A reference of the specialist print press for years, Ragga magazine is about to enjoy a second youth. That, at least, is what Gilbert Pytel, the magazine's creator and editor-in-chief, announces on his blog.
On 11 July, the first issue of Reggae Vibes will go on sale at all newsstands, a “bimonthly magazine covering the news of all the music linked to Jamaica: reggae, dancehall, roots, dub, ska, rocksteady, etc.”
As for the team, we will find more or less the same names as in the previous format, along with a few newcomers, including English journalists David Katz and John Masouri and photographers David Corio, Tim Barrow and Simon Buckland.
The sampler CD, dear to all the earliest readers, will of course be there too and this time will contain 18 tracks. Here, incidentally, is the tracklisting of the one accompanying this first issue:
1. Bob Marley and The Wailers – One love
2. Mikey Ras Starr – Jah man of Calvary
3. Rootz Underground – Hammer
4. Black Judah feat.Warrior King – Mercy please
5. Richie Spice – Hang on
6. Winston McAnuff feat.Baliku Roots – U can kill a prophet
7. Anthony Cruz – Love is falling
8. Etana – Jah chariot
9. Fyakin – My lady
10. Shema – All about me
11. Sami Star – Good to know U
12. Jah Doctrine feat.Massyka – Dead man walking
13. Laden – Gyal coward
14. Sophia Brown – I’m a rose
15. Shiraz – As I am
16. C Sharp – Don’t come searching
17. Unity Sound – Dubplates mix
18. Yard Vibz – Dubplates mix
Until its release, the impatient can keep themselves in suspense by taking a look at the magazine's blog, where further information should be added regularly: http://reggaevibesmag.blogspot.com.
The whole Reggaefrance team wishes Gilbert Pytel and his new team the best of luck, hoping that this new publication will help broaden the reggae audience in France and will not suffer the same mishaps as its big brother.