merchandise to help celebrate Reggae culture.

This year the committee of the Montreal Reggae Festival decided to try something new for the Friday night, bringing in two of the biggest sound systems out of Jamaica to perform a Sound Clash*, certainly one of the biggest soundclashes to hit Montreal in 20 years. EB Club Lounge filled up quickly as Kilamanjaro and Black Kat Sound showcased some of their best dubplates from both past and present.

Though Black Kat put up a good fight, Kilamanjaro was able to win over the crowd with songs from the good old days and "killed" the competition. But of course, the real winners were the many true Reggae fans in attendance.

Though some supporters of the reggae fest were out late Friday night, on Saturday, which is always the day dedicated to Dancehall, the crowd filled up the Quays of the Old Port awaiting the performances of International Acts such as Exco Levi, Sustane, Jah Vinci, and Gyptian. The crowd cheered as Exco Levi, and Jah Vinci took stage for the 2nd time ever in Montreal, both commenting after the show that the people were much more receptive this time around and were engaged thoroughly, singing along to their Hits such as; "Bleaching Shop" (Exco levi), and "Soul to Keep" (Jah Vinci). This was also Jah Vinci's first time in Canada since the fall out with the Gaza Empire who was created by well known Entertainer Vybz Kartel.

Gyptian took over as closing act leaving fans in awe with his 55 minute performance taking us back to when he first started. He peformed songs like "My Father" all the way up to his hit single "Hold Yuh" which helped him obtain major international status, winning two major industry awards last year.

Sunday the cold weather and rain closed in on Montreal, but this didn’t stop the Montreal Reggae Fest crew or fans from coming out. By 4 o'clock there were crowds of fans with their umbrellas and jackets ready to take in some of the best foundation and globally known artistes. The crowd rocked away to the sounds of artists such as Beres Hammond, Wayne Wonder, and well known band Third World. Third World left Montreal not only with memories of the umbrellas rocking back and forth but also an award that was presented by The Black Coalition of Quebec and the Round Table on Black History Month for their outstanding contribution.

People in Montreal and Reggae Fest attendees are still buzzing about the Sunday performances stating how August 21st, 2011 will go down as one of the greatest days spent at The Montreal Reggae Festival since 2004. Fans look forward to next year, with the anticipation of the announcement of next years line up. We all look forward to 2012, as each year The Montreal Reggae Festival Committee brings us more and more excitement.