Pages

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Ossie Dellimore 'Reggae Music' Review (Skank Records)

St. Vincent born and Brooklyn resident Ossie Dellimore has been a long-time member of the reggae fraternity. His remarkable talents led him to capturing first place at the acclaimed ‘Amateur Night at the Apollo’, which is no easy task. You may remember his tune ‘Time Has Come’ from the first Easy Star records first full-length release ‘Easy Star, Volume 1’ back in 1998. Now 12 years later the talented veteran presents his latest effort, simply titled ‘Reggae Music’. Generic name? Call it what you will. The title aptly describes what is found therein. If one word were to preface the two Ollie chose for the title it would have to be ‘Quality’. The album is solid to the core. Original, bass heavy one- drops dominate the record. Ossie’s voice is smooth yet smoky and as crisp as a cool winter’s morn.
Stand out tracks include the pulsating, melodica-tinged ‘The Secret to Success’, the historically insightful ‘Old Time Something’ featuring a wicked guitar lick, and the hard hitting political exposé ‘How Come?’.
‘Restless Soul’ is superb. The organ adds a beautiful dimension to a multi-layered tune, both lyrically and musically. Prominent yet again and equally welcome is the rhythm guitar, reminiscent of a time when reggae music was raw, rugged and real!
Dellimore has been rightly compared to reggae legend Peter Tosh with his booming baritone, socio-politically charged lyrics, and polished, precise delivery.
The title track is certainly another gem on the record. Dellimore adds a bubbling interpolation to the Black Ark recorded, Paul Weston produced, Gregory Isaac’s classic ‘Mr. Cop’ riddim. Ruff Scott’s old school toasting is more than respectable. He and Dellimore compliment each other nicely.
‘Scandal Mongerer’ adds yet another dimension to the record. The riddim track is upbeat with a classic reggae progression and a perfectly placed guitar solo creating an ideal platform for Dellimore’s crisp delivery and stirring lyrics.
‘Reggae Music’ was one of the best releases of 2010. Any fan of roots reggae, modern or classic, needs this record in their collection.
Highly Recommended!

Reggae Music - Ossie Dellimore






Saturday, March 12, 2011

Konshens Falls in Love with Reggae


DEEJAY Konshens is talking — and living — the talk of the musically conscious. It may sound simple, but in reality this is a tremendous feat for the young artiste whose 2005 single Pon Di Corner thrust him into an international spotlight for which he was ill-prepared.

That song, a combination with his older brother Delus, worked its way across the continents and claimed the number one slot in Japan. This prompted a one-month tour of that country and the release of an album exclusively for the Japanese market in 2006.

"The first time I sang as a professional was in Japan," Konshens disclosed, adding that the experience was like attending a university. However, it would take another two years for the artiste to move up from freshman to graduate.


"We don't know what we have, because if we knew we would
be doing everything to preserve this treasure, instead of trying to
convert it to some other genre."- Konshens

It was his 2008 single, Winner, that really placed him in the spotlight locally and on the wider international circuit and gained for him many accolades including Best New Artiste and Song of the Year.

The single was so impactful, that it took on a life of its own. Before you could say 'winner' the artiste was off on tour to far flung places in Europe that he'd only read about. He was given a stage, a microphone and told to perform in front of a multitude of fans who spoke every language except English, but who knew his songs word-for-word.

As surreal as the situation was then, Konshens knew that this would prove the greatest learning experience of his life and he had to be alert and live every moment. As he traversed Europe, parts of Asia and the many islands of the Caribbean, there was one universal truth which kept hammering home - the power of reggae music and the respect that other cultures have for this Jamaican gold.

"When you look at a crowd of thirty thousand people and they hardly know a word of English, but they know the words of your own song better than you -- and even have lines from the song tattooed on their bodies -- that's when you as a reggae artiste fall in love with the music," he said soberly.

"We don't know what we have, because if we knew then we would be doing everything to preserve this treasure, instead of trying to convert it into some other genre," the youngster said, sounding like a seasoned veteran.

Konshens was quick to point out that he was no goody-two-shoes and was equally guilty of not playing a role in the preservation of the music. But that was out of ignorance -- before he had his "Europe experience". Now armed with knowledge, the artiste is singing the praises of straight reggae, the type that is cherished by the Europeans, the Japanese and other cultures.

"It is up to us to rescue reggae because it is all we have and it is dying. I have been touring straight for the past three years and taken time off to get in sync with the home base. Now that I have my own label, SubKonshus Music, the production and the songs will be guided by all that I have learnt," vowed Konshens.
-The Jamaica Observer

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

New Video From Bazil of Tiger Records

TIGER RECORDS is proud to introduce THE NEW VIDEO of his french artist BAZIL " DONT YOU STOP " (single from his debut lp " Stand up strong ")