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Label: VP Records

Release Date: July 29, 2008

Minnesotan (though now NYC based) producers and hook-, beat- and songwriters K-Salaam & Beatnick have teamed up with some of the world’s most prominent hip hop, reggae and spoken word artists for their first album out of a 3-album deal with VP Records and as Iranian born K-Salaam puts it: “Whose World Is This?” as an album represents the idea that all people who have had our freedom, our rights, and our land stolen from us, must take back what is rightfully ours. In the making of this album, I wanted to create something that would serve as a voice for people who do not have one. However, I am aware that this album is available to anyone and everyone who chooses to buy it. So, to who ever is reading this, regardless of your religion, ethnicity, or economic background; we have to remember one thing: we all have a choice of whose side we can be on. The time is now for us to choose a side, no longer can we stand in the middle of the line. We are either part of the problem, or a part of the solution. If this album offends you, then I do not want your support, nor do I look at you as an ally. For the people who agree with my ideals, we all need to ask ourselves this question: How long will we allow the powers that be to spread their corruption, slavery, and rape? We have to stand up for ourselves at all times, but even more important, we must stand up for those who have it worse off than us. Only then will we be free.

With an extremely soulful intro with the album’s title “Whose World Is This?” K-Salaam & Beatnick kick off this ambitious project, in my opinion getting the result they aimed for, as the tunes following truly combine the best of several worlds, with wonderful uncredited female soulful backing vocals lending even more power to the combination “We Gotta Take It” a.k.a. “To The Rescue” by Brooklyn rapper Papoose and Jamaican star DJ Busy Signal, followed by the wicked call for peace to gangsters “Streetlife” on which US hip hop-soul singer Trey Songz combines forces with Buju Banton across a hip hop-reggae relick of The Police’s “Roxanne”. Hip hop superstar Talib Kweli contributes the very strong “Feel” followed by Sizzla in absolute top-form over a riddim that could as easily have been one of Don Corleon’s R&B-influenced backings for him, an absolute standout. Toronto’s hip hop and dancehall icon Kardinal Offishall delivers the ‘in your face’ tune “As We Continue” alongside his long time Black Jays’ colleague Solitair, before Def Poet Black Ice delivers the very convincing answer to the album title’s question “The World Is Ours” bridging the gap between hip hop and poetry, with the great vibes being maintained by Dead Prez in their tribute to “Fallen Soldierz”. Sizzla appears again, this time alongside Cashville rapper Young Buck for the very entertaining “Babylon (Must Be Mad)” that is not only dominated by their commanding deliveries but by the wicked Barrington Levy sample as well.

Next up is the very successful attempt at roots reggae by K-Salaam & Beatnick resulting in Luciano’s very fine “What Are We Fighting For?”, followed by the in my eyes still good but less impressive “Bad Mind” by Saigon and “Vieques P.S.A.” by Bobbito Garcia. Then Capleton more than convinces with his magnificent “Never Let Us Down” followed by Rakaa from Dilated Peoples with the strong funky “Where I’m From” and smooth Trinidadion reggae singer Jamelody with “Mission Complete”. Former Tupac protégés Outlawz impress with “The Truth” before Anthony B truly excels with “Revolution”, a tune that truly grows and grows on you before this album is closed in very fine style by the female Palestinian-American Def Poet Suheir Hammad with the brilliant “Refugees”. This album is a mighty cross-over effort, that will no doubt be bashed by hip hop, reggae, dancehall and R&B-purists, but in my opinion K-Salaam & Beatnick have released with “Whose World Is This?” an album that is undoubtedly one of the strongest efforts ever of this type and VP Records should be very glad they have signed a 3-album deal with this production-duo. As a bonus there’s also a DVD included that however wasn’t included with this promo-copy, so no review of the contents. But even when there wouldn’t be any DVD included at all, do give this album a listen, you might very well find yourselves spinning it over and over.

Source: Reggae Vibes

The original ‘don gorgon’, who himself, has had his problems with the law, first revealed his new stance when he took the stage at Sumfest Dancehall Night on July 17 (Montego Bay) representing his organisation The Jamaica All For Peace One Umbrella Movement.

According to Ninja Man, “If I get the support weh I need by six months time you can drop yuh wallet a road and nobody nuh trouble it,” he told THE STAR.

Adding, “Dem (Jamaicans) have a problem and I have the solution. Jamaica people nuh really violent dem just need somebody fi show dem the right way.”

Support needed

Ninja Man said that if he got the necessary support from the police, government, private sector and every Jamaican, he could provide employment for people. Hence, they would be occupied with various activities and as a result they would have no time for a life of crime.

He says he would help these persons to establish car-washes, block factories and shops that would help them to earn their own income. He explained that his organisation would also help the individuals to monitor the businesses so that they become profitable.

One umbrella

“All di business dem would be under the One Umbrella Movement but we would monitor the business fi dem and show dem how tings suppose to go so that dem don’t blow it up. When dem fully understand di business we turn it over to dem,” said a confident Ninja Man.

Ninja admitted that there was a possibility that he might not get the support he wants in time. However, he believes that the police can decrease crime but not as much as he would under ‘the umbrella’.

“The police dem a do dem job but if mi don’t get the support weh mi want, mi hope the police and communities can decrease crime pon a level. I have been through crime already so mi can talk from a badman point of view seh even badman fraid cause dem a kill woman, old people and baby,” said Ninja Man who was imprisoned in 1999 for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

He says he is pleased with himself because he has walked away from a criminal lifestyle and has reached the point where the public can respect him.

Source: Jamaica Star

But those fees are “a drop in the bucket”, says NCF chairman Ken Knight, given that the NCF is spending $1.7 million on Crop-Over 2008.

Knight gave the figures, an increase of $353 000 over last year’s expenditure, in a telephone interview with the WEEKEND NATION yesterday. He noted the money was also covering prizes, subventions and per diems.

“So when I hear folks say that the NCF doesn’t do anything to assist, those comments are totally unjustified,” he charged.

The chairman said his board was committed to developing culture in Barbados, and as a result had taken the decision to increase subventions and assistance wherever possible to all those involved in contributing to the festival.

“We will make our necessary adjustments and continue to support Crop-Over financially. That is what our mandate is,” he said, noting the increased subventions for this year’s 14 participating calypso tents.

Knight added: “The masqueraders, the bands and performers remain significant; so that the total . . . paid in prize monies, royalties . . . we are looking at an overall $1.7 million.

“So when one makes a comment that we have spent all this money upon foreign artistes, that is totally unnecessary. The only act we have paid out is Machel Montano; and I must say that his band is 40 per cent Barbadian with his musical director being Barbadian. So I think it is a win-win for all,” he declared.

Ridley Greene, spokesperson for The Alliance, which represents the majority of calypso tents, said yesterday he was pleased Knight had committed the NCF to developing culture in Barbados, specifically as it related to calypso. But he thought there was a need for more structured marketing of the art form to the public.

“Tent subventions are good,” Greene added, “but there is a need for a more pragmatic approach to calypso tent promotion and marketing.

“Traditional calypso is not promoted with the same zeal as party music. The NCF needs to take the money it has already budgeted for individual tent promotion and come up with a holistic programme for pushing the tents and their calypso. It would be better for the calypsonians and patrons too,” he said.

President of the Barbados Association of Tent Managers (BATMAN), Sinclair Gittens, said maybe it was time for the NCF to put its money towards grading the tents, putting more money into the “top tents”.

“Tents under BATMAN are in this as a business. This is not something on the side for the calypsonians in those tents. They are professionals who do it for a living. So any money the tents are making is a valuable contribution, as those tents are money earners,” he added.

CROP-OVER CASH:

Party Monarch

1st : $22 000

2nd: $13 200

3rd: $8 250

Pic-O-De-Crop

1st : Car worth $70 000 (plus $10 500)

2nd: $15 7500

3rd: $11 025

Junior Kadooment

Grand total: $43 240

Junior Monarch

(ages 8-12)

1st: $1 000

2nd: $ 750

3rd: $ 500

(ages 13-18)

1st: $1 500

2nd: $1 000

3rd: $750

Tune of the Crop (Road March)

1st: $7 500

2nd: $5 000

3rd: $2 000

Special Prizes: (Party Monarch & Pic-O-De-Crop Finals)

(1) Barbados Manufacturers’ Association Brands of Barbados Award – $2 500

(2) Song that best expresses Emancipation – $1 500

(3) Best Songwriters of the Festival (by NCF)

1st: $1 000

2nd: $ 600

3rd: $ 300

Prizes for Grand Kadooment were unavailable.

Source: The Nation Newspaper

According to Dahlia Harris, marketing & public relations Consultant (JCDC), “This year’s theme, ‘One Love. One Family’ signals not only a call to unity as a nation but a reinforcement of family values and togetherness.”

Activities throughout the week are structured for all age groups, as we facilitate the celebration of our Independence islandwide”, Harris declared.

Katrina being crowned the 2008 Festival Queen.

Among the highlights of Jamaica Festival will be the Festival Street Parade and Grand Gala on August 6. The Float Parade will start at 10:00 am from King’s House, followed by the Main Parade which will get under way at 1:00 pm from the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. Over 18 spectacular floats and costumed groups accompanied by music trucks will enliven the streets of Kingston. Then there will be the Grand Gala – which promises to be a grand affair full of ceremonial and colourful displays – at 5 pm at the National Stadium. The Gala will culminate with an exciting fireworks display.

Jamaica Festival 2k8 commences with the staging of the Emancipation Jubilee, scheduled for the Seville Heritage Park in St Ann later this evening. On August 1, Augus’ Fair, a celebration of traditional Jamaican food and culture at the Ranny Williams Entertainment leads the island-wide Emancipation activities, then patrons will make way for the very contemporary World Reggae Dance Championships also scheduled for the Ranny Williams Entertainament Centre. The best dance groups from across the island have qualified for this year’s staging of the event which will also feature top reggae and dancehall acts.

Sunday August 3, will see the opening of a two-day culinary exposition at the Jamaica Pegasus, as well as the National Independence Thanksgiving Service and Gospel Celebration at Emancipation Park.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Label: Greensleeves

Release Date: July 28, 2008

While mainstream music critics still tend to be suspicious of this period for its supposed ‘crudeness’ of both rhythm and lyric, the passage of time has – miraculously! – made these productions safe for all but the most luddite reggae fans’ ears.

King Kong is surely one of the dancehall’s supreme vocalists. In 2K7 he was sampled for Ghetto Life on Pressure’s Love & Affection album to splendid effect, proving his sound is at home in any setting. But it all started with Trouble Again, his 22 year old debut long player for Greensleeves – recorded at King Jammy’s with Steely & Cleevie making the beats – where he more then holds his own atop a variety of pedigree rhythms. First track Mash It Up Already is Vin Gordon and the Sound Dimensions’ Heavenless; Mix Up uses Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling’s Bangarang as its basis; the politically conscious title song updates Johnny Clarke’s Bunny Lee produced classic King In The Arena; and Kong even rides a transposed take on Mungo Jerry’s seasonal irritant In The Summer Time – recast as Follow Me.

Besides the original album cuts, Greensleeves have added some bonus material. Move To The Top works over a cheerful Steely & Cleevie relick of Real Rock and fits in just fine, whereas the heavy steppers, Bubblers Computer Stars track creation Paro Them Paro (and its dub) are something of a departure from the other tunes, yet nevertheless make for a strong ending to the cd.

King Kong’s fluid melodious voice is such a striking instrument that he could lend it to pretty much anything and come up trumps. Two decades on, this set packs a punch, and should help prove to the doubters that though reggae had indeed changed at this point, it was still in rude health.

Source: BBC Music

Antigua talks tough

Antiguan prime minister Baldwin Spencer has called for Scotland yard to help solve the murder of British bride Catherine Mullany and the shooting of her husband.

	Prime Minister Spencer wants to clamp down on gun crime and other violent acts

A badly wounded Ben Mullany is fighting for his life in hospital in Antigua – his parents have decided to fly him out to Wales for further medical attention.

Prime Minister Spencer told residents in an address to the nation that the shootings were threats to the country’s survival, and would not be tolerated because they threatened Antigua/Barbuda’s vital tourism industry.

He has announced several measures to curb an increase of gun-related and other violent crimes.

Minister warns that critics won’t derail crime plans

Jamaica’s national security minister says the government will implement recently announced anti crime measures despite pressure from interest groups.

Minister Trevor MacMillan says the measures announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, were the best for the country which has recorded well over nine hundred murders so far for the year.

The Jamaica Bar Association has officially expressed its concerns about measures it warned would effectively reduce or take away the court’s power to determine bail or lengths of sentences.

Carrington chastises critics

Caricom secretary general Edwin Carrington has warned against negative comments he fears could hurt the region’s integration movement.

	Dr Carrington warns against negative criticism

He has made particular reference to criticism of the economic partnership agreement the region has negotiated with the European Union, and other suggestions that the regional integration movement is on the verge of collapse.

Guyana’s president Bharrat Jagdeo, the former chairman of Caricom’s Regional Negotiating Machinery – Sir Shridath Ramphal and UWI professor Norman Girvan have all called for the EPA to be re-negotiated.

Dr Carrington has lashed back at critics of the EPA process, warning that it was necessary to distinguish between the benefits of pointing to the dangers ahead, “and the harm which widespread negative speculation can cause in the public mind”.

Ex-soldiers give up

Officials in Haiti say a group of former soldiers have ended a stand-off with police and United Nations peacekeepers.

The soldiers who were demanding unpaid wages and the re-instatement of the armed forces, had occupied the former army buildings in northern Haiti for about twenty-four hours.

They agreed to leave peacefully following negotiations with the police and UN forces.

They were loaded onto buses which took them out of the area.

It is not clear whether any deal was struck.

DFP target Dominica PM

In Dominica the resignation of the opposition leader Earl Williams of the United Workers Party has prompted calls from the other opposition party on the island, for Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to also step down.

Mr Williams announced on Wednesday that he was resigning as leader of the opposition and political leader of the UWP, over alleged financial wrong-doing related to his work as a lawyer.

The two opposition parties have levelled various accusations of alleged corruption against the prime minister, who announced in the recent budget presentation that Integrity in Public Office legislation would take effect from September, under which such matters could be dealt with.

The Dominica Freedom Party leader Michael Astaphan, following yesterday’s Earl Williams resignation, said Prime Minister Skerrit too should go.

Petro Food Fund established

Venezuela and eighteen other countries in the Americas have created a regional food fund.

Petro Food has been established to help ensure supplies for poor countries.

It is expected to provide 400 million to 500 million US dollars per year for farm development and other projects in Central America and the Caribbean.

Many of those nations already participate in Venezuela’s Petro Caribe accord under which Caracas provides oil at preferential terms and prices.

	British honeymooner Catherine Mullany was shot and killed in an Antigua hotel. Ben is seriously injured.

The murder of a newly-wed doctor in a shooting that has left her husband in a critical condition has highlighted the safety of tourists in the Caribbean.

Police in Antigua believe Catherine and Benjamin Mullany were attacked in their honeymoon cottage at the Cocos Hotel on the south west coast after a robbery went wrong.

People on the twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda are shocked by this double shooting and police say they have received a big response to a call for information.

However, many Antiguans are aware of the damaging effect of a murder of a holidaymaker in a country where the tourist pound, euro and dollar provide a livelihood for many.

 Our brand is based on people being safe – we will not tolerate any action that will tarnish the reputation the country Antigua’s Tourism minister, Harold Lovell

The island’s PR machine has swung into full damage limitation mode with them releasing details of how little tourists are affected by crime.

But people who live there say that their reality has changed a lot in the last few years and that crime is increasing.

The killing of the British doctor honeymooning on Antigua was felt likely to lead to tightened security at hotels.

Tourism is key

Business people and residents on the island have expressed concern about the implications of the incident on this tourism-dependent country.

The Board of Directors of Antigua’s Hotel and Tourist Association met to discuss the shooting and its possible implications for the islands’s tourism industry.

Tourism is Antigua’s main industry, accounting for more than 60% of the country’s gross domestic product and officials have expressed shock and fear the ramifications it could have on income.

“They have just created a big mess for the country,” said Kirk Browne, owner of Bigs Rent-A-Car.

Arlene Marsh, the newly-appointed general manager of the resort Halcyon Cove, said: “We have already increased our security and we are reviewing our plan.”

The incident is particular of concern for businesses who depend on the tourism trade at the time considered to be the slow period (June to October).

The Antiguan government has been promoting festivals and events to boost business.

In June, it staged a music festival to coincide with its promotion of that month as the honeymoon destination.

The annual Carnival celebrations (now taking place from late July to early August) usually attract hundreds of overseas visitors from the UK and the US.

“Intensive investigation”

Police say they acting on intelligence in their efforts to capture the perpetrator(s).

Inspector Cornelius Charles said: “It is an intensive investigation. The crime scene is protected 24 hours.

“Crime sleuths have been going back to the scene and people are being interviewed.

“We continue to pursue this vigorously.

“We are concentrating in areas where we think we have people of interest. It is an intelligence-led investigation. Our guys are going at this in an intensive manner.”

Dr Mullany’s murder is the 10th this year.

Antigua and Barbuda had 20 homicides last year, but this is the first tourist killing in 13 years.

 Nineteen homicides is too high for this size population. Gary Nelson, Antigua Police Commissioner

Commissioner Gary Nelson, the head the Royal Antigua Police Force, said it was unusual for a tourist to be targetted.

“A homicide is a terrible crime. Nineteen homicides is too high for this size population.

“I can tell you there were no tourists in that nineteen from last year but it’s still way too high in my opinion and we have been refocussing the police service since we have been here to put a proper focus on solutions and work with the community at large for prevention.”

Crime surge

In recent months, the country has been experiencing a surge in gun-related crimes, armed robberies, rapes at gunpoint and the shooting deaths of at least three young men aged between 17 and 24.

Tourism minister Harold Lovell, who penned a letter to all visitors at the resort, offered them the option of relocating to another property if they wished.

It was not clear if any of them took up the offer.

He said: “Our brand is based on people being safe. We will not tolerate any action that will tarnish the reputation the country.

“We have to be concerned about the impact of this incident. It will have an effect on our tourism but we have to ensure that our visitors feel safe.”

He is suggesting stringent border control measures to capture would-be criminals.

“I don’t think it should be a matter of someone just applying for an extension of stay and be granted. They should be asked to present a police report from their country,” Lovell said.

	VC Bird International airpiort – the gateway to Antigua and Barbuda

Lovell said the government will be doing a public relations campaign, particularly in the UK and the US – Antigua’s two biggest markets – to reassure people that the country is a safe destination, notwithstanding the crime problem.

Not surprised

A British woman living in Antigua – who asked to be known as Wendy to protect her identity – said she was not surprised by the attack.

She said: “It’s awful that this has happened but, um, it was always going to be there, it was always going to happen.

“The crime here is spiralling out of control. The government seem either powerless or not concerned enough to do anything about it.”

In the past when someone was murdered on the island it was such a rare occurrence that it would be reported for weeks and spoken about for months.

But the homicide rate in Antigua has jumped in the last few years.

The years 2004 and 2005 both saw three people killed on the island. However, the figure more than quadrupled in 2006 and last year 19 people died.

But Antigua is not alone in this growing trend in the region.

The island has a murder rate of 23 people per 100,000. Its neighbour in the eastern Caribbean, St Kitts, has 33 people murdered per 100,000 and Jamaica in the north sees 59 murders per 100,000 people.

The UK has two per 100,000.

The last time Antiguan detectives had to investigate the death of a visitor to their shores was in 1995.

Commissioner of Police for Antigua and Barbuda, Gary Nelson said: “This is the first homicide in over ten years a situation we never want to see repeated.

Everything is being done to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.”

The struggle to bring crime under control has seen the island have three Commissioners of Police in the past five years.

Like many countries in the region Antigua and Barbuba struggles with being a developing nation with limited resources.

Last year over 90,000 Britons visited Antigua and Barbuda.

Security

The appointment of Gary Nelson, who had been with the Canadian Mounted Police, was seen by many as a way of modernizing the island’s force.

However, according to Andy Liburd from the Antigua Sun newspaper, people want to see results and that means more officers on the street.

“They want to see a greater police presence,” he said. “The criminals aren’t intimidated by the police, they have no fear. People just want to see the criminals locked up. That’s the greatest discouragement to crime.”

The advice to tourists from the Foreign Office on Antigua and Barbuda remains the same as it is in many countries.

It urges visitors to “take sensible precautions and be vigilant at all times. Avoid isolated areas, including beaches after dark. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes”.

Last year over 90,000 Britons visited Antigua and Barbuda, the vast majority of them were not affected by crime.

Some travel writers have been telling British media that tourists shouldn’t be put off travelling to Antigua.

This assurance has been given by promoter Peter Boyce while charging that there had been “deliberate and malicious intentions to stop ticket sales” of the annual entertainment programme.

In a statement to the DAILY NATION Boyce charged that “every year the Royal Barbados Police Force has been consistently used by the powers that be in an effort to stop the Euphoria event”.

He further stated that “despite the good relationship we have sought to foster with the police in 2005, 2007 and now in 2008, the police are being used again to stand in the way of cultural entrepreneurs”.

Boyce said the event “has been on the same night as Cohobblopot [and] the police have been constantly used to protect the financial interests of Government agencies by stamping on private enterprises”.

Last Saturday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith said that the Royal Barbados Police Force had written the organisers of the annual fete stating it could not provide security.

Yesterday Griffith explained that there were procedures to be followed when requesting police presence at any event. Event promoters must “send an application to the Commissioner of Police three months before the scheduled event and we will then acknowledge receipt of application.”

He added that the police processes applications four weeks prior to the event as well, but a police presence could not be guaranteed as they would have to assess “whether or not they have the resources”.

Griffith confirmed that the force received an application from Boyce and stated that the Wildey Gymnasium fell under the Bridgetown jurisdiction and that they were responsible for approving the applications in that area.

The acting commissioner further said that a police presence was not necessary at that event as the “Gymnasium is a controlled environment; so they don’t need [police] presence”.

Griffith declined any comment on Boyce’s claim of that there had been attempts to block out Euphoria.

Source: Daily Nation