Quickies

Third Europe trip for 'Gully Gad'

Mavado, along with Gully Squad's Chase Cross and Stacious, is fresh from a packed European tour, doing eight shows in eight days across five different countries. Kicking off with consecutive shows in Germany, Mavado was one of the headliners on the Amsterdam Reggae Festival on Saturday, February 12. Capleton, Jah Cure, Vegas and Red Rat were the other performers at a packed Heineken Music Hall, an arena in the shadows of the Ajax FC stadium on the outskirts of Amsterdam, Holland.

"It's my third tour of Europe and it just gets better," said Mavado in a release. "It's always a joy to see people from all nations in the crowd, whose first language is not English, singing along to my songs. It's a great feeling and inspires me to continue making great music."

Mavado's manager Julian Jones-Griffith, explained: "This tour we ventured into markets that Mavado hasn't played in before - notably Scandaniva. The promoters in Finland said it was the biggest dancehall show ever there and the response was immense." The tour rounded out in Berlin, Germany, in front of another packed club, before the long flight back to Jamaica.

Mavado is currently working on his next album, slated for a summer release, as well as a slew of singles. "Look out for a track called Delilah, which will be released on my own label," said Mavado. "It's a song about the reality of relationships. I performed it once live in the UK in December and it's had the Internet buzzing since then. It's gonna drop next month."

Mavado's Stulla Wednesdays will be reborn in the coming weeks at a new venue in New Kingston, Stulla Tonic Wine is being brewed to perfection and will be available in stores in the coming months, and Mavado will be appearing alongside mentor Bounty Killer and others at Follow the Arrow in St Mary tomorrow night.

Island Mas celebrates 'The Elements'

Known for the immensely popular WATA Party, Island Mas Jamaica has carved its own niche in the rapidly expanding carnival market by creating new and fun-filled events that appeal to a wide cross section of the Jamaican populace. This year, Island Mas marks its fifth anniversary with 'The Elements.'

Managing director of Island Mas Jamaica, Andrew Bellamy, said the theme was chosen to celebrate "the very foundations of creation and life which are earth, wind, fire, water and, of course, soca". For Bellamy, "Just as ancient myths and theories tell us that the spirits were sent to the Earth to combine the elements for the existence of humankind, Island Mas has pledged to use the five elements to ensure that patrons are transported to a new dimension of soca-loving existence."

Island Mas Jamaica's 2011 presentation of 'The Elements' will offer a six-week high-energy experience, starting March 12, at Cuddy'z New Kingston. People can expect to be 'scorched' by the newest soca music from resident deejay DJ Billy, with the likes of Richie Ras, DJ Narity, Sanjay from Coppershot, DJ Firestarter and Kurt Riley slated to make appearances. The grouping will also celebrate soca on the UWI Ring Road, mystify the ladies with 'Hard Wine: Girl Fever'; glorify earth at their first-ever J'ouvert party and culminate in the celebration of water at the highly anticipated WATA Party on April 30.

Stephenson happy with EME nomination

Reggae artiste Duane Stephenson has been nominated for a 2011 Excellence in Music and Entertainment award (EME). The nomination for Album of the Year, which was announced on February 14, is for Stephenson's sophomore album Black Gold, released by VP Records late last year. Stephenson, who has been vigorously promoting the album on a tour throughout North and South America since December, says he is happy to have received the nomination: "The EME Awards  have become a signpost on Jamaica's entertainment calendar and artistes like melook
forward to it as a sort of validation of the work we have done. I am
happy that my album has been nominated and I hope the fans will continue
to support me in this way."

Black Gold follows on the release of Stephenson's 2008 album From August Town
and displays the artiste's poised assurance and versatility, supported
by the authoritative speech of respected dub poet Mutabaruka on the
acoustic Truth Is. He also rejoices in the mystical vibes of Jah Works. There are also appearances from Queen Ifrica and Gramps Morgan on the 15-track release.

Penthouse producer opens up on Irishandchin.com

Irishandchin.com
recently sat down with Donovan Germain, super producer, artiste
development guru and former manager of the Grammy-award winning Buju
Banton, for the first filmed interview of his 40-year illustrious
career. A true pioneer, who has been billed as the most successful
reggae producer in the digital era, Germain gives Irishandchin.com an exclusive tell-all interview, which is featured on the site's producer-inspired 'Behind the Music' series.

The interviewis of historical significance and is truly an attention grabber as Germain's faceis
definitely not one that reggae enthusiasts see on a regular basis. Even
though Germain's career and impact are larger than life, the producer's
interview was graced with humility from the very start. Shedding light
on his inspirations, rise to fame, artiste relationships, what makes
quality music and issues in the reggae music industry, Germain leaves no
stones unturned. In fact, the interview was so chock-full of content
that it had to be featured in two segments.

When
asked about his reluctance to do interviews, Germain responded, "I
didn't do interviews before because I never thought they were
necessary." The producer adds: "I did it now because there
are a lot of issues in the industry that need to be addressed and I
have accumulated enough issues, so Ineed to address them."

Sheen back on Charlie's marriage?

Charlie
Sheen's estranged wife Brooke Mueller has reportedly moved back in with
him. The blonde beauty and her 23-month-old twin sons with Charlie, Bob
and Max, took their belongings to the Two and a Half Men star's Los Angeles house and she has apparently set up home with her soon-to-be ex-husband.

A source told RadarOnline.com:
"She moved in several days ago. I'm sure Brooke will try to deny this.
She thinks because Charlie lives in a gated community that nobody has
seen her. But she's wrong. A lot of people know about this and they've
just been keeping it quiet. Everyone is stunned." The twins' nannies are
also believed to be living at the lavish property.

The
couple have been separated since they became embroiled in a domestic
argument on Christmas Day 2009, during which Charlie allegedly assaulted
Brooke, and her family are said to be dismayed that she is living with
the troubled star. A source said: "Her family is furious. They think
this is the worst thing for her."

The
45-year-old actor is currently undergoing home rehabilitation treatment
for drug and alcohol abuse. He was recently hospitalised with an
apparent hernia after going on a 36-hour alcohol and cocaine binge with
several porn stars. Earlier this week, Charlie - who returned to work on
Two and a Half Men on Monday - was reported to have offered to
buy Brooke and his other ex-wife, Denise Richards, mansions next door to
his property.

He and Denise have two daughters - Sam, six years old, and Lola, five - together.

Razz & Biggy mix 'Dancehall Interviews'

Razz & Biggy have come out blazing for 2011 with their first mixtape, Dancehall Interviews.
Not only is it a hard-hitting compilation of some of the hottest
dancehall tracks and riddims, but it also takes a jab at some of the
controversial issues that have been dominating the dancehall arena. Over
the years, the selectors have found creative ways to present their
mixtapes and with this instalment have provided in excess of 80 tracks
of great entertainment value.

As
the title suggests the mixtape addresses a string of interviews that
have taken place on local and international television and radio, from
MTV to ER on TVJ to the well-supported Raggashanti radio show. There are
the voices of Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Aidonia and Vybz Kartel - and
most of the interviews seem to be about 'Di Teacher'.

They
are currently in the US, performing at 'Wah Gwan Wednesdays' in
Flatbush, representing 'Bem Beh on the Block' at Hut Social Club in
Newark, New Jersey, and the Eclipse Bar and Lounge in Rochester, New
York.