Nasio Fontaine on tour!

This is the highly-anticipated tour schedule for Nasio Fontaine, appearing with the legendary Gregory Isaacs and the Live Wyaa Band, and Mishka in a city near you!

Nasio's new album (released June 5th) is UNIVERSAL CRY and it is available from Greensleeves Records or your favorite record store. For further information check out: www.greensleeves.net and www.nasioreggae.com.

June 7: SLO Brewing Company, San Luis Obispo, CA

June 8: House of Blues, Anaheim, CA

June 9: Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA

June 11: 4th & B, San Diego, CA

June 12: The Club House, Tempe, AZ

June 13: Orpheum Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

June 14: Club Alegria, Santa Fe. NM

June 15: Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO

June 16: Suede, Park City, UT

June 17: The Big Easy, Boise, ID

June 18: Nightlight, Bellingham, WA

June 19: Berbati's Pan, Portland, OR

June 20: Chop Suey, Seattle, WA

June 21: Taboo, Eugene, OR

June 23: Independent, San Francisco, CA

June 24: Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Boonville, CA

July 15: Sonar, Baltimore, MD

July 16: Kahunaville, Willmington, DE

July 17: B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York, NY

July 18: Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT

July 19: Toad's Place, New Haven, CT

July 21: The Paradise, Boston, MA

July 22: Ocean State Reggae Festival, Charlestown, RI

July 23: 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

August 5: Anguilla Carnival, British West Indies

BEFORE THE LEGEND SWEEPSTAKES

Enter to Win the
RAGGA MUFFINS FESTIVAL
GET-AWAY WEEKEND
and Dozens of Other Prizes!

In celebration of their new book, Before The Legend - The Rise of Bob Marley by Christopher John Farley, Amistad Books is hosting a fabulous sweepstakes with 180 prizes! Enter today on www.ReggaeFestivalGuide.com. The random-pick drawing will occur on September 16, 2006. The first name chosen will win the Grand Prize upon the winner's qualifications and confirmation. The next 50 names chosen will receive a hardcover copy of the book. The next 30 winners will be sent a one-size-fits-all knit beanie by Livity Outernational and the final 100 people win one of an assortment of irie gifts. (Note: U.S. addresses only.)

When entering the Before the Legend Sweepstakes at www.ReggaeFestivalGuide.com, you'll see a link to our short Reader Survey. All the things we do (website, e-guide and magazine) are provided free. We're entirely supported by advertising, and it's only natural that our advertisers want some info about you, our reader. So if you have an extra minute, click on the Reader Survey and answer a few questions. By doing so, you will double your chances to win!

The Grand Prize includes two VIP backstage passes to Ragga Muffins Festival at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, CA, February 17-18, 2007. The winner will also receive roundtrip airfare for two with ground transportation to and from the airport (from U.S. point of origin), plus a two-night stay at the festival host hotel - the Long Beach Hyatt. If you win, and live less than 200 miles from the Long Beach Airport or LAX, no problem mon! We'll send a car for you and your guest from your home to the hotel and back. Imagine the excitement of mingling with your favorite reggae performers backstage!

Although the lineup for 2007 hasn't been announced yet, each year gets better and better. 2006 included reggae icons such as The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, The Itals and Freddie McGregor and artists from the current generation like Gentleman, Anthony B, Dezarie, Matisyahu, Richie Spice and Lutan Fyah. This excellent Grand Prize is complements of Moss Jacobs Presents in association with Ragga Muffins Production. Please check website for updates: www.raggamuffinsfestival.com. Transportation is provided by Amistad Books /Harper Collins Publishing.

Fifty lucky people will each win a copy of the new hardcover Bob Marley book, Before The Legend - The Rise of Bob Marley. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the passing of this musical genius, the book goes beyond the myth of Marley to bring you the private side of the reggae superstar few people ever really knew.

Thirty winners will receive knit beanies from Livity Outernational, a one love inspired clothing, hat and luggage company. Check out their full line of products at www.livity.org. One hundred more winners will enjoy a gift from one of our sponsors!...

How to Enter the Sweepstakes
Enter online at www.ReggaeFestivalGuide.com to be eligible for the fabulous Grand Prize package. Double your chances of winning one of the 180 prizes by first completing the Reader Survey online.

You must be a United States citizen and residing in the U.S. and eighteen (18 years of age or older as of January 1, 2007) to be eligible to win a prize.

Caribbean-American Heritage Month & Black Music Month in the United States

Throughout the United States, June is now the first ever Caribbean-American Heritage Month and it is also Black Music Month.

Let's celebrate the contributions of the Caribbeans and those members of the African Diaspora worldwide to the great music tradition we are all united by, REGGAE MUSIC!

Origins of this year's first ever Caribbean-American Heritage Month

On June 27, 2005 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) to designate a national "Caribbean American Heritage Month."

"Establishing Caribbean American Heritage Month will celebrate the contributions of millions of Caribbean Americans to the United States since the inception of the country," Lee said, arguing for the bill.

The Caribbean is the source of the U.S.’s earliest and largest Black immigrant group and the primary source of growth of the Black population in the U.S. The region has exported more of its people than any other region of the world since the abolition of slavery in 1834. The fact that there are close to 50 Caribbean carnivals throughout North America attests to the permanence of the Caribbean immigration experience. According to a report by Lee’s office, from 1820 to 2002 more than 68 million people emigrated from the Caribbean region to the U.S.

Caribbean music, such as soca, calypso, reggae, compass and now reggaeton, is having a profound impact on U.S. popular culture. Other Caribbean cultural expressions, like food, dance and art, are becoming established in mainstream America. The prominence of first-and second-generation Caribbean figures in U.S. labor and grassroots politics for many decades also testifies to the long tradition and established presence of the Caribbean population.

Origins of Black Music Month

Black Music Month was launched in 1978 by writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Motown label founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder, among others. The month of June was first declared Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter in 1979

Official Proclamations from President George Bush

"Our nation has thrived as a country of immigrants, and we are more vibrant and hopeful because of the talent, faith, and values of Caribbean-Americans Caribbean-Americans have enriched American society and added to our strength. They have been leaders in government, sports, entertainment, the arts, and many other fields. We are united by our common values and shared history. And I join all Americans in celebrating the rich Caribbean heritage and the many ways in which Caribbean Americans have helped shape this nation".

"African-American musicians have added to the rich culture of our country and of countries around the world. During Black Music Month, we recognize the African-American artists who have enhanced our lives and created some of our Nation's most treasured art forms.

Throughout history, African-American artists have produced music with the power to change hearts and shape our national conscience. From gospel to blues, from jazz to rock and roll, the songs of America's black musicians have defined our times and enriched our culture. Performers such as Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie and vocalists such as Lizzie Miles and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson have made their mark as great American musicians, strengthening our Nation's diversity and lifting the human spirit.

In 2005, Americans witnessed the power of music to help bring our country together. Following the devastation of the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, the musicians of that great region sought to preserve their unique musical style and culture and share it with the rest of the Nation. The soulful music of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast remains one of our national treasures, a symbol of creativity and hope.

Black Music Month recognizes some of the brightest lights of American creativity and honors the African-American men and women whose art entertains and inspires us."
 
 
 
 

Austrian Reggae: The Vienna Dub Masters
By DJ ChillWill host, the Dub Session podcast

Since the mid 1990s, Vienna Austria has become a major hub for innovation, experimentation and production of dubtronic-style reggae. The Vienna sound is a distinct blend of drum and bass, acid jazz, electronic downtempo, and reggae music taking cues from the production techniques of King Tubby, Lee Perry, The Mad Professor and ColdCut.

The defining characteristic of the Vienna sound is the confluence of electronic dance music and reggae dub-style production - yielded a unique "Vienna Scientists" style. This innovative mixing and blending of styles has introduced legions of new dance music fans to dub reggae; helped to popularize and revitalize the dub and reggae music industry; and has launched many new crossover reggae/dub/electronica artists.

Many of the key figures in the Vienna dub scene can be found on the resident G-Stone label run by the legendary dub-electronica production team Kruder & Dorfmeister.

There is also the famous weekly live event the "Dub Club" run by DJs, toasters, producers and bedroom rockers alike. The Dub Session podcast episode 34 showcases many of Vienna's key Dub Masters. This artist and producer list includes: Tosca, Dhizan & Kamien, Dr. Richard (Dorfmeister), The Peace Orchestra (Kruder), DJ DSL, Rockers Hi-Fi, Stereotyp, Walkner, Sofa Surfers, Markus Kienzl, Rodney Hunter, Megablast and The Vienna Scientists collective, as well as "Toasters" Farda P, Sugar B, and Tikimon to name a few.

Check the Dub Session podcast as it heads to Central Europe to showcase the dub-tronic sounds of Vienna, Austria. Niceness!

www.dubsession.com/podcastbroadcast.htm
 
 
 
 

New Orleans Jazz Festival
By Wyatt Wells

Eight months after Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing flooding ravaged New Orleans, the city put its collective troubles aside took time out to celebrate. The occasion was the 37th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest, as it is widely known, began in 1970 as a vehicle to preserve and showcase the rich musical and cultural traditions of Louisiana, and has grown into one of the premier music festivals in the nation.

The festival ran Friday, Saturday, Sunday for two consecutive weeks featuring over 150 musical acts on 9 stages, more than 300 craft booths, and upwards of 50 food vendors featuring a wide variety of local and regional specialties including boiled crawfish, po’boy sandwiches, and snowballs. There was concerted effort by Jazzfest promoters to include more well know, big name artists this year, in an effort to attract badly needed tourist dollars to the City, including, Bruce Springsteen, Angelique Kidjo, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, Yolanda Adams, Doug E Fresh & Slick Rick, La India, Elvis Costello, Etta James, and Ani DiFranco. Despite this effort, the festival stayed true to its roots with the line-up still featuring over 80 percent local talent including, Fats Domino (who, unfortunately, was unable to perform) The Meters, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Hugh Maskela, Irma Thomas, Ani DiFranco, The Ohio Players, The Radiators, Buckwheat Zydeco, Galactic, Rebirth Brass Band, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Emotions were running high as many of these artist had lost everything and were returning home and reuniting for the for the first time post Katrina.

Attendance figures for the festival were estimated at around 350,000 strong, amazingly an indication of no drop-off from previous years. By all accounts Jazzfest was a huge success and an important step in the healing and rebuilding of New Orleans.
 
 
 
 

Hollywood Ska & Reggae Fest

This event is going to be epic! Presented by Reggae Forum (www.reggaeforum.com) at the Henry Ford Theatre (6126 Hollywood Blvd) the lineup features 5 great ska and rocksteady artists; Alton Ellis, Derrick Morgan, Dennis Alcapone, Pat Kelly & Owen Gray appearing for one night only. Also performing will be The Expanders, Kingston Ska Collective and MC Junor Francis. Don't miss these pioneers of reggae music if you are inna de area.
 
 
 
 

Reggae Festival Guide 2006, Hot Off The Press!

The Guide is free if you pick it up at festivals, shops and book stores in your area (check with your local festival promoter).

You may obtain a copy by clicking the "Order Guide" button below via PayPal, or mail ($6.50 U.S. / $10 overseas). Although the Guide is free, cost covers postage, envelope, label and handling. New Guides are not shipped out until May of each year. Thank you for your continued interest!

ORDER VIA PAYPAL (U.S. ONLY)

ORDER VIA MAIL (U.S. & ABROAD)

Mail Check or Money Order in the
amount of $6.50 ($10 overseas):

RBA Publishing LLC
Reggae Festival Guide
P.O. Box 50635
Reno, NV 89513

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 3oz margarine or butter
• 1 tbls sugar
• 2 tbls milk
• 1 cup grated coconut
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp almond essence
• 2 tsp water
• 1/2 tsp lime juice

Directions:

Combine together pastry base of flour, margarine or butter, sugar and milk. Rollout to 1/8" thick. Cut into rounds, fit into muffin tins and pinch the edges. Mix grated coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond essence, water and lime juice. Fill pastry case half full and bake 400F for 15 minutes till pastry golden brown.

Courtesy of www.fantasyisle.com

They say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". In every culture and tongue there are versions of this age old proverb. Basically, this means beauty is determined by the individual who does the looking. It is based upon individual perception, value and attitude. Shakespeare said, "Love adds a precious seeing to the eye." We see this in art all the time. What is beautiful to one person, may be ugly to another. Everyone has there own idea about where beauty lies. An art collector friend of mine told me that during times of war, the monetary value of art rises. This speaks volumes to the true value of beauty in the world. During dark times light remains patient knowing that renaissance will occur again. Beauty makes our world brighter. Sometimes it is necessary to search for beauty; consider what is beautiful to you. Here's a list of a few of my favorite beautiful things that I am grateful for...

My children in my arms at rest. An image created from the mind and conveyed onto canvas. A bridge stretched beyond a great crevasse. A burden comforted by love. Lovers engaged in a kiss. A dandelion sent away by a children's wish. The Ocean with its glory and power. Adaptation to light in the darkest hour.

Blessings,
Curt

Passionate for human rights and politics, bourgeoning writer Curt Byrum keeps his readers abreast of current news events. In addition to being a writer, he is a Respiratory Therapist residing in California. Curt also has a passion for music of all genres, writes experimental music and is a poet/lyricist. Reach Curt at curtreggaefestivaleguide.com. Website: www.jamescurtbyrum.com.

Courtesy of Roots Music Report "where only the music matters". This chart reflects the radio airplay spins of some of the most prominent people in the genre, worldwide. Reporters to the chart include over 100 radio stations who are playing reggae; record stores and distributors selling the reggae; clubs booking blues artists; and key music correspondents throughout the world.

For further information about the Roots Music Report, visit www.rootsmusicreport.com
 

Generated on: Thursday 08th of June 2006 12:49:13 AM
TW	LW	Artist:	CD Title:	Label:	Weeks On:	Location:
1	23	MERCADO NEGRO	AQUECIMENTO GLOBAL	UNIVERSAL	2	PORTUGAL
2	3	JAH CURE	NEVER DIE LIKE A FOOL	DANGER ZONE	10	JAMAICA
3	14	THE CONGOS & FRIENDS	FISHERMAN STYLE	BLOOD & FIRE	3	JAMAICA
4	2	MIDNITE	JAH GRID	I GRADE	10	ST CROIX
5	4	BURNING SPEAR	OUR MUSIC	BURNING MUSIC	10	JAMAICA
6	5	DENNIS BROWN	SUPER REGGAE & SOUL HITS	TROJAN	10	JAMAICA
7	6	JR REID	ONE BLOOD	VP	10
8	9	FAT FREDDY'S DROP	THE DROP	WANDERING EYE	10	AUSTRALIA
9	10	NATURAL BLACK	BE PATIENT	P G MUSIC	10	JAMAICA
10	11	LUCIANO	JAH WORDS	RAS SANCTUARY	10
11	12	MISTY IN ROOTS	FORWARD	KAZ	10	UK
12	13	YAMI BOLO	MINISTRY	SELF	10
13	17	SUGAR MINOTT	DANCEHALL BUSINESS	BLACK ROOTS	10	JAMAICA
14	18	BURRO BANTON	RISE AND SHINE	MASSIVE B	10	JAMAICA
15	19	MICHAEL ROSE	BABYLON 9/11	LOVE INJECTION	10	JAMAICA
16	20	LACKSLEY CASTELL	PRINCESS LADY	NEGUS ROOTS	10
17	21	JOSEY WALES	COWBOY STYLE	SELF	10
18	33	THE SENIOR ALL STARS	RED LEAF	GROVER RECORDS	2	GERMANY
19	NEW	NUCLEUS ROOTS	HEART OF DUB	UNIVERSAL EGG	1	UK
20	29	LEE SCRATCH PERRY & THE WHITEBELLYRATS	ALIVE, MORE THAN EVER	DAMP MUSIC	2	JAM/CH
21	30	ANTHONY B	SMOKE FREE	BOGALUSA	10	JAMAICA
22	24	ANTHONY B	MY HOPE	MINOR7FLAT5	2	GERMANY
23	26	JOSIE MEL	RASTA STILL DEH BOUT	MINOR7FLAT5	1
24	37	DUB INCORPORATION	DANS LE DÉCOR	PRODUCTION SPECIALES	3	FRANCE
25	42	MONTY ALEXANDER WITH ERNEST RANGLIN	ROCKSTEADY	TELARC	4
26	16	VARIOUS ARTIST	CAPITAL P	VP	2	NY
27	43	ZIGGY MARLEY	DRAGONFLY	RCA	4
28	8	BOB MARLEY & WAILERS	SLOGANS	ISLAND	11	JAMAICA
29	44	GREGORY ISAACS	MR. ISAACS	BLOOD & FIRE	3	JA
30	45	BEAT PHARMACY	CONSTANT PRESSURE	DEEP SPACE MEDIA	3
31	46	LEROY SMART	DREAD HOT IN AFRICA	MAKASOUND	3
32	47	ABIJAH	SAMPLER	KRUCIAL REGGAE	3
33	48	JR. KELLY	FIVE DESCIPLES- PT4	PENITENTIARY RECORDS	3
34	49	MESSENJAHZ	JOURNEY TO ZION	ONYXION	3
35	50	DILL-IN-JAH & PITT	ORIGINAL SONGS OF	AFRICAN DESCENDANTS	3
36	41	MUGZEE	OUTHOUSE VOL1	ODC/BOO RECORDS	1
37	42	THE VICEROYS	INNA DE YARD	MAKASOUND	1
38	43	BIG YOUTH	MUSICOLOGY	VISION SOUNDS	1
39	44	CHRONICLE	FEEL THIS ONE	LOCAL WORKS	1
40	45	JAH-N-I	RASTAFARI LIVE	HIGH HOPES	1
41	46	ZIGGI	HIGH TIME	ROCK'N VIBES-DAS VIBES	1
42	47	RAS PENCO	RIGHT PLACE	5TH ELEMENT	1
43	48	M	CD SINGLE	5TH ELEMENT	1
44	49	RANKIN SCROO	ABOVE DEM	CRUCIAL YOUTH/PULL UUUP	1
45	50	EVERTON BLENDER	MY TIME	EXPLORER	1
46	46	JAH MASON	RISE	UPRISING MUSIC	1
47	31	BINGHI GHOST	STREET HITS	STREET SCHOLAR RECORDS	3
48	47	VAUGHN BENHAMIN & RAS L	THRU & TRUE	FASTAFARIA	1
49	13	DENNIS BOVEL	DECIBEL	PRESSURE SOUNDS	1
50	14	PETER BROGGS	IGZABIHIR YAKAL	KING SHILO	1

The island’s coat of arms is an Arawak couple beside a shield displaying pineapples and the crest of a Jamaican crocodile.

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The weekly E-Guide is a wonderful resource for those who live, love and enjoy reggae and its vibrant culture. It encompasses the food, music and spirituality that define the unique and diverse community. You can expect CD releases and industry news, band tours, Caribbean recipes and travel, inspirational pieces, reggae trivia and of course, upcoming reggae festivals.

For years, the Reggae Festival Guide Magazine received numerous requests for updates on festivals via email, and on May 2, 2004, the webmaster of ReggaeFestivalGuide.com, Kristine Cummins partnered with the magazine (RBA Publishing), and published the first emailed issue of the E-Guide E-Newsletter. Within a few months, the E-Guide went from less than 100 to over 2500 subscribers! [Click here for amount of current subscribers]. In May of 2005, we upgraded the appearance to full color and now, a year later, we're back to free subscriptions and proud to announce our new Editor, Justine Ketola. You may email her at editorreggaefestivalEguide.com.

To reach thousands of reggae enthusiasts, click here to learn how to advertise in this Reggae Festival E-Guide E-Newsletter.
 

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