Blonde Redhead - 23

Blonde Redhead
23
(4AD/Rhythmethod)
4 Stars

Blonde Redhead are back and in the opinion of some (mostly the blogger massive) really hitting their stride with somewhat of a landmark album entitled 23. I am unfortunately not a blogger or a long term Blonde Redhead fan so I can't really validate this opinion.
What I can tell you is 23 has nothing to do with the recent Jim Carey film of the same name and is a beautiful sonic journey through high eerie vocals, melodic guitar riffs and rhythmic drum beats.
On a technical geek level I noticed that 23 is one of the louder recent soft rock style albums I've heard which may have something to do with the roping in of Alan Moulder and Rich Costey on mixing duties.
Blonde Redhead have captured a strong and comfortable sound in their music, one that is drenched in feeling.
23 is definitely worth a listen or two.

Martyn Pepperell

JB - GCP (Press Release)

J.B Sets Out To Release His Latest Single Around The World

Toronto, ON – April 27, 2007 - Toronto's most hyped rapper: J.B is set to release his new single “Fire In Your Eyes” featuring The Game internationally. The song has been one of the top requested songs at underground radio shows across the country, including The Masterplan Show in Toronto, Canada’s premier hip hop show. It is currently being added in rotation in commercial stations across the U.K. and the U.S. and presently enjoying success in clubs in the U.K., Australia , mainland Europe and Japan.

Fire in Your Eyes is J.B’s latest single from his upcoming album: My Environment, which is due out in fall/winter 2008. The album includes a number of impressive guest appearances by artists such as multi-platinum rapper The Game, Dipset’s JR Writer, Nicole Wray, Warner Music prominent street MC Gravy and others.

At the same time, the video for “Fire In Your Eyes” will be delivered to TV music stations in the weeks to come.

My Environment will be J.B.'s first solo venture. He has two prior critically-acclaimed albums released with G.C.P. "The Turf's Hot" and "Crime Connects" gave J.B. the reputation of representing for one of Toronto's toughest neighbourhoods: Flemingdon Park.

He brings that same street sense and vitality to his current work.
The album will be released world-wide and J.B is currently in negotiations to secure international distribution.

"The wait's over and the game's about to change."
J.B. (Whatcha Need)

http://www.jbzworld.com/videos/Fire_in_ya_eyes.mp4

For media enquiries / interviews, please contact:

contact@concept-inc.ca

Concept Inc.

www.concept-inc.ca

UB40: A Collection of Musical Influences & Inspirations

UB40: A Collection of Musical Influences & Inspirations
Under The Influence
(DMC Publishing/Border Music)
3.5 Stars

UB40 are arguably the number one reggae act of all time, bear in mind I say arguably, and this claim is based on records sales, chart positions and touring schedules over the course of their three decade long career. Personally I have never really thought that much of their music.
Regardless Under The Influence is a collection of music that has influenced UB40 over the years, and too be honest they have alright music taste. We get a selection of Black American artists like Micheal Jackson, Smokey Robinson and Otis Redding, then they chuck in some classic Jamaican artists such as Big Youth, Bob Marley, John Holt, Lee Perry and so on.
Under The Influence is mostly good music and would serve well as a soul, jazz, reggae compilation album for a listener looking for a collection of material they mostly know already with the odd fun rarity thrown in.

Martyn Pepperell

Soul Jazz Records Presents

Soul Jazz Records Presents
Studio One Kings: The Originals
(Soul Jazz Records/Southbound Distribution)
4 Stars

Soul Jazz Records have built a reputation for re-releasing quality reggae, soul, jazz, funk and disco music in the modern era. In this respect Studio One Kings: The Originals is more or less what we have come to expect from this label. 17 cuts of classic Studio One reggae music from vintage Jamaican artists such as Horace Andy, Burning Spear, Ken Boothe, John Holt and more performing timeless standards such as 'Every Tongue Shall Tell', 'Them A Come' and 'Be Yourself'.
Should you be familiar with the Soul Jazz or Studio One catalogs you know exactly what to expect from this release.
If not, you are in store for a delightful sonic journey though warm deep bass, rough echoing organs and guitars, heavy defined skipping drums and the beautiful vocal tonality that Jamaican music has become known for the world over, essential listening for reggae fans old and new.

Martyn Pepperell

David Rodigan & Sting International

David Rodigan & Sting International
The Kings Of Reggae
(Rapster Records/Border Music)
4 Stars

Rapster Records “The Kings Of...” series hits it's seventh edition with a coherent and comprehensive overview and breakdown of Jamaican reggae music from London and New York based pioneers David Rodigan and Sting International.
Rodigan has been long recognised as a leading reggae figure head in the UK with over 30 years in the game as a dj and an encyclopedic knowledge of reggae music. Sting International on the other hand is the producer behind Shaggy and his hits 'Boombastic', 'It wasn't me' and so on.
Roping in cuts from classic to modern artists such as The Congoes, tenor saw, Marcia Griffins, Ritchie Spice and Gentleman, Rodigian and Sting International nail the transition and development of conscious reggae music from the 1960's to now. Entertaining and informative The Kings Of Reggae is yet another excellent summertime barbecue cd set for both the novice and the dedicated Jamaican music enthusiast.

Martyn Pepperell

UPCOMMING RUFFNECK SOULJAH GIGS

9th of May @ Good Luck Bar
13th of May @ Vintage Bar
17th of May @ Radioactive89fm
26th of May @ Powerstation

www.myspace.com/championdjnz
www.myspace.com/fantasytofact

ONLINE REFERENCES TO "EXCUSE ME MISS"

Below are links to various websites that have featured "Excuse Me Miss" by Ruffneck Souljah...
Check the progress!

YA PLAYIN YASELF

Top Shotta Blog run by OG (Old Gold) B-Boy Audio 1
Big up ya chest king!

NICEUP.ORG.NZ

Top ah Top NZ dancehall reggae website, big up Venus_Hi-Fi

RADIO NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand's National Radio Station (Featured Excuse Me Miss recently on the music 101 show)

BFM

The Big Radio Station in Auckland, shouts for putting us on via your NZ music show! One Love

ACTIVE89FM

The Best lil radiostation in the world! "Excuse Me Miss" has been in the top 11 charts last 6 weeks and getting mad dj love, all the blessings to you active!

ROCK THA DUB

Mad lil Blog from the States...Thanks for putting us up as a DL!