Reggae jams & gems
VP Records has done it again — dug deep into its bottomless mine of music to come up with “Reggae Anthology: Barrington Levy Sweet Reggae Music (1979-84),” a rare gem of classic Jamaican music. The recent Barrington Levy release, along with the debut of segments Nos. 46 and 47 of the anticipated Strictly the Best compilation series, are sending VP Records barreling full speed into 2013.
Levy’s extensive “Sweet Reggae Music,” a product of VP’s 17 North Parade vintage imprint, follows a prolific five-year span of the performer through 40 tracks on two CDs.
In, 1979, the Clarendon Parish-born teenage dance-hall sensation collaborated with record producers Henry (Junjo) Lawes and Hyman Wright to create a bunch of Levy hit singles such as “Skylarking,” “Collie Weed” and “A Yah We Deh.”
And, as documented in “Sweet Reggae Music,” the sounds and success continued to grow over the years through albums — such as “Robin Hood” — and sizzling singles, including “Mary Long Tongue,” “Robberman,” “Under Mi Sensi” and his crossover smash “Here I Come.”
Detailed liner notes accompany the chronological collection of music that has earned Levy international acclaim.
VP Records’ “Strictly The Best,” the anticipated series which packed reggae hits, also recently landed. Volume No. 46’s roots-reggae 17 tracks include music from Beres Hammond, Sanchez, Anthony B, Morgan Heritage, Gyptian and Etana.
With performers Mr. Vegas, I Octane, Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer and Sean Paul in the lineup for “Strictly The Best” No. 47, dancehall rules the album’s 25 tracks.
All three albums are available at www.vpreggae.com and music outlets.
For more on Levy, visit www.facebook.com/barringtonlevymusic
Remembering ZYNC TV’s Eion Saunders
Like tears, condolences poured in from New York’s Caribbean community and beyond last week for ZYNC TV/New York Linkz founder Eion (Dreadless Ras) Saunders, who died last Thursday. He was 47.
Hundreds of thousands of TV viewers in the tristate area and Pennsylvania will remember him for his popular news and entertainment shows on ZYNC TV/New York Linkz Cablevision and Tempo TV. And many TV watchers will recall getting their first look at Saunders and his impressive skills — as producer, director and host — when he was a regular part of the CIN network of Caribbean programs.
ZYNC TV/New York Linkz executives announced last week that their Dec. 28 holiday party at NY Tracks Café on Ralph Ave. in Brooklyn is now dedicated to the memory of Saunders and would be held as planned. Fans and friends slowly overcame the shock of Saunders’ death and moved on to celebrate his life, many achievements and his heartfelt contributions to people’s lives.
“You have done so much for me,” posted Jamaican singer-songwriter Khalilah Rose on the ZYNC TV show Facebook page. “It is said, I should be rejoicing instead of crying. Yet memories of your humility, realness, honesty and compassion bring tears. Maybe it’s because I didn’t get to say thank you enough. . . , Thank you, Eion. You are blessed.”
On Twitter, Council member Jumaane Williams tweeted, “Your work reverberates throughout Caribbean communities. Thank you."
Kirani James is ‘Person of the Year’
And the winner is 400-meter runner Kirani James! Everybody’s Caribbean magazine has named the 2012 Olympic gold medalist its Person of the Year for 2012.
“Given all the barriers Kirani James has endured and surmounted; his uplifting comments and conduct off the field plus the prestige he has brought to Grenada and the small islands of the Eastern Caribbean, Kirani James is Everybody’s, the Caribbean-American magazine, Person of the Year,” said publisher Herman Hall. Visit www.everybodysmag.com for more on the magazine and its two commemorative issues published for the 50th independence anniversaries of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Feds OK Haitians’ TPS extension
Congratulations to Haitian nationals! Last week, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an extension of the reregistration period for Haitian nationals who have already been granted Temporary Protected Status and seek to maintain that status for an additional 18 months. The reregistration period is extended through Jan. 29, 2013.
And big thanks goes out to city Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Brooklyn), who early on called on U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to grant an extension because of the adverse impact Hurricane Sandy had on regions where Haitians live.
Visit www.uscis.gov and go to “Temporary Protected Status” on the website’s Humanitarian section for more information.