NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE 70TH ANNIVERSARY BOB MARLEY ISSUE

By Dave Rodney

A Newsweek Magazine special issue billed as the official 70th anniversary Bob Marley tribute, and entirely dedicated to the Marleys, reggae, rock steady, ska and Jamaica has just hit news stands across the United States.

The 100-page book chronicles the life and the legacy of Bob Marley, Jamaica's humble and gifted son of Trench Town whose music and cultural ideology inspired and riveted the lives of millions of multi-racial music fans across the globe.

The editorial spread is accompanied by over a hundred rarely seen color and black and white photographs of Bob Marley, his children, the Wailers and other reggae pioneers like Coxone Dodd. One of the captivating black and white images dates back to 1966 at the wedding of Bob and Rita before Bob started growing dreadlocks. Another remarkable photograph revisits the "Is This Love" video shoot in 1978 in London that gave a 7-year old girl called Naomi Campbell an early taste of the spotlight.

Surprisingly, no images of former Miss World Cindy Brakespeare appear in the book. Cindy is the mother of Bob's chart-topping son Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley.

Much of the narrative is told by the children of Bob Marley. Son Ziggy Marley expounds on the enduring works of his father. Another son, Stephen Marley recalls the night his parents were shot, and daughter Cedella zooms in on her dad's world-changing relevance.

"My siblings and I are honored and blessed with the Marley name and heritage of music and are proud our children will continue his legendary message through their own music, inspiring generations to come", Cedella Marley affirmed in the Newsweek special edition.

The issue costs US $10.99 and it will remain on news stands until January 16.

Cover of the Bob Marley 70th Anniversary Tribute

REGGAE SONG ADDRESSING GLOBAL TUMULT

With all the turmoil in different parts of the world, it was not difficult for roots singer Ras Kronik to write a song addressing global tumult.

That song, The Way to Life, was recently released. Produced by former UB40 trumpeter Patrick Anthony, it is enhanced by a graphic video filmed in Las Vegas, where Ras Kronik lives.

"All the bad things happening around the world, I had do a song like this. Five years later, its still relevant," said the Clarendon-born artiste.

The Way to Life is a precursor to Ras Kronik's second album which is also being directed by Anthony, who recorded and toured with UB40 for over 10 years.

Wild And Free is the title of the set which is expected to drop in the first quarter of this year.

Ras Kronik, who has been a recording artiste for 20 years, released his first album, The Real Thing Remix, in 2013.

Known for songs such as The Original Lick and More Than Gold.

AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY AT THE NEW YORK TRAVEL EXPO

Dave Rodney, Images Newsletter Writer

Tourism is big business. Globally, the industry generates over US$7 trillion dollars per year, so it was no surprise that nearly 500 exhibitors from almost every region of the world came out to the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City this past weekend for the celebrated New York Times Travel Expo that ran for three days, from Friday January 8 to Sunday January 10.

Exhibitors represented almost every national tourism organization as well as regional tourist boards, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, rail lines, travel agents, tour operators and packagers. And in true expo style, those companies who supply related services to core travel companies were present too- the luggage manufacturers, travel insurance companies, event and concert promoters, food services, attractions, wedding planners, wine manufacturers, and just about anyone who has interest in taking home a slice of that US$7 trillion pie.

The massive exhibition space on Manhattan's west side was divided into pavilions where thousands of attendees could quickly zoom into their areas of interest to visit company booths, some lavish and extravagant like South Africa and the Dominican Republic, and others modest but impactful like Cuba and the Falkland Islands. Some exhibitors conducted seminars to further boost their presence. The Caribbean pavilion was a magnet for large crowds who descended on the booths for brochures, maps, DVDs, caps, t-shirts, fancy pens, bags, calendars, a chance to win free vacations and all sorts of other giveaways. The energy level was similar at many other pavilions such as Adventure, Africa, Asia, Canada, Australia & the South Pacific, Latin America and River Cruises.

With every corner of the globe represented, moving around the show felt like a trip around the world in a day. The northeastern United States showed off their many inns, lodges, ski resorts, lakes and camp sites all within a few hours of the hub of New York City. Florida dazzled with its hundreds of miles of beaches alongside natural and man-made thrills, from northern and central Florida to South Beach. Canada promoted her lesser-known but fascinating eastern territories.

The Caribbean region made a big splash. Each island destination did a brief on-stage presentation on Friday, and representatives from various tourist boards answered questions from curious consumers and travel professionals. Antigua and Barbuda fed chunks of lobster meat to its booth visitors. Anguilla was pretty in sea blue and white, and a visit to their booth by Mr. World 2013 generated strident stares.

Jamaica had a strong and attractive presence at the expo, and the friendly and experienced Jamaica Tourist Board representatives were supported by managers from Palladium and Secret Resorts. But it was also interesting to watch how the sheer undisturbed magic of the reggae island helps to drive business to her shores. Sandals Resorts and the Hyatt Zilara and Hyatt Ziva Collection operated their own independent booths. Cuba was a hot topic for discussion, and several tour operators were furiously selling the rum, tobacco and culture island that until recently had its doors closed to the lucrative American market. The 'Deal of the Weekend' for the Caribbean, however, belonged to the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe who were offering airfares to their islands on a new Norwegian Airlines service for as low as US$59 each way from New York City.

The countries of Eastern Africa were relentless in their promotion to the North American marketplace, and for good reasons. Some safari trips to South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania and Botswana cost as much as US$2000 per day, so the profit margins provide a big incentive for those travel providers. "It took me four days to get to New York City for this three-day travel show, but it was critical for me to get here to make new connections to boost my business", Timothy Mdinka, managing director of Land Africa, a Tanzanian tour company told Images Newsletter. The same sentiment was expressed by a growing number of African operators who now enjoy vastly improved air links to enable them to maximize business from the Americas. "We have a lot to offer in Zambia, including an astonishing culture of 73 tribes, friendly people, twenty national game parks, many natural wonders and the mighty Victoria Falls, the only natural wonder of the world located in Africa", Marsha Achiume Holdway, first secretary for tourism at the Embassy of Zambia in Washington DC pointed out in an interview with Images Newsletter.

In the aftermath of two recent air tragedies, the destination of Malaysia has bounced back robustly in the marketplace. At the expo, their presence was pretty hard to miss with traditional folk music, spirited live dance performances, loud costumes and images of their destination that were so alluring you'd want to jump on the next available flight. Japan peddled a new high-speed ultra luxurious train service that would rival most grand hotels for comfort, and China Airlines made much of its new long haul aircraft and its growing network of service from American gateways with quick and easy connection to cities in China and Southeast Asia. And the award-winning, selloff Singapore Airlines tempted consumers with the comforts and the cuisine of their new premium economy service.

For only US$20, the New York Times Travel Show was a great weekend deal. Everyone left the show with a broader perspective of global travel trends and options. Whether one's passion is wilderness, whale watching, river or ocean cruises, fjords in Tierra del Fuego, glaciers in Greenland, rain forests in Costa Rica, ancient Asian kingdoms, lost civilizations at the end of the earth or soca, zouk and reggae parties of the Caribbean, the expo had it all. There was food and beverage sampling aplenty from every continent. Riveting live shows for entertainment kept the audiences engaged, and the average attendee left the show with about 20 pounds of promotional material and giveaways. And to put the icing on the cake, scores of consumers who attended the expo won trips for once-in-a-lifetime dream vacations.

Brazilian R&B artist Negra Li revels in Reggae

There is something about Reggae music that stars divert from their main genre to sample or record it. Brazilian R&B artiste Negra Li diverted from regular recording to team up with her husband Jr Dread to do the song titled Sunshine’.

CEO/Producer of Donsome Records, Adrian "Donsome" Hanson explains that it all came about when while listening to Jr Dread on the track he thought it needed ‘a woman’s touch’. And of course he didn’t have to look any further than to the artiste’s wife who is already an established singer, actress and model. Having recorded singles as well as being featured with Akon on ‘Beautiful’ and starring in the television musical Antonia.

“I knew it would be perfect seeing that it is a love song. And I knew and loved her vocals on the song Beautiful the producer shared.

After sending the beat to Jr Dread he came with a perfect love song that was just missing the female verse. I listened to his verse and in less than five minutes came up with the words that would match his lyrics and show a female’s sincerity to her soul mate,” he said of his penning input on the song.

Negra Li was more than up to the task as this is not her first reggae flavoured song. “I always loved reggae music. And on all of my R&B albums I include a reggae song on it,” she said.

It is even more enjoyable as she gets to record with her husband whose response “It’s always a joy and an honour because not only am I her husband but I’m also her biggest fan. Music is an integral part of our life,” he said of the combination.

‘Sunshine’ a song about love blooming was the perfect fit for the couple and needless to say the chemistry was spot on from the natural love flow. Right now both husband and wife are focused on different projects with this one song in common, but as far as her husband is concerned … you never know! More combinations could be in the works.

With Reggae music being a powerful force in Brazil … think Jimmy Cliff and other artistes that the country has embraced, it is not surprising that Negra Li admits her thoughts on reggae as being “one of the most powerful and beautiful music”. “It always brings a positive and revolutionary message. And it doesn’t matter if you are old or a baby, it’s a sound that everyone loves,” she shares. An admirer of the late reggae legend Bob Marley for his impact on the music of this century she also loves many artistes and groups such as Israel Vibration, Sizzla, Dezarie, Steel Pulse and Queen Omega to name a few. Although Negra Li is actively involved in dancing, acting, modeling and singer, for her nothing beats the music.

“Cause it’s a universal language that can last forever and influence people in a positive way. It helped me to be an actress and to be strong and passionate about life. The Brazilian beauty is presently recording her third album laced with a lot of influences. Her ultimate goal though is to one day do a full reggae project.

Sunshine will be available on iTunes January 29th, 2016.

Jazz at Lincoln Center-Rose Hall with Monty Alexander

February 12 and 13

"A Night at Jilly's"1962: Monty Alexander first met and played for Frank Sinatra.

Monty's musical and personal reflections of his encounters with Mr. Sinatra through the decades.

Reggae/dancehall for ‘The Unveiling’ in Grenada

By Howard Campbell

St GEORGE'S, Grenada — A strong cast of Jamaican dancehall/reggae acts, complemented by local artistes, will perform at Sounds of The Caribbean – The Unveiling, scheduled for February 13 at the National Stadium in St George's, Grenada.

Luciano, I-Octane and Dexta Daps are the Jamaicans on the bill. Grenadian Knajume Mark, of promoters Roots Rock Record Shop and Levelz Entertainment, said she and her colleagues went for variety given the popularity of dancehall/reggae in her country.

"I thought that it was the perfect blend of artistes that would appeal to the youths and also to the mature folks.

Reggae music is a staple in the Grenadian culture. Take for example one of the largest stage shows was that of the late, great Lucky Dube. Thousands of people came out for this event! The largest to date," Mark told OBSERVER ONLINE.

'The Unveiling' also has home grown entertainers such as Mr Killa and Tallpree. The former has performed in Jamaica on Jamaica Carnival.

The show is been held on the weekend Valentine's Day. It also marks the end of Carnival in Carriacou (a tiny island owned by Grenada) and neighbouring Trinidad.

Mark and her business partners live in the United States but maintain close ties with their homeland, known in the Caribbean as the Spice Isle.

When they came up with Unveiling, they agreed it would not be just another show.

"It all came about when a group of friends and I were discussing the Grenadian culture. We understood that there was more to Grenada than the nutmeg. I came up with the name Levelz Entertainment... for me it was about taking entertainment to a higher level! Outside of the box, hence The Unveiling," she said.

Like most countries in the Eastern Caribbean, soca is the dominant sound among Grenadians. Reggae, however, has always had a following in the island which has a population of just over 100,000.

Dancehall is big among the youth, with I-Octane and Dexta Daps among the most popular acts.

"I-Octane was chosen because of his versatility... going from culture to dancehall and back. Dexta Daps is soulful and also appeals to the ghetto youths looking for inspiration and solitude," said Mark.

The promoters hope to make Sounds of The Caribbean – The Unveiling an annual event.

Source - Jamaica Observer
https://www.facebook.com/levelzentertainment/