Fall 2015 Rundown (New Music & Events)

//*Upcoming Releases* New Fall 2015 Music//

Various Artists – Clarks in Jamaica
(Oct 16), Greensleeves) LP & Vinyl Release

Greensleeves, in conjunction with One Love Books, is proud to present Clarks in Jamaica, the album tie-in with Al Fingers’ critically acclaimed book of the same name which chronicles the celebrated status of Clarks shoes in Jamaica. The compilation showcases classics from the golden age of dancehall music that celebrate Jamaica’s love affair with the iconic English footwear brand. Al, who compiled the album says “Growing up in England I’ve always been fascinated by the Jamaican love of Clarks shoes and the way the brand is referenced within reggae and dancehall music. Vybz Kartel’s tune ‘Clarks’ brought the phenomenon to many people’s attention in 2010, but the relationship goes back a lot longer, and I wanted to bring attention to that, highlighting the work of artists such as Dillinger and Little John who sang about Clarks many years before.”

JUS NOW – Cyah Help It
(Oct 23, Feel Up) EP Release

Throughout the 5-song EP, Jus Now continues to bridge this musical gap – whether it is revamping soca artist Olatunji’s T&T carnival hit “Bam Bam” into a dancefloor banger for the masses on “Badder Than,” mixing reggae one-drop and electronic rhythms on “Culture” featuring Coreysan or channeling 2016 Trinidad Carnival vibes with fresh futuristic beats on “Wave Something” featuring the island’s own Bunji Garlin and Kerwin Prescott. 

Cyah Help It, which follows their debut 2013 EP One Time, will surely raise the bar for cross-genre innovation and tear up the dance from London to Port-of-Spain and everywhere in between.

NPR selects title track ft. Bunji Garlin & Ms. Dynamite for Songs We Love

Jus Now is the musical bond between UK-based drum and bass producer Sam Interface and Trinidadian producer and percussionist Keshav (aka Laza Beam), who met in Bristol in 2010. Together, they offer an exhilarating fusion of vibrant island beats with the bottom-heavy sound of the British Underground on their new EP. The title track features Trinidad’s ragga/soca star Bunji Garlin and London’s grime/R&B fusion pioneer Ms. Dynamite. Over bhangra-fused beats, the self-proclaimed “Viking of Soca” and England’s award-winning lyricist drum up a hard-hitting call-to-action anthem. Given their geographical differences, they manage to traverse each other’s sounds thanks to the worldly backdrop provided by Jus Now’s versatile production style. Throughout the 5-song set, Jus Now continues to bridge this musical gap – whether it is revamping soca artist Olatunji’s T&T carnival hit “Bam Bam” into a dancefloor banger for the masses on “Badder Than,” mixing reggae one-drop and electronic rhythms on “Culture” featuring Coreysan or channeling 2016 Trinidad Carnival vibes with fresh futuristic beats on “Wave Something” featuring the island’s own Bunji Garlin and Kerwin Prescott.

Various Artists – The biggest One Drop Anthem 2015
(Oct 23, Greensleeves) Album/LP + Vinyl

After a four year hiatus, Greensleeves resurrects the popular compilation series The Biggest One Drop Anthems. This year’s approach is a little different. The 13-track-set -produced solely by legendary Jamaican aficionado Clive Hunt (Stevie Wonder, Peter Tosh, Rolling Stones, The Wailers, Grace Jones & Jimmy Cliff) will feature all new material from some of the hottest roots and lover’s rock artists. Fans can listen to exclusive music from reggae hitmakers like Luciano, Capleton, Richie Spice and Etana as well never-before-heard tracks from Jamaica’s rising stars like Jah 9, Yahsha, Raging Fyah, Ikaya, Iba Mahr and more. The renowned illustrator and Greensleeves’ go-to artist Tony McDermott created the album artwork.

Bunji Garlin & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley – The Message
(Oct 30, VP Records) Single Release

Trinidadian soca star Bunji Garlin and Jamaican Grammy-winning reggae artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley team up on “The Message,” a passionate forward-thinking song fighting for the souls of our youth and the future generation.The two Caribbean artists merge soca, dancehall and reggae into a universal sound on this world cry anthem, produced by Philip Mecksepe. They go verse for verse addressing society’s illls and Marley delivers a powerful hook aspiring for change. “There is music in your soul, minerals in your soil, children full of beauty worth way much more than oil. While history unfolds, don’t let the good things spoil, oh no.” Marley is slated to perform in Garlin’s homeland on October 30th, 2015 in Tobago at Pigeon Point (Colours Of Reggae) and October 31st, 2015 in Trinidad at Hasley Crawford Stadium (Reggae On The Bay Presents Hennessy Artistry).

Romain Virgo -Lifted
(Oct 30, VP Records) EP Release

On Lifted, Virgo unveils hope behind darkness on this concsious 8-song set filled with social commentary. He holds strong with “God Inna Mi Corner” and weeds out fake friends on “Fade Away.” This week, he releases the video for the EP’s the latter track “Fade Away.” While showcasing his dee-jay skills on the EDM-tinged reggae track “Badder Man,” he reveals the gripping realities of a rudeboy and opts for a different way of life. To pay homage to his ladies, Virgo then offers a few ballads on his EP – including his latest romancer “Stars Across The Sky,” his Sam Smith cover of “Stay With Me” (which recieved over 2.4 mil YouTube views for its accompanying visual) and “Soul Provider” (racking in nearly 4 mil YouTube video views). This will give listeners a feel of his 2016 album entitled Love Sick (VP Records), which is a heartfelt collection mostly comprised of love songs.
Lifted follows his critically acclaimed 2012 album The System, which was described as “striking” (Washington Post), “high-quality” (BBC) and “smooth and engaging” (New York Times). Billboard also proclaimed he has “empowering messages over misogynistic and violent lyrics, intricately textured one-drop rhythms instead of frenetic digital beats” and he has “found an appreciative, multi-generational audience.”

Proper Villains – Fire Alarm Blaze
(Nov 13 / Feel Up Records) EP Release

FIRE ALARM is the collaboration between veteran dance music producer Proper Villains and seasoned Trinidadian vocalist Metric Man. After meeting through a friend, the two established an immediate musical rapport: Their early collaborations quickly became releases on Fire Power and Play Me, earning support from the likes of Zed’s Dead and Flosstradamus, and placement on MTV’s Teen Wolf reboot. This laid the groundwork for a full length Fire Alarm project. Proper Villains brings the experience of almost two decades of New York dance music, from Giuliana-era raves to basement dubstep on through today. A versatile talent in his own right, Metric Man is comfortable crooning or chanting, with two mixtapes and releases on Burn the Fire, Easy Star and Reel Me to his name. Together, the duo distill dancehall riddims and heavy bass into something cohesive and new: FIRE ALARM is a force to be reckoned with and their full mixtape is a wild journey.

Gyptian Ft Lady Leshur – All On Me | Diztortion Remix
(Nov 6 / VP Records) Single Release

Gyptian, who hit international stardom with his RIAA certified Gold hit “Hold You” (produced by Ricky Blaze and later remixed by Nicki Minaj) in 2010, is back with a single just as contagious. The Jamaican reggae singer’s song “All On Me” (June 9, VP) continues to climb UK and U.S. radio charts on Top 40, Urban and Rhythmic radio, and now has Lady Leshurr, “Britain’s hottest female rapper” hailed by Vogue, gets on the wicked new remix produced by the Dutch born record producer Diztortion (known for his hits with UK artists like Stylo G, Lethal Bizzle and Tinie Tempah). The new remix, available Nov 6, 2015 for digital sale on VP Records, collides UK grime, hip hop, EDM and reggae into a worldly sound.

GENTLEMAN – MTV UNPLUGGED – DELUXE EDITION
Gentleman – MTV Unplugged – Deluxe Edition
(Nov 6, VP Records)

// Current Music *Fall 2015 //

Boyslashfriend – Low Key
(Sept 18, Feel Up Records) Album/LP Release

Whether it is VOGUE raving about his “pitch-perfect R&B,” BILLBOARD giving props to his “seductive songwriting and soundscapes” or NYLON stating that he has “the shadowy beats of someone like The Dream,” critics and tastemakers alike can’t deny there is something special about Boyslashfriend. After a series of singles and mixtapes, the NYC based singer, with a heavy heart for 90’s R&B, and a forward mind for the future in dance music, returns with his debut album Low Key on Jillionarie’s (of Major Lazer) label Feel Up Records. The new LP Low Key displays Boyslash’s range as a storytelling hopeless romantic who loves to break night alongside that special girl or his music partners, Jason Scott Henderson and producer, Christian “MNTN” Mariano. The album features guest production from Obey City, MeLo-X, Joseph Marinetti, Mess Kid & more. Guest vocalists on the project include Brooklyn siren, JADE♥ and New York’s brand new R&B MC, GETOVERHER. Check him in NYC at SOBs on Oct 22.

Various Artists – August Pablo Presents Rockers International
(Sept 25 / Greensleeves) Album/LP Release

Originally issued as two separate album releases, this 2CD remastered edition collects 28 classics from Augustus Pablo during the golden age of the Rockers era. The album features melodica masterpieces, deep dubs andclassic vocal sides from the likes of Jacob Miller, Junior Delgado, Earl Sixteen and more – all built on Augustus Pablo’s signature rock solid drum and bass foundations. Also for the first time, a 7″ vinyl release for the scorching ’79 reggae classic from Junior Delgado’s 1979 scorcher “Away With You Fussing And Fighting.”

Gussie Clarke – From the Foundation
(Oct 9, 17 North Parade) 2CD/DVD + Vinyl Release
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VP Records’ vintage imprint 17 North Parade opens its vaults to present a new reggae anthology from one of the most influential Jamaican producers and businessmen Gussie Clarke. 17 North Parade will release a comprehensive double-disc compilation. From The Foundation, spanning Gussie Clarke’s catalog of hit productions from the 1970s until today, accompanied with a DVD that takes an in-depth look of the man behind the controls. The collection featurese exclusive unreleased material and iconic hits from artists like Augustus Pablo, Big Youth, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, The Mighty Diamonds, Bunny Wailer, J.C. Lodge, Shabba Ranks, Sizzla and many more. All the music is re-mastered and coupled with deluxe packaging and extensive liner notes. In addition, a vinyl companion piece (carrying the same name) will be available the following week (Oct 16) that features exclusive tracks not available on the CD and digital version.

// Upcoming Events //

High Times 2015 World Cannabis Cup in Negril
(Nov 12-15)

Welcome to JamRock Reggae Cruise
(Nov 30-Dec 5 & DEC 5-10)