PRESS RELEASE:
Event: Winter Reggae In Paradise II
Date: January 7, 2007
Time: 4:00 p.m. until
Location: Cramer’s Park - St. Croix, U.S.V.I.
Artists: Pressure, Dezarie, Ikahba, Mada Nile, Midnite, Ankh Watep,
Jahcob Seed, Iba and more Afrikan Roots Lab Artists TBA
The joys of life continue on January 7, 2007 with the 2nd Annual Winter
Reggae In Paradise Festival. This musical communion of the highest order
will feature words and sounds from St. Croix’s finest conscious reggae
artists including Pressure, Dezarie, Ikahba, Mada Nile, Midnite, Ankh Watep,
Jahcob Seed, Iba and many more Afrikan Roots Lab artists TBA.
Cramer’s Park, located near Point Udall on the eastern side of St. Croix, is
an ideal location for a music festival. The stage is surrounded by lush
grass. Just beyond lays the breathtaking beach. Stroll along the water’s
edge and watch a near full moon radiate off of Knight Bay. Mix in some of
Dean Pond’s masterful engineering, a proper helping of 100% STX roots vibes,
and you have the perfect recipe for Paradise!
Tickets for this one-day musical extravaganza will be available at the gate,
or may be purchased in advance from Natural Mystic located in Sunny Isle
(across from Western Auto). (340) 772-1848.
The first WRIP was a blessed historical event. The twenty singers over some
10 hours were highlighted by Ronnie Benjamin Sr.’s first performance on the
island in16 years. For a full review of my first visit to paradise, pick up
the current Reggae Festival Guide or go to http://www.vireggae.com/wripreview.htm.
Below is some information on getting to and staying in paradise. For
additional information, please contact Natural Mystic (340) 772-1848.
Blessed love, and I look forward to meeting all of you in paradise next
month.
TRANSPORTATION:
Getting to paradise is easy with the assistance of Global Tours. Ms. Daniel
is just a phone call or email away and is ready to assist you with all your
needs regarding travel and accommodations:
Global Tours- Travel Agent
Contact: Celia Daniel or Sonia Martinez
Telephone: (340) 778-6600
E-Mail: [adresse retirée]
Hours: 8:30- 5:00 (M-F)
9:00-1:00 (Sat.)
CAR RENTAL:
If you’ve already secured your ticket to paradise, you may want a means to
get around the island once you arrive. Mrs. Shillingford works at Budget
Rent A Car, and has a car waiting for you (but you better grab it soon).
Make sure to mention that you are coming to paradise for some winter reggae:
Budget Rent A Car- St. Croix
Telephone: (340) 778-9636
(888) 264-8894
E-Mail- [adresse retirée]
FERRYS:
Ferry transportation to this event will be available from neighboring
islands. Stay tuned for more information on getting to paradise from St.
Thomas, St. John and Tortola.
BIOS: (Courtesy of Ireggae.com, Vireggae.com & Viroots.com)
PRESSURE
My name is Delyno Brown also known as Pressure. I was born on St. Thomas,
Virgin Islands on the fifth day of August, 1981. Ever since the tender age
of five years, I became aware of my mystical talent in music and with the
help of my parents nurtured it. At nine years, I was old enough to join the
Lockhart Elementary School band and I started by playing the trumpet. Two
years later, I joined the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, where I
learned how to play the lead tenor pan. Eventually, I became more musically
inclined to listening and playing other types of music and instruments. I
was introduced to the drums and I was good at beating them. It felt great
to hear and feel the beats/bass/rhythm vibrating through my body; I did not
want to play any other instrument. However, I always thought more of
myself. I had a vision of performing in front of thousands and thousands of
people, whether beating on drums, blowing the trumpet or playing the steel
pan. I never knew that the Most High had a greater vision (iration) in
store for me. By the time I enrolled into Charlotte Amalie High School, I
was playing for the concert band, jazz band, marching band, and the school
steel band. Various types of music surrounded my every daily life. My mind
was made up - I would major in Music Engineering and become a top class
producer.
Latter Reggae music enthused me. I listened to artists such as Shabba
Ranks, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Capleton, Buju Banton, Anthony B and
Sizzla, and many more. I would purchase their compact disc (CD), memorize
their songs from beginning to end and try to sing it exactly like they did.
I received so many compliments from my classmates, expressing to me how well
I sound and advising me to write my own lyrics. I was really into black
consciousness. I was searching my inner self, seeking for my African roots
and purpose in creation. My main concern in school was music, thus,
academically my grades were poor. As a result, my mother sent me to the
mainland (America) to live with my uncle and complete my high school
education. In an effort to get me to stay focus on my academics, my uncle
banned me from all the musical activities I took part in. It was only then
that I stayed more to myself and reggae artists such as Capleton, Anthony B,
and Sizzla who were a big strength to me in the livity of Rastafari.
Thereafter, I began to write my own lyrics. In school (USA) I became well
known for chanting reggae music. I sang in various talent shows around
Lowed County in Valdosta, Georgia, and performed for Amateur Night at the
Apollo in New York in January, 1999. It was all coming together and this
was just the beginning of the vision I had for myself this is what I really
wanted to do. I know that spreading a positive message through reggae music
“I see Rastafari” and “Ghetto Youth.”
All my friends were in love with the songs. Everybody was talking about
them, but they were never publicly broadcast. I used these demos to
constructively criticize myself. Subsequently, I linked with Black Juice
Records, where I was introduced to six other artists who seemed to be on the
same path as I was. We united our efforts and stepped out as the “Star Lion
Family.” We all came from seven different communities with one common goal
to spread the message of Ras Tafari righteousness through our musical
talent. Our first time exposing the Star Lion Family was at Sizzla’s
premiere to the Virgin Islands in April, 2000.
We opened the show with the “Star Lion Family Anthem”. We received a
standing ovation from the audience. The very next day we were the talk of
the town. Every local promoter wanted to book a show with Star Lion Family.
Before long, we were opening shows for the Virgin Islands own Star Fest, and
artists such as Capleton, Buju Banton, Bunny Wailer, Junior Reid, Junior
Kelly, Glen Washington, etc. Individually, I opened shows in Atlanta
Georgia for Sizzla, Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Midnite Band, Merciless, Mega
Banton, and many more.
DEZARIE
There is refreshingly clean and pure new sound sweeping across the
Caribbean. Emerging from the Virgin Island of St. Croix comes Dezarie, the
roots artist whose hypnotic and tantalizing voice are featured on her
critically acclaimed 2001 debut album FYA. This collaboration between I
Grade Records and the Midnite band features 15 killer tracks that resonate
with pure consciousness. Dezarie has a mesmerizing voice that is more
reminiscent of music originating from Africa than reggae.
After receiving Atlanta's "Best New Female Reggae Artist" award in 2001,
Dezarie returned to her native island of St. Croix. Since that time, she has
been working closely with Midnite, the fruits of which can be heard on
"Gracious Mama Africa". Released on the Afrikan Roots Lab label in 2003,
this album further germinates the lyrical seeds planted on FYA.
Gracious Mama Africa transports the incredible voice of Dezarie to a whole
new level - the highest heights. Midnite's trademark sound is fully
displayed on this album, which was given Ireggae’s award for “Best Album of
2003”. Momentous bass lines, classic one-drop drumming and the bubbling of
Ron Benjamin on keyboards prevail throughout, accentuated by charismatic
guitar playing. This will be the first time Dezarie sings for the people of
St. Croix in over two years.
IKAHBA
Ikahba is the latest artist to emanate from the roots caldron currently
bubbling on the island of St. Croix. His debut album ‘Troddin To Zion' was
released in January of 2004 on the Afrikan Roots Lab label. Like all ARL
releases, "Troddin" features the preeminent roots band Midnite laying down
some wicked bass lines and rhythms. Add a heavy dose of conscious lyrics
along with Ron Benjamin’s unique engineering skills and you’ve got the
recipe for a real cruzial album.
What distinguishes Ikahba is his ability to intersperse his cool soothing
vocals (that many people find similar to Tenor Saw) with some chanting in
which Ikahba throws down lyrics fierce and hard. Fellow Afrikan Roots Lab
recording artist Mash joins Ikahba on the selection "Dem Skylarkin", with
Dezarie sharing vocals on the title track. The outstanding harmonies and
subtle background vocals give the entire album an ‘easy-listening’ roots
feel to it, yet the lyrics are piercing and spellbinding.
MADA NILE
Mada Nile is one empress who really knows how to bring the fire. After the
blazing selection “Worry No More” on the Culturellinnium II CD, Mada Nile
stepped to the forefront with her top-ranking album “Rise Today”.
Selections like “JAH Will Find You”, “Batta Bruise” and “Send I De Love”
make this a timeless album, with many good things to look forward to from
Mada Nile.
MIDNITE
Hailing from the Island of St Croix, Midnite is one of the most promising
roots reggae bands of the millennium. They are vanguards of conscious reggae
who represent the King's and Queen's music to the fullness of Jah. Midnite's
profound and innovative lyrics are sincere and deeply rooted to present the
other half of the story. Their CD recordings and live performances will have
reggae and non reggae listeners open to the messages they bring.
Lead singer Vaughn Benjamin's electrifying voice seems an amalgamation of
many great voices in reggae--soulful, chanting, edgy. Vaughn's potent
lyrical style and his brother Ron's exquisite keyboards, background vocals
and musical directorship form the nucleus of this musical quintet which
includes Ryan Wilson on bass, Jerry Simon on guitar and Puerto Rico’s
Christian 'Sly' Molinna-Curet on drums. Midnite weaves the cultural lyrics
of "old school" roots music with modern day experiences to create a unique
listening encounter. Reggae - naked and raw is an apt description for
Midnite's musical style, in which they forgo the frills of extensive
remixes, overdubbing and other musical refinements. Formed in the late 80's,
Midnite returned to STX in 2000, after having spent some years in Washington
D.C. Since then, roots music has not been the same.
IBA
Iba (pronounced: 'Eye-bah') was born Charles "Chucky" Encarnacion on the
island of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. As the son of a musician, Iba was
indoctrinated into music at a very young age, and his passion for knowledge
led him to embrace the teachings of Rastafari in his formative years.
Overtime and thru much diligence, Iba became lead singer of St. Croix's
Front Line Reggae Band and quickly became one of St. Croix's celebrated
singers. In 1995, life and mother nature (hurricane Marilyn) intervened in
this burgeoning career and Iba relocated to Connecticut, USA. In
Connecticut, Iba kept at his passion by fronting the Survivor's Reggae Band
for the next 3 years.
In 2001, Iba recorded several songs with Bambu Station that were selected
for their award-winning compilation "Talkin' Roots - Volume I". Iba's song
"Chant" was selected as the lead track and helped usher in a globally
recognized talent pool of artists from the Virgin Islands. Iba's song was
heavily rotated throughout the United States and Caribbean helping to
solidify "Talkin' Roots I" as a modern classic. Mt. Nebo Records launched
"Jah Lion (Children Of The Nile)", Iba's debut album on July 1, 2003 which
has generated outstanding reviews and critical acclaim from industry
experts, radio personalities and reggae fans alike.
Iba's voice and delivery is very distinct and his phrasing belies the normal
song-writing formats commonly used in music today. Iba's honesty and
life-approach also comes out solid in his presentation and his songs are
filled with harmonies and call-and-respond lyrics which are always engaging
to the audience. Distinct, interesting, harmonious!
For more information regarding Winter Reggae In Paradise II, please visit:
http://www.vireggae.com/wrip07.htm
http://www.wripfestival.com
For photos of the venue, stage and artists who performed at the first Winter
Reggae In Paradise go to:
http://www.vireggae.com/wripphotos.htm