Over the last couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to work on this reggae riddim with several musicians.   I put down a nice little scratch track, and one by one – they all passed by the studio and laid down their tracks.  First Olton Robinson put down a bass line, then Hagan George came in and gave a strength on the guitars.  After that I sent the riddim to our bredren Carol Hodge who laced it with some solid drum tracks, and after he sent it back to me – I had Adrian (Pat) Albert come in and put down the keys.  The outcome was simply magic, and probably one of the best sounding reggae riddims I’ve built in a long time.

While the name of the riddim – “Downward Dog” refers to the ever so popular yoga stance the peaceful nature of the beat is periodically interrupted with a combination of grotesque synth sounds that puncture it’s warmth……Logwood Style….. Take a listen and enjoy.

For the sake of the artists that really want exclusive beats I am going to let this one ride as exclusive for a little while ( 1 week) – after  that we will make it available for non-exclusive sale.

Click here to listen to Downward Dog

New Reggae Riddim Uploaded – “Downward Dog“

Since the last time that I linked in and posted here – we completed and uploaded about 13 new beats.  All styles were represented – Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, and of course a couple Rap Beats The only thing that we didn’t touch was some pop and some rock.  That being said – the most recent addition to the Logwood catalog is a rap beat entitled “Unbridled”

“Unbridled” is a laid back beater that is charged up with the energy of a pulsating percussive melody – energized by some gritty synths and driven by a  solid drum track that “has a bounce to it”.  If I were to script a scene from the movie it might read something like this -

“Kimron tried to imagine that there were some other way to resolve this dispute.  He had tried to reason with the man.  he tried conceding  – even offering a share of his spoils, but somehow or the other none of this was good enough.  He could smell fear and feel the anger building.  If he lost his patience the whole thing would unravel and the consequences would mark the end of an era and the beginning of another…..”

Due to our current catalog building push – this rap beat “Unbridled” will be available for non-exclusive sale and will be added to our publishing catalog immediately

New Beats Uploaded – Rap, Reggae, Soca, Dancehall

On Saturday, April 25^th 2015 at the Walt Whitman Auditorium Brooklyn College, Brooklyn New York, the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music, (CPR) and Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts hosted the much anticipated, International Women of Reggae Night of Hits Event.  Showtime was 8:00 PM.

Tasha T performed alongside Lady Ann, Junie Ranks, Nadine Sutherland; Shuga, Chyna Nicole, Kristine Alicia, and Etana.  JC Lodge scheduled to perform, was unable to appear.

Tasha T born, Natasha Whyte blazed onto the stage in a stunning deep red and burgundy ensemble, special thanks to, Emma McClain Omotade, located in Queens NY.  At one point in her set, she asks the crowd “How you like my dress, it nice yes?” to which they wholeheartedly agreed.

This graceful artist commands the attention of her listeners; whether it is on stage, or via her music.  She is undoubtedly a well-rounded entertainer.  She dominates the stage and covers it like a painter does his canvas.

Her five song set began with “Firm Meditation” a song that speaks to women and reminds them of their self-worth, a catchy tune an anthem, if you will.  Her vocal arrangements are clever, fast flowing; it is a feel good tune.  She followed up with the cover “Win or Lose” by Phyllis Dillon followed by Rita Marley’s “One Draw” that got the crowd – who, if they were still sitting, were now on their feet.  Her next track “Bed of Fire” hugely popular, speaks to the negativity in some people; the tune comes with a caveat of what will befall you if you don’t remain focused in your life “just open your eyes don’t get hypnotized by no devil heart with pretty face.”  Her final song is on the rhythm Hypocrites called “Mouth a Matic” about folks that like to talk negatively about other folks; lyrics were amusing and smart, again well organized.

Slight in stature, her second album is large in sound and content, her vocals are distinctive to each individual song.  The album is entitled “Real Talk”  is distributed by VP Records; released in 2014, and is generating a lot of buzz.

With a cache of awards under her belt, she is also a recent 2015 Juno Award Nominee; and the only female in the category of “Best Reggae Recording.”  Tasha T is currently touring North America and Europe, including Serbia, the United Kingdom and Montenegro with additional dates to follow.

Bookings: Rasvibe Recording Inc.

TEL:

CANADA      (646) 270-4620

USA               (954) 848-4024

JAMAICA     (876) 436-2185

RASVIBERECORDS@GMAIL.COM

WW.TASHATMUSIC.COM

Tasha T Clothing Designed by:

Emma McClain Omotade

231-01 Lindon Blvd., Queens NY  11411

Milton Samms was born on the Caribbean island of Jamaica on May 22^nd 1984.  While many of us grew up “in Church” Milton included, it was while attending Duhaney Park Primary School the singer discovered his vocal ability, singing in an operatic classical style.  Born to musical parents, his father a roots reggae singer, for Milton, the transition to the reggae genre was an easy one.

Milton’s voice is pure, with a vibrato that honestly, mesmerizes.  I interviewed Milton at the Logwood Productions studios located in Bronx, NY and asked him to sing to me the song that won him the coveted title “Winner of Amateur Night et al”. He simply started to sing; there was no “ah hem”, no warm up, no clearing of the throat, he just sang.  After hearing his rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”, I became a fan, it really was a jaw dropping experience.

Milton is a chef by day and made it clear that he is an international chef.  While he loves to prepare food from his place of birth, Jamaica, he is a versatile chef and can cook pretty much any dish one requests.

Milton has performed with several greats such as Shabba Ranks and Chris Martin. He had the opportunity to perform alongside Richie Stevens at the 2014 Linkage Awards “Sweet Jamaica” at Mingles in Bronx, NY and on hearing his set, Stevens asked him to join him on stage for a duet.

Music means a lot to this artist and he gives his all to his artistry.  His personal listening list includes the late great Peter Tosh.  When asked why this particular artist, Milton exclaims, “It is his vocal tone, the quality and the message in his music these are the reasons, he is on my music list, Tosh was a unique singer.”

On March 29^th, 2015 he will grace the stage in a Thomas Empowered Radio Show production alongside personalities like Ragashanti, Dean Fraser and Hezron, at York College Performing Arts Center in Queens.

Milton has a growing list of songs and videos to his credit including tunes “Eva so”  and the Christmas single titled “This Christmas”, all available on ITunes and Pandora,  and his album is forthcoming in early spring.

I sat down with the artist known as Ras Sadiki-I one week before thanksgiving 2014 at a restaurant in Braintree MA, a Boston suburb.  After a few false starts (due to his busy schedule) he was able to carve out an afternoon for me; here he shares a very condensed version of his life.

Jevon White was born on August 19th on the tiny Island of Montserrat.  In 1981, he moved to the United States, Boston MA specifically to live with his dad at the tender age of 8.  Jevon discovered that while he loved listening to music, he realized that he actually liked writing and spitting (rapping).  Two of his influences were Big Daddy Kane, and Run DMC.  He also fell in love with Reggae music, it helped that his father was a major Reggae music promoter at the time, (George Buffonge) also one of Boston’s first Caribbean carnival organizers; that institution began in the early 1970′s.  Jevon’s Reggae influences were Yellowman, of whom he has a great love and respect and, Michigan & Smiley.

When Jevon’s father passed away unexpectedly, he returned to Montserrat but came back to Boston to attend Milton High School – he graduated in 1991, and made plans to study at Morehouse College.  In Atlanta, exposed to ideas and ideals of fellow students, “seeking and searching”  he began to listen to Minister Farrakhan amongst others, and wondered about Atlanta and the “blackness” of the people, and realized that he desired something deeper than what his surroundings, or Morehouse for that matter had to offer him.  For Jevon, there had to be a deeper meaning to his life.  In College he lived, studied and participated in some serious debate specifically about religion, he continued to feel lost, and soon thereafter left Morehouse and returned home to Montserrat for some further soul searching.

While in Montserrat, he began to practice Rastafari including the locking of his hair.  His locks took on a life of their own, a “bongo natty” random look, and were very distinctive.  After a time, he began to see hermetic signs and wonders from God, which included the edict to cut his locks, Jevon stated that while he loves Morgan Heritage, he emphatically disagreed with their song “You don’t have to be dread to be Rasta” and wondered at the irony of it, but he said that he conceded and obeyed God.  He also changed his name; and Sadiki-I was born in 1993.

Already well-traveled most of the United States, a good bit of Europe, and the African Continent countries like Senegal, Sudan, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Egypt, it was Ethiopia where Jevon found his calling.

In 2011, Sadiki-I was granted permission to build a new “Temple” for the Ark of the Covenant located in the ancient Holy City of Aksum, Ethiopia. The “Temple of the Tablets” that housed the Ark of the Covenant was in dire need of repair.  With permission from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawahedo Church (EOTC), Sadiki-I worked alongside the Ethiopian World Federation, Inc., to raise funds for the temple repairs and also the Debre Loza Mariam Church that is 1200 years old and others in Ethiopia.  Sadiki-I notes that he is perhaps the first person in history to be baptized by a guardian Monk of the Ark of the Covenant; that event took place on January 10th 2012, in Axum Ethiopia.  In December 2013, the new Temple repairs were completed.

While experiencing some of the most important moments of his life, Sadiki I also finds time to promote reggae music and can call the likes of Queen Ifrica, the Lyricist himself Mr. Tony Rebel, and Sizzla Kalonji close friends.  This past December 2014, Sadiki- I promoted a showcase on the Island of Montserrat including Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Sadiki-I himself, it also featured local Montserratian talent.

Sadiki-I created his own label Mystic Lion Entertainment in Boston, MA in 1995.

“That’s just the way it is, things will never be the same…, but better is still yet to come…” Sadiki-I’s lyrics from his song entitled “Montserrat will never be the same…” Is his ode to Montserrat, referencing the old days before the volcanic eruption in 1996 that devastated the island and caused the involuntary exodus of many, especially the elders to the United States, Antigua and the United Kingdom.

As an artist, his lyrics are delivered crisply with a punch.  His style has the heady Hip hop influence of his youth, but the listener definitely knows that his impetus is deeply spiritual and his mandate and purpose is to deliver the message of H.I.M Selassie I.

His track “My Father is a Conqueror” speaks to his total and unwavering belief that H.I.M. Selassie I is God Almighty.

www.sadik-I.com

]]> http://logwoodonline.com/web/an-interview-with-sadiki-i/feed/ 0 http://logwoodonline.com/web/introducing-kemistry/ http://logwoodonline.com/web/introducing-kemistry/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:49:27 +0000 Vernie http://logwoodonline.com/web/?p=540

INTRODUCING KEMISTRY

The word ‘Chemistry’ has many definitions, one of which, according to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary is a “strong mutual attachment.”

What to say about Kemistry’s chemistry?  They do have a strong mutual attachment but they are also poised, collected, fun to listen to and fun to watch.

In conversation one might forget their actual ages.  Mom and Dad, health educator and music producer respectively, hope that their music influences others as it is appreciatively, family friendly.

The eldest Kofi, started performing at the age of 5, with leadership skills already evident, spearheaded the group at the age of 11, when Esi (pronounced Asee) was 9 and Kwesi 7.  Esi the middle child and female of the group sings and has been studying ballet at The Ailey School since the age of 5. She is also a budding model. Kwesi sings, he is an avid break dancer and has begun to display an interest in playing drums. In 2013, the three were featured in the Wyclef Jean Official Video “Bagay Nef.”

Ladies first; Esi – is a girl’s girl.  As she enters the family room, I am greeted by a lithe, confident and self-possessed young adolescent.  As she takes a seat beside me, we talk about the things that interest her including movies, music and performing.  She notes that she is influenced by artists such as Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Beyoncé.  I asked her, what are some of the things she thinks about just before a performance, and she explained, “Well before I go on the stage, I am a little nervous, and then all my nervousness goes away as the show begins.”   Esi is animated and I am transported into her world; a world that oozes self-confidence which, I wish could be bottled and offered to other little girls that long for her organic “coolness” in these ever changing times of style.

We discussed how she handles the stress at performance time, she said, “I don’t like to stress about anything, I just want to have a good performance.”  Both Mom and Esi note that she can be hard on herself but yet, is astute enough to put things into perspective.

Kwesi is nine years old and the baby of the group.  That he is the youngest of the three, has no bearing as Kwesi is just as buoyant and self-assured as his older siblings.  He states that he loves to perform.  According to Kwesi his favorite part of performing is “the end result.”   His personal favorite of the group is entitled, “Golden Bounce” from their 1^st album. It is about Montserrat’s Anual Christmas Festival, an event where the group has performed each year since 2012.  He describes the song as “entertaining and fun”.

I asked him who he regarded or rather; who were the heroes in his life, he answered, “I look up to my parents and older brother”. I asked, “Well what about your sister,” he replied “well she’s only 2 years older than me, so only occasionally.”   Kwesi told me if he was president, he would ensure that every car worked on electricity so that there would be no pollution.  I could have spoken to him for hours.

Kofi is 13 years old actually in years but older cognitively.  He is self-assured and right at home in his skin.  As he struts over to speak to me, his presence dominates the room; this is admirable in someone still quite young.  Kofi plays cello five plus days a week and can play chords on a guitar and keyboard “reasonably well”, he says.  His favorite part of performing is the adrenalin rush that he gets while on the stage, one of his mantras is to “go out there and do your best.”  He explains his ‘after performance routine’ to me.

“Once our performance is over, we would go out and meet the crowd and sell our CD’s, and oftentimes, I would find a corner, lock everyone out and go over the performance, frame by frame; what could have been done better, what could be toned back.”

His favorite song is ‘In Love’ he notes, that this track kick started the whole process.  His next favorite would be ‘Yes’ he says, “This particular track offers a more modern theme and has beautiful progressions, the song shows the progress of our evolution.”   I agree, it does, but what 13 year old talks about “progress of our evolution?”  Anyway-
To relax, Kofi likes to read; in fact he has been a voracious reader since the age of 5!   His mom’s only objection; he has yet to take an interest in non-fiction unless it is school mandated.  I say she has nothing to worry about.

Kofi is an aspiring cinematographer, he stated that he likes “beautifully cut films” I ask him to elaborate, he says “a beautifully cut film is film that is visually stunning and interesting, cinematic, and emotionally engaging.  You don’t have to like the movie or ever want to see it again, but you can look back and say I’m glad I watched that.”

I asked Kofi if he had any heroes, he said that he did not, but he did have a few role models; Bunji Garlin, for globalizing Soca and bringing the genre mainstream, the Mighty Arrow, Bob Marley and the Cellist, Yoyo Ma.

Kemistry are a very young group, but don’t let their ages fool you.  They are music professionals with a sound knowledge of their roots, infused with present day pop culture; they know exactly who they are individually.  Tune in for more Kemistry.

]]> http://logwoodonline.com/web/introducing-kemistry/feed/ 0 http://logwoodonline.com/web/new-rap-beat-uploaded-rejection-hurts/ http://logwoodonline.com/web/new-rap-beat-uploaded-rejection-hurts/#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2014 02:23:25 +0000 0143649 http://logwoodonline.com/web/?p=535 New Rap Beat Uploaded – “Rejection Hurts”

We recently uploaded a new exclusive beat to our website -  buybeatsandtracks.com.   The new track  “Rejection Hurts” is a depressing  rap beat that might take you on a downward spiral of bitter expression.   The only thing bubbling is the bass, and the track is hard.

“Rejection Hurts” is authentic Logwood flavor with a splatter of urban grit – If I had to paint a picture with words -  it might read something like this….

“Melinda  rounded the corner and pushed the cart up the block.   To her right, nestled in the courtyard of Linden Terrace was a small group of boys playing music and talking – but not the usual boisterous behavior……..more like a conference…..and from what she could see and hear…..there was going to be some sort of an outcome…….some sort of a resolution……some kind of action….”

As always this rap beat will be sold exclusive only for a limited time -  if you need it – get a taste and  lock it in!!

New Rap Beat Uploaded – “Rejection Hurts”

We recently uploaded a new beat to the website buybeatsandtracks.com.   The new track  “Living a Lie” is a rap beat that will tickle the imagination of the creative artist because this is what trap might sound like if it were a happy go lucky type of music.

“Living a Lie” creates a solid blend between an uptempo flavor, a solid kick, a smooth snare, and a rugged bass line – Authentic Logwood flavor.  This rap beat is def built for creative exploration so it is not over-produced.

As always this rap beat will be sold exclusive only for a limited time – so if you want a taste lock it in now!!

New Rap Beat Uploaded – “Living a Lie”

We recently uploaded a new soca riddim to our website – buybeatsandtracks.com.  The track – titled “Surfin on Dat” is a soca track with an urban trap feel, laced with dub step elements, and riding on an energetic groove that captures the essence of what’s going on right now in the pop market.

Destined to bring the dance to a stop and get those backgrounds shaking  – “Surfin on Dat” will remind you of Beyonce and JayZ ‘ s  “Drunk in Love”.   This soca riddim is perfect for a soca artist who wishes to create something with a similar feel to the aforementioned – while remaining autonomous and free from copyright infringement.  The beat will be sold Exclusive Only for limited time.  After that non-exclusive licenses will be $9.99  so take  a serious listen and see if this is what you need.  If it is – snatch it up – cuz this beat is hot and it will go.

Take a listen!!

New Beat Uploaded – Soca Riddim – “Surfin on Dat”

We recently uploaded a new beat to the website buybeatsandtracks.com.   The new track  “Once in a Lifetime” is a reggae riddim that should stand the test of time.  Destined (in my humble opinion) for greatness – this track seeks a competent artist with the skills and confidence to take it all the way.

“Once in a Lifetime” relishes in the tradition of one drop while holding authentic Logwood vibrations – Rastaman style.  This reggae riddim is not meant for the weak-heart or weary….so please if you can’t handle the ride – simply observe from a distance.  Otherwise feel free to take a listen, let it grow on you, fall in love, and lock this in while you can.  As always this reggae riddim will be sold exclusive only for a limited time.

New Beat Uploaded – Reggae Riddim – “Once in a Lifetime”