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October 18, 2008
On the 1st Anniversary of the loss of a legend
and a friend. The latest tribute to Lucky Dube from Rykodisc and Gallo
Records. MPQ
LUCKY DUBE - A Retrospective
By M. Peggy Quattro
As a tribute to the genius life
of South-African legend Lucky Dube, Rykodisc has released the two-disc
Retrospective. This ‘digipack’ contains a 13-song disc featuring
songs never before released outside of South
Africa, a bonus DVD featuring the 90-minute Lucky Dube Live in Concert,
as well as
five music videos never released in the U.S. The album is curated by
noted world music
figure Tom Schnabel, a KCRW radio host based in Los Angeles, CA.
Lucky Dube was callously shot
and killed during an alleged carjacking on October 18, 2007, in a
Johannesburg suburb. The inspiring career of the 43-year-old national
hero ended in its prime, followed by a profound sadness in the African
nation that
was felt around the world.Read more
October 12, 2008 – London,
England
Alton
Ellis: Godfather of Rocksteady
The Loss of a Legend (9/01/40 – 10/10/08)
By M. Peggy
Quattro
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 the
Trenchtown area, Alton attended EbenezerSchool
and Boys’ TownSchool, where he excelled in music, piano,
cricket, table tennis, and boxing. It is
known that Alton
was a skilled and talented dancer, often winning local dance contests. However,
when he began performing at school concerts, his interest and passion turned to
singing.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 Kyle
McDonald
By Bruce Moore
For more than ten years, Slightly Stoopid, the California-based
reggae, ska, and punk band, has been making music their way and touring the
world. On July 22,they
released their latest recorded effort, Slightly
Not 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 for
the last release and a few new songs, as well as a cover of the UB40 tune, “I Would
Do For You.” Once dubbed by Spin Magazine as, "One of the top
ten bands least likely to succeed based on their name,” these guys are intent on
proving their critics wrong. The bands
longevity can be attributed to their rabid fan base and their constant touring.
I recently had the opportunity to interview
guitarist, 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 the
small mining town of Ermelo
on August 3, 1964, he was not given a name. He was not expected to live. But like every other challenge, save one, that
was to follow in his 43 years, he refused to be a victim. The Apartheid system in South Africa provided little opportunity
for proper health care, quality education, or employment. Its rigid laws cruelly dictated the movements
of 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 of
thousands of recorded tracks, SLY and ROBBIE – aka the Riddim Twins – are still
standing up for reggae. Equal partners
in the studio or on the stage, these world-renown artists, performers, and
producers represent reggae to the fullest.
Fueled by, what Robbie calls “God-power,” this ageless duo is having a
seriously fun time doing it.
I caught up with Sly and Robbie, long-time friends and
colleagues, after their rousing performance with reggae rock dubsters Simply
Stoopid, Internet sensations hailing from southern California,
and Hawaii’s
popular 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 an
acoustic set, his mission he said, “To bring joy to the House of
Blues.” Ky-mani Marley then blasted onstage to “I’m Back.” In fact,
he began with three songs straight
from his latest CD Radio, including
“The March”...Read more
