This is the great thing about being a “nobody”…lol Every so often you can pull an “espionage” move and slip in where you don’t belong. So I submitted my project “Electro Track Therapy” for Grammy consideration in the “Best Reggae Album” category… just because I’m audacious like that. Out of the thousands of submissions the list was cut down to a “Top 50″, which my album was on!
I didn’t get nominated, but still… let me tell you why it makes me happy. I have never had a full project released by a record label, other than my own. Some “larger” artists in my Reggae-influenced, Global Bass genre have done the best they could to sweep my projects under the rug, while taking my ideas. I know you don’t believe that…., but such is life.
This small validation puts me next to great artists like Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal and Mr. Vegas, without having ANY of their connections. If Grammy music is judged primarily on how it SOUNDS….. then I’m on the right track, even as a DIY nomad.
I was quite sure the Grammy people would not even LISTEN to the album, but I sent it anyway… because I am not one to shy away from a worthwhile challenge. Making the provisional list gives me the confirmation to go swinging right back at them with my NEXT album “Love Machine”. Thanks, to all the sites that carried that brief news and CONGRATS TO THE NOMINEES!
You will see me again
Full List of Reggae “Provisionals”…lol
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Freedom Fighter
(Anthony B)
Dust and Dirt
(The Black Seeds)
Catch Me If You Can
(Sophia Brown)
Reggae Music Again
(Busy Signal)
Rebirth
(Jimmy Cliff)
The Invitation
(C-Sharp)
Can’t Stop Loving You
(The Billy David Band)
Krazy Love
(Da’Ville)
Easy Star’s Thrillah
(Easy Star All Stars)
Love and the Human Outreach
(Echo Movement)
Gimme What’s Mine
(Chantelle Ernandez)
Diversity
(Gentleman)
Reggae Music Lives
(Gramps Morgan)
Ways and Means
(The Green)
Building an Ark
(Groundation)
Crying to The Nation
(I-Octane)
Life Teachings
(I-Wayne)
In Another Time
(Irie Time)
From Letters to Words
(Courtney John)
Mental Maintenance
(Konshens)
Dancing Shoes
(Malijah)
Electro Track Therapy
(MC Zulu)
In Awe
(Midnite)
Sweet Jamaica
(Mr Vegas)
Miracle
(The Original Wailers)
Tomahawk Technique
(Sean Paul)
Journey of 1000 Miles
(Perfect Giddimani)
Plays The Ventures
(Dwight Pinkney and DP Band)
Break Loose
(Prophecy)
No Fear No Man
(Anthony Que)
Regular
(Ram Ramakar)
The Next Chapter
(Delly Ranx)
Peace of Mind
(Rebelution)
Time
(Bunny Rugs)
Warrior of Jah Army
(Singer Jah)
They Call Me Mr Melody
(Singing Melody)
The Chant
(Sizzla)
In Gambia
(Sizzla)
New Legend — Jamaica 50th Edition
(Sly and Robbie and the Jam Masters)
Strength to Survive
(SOJA)
Children of Humboldt
(Jade Steel and Emerald Triangle)
Judge Not
(Ton-A-Hope)
Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Strawberry Hill
(Toots and The Maytals)
The Hit List Vol III
(Various Artistes)
Jah Golden Throne
(Various Artisets)
Overproof Riddim — Full Strength
(Various Artistes)
Reggae Gold 2012
(Various Artistes)
The Ultimate 2012
(Various Artistes)
The System
(Romain Virgo)
Pon Di Gaza Mi Sey
(Vybz Kartel)
Tell Me How Me Sound
(Warrior King)
Masterpiece
(Glen Washington)
Land Of The Free
(Martin Zobel and Soulrise)
The world of Reggae music has lost one of its greats. Ska selector Duke Vin aka “The Tickler” has been ill for a while, but finally succumbed this morning. With regards to sound system culture Duke Vin was the originator on the UK scene. Stowing away on a boat in 1956, Vin arrived in England with his friend Count Suckle to a land of freezing weather, racial prejudice and no sound systems.
They went about the business of looking for work, a place to stay AND a place to PLAY their infectious brand of music, Ska.. which had yet to reach England’s shores.
The story is well documented in the movie “Duke Vin, Count Suckle & the Birth of Ska in Britain”, (because that’s what they DO in the UK). The Brits are far more concerned with posterity than in most places. They recognize the importance of things which usually get glossed over in the U.S. (and especially in Jamaica) The movie is a celebration of the original ska beat, Sound System culture and the life of Duke Vin. Please view the trailer below. Energyyyy.. You no see it how Reggae dance still a move so?
Controversial Reggae vocalist MC ZULU made his mark combining futuristic dance music with social commentary, often displaying a biting wit. His latest single “Love Machine” is a mischievous glimpse into the suggestive nature of Electro Reggae, a sound he has championed throughout the world.
Although his voice has been celebrated globally, MC Zulu’s greatest gift is his ability with words. He effortlessly conveys a seductive message without crossing the threshold into the obscene. The conversational tone of “Love Machine” playfully details the misadventures related to virtual romance.
Love Machine was produced by one of Tel Aviv’s most recognized DJ luminaries SaBBo Ronen, from the Israeli Hip-Hop collective “Soulico”. SaBBo has also worked with Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Turbulence, Rye Rye, Ghostface Killah and others. He is also a frequent contributor to the Mad Decent and Generation Bass blogs.
MC Zulu pushes the post-Dancehall envelope even further. The album “Electro Track Therapy” marries his innovative, Reggae influenced delivery with a crosscut of the entire dance music spectrum.
Production credits read like a who’s-who of the wildly influential “Global Bass Community”. It is well known amongst industry circles that this cadre of artists and producers has established and set trends, which are being relentlessly followed by mainstream music, to this day.
Electro Track Therapy explores the idea that music can spread healing, but it’s also a wild ride that never lets up. It is essentially a party hosted by one of the most in-demand vocalists on the Bass Music scene. Reggae fans who experience MC Zulu’s music immediately recognize that he is part of the evolution of the artform.
Released by: Perception2020 Recordings
Release/catalogue number: PR20D-003
Release date: Oct 11, 2011
For the past few months I have posted updates thru Twitter with the hash tag #ElectroTrackTherapy. That’s usually followed up with some irreverent brand of philosophy. If you search it like that…(#ElectroTrackTherapy) you’ll find quite a bit.
** Being interviewed here for The Untz Podcast
I am hoping those moments of clarity (or stupidity, you decide) will give you the overall ideas behind the new album. The lyrics are derived from these ideas. The instrumentals are a collection of some of the wickedest dance-related genres from around the world.
#ElectroTrackTherapy in a nutshell: DEFINITELY forget your troubles and dance; but when the dance is over… come back to Earth…! Right now the full album is streaming exclusively on the “Jaime Le Dubstep” Blog. Release Date: 11 Oct. 2011
**Click the album cover to hear Electro Track Therapy in its entirety.
Liquid Stranger seeks to make noise on the Dub/Reggae side of things with The Arcane Terrain. It will be released on Interchill Records.
The reason I am thrilled is because it puts me on the same release as one of my heroes KRS One..!! His interpretations of Reggae Music from the Hip-Hop perspective go a long way in validating my take on the genre.
Here is a mix Stranger put together for the promotion of the album.
The world of music suffered a double whammy this week. While the news is abuzz about the death of Nate Dogg, Reggae star Smiley Culture would also be lost to us. Smiley did not spend as much time on the music scene as most did, but his work was just as meaningful. His “Cockney Translation” related terms between Jamaican Patois and the slang of East-End Londoners at a time JUST BEFORE the two forms of expression began to blend. Linguistic academics around the world have pointed to this song as one of the main catalysts.
After his turn as a full time musician Smiley diversified his business interests greatly. I remember seeing his Facebook profile in the list of a mutual friend, and thinking “what the hell”. I reached out to Smiley Culture. A lot of my friends I grew up with would be thrilled. He was very personable answering his fans… when he had time. He was, after all heavily vested in a number of diamond mines around the world.
On the 16th of March Smiley Culture died during a police raid of his London apartment. Circumstances surrounding the incident are suspicious to say the least. He was allegedly killed by a self-inflicted knife wound to the heart. His family is launching a full inquiry and details will undoubtedly reveal themselves over time.
Culture was the perfect name for the singer who would go on to have such a tremendous impact on the English language. Simply by paying tribute to the disparate sides of his upbringing, Smiley elevated himself to the permanent role of Culture Ambassador. He sparked a wave of pride for Black British people, and then for ALL Brits who loved Reggae music.
… Someone comes out of the woodwork with an almost belligerent, Spanish rap style… and names a bunch of Reggae artists as influences. When you factor in a Death Metal background, the combination can only result in “Something The Lord Did Not Make”…
In his native Columbia, Antonio Caballero (MC Caballo) was undoubtedly exposed to some of the more realistic aspects of life. Although he emigrated to Toronto Canada in 2007 much of his experiences stayed with him. They are expressed in the overall defiant tone that he takes in his tracks.
When an artist reaches you on a certain level, it very seldom matters what language they are speaking. You don’t need to know Spanish to realize Caballo is opening a verbal can of whoop ass on corrupt political figures the world over. That point is somehow well communicated.
There is a hint of South American Revolutionary attitude which seems prevalent in many of the artists from the region, but Caballo has taken it a step further. There is no hesitatiting in his expressions. He obviously means every word. Once vocalists capture this non-compromising quality it ultimately draws you in, making you wonder what exactly they are saying. This phenomenon bypasses the formality of languange. A subconscious connection has been made.
From my understanding of it, Popozuda is actually a Brazilian (or Portugese) term for when the lovely ladies wind their waistline……… so naturally I was all
Count Machuki is the originator of the style of music I have been doing lately.
He is also one of the earliest pioneers of modern day recorded Beatboxing (Vocal percussion is centuries old, and dates back to India/China, etc.).
Check the sound effects over the music. In the days of early Jamaican Ska, these sound effects were used to augment the rhythmic element of a track. Machuki referred to them as “peps”.
Count Machuki was a mobile disc jockey who would recite humorous rhymes over records as he spun them. This became an important element of the soundsystem culture. It was derived from American radio disc jockeys whose broadcasts reached Jamaica. The style would eventually make its return to America in the form of Rap music, and become the most prevalent element of Hip-Hop culture.
Currently every rapper or Reggae singer owes a debt of gratitude to Count Machuki, who was ultimately ill rewarded for his efforts, and walked away from the music industry. As he was primarily a live performer, he very seldom recorded himself. Any original vinyl of his however, is in great demand, and can be priced in the hundreds.
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