donderdag 16 juli 2009

New reggae release: Queen Ifrica - Welcome To Montego Bay (VP)

One of the top conscious female reggae stars of the moment, Queen Ifrica has released her second album (on cd and vinyl, although with a different tracklist) last month on VP records. Last years debut, called Fyah Mumma was already a strong album, including the big hit Below the Waist, and this new recording brings us more massive cultural reggae tunes. Born Ventrice Morgan (Daughter to Jamaican Legend Derrick Morgan), began her career in 1995 after shining at a local talent contest in her hometown of Montego Bay, Jamaica. This led to major stage performances in her country including the esteemed Reggae Sumfest as well as a union with Tony Rebel's Flames Crew in 1998. The new album, Welcome to Montego Bay features 13 songs (14 on vinyl), mixing spiritually empowering anthems, lover's rock tunes and searing social commentaries. Including her tune about child molestation Daddy (produced by Kemar McGregor) and Don't Sign on the Movie Star riddim (produced by Donovan Germain). Check her Myspace here for soundsamples. Now available in your local Plato Utrecht!
Tracklist
01. T.T.P.N.C (cd only)
02. Montego Bay

03. Coconut Shell
04. Lioness On The Rise
05. Yad To The East
06. Far Away
07. Don't Sign
08. Daddy
09. Keep It To Yourself
10. Calling Africa
11. In My Dreams
12. Streets Are Bloody
13. Daddy (Spanish Version) (CD only)
14. Fyah Red ft Gentleman (LP only)
15. Vibes ft Shaggy (LP only)
16. Child Slavery (LP only)

vrijdag 3 juli 2009

July 18th: Elephantsounds Reggae Party @ ACU, Utrecht


Yes mi bredren, next july 18th Elephant Soundsystem is gonna provide you with the soundtrack of your summer. Come sweat and dance with us to the beat of the reggae...This time it's Smartins Birthday Bash Special Edition. Starts at 23:00, door 3 euros, as usual... hope 2 see ya'll there! more info @ http://www.elephantsoundsystem.com/
Compilation of the year...

donderdag 2 juli 2009

Barcelona Calling: Que Pum Que Pam

It's no secret that Barcelona, an incredible meltingpot of different musical styles, is one of my favourite places in the whole wide world. However, the original sound of Barcelona is their Rumba Catalan, invented by the gypsies in the sixties, and made famous by Peret (or lesser known gods such as El Gitano Portugués) in the seventies. While most bands from Barca mix up all kinds of sounds into a mestizo cocktail (inspired by godfather Manu and his Mano Negra), there are some bands still playing the original pure Catalan Rumba. And the here featured Que Pum Que Pam is one of them....
Que Pum Que Pam is a six-piece rumba band, already playing together for several years, consists of: Alex Gallego “El capullo de Gramanet", Eduardo “Sepia del Besós”, Letizia Di Liberto “La calamara”, Julia Fritz, Xabier “el patriarca” Monreal and La Rubia Montoya. Last year they released their Garrulator: Vamonos Platanos, an ep with six groovy oldskool rumbas. So get your copy now at your local Plato recordshop. Exclusive import!
Tracklist:
1. - R.A.P.
2. - Maria
3. - Arrinconamela
4. - Brigante
5. - El Arte Del Pobre
6. - La Rumba de todas Partes
They also made a videoclip of their El Arte Del Pobre tune, check it on Youtube here.