keepitjiggy.com

Archive for November, 2010

The Death of Gregory Isaacs: Jamaica Mourns a Reggae Legend

By Pat Roxborough-Wright / Kingston Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

Unless you're a reggae devotee, you might have assumed that the heyday of Jamaica's most famous music ended with the death of the legendary Bob Marley in 1981. After that, Marley's elegance seemed to have been overtaken by the louder and often lewder strains of dancehall reggae. But the thousands gathering to bid farewell to Gregory Isaacs this weekend know better: thanks to Isaacs' silky vocals and stage mastery — he was called the "Cool Ruler" — the reggae born at the time of the Beatles still pulses strong. Isaacs "kept the tradition of pure singing alive," says Jamaican musicologist Vaughn "Bunny" Goodison. "He remained endeared to the people."
Read the rest of this entry »

October 5, 2010 at 5:43 pm

Ideally located on Jamaica’s scenic North Coast, between the resort centres of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, the Green Grotto Caves are a major historical and natural attraction for both local visitors and tourists who crave adventure. Said to have once been a haven for pirates and even runaway slaves in the 18th century, the caves (named for the green algae that cover its walls) are characterized by coastal limestone and are easily accessible. The tour of the caves (measuring 1,525 metres in length and 12 metres in depth) lasts just under an hour!
Read the rest of this entry »

Jamaica home to 28 endemic species

By Gary Davidson - Arrow Lakes News

Updated: November 23, 2010 11:21 AM

I’m sure you’re all wondering why I would put a picture of a Jamaican Lizard-Cuckoo with this article. It’s because we are currently enjoying a two week vacation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica! While this is primarily a vacation in the sun before winter gets really started, we have managed to fit in some birding.
Read the rest of this entry »

Isaacs sent home in style

Published: Thursday | November 11, 2010
London, United Kingdom:

Reggae legend Gregory Isaacs once again took superstar billing as hundreds of well-wishers, rather than mourners, celebrated his life in unique style in London yesterday.

A sunny, crisp autumn day set the stage for the Cool Ruler's final appearance in the city he regarded as his second home.

The All Saints Anglican Church in Harrow Weald, North London, was packed to the rafters as passionate, reflective tributes flowed from those who knew and loved the singer.
Read the rest of this entry »

Jamaica Tourist Board passes 100k Facebook fans

Jamaica Observer - Tuesday, November 09, 2010

THE Jamaica Tourist Board minutes ago passed 100,000 fans of its official Facebook page, VisitJamaica. This, according to the JTB, makes the island the first Caribbean destination to reach this milestone.

Jamaica’s Facebook fan base includes Jamaicans, Jamaicans living overseas, tourists and others planning to visit. According to the JTB the largest numbers of fans are located in Jamaica’s main tourism markets: the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

“As the landscape of media changes, so must our efforts to market destination Jamaica,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch. “This year we amplified our efforts to reach consumers on-line by taking ownership of the VisitJamaica Facebook page, creating three YouTube channels, starting a blog and launching two Twitter accounts. These platforms have created a very beneficial dialogue with our visitors, allowing the Jamaica Tourist Board to address the leading topics and trends of the day.”

The JTB says that interactivity has been a key feature of their social media activity, informing and joining in conversation with their fans and followers. Besides Facebook, it has also been active on YouTube, Twitter and its blog, IslandBuzzJamaica.

“By utilising social media channels, the Jamaica Tourist Board has been able to directly engage our audience,” said David Shields, JTB head of marketing. “We can provide a wealth of resources and information about the destination in real-time, while also creating programmes and promotions that excite and encourage our fans to learn more about the Jamaica.”

From JamaicaObserver.com.

Buju Banton out on bail

BY PAUL HENRY Crime/court co-ordinator henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

REGGAE artiste Buju Banton this afternoon walked out of the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida after he was granted bail in an immigration court. Banton has been in jail since December last year when he was arrested for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine.

A member of his legal team, Marc Seitles, said the artiste was overjoyed that he gained some measure of freedom.

"Buju can’t wait to have a nice meal and sleep in his own bed,” Seitle said.

In September, Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was left pondering his fate after a 12-member jury could not reach a unanimous decision about his innocence or guilt.

He will be retried in February next year.

Banton met the conditions bail set by US magistrate Anthony Porcelli after his friend and son of Reggae King Bob Marley, Stephen Marley, put up his US$300,000 house as collateral.

Myrie will have to wear a tracking device and will be under 24-hour surveillance from a security company. He has also signed an extradition waiver and will not be allowed to leave the Middle District of Southern District of Florida until his trial begins.

He will only be allowed to visit a doctor and his lawyer.

Also he must submit himself to urine tests to prove that he is not using banned substances.

From JamaicaObserver.com.

Grand Opening - Blue Mountain Soapworks

Okay... a little self-promotion going on here today... my wonderful partners and I have embarked upon a BIG new adventure!

We are excited to announce the GRAND OPENING of the new online home of BLUE MOUNTAIN SOAPWORKS - natural, organic soaps, shampoo & lotion handcrafted in Long Bay, Portland, JAMAICA, at the foot of the beautiful Blue Mountains. Yes, mon!! Please come check us out!

It’s in Long Bay that we create our handmade soaps & luxurious body delights using the extremely soft and abundant Portland rainwaters along with natural vegetable, fruit and nut oils & butters as the base for our cold process soaps. Many local herbs and spices provide color and texture, while essential oils enhance the aroma of each bar.

Our Long Bay shop won't quite be ready for visitors until early 2011, but we have been hard at work and all of our products are available on the website with shipping from Jamaica & the US.

Our business began after a lot of reading and research about both the art & science of soap making and the traditional “bush medicines” of Jamaica. Bush medicine first flourished in Jamaica among slaves imported from Africa. It was later developed by the Maroons, a fierce band of runaway slaves whose descendants still live in remote Blue Mountain settlements. The island’s lush landscape and tropical climate is ideal for growing herbs, and today Jamaica is home to more than 300 varieties of medicinal plants. We use many of them in our handcrafted soaps!

We welcome you to visit the site and check us out! Remember, holiday season is here & EVERYONE loves soap. What could be a better gift than soaps MADE IN JAMAICA??!!! (We offer e-gift certificates too.) Or, if you're surprising the family with an upcoming trip to beautiful Jamaica, this would be the perfect way to announce it!

Be sure to listen to the sweet "All I Have is Love" following the article. RIP Mr. Isaacs - all we have is love.

Memorial Service Set For Reggae`s Gregory Isaacs

CaribWorldNews, LONDON, England, Thurs. Nov. 4, 2010:

Reggae`s `Cool Ruler` Gregory Isaacs is set to be remembered next week in a memorial service in London.

The UK service, according to his wife Linda, is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday 10th November at the All Saints` Church in Harrow Weald where Isaacs lived with his family.

Following the service, Isaacs` body will be flown to his homeland, Jamaica on Thursday 11th November for a state funeral and burial. He will be escorted by a cortege comprising his children and grand-children who reside in Britain.

Jamaica`s Culture Minister, Babsy Grange, has organized a state funeral to be held at the National Arena on the island. Isaacs died in London on Monday, October 25, after a battle with lung cancer. He was 59.

Isaacs first recorded in 1968 on `Another Heartache` and by 1973, had a hit with `My Only Lover.` In the next five years, the singer attained a wealth of favorites crossing from ballads to uptempos including `All I Have Is Love,` `Lonely Soldier,` and `Black a Kill Black.`

In 1974, he did it again with the number one track `Love Is Overdue.` He was signed by Front Line Records in 1978 and delivered the albums `Cool Ruler` and `Soon Forward.` Isaacs also appeared in the film Rockers, in which he performed `Slavemaster.`

In 1981, he made his first appearance at the Reggae Sunsplash festival and he moved on to the Charisma Records offshoot Pre, who released his `The Lonely Lover` and `More Gregory` albums along with a string of increasingly successful singles including `Tune In,` `Permanent Lover,` `Wailing Rudy` and `Tribute to Waddy.`

He then moved on to Island Records where he delivered the ever popular, `Night Nurse.` He battled a drug addiction for many years and almost fell silent. But in 2007 he collaborated with the Spanish rap group Flowklorikos album Donde Duele Inspira. In 2008, after some 40 years as a recording artist, Isaacs released a new studio album `Brand New Me,` which has now become his last.

From CaribWorldNews.com.

5 Live Music Spots in Jamaica

October 29, 2010 at 9:56 pm

Jamaica is well known for it’s vibrant night life and with street dances on every other corner on almost every night of the week it is easy to find yourself in the middle of one. However, though there is also a huge live music presence in Jamaica, if you’re looking for live jazz, blues, dub, reggae or otherwise you might want to know exactly where to find it. With that in mind here is a list of 5 Live Music Spots in Jamaica.

Blue Beat (Montego Bay)

Martinis and jazz music are the order of the day at Blue Beat located right next door to Margaritaville on Montego Bay’s “Hip Strip”. The only bar of its type in Jamaica, Blue Beat serves up live jazz and blues music in a cozy setting with atmospheric lighting and cool blue decor to help set the tone. Since its opening in 2004 it has become a well established watering hole (not to mention the extensive menu). A decidedly more upscale place, elegant, with comfortable couches and lounge chairs to the side and a small, crowded patio out back overlooking the harbor. The outside lounge area is the best place to be on a typically hot, humid Jamaican night, a patio with couches and chairs just a handrail away from the dark ocean below.

Weekly fun includes live jazz from the resident band, live DJ music nightly, Friday night’s Copacabana Latin Flare, and Saturday’s Guest List. Blue Beat also hosts an unplugged series featuring international and local artists.

Jamnesia (Bull Bay)

Located just about 30 mins east of Kingston in Bull Bay the bi-monthly Jamnesia Sessions is one the most entertaining live music events in Jamaica and is steadily increasing in popularity since its birth 3 years ago. Jamnesia serves as a platform for many rising and already established musicians, poets and even dancers to perform in a laid back outdoor setting with food and drinks just a few steps away and the beach just a tiny bit further. The open mic event is held at the Jamnesia Surf Club, and hosted largely by the Wilmot family, headed by ‘Billy Mystic’ Wilmot. This authentically Jamaican event is often followed by a 3-4am bonfire and best of all it’s free!

Redbones Blues Cafe (Kingston)

Redbones Blues Cafe in Kingston offers up a mix of Southern/US and Jamaican fusion cuisine with Jazz, blues, and other arts events all in open-air ambience. Located at 1 Argyle Road in Kingston this is not only a great place for live music, the food is excellent as well. The Jamaican-contemporary menu offers a wide variety of international dishes with a local touch. A fully stocked bar adds to the offerings. The spot features elegant dining rooms, intimate terraces and enchanting private gardens. Redbones also plays host to art exhibitions, foreign films, theatrical productions, worldbeat music evenings, vibes verse poetry nights, and some of the best live music in town.

Jonkanoo Lounge (New Kingston)

For live roots/reggae, jazz and dub music (and poetry) in the New Kingston area The Wyndham Kingston hotel’s Jonkanoo Lounge is the place to be on a Friday night. The lounge hosts a weekly event called “Plug N’ Play” and different bands and acts take the stage each Friday night from 10pm till 2am. If somehow the music isn’t enough the setting will get you. The entrance to the Jonkanoo Lounge overlooks the pool garden at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel and it has developed a reputation as a great place to hang out. There is a large bar with tall, rotating stools around its circumference, and large, cozy, cushion-seated booths offer the ideal setting for relaxing or for a romantic rendezvous.

Bourbon Beach (Negril)

Located on Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril Bourbon Beach has been described as the best spot for live reggae music on the Negril strip. This is made all the better by the savory jerk chicken and pork on the menu at this beachfront restaurant and bar. Bourbon Beach offers live reggae concerts every Monday, Thursday and Saturday night as well as special concerts other nights of the week. Past concerts have included names like Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs and Bobby Dread. Evenings are especially lively, with local reggae artists playing late into the night under the glittering stars.

From Island Buzz Jamaica – The Official Blog for Destination Jamaica.