L3 Magazine August, 2012 Edition

Olympic Highlights, No Maddz Trods On, The Soul-Full Voice of Leela James, Visiting Washington DC and more!

Team L3 is in festive Olympic spirits this month as we receive news and updates about Caribbean athletes competing at the world’s highest level of competition. We are pleased to bring our readers some of the best photos that capture the essence and the feel of the Olympics prior to the closing ceremony on Sunday August 12th, 2012.

Tricia ‘Sparks’ Spence interviews No Maddz, a band from Jamaica, who is a shining success for the world to see and hear. The group has been together for years, has played and performed in multiple cities, and is one of the few to say they are endorsed by major corporations. How they achieved success, and their plans for the future is covered. Did we mention the fact that they have an uncontrollable sense of humour?!

Heike Dempster covered Jamaica’s premiere Reggae Festival, Sumfest, 2012. Reporting on the performances, and including her impressions, Heike gives us a full recap of one of the Caribbean’s best shows, and includes photo highlights such as the Emperor, Shabba Ranks performing as well as Lady Saw being officially crowned Dancehall Queen!

Today’s music has moved far the ‘soul’ it once had until you meet and hear the voice of, Leela James! L3’s Jennifer Menster sat down with the 2012 Soul Goddess in California just before the release of her tribute album to Etta James. Leela is fun, playful, few on words but oozing positive and colourful energy that melts the most hardened of hearts. Having traveled the world with her music, Leela is one trademark we are pleased to present in our folds!

We were on the scene in Japan for Lukie D and Iakopo’s well received performance, hosted by Tokiyas Sound as well as in Toronto for Caribana’s Junior Carnival hosted by Yorkgate Mall in the Jane and Finch Community!

Rounding out the August edition, we tell you why Spike Lee is experiencing a ‘spike’ in popularity, review new music from Kafinal, and Hemphigher Productions as well as take a look at bridesmaids dresses ladies can wear beyond a wedding. We give you a few reasons to visit Washington DC as well as beauty tips that include baking soda. All this plus Ms. August, Kristin, shot through the camera lens of our Centrefold editor, Jerome ‘Neu Era’ Dupont. All this and more available here: http://bit.ly/S8DIp1

Emperor Shabba Ranks Triumphs in the Studio with “War!”

Since his performance at the 2012 staging of Reggae Sumfest in beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica, Shabba Ranks has been on fire in the performance arena, and in the recording arena. Teaming up with one of Jamaica’s hottest younger generation producers, Calibud (Son of legendary producer Bobby ‘Digital B’ Dixon), Shabba recently returned to the studio to record
the powerful song “War.”

Performed on the rebuilt riddim used to back Bob Marley’s song of the same name, Emperor Shabba Ranks denounces war of all types including psychological and physical, and appeals to the powers that be to keep the war away from his people. Turning to his community, Shabba calls for us to unite in order that his people to be uplifted. Using the song’s punch line to emphasize his point, Shabba simply asks “Ah who win the war; the police in the jeep or the soldiers in armored cars?”

Recorded live at the family’s recording studio on Ron’s Road in June in Kingston, Jamaica, Shabba expressed how happy he is with the outcome of the recording. “I’m very pleased with the song,” said Shabba. “I look forward to adding this song to my performances when I perform for fans.” In addition to Shabba’s satisfaction with the song, several artists in the Reggae and Dancehall fraternity have been touched by the riddim which has led to the decision to make a full riddim including the vocals of Cali P, Tarrus Riley and General Degree.

“I’m very excited about the War riddim,” said Calibud. “This is a riddim that will help to unite the people and tell the world how great we are. This will be a great riddim.”Bobby ‘Digital B’ Dixon, who has kept a watchful eye over his Son and the project, agrees that this riddim is “ready for the world” and is very proud of his Son including his musical accomplishments.

The single is available on iTunes here:

www.itunes.apple.com/album/war-single/id548298215?v0