Noel Browne, a member of the respected Browne music family of Jamaica, died in the United Kingdom on September 17 at age 64. His younger brother, Cleveland Browne, confirmed his death. 

Cleveland, best known as half of the mega-successful Steely and Clevie production team, told the Jamaica Observer newspaper that he last spoke to his brother two days before his death. Noel told him he was working on a number of projects from his home studio. 

He is the second of the five Browne brothers to die in two years…

Even with challenging economic times, Jamaicans have a lot to cheer about. The success of its athletes at major meets and lifetime achievements of legends like Bob Marley, are reasons to celebrate. 

That is the backdrop for “Inspired”, a new song by singer Rasta Progrez. Co-produced by Gold N Rule Entertainment and Rockaz Elements Production, it is bolstered by a video projecting the hardships his countrymen face, as well as the triumphs of athletes like Olympic sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. 

Rasta…

Because she started in the music business 64 years ago, Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin has seen the evolution of Jamaican music —- from ska to rock steady, roots-reggae and dancehall. The co-founder of Randy’s Records and VP Records spoke about her favorite genre during her recent visit to Jamaica. 

“I really liked the rock steady period. That really brought about some great producers and singers…the competition with the producers to be the best was a good thing for rock steady, so I think I like rock steady out…

At the time of Wingy Danejah’s conversion to Christianity in the mid-1990s, George Nooks was still singing secular songs. In 2001, Nooks had a runaway hit with his reggae cover of Al Green’s "God is Standing By". 

As a contemporary gospel act, Wingy Danejah has long admired Nooks’ remarkable comeback as a spiritual artiste. Last year, he reached out to the former roots-reggae star for a possible collaboration, which came in the form of "Hallelujah", a song produced by Righteous Records. 

“It was like a…

On his new song, “Dumpling Plane”, Snappa Chef reminisces about the good old days when Air Jamaica was Jamaica’s pride in the skies. Although its title suggests humor, the New York-based artist insists the topic is serious business. 

“Dumpling Plane” is produced by Betty Luv Entertainment and will released in September. 

“It’s just a social commentary type a song, yuh nuh. The fact that Air Jamaica, dem sell it out, we need back our airline. Just going home sometimes yuh feel like yuh not in the right…

Gary “Dr. Dread” Himelfarb, founder and former head of RAS Records, has described Cecil “Skelly” Spence of Israel Vibration as a “rebel who was the personification of Rasta.” 

Spence died in a Brooklyn, New York Hospital on August 26 of Stage 4 lung cancer. He was 69 years-old. 

Israel Vibration signed to Washington DC-based RAS Records in the late 1980s. The group recorded and released 16 (studio, live, dub and compilations) for the independent label, starting with “Strength of My Life” in 1988. 

The three…

After a two-year break, the Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival returns. It is scheduled for September 4 at Southeast Athletic Complex in Lithonia, Georgia. 

The comeback event is produced by Glen Simmonds Events which is represented by Cheriel Simmons whose husband Glen started the Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival in 2005 as an intimate backyard affair. A stalwart of Atlanta’s Jamaican community, he died in 2019 at age 55. 

In addition to local and out-of-state chefs manning booths showcasing jerked cuisine…

After making his debut as a producer last year with the Syn Citi ‘riddim’, Alton Smith returns with the Nation, a beat featuring songs by several upcoming artists. It is scheduled for release on August 30. 

Smith said he took a meticulous approach before releasing a follow-up project. The Nation has songs such as “Truth” by Bibidon and “Paranoia” by Vycedon. 

He was encouraged by the latter’s father to work with both deejays. 

“He reached out to me about his son as a young talent and his best friend…

Most persons familiar with The Mighty Diamonds agree Fitzroy “Bunny Diamond” Simpson was the quiet presence who kept the group in check. Singer Irie, who met him during the 1990s, was taken by his humility. 

On August 4, he released “Pass me The Vegetables” in tribute to Bunny Diamond who died in April at age 71. Singer Irie produced the song. 

“My reason for doing a song like this is because of the friendship I had with Bunny Diamond, him was like a big brother to me. We use to hang out at Windsor Avenue…

After dabbling with pop on her previous songs, singer Oumië decided to go Jamaican for her latest single. "Bubble", her first dancehall single, was released in late July. 

"Bubble" is a collaboration with Jamaican singjay E-Dee who, like Oumië, lives in Los Angeles. 

“I wrote a song and had a dancehall male artist in mind for it. So, when we finished the song my engineer suggested that E-Dee jump on that song which became Bubble,” said Oumië. 

The uptempo track is produced by Huc, who also engineered the…

Although they are considered mainstays of the US Midwest reggae scene,  Dred I Dread would not mind shedding their regional tag. Which they hope to do with "Mount Zion", their fourth album. 

Released July 1 through VPAL Music on their Rapid Fire Records, the Minnesota band worked with some of Jamaica's top musicians on the Saunjay Kerr-produced project. 

"Yes, we are tired of the label of Midwest band. We just want to be labeled a reggae band, that’s it, and hopefully this album will help us realize that…

Although he has lived abroad for over 40 years, Clement Gordon lives and breathes Jamaica. The singer salutes his country’s resilience on "Rule The World", which was released on August 5. 

The song came out one day before Jamaica celebrated its 60th anniversary as an independent nation. Gordon, who has lived in Canada and the United States for over 40 years, recorded the song with patriotism oozing from his heart. 

“Mi play ‘roun’, play ‘roun’ with the idea till mi jus’ sey, ‘write it Rasta!’. I never…

When Wayne Wonder recorded “No Letting Go” 20 years ago, he knew there was something special about the song, which was recorded on producer Steven “Lenky” Marsden’s Diwali ‘riddim’. 

“From the moment we created it, the song just had a good, good feeling. Mix DJs started to play and at the time I was in the US doing groundwork with advice from Shaggy,” the singer recalled. 

That groundwork paid off. “No Letting Go” peaked at number 11 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 Songs chart in 2003. Twenty years after…

Throughout his career, Little Hero has balanced his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and dancehall music. He stays true to that blend on “The Journey Continue…”, his second album. 

Released by Tad’s International Record on July 15, the 12-song set is special for the veteran singer because it was done close to home. 

“”Wi play di instruments an’ did everything in our own studio in Ocho Rios. Wi create di riddims an’ everything come out great,” said Little Hero. “There is something different for…

Singer Shango Trex and deejay Catapila came of age career-wise during the 1990s, a decade when Jamaican artists blended dancehall with pop from the United States with great effect. 

Known as Freemynz, the duo had that crossover vibe in mind for “Dangerous”, their latest song, which is co-produced by Steven “Lenky” Marsden and Andre “GC” Fennell. The single was released in early July. 

Shango Trex said he and Catapila were looking for a hip sound for their third single, and agreed to recruit Marsden, whose…

There is very little Anthony Malvo has not seen or done since he got in the music business almost 40 years ago. Those years of experience have helped him develop as an artist and person. 

Fittingly, the singer’s latest album is titled “Matured”. Released on July 15, it has 12 songs, three of which were previously released. 

Malvo, best known for the 1987 monster hit “Come Back to Me” (with Tiger), said his journey from sound system singer to producer inspired his second album’s title. 

“I had a concept…

With a new single on the market, Sun Shade is going all out to promote “Missing You”, which was released July 1 by his Jeanne Music label through Tuff Gong International. 

As much as he is into social media, the singer prefers getting out and pressing flesh with fans. 

“Well, live shows is something I am working on you know, reaching out to promoters who are willing to give me a chance,” said the singer, who is based in Cleveland, Ohio. 

The Jamaican artist’s next show is in Cleveland at the Music Box…

After recording a number of edgy dancehall songs, singjay Kempo goes for a change of pace with “Tik Tok Freestyle”, a hip hop single released in May by his Kempo Music label. 

Known for singles such as “Sad Song” and “High Grade Potions”, Kempo believes a crack at hip hop will broaden his horizons. 

“It was mine and my team’s idea to try something really new and take a risk of dropping under the hip hop genre. Oftentimes, we overthink every release but this time I wanted to take a huge risk just by not…

One year after Leroy Brown migrated to Canada, country singer Mac Davis rode airwaves in that country and his native United States with Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me. Fifty years later, Brown covers the song with a reggae flavor. 

The self-produced single was released on July 7. It features drummer Sly Dunbar, saxophonist Dean Fraser, guitarist/keyboardist Paul Crosdale and bassist Owen Reynolds. 

Brown, who returned to Jamaica 20 years ago, initially wanted a female lead for the song. But Dunbar thought…

Betty Luv was enjoying careers as a radio host, gospel singer and artist manager when one of her charges suggested four years ago that she add even more to her plate. That marked her entry into music production. 

  The New York-based Jamaican has been busy guiding artists in the recording studio since producing Minister Denatra’s EP, “Use Me”, released in 2018. Latest productions for her Betty Luv Entertainment label are “My Lady” by singer Barry Back, “Coming Back For More” by Dan IJ and “Dumpling Plane”…

Singer Moses I grew up in the August Town region of Jamaica, which has one of the most Afro-conscious communities in the country, going back to the early 20th Century. It’s no surprise then, that he favors music with a spiritual feel. 

However, for “Déjà Vu”, his latest song, the veteran roots artist sings for the ladies. Produced by Ansel Owen, the single is scheduled for release on July 9 by Crown International Records. 

Moses I, who began recording in the 1980s, plans to highlight the song on July 30…

Frankie Sly and Wayne Wonder have been friends for nearly 40 years, and during that time they have rocked many a dance and stage show together. They share the mic on “Party All Night Long”, a song produced by 1 House Records. 

It is the fourth ‘combination’ between the deejay and singer who are both from East Kingston in Jamaica. Only one of the previous collaborations, “My Girl For Life”, was released. 

Influenced by Early B and Papa San, Frankie Sly’s career started during the late 1980s. Most of his…

Queen Ifrica, who has made a name recording songs that champion women’s rights, maintains that stance on “Serendipity”, her latest song, which is produced by Nuh Rush Records. 

The single is scheduled for release on July 1. Queen Ifrica says “Serendipity’s” theme is simple but empowering. 

“I’m delivering a message to women or anyone who’s in a relationship that is unfulfilling, encouraging them to love themselves more than any situation they find themselves in,” she explained. 

This is her follow-up to…

“Essence of God” is the title of Minister Jean Fray’s second album which is scheduled for release this summer. It is co-produced by George “Brotha George” Wright and veteran musician Sydney Mills. 

“Glory”, the singer’s first album, was released in December, 2020. Since then, she says there has been “great improvement” in her vocal ability. 

“I was a bit nervous in the studio the first time but with experience I’ve grown especially when it comes to formulating the songs,” said Minister Fray. 

“Essence of…