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Home , Alpha Blondy, Al Campbell, Augustus Pablo, Back in the City, Beres Hammond, Big Youth

DEC 2015 CA 01.04

T R A X ROOTS / ROCK / / RESPECT

featuring HOUSE OF SHEM

ARMY RAS D Z-MAN TONY CHIN EARL ZERO DERRICK LARA PAPA MICHIGAN JOHNNY DREAD ANTHONY JOHN FULLY FULWOOD MELLOW MOVEMENT IRIEMAG.COM

CA ISSUE #01.04 / DECEMBER 2015

“ If you haven’t confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won even before you have started.” -

Nicholas ‘Nico’ Da Silva Founder/Publisher & Editor in Chief

IRIEMAG.COM MERCH. The Official ‘Rockers’ Tee from Irie Magazine Available in T-Shirts & Hoodies for Men/Women Two styles to choose from: or Ethiopia IRIEMAG.COM House of Shem Derrick Lara Papa Michigan Ras D New Zealand Jamaica Jamaica Jamaica

Army Fully Fulwood Tony Chin Johnny Dread U.S. Virgin Islands Jamaica Jamaica

Earl Zero Anthony John Mellow Movement Z-Man United States Jamaica United States United States NZL HOUSE OF SHEM

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE HOUSE OF SHEM

House Of Shem is an Aotearoa (New Zealand) based harmony trio comprised of Carl Perkins and his FOLLOW two sons, Te Omeka Perkins and Isaiah Perkins, who are each multi-instrumentalist and producers. House of Shem

Formed 2005 in the rural area of Whanganui, the band embodies elements of , pacific reggae and traditional maori music with relatable song-writing that connects powerfully with not only New Zealand and Australia audiences, but reggae listeners globally attracting fans from all Featured areas of the world.

Since bursting onto the music scene with their debut album ‘Keep Rising’ in 2008, House of Shem has released three very successful and built a rapidly growing loyal fan base. Working with Grammy award winning engineers on two albums (Bob , ) and James Caruso(, Nas, Stephen Marley) and mixing at Studios, Jamaica shows how dedicated House of Shem in presenting quality product to the world.

Having obtained two Platinum and Gold albums, Carl Perkins has also been inducted into the Harmony New Zealand Music hall of fame with former band, The Herbs. House Of Shem was the first ever January 28, 2014 Reggae band in Aotearoa (New Zealand) to debut at number one on the day of release for their album ‘Island Vibration’.

WEBSITE Irie Magazine recently sat down with Carl Perkins to reason about reggae music. houseofshem.com

IRIEMAG.COM The Interview

IRIE. You are considered one of reggae’s finest, a veteran of roots reggae music with thirty-plus years in the industry. You’ve sang, written and played for bands like Herbs, The Twelve Tribes of and Mana . Can you share what inspired you to play reggae music? FOLLOW House of Shem Carl Perkins. My mom and dad’s family were all musicians and singers so I was destined to make music. My introduction to reggae music was when I first heard the early tune , ‘My Girl Lollipop’ by Millie Smalls. When I first heard that song, there was something about it that touched me. I found myself listening to more of that music with artists like and Linton Kwesi Johnson. Featured Album IRIE. As a musical trio, you perform with three lead vocalists which results in such perfect harmony. Does everyone contribute to the song writing process?

Carl Perkins. Yes we do. When Te Omeka and Isaiah made the commitment to reggae music, they started writing and listening to ideas. I would share with them some of the ideas from our past. I wanted them to be free in what they wrote about. I never restricted them in anyway. I wanted them to have milk and honey first and then start to grow with their music. As they the got on life, they could share what they needed to share with the people. When they started to sing these songs, Island Vibration I was so blessed to hear them. February 14, 2011

IRIE. Your music embodies the elements of roots reggae, pacific reggae (cali reggae) and traditional Maori music which makes your sound truly special. Has this unique style helped you attract fans from all over the world? WEBSITE houseofshem.com Carl Perkins. It has brother! A lot of people have commented and made contact with us about . We have a Maori language track on the second album called ‘Tahuri Mai Ra’. I’ve had a lot of people worldwide ask me what the song means because they get a special feeling that they can’t IRIEMAG.COM explain when they hear the song. When I explain to them that the song is saying to remember the good news; that the good news is what is needed for our future generations, they are blown away. Their response is, “We actually felt that from the song.”

One of the guys tried to get us to keep the track off the album, saying, “that’s not going to go down to well because we won’t know what its all about”. FOLLOW House of Shem We’ve always felt that the song was about the vibrations. sings in french and we love Alpha Blondy! It’s the vibration, the feeling of the music!

IRIE. In your songwriting, is it important for every House of Shem song to have a message Featured Album whether it’s a song to give people hope or a song to bring about awareness?

Carl Perkins. I think so. Whether it’s a love song or something of everyday life that we want to share with the world, I think every song we produce should have a message.

IRIE. For your albums Island Vibration (2011) and Harmony (2013), you worked with Jamaican engineer Errol Brown. Can you share with us the experience of two reggae legends, Carl Perkins and Errol Brown, working together? Keep Rising May 26, 2008 Carl Perkins. It’s great to work with Errol. Errol gave me more of an understanding of himself as an engineer. I think I’ve learned from him. He was just so open to share and educate us on his talent and we learned some great things from him. WEBSITE We were also lucky to be in a great recording studio when we worked with Errol. The albums were houseofshem.com recorded at the Roundhead Studios in Auckland which is owned by singer- Neil Finn of Crowded House.

IRIEMAG.COM IRIE. We are living in serious times right now, where religion, politics and race continues to divide us. If you could send a message to the world to help heal these wounds, what would say?

Carl Perkins. We need to love one another. We are not on this earth to judge, therefore we don’t have the right to judge each other. We should respect each other. FOLLOW House of Shem IRIE. Irie Magazine’s tagline is ROOTS, ROCK, ROCK, RESPECT. What does each of these words mean to you?

Carl Perkins. Roots to me is of humanity - the good people. Rock represents the people who fight the good fight. Reggae is something that moves the spirit. We’ve had people bury their love ones and played our album during the service. That means so much to me. Any reggae music that does that, I’m there. Respect means to love one another.

IRIE. Is there anything you would like to say to the IRIE Audience?

Carl Perkins. to say to your audience to continue to embrace and support Irie Magazine. Before I started talking to you, I had that same understanding of where the roots of the magazine was coming from. You’ve done a very good job! A lot of respect to you and your team in the work that you do with the magazine. It does come out in the vibe of the magazine. I just want to say to each and everyone to spread the good news about IRIE Magazine and to uphold and embrace the magazine and keep it where it belongs. Love and Blessings to you! We will reason soon. Love you, brother!

IRIE. Give thanks for the IRIE opportunity to reason with you, Carl. I look forward to our next WEBSITE reasoning in 2016! Much Love and Respect! houseofshem.com

IRIEMAG.COM JAM DERRICK LARA

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE DERRICK LARA

Born in Kingston, Jamaica (1961), Derrick Lara loved to emulate American R&B singers of the early FOLLOW 70s as a youth. He nurtured his vocal style in the local church choir, performing alongside his sister, Derrick Lara Jennifer Lara. A competent vocalist, he initially performed alongside Errol Lee in the Bare Essentials Band and then as a drummer in the Seventh Extension Band, playing to tourists on the north coast. Lara was celebrated for his drumming skills until an impromptu appearance as a vocalist led to a change of direction. By 1972 his reputation as a singer reached Kingston where he was invited to record with . Gibbs’ production of ‘What We Need’ introduced Lara’s distinct falsetto to Jamaican ears. Further sessions with the producer led to Lara’s debut album and an appearance on the discomix, ‘Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough’ featuring DJ . In 1983, the vocal group enrolled Lara to perform with them, initially on recording sessions with . Through the years Lara has remained with the group, although all members pursued concurrent solo careers.

In 1994, the Tamlins re-recorded their classic, ‘Baltimore’, with Richard ‘Bello’ Bell, who also enrolled Lara to join the Star Trail posse. With the crew he provided backing vocals to performers such as , and . Lara released a series of hit singles including ‘Gun Man’, ‘Me No Have It’ and ‘Man Fe Know’ for Bell, while with Tappa Zukie he released, ‘Love Is Calling’ and for K.C. White he updated ’s ‘Money Money’ rhythm for the classic, ‘Bad Vibes’. Lara also released the maudlin Motherless Child drawing from his formative years and dedicated the title track to his mother, who had died in childbirth. The album established the singer as an exceptional soloist, particularly in the USA. In 1999, Lara released ‘All About Life’ in collaboration with Sly And Robbie, Mafia And Fluxy, Danny Browne, Firehouse Crew and Culture Lee. Derrick Lara solo career was on pause for a few years as he performed with the Tamlins and toured with harmony. He still performs with the Tamlins, but has renewed his solo career and is getting ready to release ‘Solid’, a brand new album with tracks by the Stamina All Stars out of Santa Cruz, CA. IRIEMAG.COM JAM PAPA MICHIGAN

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE PAPA MICHIGAN

Written By: Francine Chin FOLLOW It’s the seventies and Reggae is rocking the world and Jamaicans are feasting on a steady diet of Papa Michigan music. Each song is a potential hit. The genre is the main sounding board for Rasta and also bears responsibility for giving the world’s underclass a voice. This decade is the island’s most creative musical era. Everyone is at his peak. Featured Album Artistic rivalry is intense but friendly and the finished products will prove to be some of Reggae’s finest. Jamaica’s musical court is headed by , , , Third World, Burning Spear, , Jimmy and .

The rivalry is not limited to singers and writers but also extends to the production community. Once again the fabled Studio One Label is positioned at the forefront of this, Jamaica’s newest music revo- lution. Head honcho, , spits out a new crop of artists and among them is the sensation- al deejay duo, Papa Michigan and General Smiley. The twosome eagerly accepts their roles as pace- setters of a new and exciting period in ’s history. DJ Legend September 30, 2014 Michigan and Smiley get out of the blocks quickly as the single, ‘Rub A Dub Style’, hits the local charts in 1978. It is their first commercial success. Consecutive chart toppers follow to make dancehall anthems of, ‘Nice up the Dance’ and the monster hit, ‘Diseases’ (all penned by Papa Michigan). WEBSITE As chief , their rapid success is enough to establish Papa Michigan and Smiley as one of papamichigan.com Reggae’s most prolific musical forces.

Now a solo artiste, Papa Michigan continues to write record and perform groundbreaking material. The 2004 album, ‘It’s All Good’, yielded the hugely popular underground single ‘400 years’ and recent IRIEMAG.COM releases ‘Barack Obama’, ‘Hustler’, & ‘These Streets’ has served once again to reinforce his artistic bril- liance. Now conscious of the need to be relevant, Michigan is employing a variety of strategies including a unique fusion of streetwise hip hop flavor that he blends with his native sound. Donning the caps of songwriter, producer and performer, it is evident that Papa Michigan has not only mastered several areas of the business but has continued to blossom over the years. FOLLOW Papa Michigan His success as a producer for such powerhouses as Luciano, Glen Washington, Tristan Palma, and , has done little to quell his premier his passion. Performance and recording still beckons. ‘Love Iz’, his current album has answered that call.

This seventeen track package is a potpourri of styles that maintains a Reggae foundation as it Featured Album incorporates a plethora of twenty-first century concepts in rhythms and sounds. From Yutz‘ of Today’, a raw and rootsy dancehall single to the title track, ‘Love Iz’, a sweet featuring a blend of vocals and deejay toasting and rap with generous sprinklings by some beautiful back up harmony this album showcases the genius of the artiste. Another track, ‘Best Friend’ demonstrates Papa Michigan’s acute sensitivity to the changes that determines an artiste’s success or failure. “Best Friends” while heavily influenced by R&B remains an authentic dancehall piece. To put it simply; ‘Love Iz’ a masterpiece.

Love Iz After years of working behind the scenes, Papa Michigan has returned to the performing arena October 24, 2009 without losing a beat. In his own words, “it takes an experienced soldier to lead an army”. With so many fans thirsty for good music and traditional dancehall fun, who is better equipped than Papa Michigan to take command? WEBSITE papamichigan.com

IRIEMAG.COM JAM RAS D

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE RAS D

Dave Munroe aka Ras D is a prolific singer/songwriter from Kingston, Jamaica now residing in Nothern, FOLLOW . At the age of 7, while attending Duhaney Park Primary School, Ras D developed a friend- Ras D ship with , son of legendary of the Wailers. They became closer friends in 7-11 grades while attending Edith Dalton James High School and he would spend many hours hang- ing out at the home of Peter Tosh. This experience is what fired his love of reggae music and with encouragement and through listening to Andrew’s playing, he was motivated to write his own Featured Single music starting at the age of 19. A vocalist and musician, Flourgan, sang one of Ras D’s original songs, ‘Lasco’, and it received an enormous amount of publicity and subsequently became a TV & Radio commercial in Jamaica. Ras D then started performing his music in venues across Jamaica which led to a tour of the USA along with Andrew Tosh.

As Ras D became more familiar and comfortable with the music business, he delved further into his musical creativity and used his international influences to inspire his debut album ‘Give Some Love Today’, recorded in Oakland, California and released in September 2004. This album features all original lyrics and music by Ras D. It includes performances by Andrew Tosh, Jr. Toots, Brendan Survivah Munroe, Undah-P and Regina Espinoza. The album was inspired by and fueled by Ras D’s February 19, 2013 passion and life experiences. Included on this album is the track ‘September 11th’, a tribute to the lives lost in the attacks on USA soil on that fateful day. This track received a broad spectrum of airplay on many mainstream radio stations and many of the other tracks on this album were also WEBSITE successfully released as singles. reverbnation.com/RASD

Encouraged by the success of his first album and industry accolades, Ras D went on to give us his next innovative album, ‘Love with Meaning’, in 2007, staying true to his roots and keeping his message alive. Delivered in his unique gravelly voice, his conscious message reaches out to all ages and cultural groups. IRIEMAG.COM His latest album, ‘Jah Reign’, was played worldwide before its release and is continually enjoying success. This album includes the title track ‘Jah Reign’ which illustrates Ras Ds intense spiritual connection with his music. Also included on this album is ‘Love You I Do’ featuring the debut of Davian Munroe, the first collaboration between Ras D and his oldest son. This track is a romantic love song which has become a big favorite with the ladies. FOLLOW Ras D More recent ventures include a collaboration with internationally known producer Born Free, resulting in a beautiful track, ‘Sufferation’, on the ‘Road of Life Riddim’ A Born Free Records CD, with several other collaborations in the works with different producers.

Ras D has performed in many festivals including Napa Valley Reggae Festival, Dreadstock Reggae Featured Album Festival and Monterey Bay Reggae Festival. He has also performed at Kauai War Memorial Conven- tion Hall in, Hawaii, Mandela Village Arts Center in Oakland, California as well as the Black Expo in Oakland and many other venues.

Ras D’s unique, captivating voice, music and thought provoking lyrics, a crossover of Reggae, Roots, Dancehall and R&B, have travelled across the world and are being played on radio stations world- wide including XM Satellite Radio; IRIE FM St Ann, Jamaica; Radio Mega 99.2 FM Valence, France and Skankadon Internet Radio, to name but a few. Jah Reign June 06, 2011 Not only is Ras D a successful musician but he is also a budding actor. He has been featured in an independent film called Island‘ Paradise’, he has appeared in two sitcoms, ‘First Friday’ and ‘Talk that Talk’ and the last movie he was featured in was a Jamaican movie ‘Cop and a Bad Man’. WEBSITE Ras D’s message to his fans and the world is one of peace, love and unity, a respect for each other reverbnation.com/RASD and encouragement, allowing Jah to guide and protect them along their journey in this life.

IRIEMAG.COM USA ARMY

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE ARMY

Army (Fritzmaurice Williams) was born and raised on St. Croix, Virgin Islands. He began his musical FOLLOW journey at the age of five as a member of the youth choir at the church his family attended. Little did Army he know that he was laying the foundation for what would become a very promising musical career. Determined to explore a variety of styles, he learned to play the saxophone, became a member of a jazz band and sang in various local bands. After relocating to the City, completing his education, and serving in the US Army (which is how he got his name), Army returned home and Featured Album became deeply involved in the local reggae scene.

In the early 70’s, Jamaica was bubbling with an incredible amount of untapped musical and vocal talents. That same level of energy, enthusiasm and potential is present today in the Virgin Island of St. Croix. Army is to be counted among the many conscious singers and players of instruments from St. Croix who are worthy of international recognition. The voice of Army first surfaced several years ago on the famously vital (though obscure) compilation “Eastbound”. Soon after, Army contributed several selections to the “Homegrown” compilation album. In 2000, Army’s first album -”Yesterday’s

News” - was released on Glamorous Records, with production provided by Dean Pond. In 2002, Dredlocks Time Army linked up with Dub Rise Records who released his second album, “Struggler”, along with a March 30, 2013 re-release of “Yesterday’s News.” 2003 saw Army releasing the single “Calling Jah Army”, a powerful duet with Luciano. In 2004 Army went on to tour the U.S. stopping DC, VA, NC, CO, NM, CA, OR, WA and capping off in the Hawaiian islands repeating this with Igrade Records in 2005. WEBSITE

armyreggae.com With this solid foundation of tunes under his belt, Army embarked on the recording of his highly anticipated third album, “Rasta Awake.” Largely produced by legendary guitarist and multi-instru- mentalist Tuff Lion (of Bambu Station), ”Rasta Awake” is a masterpiece of all-live instrumentation roots reggae. The 13 tracks on the album capture Army at previously unseen creative heights. IRIEMAG.COM His poetic songwriting challenges and connects with the listener in a way that few other are able. Army’s voice - while influenced by such artists as , Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor - is unique in all of contemporary reggae with its amazing ability to be both deeply sooth- ing and intensely energizing.

Army then relocated to California in 2007 and went on to release yet another album with the leg- FOLLOW Army endary guitarist Tuff Lion entitled solders chant. Army has since had the good fortune to return to the mother land performing shows in Senegal& Gambia along side VI artist Abja and Satta from Vermont. Army has worked alongside many main stream artist like Luciano, , , Kimani Marley to name a few, from the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the east coast, middle America and in the West. Army has played on the San Diego Bob Marley fest, the SNWMF, Featured Album Reggae on the river, Garborville Ca and at Streamboat Co and keeps adding to his portfolio.

His latest musical rendition Dredlocks, time is his crowning achievements having done production on the album and being it’s executive producer. He is currently working on another album to be released in 2016 and is in collaboration with artist in , France and Sweden.

With a voice as invigorating and free as the wind, and with word sound utterances that penetrate hearts and minds, Army’s mission is clear. He is firmly committed to using his music as a weapon in Rasta Awake the war for spiritual renewal and justice for all peoples. As Army describes: “I want to send positive November 28, 2011 universal messages to people through my music, without the commercialism we see so much today… For me the music is a healing. I feel that the music healed me, took me to places where I could have not necessarily have been without it. I also feel that if someone could walk away with some type of healing, (that) they could be touched in some kind of way, they could associate themselves with some WEBSITE aspect of the music and then say ‘wow,’ maybe I’ll make it after all. If I could shine some light some armyreggae.com how, I would know that I have done something.” Army continues to do something special for all those with ears to hear this unique and much-needed voice.

IRIEMAG.COM JAM FULLY FULLWOOD

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE FULLY FULWOOD

Reggae legend & founder of the crucial ‘70s Jamaican reggae band, the , George ‘Fully’ FOLLOW Fullwood has the well-earned recognition as being one of ‘The Greats’ in the music industry. Fully Fullwood

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, October 30, 1950, Fullwood has been instrumental in shaping the sounds of Jamaican music for over 40 years. The bass is only one of his many talents; he is also an accom- plished producer, composer, songwriter and singer.

As one of the most popular and well-known bass players in the world he has worked and/or recorded with every major artist out of Jamaica, including many of the all-time greats in Jamaican music, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, , Alton Ellis, , , Jacob Miller, Michael Rose, ,Horace Andy, , Dennis Brown, , , , Junior Reid, , , , , John Holt,U-Roy, Freddie McGregor, The Heptones, Abyssinians, Congos, , , , , Tommy McCook, , , , , , The Itals, Jimmy , , Vernon Buckley, Niney the Observor, , , , , , Jackie , , ,, , , Pat Kelly, , Eek-A-Mouse,Ijahman Levi, Rod Taylor, Prince Alla, The , Black Uhuru, Sister Carol, , , Max Romero, Tristan Palmer, Phillip Frazer, , I-Roy, Andrew Tosh, and many more. WEBSITE fullyfullwood.com Fully Fullwood’s bass sound has provided the essential rhythm to these artists’ powerful words, and was a member of reggae superstar Peter Tosh’s famous band, Word, Sound and Power. To date he has released three solo albums, For All Time, (2003 / 2006), Fully Loaded (2011) and Crazy Town (2013). Fully Fullwood is... A Legend for all time! IRIEMAG.COM JAM TONY CHIN

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE TONY CHIN

“Tony Chin is one of the great unsung heroes of Jamaica’s golden age FOLLOW of reggae in the 1970’s. As the rhythm guitarist for the Soul Syndicate, Tony Chin the prime studio band in Kingston during that electrifying decade, Tony helped anchor some of the biggest hits of the era.”

With a music career spanning over 40 years, Tony Chin is a true founding father of reggae music. Born in Kingston and raised in and Greenwich Farm, Tony’s career started off in the era of the late 1960’s and progressed into reggae in the 1970’s as an original and found- ing member of the Soul Syndicate band. It is hard to imagine a chart topping hit that Tony didn’t record, or a singer that didn’t have Tony Chin on board for musical support both in the studio and on the stage. Such artists include Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Big Youth, Burning Spear, Johnny Clarke, Ken Boothe. Gregory Isaacs, The Mighty Diamonds, , URoy, Freddie McGregor, Judy Mowatt, John Holt, Horace Andy and countless others. Tony was active as a session musician for producers , Lee Scratch Perry, , Joe Gibbs, JoJo for Channel One, , Randy’s, , GG Records and Keith Hudson.

Tony Chin was prominent in creating the sound that defined roots reggae, and his legacy included the fact that it was he who developed the ‘flyers’ rhythm guitar style that became such a craze in reggae with classic songs such as Dennis Brown’s Cassandra and West Bound Train as well as Johnny Clarke’s Move Out Of Babylon featuring Tony’s flyers guitar sound. Though a devoted Soul Syndicate member, Tony Chin’s session playing found him included in the ranks of other notable Kingston ‘studio bands’ such as , Randy’s All Stars, GG Allstars, the

Observers, the Revolutionares, and Jack Ruby’s The Black Disciples among others. IRIEMAG.COM Rooted in Kingston 13, Soul Syndicate has created some of the legendary of reggae music that still get recycled today. One of the most noted is ‘’, a riddim that was used for a version of Big Youth’s Jim Screechy, and later Tenor Saw did a version on it called Ring De Alarm.

Tony emigrated to the US in the early 80’s, eventually settling in Southern California where Tony remains today. After immigrating, Tony continued to tour and record with many artists including FOLLOW U Roy, Andrew Tosh, Michael Rose, The Mighty Diamonds, Big Youth, Mikey Dread, Joe Higgs and Tony Chin many others! In 1993, Tony joined the California based reggae band Big Mountain, giving the band the authentic reggae rhythm sound making this band strong for many years to come. While helping with some of the musical arrangements, most notably the billboard charts topper ‘Baby I Love Your Way’, writing and working on several Big Mountain albums including Unity Resistance and Free Up proved successful for Tony.

Tony toured the world with Big Mountain for several years including Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. Tony continues to tour and record with Fully as a member of the Fully Fullwood band, and Tony and Fully have taken to mentoring and producing young artists that they work with in Fully’s studio called Fully’s Kitchen in San Clemente, California. They also tour the world on the Tosh Meets Marley Tour where they pay tribute to both Peter Tosh and Bob Marley as well as perform many of Tony’s original songs such as Mr. Babylon and African from Tony’s debut solo album Music and Me which he released in 2001.

Tony has been writing songs for over 30 years, although only a handful of them were recorded and released prior to Tony releasing his solo albums starting in 2001. Beginning in the late 1990’s Tony started to take time out to work on his own music and has release 3 solo albums and several singles including his most recent single ‘What A Good Man Is’ and has much more music to give and will be releasing music as a solo artist as well as with Soul Syndicate Band in 2016!!

IRIEMAG.COM

USA JOHNNY DREAD

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE JOHNNY DREAD

Johnny Dread, (a.k.a. ‘The Dread’) quite simply transcends Reggae music into a unique blend of world FOLLOW beat rhythms. His musical influences are as diverse as his Rasta, Cuban-American background. With Johnny Dread his undeniable rebel soul, he infuses Caribbean-influenced beats to Afro-Cuban and Rock sounds into every one of his songs. This combination provides the audience with contagious rhythms and power- ful, soul-wrenching melodies. Featured Album Since an early age, he has been honing his artistic skills to now being a seasoned and prolific singer/ songwriter and performer. He has taken stage in international festivals, and benefits with leading artists such as Erykah Badu, and among others. A self-taught drummer, he has captivated audiences from around the world and has accumulated a loyal fan base all over the United States, Europe and South America.

Throughout his career, he has proven time and again that his music captivates a wide spectrum of audiences while maintaining the purest form of its inspiration and insightful messages. His most recent album “Magnificent People: The Book of Revelations -Chapter 2” (2003), second in an album Magnificent People series of seven chapters, reveals themes of peace, unity and a higher consciousness on Earth. Each 2003 song is filled with catchy harmonies and lyrics like “You and I”, “Too Long”, “Hold On” and “En Estos Días” which show Johnny’s ability to experiment in Spanish. He has since toured in sold out shows throughout Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the United States, including Hawaii.

With his musical influences including The Beatles, , The Police and Bob Marley, The Dread looks to motivate and lift listeners to a higher social consciousness. “Those who have survived the test of time, who give the world direction,” states Johnny, “and who are outspoken and willing to shake up the world for the better have been my most impacting musical influences.” IRIEMAG.COM After the release of his second album, ‘Vision: The Book of Revelations - Chapter1’ (1999), Johnny Dread went on promotional tours throughout the US, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Holland. In 2001, he was the opening artist for the France Tour of Israel Vibration which included 50 shows from Paris to Nice with over 25,000 spectators. Other tour highlights include the Jazz Festival, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and Haiti among others. He received high accolades and has been widely covered by the international press. FOLLOW Johnny Dread The prologue to Johnny Dread’s seven album series is his debut album, ‘Scarecrow’ (1994), recorded in Kingston, Jamaica. The songs were all played by Jamaican musicians and produced by Johnny with friend Wilburn Squidly Cole, drummer for . The album’s title track, ‘Scarecrow’, was the first song he wrote and recorded. “I wrote the song in light of all the challenges I was facing at the Featured Album time,” states Johnny, “Nobody thought I would ever succeed.”

Having been inspired by The Police’s legendary drummer, Stewart Copeland, Johnny Dread embarked on his musical dream by taking up the drums while he played basketball on a scholarship for Florida International University in Miami and was on his way to a very promising athletic career. His former girlfriend, Ivonne Castellanos, bought him his first drum set, which until today, he preserves. As a re- sult of a series of injuries, he decided to leave his studies and pursue a career as a musician.

Vision Chapter 1 During the next several years, a series of events led Johnny into the Rasta music community. He was 1999 introduced to Anthony Booker (Bob Marley’s step brother), Ras Bagga, and other well-known Reggae musicians. Together they decided to form the group Copacetic and recorded the album ‘Ghetto Rock’, which reached #7 on the Billboard Reggae Charts in 1990. The following year, Johnny decided to pur- sue his solo career.

Johnny Dread was born Juan Carlos Guardiola in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family moved from Cuba to the US in the summer of 1958. At a very young age, he moved with his family to Miami, Florida, where he currently resides with his wife and two daughters. IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE EARL ZERO

Photo Credit: Stephanie Gardner FOLLOW Earl Zero is a foundation of the roots Earl Zero reggae scene of 70’s jamaican reggae.

Born 1953 in the Greenwich Town area of Kingston, Johnson was the eldest of Featured Album ten children, his father a fisherman and his mother a fishmonger.

Zero began his career in the , first as a member of the group Rush-It with his childhood friend Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, who recorded for producer Bunny Lee, who gave him the name ‘Earl Zero’ to distinguish him from Smith. And God Said to Man February 25, 2014 His recording of his song ‘None Shall Escape the Judgement’ went unreleased but it was a hit for Johnny Clarke when recorded by the singer in 1974.

Earl Zero first had success as a singer himself with the -produced ‘Righteous Works’ in 1975. IRIEMAG.COM He recorded for Don Mais’ Roots Tradition label (recording ‘Home Sweet Home’ and ‘I No Lie’), and joined ’s Talent Corporation roster, and had further success with ‘Please Officer’ and ‘City of the Weak Heart’, released on Cowan’s Arab label, the latter also recorded by Jacob Miller on hisJacob ‘Killer’ Miller album.

In 1976 he moved on to work with Bertram Brown, FOLLOW recording ‘Get Happy’, and again recorded with Earl Zero Campbell on ‘Heart Desire’.

He continued recording through the late 1970s, recording with Soul Syndicate. His first two albums, Featured Album ‘Visions of Love’ and ‘In the Right Way’, were released in 1979.

In 1979, he relocated to northern California, and continued to record, with several albums released. His latest album is Marketplace, to be released in Spring 2011 with producer Siahvash Dowlatshahi. The album features members of the , Marketplace The Greyboy Allstars, The Devastators and others. April 01, 2011

In 2014, he released ‘And God Said To Man’ with producer Robert Sanchez, an album which brings back that magic sound from the 70’s!

IRIEMAG.COM JAM ANTHONY JOHN

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE ANTHONY JOHN

Meet Anthony John aka Mr. Music. Destined to pour more love and cultural blessings back into roots FOLLOW reggae music, Anthony John’s motivating lyrics attempt to eradicate the un-progressive gun chat and Anthony John badman-ship, associated with reggae music. Inspired by the world of wisdom and ! Anthony John‘s up front and humble lyrics penetrate the soul.

This diligent creator of conscious often-smooth ballads confidently produces a unique product distinc- Featured Album tive in its own right. Clarence Anthony Mitchell entered the world in the parish of St Ann on the 5th July 1969 and rose up through the ranks via his determine personality.

Admired by his peers, the ragamuffin youth was often AWOL and found to be banging out some new riddim, instead of studying. After a successful graduation in 1986, Anthony John directed his energy towards the creation of music. Finding an outlet within the local sound systems and spent his teens in the midst of the creative street sounds. His move to Kingston in 1988 enabled him to link up with aspiring yet unknown in White Hall, this union led to performances with the great vintage sound systems Playmate, Rambo and Culture Love and many more. Step In The Future September 24, 2012 Blessed inspiration arrived in 1993 when a good friend named Richard introduce him to Garfield Sampalue Philips (Diamond Rush Promotions). Sampalue was so intrigued by Anthony John’s vocal ability he decided to raise him into the ranks of Jamaica’s musical elite with ‘All I Can Say’, ‘Hooked on a WEBSITE Feeling’ (Weather Balloon Rhythm), and the first version of Warning‘ ’. Soon afterwards, in 1995, he got tidouz.com/Anthony-John an album deal from Mr. Cecil Golding for Bold Gold Records based in New York and was co-produce by Al Chimist. The album entitled ‘Do Good’ was released in 1996. The track ‘Burning Fire Of Love’ had been chosen for a sound track in the movie, ‘Hunter Fire Man’.

IRIEMAG.COM In 1998 he was back in the city, that when he link again with his musical brother Buju Banton. He starts immediately to write some song for an album for the now Gargamel Music. The Gargamel release single like ‘Mama Did Tell Me’, ‘Give Thanks’, ‘Reggae Child’ and ‘Won’t Cry’. The album is yet to come.

In 2001, he link up with Donovan Germaine of Penthouse Records, where the single like ‘Woman Gone Left You’ and the second version of ‘Warning’ were released. FOLLOW Anthony John Always happy to speak of his success in France, in 2003 he recorded ‘Don t Cry No More’ on the version ‘Shush Shush Charlotte’ for Dj Version of the album “Aux Nouvelles Des Etoiles”, by on the Universal label in 2003. Featured Single Anthony John went back in between August 2004 to August 2006. Based in UK and was very active in the movement of Reggae music in Europe. Touring with artist like , Prince Malachi, The Sista Band, Empress Ayola, , Sylvia Tella, The Amarics, , Action Fire, , Earl 16, Luciano, , and many more.

His second album, which was long over due, was released on the 2nd of January 2006. Entitled ‘Wont Lose Track’, the album consist of 14 wonderful tracks. It was released on Anthony John’s independent Record label ‘Roots John Connection’. In Deh November 26, 2013 Anthony John’s most recent work include the album, ‘Step In The Future’, released in 2012 and the single, ‘In Deh’, released in 2013.

In his own words, Anthony John aka Mr. Music wishes ‘One perfect love to all the . WEBSITE Hoping one day that we will all overstand each other and bond as one, no matter color or class. We are tidouz.com/Anthony-John all one in the presence of Mother Nature. So to whom it may concern, just make a Reflection.’

IRIEMAG.COM USA MELLOW MOVEMENT

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE MELLOW MOVEMENT FOLLOW Mellow Movement Established in 2014, Mellow Movement is the SF Bay Area’s newest up and com- ing band in the reggae scene. Founded by brothers Nick (also of CRSB) and Thomas, along with good friends Kyle, Bobo, and Ryan, their family-oriented vibes and strong sense of unified cultures is truly a sight to behold.

They bring a fresh take on roots reggae mixed with island vibes and rock music. Mellow Movement has already played sold out shows around SF, including the legendary Yoshi’s jazz club.

They recently opened for Raging Fyah at the New Parish in Oakland, CA. Irie Magazine was there to experience their irie sound in front of a pack crowd.

Look out for Mellow Movement on the festival circuit! IRIEMAG.COM USA Z-MAN

IRIEMAG.COM REGGAE/RAP Z-MAN

Underground mainstay Z-MAN first splashed onto the scene in 1996 with the release of his original FOLLOW crew 99th Demention’s self titled album. Since then Z-MAN has released over a dozen critically Z-Man acclaimed projects and toured the U.S. and Europe extensively. Last year alone saw the release of The Vegetable & The Ferret project with White Mic of Bored Stiff, an E.P. with producer G-PEK entitled ‘In Case You Forgot’, and a solo album from his alter ego, ‘The Gingerbread Man’, entitled ‘Powder Music’. Featured Album

A charismatic emcee from the san francisco Bay Area, Z-man, who also goes by Z-Mainey & Z- Dazzle, is best known for his unusual rhyme flow, subject matter, extensive slang dictionary, comical party centric tales and stage show. After building up a sizeable rep releasing numerous cassette only albums and performing. Z-man landed a deal with Hieroglyphic’s lable and colabed with Elon of D6 to put out ‘Anti Nerd’ for buzz while his most high profile LP to date, 2003’s Dope‘ or Dog food’ with the production from Elon, Slim Good worthy a producer of 99th-Demention, Eons and Moss to come out.

California Brainwashed At the same time he formed a group One Block Radius a alternative/rap trio California LA based. September 03, 2013 One Block Radius was offered a recording contract with Island Def Jam, on which they made their major-label debut in 2008. In 2009 Z-man was back with his first solo effort since 2005’s Don’t‘ Forget To Brag’ colab with Gpek on production, the 2009 EP ‘Show up Shut up and Rap’.

Now in 2015, Z-MAN is back with his new album, ‘The Opening Act’, produced entirely by Elon. The Opening Act is the classic tale of an indie rap artist trying to become the headliner and money maker in this music game. The album features Luke Sick, Lady Fingaz, The Gingerbread Man, Johanna Phraze, Dj Quest, Trunk Drank, Hopie, Opio and Pep Love. IRIEMAG.COM

IRIE would like to thank the following people who helped make this issue a success. Without their efforts, this issue of IRIE would not be possible.

Giovanna Guimarães, Michelle Monreal, Esta Selekta, Carla Jah, Gail Zucker, Thumpa Bassie, Stephanie Gardner, Heather Cameron and the Reggae Ambassadors Third World!

Nuff Respect!

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