For over 30 years, the legendary Beres Hammond has helped prove that reggae music is a noble music, he enjoys international recognition and is considered the the voice of hope!

The voice of hope, the Jamaican Marvin Gaye or the man with the golden voice, as Bob Marley used to say. Call him what you will – Hugh Hammond Beresford, ‘Beres’, was born in Jamaica in 1955 and went on to be one of the best singer/songwriters Jamaica has known. Since his childhood, Beres Hammond took influence from his father’s collection of American soul and jazz and he later took to music like rocksteady and SKA. He has helped prove reggae music to be a noble form of music and still enjoys worldwide recognition today.

It was a local talent contest which led to his first record, “Wanderer.” Beres then joined a band by the name of Zap Pow, as a lead singer, and went on to release the hit single “system” in 1978. He left Zap Pow in 1979, looking to make it as a solo artist after early success with two early hits – “One step ahead” and “I love” both of which are great tunes and became the catalyst for two more albums in the early eighties. After starting his own record label, Harmony Records, Beres departed Jamaica for a new start in New York, 1987, after thieves ransacked his house leaving him tied up. It was in New York where he recorded the duet “How can we ease the pain” with Maxi Priest.

Beres signed with Penthouse Records in 1990 and returned to Jamaica with the dancehall hit “tempted to touch”. This is one of his most famous songs internationally and featured amongst other hits including “Is this a sign of” and “Respect for You Baby” on his Love Affair album.

Recording five more albums in 1990′s, as well as several collaborations, Beres established himself as one of the leading lovers rock artists. With a total of 19 albums to his name and a list of awards as long as my arm it gives me grat pleasure to include Beres Hammond in mt list of favourite Reggae Artists. I could not leave you without a littel taster of what Mr Hammond is all about. It is hard for me to choose my favourite Beres Hammond tunes but I recommend “Pull It Up” which he recorded with Buju Banton, “Rockaway” which is an all time classic and finally “They Gonna Talk” has to be up there in my all time favourites. He really is the man with the golden voice.

Here is a couple of Beres Tracks for you to enjoy. 1- Lovely Day and 2 – They Gonna Talk. Enjoy!

Beres is still out there doing his thing and below you will find his upcoming dates, if you like what you have heard and you get the chance, I strongly recommend you go and see one of the greatest ever reggae artists.

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I was having one of those days (classic reggae tune by Sizzla) yesterday and ended up walking home in the pouring rain. A far cry from the Caribbean I know but, with trusty iPod in hand and plugged in to some really great reggae music, I made it home with a smile on my face. I will often be heard as referring to reggae as ‘happy music’ and for those music lovers (of any genre) out there you will know what I mean. Music is a power that can transport you to any place, it can move you, shake you and take you back in time. With the right tune playing you could be anywhere!

I thought that as a treat I would share with you the 50 top played tracks from my ipod this week. I have tried to link them all so you can have the pleasure of hearing them without having to search hard yourself. I’ll put some of my favourites here too. You don’t have to listen them all at once but keep coming back and picking them off. That’s what this site is all about…what’s that brilliant reggae track I heard? I know….it will be on Reggae-Artists.com

Let me know your favourites. I hope you enjoy!

Jah Cure – Forever

Turbulence – Ex-Girlfriend

Luciano – Over The Hills

Sizzla – Be Strong

Natural Ites – Picture On The Wall

Jah Cure – My Life

Tarrus Riley – She’s Royal

T.O.K – Tears

Junior Kelly – Love So Nice

Marcia Griffiths – I shall Sing

Anthony Hamilton – Everybody

Duane Stephenson – August Town

Pressure – Love and Affection

Shaggy – Bonafide Girl

I-Wayne – Lava Ground

Chuck Fender – I swear

Queen Ifrika – Below The Waist

Beres Hammond – Rockaway

Morgan Heritage – New Time, New Sign

Collie Buddz – Mary Jane

Anthony Cruz – Halfway Tree

Richie Spice – Crying Out

Bob Marley – Jah Live

Errol Dunkley – Happiness Forgets

Freddie McGregor – I See It In You

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The reggae scene in Trinidad and Tobago has always been quite prevalent, as Trinidadian music has evolved from simple calypso, to eclectic mixes of reggae, ska and a bit of soca and R&B.

Much like the multi-cultural population itself, the reggae music that emerges from this island is also quite hard to pinpoint.

Such up coming artists such as Isasha, Million Voice, Jamelody and Marlon Asher have all echoed their Rastafarian chant through the Caribbean and have all begun to spread their song throughout the US and UK.

On a global level, there are artists that hail from Trinidad and Tobago; and have been classified as performers on the reggae front. This includes Machel Montano, Kees and the Band and the Orange Sky.

Machel Montano, who has been a soca performer for just over twenty- five years, released his second to last album in time for the 2007 Carnival celebrations. Having revealed his “Book of Angels”, Mr. Montano has re-vamped his soca style for the reggae remix of his number one hit, “Higher than High”. Performing on stage with the internationally renound, Sizzla, Machel has proved that Trinidad can not only make a presence in the soca arena; but can represent for the reggae industry as well, with his kettle drum beats.

Kees and the Band has been performing (with a few name changes) since the 90’s, and front man Kees, has performed with his youth and vibrance throughout Trinidad and the Caribbean, Canada and the UK, has surged the good vibes of reggae music through his 2007 album, “Lion”.

The Orange Sky has also been emergent in Trinidad and Tobago, touring through various locations, and has been one of the first bands to put Trinidad and Tobago on the map for a more ska-type sound. This was most prevalent for the daunting sound of their soulful cover of “Peace Train”.

Just the beginning of the journey, Trinidad and Tobago is making its name on the reggae scene. With young talent and stellar ambitions, these men will carry this small Caribbean nation deep into the reggae jungle.

…don’t forget to check out our growing list of Reggae Artists!

Written by Jamie Jaggernauth.

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I am delighted to introduce to you all my friend and international reggae artist, Daddy Roots. Born a Rasta on April 23, 1977 in North Valley, Anguilla; the youngest of fifteen children. Roots left school at an early age and gained great education in life from the day-to day living in the streets of Anguilla. Roots elaborates:

Nothing comes to you on a platter unless you have a certain position in society. If you are the underdog, you don’t get anything and have to fight for everything.

Daddy Roots’ religion is love – his reaction to anger and hatred is to walk away with love in his heart and a smile on his face. Daddy Roots believes that around the corner of depression lies hope and his songs titles including “Love And Honor“, “I Am At Peace With Myself”, “Walk Away From War”, “ Happiness” and “Moving On” express his philosophy of peace and harmony for everyone.

Daddy Roots left Anguilla in 2002 to pursue his musical dreams and, early that same year, started his first ever tour in the States…..going from the west to the Midwest and hitting clubs like The Independent (San Fransisco), Malibu Inn (Malibu), Belly Up, OC Tavern, West Coast Festivals before heading out for some colleges in the Midwest and onwards to Chicago’s premier reggae club “Wild Hare”. He is also thankful the opportunity to perform in New Orleans before the world was rocked by Katrina.

Roots then got invited to perform at Ghana’s Panafest and Emancipation day in the summer of 2004 and spent a couple of months playing out there and expanded his musical repertoire.

In 2005 Daddy Roots’ song, “Magar Goat”, was in the movie “Broken Flowers” starring Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Sharon Stone and Jessica Lange. “ Magar Goat” was also used in a Canadian TV Lifetime Movie “Fugitive”. He also has a song, “It’s All Good” on the soundtrack of “Rastafarian Dreaming” documentary, an independent film produced in Toronto, Canada and shown around in Reggae Festivals in the United States.

Daddy Roots won BEST REGGAE VOCALIST 2006 at the 16th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards held at the Music Box, Hollywood, where Gwen Stefani and Black Eye Peas got one of their earlier awards from.

In Late 2007 Daddy Roots aka ZKing of Hearts completed a new cutting-edge album, Happiness, featuring the likes of Wailers/Steel Pulse producer Karl Pitterson, St. Maarten producer Connis Vanterpool and West Coast deejay/producer extraordinaire Peter “Peas” McEvilley.

Daddy Roots is now back in North America to promote his latest CD which, since its release, is spreading blessed love throughout the airwaves of North America and the Caribbean. The release was one of the most added CD to radio playlists nationwide according to CMJ’s New World Chart where it still remains a favourite among programmers. Over 60 stations are spinning Daddy Roots now, including non-commercial powerhouses such as WBAI in New York and KPFA in Berkeley where it received Top 10 status. Leading airplay tracks include the timely “Make Love Not War”, which peaked on Mediaguide’s top reggae songs, and the irresistible herbal anthem “Weedy Wop”. “Are You Willin’?” showcases Daddy Roots’ creative depth and many styles which have already shown great promise of crossover potential.

ALBUMS:
2001 “Two Sides of Love-Chapter One”
2002 “Love and Honor”
2003 “All Here Now”
2007 “Happiness (is in your heart)”

Often described as ‘Bob Marley meets Ben Harper’, Roots recently said to me of his own musical influences:

I am blesssed to have met so many positive people. I left my tiny island I have to admit a bit naively because I thought the rest of the world would be as warm as little Anguilla. I got the chance to work with Zion Trains genius Neil Perch in Germany/Croatia and with Tippa Irie in the UK and I tell you he is one of the best human beings…so kind, humble, considerate and professional on top of all that. Pato Banton is another great man who is also a great positive influence in my life. I am honored to call him a friend.

On that note, I am honoured to call Roots a friend and hope you have enjoyed reading about him. Watch out for more to come from this great reggae artist!

…don’t forget to check out our growing list of other Reggae Artists!

Popularity: 14% [?]

If you followed the reggae history series I recently posted then you will already know that the seventies heralded a brilliant time for Jamaican Music. Since ska turned to rocksteady and rocksteady to roots, we saw reggae music being used more and more as a medium to send out a message to the people. The lyrics of this more conscious roots reggae spoke of social issues, poverty and freedom from oppression. Fuelled by religion beliefs and the powers of Marijuana, artists such as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh and Horace Andy took reggae music to a whole new level.

I happen to be a really big fan of Roots Reggae and cannot get enough of the relaxing melodies associated with this music. I had to share with you a track that I thought would not only be fairly up to date but one that demonstrates perfectly the messages of Roots Reggae.

Here is Jamaican Reggae Artist, Cocoa Tea, with his recent tune Barack Obama. I am not making this a political post myself but in both the lyrics and the melody, this is a prime example of Roots Reggae.

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Reggae has arrived! The penultimate part in the reggae history series covers Trojan Records, the skinheads, the racism and the English gateway for reggae music in the mainstream.

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Rudeboys and Rocksteady! Reggae Artists such as Desmond Dekker, take this reggae history lesson further still.

Reggae History Part One
Reggae History Part Two
Reggae History Part Three

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