In celebration of Jamaica's 50th Year of Independence, VP Records will release Out Of Many, 50 Years of Reggae Music on July 17, 2012. 

This comprehensive 3 CD compilation chronicles the country's musical evolution with one significant hit from each year since the island's independence in 1962. As an added bonus, the set closes with a newly commissioned 2012 version of "Independent Jamaica" by Peetah Morgan and Hollie Cook.  

From ska and rocksteady to roots and dancehall, Jamaica's ingenious sounds have made a lasting impression on popular music worldwide. 

Out Of Many - 50 Years of Reggae Music captures the essence of every era over the past five decades with these 51 distinctive hits from artists including: Lord Creator, Alton Ellis, Skatalites, Augustus Pablo, Dennis Brown, Culture, Eek-A-Mouse, Yellowman, Barrington Levy, Gregory Isaacs, Shabba Ranks, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Ninjaman, Beres Hammond, Lady Saw, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Tanya Stephens, Mavado, Gyptian and many more.

The collection includes extensive liner notes written by reggae historian Noel Hawks. He discusses the innovation and evolution of the island's music, and how the iconic label VP Records - once Randy's Record Mart at 17 North Parade in Kingston, Jamaica - played a crucial role in the production and worldwide distribution of these sounds.

The album features the monumental anthems that played a pivotal role in the Jamaica's musical history. The disc opens with Trinidadian singer Lord Creator's 1962 calypso track "Independent Jamaica." This benchmark record was the #1 in Jamaica at the time and was produced by Vincent Chin, the founder of Randy's and VP Records. It was also the first song licensed in the U.K. by Chris Blackwell's Island label.

Island Records Founder, Chris Blackwell

The set then delves into the ska era with The Skatalites' "Malcolm X" to the soulful cool sounds of rocksteady with hits "Mouth A Massy" by Alton Ellis, "Take It Easy" Hopeton Lewis and "Ba Ba Boom" by The Jamaicans. Featured songs like Dave and Ansel Collin's timeless "Double Barrel" (Jamaica's first #1 hit in the UK) and Dennis Brown's "Westbound Train" mark the defining era of reggae, which is further solidified with 70s' roots classics like Junior Byles' ominous "Fade Away" and Culture's "Two Sevens Clash."

The Out Of Many collection also includes the 1985 game-changing hit "Under Me Sleng Teng" produced by King Jammy and the track's vocalist Wayne Smith. This song introduced computer driven rhythms, which spawned the dancehall era and created the template for contemporary reggae music as a whole.

From dancehall hits (Shabba Ranks' "Mr. Loverman," Beenie Man's "Who Am I," Sean Paul's "Get Busy" and Mavado's "Weh Dem A Do") to lover's rock anthems (Beres Hammond's "Can't Stop A Man" and Gyptian's "Hold You"), roots reggae tunes (Sizzla's "Just One Of Those Days" and Tanya Stephens' "These Streets") leading into dubstep ("Zungguzungguguzunggezeng (Horsepower Remix)" by Yellowman), Out of Many's musical sphere offers a well-rounded variety of the island's seminal sounds. 

Over the past fifty years Jamaica's music has made an indelible mark as a cultural beacon throughout the world. Today, reggae is one of the most influential musical forms. Out Of Many celebrates these achievements of the past and the promise of the future in one must-have collection.

TRACK LISTING:

Year Song Title - Artist

1962 Independent Jamaica - Lord Creator

1963 Blow Roland Blow - Joanne Gordon/Roland Alphonso

1964 Malcolm X - The Skatalites

1965 Mouth A Massy - Alton Ellis

1966 Take It Easy - Hopeton Lewis

1967 Ba Ba Boom - The Jamaicans

1968 Such is Life - Lord Creator

1969 I Love the Reggay (Do The Reggae) - The Gaylads

1970 Love of the Common People - Nicky Thomas

1971 Double Barrel - Dave and Ansel Collins

1972 Java - Augustus Pablo

1973 Westbound Train - Dennis Brown

1974 Everything I Own - Ken Boothe

1975 Fade Away - Junior Byles

1976 I'm Still In Love With You - Marcia Aiken

1977 Two Sevens Clash - Culture

1978 Smoking My Ganja - Capital Letters

1979 We Got Love - Freddie McGregor

1980 Ice Cream Love - Johnny Osbourne

1981 Wa-Do-Dem - Eek-A-Mouse

1982 Fattie Boom Boom - Ranking Dread

1983 Zungguzungguguzunggezeng - Yellowman

1984 Here I Come - Barrington Levy

1985 Under Me Sleng Teng - Wayne Smith

1986 Hello Darling - Tippa Irie

1987 Rumors - Gregory Isaacs

1988 Telephone Love - JC Lodge

1989 Twice My Age - Krystal & Shabba Ranks

1990 Mr. Loverman - Shabba Ranks & Deborah Glasgow

1991 The Going Is Rough - Cocoa Tea & Cutty Ranks

1992 Gal Wine - Chaka Demus & Pliers

1993 Return Father & Son - Ninjaman

1994 Under Mi Sensi (94 Spliff) - Barrington Levy and Beenie Man

1995 Can't Stop a Man - Beres Hammond

1996 Give Me The Reason - Lady Saw

1997 Who Am I - Beenie Man

1998 Heads High - Mr. Vegas

1999 Can You Play Some More (Pull it Up) - Beres Hammond and Buju Banton

2000 Down by the River - Morgan Heritage 

2001 Give It To Her - Tanto Metro & Devonte

2002 Just One of Those Days - Sizzla 

2003 Get Busy - Sean Paul

2004 Pon De River Pon De Bank- Elephant Man

2005 Living In Love - I-Wayne

2006 These Streets - Tanya Stephens

2007 Weh Dem A Do - Mavado

2008 Roots - Etana

2009 I Feel Good - Beres Hammond

2010 Hold You - Gyptian

2011 Zungguzungguguzunggezeng (Horsepower Remix) - Yellowman

2012 Independent Jamaica (2012 Version) - Peetah Morgan and Hollie Cook

This coming weekend, the award-winning documentary about Jamaica’s vibrant and fascinating dancehall scene, Hit Me With Music is set to engage and excite audiences in Trinidad, as the film will be screened as part of the annual We Beat festival in St James. 

This event is set to take place at the St James Amphitheatre on Saturday 2 June, from 7pm and is part of the trinidad + tobago film festival (ttff) and bpTT Community Cinergy series of film screenings.

Presented in association with the St James Improvement Committee, the screening is free of charge and open to all persons sixteen years and over.

Released in 2011 and directed by Miquel Galofré, Hit Me With Music is a brilliant exploration of the various facets of dancehall culture, including: feuds between rival musicians, skin bleaching, and the “daggering” phenomenon.

Dancehall pioneers, Yellowman and the late, “Bogle” make appearances in the film, as well as more recent stars such as Elephant Man, Mavado and Vybz Kartel.

Dancehall star, Vybz Kartel appears in Hit Me WIth Music

The film—which has been playing to enthusiastic audiences in North America and Europe—won both the jury and audience awards for Best Documentary at the ttff/2011.

Following the screening there will also be a Q&A session with the director.

The ttff is held annually in September and is presented by Flow, given leading sponsorship by RBC Royal Bank and bpTT and supported by the Trinidad & Tobago Film Company, the National Gas Company, the Tourism Development Company, the Tobago House of Assembly and the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism.

For more information, please visit www.ttfilmfestival.com.

In this a time of reflection, I would like to thank my fans who have supported me through this difficult situation and who will continue to support me. Your messages and prayers via social networks and via members of my team are what have brought light to the darkness of my cell.

I have never admitted that I was involved in any drug deal or drug arrangement. I waived my rights to an extradition trial here in Jamaica, so that I can return to the US to face a charge of absconding bail ONLY. This incident took place ten (10) years ago before I even considered becoming an artiste.

As you can understand, this is a difficult time for me, however during my time away, my fans will not be left with a void – there are several unreleased tracks that will definitely keep you “busy” until my return.

I recently released my album Reggae Music Again, which debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Reggae charts. On my recent tour of Amsterdam and Paris, we shot elements for the video to the title track of the album. It features cameos from Marcia Griffiths, Queen Ifrica and Anthony B and that will be released in a couple of weeks.

For my fans overseas, my management team has been in dialogue with promoters who have all shown their support for me and my situation and for that I thank them.

For my family, you have stood by me through thick and thin and I know you will continue to do so. In my time away, I have made the necessary arrangements with my management team to have you taken care of until my return.

To my band. Hi-Voltage, you have toured the world with me and have been a tower of strength. Continue to make good music until I return, cause the mission will continue.

Click on these images to download the "Kingston Town" Remix now!

I know that my facebook page has been inactive for a while, but, starting this week, Shane Brown, head of Juke Boxx management team, will assume direct control of my twitter account - @busysignal_turf and my facebook page - www.facebook.com/OneBusySignal. I will be kept updated so please continue to send your love, support and prayers through these channels, as they keep me going.

To my legal team, KD Knight, Bert Samuels and Roxanne Mars, your positive words and unfailing belief and support in me and my case have made this situation a little easier to bear. Thank you very much.

Finally my friends, my fans and my family, thank you again from the depths of my heart. Please keep me in your prayers. “We not going down, cause God alone controls my destiny”

Fans of Trinbagonian rock band, The Orange Sky will have new reason to celebrate this multi-talented ensemble as they gather for a special event on June 1 at the Lure in Chaguaramas and news of their latest international development reaches the mainstream. 

The band has been offered and is due to accept, yet another recording contract, but this time from renowned producer, Chris Tsangrinades. Tsangarides is a British Grammy-nominated record producer, sound engineer and mixer. He is best known for his work with many heavy metal bands, including: Judas Priest, Anvil, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Helloween, Angra and Yngwie Malmsteen. Tsangarides has worked with many pop and alternative artists as well, including: Depeche Mode, Tom Jones and Concrete Blonde.

Renowned Producer, Chris Tsangrinades is set to sign Orange Sky to a record deal which will include distribution of the new LP by Sony/ATV

Now in its sixteenth year of existence, The Orange Sky has produced six full-length albums, signed and experienced two separate recording contracts and even completed an 87-city tour of the USA in 2009. Since returning home after that epic tour, The Orange Sky changed a few musicians, even as lead singer, Nigel Rojas released a solo album entitled, Nigel Rojas and Blue Emperor and founded the ever-popular July/August vacation camp and training institution, dubbed Orange Sky’s School of Rock T&T. 

“Of course, we’re all extremely happy with this development,” said Rojas. “In the music industry – and especially in these times its become harder and harder for acts to break. International success is quite different from local success and as much as we are well-known locally and regionally, I think we’ve done just about everything we can do on this circuit and its exciting to have a new playing field to explore. Trying to make it on an international level is a tremendous endeavor and what we’ve come to realize is that it’s not just about the product, but about the team as well. As such, we’re very happy to have Joey Sabeeny back as our local manager and to be in the hands of this new label that we know will promote and present Orange Sky in this new territory in the right way.

Rojas addresses students at NAPA during School of Rock 2011...

“For me, its kind of bitter-sweet because its come at a time when I would normally be preparing for School of Rock, but I think after two successful years of it, we’ve made the industry a little better and a little wealthier in terms of the tremendous young talents we’ve managed to groom and train and bear witness to… and I would have liked to have been able to have left it going on here still, but because its such a hands-on thing for me personally as the Headmaster and the Founder and the real force behind it, I decided its probably better to take some time off and focus on this new arrangement and we’ll look at School of Rock later down in the year and see how we can improve upon it and bring it back fresh and exciting, educational and of course, fun-fun-fun for the kids!”

With new guitarist, Dax Carter and drummer, Anthony Grant added to the line-up, Orange Sky will represent in the UK as a four-piece band inclusive of brothers, Nigel and Nicholas Rojas at the helm. The band has already begun preliminary work on a brand new album entitled, Halos and Horns and is looking forward to performing in the UK.

“We’re bringing twelve fresh tracks to the world,” Rojas enthused, “and we’ll be doing a few shows over there as well. One of the shows will be an appearance at a Festival in Germany and we’re really looking forward to the live element because that’s what we do best and that’s how we can really fly the flag of T&T high over there. Of course we’re still in pursuit of the ever-elusive dream of becoming a top 10 worldwide band, winning a Grammy Award and all the other accolades and we feel like rock is the Soca of America, England and Australia and all these places, so we’re just going to try and mash up de place as much as possible.”

Orange Sky 2012 is (L-R): Nigel Rojas, Anthony Grant, Dax Carter and Nicholas Rojas

Longtime Manager, Joey Sabeeny returned to work with the band last year, after taking some time away from the industry to be with his family and focus on personal growth. After working with Orange Sky for many years, he is confident in the band’s ability to make an impact upon the international scene.

“The Orange Sky is the best in the business as far as I’m concerned,” he declared. “There’s no other band that can produce the kind of sound that they have created – which is like a Caribbean rock/reggae /calypso hybrid – and as far as the live element, they have an energy that is fantastic, contagious, compelling and definitely unique as well. I think it speaks volumes that they are still attracting international attention and international producers are reaching out to work with them – even at this stage of their careers and it just goes to show that if you continue to work hard and do your best, all good things are possible and will come to you.

“Right now, we want to invite all past, present and future Orange Sky fans to The Lure on Friday: it will be their first performance of the new material, as well as their last performance here before they leave for London in June. So we want everyone to come out, bring your coolers and celebrate with us; give us blessings and energy and good vibes to take up to the UK, so the people there can get a taste of what T&T and Orange Sky has to offer.”

For more information on The Orange Sky, log on to www.theorangesky.com, check their Fan Page on Facebook and/or follow them on twitter @theorangesky.

Two of the hottest names in Dancehall music today are coming to Trinidad next month for an action-packed weekend of fun and musical fusion. On June 29, 30 and July 1, Dignitaries and Cosmic Entertainment will bring “Sum Fun” to the vacation period with special guest performers, “Cham” and “Konshens”.

Cham on the set of one of his latest video shoots

Born Damian Beckett on February 24, 1979, “Cham” is a Grammy Award-nominated recording artist from Jamaica, who captivated audiences around the globe with his 2006 single "Ghetto Story" and the follow-up “Chapter 2” remix featuring Grammy-Winning singer, Alicia Keys.

Long before this major breakthrough, “Cham” did his first recording at age of 17 for the Shelly Power label. His second recording came via producer Lloyd “John John” James Jr with the track, “One Bag of Haters” and soon after he garnered public attention with the Penthouse label's “No Coco Mania” – which also featured, Spragga Benz. According to Cham: that song opened up the doors for him in the Caribbean.

"It went to number one in a few Caribbean countries and gave me the first opportunity to travel overseas," he recalled.

However, it wasn't until Cham hooked up with top producer, Dave Kelly, that he began to make some serious impact on the music scene. In 1995, he recorded his first track for Kelly's Mad House label: an effort entitled, “The Mass” on the Stink rhythm. Later on, he scored multiple chart toppers with “Boom”, “Desperate Measures” (for Kelly's brother Tony), “Another Level” (with Bounty Killer), “Ghetto Pledge”, “Gallong Yah Gal”, “Man and Man”, “Babylon Bwoy”, and the unforgettable, “Vitamin S” (which peaked at number two in Jamaica and number one on the Choice FM Reggae chart in London).

Cham is riding high with hits, "Wine" and "Tun Up" feat "O"
Signed to Atlantic Records, Cham said the deal came about as a result of a meeting with the label's top brass, Craig Kallman. Atlantic Records had a distribution deal in place with New York's independent VP Records for its major projects and top acts and many Jamaican acts such as “Buju Banton”, “Elephant Man”, “Sean Paul” and “Wayne Wonder” benefitted from this arrangement.

"Mr Kallman travels to Jamaica a lot,” said Cham at the time of the signing, “so he came here to meet with me about four months ago. He talked about his intentions to do some major stuff with dancehall and Reggae music. I told him that I wouldn't want to work without Mad House Records or Dave Kelly's involvement. Dave met with him and they worked things out."

Until 2005, Beckett was known as “Baby Cham” and is still called "Baby Cham" by his Jamaican fans and fans from around the world, but he officially dropped the “Baby” and has collaborated with many hip-hop and R&B artists such as: Foxy Brown, Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas, Shawn Mims, Akon and T-Pain. Cham is currently ruling the dancehall charts with his latest hits, “Wine” and "Tun Up" feat “O”.

Garfield Spence aka Konshens

“Konshens” - whose real name is Garfield Spence was born in Sherlock, Kingston, Jamaica. Classified as a dancehall/reggae artiste, he broke onto the music scene in 2005 with hits such as: "Winner", "Rasta Impostor", "This Means Money", "Good Girl Gone Bad", "Gal Dem A Talk", "Realest Friend", "Represent", and "Forward".

"Good Girl Gone Bad" was featured on reggae artiste, Tarrus Riley’s Contagious album in 2009 and that same year, “Konshens” released a single called, "Pon Di Corner" which became a major hit in Japan and led to a month-long tour of the country and a Japan-only album release. Thus far, the young talented singer has released two albums in Japan: the second entitled, Real Talk was released by Japanese label, Koyashi in 2010. After working with Tad Dawkins' Tad's International label, “Konshens” launched his own Subkonshus label in 2010 and began working with new acts, including his brother, Delus. Describing his style as a combination of genres such as Dancehall, Reggae, Pop and Reggaeton, “Konshens” says he got his musical influences from veteran reggae crooner, Beres Hammond.

Last year, “Konshens” collaborated with Elephant Man on a  song called "Jamaican Dance", which was featured in a video dance game called "Just Dance 3." Just Dance 3 has more than 45 songs from multiple genres and popular artistes, as well as top Billboard tracks, including songs from major artistes like: “B.O.B”, “Katy Perry”, “Snoop Dogg”, “Cee Lo Green”, “Taio Cruz”, “Rihanna”, “Janelle Monte” and “LMFAO”.

Konshens is coming for 'Sum Fun' on June 30

In February of this year, Konshens released a new album called Mental Maintenance, which spawned the hit singles, "Bubble Gyal Ah Bubble" and "Do Sum". Both of these artistes have already been booked to appear at “Sum Fun” and a major promotional campaign is set to commence in a few weeks. For more info, log on to www.overtimett.com.