“The family of Cedric Im Brooks would like to take the time to thank all his fans and well wishers for their out pouring of love and tremendous [...]]]> Wayne Brooks, the eldest son of Cedirc “Im” Brooks, has issued a statement on behalf of the family as a thank you and update on the legendary Saxaphonist.

“The family of Cedric Im Brooks would like to take the time to thank all his fans and well wishers for their out pouring of love and tremendous support in these real trying times. We would also like to take this time to keep all concerned abreast of his situation.”

You can read the full statement at this site:
www.reggaeharmony.com

Steadybeat Recordings was the top of the pops back in the 90’s LA traditional scene and the man at the controls, King [...]]]> There’s a new event about to take off from Chinatown in a couple of weeks. Intensified! Rockin’ The Steady Beat brings the traditional ska and reggae back to Chinatown (anyone remember Hong Kong Cafe?).

Steadybeat Recordings was the top of the pops back in the 90’s LA traditional scene and the man at the controls, King Steadybeat, has slowly been getting back into the action here and there.

This may well be a proper return to form for the man who brought us the likes of the first Hepcat, Ocean 11, See Spot and more back in the day of the OG Hong Kong Cafe sets and The Intensified Fest.
INTENSIFIED!
Rockin The Steady Beat Every Last Sunday
New Monthly Kick-Off: Sunday March 28th

Featuring:
IRIE BEATS (original lineup featuring members from The Allentons, Los Bullets, The Lions, The Titans and Pachamama.
& Top Selectors
The Lawless One (ACE Klub, Ska Wave, Trojan Lounge)
King Steadybeat (Rockers On The Waterfront)
Soul Station #1 (Rockers On The Waterfront)

GRAND STAR JAZZ CLUB
943 Sun Mun Way, Los Angeles
21+over, $5 Cover Full Bar

RSVP TO THE FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.

We’re gonna start a new semi-regular feature of the site. It’s called NOW HEAR DIS and will feature something that you need to hear. Most likely it won’t just be a song (but could be if it really needs to be heard!) but an interview, or radio show, podcast – something of a special interest. [...]]]>

We’re gonna start a new semi-regular feature of the site. It’s called NOW HEAR DIS and will feature something that you need to hear. Most likely it won’t just be a song (but could be if it really needs to be heard!) but an interview, or radio show, podcast – something of a special interest. So here is the first one for your listening pleasure.

FROM THE TROJAN RECORDS WEBSITE:
All this week the BBC are repeating the 2006 documentary, ‘Tighten Up – The Story of Trojan Records’. The series, presented by DJ/ Filmmaker/ Clash confidant Don Letts, comprises four 30 minute shows.

Widely dubbed Reggae‘s Motown, Trojan played a major role in introducing Jamaican music to the world at large and during the late sixties and early seventies chalked up nearly 30 hit singles as well as launching successful album series, most notably ‘Tighten Up’, ‘Reggae Chartbusters’ and ‘Club Reggae’. During this time the company helped launch the careers of numerous Jamaican acts in Britain and beyond, with Jimmy Cliff, John Holt, Ken Boothe, Bob & Marcia and Dave & Ansel Collins just of few of those to make their mark on an international stage via Trojan.

This series tells not just the story of Trojan Records, but also reveals how Jamaican music arrived in the UK. Discover how it all began and how the influx of young Jamaicans into post-war Britain kick-started a West Indian music scene in the UK. Find out how the British skinheads helped propel Ska and Reggae into the mainstream Pop charts and how the music adapted to UK tastes to become internationally successful. Learn too how the whole empire came crashing down, only for Punk and 2Tone to lead to a resurgence, helping confirm Trojan as one of the coolest and most important labels for Reggae music.

With contributions from Ken Boothe, Bunny Lee, BB Seaton, Derrick Harriot, Dandy Livingstone, John Holt, Ansel Collins, Rico Rodriguez, Bob Andy, Derrick Morgan and many more.

To check it out, go to the following:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jl2d

There’s a good little bit posted at The Jamaica Gleaner.

As always [...]]]> Trojan Records is gathering material for another in its expanded re-isssue campaign – this time for rare Desmond Dekker releases. They plan to re-issue the first 2 albums (007 Shantytown & Isrealites) from the artist with expanded and rare/ unreleased bonus material.

There’s a good little bit posted at The Jamaica Gleaner.

As always check the Trojan Records website for all the latest news.

Well I hope everyone got their Specials tickets the other day. That’s gonna be a great show. Remember tomorrow night is the next ACE session – The Lover’s Nite @ The Good Nite. Also: Pama International are ready to take the nation! There’s plenty of other events coming up and around those US Specials’ shows [...]]]> Hello Massive!

Well I hope everyone got their Specials tickets the other day. That’s gonna be a great show. Remember tomorrow night is the next ACE session – The Lover’s Nite @ The Good Nite. Also: Pama International are ready to take the nation! There’s plenty of other events coming up and around those US Specials’ shows as well so keep checking the sites & newsletter for more info. READ MORE BELOW.

IN THIS ISSUE:
- Pama Listening Parties
- Lawless Street Blog Update
- Ace Club Update
- Concert Listing

PAMA INTERNAIONAL STORMS THE NATION
The Dancing Mood Community and Musical Occupation are planning listening parties across the nation for Pama International’s new album "Pama Outernational" featuring Lynval Golding & Horace Panter of the Specials! The album is a dub-tastic soul excursion. If you’ve been digging the Easy Star All-Stars stuff and fans of plain old good reggae style grooves then stay tuned into the newsletter for more info. 

If you’re interested in hosting a listening party in your town then please send an email to: info@dancingmood.net and let me know! It’s pretty easy really – find a venue, scooter shop, coffee shop, a band or dj night and see if they are interested in playing the new album during the night. We’ll send you copies of the album, marketing materials and we’ll help you promote via our network and the bands. Everyone wins! Just for helping out we’ll make sure you get something SPECIAL too.

VISIT THE OFFICIAL SPECIALS PAMA INTERNATIONAL LISTENING PARTY FACEBOOK.
 

LAWLESS STREET BLOG NEWS
I’ve been doing a little blogging on my site as well as Musical Occupation. If you haven’t checked it out yet please visit: www.lawless-street.com for all sorts of cool stuff on ska and reggae. The latest blog entry concerns the importance of Peter Tosh & Bunny Wailer to Bobs lasting legacy. It’s a very interesting read.
 

READ THE BLOG HERE: www.lawless-street.com
 

ACE CLUB UPDATE

It’s that time of the month for another ACE session. This month we’ve got a special guest or 2 bringing new sounds to make you shimmy and shake including mistress of the walk Paula Weller! It’s a Lover’s Edition and my birthday celebration – the start of it anyway since I’ll be dancing through out the weekend. So come out to North Hollywood’s hottest club THE GOOD NITE Thursday night and be ready to mash up the dance with ska, mod revival and plenty of dirty soul.

We’ve also launched a simple website at http://ace.soulrebelsclub.comwhere you can listen to ACE Radio all day long with some of the meatest cuts. There’s not much there now but we’re adding stuff all the time. Check out ACE RADIO! Tell a friend and have them sign up for the newsletter to keep up to date on all the fun.

Please visit the ACEBOOK page for photos and to see who of your friends will be there too! It’s gonna be another night of fun.

Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 9:00pm
The Good Nite Bar
http://www.thegoodnite.com
Full bar, comfortable lounge seating, clean, plenty of street parking, Free motorcycle/scooter parking in front of the entrance.
10721 Burbank Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA
No Cover! Drink Specials all night!

LAWLESS APPEARANCES:
Friday February 26th – Trojan Lounge
Saturday March 20th – Long Beach Sound Society
Saturday March 20th - Ska Wave
Saturday June 5h – Fist Full of Sins Scooter Event
Saturday June 26th – Ska In The Park

OTHER EVENTS COMING UP:

Saturday March 13 – Soulside
 

SEE YOU IN THE DANCEHALL!!!

As always check the websites for more info.
www.dancingmood.net
www.musicaloccupation.com
www.lawless-street.com
www.ace.soulrebelsclub.com
 

The Gleaner is running a fairly interesting 2 part article on the importance of Peter Tosh & Bunny Wailer to the rise of Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Here is a small excerpt from the article: Reggae month (February), also the earth month of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, is a vital period in which to highlight [...]]]>

The Gleaner is running a fairly interesting 2 part article on the importance of Peter Tosh & Bunny Wailer to the rise of Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Here is a small excerpt from the article:
Reggae month (February), also the earth month of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, is a vital period in which to highlight the effort of historians and commentators who attempt to redress misconceptions perpetuated by clever record company public relations and publicity personnel and other interest parties that distort reggae music’s reality, purposely or innocently.

The case of the original Wailers, who were primarily Bob Marley, Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh, but at times included Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso, Cherry Green, Rita Marley and Constantine ‘Dream’ Walker, is a paramount and instructive case. It is a case, which, according to a Marley insider, without any apology, seeks to “position Bob in the public consciousness morning, noon and night”. What was implied is that this would be done without much, if any, mention of the others who have been part of the group.

Read the full articles at the website:
PART I
PART II