MIRF JUNE 26-28

**SistahD** · 06-03-2009, 12:50 PM

Re: MIRF JUNE 26-28

Reminder - Event takes place June 26-28 (previously held mid July)

Venue changed as well!
Parc Jean Drapeau, Ile Ste-Helene Montreal (not far from previous location-Old Port)

**SistahD** · 06-03-2009, 12:59 PM

Re: MIRF JUNE 26-28

U-Roy began as a sound system DJ in 1961, spinning records for the Doctor Dickies set, later known as Dickies Dynamic, in such well-known Jamaican venues as Victoria Pier, Foresters Hall and Emmett Park. His inspiration was the DJ Winston Count Matchuki, who worked for Coxsone Dodd and subsequently on Prince Buster's Voice Of The People sound system. By the mid-60s he was DJ for Sir George The Atomic, based around Maxfield Avenue in Kingston.

Around 1967 he began to work with King Tubby as DJ for his Home Town Hi-Fi. From this association developed the whole modern DJ style; Tubby's work at Duke Reid's studio, where he was disc-cutter, led him to discover dub. He found that by dropping out the vocal track and remixing the remaining rhythm tracks, he could create new "versions" of much-loved tunes. He began to record a series of special acetate recordings, or dub plates, for exclusive use on his sound system. The space left by the absent vocal tracks enabled U-Roy to improvise his own jive-talk raps or toasts when the sound system played dances. The effect in the dancehall was immediate and electrifying.

In 1969 U-Roy was invited to play for Dodd's Down Beat sound system, playing the second set behind King Stitt. U-Roy became dissatisfied with playing the latest Coxsone music only after Stitt had first exposed it to dance patrons, and returned to Tubby's. He then began his recording career in earnest, recording two discs for Lee Perry, "Earth's Rightful Ruler" and "OK Corral", before moving to producer Keith Hudson, for whom he made the outstanding "Dynamic Fashion Way".

U-Roy then began recording for Duke Reid, using as backing tracks Reid's rocksteady hits from 1966-67; their success was unprecedented. His first record for Reid, "Wake The Town", which used Alton Ellis' "Girl I've Got A Date" as backing, immediately soared to the top of both Jamaican radio charts. His next two releases, "Rule The Nation" and "Wear You To The Ball", soon joined it. These three releases held the top three positions in the Jamaican charts for 12 weeks during early 1970. Other sound system DJs were quick to follow U-Roy, including Dennis Alcapone and Scotty. The radio stations refused to play DJ music in order to give singers a chance, so big was the demand. U-Roy recorded 32 tracks for Reid, in the process versioning almost every rocksteady hit issued on the label and releasing two albums.

By 1973 he was recording for other producers, including Alvin "GG" Ranglin, Bunny Lee, Glen Brown and Lloyd Charmers, as well as issuing self-productions. However, the rise of the next DJ generation, including Big Youth, signalled the partial eclipse of U-Roy. In 1975 he made a series of albums for producer Prince Tony Robinson that were leased to Virgin Records in the UK, wherein the DJ revisited Reid's earlier hits in the then prevalent rockers style. He appeared at the London Lyceum in August 1976, backed by a band featuring Channel One stalwarts Sly Dunbar (bass) and Ansell Collins (organ). He operated his own sound system, Stur-Gav, featuring Ranking Joe and selector Jah Screw. When they left after the sound system was broken up during the turbulent 1980 Jamaican election, it was rebuilt with new DJs Charlie Chaplin and Josey Wales, and Inspector Willie as selector.U-Roy continued to record sporadically throughout the 80s, recording "Hustling", a single for Gussie Clarke, in 1984, and two excellent albums for DJs-turned-producers Tapper Zukie and Prince Jazzbo, in 1986 and 1987, respectively. In 1991 he played a successful "revival" concert at the Hammersmith Palais, London.

U-Roy is the man who is responsible for putting the DJ on the map, both as a recording artist in Jamaica and as a major indirect influence on the US rappers - as such, his importance is immense.

**Bandana** · 06-03-2009, 06:54 PM

Re: MIRF JUNE 26-28

WOW, looks like a great line up SistahD

**SistahD** · 06-04-2009, 01:35 AM

Re: MIRF JUNE 26-28

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bandanna</div><div class="ubbcode-body">WOW, looks like a great line up SistahD </div></div>

Yes, it's quite an interesting lineup! I'm especially looking forward to URoy, Capleton and AnthonyB... and hanging with my good good friend and family---Style Diva!

There are a lot of changes this year, especially in the production company/promoters, but it was time for that change, and I know they have a good number of experienced staff that are gonna make all the changes work!

**SistahD** · 06-12-2009, 10:05 AM

Re: MIRF JUNE 26-28

**SistahD** · 06-20-2009, 04:23 PM

Montreal Int'l Reggae Festival

<span style="font-size: 14pt">Frankie Paul coming to Montreal Int'l Reggae Festival Friday June 26</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Frankie Paul </span>is often referred to as Jamaica's Stevie Wonder, and not just because of his visual Impairment; like Wonder, he was a talented multi-instrumentalist with a tremendous vocal range. He was also extraordinarily prolific; part of the first wave of dancehall artists, he started his recording career in earnest during the early '80s, and has since flooded the market with product, releasing countless singles and well over 30 albums. That's made his career difficult to track for all but the most ardent fans, but it's also ensured that he's never been too far out of the spotlight on a constantly changing reggae scene.

Paul was born Paul Blake in 1965. He was blind at birth, but an operation on a hospital ship succeeded in giving him a small visual capacity; he later went to New York to obtain a pair of high-powered glasses that helped even further. He attended a Salvation Army school for the blind, where he first began singing. When Stevie Wonder visited the school, Paul sang for him, and an impressed Wonder encouraged him to go into music. Paul learned the piano, drums, and guitar while still in school, and was most influenced as a singer by Dennis Brown in his early days. As Frankie Paul, he made his first recording, "African Princess," in 1980, when he was still just 15. In 1983, he appeared on two volumes in Channel One's Showdown series, one with Sugar Minott and the other with Little John. The former LP contained Paul's first major hit, the Henry "Junjo" Lawes-produced "Worries in the Dance," which aligned him with the emerging dancehall sound. Lawes also produced 1984's Pass the Tu-Sheng-Peng, whose title cut -- an ode to ganja -- was a huge, star-making hit in Jamaica.

Paul reached his prime in the mid-'80s, cutting excellent albums like the George Phang-produced Tidal Wave (1985) and Alesha (1987), and the Philip "Fatis" Burrell-produced Warning (1987). His hit singles included "Tidal Wave," "Alesha," "Cassanova," "Sara," "Fire Deh a Mus Mus Tail," "Slow Down," and many others. Paul continued to record for a variety of labels in the '90s, with LP highlights including 1991's Should I and 1994's Hard Work. To keep up his prolific recording pace, he came to depend heavily on covers, whether of reggae classics or contemporary American R&B material. He continued into the new millennium as a tremendously active presence on the reggae scene. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

**SistahD** · 06-20-2009, 04:26 PM

Re: Montreal Int'l Reggae Festival

<span style="font-size: 14pt">AnthonyB appearing Saturday June 27 MIRF </span>

Draped in the rich colours of African cloth, his trademark staff in hand, and his dreadlocks wrapped regally on his head, Anthony B embodies all that it is spiritual and proactive about Reggae music. This artiste has been steadfast in his mission to represent the poor and oppressed, using sharp lyrics to confront political injustices and bring the issues of the people to the forefront. In the process, he has raised the quality of performance standards and lyrical content for the industry, through the release of 13 albums, over 1000 singles and appearances on over 100 albums in the last 14 years.

Anthony B's musical journey started in the church, back when he was still called Keith Anthony Blair in Clark's Town, Trelawney. In this part of rural Jamaica, Anthony B was immersed in the thunderous chants and rhythms of Revivalism and the Seventh Day Adventist church where he honed his soon-to-be signature vocals. In his formative years, the artiste also cleaved to the music of Otis Redding and the incomparable Peter Tosh.

In 1992, Anthony B left his home-town and set out to make his fateful mark on Kingston's music scene. He rebuked the trend of girl and gun lyrics popular at that time and remained faithful to words of spiritual consciousness and social conviction. He started working with singer Little Devon, who introduced him to Richard "Bell" Bello, of Star Trail Records, producer for Garnet Silk and Everton Blender. Bell saw the talent of the youngster and shared his commitment to conscious music. The partnership produced a slew of records and releases, such as "Repentance time", "Fire pon Rome", "One Thing", "A De Man", "Rumour" and "Raid di Barn". Anthony B followed up with critically acclaimed albums such as " Real Revolutionary", "Universal Struggle", "7 Seals", "Black Star" and "Untouchable". He also struck out on his own to start his own label, Born Fire Records in 2002. He produced 3 albums independently; Street Knowledge, That's Life and Life Over Death. In addition he released two collaboration albums "Too Strong" with Sizzla and "Three Wise Men" with Sizzla and Luciano.

Anthony B's lyrical genius and his captivating, energetic performance style have caused him to be heavily requested for performances in the Caribbean, North America, Europe and Africa. Anthony B personally rates his performance in 1999 at the Montrose Jazz Festival as a monumental event in his career. In 2003 and 2004, he was given a King's welcome in Gambia and Senegal. In 2004, he sold out shows in Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany; closing for such greats as Israel Vibration and Burning Spear. He also opened up new regions for reggae music through his performances in New Dehli, India, Czech Republic, Iceland, Argentina, Venezuela and on France's Reunion Island, in the Indian Ocean.

His heavy touring schedule has not slowed Anthony B's stream of releases. Over the years, he has collaborated with Bone Crusher, Akon, Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Martina, an on his latest album, Toots.

Anthony B's rich vocals and audacious lyrics carry a depth and substance which is rare in the industry. Internationally, his fan-base has grown because he speaks about the universal concerns of suffering and salvation. "The greatest thing about reggae music is that it's about concepts and ideas," says the artiste, "you are speaking to people on issues they live and can relate to."

Anthony B's latest hit singles include "Sleeping In the Rain", "Satisfaction", "Bad From Long Time", and "Teaser" and come from his highly-anticipated 13th album, "Life Over Death". In January 2009, Anthony is set to release yet another album with Greensleeves Records. The album, "Rise Up" produced by Frenchy Maximum Sound, continues Anthony's legacy as he proves himself to be one of Reggae's most prolific and engaging artistes, an electrifying performer whose music grips the public social conscience.

**SistahD** · 06-20-2009, 04:28 PM

Re: Montreal Int'l Reggae Festival

<span style="font-size: 14pt">SANCHEZ Sunday June 28 MIRF, Parc Jean Drapeau Montreal </span>

Sanchez is one of the all time favorite singer/performer who transforms his audience into a mass choir at his live perfrmances. He epitomizes elegance and style and is always splendidly attired in a formal suit, enhanced with gold chains and bracelets, giving fans the ultimate in appearance and presentation. His selection of songs range from soulful R&B to hardcore Dancehall, Reggae, balanced with religiously calming cuts that enhance the spiritual vibes of his act.

Entertainment writer, Howard Hendricks, describes Sanchez’s voice as "a supernatural gift from a loving God that can out sing any Nightingale, and he possesses one of the sweetest male voices in popular music".

Born on November 30, 1964 in Kingston, Jamaica and christened Kevin Anthony Jackson, Sanchez grew up with his Mother, Father, two brothers and two sisters, in the Stony Hill and Waterford Communities under strong Christian principles. He says, "I had to go to church every Sunday and often during the week as well. I was a member of the Rehoboth Apostolic Church junior choir and later the senior choir where I was the lead singer. I just love singing and going to church. However, when I started to attend St. Andrew Technical High School, I started hanging out with a new set of friends, things began to change and we would go to parties where sound systems like Rambo, Small Ax and Crystal would play. I really began to like the music and went through a period of conflict which later resulted in me drifting from the church."

The former choir leader became a selector for the Rambo Sound system; a system on which many of his close DJ colleagues such as Flourigan, Lizard and Red Dragon also worked out. (By this time, he had been renamed Sanchez by his friends. and soccer team mates because of a highly skilled pass he made that was reminiscent of the great Brazilian soccer star Hugo Sanchez). As he gradually moved on to singing at these parties/sessions, the response he received was encouraging.

Sanchez soon began voicing for some of the top record producers in the business: Red Man, Winston Riley and Fattis Burrell. In 1987, Sanchez’s first single "Lady In Red" was released; soaring to the # 19 slot on JBC Radio record chart and that was very encouraging for young Sanchez. "It was a great feeling to hear my song playing on the radio."

His first hit, the Winston Riley produced, 'Loneliness,' recorded in 1988, is still one of his biggest hits. In that same year, he was voted Singer of the Year, Best Up and Coming and Best New Artist by Rockers and Bins awards respectively. 'Loneliness' was also voted Song of the Year, and this led him to his first appearance at Reggae Sunsplash. Since Loneliness, Sanchez has scored with big hits such as, "Wild Sanchez", "Love Mi Lover Bad"(a combination with DJ Florigan), "Fall In Love," "If I Ever Fall In Love Again," "Pretty Girl," "One In A Million," "Hello," 'Amazing Grace,' and "Frenzy.” Frenzy won for Sanchez the 2002 songwriter of the year award from The Martin International Awards.

In his earlier days, Sanchez was labeled as the singer who does too many covers; yet by the same token, he was simultaneously acknowledged as a special singer who received much international fame and recognition from doing these same covers. Sanchez explains, "Most times Jamaican producers are more willing to record songs that people are familiar with. I was able to break that cycle when I began recording original songs. My fans stimulated me to write because the critics used to question my writing ability, so over the years I have been writing a lot. The first original hit I wrote was 'Brown Eyes,' for the Shocking Vibes label, it went to # 1 on the Jamaican charts and did very well overseas. Some of the other hits I wrote are 'I Cant Wait,' 'Never Dis The Man,' 'Praise Him" 'Leave Out A Babylon,' and of course ‘Frenzy’. Nuff respect to Fitz Livermore, my guitarist and songwriter, who composed most of my other originals. I want to big up the other members of my backing band, Chronic, they are, Oswald “IG Gordon on Bass, Courtney 'Bubbla' Edwards, Keyboards and Joslyn “King Speckle” McKenzie on drums.” A well seasoned group; Sanchez deals with his band in a professional and considerate manner and the result is like clockwork on stage.

In over 18 years of his career, Sanchez has come a long way from his first performance at a school concert at Waterford Secondary backed by the Sagittarius band. It was then that bandleader, bassist/vocalist, Derrick Barnett told Sanchez that he had a good voice and invited him to come by where they used to rehearse.

To date, Sanchez has released 28 albums and over 70 singles and has toured extensively throughout Europe, the USA, the Caribbean and Japan. He is presently planning on going to Australia and Africa and is poised for great things there, particularly in Zambia."
His latest releases are the new lovers rock album 'No More Heartache' featuring tracks such as, 'This Heart', 'You make my Day' and a cover of 'He Aint Heavy', plus reality songs like 'Gun Town' and 'Love And Unity'; following on the heels of his second gospel album called ‘He’s Got The Power,’ which was preceded by the secular album "Stays On My Mind" featuring the hit single "Frenzy."

When asked about his most memorable stage experience, he smiled and said. "The most exciting time in Jamaica was Reggae Sunsplash 1989. I got five encores but did not return for the final one. And for overseas it was at the Humingburg Complex in Birmingham England, 1990. Sanchez was equally passionate when he described his most disappointing experience. "It is to go to a venue or to be in your hotel, ready to go, only to hear that the show is postponed or canceled and you had built yourself up for that moment” he sighed.

Fully engrossed in his music Sanchez is practicing to play several instruments. “I play drums, a little rhythm guitar, piano and bass. I have some rhythms that I made. I am completing an album called Sanchez Raw, you can look out for that, and I played all the instruments and did all the voicing.” He continued, “My aim right now is to try to produce some young talents who has no one to help them. Sanmonik production is working with some upcoming artists. We need to keep the music real, clean, and positive, break it down for the kids and to practice what we preach.

**SistahD** · 06-20-2009, 04:35 PM

Re: MIRF JUNE 26-28

Should have plenty of vendors (foooood!!) and I know the coconut man from Toronto will be on site with his lovely wife and babies, and 'Mr Wright' will be there with my new outfit .

I don't normally do the after parties, but as an added bonus (pour moi), I get to hit the domino tables after the show on Friday night at Blazers on Decarie, and at Montreal Caribbean Social Org. in Lasalle on Saturday night.

**SistahD** · 06-26-2009, 12:11 PM

Re: MIRF JUNE 26-28

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bandanna</div><div class="ubbcode-body">WOW, looks like a great line up SistahD </div></div>

Yikes! They are calling for rain, kinda interrupts the wardrobe plan.

**SistahD** · 06-29-2009, 03:43 PM

Re: MIRF JUNE 26-28

Ahhhh! Tired and aching from the long walks from the metro to the park, but the music was definitely worth the extra exercise!

The venue this year was set in a beautiful parkland area on one of the small Montreal islands, and although difficult to get to, the people definitely came out to support Montreal's 6th annual Reggae Festival. New venue, new structure, but still a great vibe and Eric Blagrove, the man responsible for this Festival and its concept, definitely came through with a strong organizational group and team of seasoned volunteers. Special features for some, and a decent show of food vendors and merchants.

...more to come!

**SistahD** · 06-30-2009, 10:21 AM

Tribute to Alton Ellis MIRF

Sunday night was quite special as Sugar had compiled a tribute to Alton Ellis... BUT... to properly get the tribute started, one of Alton Ellis' sons stepped up to add to the program! Gotta admit, he certainly did his dad proud!

**trelawnysmall** · 06-30-2009, 10:56 AM

Re: Tribute to Alton Ellis MIRF

Great thread and wonderful pictures.
This would have been my kind of show.

I saw this son sing with his Dad, Alton Ellis in Kingston.

Alton Ellis will always be my all time favorite singer, always!!

I have become close friends and I am doing some work with Alton's nephew Pinky Dread, who is the son of Hortense Ellis, Alton's sister and the queen of dancehall back in the 70's.

I met Pinky Dread doing a vintage show here in Negril. He is now on tour in Germany. And in July he will be releasing a new album.

This family has loads of talent.

Alton's nephew Pinky Dread in Negril.

**SistahD** · 06-30-2009, 11:06 AM

Re: Tribute to Alton Ellis MIRF

Cool, thanks for adding! ((Tsmall)) Yes- you would have enjoyed all three shows (more pics to come) Funny, they kept announcing/identifying him as 'Alton Ellis' son' but never once said his individual name!

Checking some of Altons' earlier pictures, this son sure looks like him!

MIRF JUNE 26-28

MIRF JUNE 26-28

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