Newsletter Detail

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FURTHER ON IN THE NEWS # 19 2004

CEASEFIRE

Both Bounty killer and Beenie Man have been at the pinnacle of the hardcore dancehall scene for over a decade. Their strong conflicting personalities creating contention between the artists and their supporters.

Despite being at loggerheads from the start of the year the two dancehall stars recently announced that they have decided to cease the war that has ran intermittenly for 11 years.
Beenie Man who as involved in a near fatal car crash earlier in the year commented that the accident had helped him put the lyrical confrontation into prespective stating "...when life give you the chance to make things right you have to do it and don't hesitate."

Bounty Killer aka The Warlord felt that the hostile vibes projected through the recent recordings from both artists had a negative effect on the reggae music industry.
Commenting that "Its definately time me and Beenie set aside our differences."

The two artists have had some epic clashes in the past that have brought tremendous excitement to the patrons that fulljoy the lyrical battle of the two dancehall favourites going toe to toe.
These memories have been recaptured by Cyrus on Video and DVD.

The 1st encounter was in 1993 at Stonelove 21st Anniversary when Bounty Killer reacted angrily to Beenie Man pirating his lyrical pattern and melodies. This is available also on video & DVD.
The second encounter was weeks later at the infamous stageshow Sting 1993, when Bounty Killer walks up on Beanie Man but the doctor defends his corner admirably, also features both artists post reaction to the clash.

Since the peace treaty the artists performed together at top selector big belly Sky Juice's birthday bash, this is now available on DVD.

A MUSICAL PIONEER

Cyrus Distributions would like to send commiseration to the Dodd Family. The passing of Clement Seymour Dodd aka the legendary "Sir Coxsone" aged 72, has shook the reggae fraternity to it's foundations that this great man was instrumental in creating.
A real pioneer in the music business coxsone's sound Downbeat was one of the first ever to voice artists exclusively for his own sound which is now commonly known as a special or dub plate.

Coxsone acquired his own studio, started several record label which borne the majestic Studio 1st label.
He was the first man in Jamaica to have his own publishing house consequently propelling him to a executive producer of mammoth proportions.
Indeed he produced some of the most exhilarating riddims in the history of the music that are stillbeing revamped and heavily used today such as 'The Answer, Death in the Arena, Throw Me Corn, The Real Rock.'

LEGENDARY STATUS

Coxsone also unearthed, nurtured and assisted in developing some artists that went on to gain international acclaim such as Bob Marley, Ken Boothe, Burning Spear, Alton Ellis and Horace Andy.
The fact that the producers in reggae music and throughout the world 'relick' and speed up his riddims at these times of modern technolgy are testament to the works Coxsone was instrumental in achieving.

We pay respect to the great man whose vision and application was fundamental in creating the music of reggae.
Check out Studio 1st Nite which features Ken Boothe singing all his hits from rock steady to reggae.

JAPAN FESTIVAL

Japan has always had a affinity to reggae music from the days of Bob Marley extensive touring spreading the message across the globe.

Indeed till this day exclusive mixes of Marley tracks and other classic reggae can only be found on the island.
However reggae artists only started travelling there in numbers in the 1980s to perform to an underground audience that remains vibrant today.

Japan Fest held in 1986 features some of the greatest artists of the late 70s-80s era in reggae music.
The show is started by the ingenious singer the late great Tena Saw who delivers his tunes with vigour and style to complete his consise set.
Augustus Pablo the master of the melodica instrument combined with some great producers to construct some of the most invigorating dub versions in reggae music and the japanese lap up the classic 'Java' and 'East Of The River Nile'
Sister Coral does a brief rendition of some Marley favourites before exiting for Frankie 'Dancehall' Paul. He bellows out powerful tunes that made him so popular on the international reggae scene a blend of lovers rock, reality and real dancehall flava's.
Sugar Minott the visonary behind the Youthman Promotion sound and talent haven. Closes the show with dancehall essentials like 'Herbsman Hustling' 'Nah Go Ah South Africa' rock the sea of japanese patrons well into the night. Japan Fest now available here!

WHAT'S BLING IV????????

Elephant Man fresh off tour in Japan where his album 'Good To Go' for VP records recently sold half a million copies(Gold), has now returned to the island briefly to appear in some local based shows.

Bling IV was held in Kingston and features a host of artists like Turbulance, Predator, Queen Paula, Vybz Kartel, Assassin & Elephant Man.
On this show there appears to be bad vibes between Elephant Man & Kartel, aswell as the lyrical rivalry that is ongoing with Assassin and Kartel.
Elephant Man gives his usual high energy performance but when Kartel joins the stage to work Ele clearly takes two steps back as to distance himself from Vybz Kartel who mixes his performance with some new lyrics ana a combination with Predator.

Assassin who has recently signed a three album deal with VP/Atlantic performs with honesty but seems disgruntled with the whole situation. Kartel for his part, attempts to blanket the vibes by drawing in Assassin into a huddle whilst rhyming with Predator.
Both Kartel and Assassin DJ the tunes that have created controversy between them which makes the vibes seem ever more strange.

WARTANKA MARCHES ON!

Black Kat will now go down in sound system record books, as the sound to win the most coveted clash titles in one year.
Pink Panther& Yunsi have won the US World Clash 2003-2004, Uk Cup Clash 2004, Death B4 Dishonour (Jamaica World Clash)2004 and most recently the African Cup which was held in Canada.

Almost a clean sweep, Black Kat are now going into sound clashes with arrogance of champions, knowing that no matter what the other sound plays, their world renown anthems combined with the wit of Pink Panther will make them hard to defeat.
They will now be playing at the Athens Olympics 2004. Listen to Black Kat annihilate some sounds on CD, JA World Clash, African Cup in Canada, all available here.

The clean sweep for the Wartanka was denied them by Sound Trooper in Japan who defeated Black Kat & Tony Matterhorn in the Japan World Clash.
A sound clash Japanese style makes intriguing viewing, every selecta/sound has their own turntable and CD console.
Tony Matterhorn sprints out into the lead 'Mr Scubay' is winning by a landslide as both Trooper & Panther struggle to keep up, however once we reach the crucial Dub 4 Dub stage, Trooper manages to claw his way back into contention. Available on CD & DVD.

PORTLAND SPLASH

Louie Culture held his annual stageshowin his native parish recently, the 'Gangalee' is well respected in the business and this was evident in the artists that came out and performed magnificently.
Junior Murvin another Portland artist opened the show and gave the massive a musical treat with his late 1970s classic 'Cool Out Son' and the internationally acclaimed Police and Theives.

The show escalated in performances with some quality entertainment from Beenie Man, Sizzla, Capleton, Ritchie Spice, Cocoa T, Ritchie Stephens, a rare blessing by Louie Culture himself.

IT'S A PARTY 2004

Bounty Killer celebrated his 32nd Birthday in exotic style, beautiful ladies dressed in skimpy outfits dancing in cages and oil wrestlng, not the type of event you would associate with the Warlord. However the stageshow segment lived upto and exceeded the hype with good performances by Buju Banton, Elephant Man, Vbyz Kartel, Ghost, Bounty, Norrisman & more. Get your copy here on DVD now!!!!!!

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