Beres Hammond Celebrates "ONE LOVE, ONE LIFE"

THE LEGEND ANNOUNCES NEW DOUBLE-DISC ALBUM  
OUT NOVEMBER 13 ON VP RECORDS


Whether Rihanna is quoting his lyrics on Twitter or Drake is retweeting that "Beres Hammond has to sing at my wedding," Jamaica's most prolific crooner has influenced  some of the biggest stars today. Known to many as the "Otis Redding of Reggae," Beres Hammond has been producing and pouring out his smoky-sweet voice over every kind of riddim track for over three decades.

On November 13, the Grammy-nominated reggae icon will unleash his brand new double-disc studio album One Love, One Life  with VP Records. The first disc One Love includes his signature classic lover's rock sound on new singles like "No Candle Light" and "Keep Me Warm", while the second disc One Life contains more of his socially-conscious, spiritually-empowering tunes including "You Stand Alone," "Truth Will Live On" and "Prime Time." Beres Hammond produced 19 of the 20 songs with co-producers Donovan Germain on "No Candle Light," Collin "Bulby" York on "In My Arms" and Michael Fletcher on "More Time."

Beres is currently wrapping up his U.S. tour with remaining dates in New Orleans, Orlando and Jacksonville. On December 12, Beres Hammond will headline the Barclays Center, NBA's Brooklyn Nets new arena, which will feature special guests UB40, Maxi Priest and more.

From his early days as the lead singer of the ‘70s funk-reggae infused band Zap Pow, Beres has consistently produced number one hits and iconic reggae anthems still played today. While newcomers are searching for a breakthrough hit and old timers are plotting their comeback, Beres is a study in longevity.

He released his first studio album, Soul Reggae in 1976 spawning the number one hit “One Step Ahead” and in 1985 the dancehall breakthrough “What One Dance Can Do” off his self entitled album. He has collaborated with reggae’s elite—Marcia Griffiths and Buju Banton are virtually staples on any Beres tour—and has worked with legendary producers like Willie Lindo, Steely and Clevie, and Philip “Fattis” Burrell. In 1990, his album A Love Affair from Donovan Germaine's Penthouse label raised his popularity to new heights. Cuts like “Tempted To Touch” and “Who Say” with Buju Banton are still huge in the dancehall today. During the ‘90s, Beres blazed a trail of modern classics for a variety of producers, from the strugglers' anthem “Putting Up Resistance” (Tappa) to lovers' laments like “Come Back Home” (Star Trail). In 2001, Beres brought us major hits like “They Gonna Talk” and “Rock Away” from his Grammy-nominated album Music Is Life. VP Records then released The Ultimate Collection: Can't Stop A Man in 2003 to commemorate Hammond’s career, and in 2004 Love Has No Boundaries, which features his familiar romantic ballads and mid-tempo dancehall grooves. His last studio album A Moment In Time was released in 2008 and features his most recent smash hit "I Feel Good."

Beres Hammond's track record of hits is unprecedented in reggae. He has also garnered an international fan base from his ceaseless touring schedule around the globe. He performs non-stop and has repeatedly sold out some of the country’s largest and most prestigious venues including the Theatre at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. In addition to Rihanna and Drake, he is also a star favorite among Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas and Wyclef Jean.

Richie Spice to release New Album: Soothing Sounds Acoustic

Album available worldwide on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
from Tad's Records

Reggae virtuoso and cultural sensation Richie Spice exhibits his unbridled talent and versatility with the release of his latest studio effort, Soothing Sounds: Acoustic, available worldwide on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 from Tad's Record. Touted as the Prince of Reggae, Spice (born Richell Bonner in St. Andrew, Jamaica), earns that crown with each selection on this 15-track album, which is testament to its title by presenting the soothing sounds of this acclaimed artist, acoustic and unplugged, for the first time.

Soothing Sounds: Acoustic is a masterpiece collection that successfully presents an eclectic mix of musical elements, fusing classic reggae vibes with modern day acoustic rock, Spanish guitar, jazz and African drum beats. The first official single, an uplifting call for unity titled "Free," is currently available on iTunes and is enjoying airplay in Jamaica and across reggae airwaves, worldwide. The second single "Crying," which depicts Spice's signature chanting-style as he conjures socially-conscious questions, will be released on iTunes and radio on September 25. Standout tracks such as "True Love," "My Heart" and  "My Girl" put a new spin on classics from Spice's esteemed catalog. Spice enlists some of reggae's biggest hit makers on this project, including Mitchum "Khan" Chin who co-produced the album, and Stephen "Lenky" Marsden. He also makes it a family affair with his brothers Spanner Banner and Snatcha Lion on the collaboration "More Love."

"My album Soothing Sounds: Acoustic is completely produced by me and is a personal, close-to-the-heart production," reveals Spice. "It took approximately nine months of non-stop work to complete it.  I have been toying with the idea for a while, and many of my fans have also been requesting something like this, for a few years now."

Soothing Sounds: Acoustic offers up the mature and soothing side of Richie Spice, and is, in fact, a very personal projection of the artist within. "I know I sing with an accent foreign to most, so fans are most times able to sing but not quite overstand the messages behind my music," Spice discloses. "This album should have existing fans falling in love with my music all over again, new fans actually being able to understand and relate fully to what I am saying, and righteousness and uplifting lyrics being reborn."

Considered one of the most prolific voices and profound lyricists in contemporary roots reggae, Richie Spice spiraled to international fame over a decade ago and consistently delivers critically acclaimed albums ever since, even reaching the very top spot on Billboard's Reggae Albums Chart in 2008. His blockbuster hit "Youth Dem Cold" peaked at 59 on Billboard's Top 100 Singles Chart, was featured in Grand Theft Auto IV and as the coveted closing track on the feature film, Attack The Block. His catalog of other chart-toppers include "Earth A Run Red," "Groovin' My Girl," "Brown Skin" and "The Plane Land," all of which have amassed massive airplay internationally, solidifying Richie Spice as a revered voice in reggae music and catapulting him to the very forefront of the genre.

"Tad's Record has always been ecstatic about the idea of working with Richie Spice as he is definitely one of the finest reggae artists to date," states Tad Dawkins, president of Tad's Record. "We always wanted the opportunity to work with him, so to make the venture both exceptional and above the ordinary, acoustic was the inevitable sound of choice." According to Dawkins, this acoustic album gives Spice's wide cross-section of fans an even more intensive feel of who Richie Spice is as an artist, and will undoubtedly draw even more ears to his remarkable music. Indeed, Soothing Sounds: Acoustic is a rare and refined offering for all reggae lovers, across the globe.