Reggae Rhythm & Blues Gets A Tripple Threat

Still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Irene, New York City is now preparing for another uproar this coming weekend, when Reggae and Rhythm & Blues fans flood Roy Wilkins Park for the 1st Annual Reggae Rhythm & Blues Festival on September 4th.

The already power-packed lineup is now facing the triple threat of Reggae legends John Holt and Leroy Sibbles, and Rootsy Dancehall star I-Octane, who will be storming the stage alongside some of the biggest names in music.

Joining the ranks of ten-time Grammy award winner Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, acclaimed Rhythm & Blues siren Monica, Dancehall superstar Mavado, Soca King Machel Montano, and Roots Reggae champion Tarrus Riley, I-Octane, John Holt, and Leroy Sibbles will be part of one of the biggest celebrations of Caribbean-American music this Labor Day weekend.

Scheduled a day before the City’s massive West-Indian American Day Carnival Parade, the Reggae Rhythm & Blues Festival will be a featured attraction for the tens of thousands of revelers from around the world that pour into the City for the annual Carnival festivities.

I-Octane, one of Dancehall’s most promising new talents, visited New York earlier this year on the North American leg of his successful My Life Tour, which also took him to Europe and Asia. His singles “My Life,” and “Lose A Friend,” have hit Reggae music charts around the world, and landed him a spread in the April/May issue of Vibe Magazine and a small feature in the New York Times.

Reggae legend John Holt has enjoyed a 48-year career as one of Jamaica’s most beloved singers. Known for hits like “A Love I Can Feel,” “Wear You to the Ball” and “The Tide is High,” which was covered by iconic punk band Blondie, Holt has released over 35 albums, since 1970.

Leoy Sibbles has been described as the “greatest all-around talent in reggae history” by Reggae Routes authors Kevin O’Brien Chang and Wayne Chen. The former lead singer of the legendary band The Heptones, Sibbles was also a songwriter and bassist for Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd’s Studio One label, working with Reggae’s biggest names including Alton Ellis, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown and Jackie Mitoo. As a solo artist, he’s released eight albums, the latest one, Reggae Hits Bass Lines, in 2009.

“Reggae Rhythm & Blues is turning out to be bigger than we predicted; the addition of I-Octane, Leroy Sibbles, and John Holt promises that this show will be nothing short of amazing,” says festival organizer Robert ‘Bobby’ Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Media. “We have a line-up that includes top of the top names in Reggae, Pop, Rhythm & Blues, Dancehall, and Soca – ranging from classic to contemporary. I know this is something that music lovers of all cultures and ages will enjoy.”

Video: DJ Sunshine Video Medley 2011

A Look Back at The 2011 Montreal International Reggae Festival!

The staging of the 8th annual Montreal International Reggae Festival (MIRF) sees organizers deliver premium programming resonate throughout the Old Port, and sees Reggae enthusiasts dance in the sun and rain!

Exceeding expectations of the most particular fan, MIRF placed a wide range of artist on stage; from up and coming to seasoned veteran. The musical mix included R&B, Hip Hop and Soul from the new comers, while the more experienced artists entertained the 10,000 plus audience with Dubwise, Reggae and Lovers Rock.

Performance highlights of the festival include Clash night which was held on Friday (August 19th, 2011). Competing for the title of Clash champion, Black Kat Sound featuring Panther and Killamanjaro Sound, featuring Freddie Kruger, endured five 20 minute rounds of selecting the most poignant dubplates vying for the approval and votes of fans.

Of the 10 Clash fans polled, 8 believed Freddie Kruger was going to win, and win he did! Lacing Panther with customized dubs recorded just for the Montreal Reggae Festival, selector Freddie Kruger pulled out all the stops and let it be known he didn’t come to play and was taking the Clash very seriously. “Clash is a serious business, and I came to win” said Kruger. One fan, Robert, echoed that sentiment by saying “there was no way Panther could handle Freddie. Panther did gwaan good in dih fuss round, but him get beat fih dih ress. Freddie ah dih man fih dis one!”

Continuing with the highlights, introductory artists Naky B who performed Dancehall, KC who performed Reggae and Dancehall, and M City Solo who performed a cross of Hip Hop and Dancehall entertained while Ammoye, fresh off her European debut, rocked the audience. Giving the people a taste of her Lover’s Rock, Ammoye earned forwards for “Still In Love” and “Shooting” while her Toronto counterpart, Exco Levi, made an impact for his song “Bleaching Shop” on Penthouse’s OMG riddim.

Jah Vinci lived up to every minute of hype as he performed a full set and left the audience wanting more. Often, the upcoming star was not able to finish his songs as the crowd insisted he pull up his chune. Gyptian and his trademark ‘Rrrrrrr’ had ladies going wild. Too much for one, a lady tried to rush the stage to personally tell the award winner how much she loves him! Half way through his set, Gyptian called fellow bredrin and artist Nitty Kutchie to the stage who performed a 15 minute set including the song “Badman” which earned several cheers.

On the second night of the festival, Third World demonstrated just how loyal their fans are as people stood in a torrential down pour to see their favourite group. With emotions running high from fans and the band, Third World was honored with a plaque from The Black Coalition of Quebec and the Round Table on Black History Month in honor of The International Year for People of African Descent, in remembrance of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its abolition 23rd August. Third World Band received the honor for their outstanding contribution.

Wayne Wonder helped us enjoy memories of the times when Dancehall was nice by reviving hits such as “Joyride,” “No Letting Go” and “Saddest Day of My Life” to name a very few. Closing out the festival was Mr. Lovers Rock himself, Beres Hammond who went over and above any performance we’ve seen in recent history. So sweet was the icon’s performance, Beres nor the fans wanted to leave the park!