Quickies - Colleagues sing Beres

Reggae stars pay homage to Beres Hammond in the ultimate way as they cover his songs in My Favorite Beres Hammond Songs, a double-disc album to be made available from VP Records on April 26. Spanning more than 30 years of recording soulful reggae music in his signature smoky-sweet baritone, Hammond's catalogue is filled with hits for the picking. Now, reggae and dancehall stars honour his legacy by putting their touch on his classics.

The 23-track compilation features the talents of Jah Cure, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, Tessanne Chin, Marcia Griffiths and Nadine Sutherland, just to name a few. The project is the brainchild of acclaimed reggae producer and longtime Beres Hammond collaborator, Donovan Germain, who organised the project at his own studio at Penthouse Records in Kingston.

Some of Beres' biggest hits are covered on this definitive collection including Putting Up Resistance, Tempted To Touch, and No Disturb Sign, which appears twice, as there is also a dancehall remix featuring Assassin. Beres himself also contributes with Fire and Ice.

Natalie Storm is 'Hotta'

Hot on the heels of her mixtape, Natalie Storm has delivered another scorching bad-gal anthem with Hotta. The saucy and titillating single is the first from her arsenal of heavy-hitting releases for 2011. The Ward 21-produced track has ladies' hips and feet moving with its mesmerising I-can't-help-but-dance beat and catchy lyrics which Natalie delivers with her typical fiery attitude.

"Kunley (from Ward 21) and I wrote the song," Natalie said. "We just wanted to create something that would have people dancing and singing from their kitchens straight to the clubs." The original hard-core dancehall feel of Hotta is similar to the vibe on all the reggae tracks on her recent mixtape, and shows Natalie's love for and comfort with recording on foundation-type tracks.

The single will be released on iTunes and all other digital outlets in two weeks. A video for Hotta is in the works and will be released in the coming weeks.

Alliance Next Generation builds Bridgez

Dancehall live spark Bridgez is getting her shine on at a whole different level as part of Bounty Killer's main protégés, Alliance Next Generation. Also, her current singles, Han Up Deh and I Said It, are attracting serious attention, both on the airwaves as well as digital channels. However, having trod the entertainers' road for some time, the still young and always vibrant artiste is taking her progress in stride.

"I feel extremely comfortable being a part of the Alliance Family. Just being around them is a good energy. I'm now a part of the Alliance Next Generation, the main five artistes Bounty Killer is managing right now - Iyara, Patexx, Marlon Binns, Nymron and Bridgez - and, so far, so good. Everyone has their own unique style and are extremely talented and we are always motivating each other. It's a musical home for me ... I love it," she said.

Speaking more specifically to her current projects, Bridgez said "I have two new songs that I've already released since the year started and I've been getting good feedback on both. The songs are called Han' Up Deh on the 'High Definition Riddim' and I Said It on the 'Pedal Riddim'". Bridgez is also gearing up to release her collaboration with the Ward21 production house, Badda Badda Bunch, with Timberlee.

'O Babylon' on at Edna Manley

The School of Drama, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, is presenting Derek Walcott's O Babylon, a culturally engaging play about events that take place during the 1966 visit of Haile Selassie to Jamaica. The production is directed by Robert 'Bobby' Clarke, with music by Winston 'Bello' Bell and choreography by L'Antoinette Stines, PhD.

O Babylon runs for two weekends only, today to Sunday, March 20; and Friday, March 25 to Sunday, March 27, at the School of Drama's amphitheatre. The play also features vibrant drummers and culturally stimulating dancers, and promises to take the audience into one of Jamaica's historical moments.

DASECA creates 'Category 5'

DASECA Productions has whipped up a musical tempest with their latest project, the 'Category 5 Riddim'. Set for official release today via Amazon, iTunes and digital stores, Category 5 finds the production powerhouse using the melodic sounds of an acoustic guitar infused into the heavy beats to create an infectious sound. The established Mavado, Serani, I-Octane and Bugle are joined by the upcoming Kibaki and new sensation out of DASECA's camp, Seaview's own Dexta Daps, on the first six tracks set for release.

Around this time last year, DASECA released their Genesis Riddim straight to iTunes, boosted by exclusive radio premiers. "Genesis created a huge buzz and anticipation," says Craig Harrisingh, one-third of DASECA. "While we are proud of every project we release, we wanted to return to a more traditional dancehall pattern. We are very excited about the Category 5 Riddim and the songs on it. Those who have heard it so far are expecting it to do big things. We realise its a very competitive scene right now, but we are confident this riddim will get the support it merits."

Spoilers welcomes Rum-Bar Satdaze

Last Saturday, the inner-city community of Spoilers on Wildman Street in Kingston was transformed into a festive melting pot as people from all walks of life turned out for the official launch of the proposed monthly event Rum-Bar Satdaze, held at the corner of Text Lane and Charles Streets in downtown Kingston. The event, promoted by Darkcide Media, ZJ Wah Wa and Nuh Mercy Entertainment, in association with Rum-Bar, saw a huge outpouring with over 2,000 patrons, many hailing from the neighbouring communities, while others made the trek from as far as Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.

Following the formalities, DJ Calico and Acid of Darkcide International and Suncity 104.9FM quickly took over the wheels of steel and had the party going. They were soon followed by ZIP's ZJ Dymond and Chris Dymond of Code Red, who then passed the baton onto to ZJ Chrome at around 2 a.m.

By this time the crowd had grown all the way up to the DJ booth. However, a carefully orchestrated set - involving Darkcide International, ZJ Wah Wa, ZJ Chrome and Chris Dymond each taking brief stints at mixing and emceeing - bore fruit as the tough crowd's energy level reached fever pitch. This was interspersed by performances from dancehall artistes Chedda, Ryno and the community's own upcoming talent Kritikal.

Hosting duties for the night went to TV-personality-turned-artiste Milk. Aimed at helping in the community rebuilding process, Rum-Bar Satdaze is not just another party spot but an avenue to assist in highlighting positives influences in the community, with the intention of rendering assistance to the less fortunate in the very near future.

Chedda shoots two videos

Last weekend, rising dancehall artiste Chedda shot videos for the singles Bad Inna Song and Worry Dem, the latter produced by Cash Flow Records.

Shot across Kingston and St Andrew under the watchful eyes of award winning director Christopher Campbell (Iceyjace Film Factory), the project features cameos from DJ Calico (Suncity FM), ZJ Wah Wa (Zip FM), Supa Hype and recording artistes Future Fambo and Ryno.

Earlier this year, Campbell nabbed the Director Avante Garde honour at the 2nd Annual Cari Vibez Web Awards and is also responsible for the Chedda and QQ combination, Cleanest, and Leftside and Mystic's Want Your Body Remix, among others.

Chedda said "the songs are picking up traction across the Caribbean and US urban markets and have been getting good rotation. So based on that a decision was taken by management to shoot the videos. People will ask why two videos at once, but if you listen the songs you will see one is for the streets and the other is for the ladies. I don't want to give away too much details, but let's put it this way - it's gonna be very interesting".

Khristopher back in studio, on stage

Khristopher, born Mark Williams, has been on the music scene for years. After migrating to the United States as a teenager from Trelawny, he started his musical career in New York, influenced by Sanchez, Wayne Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Brian McKnight.

Now, after a short stint off the scene, Khristopher is back in full swing to take the music industry by storm. He returned to New York and has been busy in the studio, working on several projects with young producer André 'Dretegs' Harthorn on Fifth Element Records label.

This new team has released the singles Noweh Nuh Bettah Dan Yard, Marijuana, Heartbeat Away and Do Whatever on Fifth Element Records. A club version of Heartbeat Away has been done by French producers Daddy and Hypa of D&H Remix and Khristopher will record a track on their new riddim, to be released on their D&H Records label.

He has been doing several shows and appearances in and around the New York/Tri-State Area and Florida. He recently performed at the Linkage Awards in New York, where he wowed the crowd with his thrilling presence on stage and even accepted an award on behalf of Fifth Element's artist, Natural Black.

In the making now is a video for Do Whatever, which will be directed by Deus Beni Production, with styling and make-up by Niki Chin Designs. Khristopher is also slated to perform at Jamie Hype's Birthday Bash, dubbed 'Forever Young', alongside his musical mentor Wayne Wonder at Club Ciboney.

'Reese-pectfully' intimate nuptials

Reese Witherspoon is planning an "intimate" wedding to Jim Toth on March 26.

The actress, who announced her engagement to the Hollywood agent in December, is reportedly working with celebrity event maestro Yifat Oren to plan a small Southern-themed ceremony with around 100 guests at her sprawling estate in Ojai Valley, California.

A source explained: "The Southern theme reflects her roots. Candles and flowers, mostly roses and calla lilies, will be everywhere in white and soft pastels for an intimate feel. Reese knows exactly how she wants the wedding to be - comfortable, but very classy and incredibly romantic."

The 34-year-old star, who has two children - Ava, 11, and Deacon, seven - from her seven-year marriage to actor Ryan Phillippe, is determined to get her special day right, after concluding she didn't know what she wanted from her first nuptials.

The source added: "Reese feels that when she planned her wedding to Ryan she was too young and didn't really know what she wanted. This time, she's certainly getting it all right."

Rihanna yet to forgive Dad

Rihanna feels betrayed by her father. The singer has never forgiven her dad, Ronald Fenty, for cashing in on her problems by selling information to the media after she was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown in February 2009.

The 23-year-old pop star admits she felt heartbroken when she realised someone in her own family could use her for their own personal gain.

In an interview she said: "You hear the horror stories about people going behind people's backs and doing strange things, but you always think 'not my family. My father would never do that to me'. But my Dad went to the press and just told them a bunch of lies. Because he hadn't talked to me after ... that whole thing ... . He never called to find out how I was doing, if I was alive - nothing. He just never called. He went straight to the press and got a cheque. And now, he does it again".

Even two years later, Rihanna still struggles to comprehend that her own Dad would treat her so badly. She tearfully added: "It's like, what do I even mean to him? It's really strange. That's the only word I can think of to describe it, because you grow up with your father, you know him, you are a part of him for goodness sake! And then he does something so bizarre that I can't begin to wrap my mind around it."

The hitmaker insists she has no interest in having a relationship with her Dad, who is an ex-drug addict, anymore. Rihanna has previously revealed her childhood was blighted by her dad Ronald's drug problems and eventual split from her mother Monica when she was 14 years-old.