12.19.13 - Holiday Special with Scratch Famous

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Happy Holidays! It was a treat for me to be joined by Scratch Famous, one of my fellow Deadly Dragons as we dug up our favorite Christmas and holiday reggae tunes for you once again. All the best and many blessings to you and yours in this season and beyond. Thank you for your continued support!

12.12.13 - Tribute to Nelson Mandela

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, activist, lawyer, andphilanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was South Africa's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist anddemocratic socialist, he served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997. Internationally, Mandela was Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999.

It was a sad day to learn that he had passed and so this show is dedicated to him. 

12.05.13 - Tribute to Junior "Soul" Murvin

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Singer Junior Murvin, born Murvin Smith, best known for the reggae single Police and Thieves, has sadly passed in Jamaica. The Jamaica Observer reported that he died at Port Antonio hospital on Monday.

The artist, who was thought to be between 64 and 67, began his career as a lounge singer in Portland parish in Kingston and went on to perform under the name Junior Soul. He recorded music for more than 30 years, and broke out of the local Jamaican scene with the 1976 track Police and Thieves, a song that outlined the police brutality and social unrest of the time, and became synonymous with the riots of Notting Hill carnival in the year that it was released.

Murvin worked alongside legendary producer Lee "Scratch" Perry on the single and his debut album, also titled Police and Thieves, which was released on Island Records in 1977. The single found a new audience through the punk movement, and was famously covered by the Clash.

The singer had five children and eight grandchildren.

11.21.13 - Keith "Scotty" Scott of Merritone LIVE in the studio

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

There has been a lot of excitement among rocksteady fanatics recently due to some top-quality reissues coming out on the Merritone label. We are excited to have one of the original men behind that label, Keith Scott, in the studio to give us some background history of these gems, as well as discussing working with the legendary Federal label. We will also be discussing the production of theLegends of Ska film that Mr. Scott is personally involved in. Check the archive!

11.14.13 - Strictly Power House Selections

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

When going through records to find inspiration for the show this week, I found myself pulling 45 after 45 of killer tunes on George Phang's Power House label. I decided to dedicate this show the man and his label. Check the archive!

11.07.13 - Digital English LIVE in the studio

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Digital English, a.k.a Valentine Saunders, has been producing hard-hitting Reggae music since the early 1980s. Over the years he has worked with the likes of legendary NYC producer Phillip Smart and his Jamaican and UK upbringing have lent him a keen ear for both minor keys and heavy bass in the production of seminal Roots tunes and more.

I was honored to have him join me in the studio to talk about some of his classic productions and some reggae history. He also brought a stack of wicked vinyl selections from his own collection including some recent London finds. Check the archive and playlist!

10.31.13 - Halloween Special with Grace of Spades

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Halloween was here again and this year I invited our pal Grace of Spades to join me in selecting some ghostly tunes for you. The echoes and organs of many dub and reggae songs lend themselves perfectly to an eerie and haunting vibe, and we brought plenty of those as well as selections that were more straightforward and fun. Check the playlist and the archive! Booo.

10.24.13 - Strictly Jammy's

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Strictly Jammy's selections for you this show, as I am a big fan. I start out with some early Prince Jammy dub alongside King Tubby, then move into some of my favorite roots then dancehall. Happy Earthstrong out to him, October 26th. Check the playlist and the archive above.

10.17.13 - Peter Tosh and Joe Gibbs Special

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Musical legends Peter Tosh (10.19.44 - 09.11.87) and Joe Gibbs (10.14.42 - 02.22.08) share the same birth week as well as some essential reggae productions. This show is dedicated to both of them, and weaves in and out of some of their classic songs as well as some that they worked on together. May they both rest in power.

10.10.13 - Roots, Sizzla and more

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

I was going to be joined on this show by Nyabinghi, a Conscious Reggae selector out of Trinidad who unfortunately did not make it to the studio. In preparing for the show I ended up pulling some roots and a lot of Sizzla that I hadn't played in a while and put them in my record bag. I hadn't quite planned on playing some of the more well-known ones but sometimes you just have to go with the flow. They are still great songs. Much respect as always to the artists.

10.03.13 - White Mice, early Dancehall and Rub A Dub

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

I was in the mood to play some of my favorite 80s and 90s dancehall and Rub a Dub (maybe some very late 70s?) for you this show, beginning with the Shank I Sheck riddim. Then to celebrate the birthday of reggae artist White Mice, the set is inspired by and layered with some of his top tunes.

You can check the archive and playlist (that I try to type as thoroughly as I can while djing) above. Enjoy.

09.26.13 - Top Cat of Jah Fingers Sound Selections

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

The archive starts out a couple minutes late this week, as I was stuck on the train and ran late for the first time in 8 years! Thanks to Infinite Eargasm for holding it down. I brought a soulful kind of selection in honor of our good friend and reggae aficionado Top Cat of Jah Fingers Sound. You can catch his monthly party Reggae Got Soul every last Sunday of the month at East River Bar in Brooklyn. He brought a suitcase of some of his favorite vinyl and a whole lot of soul to his selections in the second hour. Check the archive.

09.19.13 - Reggae Rajahs Selections

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

The Reggae Rajahs were in town to celebrate the opening night of Dub Champions Festival NYC with Deadly Dragon at The Delancey, and I was happy to get Diggy Dang and General Zooz on the show earlier in the day. The Reggae Rajahs are India's first reggae sound system out of New Delhi, and known for their energetic live performances.

I started out the show with an all 45 B side set and the Rajahs took over the selections in the second hour with some wicked dubplates and more. I also talked to them a bit about some upcoming events and side projects as well as how it is to perform in such a reggae-deprived country. Check the archive.

09.12.13 - Prince Jazzbo Tribute and Emch of Subatomic Sound

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Prince Jazzbo by Dave Corio

with Emch of Subatomic Sound

We were very saddened to hear of the passing of the great musician and producer Prince Jazzbo, may he rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers out to his family and friends. I brought some of his most beloved tracks with me, as well as some that he had reissued with Deadly Dragon in the last few years on his Ujama label. We were also joined by Emch of Subatomic Sound to celebrate and promote the upcoming Dub Champions Festival 2013. Check the archive.

09.05.13 - Studio One On Demand Special

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

This week there was an out of town guest that needed my time slot on East Village Radio, so I was asked to record a last-minute on demand special. I grabbed a bunch of my favorite Studio One tunes and headed to the upstairs office studio and recorded a "live" 2 hour session for you. Since I play Studio One so often I decided to stick to classics as well as ones I have not played in a while or ever on the show. Check the archive and thanks.

08.29.13 - Beres tunes & Cool Hand Luke from the UK

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

A happy Earthstrong out to the soulful Beres Hammond! The show starts out with some of his older songs, such as ones with Zap Pow and moves into his classics and a few newer ones. The ladies love Beres. In the second hour I was joined by our friend Cool Hand Luke from North London and his wicked vinyl selections. He also joined us later that night at our weekly Downtown Top Ranking party where he kept the vibes strong and selected into for the deejays on the mic into the wee hours. Check the archive.

08.22.13 - Bunny, Beenie & Steely

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

This show was inspired by the birthdates of Bunny "Striker" Lee (August 23rd), Beenie Man aka Anthony Moses Davis (August 22nd) and Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson (August 18th), may he rest in peace. I could have easily done a whole show on each of these artists (and may someday) but I thought it was fitting to put them all together as well. One of my favorite producers and living legend Bunny Lee had produced the very first album that Beenie Man made, at the tender age of 10 years old. Beenie Man has also worked with the prolific Steely of Steely & Cleevie. I tried to tie together the songs in a cohesive way, leaving out some of the songs I play more often on the show, but like I said these artists have songs for days. Check the archive and playlist. Nuff respect, as always, to the artists.

08.15.13 - Marcus Garvey / Yabby You Special

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

This show is for the memory of both Marcus Garvey (17 August 1887 – 10 June 1940) and Yabby You aka Vivian Jackson (14 August 1946 – 12 January 2010). The first hour contains a lot of Burning Spear and songs dedicated to Marcus Garvey and Africa. The second hour is filled with the productions of Vivian Jackson as well as songs that he did with King Tubby and other great artists. Our good friend and writer Sherman Escoffery happened to stop by the studio and I chatted with him a bit as well, check him out on the Large Up site as well as his own. Check the archive.

08.08.13 - Screechy Dan LIVE in the studio

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Always love and respect to our good friend and mega-talent Screechy Dan! Screechy is one of the pioneers of the 90s Dancehall scene, with huge hits like Pose Off, Skin Out and Booming in Your Jeep, to name a few. We've had him on the show before and you can see one of the videos HERE. He stopped by the studio this week with a new tune by Gyasi, as well as dropping a freestyle over the Skylarking riddim. We also had some wicked newer tunes (exclusives!) that we were able to share with the listeners so definitely check the archive above. Oh yeah, it was also his Earthstrong celebration that night, so Happy Birthday Screechy!

08.01.13 - Jamaican Independence Special with Scratch Famous

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Scratch Famous of Deadly Dragon Sound

Happy Independence Day, Jamaica! This show is particularly Jamaican-themed and some songs from 1962, the same year. In the second hour we were joined by good friend and fellow Deadly Dragon Scratch Famous who (as usual) went into the vault and brought some killer ska and rocksteady 45s. We discussed the upcoming party, The Roots Of Sound System co-presented by Dub Stuy Records and featuring legendary collectors / selectors spinning on the custom Tower Of Sound. Check the archive!

07.25.13 - Rita Marley & Ras Tafari

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Rita Marley & The Soulettes

Haile Selassie I

If you haven't noticed, I often look to birth days for inspiration of the day's show. For this show, the inspiration was the beautiful soul of Rita Marley. I started off the show with some favorite Rita Marley & The Soulettes tunes, trying not to play the ones I play most often. It was also the week of celebration of Haile Selassie, Jah Ras Tafari's birth and so I wanted to play some songs centered around HIM as well.

07.18.13 - Vic Ruggiero LIVE in the studio

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Vic Ruggiero

Vic Ruggiero on Jamaica Rock

Roy Shirley

Victor "Vic" Ruggiero is a musician, songwriter and producer from New York City who has played in reggae, blues, ska and rocksteady bands since the early 1990s, including The Slackers who have released over 13 albums. He has also released several solo acoustic albums and continues to tour worldwide, as well as recording and performing live with musicians like reggae legend Ken Boothe and groups like punk legend Rancid. Ruggiero is known primarily as a singer and organist, although he also plays piano, bass, banjo, guitar, harmonica and percussion.

Ruggiero is known for his distinct Bronx accent and his lyrics usually follow several themes, including the apocalypse, dark humor, political distrust, paranoia, murder, irony, romance and loneliness. His songs have ranged from narrative ballads to whimsical tunes inspired by Beat generation poets, authors and songwriters, including Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and John Lennon.

Vic joined Queen Majesty live in the studio on the Jamaica Rock show and they talked about his upcoming European Tour, booze cruises, rocksteady documentaries as well as some brand new music that he brought with him.

Also, a special shout out to the completely underrated talent of Roy Shirley, whose music starts out the show in celebration of his Earthstrong. Check the archive.

07.11.13 - John Holt, Mykal Rose, Barry Brown and More

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

John Holt

Mykal Rose

Barry Brown

This show was inspired by the Earthstrongs of John Holt and Mykal Rose, two of my favorite singers. I  had also been listening to a lot of Barry Brown (even more than usual) so I decided to bring some of my favorites from him as well. Respect to all three. Check the archive and the playlist above.

06.27.13 - Jonny Go Figure and his Henry "Junjo" Lawes Selections

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Henry "Junjo" Lawes

Jonny Go in the EVR studio

Byron Lee

This week we were celebrating the Earthstrongs of two late greats of the reggae world - Byron Lee and Henry "Junjo" Lawes. The first hour is inspired and dedicted to the songs and productions of the man Byron Lee, of Byron Lee & The Dragonaires. The second hour we were joined by our friend Jonny Go Figure who brought some of his favorite Henry "Junjo" Lawes selections in tribute to this musical pioneer. Jonny also put out a Junjo Lawes / Volcano dedicated mix earlier that day that you can check HERE. Nuff respect and Happy Earthstrong also to the one and only Freddie McGregor!