Quickies: Greensleeves One-Drop album out Sunday

Continuing a series known for featuring the top roots-reggae hits, Greensleeves' The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2011 delivers exactly that when it hits stores on Sunday.

Featuring reggae dynamites such as Midnite, Gentleman, Tony Rebel, Bunny Lee, Queen Ifrica, Gyptian, Busy Signal, Alborosie, I-Wayne and Romain Virgo, The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2011 also showcases Vybz Kartel's first major release on a reggae melody.

With one-drop smashes like How To Answa by Midnite, Changes from Gentleman, The Green with Alone, Gyptian on Where You Belong featuring the legendary Dean Fraser, Busy Signal on a remake of Beres Hammond's Tempted To Touch, I'm Rich In Love from rising star Romain Virgo and Vybz Kartel on Spend Time Dubb'n (which incorporates dub), The Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2011 highlights Greensleeves' ongoing efforts to provide authentic reggae vibes on its compilations and bring them to the reggae massive worldwide.

Hezron does Plug N Play tonight

Coming off last week's release of his latest single Jammin Till A Morning, produced by Steven 'Lenky' Marsden, reggae artiste Hezron has been booked as the headline act on Plug N Play, Jonkanoo Lounge, tonight.

The Star Zone artiste, who has been receiving good reviews since the start of the year, has released several tunes which have rendered him a contender on the regional and international reggae scene. Currently, his song Forever and Always is doing well and is being played in Trinidad, Barbados and the other Eastern Caribbean countries. His collaboration with international reggae star Shaggy, Two Places, has also given Hezron an added push on radio and television. His other recent release, She's All Woman, has also been a regular on the airwaves locally and internationally.

Now Hezron has teamed up with top reggae producer Lenky to release Jammin Till A Morning. Done on an uptempo dancehall beat, it rings true to Hezron's philosophy of singing for the ladies but it is also a song which can appeal to both sexes.

"This year has been good for me. So far, I have done a lot of shows and my songs are receiving good airplay. I am especially happy with Jammin Till a Morning, as it is a different flavour from what I am used to but the people love it and that's all that really matters," Hezron said.

Tonight's Plug N Play also features Noddy Virtue and One Third.

Produced by 2 Wild Entertainment, Di Kru Productions and Steppin Razor Productions, Plug N Play is a unique event which features great artists with a live band every Friday night at the Wyndham Hotel.

NCU meets deposit requirements

The Northern Caribbean University (NCU) has got in on the act - the Legal Deposit Act that is, having deposited several items with the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ). The deposits were made on May 31 at the offices of the NLJ, East Street, Kingston.

The NLJ received two new books for its archives, as well as six movies and a promotional DVD. The movies and promotional DVD are award-winning student productions that were showcased at the recent NCU Film Festival.

The NLJ is Jamaica's principal legal depository. That means that it is the institution designated by law to which all materials published in Jamaica are to be deposited. All materials acquired by the NLJ through legal deposit or otherwise are available to the public for consultation and are stored at the library for posterity.

'Cool and Deadly' gets 'Flava'

Leading roots-reggae producer Kemar 'Flava' McGregor will release his Cool And Deadly album in late June, showcasing new and cutting-edge reggae tracks from the hottest names in lovers' rock. Featured artistes will include Canadian Tony Anthony, UK-based Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Maxi Priest; The US-based Sadiki, Eljai, Kashief Lindo, Nikesha Lindo and Massicker; and Jamaican reggae luminaries Sanchez, Buju Banton, Ce'Cile, Anthony Cruz, Beres Hammond and Marcia Griffiths.

McGregor's album also will pursue new musical trends, showcasing UK reggae sensations Adele Harley, Lloyd Brown and Peter Spence, and ultimately, the album will feature three innovative singles from Peter Hunnigale, Lady Lex and Roger Robin, which will supply the club soundtrack for the new Cool and Deadly dance step, which will appear in an upcoming music video.

"When I was working on the project, I wanted an album where all of the artists would get played," McGregor said. "Different clubs in different places are going to have their favorites, but all of the songs are going to get their justice, regardless of where they are played. This album is going to give the reggae world a good spirit for the summer."

DJ Sunshine is 'Heart of the Party'

DJ Sunshine is at it again, with her latest single and video Heart of the Party. The video, which was directed by Karl Durrant, premiered on 'On Stage' recently. The video made its debut on CVM's 'Hitlist' at number two.

DJ Sunshine says she is pleased that the song and video have been embraced by music lovers. "Honestly, even I am surprised that it made its debut on the chart one spot away from the top spot. It just goes to show that if you take the time to do something right, it will pay off," she said, giving credit to the creative team she worked with.

Heart of the Party is all about flossing, having fun and throwing away all inhibitions. This is made clear in one scene where Sunshine puts down some sensuous moves in a skimpy outfit. "I wanted the sense of fun to come across in the video. After all, that's what the music should be about," commented Sunshine.

Heart of the Party has been receiving a lot of hits on YouTube and the promoter/producer/deejay/disc jock can't wait to get busy on other projects. "There definitely will be no holding back. I have a lot more to bring to the table, so watch out," promised Sunshine.

Chedda ready for Big Apple

With
the official start of summer fast approaching, dancehall artiste Chedda
is now making final preparations for a week-long stint in New York City
later this month.

This,
his third promotional campaign on the US mainland, comes on the heels
of recent appearances in sections of New York, Connecticut and Colorado
late last year. With singles such as Bad Inna Song and the newly released Wine Yuh Waist on the Quick Fix Rhythm enjoying favourable rotation, Chedda is very upbeat about his upcoming trip.

"Several
of my songs are doing very well overseas, not just in the US but also
across the Caribbean, the feedback has been tremendous. So we are now
taking things to that next level with this campaign," he said.

Aimed
at bolstering his presence, the upcoming campaign will involve a number
of appearances, radio and television interviews. Meanwhile, his video
for the Cashflow Records produced Worry Dem has jumped 17 spots to number three on the CariVibez TV Video Countdown, after making its official debut a month earlier.

Sizzla's 'The Scriptures'
out digitally Tuesday

Next Tuesday, John John Records will release in digital format Sizzla Kalonji's latest album, The Scriptures (Music in My Soul). The physical album will be available for purchase exactly a week later.

On The Scriptures,
Sizzla has collaborated with some of Jamaica's finest musicians,
including Earl 'Chinna' Smith, Sly & Robbie and Dean Fraser, to
produce a rootsy offering that is both thoughtful and intriguing.

Gabrielle Reece
goes OCEAN Style

Model and athlete Gabrielle Reece will grace the cover of the July/August issue of OCEAN Style Magazine.
The former volleyball superstar and Nike spokesperson, who was born in
La Jolla, California, brandishes bona fide Caribbean roots with her
Trinidadian father and upbringing in Saint Thomas (US Virgin Islands).

She adds OCEAN Style to her long list of magazine covers, which includes Harper's Bazaar, Outside, Shape, Women's Sports and Fitness, Life and Playboy. Reece, who was previously named as one of Elle's 5 Most Beautiful Women in the World, is a fashion model, TV celebrity and author, having co-penned her biograpy Big Girl in the Middle.

The new OCEAN Style issue will hit newsstands in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and throughout the Caribbean in early July.

Boom Steppa back
from Germany

Alliance Next Generation (ANG) deejay Boom Steppa, known for the song Naw Stay Poor,
is now back in the island after successfully completing a six-week tour
of Germany. The tour, which commenced in Bochum, saw the Spanish Town
native making numerous stops in Witten and Cologne before the close in
Monchengladbach.

Despite a hectic schedule, Steppa found time for an exclusive interview with the very popular Riddim Magazine
and recorded some new material with German A-list jock DJ Vogue. "It
was a great experience to see how receptive people were to my music even
with the language barrier," Steppa said. "Music is one of the few
things in this world that brings people together despite our differences
and I am very happy to be a ambassador for that."

While on tour, the Nexxstep Network artiste also shot the video with German-based Philtunes for his single Life is Good, set to premier locally shortly.

A fully focused Steppa is now gearing up for an intense promotional campaign ahead of summer to promote his latest single Never Stop Pray, featuring new kid on the block Chronixx

Max Element advises
'Wash, Cook and Clean'

Wash Cook and Clean,
the latest recording from newcomer Max Element is fast becoming a
staple on the local airwaves. The song is the follow-up to Max's recent
track Heartbreaker.

Max said "the song is basically a follow-up the story behind Heartbreaker.
The message I am conveying is really that a man should be a man and be
able to do certain things in the home even when there isn't a female
around. Being responsible is what the song is talking about".

Produced by Icon, Wash Cook and Clean is also picking up steam in the clubs. The response to the song has been positive so far.

"People
are familiar with the song and, to be honest, the feedback has been
really good. We are looking at shooting the video over the next few
weeks," said Max.

Managed
by Kehlando Williams of Xray Productions, Max Element recently
completed recordings for producers Troyton, Icon and Garrison Inc. Heartbreaker, his debut single, hit number one on CVM TV's 'Hit List' video countdown.