(¯`·._(¯`·......Wha Gwaan in R.A.W......·´¯)_.·´¯) Friday, May 16, 2008 _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ *INDEX [1] -*- Reggae Vibes News Bulletin (May 14, 2008) -*- [2] ARTIST spotlight: ABIJAH - new album launch; winner of the AirPlay Direct contest; performing Memorial Day Sunday [3] Poetry Event & Haji Mike meets Bandulu Dub Summer Tour Portugal-Cyprus 2008 (HAJI MIKE) [4] Upcoming Concert at Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, NV _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ [1] *=*=*=*=*=*=*= *=*=*=*=*=*=*= *=*=*=*=*=*=*= >From: [Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide #] Subject: -*- Reggae Vibes News Bulletin (May 14, 2008) -*- Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:08 PM From Reggae Vibes Prods NL -*- http://www.reggae-vibes.com -*- -*- Reggae Vibes News Bulletin (May 14, 2008) -*- **** THIS WEEK'S UPDATES AT http://www.reggae-vibes.com **** You can download free mp3's and desktop wallpapers! New wallpapers for June and July with pics of Etana and Stacious, and two new download tunes, Harry Chapman's "Revelation Revealing" and "Champion Sound", have been added. Rootz Underground's "Movement" is a decidedly modern Roots Reggae album, fusing elements of Jazz, Ska, Dub, R&B, Dancehall, and Rock. "The Best Of Max Romeo And Friends" brings Max Romeo in combination with a fine selection of reggae artists. "New Beginning" from Benaiah is a well balanced reggae album with nice tunes and uplifting lyrics. "Ohhh No! The Big Kid Is Back!"... Interview with Red Rat. Playlist for Reggae Vibes Radio Show ~ Thursday, May 15, 2008. **** AND DON'T FORGET... **** Submit your personal top 5 tunes! Every month we'll pick a winner and post his/her top 5 complete with full length soundclips on the Reggae Vibes website. 'Reggae Vibes SoundStation' brings you the sounds of yesterday, today & tomorrow. Push the PLAY button of the player on top of the homepage to get it started! And... you're even able to request a tune! New tunes are added twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday). "The Official UK Dancehall Top 10" and "Jamaica's Weekly Top 20 (Singles) Hit List" - both with full length soundclips - are featured on our site. Also check Teacher & Mr. T's "Hot'n'Fresh Top 15", where you can vote for your favourite tune. Which records were featured in the reggae chart exactly 30 years ago? You'll find the answer in our monthly "Revive Top 10". THIS AND MUCH MORE AT : http://www.reggae-vibes.com (c) 2008 Reggae Vibes Productions [2] *=*=*=*=*=*=*= *=*=*=*=*=*=*= *=*=*=*=*=*=*= >From: [Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide #] Subject: ARTIST spotlight: ABIJAH - new album launch; winner of the AirPlay Direct contest; performing Memorial Day Sunday Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:06 PM From Krucial Reggae ARTIST spotlight: ABIJAH - new album launch; winner of the AirPlay Direct contest; performing Memorial Day Sunday Moving 2 the Top After a pre-launch in Kingston, Abijah's new album "Moving 2 the Top" is being cycled to the U.S. press - with plans to hit Radio next - and lining up European & Pacific distribution. The album captures some of Abijah's top singles, as well as some of his newer compositions. The rest of 2008 will feature more roll-outs, including advertising in print media (including the Reggae Festival Guide ) and online (via BigUp Radio , and other sites). The album follows a pre-release tour, and will be generating interest in return engagements. Scroll down for the full Press Release... = recommended, best picks for Radio play (the rest are excellent as well, but are also good sit-back & chill tunes) 1. Moving 2 the Top is a flemenco-tinged dancehall rhythm, enjoining: ³they can do it, we can too, let¹s get together cause it¹s alright, world!² 2. Where has the Love Gone (featuring Smoke Bulga) - a pumping beat with a guest hip hop artist - a peppering call to conscience. 3. Tribute is based on Marvin Gaye¹s ³Abraham, Martin, and John,² and likewise laments the too-soon departure of Reggae heroes Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey, and Joe Higgs. 4. Lovin¹ Girl - a true Lover¹s Rock anthem akin to the best of the 70¹s & early 80¹s. 5. Heaven Knows, another love song with an original feel arranged by Dalton Browne and Abijah. 6. Be Happy is a lounge tune offering serious advice about cheer in the face of hardship. 7. Overcome (featuring Tevin Campbell) invokes MLK¹s message: ³we shall overcome,² with R&B crooner in a duet that works particularly well in the song¹s music video on YouTube . 8. State of Emergency is akin to the best modern roots anthems, calling attention what we¹re living in today. 9. Nah Give Up - a message to the youths: keep the faith, on Calibud¹s classic remake of the ³Forever Loving Jah² rhythm. 10. Swept Away was the title of this album's pre-release title, it hails from the Lustre Kings camp, and is a call to awe before the natural wonders of God's majesty. 11. Music & Me - adapted from a classic remade by the young Michael Jackson, it explores the life-long friendship which develops between an artist and his music. 12. Be My Love - is a sexy reminiscence of Sade with a driving, but romantic lilt. 13. Bad Boyz, an ode to gangsters, has all the immediacy of a car chase or bar room bR.A.W.l. 14. Rasta Love came out through Lustre Kings as well, on their Red Razor rhythm, which advises we ³seek Rastafari Loveno more fussing nor fighting² 15. Sun is Shining - this remake of Bob Marley¹s soothing, feel-good tune underscores the vocal similarity between Abijah and his relative, the King of Reggae (it reached the European charts in its own right). 16. I Surrender is a traditional gospel anthem delivered with the church-based Positive Entertainment Choir, and as powerful as any such reverence song. 17. My Best laments that sometimes our own standards might not be good enough, and in his humility, Abijah asks: ³forgive me.² 18. Revelation remix (featuring Beenie Man) reinvents the original, which went straight to #1 in Jamaica, and has new life with the dancehall legend¹s duet. See the original video on YouTube . 19. No More War captures some of Abijah¹s energetic stage power (from Island Fest), recorded with his touring band Dub Station. This ending track is only a hint of what¹s to come ³to a dance hall near you,² and through future releases. click to hear the new album Official Press Release by Fly On The Wall Media ABIJAH: Marvin meets Martin Luther in Kingston, ³Overcome² Boundaries with Music At a time when the hammering dancehall beat has all but drowned out the traditional skank - and angry voices shout homophobic rants - comes a voice with positive messages: modern and distinctive, but steeped in Reggae¹s tradition, dR.A.W.ing on R&B, roots, soul and world flavors. Abijah¹s international flair is exemplified by the flamenco-tinged title track of his new album, Moving to the Top released originally by Azion Music on April 20, 2008. It reveals again his penchant for combining the old and the new. Abijah¹s efforts to ³move to the top² are about picking up the torch and continuing the work of waning generations of Reggae legends (the recent passing of Culture¹s Joseph Hill, Lucky Dube, and now Mikey Dread come to mind). Abijah¹s seen it all, starting in his childhood, tapping out percussion with his father¹s seminal group: The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari. The songs on this album were road-tested as Abijah toured over 30 cities, live and with a pre-release (called ³Swept Away²). At the Kingston launch party at the close of Œ07, MC Tony Rebel (artist and founder of the world-famous Rebel Salute festival) and Philip ŒFatis¹ Burrell one of Abijah¹s producers (the force behind the rise of Luciano and Sizzla) were in the house. Abijah also showcases his own production skills with this new album, alongside fellow-producer and instrumentalist: Gibby (Peter Tosh¹s guitarist). The day after the launch, Abijah and his touring band Dub Station performed live on TV from the National Arena for all of Jamaica. Jamaicans gave Abijah his moniker ³Ambassador of Peace² for his work promoting One Love philosophies before thousands of kids in the island school system, as well as abroad, including at Native American reservations, prisons, and by invitation to Harvard and Oxford Universities. Bringing back the acoustic feel of Bob Marley¹s ³Redemption Song² with his own #1 hit ³Revelation² (on his first, VP Records¹ release), Abijah has reinvented his own song with a ³Revelation remix² featuring dancehall¹s premier legend Beenie Man. Marvin Gaye¹s ³Abraham, Martin, and John² (lamenting the loss of Lincoln, King, and Kennedy) is recast in Abijah¹s ³Tribute,² where he reflects on the passing of Reggae roots progenitors Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, and Joe Higgs. MLK¹s own words ³we shall overcome² are echoed in the song ³Overcome² (alongside R&B crooner Tevin Campell). Motown, Marvin Gaye, Jackson Five musicians learn from each other no matter where you¹re from. Friends visited Marley and he was listening to the Bee-Gees! When asked why, Bob said Œthey do so well, I¹m listening to see why.¹ I try to be like a sponge, to learn, absorb, be open... Other artists are a big influence on me, music¹s not about where you¹re from, no limits or boundaries, it's not about religion, politics, or the color of your skin, music is given to each and all of us. -- Abijah Moving to the Top and Abijah recently won AirPlayDirect.com¹s first ³All-Things-Digital World & Reggae Music Contest.² Abijah¹s built a good buzz on his home island in anticipation of his US release; he (and this new album) have been endorsed by the international telecommunications company Call the Planet (CTP). Abijah¹s name has been plastered on billboards, car-art, and advertising. And his new music video ³Moving 2 the Top² has charted on Hype TV. Abijah IS moving straight to the top of his game. Travel Sponsor - Vista Travel If you don't have time to book your travel - you know browsing the web can get confusing - talk to someone who has ALL the deals at their fingertips (not just those which have "been made available." She also has the wherewithal to get you the best deals: an actual person, not a catch-as-catch-can website, or selective "discounter." We've often found it cheaper to go back to the "good old fashioned" travel agent. Nowadays, travel agents don't make more by commission - the more you spend - so it's in their interests to find you the best deal possible. When you factor in their nominal per-ticket fee, you're actually saving money AND time by working with the team. Call Betsy Bouchet, 617-588-4224, or email BetsyB@VistaTravelinc.com Merch Sponsor - ArtShirt Co Whether you're screen printing T-shirts, doing embroidery, or making signs & banners, ArtShirt Company has worked with the likes of 311 and Bose - they know the quality you need - and the price you can pay! No operators or switchboards, call Gilbert yourself at 617-625-2636, ArtShirtCo@aol.com Our Newsletter Service - a standout worth checking For several years now, we've been sending out newsletters. It began as a way to pitch artists & events we were sponsoring. Now it's developed into more of an art form, with much more potential than the one-liner: "listen to this singer" or "come to this show," which most promotion is limited to being. Fact is, more people open newsletters than might buy an album or go to a show. The newsletter itself becomes a destination and a commodity, something of value. Essentially, it's an online or emailed magazine. There are other newsletters out there, and e-blast promotion companies doing excellent work. Every service has its strengths & limitations. We're working on some improvements down the line, as we are to our home site www.Reggae4i.com . We pride ourselves, however, in what we do right, focusing on what we CAN do, not what we can't. One thing we definitely do, is "clean" our list of bad e-ddresses. We also add new names to make up for lost contacts. Most importantly, we categorize our recipients by state and other criteria, which enables the fine tuning of who gets which email. The last thing we want is to overload your inbox. We have a Singers & Players newsletter, which goes only to Artists; the DJ's Selectors' Choice; an Artist Spotlight, which goes to our entire Global list; and various Regional lists to choose from. We still promote the artists & venues we work with most closely, and have some sponsors, but we're looking to expand our service to welcome NEW sponsors. So if you or someone you know is interested in promoting one of the project types listed above - be it a band, venue, festival, organization, or brand of any kind - please don't hesitate to be in touch. You can click below for samples, or email us at ReggaePR@aol.com. Press section of Reggae4i.com, where our newsletters are archived listed by category Hear Buy the new Abijah CD on iTunes Although also carried by Ernie B's, and in the process of further distribution internationally, "Moving 2 the Top" has been made available on iTunes, for listening & purchase. There's something on the album for every type of listener. Check it out and also feel feel free to Reply with feedback. Radio people: scroll down and visit Abijah's AirPlay Direct page, where you can download MP3's & WAV files directly - and for free - for your broadcasting convenience. "Moving 2 the Top" CD on iTunes Abijah performing live in Boston, Memorial Sunday, May 25th One of the most dynamic artists to hit the stage of this legendary venue (which has also featured the likes of Junior Kelly, the Itals, and Everton Blender), Abijah is making his first U.S. appearance of 2008 on Memorial Day Sunday, May 25th. Last he came through to a packed house on Valentine's Day weekend, 2007 (previously graced by England's Peter Hunnigale). photo: Rototom Festival in Europe Whereas many artists are mixing track dates with live dates, Abijah always appears with a full band, doing a full 90-minute set. Sharing the stage, doing his own high-energy performance, will be Jus Goodie. A headliner in his own right, Goodie's toured with Sugar Minott, Junior Toots, and Winston Jarrett. Backing Abijah - as they did most recently in Jamaica (and previously, on a 20-city West Coast/Hawaiian tour) - will be the Dub Station band, award-winners and previous touring band to Richie Spice, Frankie Paul, and Shinehead. click for more info on the Bill's Bar date schedule Abijah wins AirPlay Direct Contest Hosting more than 10,000 artists and delivering broadcast quality songs & electronic press kits (DPK's) - free to performers & radio - AirPlay Direct is at the forefront of what the Internet has to offer Artists. Nearly every month, a new genre hosts a contest, in which AirPlay Direct client bands submit their own DPK's for review by a professional board of sponsors. photo: Sierra Nevada World Music Festival The first ever "All Things Digital Reggae & World Music Contest" drew a number of contestants, from which Abijah was selected as the most outstanding and "ready" artist capable of benefiting from the push & accolade of the victory. Abijah's AirPlay Direct DPK, for the public, radio, and booking agent about this newsletter KRucial promotions We are in the business of connecting Artists & Audiences. Check our Newsletter service explained to the left. We transmit almost weekly - always on topic & region specific - to our entire list of nearly 8000 recipients (or subsets thereof). We focus on readability & content, and have less than a 1% unsubscribe rate, so people are happy to recieve our NL's, as we call them. Our home web site of www.Reggae4i.com (click link below) gets upwards of 10,000 visitors monthly, and is about to unveil a substantial overhaul, not only in terms of being up to date with the latest Internet protocols (older sites will become less managable if they don't switch over), but in terms of functionalilty. Our store has been problematic for years, and we're hoping to fix those bugs. We can now have a wider home page, which will allow for at least 6 banners, which we'll be populating with products & services we want to dR.A.W. special attention to. Also, and most importantly, we assist artists get their name & image (and music!) out there, as in the case of Abijah, above. We provide Management & PR Consulting limited only by the artists' vision and capacity to fulfill their dreams. By combining our own promotional efforts with theirs, we're best able to stay in the business and service all comers, the media and fans particularly. So if you'd like to reach our audience or utilize our services, be in touch at ReggaePR@aol.com . Also, please forward this email to anyone you think might be interested, or forward us their email addresses, so we may keep them in the loop as well. KRucial Promotions' home site: Reggae4i.com KRucial Agency PO Box 440263 Somerville MA 02144 [3] *=*=*=*=*=*=*= *=*=*=*=*=*=*= *=*=*=*=*=*=*= >From: [Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide #] Subject: Poetry Event & Haji Mike meets Bandulu Dub Summer Tour Portugal-Cyprus 2008 (HAJI MIKE) Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:43 PM From Haji Mike SoundClick Mailing List unsubscribe HAJI MIKE Poetry Event Haji Mike meets Bandulu Dub Summer Tour Portugal-Cyprus 2008 Poetry Evening dedicated to Nazim Hikmet Yiannis Ritsos...Thursday 22nd May, UNESCO Amphitheatre, University of Nicosia. Featuring Zeki Ali, Stephanos Stephanides Haji MIke. This event is part of the Anna Lindh Foundation's (ALF) '1001 Actions for Dialogue Day'. Sponsored by ALF in Egypt with support from ALF Cyprus Network...look out for the podcast and new myspace page.... Finalised dates Cyprus: Haji Mike meets Bandulu Dub - Live Summer Tour Sunday 1st June, Fig Tree Bay, Protaras - Cyprus Thursday 5th June, New Division, Nicosia - Cyprus Friday 6th June, Paradise, Pomos - Cyprus details on Portugal dates will follow in July more details www.mysapce.com/hajimike1 www.myspace.com/banduludub many thanks to Aeolos Travel for supporting the tour! Many more summer dates/events to come in late June...watch this space.... http://soundclick.com/hajimike Mailing list provided by SoundClick, the #1 artist music community. We have a strict no-spam policy, please forward violations to abuse@soundclick.com. You can always unsubscribe [4] *=*=*=*=*=*=*= *=*=*=*=*=*=*= *=*=*=*=*=*=*= >From: [Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide #] Subject: Upcoming Concert at Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, NV Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008 4:24 AM From Kaati Upcoming Concert at Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, NV Sat, May 24 Fearless Chicken Alternative Rock Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, NV Doors Open at 8:30 pm) 9:30 pm 21 and over Free! Sunday, May 25 DUB CONSCIOUS - Reggae Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, NV 9:30 pm (Doors Open at 8:30 pm) 21 & over Free Red Hot Summer Tour Wednesday, May 28 CAPLETON ­ Dancehall Reggae Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, NV 9:30 pm (Doors Open at 8:30 pm) $20.00 advance 21 & over The Tahoe Biltmore is North Tahoe¹s #1 live music spot and is located at #5 Highway 28, Crystal Bay, NV 89402 For more information call 800/245-8667/775/831-0660 www.renegadeshows.com 530-583-2801 Kaati RBA Publishing and Publicity P.O. Box 50635 Reno, NV 89513 775-337-8344 fax: 775-337-6499 kaati1@sbcglobal.net *********************************************************************** In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty Forward the Reggae Vibe...Every Time ! Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide Tom Pearson R.A.W.#33 http://www.reggaeambassadors.org ************************************************************************* < R.A.W. Disclaimer > "Any and all statements, views, and opinions expressed in the 'Wha' Gwaan in R.A.W?' newsletter are those of individual members of Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, Inc. (R.A.W.). R.A.W. is not responsible for the veracity, or for the content, of any R.A.W. member's statement, views, and/or opinions included in this newsletter."