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October 18, 2008
On the 1st Anniversary of the loss of a legendand a friend. The latest tribute to Lucky Dube from Rykodisc and GalloRecords. MPQ
LUCKY DUBE - A Retrospective
By M. Peggy Quattro
As a tribute to the genius lifeof South-African legend Lucky Dube, Rykodisc has released the two-discRetrospective. This ‘digipack’ contains a 13-song disc featuringsongs never before released outside of SouthAfrica, a bonus DVD featuring the 90-minute Lucky Dube Live in Concert,as well asfive music videos never released in the U.S. The album is curated bynoted world musicfigure Tom Schnabel, a KCRW radio host based in Los Angeles, CA.
Lucky Dube was callously shotand killed during an alleged carjacking on October 18, 2007, in aJohannesburg suburb. The inspiring career of the 43-year-old nationalhero ended in its prime, followed by a profound sadness in the Africannation thatwas felt around the world.Read more
October 12, 2008 – London,England
AltonEllis: Godfather of Rocksteady
The Loss of a Legend (9/01/40 – 10/10/08)
By M. PeggyQuattro
The music world bid a fond farewell to Alton Nehemiah Ellis,legendary singer and songwriter, who peacefully passed away October 11, 2008,inside London’s HammersmithHospital,after a year-long battle with lymphatic cancer. Born in Kingston and raised in theTrenchtown area, Alton attended EbenezerSchooland Boys’ TownSchool, where he excelled in music, piano,cricket, table tennis, and boxing. It isknown that Altonwas a skilled and talented dancer, often winning local dance contests. However,when he began performing at school concerts, his interest and passion turned tosinging.For more, and our Alton Ellis interview from Reggae Report 1989
October 3, 2008 - Los Angeles, California
Reggae Ska Punk EqualsSlightly Stoopid:A Not-So-Stoopid Conversation with KyleMcDonald
By Bruce Moore
For more than ten years, Slightly Stoopid, the California-basedreggae, ska, and punk band, has been making music their way and touring theworld. On July 22,theyreleased their latest recorded effort, SlightlyNot Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast YetStoopid,a CD containing, what the band calls, a collection of “odds and ends.” The disc includes songs that were written forthe last release and a few new songs, as well as a cover of the UB40 tune, “I WouldDo For You.” Once dubbed by Spin Magazine as, "One of the topten bands least likely to succeed based on their name,” these guys are intent onproving their critics wrong. The bandslongevity can be attributed to their rabid fan base and their constant touring.I recently had the opportunity to interviewguitarist, vocalist, and one of the group’s leaders, Kyle McDonald. Read more…
September 13, 2008 - San Francisco, CA
LUCKY DUBE– RESPECT(Aug. 3, 1964 – Oct. 18, 2007)
A Tribute – Gone But Never Forgotten
Words and Photos by Lee Abel
Delivered by his grandmother on a farm near thesmall mining town of Ermeloon August 3, 1964, he was not given a name. He was not expected to live. But like every other challenge, save one, thatwas to follow in his 43 years, he refused to be a victim. The Apartheid system in South Africa provided little opportunityfor proper health care, quality education, or employment. Its rigid laws cruelly dictated the movementsof black families and individuals. Read more
August 30, 2008 – Miami,Florida
SLY and ROBBIE:Reggae Disciples Standing up for Reggae
Words and Photos by M. Peggy Quattro
With careers spanning more than 30 years and hundreds ofthousands of recorded tracks, SLY and ROBBIE – aka the Riddim Twins – are stillstanding up for reggae. Equal partnersin the studio or on the stage, these world-renown artists, performers, andproducers represent reggae to the fullest. Fueled by, what Robbie calls “God-power,” this ageless duo is having aseriously fun time doing it.I caught up with Sly and Robbie, long-time friends andcolleagues, after their rousing performance with reggae rock dubsters SimplyStoopid, Internet sensations hailing from southern California,and Hawaii’spopular threesome, Pepper. Read and hear more
August 18, 2008
Ky-mani Marley and Joseph Israel: Stir Up the House of Blues on Sunset Strip
Review and Photos by Jan Salzman
Joseph Israel started the night’s live performances with anacoustic set, his mission he said, “To bring joy to the House ofBlues.” Ky-mani Marley then blasted onstage to “I’m Back.” In fact,he began with three songs straightfrom his latest CD Radio, including“The March”...Read more
