Thursday, March 27, 2008

Garrison Thoughts



Mavado's latest video for "Last Night/Gully Side" is brutal. It's simply a gunblast of Kingston gully/garrison realism.

On the garrison topic, this Unreported World documentary attempts to figure out why the wars dem still a gwaan. This doc is a little less sensationalist than Ross Kemp's "On Gangs: Jamaica" episode, but gets props for taking it to the government officials a.k.a. patrons of ghetto misery.

This week I wrote about Japan's Mighty Crown winning their second World Clash Jamaica: Death Before Dishonor title. That follows a win at World Clash New York a few months ago, and leaves the sound crew with a giant target on their back when they face Killamanjaro, Rodigan, Bass Odyssey and others at April 5's UK Cup Clash.

Oi oi! This cat Prince Fatty is the heat right now. Cat just did a fine remix of Manu Chao's "Politik Kills". (download). Also just heard an excellent new Prince Fatty cover of Dr. Dre's "Gin & Juice" featuring Horseman (classic rub-a-dub DJ) and Winston Francis. Massive. (listen here)

Because ForwardEver readers get the news early out -- I'm currently prepping feature on US ragga emcees that incorporate or work with electronic music producers or DJs. DJ Collage a.k.a. Mr Chatman (Seattle), Juakali (NYC), ZULU (Chicago) and Treasure Don (NYC) are a few who will be featured. Look for this mid-summer in a publication to be announced.

Those dem weh know can catch me live inna Seattle at the EMP Pop conference giving my talk, "From Nanny to Ninja Man" Revolution in Jamaica Music and Culture" Saturday April 12, 9 a.m.

More news and mixes soon come...