Garnet Silk Jr Releases A remake of "Mama"
From reggae royalty rises singing sensation Garnet Smith Jr., son and namesake of the legendary reggae artist Garnet Silk. Exposed to the world of music since his birth on April 3 in Mandeville, Jamaica, Garnet Jr. is a true musical artisan and today continues to walk the path of a musical legacy that is unparalleled and is, in fact, his birthright.
Garnet Jr. fatefully entered the rhythmic realm with his first professional recording in a studio at the tender age of 13, after receiving much encouragement from family and friends to sing for years. Family friend and producer Lloyd “Pecus” Anderson recorded his first track, “Jah A Guide.” The song was never officially released as a single but granted Garnet Jr.invaluable recording experience, along with his first taste of lyrical liberation.
Maturing over the years into a seasoned singer and songwriter, Garnet Jr.makes music that flows from his soul. His lyrics showcase intelligence, wit and charm, as he shares a relatable narrative of pursuing his dreams,along with his everyday life experiences. His musical styling is a fusion of hip-hop, R&B and reggae, and is greatly influenced by his father, as well as other reggae luminaries such as Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Jah Cure and I-Wayne, and also the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson; they have all captured the ears of this auspicious artist, and thus, contribute to his genre bending sound.
Garnet Jr. and his brother Eon “Duce Califa” Smith are currently working together under the Blu Rok Music label, which emerged from a rap collective that was created during Duce Califa’s high school years. The
imprint comprises of a number of other young talents who are pooling their skills to become a collaborative force to be reckoned with in music. With his catalog produced at Blu Rok Music, Garnet Jr.’s first single
“Condolences” is a hip-hop, R&B and reggae hybrid in which the connection to his artistry, especially through his delivery, is evident. His other singles “We Can Par” and “Call It Quits” are dancehall fused with
R&B, and he strikes a chord on both sides of the gender aisle with these catchy, romantic odes. He also teams up with Duce Califa and Sugar Black of Black Judah, who was incidentally a friend of the late Garnet Silk, for a heartfelt collaboration called “Tired Of Running.” The song contains a line
from one of Garnet Silk’s tracks and pays tribute to him. Music videos for
“Condolences” and “Tired Of Running” were recently produced on location in Jamaica, as Garnet Jr. melodiously storms his way into the music world. As he embarks on this inevitable musical journey and casts the stones for his own legacy, Garnet Jr. also intends to study Business Administration
and finesse the business skills needed to carve a niche for his gifted talents in today’s competitive music industry. His quest is nourished by unbridled support from his mother Novlyn Banton, who has every confidence in her son’s success, in music and beyond.
Realizing that his prized pedigree brings enormous responsibility, Garnet Jr. is proving to be a dynamic and talented entertainer, which only compliments and strengthens his father’s legacy, through the younger
Garnet’s relentless work ethic and boundless creativity. Indeed, this heir to the throne is paving his own way and earning his right, with each beat and lyric, to his very own crown.
I-OCTANE REVEALS TRACK LIST AND LAUNCH FOR NEW ALBUM MY JOURNEY Album Available Worldwide on March 4, 2014 from Tad’s Record
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY (FOX FUSE) - Jamaican reggae star I-Octane reveals the track list and launch details for his highly-anticipated upcoming album My Journey, available worldwide in stores and online on March 4, 2014 fromDJ Frass/Tad’s Record. Born Byiome Muir in Clarendon, Jamaica, I-Octane has been carving his niche in the reggae realm since hitting the scene over 5 years ago. A collaborative effort with his long-time friend and producerAndre “DJ Frass” Gordon, My Journey is a 16-track masterpiece that delves inside the soul and sound of this prolific artist, whose innate talents, conscious lyrical offerings and high-energy performances remain unparalleled.
“I want this album to help people to realize that we all have more in common than we are different,” reveals I-Octane. “We all go through the same types of things and experience love, joy, pain and suffering in our own ways. I hope that once people realize this, it will be easier to see each other as brothers and sisters and to genuinely love each other.”
Staying true to his signature sound that fuses velvety vocals and memorable hooks over catchy rhythms, My Journey lives up to its name as all tracks are penned by the multi-faceted entertainer, with a few singles co-written by producer DJ Frass. The first single, “Love You Like I Do,” has been receiving massive fanfare and radio play, at home and on reggae platforms worldwide. Its beautifully crafted, vintage-styled video was also released and is currently in steady rotation on television channels. The ambitious album also features reggae stars Gentleman on “It’s Alright” and Ky-Mani Marleyon “A Yah Wi Deh,” while songstress Alaine takes a turn on the inspirational duet, “Lighters Up.”
“The Almighty has allowed certain things to happen to me so that I can learn, and then others can take from my experiences and apply those lessons to their own lives,” discloses I-Octane. “The music is just my vehicle of passing on my message. That is what reggae music is all about - spreading messages about love and life to help and uplift our brothers and sisters.”
The entire album was produced by reggae and dancehall hit-maker DJ Frass, with whom Jamaican imprint Tad’s Record teams up to deliver I-Octane’slatest work of love to the masses. “His musical journey is worth distributing,” states Tad Dawkins, President of Tad’s Record. “He is a youthful and refreshing sound in reggae, and his ability to transcend that without controversy into dancehall is deserving of high accolades. Like his name suggests, I-Octane is a high flame in the reggae/dancehall industry and we are privileged to be working with him and DJ Frass on this great project.”
The album release event is set to take place in Kingston, Jamaica on March 6 at Chris Gayle's Triple Century Sports Bar (69 Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, Jamaica). Hosted by radio personality Big A from Jamaica’s top radio station Irie-FM, the program will run from 7PM to midnight and will feature I-Octane introducing the album to media and fans, followed by a full performance. Numerous local and Caribbean media outlets will be in attendance, along with mainstream music’s most acclaimed trade publicationBillboard Magazine, which will be journeying to Jamaica to cover the exciting new release from this reggae music ambassador.
I-Octane recently won two top prizes at Jamaica’s Youth View Awards (held on February 1, 2014 in Kingston), where he nabbed Favorite Local Music Video for “Happy Time” and Favorite Music Collaboration of the Year for“It's a Celebration,” featuring Konshens, Chris Martin and Ding Dong. He is now making the rounds on the international circuit, touring and introducing his new album to audiences far and wide, as he takes the entire world on his journey.
Get the latest news and artist updates from I-Octane atFacebook.com/itsioctanesiiick, Twitter.com/Realioctane,Instagram.com/Realioctane
Please direct all media inquiries to the FOX FUSE Publicity Department at 212-300-3813 or contact@foxfuse.com.
Sanchez returns like a general By Howard Campbell Observer senior writer
IT has been 25 years since singer Sanchez first entered reggae charts with the massive hit, Loneliness. After an extended break from the scene, he returns with a new song and album.
Like a General is Sanchez' first album in three years. His previous set, Love You More, was a collection of cover songs
The new album will be promoted and distributed by New Millionaire Entertainment, based in New Castle, Delaware. The company is run by Jamaicans Clinton Garibaldi and Dave Grant.
Significantly, New Millionaire Entertainment has a distribution agreement with iNgrooves Fontana/Universal Music Group. For Sanchez, who has worked with several independent record labels, the link with a major distributor is overdue.
"It's what I have been waiting for since I have been singing. I have never been approached by a major company so it means the world to me," he told the Jamaica Observer from his home in Atlanta, Georgia.
Another first for the 49-year-old vocalist is the role of producer. Sanchez directed the 16 songs on Like A General which includes Him Buy You a Drink, the lead track.
He says the time was right to call the shots after years working with various producers.
"I think I've grown tremendously as an artiste and a singer. I used to strain to take certain notes but that's not the case anymore, and I get to show that on the album," he said.
Like A General contains other originals such as Nuh Kotch and the gospel song I Feel Good. There are four covers including The Beatles' Hey Jude and Neither One of Us, originally done by Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Some of Sanchez' biggest hits have been covers including Loneliness, which was a minor hit for Jermaine Jackson.
Produced by Winston Riley, Loneliness announced Sanchez as an emerging talent in 1988, one year after he recorded his first song for producer Hugh 'Redman' James.
His take on Larry Graham's One In a Million You, Skeeter Davis' End Of The World and So Amazing by Luther Vandross (done with deejay Flourgon)kept Sanchez in the charts and made him one of dancehall's top acts.
Though he points out that his biggest hits (Never Dis The Man, I Can't Wait) are originals, Sanchez admits his image as a cover singer has hurt him.
"At the same time I don't think it takes away from you as an artiste. Many people have won Grammy awards doing covers," he reasoned.
Like A General is tentatively scheduled for release in January.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Sanchez-returns-like-a-general_15252701#ixzz2iXQG9kcr
Prince Panhki,Release is Debut Album (EXHILE ).with the hit single my jamaican Girl
The newest addition to the Otis Riddim Records entertainments is Prince Pankhi, an original member of Capleton Exclusive David House Family a cultural and musical representative clique. Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica and raised in the capital of Kingston, Prince Pankhi is a natural-born artist.Release is Debut Album (EXHILE ).with the hit single my jamaican Girl that hit the. (TOP 20 REGGAE SINGLES as of 02/20/09From Richie B host of "HOT MIX" on HOT 102 FM)
