Bolt Action Mixtape

OK. I know I'm late with this one. Aidonia and Federation. Only the maddest mixtape of the year!
Download

Badman Blues volume 4

Holland's no.1 Herbalize It just released this double mix, just in time for the holiday season. No real badman tunes on this one, just roots, reality and culture; ah gallis grooves dis!

Download here.
Click images to have a better look at the tracklists.
PS: Happy 11th anniversary.

Lion D @ Toppa Toppa Wednesday

Lion D will be in Amsterdam this wednesday to promote his just released album The Burnin Melody. Support by Toppa Top Wednesday residents 90Degree Sound.


Don't miss this upcoming youth!

myspace.com/liondmusic
myspace.com/manjahfyah
bitterzoet.com

Amsterdam Reggae Festival Rundown

The organisation of the Amsterdam Reggae Festival could have been a little smoother, but it was the first edition (and it was sold out) so bigup sameway.
Here's something about the performances (in chronological order):

Punky Donch
Good band with some fresh sounding tunes and Papiamento lyrics. As I said before: the surprise of the night.

Serani
The first Jamaican star of the evening. As a pure dancehall artist I think he was programmed too early, but Serani and DJ Biggie really did their best. Thing is, they only addressed the ladies, who made up about only 50% of the audience... No Games of course got a big forward.



Richie Spice
An artist with a bag of hit tunes but performing live just isn't his specialty.

Duane Stephenson
Duane Stephenson put on a really solid show, he's got a beautiful voice and big tunes. The band that accompanied him was lot better than Richie Spice's too. The energy level was a bit low for the time of the night though. He could have better been in Serani's place and vice versa but again, no offense to the organisation...

Jah Cure
Best performance of the night. He did a a lot of his older tunes and ended with his newest hit Call On Me. Just great.


What an artist.

Shabba Ranks
Jah Cure gave the best performance but Shabba Ranks' performance was the most legendary. It's just not fair is it?
It was Shabba's first show in Europe since '93 and nobody knew what to expect. It would already have been a pleasant surprise if he didn't just suck, let alone be pretty impressive, which he was. After an over-the-top opening (2001: A Space Odyssey theme) he kicked off with some classics like Caan Dun and Dem Bow. Then some Roots & Culture and he ended with some duets with Selena Serano, including Mr Loverman. As the hosts said: historic.




Big up 1st Priority, see you next year.

Revitalised Bunker

The bunker in Amsterdam-North, in an old dock, was already the perfect location for an underground roots and culture session, but now it got even better, because it's revitalised!

Punky Donch- Sensimilla

The Aruban/Dutch band Punky Donch was for me one of the revelations of the Amsterdam Reggae Festival. More on ARF coming soon!

Shabba Ranks Announces Performance

If you are a bit sceptical towards the 2009 Shabba, go read the optimistic post about him on the Heatwave blog.

Smiley- Distance

Smiley's Dem A Wonder (with Juinior Kelly) was a big hit worldwide and even reached the top of the charts in Jamaica.
His newest tune Distance could well be his next hit song! Listen here (exclusively!).
Video coming late november.


Smiley on Jamaica with Fantan Mojah

Louder Than Words

Louder Than Words is a documentary about legendary soundman Ricky Trooper (Killamanjaro, Sound Trooper). At the Shoot Me Film Festival in Den Haag there was a sneak preview (some say world premiere). The trailer looks really really good!

Here a little report of the screening:

Songs Of Melody

"Give me the riddim make me flow like a water sing songs of melody!"

One Drop This Friday

One love, one drop. Let's get together and feel alright, this friday, Club Stalker, Haarlem!
Mail for guestlist.
Your ace from outer space.

Sizzla Stage Show

Sizzla is in Holland this week. Last show is this saturday in Paradiso Amsterdam followed by a massive Jamrock afterparty!
More info on paradiso.nl

Stone Love Champion Sound

This late 90's Stone Love collection was my first ever soundtape, my introduction to the Jamaican-style soundsystem.
Although it is studio-recorded it has a very real live-in-the-dance-feel. And good sound quality.
It's all about dubplates, sound effects, MC Gee Fus (known from quotes like "This one is a bombshell!!!" and "Liiiightaaa!!!") and selectors like WeePow, Rory and Bill Cosby.

Download here.
Tracklist in comments. If you don't know act like you know!

Holding On To Jah

More info about this documentary on Holdingontojah.com
via Dancehall.mobi

Mega Dance Hall Assassination

For more vintage dance flyers check Higher Level Sound here here and here.

Dubchamber

Dubchamber is a concept that stands for reggae, dub, dancehall and dubstep. For this edition organiser Lekkahband Soundcrew has invited Scotlands number one Reggae Dancehall soundsystem Mungo's HI FI. Releasing tunes from Ska through to Dancehall and Dubstep on their own Scotch Bonnet label, they took over the world. Mungo's HI FI will be joined by vocalist Kenny Knots, one of the most successful recording artists and live performers on the Reggae scene in Europe!
Tropical Soundmachine Lekkahband Soundcrew will be giving you their flavour of Reggae, Electro Dub and early Dancehall.
Next to Lekkahband's own MC Ruffnas, Jahvice from Finland will be giving this Dubchamber extravaganza some Scandinavian vocal reggae bliss.
This Dubchamber session ends with a massive Jungle/Dancehall/Ragga mash-up brought to you by Amsterdam's finest underground DJ and Cheeky Monday resident DJ Koldun. They've got it all.

We can give away two spots on the guestlist! Send an e-mail with your full name to wazarisoundsystem@hotmail.com.