Tarrus Riley Releases Contagious

August 1, 2009

Reggae superstar Tarrus Riley officially launched his new 18-track album, Contagious, at the Iberostar hotel in Montego Bay, on Friday, in front of a large number of local and overseas-based journalists and well-wishers who were also in Montego Bay for Reggae Sumfest.

Contagious includes tracks such as Good Girl Gone Bad-a combination with dancehall artiste Konshens; Living the life of a Gun; a cover version of Michael Jackson's Human Nature; Love's Contagious; Superman; I Sight among others.

"I named it Contagious because I want it to spread all over, because the vibes is positive and so many negative things are spreading and secondly, with the support of the people, my music is becoming contagious. Everyone is logging on and I really love that," Riley told The Gleaner.

Executive director and promoter of Reggae Sumfest, Johnny Gouzong, who was among members of the music fraternity out to show support, labelled Riley the 'Prince of Reggae' and said he was mesmerised by Riley's voice the first time he heard one of his songs.

"My introduction to Tarrus was in 2004. It was close to Reggae Sumfest and I was given this CD. I usually get a lot of CDs to listen to upcoming artistes and I try to listen to as many of them as possible, sometimes in my motor vehicle," he said. "That day (I) don't think I could have driven for more than 60 yards. I turned around because apparently he had been waiting to see me. I was frantic because I said I wanted to meet this person. He must be on the show this year. Happily, we hooked up, he was contracted and he has been on Reggae Sumfest every year since."

Jamaican international footballer and music producer Ricardo Gardner, who was on a break from his English Premiership team Bolton Wanderers, was also at the launch.

"I just came here to pay respect to Tarrus Riley on his album launch. It's a great album and he is a great artiste and I am here to give him my full support. I am learning from him. I have already listened to all the tracks on the album. It is a great album and I would give it 10 out of 10," Gardner told The Gleaner.

Promoter of Western Consciousness, Worrell King, on whose show Riley made his first performance while still a virtual unknown several years ago, said he knew from the start that the singer would loom large, musically."We have a very bright star. We have a winner," he said.

Prezident Brown - Common Prosperity Tour

August 1, 2009

In support of his July 2009 release, Common Prosperity, Jamaican reggae artist Prezident Brown and The Solid Foundation Band are slated to commence a western U. S. tour in July 2009 that includes a performance at the Reggae Rising festival in Piercy, California, the Eugene Celebration in Oregon and the Monterey Bay Reggaefest. Prezident Brown is a substantial artist with a beneficial message pertaining to righteous living. His catalogue is large and consistently increasing. His current band is top of the line. Prezident Brown has been embraced and supported worldwide.

Prezident Browns' band, The Solid Foundation band, consists of an all-star, world class crew. Devon Bradshaw, former member of Burning Spears band, is the musical director and bass player. Nelson Miller, also formerly of Burning Spears band, is on drums. Ron van Leeuwaarde, owner of the Project West Recording Studio in Berkeley California is on guitar. Ryan Daisley, from Barbados, owner of the Shaolin Recording Studios in Oakland California is on keyboards. Ryan has also played with Junior Reid, Glen Washington, Don Carlos and Cornell Campbell amongst others.

Prezident Brown is a champion of the new roots and reality conscious reggae movement that entertains, informs and inspires. As a musical talent, he is a reflection of the times. He has been a part of the dynamic international music industry since 1996, when he signed to Island Records, followed by various other record labels such as Kariang, Chet Records and Sony Germany; producing memorable works like To Jah Only and Generation Next.

Prezident Brown has now recently finished recording a new CD, entitled Common Prosperity, produced by his bass player Devon Bradshaw and Ian Coleman. Ian Coleman known as "Beezy" has been the guitarist for Ziggy Marley for the past twelve years. Prezident Brown is well pleased with this album, and feels it is some of his best work to date. The album features Prezident Brown's Solid Foundation band, with a few additions such as Courtney "Bam" Diedrick of Damien Marley's band on drums. Vin Gordon, on trombone, who plays with The Skatalites, and on sax is Glen Dacosta, formerly of Bob Marley and the Wailers. Common Prosperity also includes a duet with Gary Pine, formerly of The Wailers. The executive producer of the project is Martel Moore. The release is scheduled for this summer 2009, on the Tomorrow's Children label.