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If you knew Bob Marley's life story, there's always something to learn. If you don't know much, this is the place to go. The documentary “Marley” is an excellent journey thru the life of the artist that put reggae music on the map. Oscar winner for “The Last King Of Scottland” director Kevin McDonald gives a chronological account of the trajectory and history not only of the reggae legend, but of the genre’s as well. The history of Bob Marley cannot be learned without learning the history of reggae music. The history of reggae music cannot be learned without learning the history of Jamaica. McDonald masterfully illustrates how these three histories go hand in hand.
For the family-authorized documentary, McDonald enlisted some of the people closest to the artist, including his mother, Cedella Booker, his wife, Rita, son and daughter Ziggy and Cedella, former band mates Bunny Wailer and Aston “Familyman” Barret, colleagues Lloyd "Bread" McDonald of the Wailing Souls and Jimmy Cliff. The film also includes interviews with some of the other women in Marley’s life; Bob parented 11 children from seven women, and Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records among many others. The documentary even includes insight and never before seen interviews to Bob’s father Norval’s family members.
McDonald shows Marley’s struggle filled rise to international stardom. From his poor upbringing on the mountains of Nine Miles on the parish of St Ann and his move to the infamous Trenchtown ghetto of Kingston, capital of Jamaica to putting his musical career on hold to go live in the US with his mother and later returning to Jamaica to bring the Wailers to the top of the charts. From his self imposed “exile” to London seeking success to getting shot after his triumphant return to Jamaica. The film demonstrates contrasts in Marley’s life like being stigmatized for being rasta and being half-caste (half bred, born to interracial parents) and going from touring at 200 to 400 capacity venues to selling out 100,000 people events. Through interviews with political figures, the film explores Bob Marley’s importance and influence on Jamaica’s political turmoil during the seventies.
Set on the different places Bob trodded on this earth, the film takes us from the last place captive Africans saw on their homeland before being shipped away to be sold as slaves, to the mountains of central Jamaica where Marley was born and lived for the first 12 years of his life. With captivating footage and photography, McDonald takes us thru Bob’s conquest of not only Jamaica, but of Europe, the US, Asia and Africa. The film finally takes us to see where Bob spent his last days at hospitals in Germany and Miami before his early demise at the age of 36.
I have seen and read multiple publications about the life of Bob Marley, but to date, this is the most comprehensive piece of work I have seen. This documentary shows the life of the reggae legend in chronological order with interviews and commentary of those who were with him at each step of the way. I am very pleased with the experience of having watched this movie and believe it is a must see not only for Bob Marley and reggae fans, but also for music lovers of all genres. Excellent piece of work.

09-22-10

Beres Hammond "For the love of it" 2010 Tour
@
Hard Rock Live > Hollywood,Florida
July 23, 2010

Review by:  Borinken Rockers Unlimited
For:  www.puertoreggae.com
 
After various storm warnings and a possible cancelation of the show, the moment arrived to be present at the Reggae event of the summer in South Florida. Hard Rock Live is a spectacular space. The halls are decorated with a great variety of memorabilia, allusive to artists of all genres.
The musical evening started with a new Reggae artist called Leyna Wilks, straight from Jamaica, backed by  Harmony House Band.  The public was enchanted by her beautiful and robust voice. This is an artist that will surely have a strong presence in the international Reggae scene.
Next on stage appeared, Kenyatta Hill and Culture, with his great energy and vibrant presence honoring his father's (Joseph Hill) legacy. Kenyatta Hill interpreted the many of the Culture classics impressively similar to the way his father did.
The turn came for Grammy winners for Best Reggae Album in 1994, Inner Circle. These reggae veterans played their hits as a group and some hits from Jacob Miller, whom they backed during his successful career in the 70's and 80's. The people danced to their varied music.
Beres Hammond, one of the mayor exponents of Reggae, went up on stage and the public screamed with emotion. With more than 30 years of musical trajectory and a wide range of hits that few artists can equal, Beres continues consistent with a flawless voice and a lot of energy. Beres jumped and danced all over the big stage. He was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 and is known for his particular style, called by some "Soul Reggae". In the early 80's he founded his record label "Harmony House Records", launching various successful productions on an international level. During his presentation to a full house, the place was impregnated by joy, everyone dancing and singing with Beres’ his great hits. It was an unforgettable night for all. We recognize the work of Harmony House Band for backing the majority of the artists of the night except Inner Circle. Thanks to Hard Rock Live and Red Line Productions for a magnificent event. Reggae Lives!!!!
 
Derek Gonzalez Fort a.k.a. Ras Irek

05-27-10

Ready La Dulzura
Cultura Profética has finished recording their next musical offering La Dulzura which is due out on june. I hads the opportunity to spend some time with them at the recording studio while they were giving it the final touches with the legendary producer Errol Brown. Errol Brown was the engineer on Bob Marley’s last cd’s and till tjis day works with his sons Ziggy, Julian and Stephen. Brown has worked with artist like Alton Ellis, Marcia Griffith. Judy Mowatt, Peter Tosh, U-Roy, Gregory Isaacs, Culture, Burning Spear, Third World and Shaggy among others. Cultura, which had worked with Brown on the production of their first two cd’s, Canción De Alerta and Ideas Nuevas, at the Marley family’s Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica, brought Errol Brown to Puerto Rico to work on their current material. It gave me pleasure to see these veteran and talented musicians work with Brown while he quietly worked the recorded material. I could see the admiration, confidence and respect they felt for this iconic figure. I got to listen to a few songs and, although the cd includes a more varied musical selection than all their previous productions, what I was reminded of was of that group of youngsters with such brutal talent and with a conscious and ideas that were as relative when they began their careers as they are now. I felt proud to see what these great musicians have achieved. I was constantly reminded of a day a while ago when I was looking for music to buy at the Cool Runnings store and in walked this kid, with hair like Bob Marley’s back when he started his career with the Wailers, carrying a box full of cd’s. Since that day I have felt honored to have been the first person to purchase a copy of Canción De Alerta, their debut cd.
When people mention Cultura Profética to me, all I say is that Cultura is a Phenomenon. For those who listen to their music, no matter the place, no matter their ideology, no matter their believes, no matter their status (neither social or nor economical), no matter their country of origin, Cultura has a message that transcends all these factor and a music that transcends all genres. This is why Cultura has been the most successful reggae band on the island and one of the biggest reggae bands throughout South, Central and North America. This year we receive a dulce (sweet) hit, that like in Bob’s words, when it hits you feel no pain. And keep up with their info because I understand that the cd release is going to come with a major event.
Thanks to Eliut for the invitation.

04-06-10

03-25-10

Total Success At The Moisty
Like I said before, reggae lives at the Moisty. This past Saturday march 20th was Reggae @ The Pool Fest at Moisty Skate and Family Park in Caguas. To kick off their reggae concert series they brought us Midnite, Culture with Kenyatta Hill, local band Obedience & Koinono and on the plates, DJ Nattyvo and his Foux International Sound System. While Obedience & Koinono were gettin set up, Nattyvo Selectah set the stage on fire with his mixes and the tracks that set the base for singers Juan Blaze of Irie Trees, Bebo of Guanajibo y Bongo I of Adowa on the mike. Now ready, Obedience & Koinono kicked off the band presentations with songs from their recently released cd "Not Afraid". With an interesting exchange of their voices and lyrics between Randy Freeman of Obedience and the guys from Koinono, they put on a fine performance. This collaboration has added great talent and a lot of passion to the local reggae scene. After this first band, came DJ Nattyvo again while the stage was set up for the next act. Nattyvo came up this time with Young Ragga and Misael of Misasel & The Overground, Yerba Bruja, Adowa and Nesta. The trio showcased live the first boricua "Dub-Plate", first of a puertorican hit with puertorican singers by a puertorican dj. By this time the Moisty was looking pretty crowded and there was still a long line ouside of fans coming in to the park. Culture, with singer Kenyatta Hill began their set. Kenyatta, the son of Joseph Hill, reggae great and founder of the band, who had been the band's sound engineer since very young was forced to take singing duties with the band after his father's sudden death about three years ago while on tour. Last Saturday he again showed us how wise his father's collegues were handing him the mike after his father's demise. With his pure and raw energy, frequent interaction with the crowd and constant exchanges between his originals and Culture classics, he kept the audience pumped during his whole set. While Culture went on, the park kept getting packed, there were more and more people seen on floaters on the giant pool in front of the stage, there were a lot of people at the end of the pool on their beach chairs as if they were on an actual beach front and each side of the pool and the walkways were jammed with people dancing and singing. To close up the show came Midnite's turn to take the stage with a set that lasted until 4 am. Midnite with the hipnotizing and mystical voice of singer Vaughn and energy and nonstop moving and grooving of brother and bassist Ron kept the fans captivated for about three hours. Midnite gave proof again of why they are one of the most powerful roots reggae bands today.

Skate park with giant pool and good vibes and a combination of good boricua, jamaican and vi roots...I believe it was a perfect night for reggae music lovers. El Moisty holds every second Tuesday of every month the Noches de Talento Joven where bands and artists of different genres are joined with artisans, painters and other types of exhibitors. Along with all its amenities like the skate park, the swimming pools, the gotcha field and go-cart track among many others, The Moisty proved to be the ideal place for future reggae events.

...I'd say that what they had lined up for may or june should be a go...reggae lives at The Moisty...

check out the rundown and the photos from the raggamuffins festival 2010, long beach california 2/20 & 2/21/10 by borinken rockers for puertoreggae.com

02-20-10

Following the huge success of their first production, Mil Canciones, La Muza is in the process of recording their second CD. Mil Canciones was spearheaded by Mi Bandera, a collaboration with local folk singer Andrés Jimenez, El Jíbaro. The song made the band known throughout the island gettin repeated radio play on every mayor station. Mil Canciones also counted with the collaboration of Guillermo Bonetto of Los Cafres on a song and of Quique Neira, soloist and former Gondwana frontman, on another. With these, along with their own mainly socio-politically charged songs, La Muza visited just about every city and town throughout the island playing at university campuses, bars and pubs along with a couple of stints at the Anfi. La Muza is now on the process of recording their second production. From what I got to listen on the recording studio and from what the members of the band told me, this production also counts with themes relevant to the socio-political situation of the island but also counts with lighter subjects like an 80's hit remake which blew my mind to hear it take form with the style of La Muza. The CD sounds influenced with other rhythms and genres but always with the reggae base and beat. Some more collaborations and surprises are on the works. I'll be visiting the guys in the near future, since I told them I wanted to see how the songs progress and give shape to the CD. I want to say thanks to Danny Ramirez of La Muza for inviting me to the studio and along with him, the other members of the band and to Carlos Velazquez of Playbach Studios for being so hospitable with me and allowing me to witness and share the process of recording their new production. I'm looking forward to seeing La Muza soon braking in their new material on a stage on the island and and I hope to be reporting soon of their travels to Central and South America where fans are eagerly waiting for them after the huge success of Mil Canciones. Good luck guys, Jah bless & pa'lante.

10-04-09

08-10-09

Reggae is Everywhere

Well, we have seen our bands play at the places that day to day bring us the best of our local and visiting talent. Places like La Respuesta, Nuestro Son, Blessed Cafe, Silver Field and BedLounge on the metro area, Bamboo Beach and Costa Bar on the Isabela area, El Patio at La Guancha and Trova y Tapas in Ponce, Tamboo, Baffo, Calypso y Dom Paco on the west, El Boquete and the new Midnight Roots on the east and south east part of the island. But reggae is not limited to these clubs that give us the chance to enjoy our great talent. These last few  days I've had the chance to see La Buena Masa at the Volcom Expression Sessions on Aviones beach on Willito's Pinchos in Loiza and Mike Martin & Los Rootsticks at the Cangrejos Yacht Club fishing tournament. They have reggae bands playing at the new Moisty Skate Park in Caguas. There's reggae on "fiestas patronales", on churches, on art exhibits, even on debuts and weddings. We've seen reggae bands play at partys where the headliners are reggaeton singers.
Reggae is everywhere. So now you know that if your celebrating your wedding, anniversary, birthday, the inlaw's fiftieth wedding anniversary, a bar mitzvah, the boss's retirement, a wake, anything, count on one of the local bands that play the heavy reggae. We have to give these dudes the chance to play their music and we have to visit the places that promote them. Now on a serious note, not to be a nag, but I've seen many of our local bands play to very small crowds and visiting bands play to packed places. Just log on to the www.puertoreggae.com events calendars and come party with our bands.

By the way, my appology to the other places that I've unwillingly ommited where reggae is being played but know that your activities are always posted on my calendars and your flyers on my page.

07-01-09

Tribute to The King

Tribute is being rendered to Tafari Makonnen, better known as Haile Selassie I or Rastafari, during the month of his birth, the month of July. A celebration will be held every wednesday of the month at La Respuesta in Santurce.
	Tafari Makonnen lived from 1892 to 1975. He was the Emperor of Ethiopia from1930 to 1974. The title of Ras literally means head and is put before the name as a symbol of leadership, hence Rastafari. His official given title as emperor was Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Chosen by God. Rastafari was the succesor of a dynasty with origins from the 13th century with a tradition that goes back as far as King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Haile Selassie I was an important figure as much to the history of Ethiopia as to the history of Africa. He modernized Ethiopia and introduced the country to the League of Nations. He made Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, the center of the Organized African Union. Rastafari personally fought on the frontline against the invasion of Ethiopia by pre World War II Mussolini's Italian army. Due to the Italian army superiority, he had to flee to England and remain there in exile for a few years. He went before the League of Nations and gave a famous speech that made him an icon throughout the world as a fighter against facism. There he got the allied nations support and gained the liberation of his nation and regained his throne. His fight for the people of Africa was an inspiration to great world figures such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Malcom X.
	Haile Selassie I is the highest figure to the Rastafarian or Rasta religion born in Jamaica during the 1930's. Statements made by Marcus Garvey, jamaican figure who fought for the rights, liberty and freedom of black people around the beginning of the century, paved the way for Rastafari to gain this status. Backed by Biblical verses he stated that there would be a Black King crowned in the east that would bring an era of peace, prosperity and justice, a place called Zion, to black people in Africa and throughout the world. The crowning of Rastafari in Ethiopia, considered the craddle of civilization where Jah, God, created man, was considered the fulfilment of Garvey's prophecy. The Rasta movement started, elevating Marcus Garvey as the prophet that foretold of the coming of Rastafari as the encarnation of Jah.
	To find out Rastafari's complete history and understand his importance to the religion that follows him and to the music that praises him is the reason to attend the Cultural Event taking place every wednesday at La Respuesta in Santurce. There will be rasta related photos, memorabilia and paintings among other things. The night will begin with a documentary related to Rastafari and/or to reggae music that will last from an hour to an hour and a half. This will be followed by a DJ playing a selection of the different variation of reggae music, old school, new school among others. To cap off the night there will be a different band playing two sets every wednesday starting at around ten. We here have a tremendous opportunity to celebrate rasta culture with music. This is as much an interesting as important Cultural Event that gives us the opportunity to understant where the good vibe that flows with this music we love comes from.

On the calendar of events here on www.puertoreggae.com is a listing of the documentary and the band that will be playing each wednesday. There is a page on facebook named Cultural Event where more info can be found.

05-10-09

The Return of El Anfi

Reggae has returned home. After a long wait, the Anfiteatro Tito Puente on Hato Rey, stage where we've seen some of the greatest stars on the history of reggae, has been opened again for reggae bands and artists. On march we enjoyed the good music of Israel Vibration, and felt the energy of Kenyatta Hill with Culture and Gomba Jahbari. On may 1 we took in the good vibes of Natiruts, Barrington Levi and Cultura Profética. During the time the Anfi was out, reggae on the island did not stop, there have been bands playing all over the island and regularly at more than one place at the same time. There are many places throughout the island compromised with the movement. Bamboo Beach on Isabela brought us Kenyatta Hill on October of last year and Desarie on january and Midnite on april of this year, beside having local bands playing there  frequently. There have been a couple of bands from the islands playing some festivals on the Luquillo area. Places like Blessed Cafe in Old San Juan, Nuestro Son in Rio Piedras, Trova y Tapas and Café Café in Ponce, Calypso and Tamboo in Rincón, Costa Bar also in Isabela, Shannan's Pub in Guaynabo among many others have had reggae bands playing steadily. Gomba has been playing gigs all over with their tour that takes them all the way to Culebra. Palo Viejo keeps backing the movement with their series of Palo En Vivo concerts. But it cannot be denied that the Anfi has it's oun special vibe. Now as if what we've seen was not enough, Anibal from Cool Runnings is celebrating 20 years bringing the best artists and bands to the island by bringing the sole survivor of the original Wailers, the legend Bunny Wailer. To bad we can't see Bob or Peter, but we have got to see Bunny. And that's not all, he's got some more concerts lined up and from what he's told me, we're gona see some great ones. In the meantime, we have to keep supporting the locals. Stay up to date with the calendar of events at www.puertoreggae.com, become a fan of puertoreggae.com on facebook for the weekly updates and a friend of puertoreggae on myspace for the weekly bulletins and know all the time where the locals are jammin'. There's good reggae on the island and we have to back up the local bands so that some day we see them on the stage at the house of reggae, The Anfi.

...and like a friend told me a few weeks before the Israel Vibration concert:`"man, I can already see myself walking thru the gate and all..."

03-17-09

Coors Light Gomba Jahbari Grass Roots Tour 2009

Boricua band Gomba Jahbari kicks off its new tour with a live show on saturday march 14 at Shannan's Pub in Guaynabo. Coors Light Gomba Jahbari Grass Roots Tour 2009 will promote Gomba's upcoming cd "Que Locura Enamorarme De Ti". Cd given its name by its title song with which they pay tribute to one of the greatest hits of salsa artist Eddie Santiago. Gomba has played the song on their last shows getting good acceptance from their fans. Recently they have re-recorded it and cut a radio edit that will be playng on the radio soon. This cut is the song heard as you open the main page of puertoreggae.com. The tour starts with about 12 shows all over the island. Venues at Ponce, Mayaguez, Rincón, Humacao and even Culebra in addition to the metro area and other towns will be stops of the tour. Among this stops is the show on march 28 at the newly opened Anfiteatro Tito Puente in Hato Rey where they will share the stage with raggae legends Culture, fronted by Kenyata Hill, son of defunct founder Joseph Hill, and Israel Vibration. The rest of the venues can be seen at the flyer on puertoreggae.com or at Gomba's pages on myspace, facebook and the web. Atactil, Gomba's new managing partners are working on the rest of the stops of the tour that will take them to expose their music to countries on north, central and south america among others. Be on the lookout for the release of the "Que Locura ..." cd and keep in tune so you don't miss it on the radio.
The warriors come heavy.

02-19-09

What?, reggae is dead in PR!
For those who ask this question, there is only to take a look at this month of february. This month came heavy with reggae vibes. The band Vibes is still playing thursday nights at Shannan's pub in Guaynabo (except for one thursday that they could not play because of a Medalla beer event at the pub.) Those guys are doing an exceptional job there, filling in with different lineups and different singers keeping the roots alive there. El naranjal at Escorial ave. in Guaynabo, between Roosevelt and Piñeiro aves, started their reggae nights on fridays with Irie Trees playing plus roots all night, all starting at 9:00pm. Our friends at Bamboo Beach in Isabela have kept busy. After Midnite postponed their show, Bamboo Beach had some members of Siloé pay tribute to Bob Marley for his birthday and had Ras Wali and The Regal Players, from the eastern part of the island, perform that same night. For Valentine's night, they brought the mayaguez roots band Roots Militia, band that had also played during the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián at Blessed Cafe in Viejo San Juan. Melasiai, a project from our friends from Guanajibo played at Cafe Seda in Viejo San Juan and at Cafe Teatro in Caguas. Millo Torres & El Tercer Planeta, after playing at the stage at San Sebastián, also played at the pub that used to be Coaches in Hato Rey. All this plus possibly more that might escape me right now, only by the middle of the month. Now, this coming weekend besides the regular Shannan's and El Naranjal shows, Melasiai are possibly doing Cafe Seda again on friday and on saturday Cultura plays at Don Raúl in Rincón. This last week of february is the heaviest one with gigs all over. On wednesday the 25th Siloé is playing at Trova y Tapas in Ponce. On thursday the 26th Roots Militia plays at Dom Pepe at their hometown of Mayaguez. On friday the 27th Guyanajibo takes the stage at the Festival de Claridad at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium parking lot in Hato Rey, where Don Segundo will be playing on saturday the 28th. That friday Millo Torres & El Tercer Planeta play at BAFFO in Aguada. Also that friday is the start of the Corona Surf Circuit in Rincón where Misael & da Overground will be playing on saturday while Siloé plays at Calypso also there in Rincón.That same saturday Guanajibo and Irie Trees play at Nuestro Son in Rio Piedras.
Wow, and there are those who say that reggae is dead in Puerto Rico. A visit to www.puertoreggae.com on the web and puertoreggae.com on facebook and you'll be up to date with what's goin' on.

Festival de Claridad
friday 27 Guanajibo, saturday 28 Don Segundo
Corona Surf Circuit
saturday 28 Misael & da Overground y Siloé

And don't think it ends there because there are concerts already set for march on Bamboo Beach and in Luquillo plus Gomba is coming with something big.

01-07-09

Amazon.com Widgets

12-06-08

A Hit Palo en Vivo

Last friday, december 5, Palo Viejo sealed off the Placita Rosevelt to present another one of it's Palo en Vivo concert series. The group Majaderos de Cachete Maldonado opened the event setting the calmed and relaxed mood that would prevail the rest on the night. Next on the stage was Irie Trees who energized the with their riddims the evergrowing crowd. Unfortunatelly I cluld not catch most of the Misael and Da Overground set which came next, but the little I heard left me craving for more of them. Up next was Gomba Jahbari whom opened their set with "Que Locura Enamorarme De Ti", the song that gives the name to their upcoming new cd. At the end of their set they had to be almost kicked off the stage because neither they wanted to stop playing nor the crowd wanted them to stop. To end the night came the Palo Viejo Tribute Band. I was impressed with the versatility of the band and that of the singers who took turns to give a true tribute to the artist and bands to whom they played homage to. So, after all, the bands played good and there was a great time to be had. Let's keep the vibes flowing.

11-07-08

New hits cd from Cultura

"CULTURA NO TITUBEA... venimo'a hablar la clara!"

Roughly translated to "Cultura don't hesitate...we come to speak straight." Words written on Cultura Profética's My Space page. The group that has dedicated it's lyrics mainly to socio-political and ecological themes was formed in 1996. The group, mainly formed from students of the PR music conservatory, released it's first cd titled Canción De Alerta on 1998. This cd, recorded on Jamaica on the Marley family Tuff Gong studios, was a success for the group which helped spark a growing movement for reggae roots on the island at the time.
On 1999 the group released their second cd, Ideas Nuevas. On this produccion they started experimenting with other rhythms like bossa nova and jazz, showcasing even more of their musical genius. In 2000 they released their first live cd, Cultura En Vivo, recorded at The Anfi (Anfiteatro Tito Puente) of San Juan, stage to the reggae movement of the time. This recording counted with guests such as Los Cafre's Guillermo Bonetto. 2002 saw the release of their next cd Diario, from which they received extensive radio circulation, specially for their single "Bieke", a song with the rhythm of Bob Marley's Zimbawe. The song would later appear along with their version of So Much Trouble on the cd Tribute To Bob Marley by Cultura and other latin reggae bands. Their next prodiction was M.O.T.A., released on 2006, on which they experimented with other rhythms like hip-hop among others. By this time Cultura had established a tradition of performing tribute to Bob Marley concerts and in 2007 released a combination cd and dvd of their latest.
This year saw the release of a dvd of their concert in the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum and will see the release of their first official hits compilation. Official since there is an import around titled En Directo.

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