Reggae Global Radio

Issachar Muzik out of Los Angeles continues its comeback in October with the release of Praise Jah, a song by Fred Locks and Empress Akua. 

Launched 40 years ago, the independent label took a break for some time but returned this year with a handful of songs including "It's Cold Out There" by Empress Akua; "Kopy Kat" by Kevin "Realist" Davis and "On The Alert" by Itimo. 

All songs are distributed by Tuff Gong International. 

Lloyd "Jah Lloyd" Shaw is principal of Issachar Muzik and a committed member of the 12 Tribes of Israel. In addition to recording new music, he has been "cleaning up" the Issachar Muzik catalog which includes albums by his ex-wife Wendy Shaw as well as songs from Fred Locks and Ian Sweetness. 

"Wi looking to put out a lotta stuff; we are here to stay," Shaw assured. 

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Shaw has been a member of the 12 Tribes of Israel since the late 1970s when that organization's ranks included Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor. 

Sangie Davis, an elder of the 12 Tribes of Israel and writer of popular songs like Wake up And Live by Marley and Sophie George's Girlie Girlie, is also part of the revived Issachar Muzik team.

Written by Howard Campbell

The Sensation 'riddim', latest production from Llamar "Riff Raff" Brown, drops  October 2 on Ineffable Records. The compilation album has eleven songs by artists such as Busy Signal and Lutan Fyah. 

Brown's production credentials are well-known, having worked with Stephen Marley on the Grammy-winning album Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life and Junior Gong's hit song, Set up Shop. 

The live rhythm features Brown on keyboards, accompanied by by drummer Leon Campbell, bassist Adrian Henry and guitarist Elton Brown. 

"I approach it (production) in a very textbook way, I think; in terms of capturing the sound in the recording phase. Otherwise, I try to go in with a vision, but sometimes if not most times inspiration takes over," Brown explained. 

Strongly influenced by Greg Phillinganes (of Quincy Jones fame), the Montego Bay-born has been part of Stephen Marley's band for 15 years. 

The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts graduate hit the charts for the first time in 2008 with Di Plane Land. 

"I have improved vastly since then, my introduction to high-level producers and production at an early stage; through working with Stephen Marley, Mario C, Paul Fakourie and Wilburn 'Squidly' Cole," said Brown.

Marlon Asher, best known for the 2005 hit song Ganja Farmer, says the coronavirus has put a damper on his recording schedule in 2020, but that hasn’t stopped the Trinidadian artist from making the studio rounds. 

One of his latest songs is Use Me, a roots-rocker produced by his compatriot Cliff Manswell for the compilation EP, The Message. 

“Well, it’s been a slow start to the year as far as recording but I have been going to the studio and making songs. I would like to keep myself in the loop of things,” said Asher. 

The Message is scheduled for release on October 9 by CKM Infinity Studio, Manswell’s company. It contains seven songs, by veteran acts such as Anthony B, Lutan Fyah and Glen Washington as well as Jamaican newcomer Trudii Harrison.

Written by Howard Campbell

The Wailing Souls are promoting their new album, Back A Yard, which was released digitally on August 28 by Greensleeves Records. The duo of Lloyd “Bread” McDonald and Winston “Pipe” Matthews completed production on the set in June last year with singer Alborosie. 

The 10-song set was recorded at Alborosie’s home studio in Kingston, with veteran musicians Tyrone Downie on keyboards and bassist Flabba Holt working on it. The Italian singer, who has been a fan of the ‘Souls’ since his youth in Sicily, teams up with them on a cover of their 1989 song, Shark Attack. 

“As a artist yuh can never be 100 per cent satisfied but I think it’s a great album an’ I know di fans will love it,” said McDonald. 

He and Matthews were scheduled to launch a 25-date tour of the United States in June but that had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. They performed at the One Love Festival in Long Beach, California in February. 

Back A Yard also contains Down in Trench Town, the gritty Kingston community where the Wailing Souls started in 1966. Their most fruitful years were in the 1970s and early 1980s when they recorded as a quartet at Channel One for the Hoo Kim brothers and Henry “Junjo” Lawes. 

While at Channel One, their hit songs included Things And Time, Jah Jah Give us Life, War, Bredda Gravalicious and Firehouse Rock. 

Back A Yard is The Wailing Souls’ first album since 2017’s Island Girl. It will be released on compact disc and vinyl in November.

Written by Howard Campbell

September 4th, 2020 

Reggae Global Radio (RGR), a Internet station, is scheduled to make its debut today. General manager, Marlon Burrell, says it will have an international cast with broad appeal. 
“The focus of Reggae Global Radio is to bring quality reggae music to online listeners across the world. We aim to be a global hub for quality reggae focused programming,” said Burrell, a Jamaican. “We want to syndicate some of the best presenters and quality programs with a reggae focus. Our programs will also feature news and entertainment. A hot spot where listeners can get everything in one place.” 

Burrell, a veteran of New York and South Florida Caribbean radio, was instrumental in recruiting disc jockeys for the new station. They include Clinton Lindsay, a staple of Caribbean radio in the United States for over 40 years; G Cole, John T and Sir Rockwell out of South Florida; Mixmaster J, Warm N Easy and DJ Steve from the United Kingdom, DJ Daddy Silk from Kenya, DJ Lass Angel out of Belgium, Super C from Cayman Islands, MV Corner with Mr. Vegas, D.J. Kevin Stew, Unlimited Vybz from Japan, Da Reggae Lane with Ed Robinson, The Hugo Buzz Show, and Reggae Renaissance with  DJ Cooperzilla from Trinidad & Tobago. 
Lindsay, who mentored Burrell at WRTN in New York, welcomes RGR to a competitive market. 

“Being invited to be a part of the Global Reggae Radio family is a great honor for me…Marlon is the right person to be leading the charge, because he loves the music and radio…I am very excited to have him as my boss for a change!” he said. 

By Clinton Lindsay 

The RGR website (www.reggaeglobalradio.com) encapsulates its sister television station which has presenters doing live video streams, music videos and visual commercials. Burrell, who started his broadcasting career in 1993 at Lehman College in the Bronx, said RGR’s objective is “to be the standard for reggae music programming and quality journalism.” 

He vowed that, “We will present diverse programming and radio personalities from various parts of the world. RGR is about being a hub for quality and diverse reggae music, offering a variety of syndicated and original programming.” 

Written by Howard Campbell