02.21.13 - Larry McDonald LIVE in the studio

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Over the course of an astonishing 50 year career with no signs of stopping, Jamaican master percussionist Larry McDonald has had his hands on the music, poetry and messages of many of the world's most legendary artists. Bob Marley,Peter Tosh, Gil Scott-Heron, Taj Mahal, Ernest Ranglin and dozens more all knew who to call when they needed pure power from the palm. McDonald makes rhythms that are inseparable from the classic songs of reggae, ska, dub, world music and beyond.

McDonald joined Queen Majesty to discuss his solo album, Drumquestra, which showcases his decades of experience. Drumquestra is a wonderfully unabashed drum album: 15 tracks of reggae, dub and world music featuring Larry McDonald and his drum orchestra playing over 20 different percussive instruments. Songs like the title track and Mento In 3 showcase the primal elements of ancient melodies and rhythms that have shaped modern music. If you think that the tribal Drumquestra sounds like it was recorded in a jungle, you'd be right: Larry, his drum orchestra, and dueling scat vocalists Anjaliand Richie Paray recorded the song in the Green Grotto caves at Runaway Bay on Jamaica's north coast.

02.14.13 - Lovers Rock Special

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Valentine's Day is the perfect day to celebrate the special genre of reggae music called Lovers Rock. The roots of Lovers Rock lie in the early days of reggae, with Jamaican singers such as Ken Boothe and John Holt enjoying international hits with reggae versions of well-known love songs. It was also a style that resonated with the London reggae scene and became an apolitical response to the conscious Rastafarian sound dominant in Jamaica at the time. Lovers Rock really gave a style and voice to the UK reggae scene as well as an opportunity for female artists who were sought after for this sound. Some of the Jamaican artists that had the most success with this genre in the late 70s and early 80s wereDennis Brown, Sugar Minott and of course Gregory Isaacs.

Queen Majesty will be exploring both UK and Jamaican Lovers Rock, with a special Gregory Isaacs set in celebration of the Valentine's Day release of The Love Box. Issacs, the Cool Ruler aka Lonely Lover, lives on with this first four-disc box set comprised of 80 love songs, some of which are pulled from the vault. This unprecedented compilation is the result of a unique collaboration between Tad’s Records and Isaacs’ own label, African Museum and can be purchased here. (via EastVillageRadio.com)

02.07.13 - John Holt & Derrick Harriott Special

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On this week's show we celebrated the living legend JOHN HOLT with some of his classic songs (Tide Is High, Police In Helicopter) because he was in town performing in Brooklyn at Pulse Night Club on Saturday night. The second hour of the show was dedicated to the great singer and producer DERRICK HARRIOTT in honor of his birthday (February 6th) with a special guest selection by his nephew, established New York City-based DJ Duane Harriott.

Born on February 6th 1939 in Jamaica, Derrick Harriott has had a prolific career in music beginning in 1958 with The Jiving Juniors. He then started his own sought-after Crystal label in 1962, continuing his singing career with hits like The Loser and Solomon as well as producing such huge tunes like Tonight by Keith & Tex and Stop That Train by Scotty. He has also worked with other heavy-hitters such as The Ethiopians, King Tubby and Dennis Brown to name a few. You may frequently find him at his One Stop record shop in Kingston, Jamaica.

Duane brought by some of his uncle Derrick's records that he had gotten down in Kingston from the man himself and he and I talk a bit on the mic about what Duane is up to as well as some anecdotes about record shopping as a youth and having famous musicians in the family. Check the archive!

01.31.13 - Bob Marley & Dennis Brown Tribute

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Robert Nesta Marley (February 6, 1945 - May 11, 1981)

Born in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, Bob Marley was rhythm guitarist, lead singer and songwriter of The Wailers from 1963 to 1974 and Bob Marley & The Wailers from 1974 to 1981. He remains the most widely revered reggae musician to this day and is credited with spreading Jamaican music, the Rastafarian movement as well as the social issues of his homeland to a worldwide audience. His compilation album "Legend" has gone Platinum 10 times since it's release in 1984, selling more than 25 million copies around the globe. 

Dennis Emmanuel Brown (February 1, 1957 - July 1, 1999)

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Dennis Brown started his prolific career in the 1960s at the very young age of 9 years old. He was booked at the age of 11 by Byron Lee who billed hime as "Boy Wonder". He had quick success and gained an international audience, touring extensively throughout the UK and influencing generations of upcoming reggae artists. During his short life, he recorded more than 75 albums and was cited as Bob Marley's favorite singer, with Marley dubbing him "The Crown Prince of Reggae". In 2001, The Dennis Emanuel Brown Trust was set up to educate youngsters, maintain and advance the memory of Dennis Brown, and help to provide youngsters with musical instruments. The trust awards the Dennis Emanuel Brown (DEB) bursary for educational achievement each year to students between the ages of 10 and 12 years

Photos by David Corio