Rage Set to Release "False Pretense"

Newcomer Rage is set to release his latest single False Pretense on January 14. Rage whose real name is Rickardo Dinham is based in New York. He is originally from the Kintyre area of Papine in St. Andrew. False Pretense is produced by Adrian 'Donsome' Hanson for Donsome Records.

This isn't the first time that Rage has worked with the New York based Donsome Records. He was featured on the fledging label's Reggae Grass Roots Vol. 1, Reggae in My Heart and Reggae Fruits and Roots Vol. 1 compilations. In a release to the media, Rage spoke about the new single and his emerging career.

'False Pretense was inspired by real events in my life. It's about my experience with a special someone and others under comparison. Real ladies are still out there', Rage explained. The deejay says he is bringing a dynamic sound and variety of concepts to the musical arena. 'I want people to stop and say 'that's true' when they listen to one of my songs', he noted. A former contestant in the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall competition in 2012, Rage met producers Cordell 'Skatta' Burrell and Peter 'Shadyville' Harrison who have helped to mould him into the artiste that he has become. '

My musical journey was and still is an upward trend, but thanks to Peter Harrison for my growth, it was a transformation from dancehall to reggae mostly. It has led me to realize that reggae music is my comfort zone', said Rage. 

Rage has released songs including No More Free Nights (Downsound Records); Holding Down featuring Lukie D (featured on Donsome Records' Reggae Grass Roots Vol. 1); Can't Say Goodbye (featured on Reggae in My Heart Vol. 1); and Higglers Anthem (featured on Reggae Fruits and Roots Vol. 1). His debut album Crazy World is to be released shortly on Shadyhill Music/Donsome Records LLC which he is signed to.

Penthouse 25 Years: The Journey Continues Compilation‏

Legendary Jamaican producer Donovan Germain and his Penthouse label productions have made an indelible mark in the history of reggae music. To commemorate 25 years since the founding of Penthouse recording studio, VP Records and Mr. Germain have collaborated on the new release Penthouse Records 25 Years - The Journey Continues.

The 2 CD/DVD collection will be available on January 14, 2014. The Penthouse Records 25 audio discs highlight essential hits, new tracks from its current roster and two unreleased tracks from the legendary Garnett Silk (“My Favorite Song” and a remix of his classic “Everything I Got”).

Hosted by Mr. Germain himself, the bonus DVD is an hour and 45 minute journey through the history of the studio and label and features many the key players in Jamaican music. Interviews include original Penthouse crew members Tony Rebel, Richie Stephens, Wayne Wonder, Marcia Griffiths and Beres Hammond.  

The Penthouse studio – originally located at 56 Slipe Road in Kingston, Jamaica – produced many of the genre's biggest hits during the late 1980s and 1990s and has continued to churn out chart-topping anthems since relocating in 1998 to its current address 6 Ballater Avenue. 

Founder Donovan Germain produced world-class recordings alongside the island's top engineers and studio musicians of the time – including Steven Stanley, Dave and Tony Kelly, Michael "Coolie" Cooper, Steely and Clevie, Sly and Robbie, Firehouse Crew, Steven "Lenky" Marsden and Mafia and Fluxy – and played an instrumental role in developing the careers of reggae stars Buju Banton (cranking out the most No. 1 singles for the reggae icon to date), Wayne Wonder, Cutty Ranks, Richie Stephens, Beres Hammond, Romain Virgo, Queen Ifrica and more. 

In addition to these artists, the deluxe 47-song collection features today’s crop of Penthouse artists, including Dalton Harris, D Major, Exco Levi, RC and Shuga. Producer and visionary Donovan Germain's quest for excellence is evident. He says "it’s all about the next hit song," and for Penthouse Records the journey continues.

Nigerian Mayor Turns To Reggae For Healing

Port Harcourt, Nigeria - Through their travels musicians are often privileged to meet persons from all walks of life, hardcore fans, music lovers, politicians and even the occasional royalty. Such an honor recently was bestowed on Morgan Heritage's youngest band member Mojo Morgan while journeying in Nigeria he became acquainted with Port Harcourt Mayor Chimbiko Iche Akarolo.

Bonding through music, Mojo heard a tale unlike any other, and combining his love of Music and Philanthropy decided to lend his voice, talent, compassion and heart to a worthy project. This is the story of the Mayor who became musician...

C-Strokes 

“Reality (Love & Life)” 

Hailing from the motherland of Africa, Chimbiko Iche Akarolo’s story is unlike any other. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria to school teacher parents, education was embedded in Chimbiko from an early age and his future seemed cemented unto that path. Proudly 7 years after being married, Chimbiko became the Mayor of Port Harcourt, the third largest city in Nigeria and dedicated his service to his beloved city when tragedy struck.

Within 3 months of taking office, the Mayor lost his devout wife during childbirth, due to a poor health system. Through this tragedy and like a phoenix rising through the ashes, Chimbiko Iche Akarolo’s alter ego C-Strokes emerged. Music became the bridge between politics, philanthropy and a foundation. The music also gave birth to CAF, a foundation created in honor of his late wife to support pregnant women and childcare. 

Music is the universal language. So as a means to raise funds for the charity, Chimbiko resorted to music as a tool for promoting the ideals of the foundation through the name C-Strokes. Although it is quite unorthodox for his position as a Mayor, his position in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria has enabled him to collaborate with medical associations and musical artists both locally and now internationally with Heritage Grown Productions. 

Mojo Morgan of Reggae super group Morgan Heritage, heads Heritage Grown Productions and he also shares in the vision to support childcare with emphasis on malaria. Mojo is featured on the remix of the lead single “It’s All About You” from the upcoming album “Reality (Love & Life)”. 

C-Strokes’ music touches emotionally where words alone can't express. All proceeds arising from his career as C-Strokes is donated to his CAF charity. With the help and new collaboration with Heritage Grown Productions, sub Saharan Africa will witness great support for motherhood and childcare in 2014 and beyond.

Jah Light Records Goes Reggae

Up and coming reggae artiste Matthew Greenidge continues to gather momentum from his recently released track, Jah Rules Over All, which comes off his debut album bearing the same name.

The song, released on Nov 5th 2013 on the various online outlets such as Amazon, Itunes, Ebay, CD Universe, etc, is being distributed physically by Independent Distribution Collective and digitally by BFM Digital.

The album features production from Trinidad-based labels JahLight Records and Studio 53, Flow Production based in Switzerland and One Harmony Production from UK.

The album also features a major collaboration with Queen Omega, a popular female reggae artiste who is also a Trinidadian. There is an official video completed for the album’s first single, He Loves Forever.

PROMOTIONS 

The entire project is being marketed by promotions guru Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards. Greenidge, who became a professional singer/writer in 2010, has so far impressed key reggae circles with his infectious melody with many pointing to the album’s feature track as an ingredient capable of generating a lot of musical success. 

The singer said he gets inspiration from figureheads such as Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Glen Washington and his older cousin Rincher, to whom he credits most of his musical knowledge. Since its release, Jah Rules Over All has elevated the aspiring artiste into the mainstream, something he wishes to continue elevating rapidly. “I am very pleased with the way the song has been received in the public. 

A lot of passion and hard work were invested in the project so it is only right that we are experiencing this moment. It is up to me and my management team to continue the hard work,” he said. 

Greenidge and JahLight Records met in 2011 and in that same year, he recorded and released his first professional single Burn To Learn on the label’s heavy ‘Passover’ rhythm which also features his cousin Rincher. He has since followed up with Bob Marley and Get Your Loving produced by JahLight Records and PengCo Music, respectively.