Dub I.D. http://virb.com/dubid Dub I.D. has been DJing since 1990, affliated with Umoja Soundsystem International.
Dub I.D. also produces as Double Identity for the Voltage Music label, based in San Francisco. The label's motto is Dub For The Dancefloor!
Dub I.D. is known for spinning original dub (King Tubby, Glen Brown, Roy Cousins, Mad Professor) as well as dubstep. He promoted S.F.'s first ragga-2step party in 2000 called Rude with residents Mike Bee, ML Tronik and Star Eyes. Dub I.D. also DJs other eclectic styles from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. "Style a style / pattan a pattan" Catch Dub I.D. at clubs throughout the Bay Area and world.
Visit ForwardEver and Voltage Music for news updates.
OUT NOW! DUB FOR THE DANCEFLOOR: VOLTAGE REMIXED COMP! Dub For The Dancefloor: Voltage Remixed & Unreleased. 12 tracks including 2 unreleased tunes and remixes by Domu, Kode 9, Polar, Titonton Duvante, Tino Corp and DJ Abstract. Available now at all fine digital music outlets! COMING SOON: VLTO11 - EARLYWORM EP 3 deep dub tracks by Toronto dub roots producer Earlyw~rm, with remixes by Kush Arora and Babylon System. For more information subscribe to the Voltage Music blog for updates at: http://www.myspace.com/voltagemusiclabel Vinyl singles for selected releases are still available at Groove Distribution.

Add your e-mail address to receive DJ Tomas/Dub ID gigz update!

]]> Virb 2.0 (@dubid) en Quick Hits http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/6075976

It's November, which in the reggae world means a holiday rush of new music and...it means Sting, Jamaica's most anticipated yearly concert, is around the corner. But some have wondered, what's Sting without Ninja Man? Will there be a "surprise" dispensation for the king of Clash? Vybz, Bounty, Beanie and Movado will just have to wonder until that day...

Happy to announce that premier reggae news site United Reggae seems to be back online and in business. The website went away for a minute, but it's back with it's usual cool previews and interviews.

Germany's Echo Beach Records has a really nice Remix edition of the Ruts DC's classic album titled Rhythm Collision Reloaded. Rob Smith (RSD), Dreadzone and more offer dub delights!

A new reggae film is making the rounds. Made In Jamaica looks great -- both cinematography and narrative direction. Check it out!



Was on the air a week back doing Saturday Nite Rockers on KUSF. It was Oct. 31, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., also the end of daylight savings time in the US. So at 2 a.m. the clock rolled back to 1 a.m. giving the show and extra hour. Four hours of reggae!

Some highlights (music featured in the player below):

Lorenzo & Chezidek "Mr. Officer" (Irie Ites)
A crucial re-lick and livication to the one like Mikey Dread, riding his famous "Roots & Culture" riddim. Great dub versions of this track too.

Monsoon – A Salaam Alikum (Soul of the Lion)
Really nice roots singjay piece, reminiscent of Capleton or Natural Black. Bigging up the Motherland, Africa, and all peoples of the world.

Rula Brown & Lukie D – Move Me Baby (digital)
Excellent Lovers Rock tune riding the Studio One / Marcia Griffiths riddim "Tell Me Now."

Barbee – Feels So Good (Chi Ching Ching)
Jamaica's number-one pin-up girl can actually sing. This Dean Fraser-produced tune is quality. Sweet vocals on a modern one-drop beat. A new song that already has chart traction in Yard.

Other highlights:
Rosey's Bost & Bim produced track "Love" (Quango), Blackice "Sensimillia" on the Maestro riddim (Weedy G), I-Octane's "ballad of the year" tune "Lose A Friend" (which really is moving), and the excellent Focus Riddim on Raw Moon, represented in the playlist below by Tom Laing's "Heavy Load." Go deh!

]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:38:14 -0800 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/6075976 Street Bullies Video http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5878684 Jay Will -- certainly THE name in JA video and movie production for a minute.

The production takes us through Jamaican dancehall scenes, 1984 to the present day, emphasizing the good times.

More on the Jamaican video renaissance.

This is a medley on the Street Bullies riddim.

]]> Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:01:37 -0800 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5878684 Skip Is A Hit http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5731474

Jamaica has a long tradition of excellent dancehall singer/DJ combinations: Wayne Wonder & Buju Banton "Don't Know Why." Chakademus & Pliers "Murder She Wrote." Tanto Metro & Devonte "Everybody Falls In Love." And the list goes on.

Add to that the infectious new single "Skip To Ma Lu" from relative newcomer Serani. This catchy new track featuring Ravers Clavers street dancer-turned-DJ Ding Dong has the energy and hooks to be a big tune. Pop reggae? Sure, but this is the sound of Jamaica in the 21st century; as the saying goes "To The World!"

Serani ft. Ding Dong, Razz & Biggy - Skip To Ma Lu by forwardever
]]> Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:25:00 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5731474 Events & Ting http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5713487
A new movie, Holding on to Jah, from the band Groundation's production company is making the film festival rounds for the next few months before it's release.

Read an excellent review from an advance screening in SF.



SF DJs Danekah and DJ Green B bring the big riddims at their twice-monthly dancehall night Coo-Yah!

They'll be hosting their second annual Dancehall Queen contest November 11. More info.



And finlly, get ready to rumble! LA Rumble that is - the annual reggae soundclash that crowns the kings of the West. This year promises to be a big one with Florida's Poison Dart, New York's and SF's two=time champions Jah Warrior Shelter all in the clash.

]]> Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:42:50 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5713487 Links Up http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5441234
(SF's dubstep master Sam Supa!)

A few choice links for your listening pleasure:

KUSF: WAKE THE TOWN
The streaming audio link for last Thursday night's Wake The Town program on KUSF. Featuring rocksteady, ska and early reggae from the likes of the Melodians, the Dynamites, I-Roy, Prince Buster, John Holt and Soul Vendors.

SAM SUPA: DUBSTEP MIX
Check out this great dubstep mix from S.F. DJ Sam Supa (Brap Dem!). The mix features Skream, Kutz, Eskmo, Kozee, Djunya, Zed Bias and more.

AFROBEAT KING: FELABRATIONS



Fela Kuti "Zombie"

Knitting Factory Records, in association with New York-based music and lifestyle marketing company Giant Step, is excited to announce that over 15 official “Felabrations” have been confirmed to take place in more than 15 cities across the country throughout the month of October. The events have been created to celebrate the re-mastering and reissue of the entirety of the legendary Fela Kuti catalogue, beginning on October 27 with the CD and CD-Deluxe with DVD release of the compilation The Best Of The Black President, as well as the musical FELA! beginning previews at the Eu gene O’Neill Theatre on Broadway on October 19 and the musician’s birthday. Fela would have been 71 on October 15.

Select Felabration Dates:

10/12/2009 - HOUSTON: Rocksteady Mondays presents: Felabration! w/ DJ Sun & DJ Chicken George @ The Flat

10/12/2009 - PORTLAND: Felabration! w/ Rev. Shines, DJ Santo & more @ Someday Lounge

10/14/2009 – NEW YORK (Brooklyn): Voodoo Funk & Giant Step present: Felabration! w/ DJ Frank Gossner and Ikebe Shakedown @ The Knitting Factory

10/14/2009 - OAKLAND: Soul.Profess presents: RECESS / Felabration! w/ special guest DJ Cecil & live performance by Delina Brooks @ AIR Lounge

10/15/2009 – NEW YORK (Downtown): Jump'n'Funk, Libation, FELA! & S.O.B.'s present: Felabration! w/ DJ's Rich Medina & Ian Friday @ S.O.B.'s

10/15/2009 – LOS ANGELES: Afro Funke' presents Felabration! w/ DJ Nu-Mark, Amon (on percussion), resident DJs Jeremy Sole & Glenn Red, host Rocky Dawuni + special guests @ Zanzibar

10/15/2009 - SEATTLE: SunTzu & Giant Step present: Blueprint / Felabration! w/ SunTzu Sound DJs, special guest Ohmega Watts, & more @ Grey Gallery & Lounge

10/16/2009 – LOS ANGELES: Footlong Development & Frolab present: Jump'n'Funk w/ DJ Rich Medina + opening set by DJ Marvski @ Tantra

10/16/2009 - CHICAGO: Listen:Up presents Felabration! w/ DJ Ron Trent & DJ Spinna @ The Shrine

10/17/2009 – SAN FRANCISCO: Giant Step presents: Jump'n'Funk w/ DJ Rich Medina

10/24/2009 - ATLANTA: Spread Love + Jump'n'Funk present Felabration! w/ Roy Ayers, Rich Medina, DJ Kemit, Mausiki Scales & Common Ground Collective, DJ Ausuar @ 595 North

10/31/2009 – NEW YORK (Harlem): Uhuru Afrika + Soul Funktion present: Fela Lives! w/ DJs: Adam Gibbons, Offbeat, DJ OBah, live percussion by Sidy Maiga, and live performance by Amayo's Fu-Arkestra @ The Shrine


Fela Kuti's Best of The Black President (2xCD/DVD) will be released on October 27th on Knitting Factory Records.
]]> Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:50:02 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5441234 UK Funky + Danchall Moves http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5368864
]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:15:06 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5368864 Bristol Dubstep In SF http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5321827

October 17 catch RSD a.k.a. Rob Smith from Bristol, UK at Surefire Sound at Triple Crown, Octavia St. at Market, in SF.


RSD (Smith & Mighty – Bristol, UK)
Bristol, UK’s Rob Smith is the veteran dub producer behind the RSD moniker. Smith has been at the center of UK sound system culture since 1987, working alongside Ray Mighty in the influential dub/downtempo electronic outfit Smith & Mighty. The duo are rightly considered as influential as Bristol greats like Massive Attack and the Full Cycle crew and their 1995 album Bass Is Maternal (More Rockers/!K7) is considered a trip-hop classic. In ’02 Smith released the huge dubby garage track “B-Line Fi Blow,” while more recently he turned his subbass skills toward dubstep audiences with a slew of material on Peverelist's Punch Drunk label and Pinch's Tectonic and Earwax outlets, connecting Bristol's sound system heritage with today’s styles. This year RSD released the singles collection Good Energy on Punch Drunk. Surefire Sound is proud to present this dub and bass legend at its monthly event at the Triple Crown.


MANEESH THE TWISTER ( Surya Dub – SF)
Maneesh the Twister is founder of Surya Dub, a groundbreaking monthly club night that established the Dread Bass sound. His vision is to unite all dubwize communities from roots reggae, dubstep and ragga to breakbeat, drum ‘n’ bass and bhangra. He was also co-founder of the Dhamaal Artist Collective, which championed South Asian audio hybrids for over seven years. Maneesh has varied tastes and spins dub reggae, dubstep, breakbeat, drum ‘n’ bass, dancehall, global beats -- anything with bass. Being heavily influenced by dub reggae, he is also a resident of the US’s longest running weekly dub and roots club night, Dub Mission, which is 12+ years and dubbing!


TOMAS A.K.A. Dub I.D. (Umoja Hi-Fi, Voltage Music Label - SF)
DJ Tomas is a San Francisco and LA music mainstay. In 1993 the Bay Area native co-founded the six-man reggae/jazz/soul/hip-hop Umoja Hi-Fi sound system in LA producing clubs like B-Side and Goa Dub while broadcasting KXLU-FM’s main reggae radio show for seven years. In 2000 he co-founded the Voltage Music label, one of America’s first dubstep imprints. Tomas produces music as Dub I.D. and Double Identity for Voltage and other labels and is a co-host on KUSF’s weekly Friday Night Session radio show. Since March ’09 he’s held down the monthly Roots Roadblock night at Koko Cocktails in addition to guest appearances at Dub Mission, Afrofunke (LA), Underground SF and more.

Hosted by MC DUH (Shelter - SF)
MC Duh, or Max to his friends, is one of the Bay’s most versatile microphone doctors, with the ability to switch from ragga-style chats to freestyle hip-hop MCing on a dime. He’s blessed the mic at raves all over the US and notable for his long-standing residencies at drum & bass nights like Eklektic and Shelter. Expect the unexpected with this much respected master of rough and rugged poetry.
]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:32:23 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5321827 Mackerel Nearly Made Sushi: A Reggae Update http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5300215
(DJ Major Mackerel was involved in a pointed argument...)

The lives of reggae music artists are known for their share of ups and downs, gossip and beefs. But a story from this weekend's New York Daily News certainly was one of the more unbelievable, but absolutely true.

1980s DJ great Major Mackerel, known for his comical lyrics and emphatic squeaks found himself on the wrong side of a Samurai sword wielded by an angry neighbor. The photo accompanying this story is as entertaining as story itself. But needless to say, Mackerel's good humor prevailed, and although physically cut up, the DJ will live to record again.

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BBC 1Xtra Top 5 dancehall singles this week:

1. Vybz Kartel ft Indu "Versatility" (Head Concussion Music)
2. Chino "From Mawning" (Big Ship)
3. Mavado "Never Believe" (Daseca)
4. Beenie Man "Gaza Mi Seh" (Big Ship)
5. Mr Vegas "Gallis" (Cr203 Records)

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Popular reggae/dub music music community Versionist.com, one of the first reggae-specific social networks has been purchased by ReggaeDubwize.com and relaunched at that web address. Versionist was known for showcasing new and upcoming producers with hundreds of free downloadable audio files.

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Other news and headlines:
• Dancehall Mobi has a link to the new Vybz Kartel video for "Yuh Love."
• Here's ForwardEver's Truckback Record label profile in XLR8R.
• One of roots reggae's brightest lights, St. Lucia artist / activist Taj Weekes is interviewed on Jamaicans.com.
• United Reggae reports on the return of fantastic new roots vocalist Chezidek. His new Sly & Robbie produced album I Grade was recorded at Harry J’s studio and mixed by legendary engineer Godwin Logie.
• Elephant Man and Flippa Mafia are embroiled in a diss-fest on record. Jamaica Observer gives their take on this third-tier feud.

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Umoja Hi-Fi Reggae Super Seven Singles:

Nahswitch “Marijuna”
Tarrus Riley and Friends “Paradise Redemption”
Chuck Fender “I Am For The Poor”
Tommy Tornado “Door Peeper (Featuring Winston Francis)”
Demarco “Pull It Selecta”
Peetah Morgan “Golden Brown”
Assassin ft Cameal “We Can”
Gappy Ranks “Mountain Top”
]]> Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:24:20 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5300215 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5023310
(Ras Penco -- making an impact in the reggae charts)


DJ Tomas / Double Identity / Dub I.D. San Francisco
Voltage Music • ForwardEver Media • Friday Night Session

SEPTEMBER 2009 CHARTS

TECHNO / HOUSE
Brendon Moeller–Escaping (Steadfast)
Nitin–Silent Scales - Osunlade Remix (No. 19 Music)
Frenche–Hiatus (Antiqua)
Rocha–Hands of Love – Harvey's Downstairs Mix Up (International Feel)
Ivan-I & Jason Howell–Once Wounded (Tarantic)
Sei A – Home (Seinan)
Jim Rivers –By Any Means–Luna City Express Rmx (Four Twenty)
Gui Boratto – No Turning Back–Wighnomy's Remix (Kompakt)
Kasper– Just A House Groove (Bloop)
Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle–The Rain Cosmo Reprise (Bitches Brew)
Tony Lionni–Aurora (Wave)
Tom Trago–Brothers Of String Yurotrago Remix (Rush Hour)

NUJAZZ / DOWNTEMPO
Trademark–New Frontiers (Clone)
Atjazz/Domu/Yannah Valdevit–Info People (Atjazz Floor Dub (Development)
Nailah–He Speaks - Ennio Styles Edit (Naimuse)
Sabrina Malheiros–Brisa Mar - Nicola Conte Re-Work (Far Out)
Sarah Linhares–Step Up (PTR)
Captain Planet–Speakin Nuyorican EP (Bastard Jazz)
Lil' Dave – Cafe Cubana (Record Breakin')
The Colnious – Emora Dorian Concept Remix (Ubiquity)
Queztal – Vision (Still)
Damon Bell – Kush Musik Pt.1 (Deepblak)

DUBSTEP
2562 – Third Wave (Tectonic)
Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo (Hotflush)
Instra:Mental–Futurist (Naked Lunch)
Forensics – All to waste ft Indi Kaur (Eight:FX)
Alland Byallo – Dark Tide- Secret Agent Gel Remix (Blipswitch)
DVA ft Badness, Riko, Flowdan & Killa P - Bullet A'Go Fly (Keysound)
Boris – Buzz-In-Todd Edwards Remix (Scion)
Blackheart – Jupiter (Brap Dem)
Basement Jaxx–Raindrops - Joker & Ginz ReMix (XL)
Nicoluminous – Hear Dis Now (Emerge N See)
Kode 9 – Bad–Bad (Hyperdub)
Hackman – Illusionz (Studio Rockers)
Untold – Just_For You (Hotflush)

REGGAE / DANCEHALL
Nahswitch–Marijuna (Songs of Songs)
G Whizz–Life (TJ)
Ras Penco –Most High (Uprize)
Tarrus Riley–Paradise Redemption (VP)
Stephen McGregor & Vybz Kartel–Careful (Di Genius)
Peetah Morgan Heritage–Golden Brown (Juke Boxx)
Terry Lynn & Johan Hugo–Steppin' Up (Red Stripe)
Maxi Priest Ft. UB40 & Maximus Dan – Morning Light (Kyanite)
Lee Francis–Wait 4 You (Smart Move)
Mavado–You A Mi Lover (Di Genius)
I-Octane–Lose A Friend (Truckback)
R.C.–If You Wanna Go (Grillas)

DJ Tomas Upcoming Gigs: (see location info on MySpace)
9-23: D-V-D at Poleng Lounge SF
9-24: Broader Than Broadway, Broadway Bar LA
9-25: Amoeba Music LA
9-25: Punky Reggae Party at La Cita LA
10-1: Roots Roadblock at Koko Cocktails SF
]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:47:36 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/5023310 Twilight In The Area http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4767891

Ryan Moore, a.k.a. Twilight Circus Dub Soundsystem passed through SF this weekend, making a stop by KUSF, then DJing the following night at Dub Mission's 13-year anniversary bash.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada and now based permanently in The Netherlands, Moore has released a staggering amount of dub instrumental albums, vocal albums with Jamaican greats like Mykal Rose and Sugar Minott and more experimental electronic productions that touch on dubstep, house and ambient music.

His Dub Mission set was smashing -- tons of exclusive mix dubplates, rare 45s and his wailing siren machines in between. The session came off like a UK steppers dub set with multiple takes of the same instrumental being dropped, mixed and expanded. It was a great night of dub at a club that's been furthering the dub vibe for almost a decade and a half.

Below find links to his radio guest appearance. Enjoy!

Audio Part 1
Audio Part 2


ARTIST – TITLE – LABEL – RIDDIM
Prince Jammy & Scientist – Contact (Auralux)
Peter Broggs – Jah Jah Voice (Ras)
Luciano – Invasion (Maximum Sound) I Know My Herb
Lukie D – One Cup A Day (Maximum Sound) I Know My Herb
Alborosie – Outernational Herb (Maximum Sound) I Know My Herb
Jah Mason – Ganjah For Life (Maximum Sound) I Know My Herb
Nahswitch – Marijuna (advance)

Twilight Circus Interview
Daddy Shark – Earth Foundation (M) Binghi Riddim
Al Poncho/Ken Bob – Last Night (M) Binghi Riddim
Michael Rose – A Little Bit More (M) Binghi Riddim
Skully – Binghi Riddim (M) Binghi Riddim
Michael Rose – Warrior (M)
Twilight Circus – The Groove (M)
Twilight Circus – Session Plate (M)
Twilight Circus – Other Worlds (M)
Twilight Circus – Why Can’t We Be Friends ft. Big Youth (M)

Twinkle Brothers – Enter Zion / Enter Zion Dub
Inner Circle – Gun Ting (Shanachie)
Tarrus Riley – Paradise Redeption (VP)
Peetah Morgan – Golden Brown (Juke Boxx)
Romain Virgo – Murderer (Vikings)
Kali Blaxx – One Smoke (Cutstone) Rain Wata Rddim
Loaded – In The Rain (Cutstone) Rain Wata Rddim
Zamuda – Jah Love Surrounds Me (Cutstone) Rain Wata Rddim
RC – If You Wanna Go (One House / Homegrown Muzik)
I-Octane – Lose A Friend (Truckback)

Wycliff “Steely” Johnson Tribute
Foxy Brown – Baby Can I Hold You Tonight (Steely & Clevie)
Captain Barkey – Gun (Steely & Clevie)
Clement Irie – Live Good (Steely & Clevie)
Baby Wayne – Mama (Steely & Clevie)

Ras Penco – Most High (Uprize)
Vybz Kartel/Stephen McGregor – Careful (Di Genius/Big Ship)
Mavado – You A Mi Lover (Di Genius)
Prodigal Son – Head Cyaan Hot So (Greensleeves)
Ringo – Working Class (Hitbound)
Hugh Griffiths – Jah Bible (Ujaama/ Deadly Dragon)
Michigan & Smiley – Jah Jah Know (Thompson)
Wayne Jarrett – Chip In (Greensleeves)
Rankin Joe / General Lee – To Jah (High Power)
Welton Irie – Walk & Talk (Dynamite)
Early B – Sunday Dish (Midnite Rock)
Don Carlos – Laser Beam (Jackpot / Deadly Dragon)
Bunny Wailer – Crucial (Solomonic)
]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:42:02 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4767891 Catching Up http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4683183
(Delroy Wilson is 'Living in the footsteps of another man...')

The warm 'Indian Summer' (i.e. late-season) weather has returned on schedule to San Francisco, a perfect time to reflect on recent reggae news and releases.

Pictured above is the cover for Delroy Wilson's fantastic Dub Plate Style on Pressure Sounds. The crooner known for rocksteady hits like "Run Run" and "Rain From The Sky" for Coxsonne's Studio One is captured on this collection in 1970s mode.

Dub Plate Style highlights Wilson ease with both soul ballads like "Living In The Foot Steps of Another Man" and roots work such as "Better Must Come," a song famously adopted by Michael Manley as his campaign anthem in Jamaica's 1972 General Elections that swept the People's National Party to power. This 20 song collection is full of cool and easy vocal tunes.

Also on Pressure Sounds check the Treasure Isle rocksteady dub collection, Pleasure Dub, accented by Tommy McCook's rich saxophone licks. And soon come: Sound System International, an early reggae collection highlighting the work of King Tubby and the Clancy Eccles All Stars.


SAD NEWS: The reggae fraternity and dancehall fans in particular are mourning the sudden loss of Wycliff "Steely" Johnson, a prominent session musician and producer known for work with his longtime cohort Cleveland "Clevie" Browne. Johnson was 50, and had been suffering from kidney disease. Steely & Clevie were dancehall giants producing literally hundreds of memorable riddims and songs for artists big and small -- Buju Banton, Capleton, Maxi Priest, Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man and more. I'll personally remember him for those excellent early 90s digital reggae one-riddim compilations. Reggae has lost another great player.

Another major news item this week: Live Nation-AEG canceled a string of Buju Banton's North American concert dates after appeals from gay rights advocates. Some reggae fans were surprised by the move, considering that Buju performed at New York's famous Madison Square Garden earlier this year. A Facebook group has been launched by fans in Buju's defense.

The row with Banton extends from his 1992 song "Boom Bye Bye," which features violently anti-homosexual lyrics. Recorded when Buju was 15, and prior to his conversion to Rastafarianism, the singer has changed his tune considerably over the years, transforming into a global peace and human rights advocate whose new album Rasta Got Soul features zero offensive lyrics.

However, the situation for gays and lesbians in Jamaica continues to be dire and deadly, especially after the sitting Prime Minister delivered a homophobic rant while on a government trip to the UK. Buju may not be a deserving target, but the island's extremely influential entertainers should do more to speak out about this particular social injustice in their society.

In other reggae news:
Mighty Crown have added Barrington Levy to their annual mega concert Sept 5, which draws as many as 40,000 fans. It's Levy's first appearance in Japan in 20 years.

Vybz Kartel, Serani and Tarrus Riely have been nominated for MOBO awards, presented on Sept 30 in Scotland.

Fast rising singer Delus has a new mixtape called "Listen Up."

The dancehall riddim Cheez Trix featuring Natalie Storm, Bugle, Charlie Black is making waves.

Maxi Pries, UB40 and Maximus dan have teamed up for the new song "Morning Light."

Inner Circle's excellent new State of the World album is out now on Shanachie featuring collabos with Lutan Fyah, Bushman, Jr. Reid and Luciano. Hear clips on their website.
]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:37:49 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4683183 Bolt Currency http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4641845
]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:19:43 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4641845 Shannon Rowbury Claims Bronze In Berlin http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4475395

Pushing, shoving, elbowing, tripping. What, you didn't know that track is a contact sport? If you didn't, then Sunday's women's 1500 meter finals in Berlin proved that middle distance running is often not a polite affair.

In the course of this finals race in the 1500, an Ethiopian front runner was felled by a Spaniard, who went on to win, only to be disqualified. However, it was a positive twist of fate for American Shannon Rowbury, who moved up in the ranks from fourth to bronze medalist.

Rowbury's achievement shouldn't be underestimated. She was the highest placing American distance runner at the Berlin Championships, as well as the highest placement for a US female distance runner in 10 years. She was also the highest placing American born distance runner at the event, with Kenyan-born American runner Bernard Legat taking silver in the men's 5000 meters.

San Francisco-born Rowbury was just a step behind Britain's Lisa Dobriskey, and a second behind gold medalist Maryam Yusuf Jamal of Bahrain.

According to the American track federations, the USATF: "For the first time ever, three U.S. women (Christin Wurth-Thomas, Shannon Rowbury & Anna Willard) finished in the top ten in the women's 1,500 meters.-Shannon Rowbury's bronze medal win in the women's 1,500m final is the highest finish by an American since Regina Jacobs won the silver medal in 1999."

So hats off to the Bay Area's medal winner Rowbury. She survived a fall in her preliminary race, only to to benefit from one in her final. But throughout she showed class, poise, excellent racing skills and her patented kick in the final 150 meters. Rowbury is one to watch, as we watch the elbows fly in future middle distance races.
]]> Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:00:10 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4475395 New Jamaica - Old Jamaica http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4380708

No doubt most global track and field fans are currently caught up in "Bolt Mania" as the über-talented Jamaican gold medalist continues his quest for the 100M/200M double win in Berlin. Bolt broke his own world record on Sunday and competes in the 200M semi-finals Wednesday August 19.

But back in Jamaica, the headlines speak of the nation's intractable problems: violence, crime, gang warfare. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Golding is noticeably absent in responding to a recent up tick in murders.

Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser, who also won gold in Berlin in the 100M race, spoke about how she hopes to represent a positive image of Jamaica to the world.


“We are young and we have so much fire burning in us for our country. People hear about Jamaica and they hear about crime and corruption and all that, and we want to create a better image. Track and field is the way we are doing it.

“We love track, and love making Jamaica happy.”


Jamaicans celebrated Bolt's win in true Jamrock fashion. One reveler summed it all up: "To di wurl, I knew he could win it and I knew he could break the record because he did it before and everybody know that he can go faster."

LetsRun posted good video reactions to Bolt's 100 victory, with many top athletes praising the 22 year-old Jamaican's achievements.

Even the data-crunchers have gotten into the act, charting how Bolt has "changed the game," going so far as to analyze his every step.

Bolt and Fraser both come from tough neighborhoods, and in a sense, represent the aspirations of Jamaicans under 30. That is, to compete fairly on the world stage just as their athletes do.

Also of note in the Women's 100M final in Berlin -- Aleen Bailey, Capleton's very fast half-sister. She didn't medal, but has enjoyed a strong multi-year career for Team JA.

]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:43:13 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4380708 Bolt World Record Again! http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4327312
]]> Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:58:50 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4327312 Diary of a Working Class DJ: Part 1 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4279275

Welcome to the first installment of Diary of a Working Class DJ. True tales from the not-so-glamorous life of the average DJ: The one's rocking your local bars, lounges, small weekly events, house parties.

Paul Oakenfold on stage before 40, 000 mental punters this is not.

No, this occasional column is dedicated, or in Rasta-speak livicated, to all those deck technicians who lug their record bags and Serato cases from bar to bar, only to get paid $75 for 4 hours work standing on their feet all night.

I've seen some good times in my 20 years behind the decks, such as playing Eggsalad at that mysterious downtown LA Chinese restaurant-turned afterhours danceclub for Bruce Purdue (creator goth club Scream, which broke Janes Addiction) back in the early 90s.



There have been some sublime times, such as "opening" for David Bowie at the Warfield (during his brief drum & bass phase) and getting stuck in a disused balcony that had no monitor speaker. Beat matching using a cavernous, echoing theater as your guide is not enjoyable, especially since I received no extra backstage perks.


Then then there's been rougher times: Empty rooms on Sunday nights with $200 down the drain on fliers and promotion; the two hour sets that became five hours when the next DJ didn't show; my utterly daft idea of taking a full-size flight case to London and having to lug it up and down tube steps (to Wood Green no less).

In between I've played all-ages after-hours nights in cafes on Fairfax Blvd. ib LA (Club Goa Dub) and Divisadero Street in SF (Texture), raves in parking lots and mountain tops, dance events by rivers, sweaty basement rooms and even a massive (mostly empty) tent at Burning Man during a hellish dust storm.

That's part of my story as a DJ. These next several installments on ForwardEver will tell other stories, both cautionary and humorous hopefully, but never bitter. It's an honor to be able to share a bit of your musical soul as a DJ, and one compliment or smile more than makes up for a hundred bad nights.


First, props to my DJ crew Umoja Hi-Fi, who've been on this journey with me since 1993. Props to all the record stores and counter clerks who told me about cool music or hired me to work. Thanks to the club owners who care more about decent selections than music as merely a means to sell drinks. And to all my fellow working class DJs in SF, LA, NY, London, and everywhere in between. Your stories matter too. Lets keep rocking the world!

PART ONE: PREP
A good DJ always preps a set of music before their gig. Most people don't know it, but a DJ typically spends two-to-three hours organizing, tracking down and learning specific music for every one-hour of gig that they play. Play three hours? You'll prep for four or five hours on average. Why? You want to play a unique set, not the same records as the person before you (despite how many times an audience requests M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes").

Also, you'll usually play any given record or song an average of 3-4 minutes, which adds up to about 18-20 total tracks in a one hour period. (NOTE: the mark of a truly great DJ is one who plays the fewest songs and still keeps a crowd intrigued and interested. Do you have six songs that can rock the house for an hour? You are a star. Marvin Gaye's 11 minute epic "Got To Give It Up" is one such record...) Point is, you'll need at least twice or three-times as many songs as you can possibly play, in order to have all the right ones.

I have a "BPM 10" rule: BPM 10 dope records I haven't played recently and then work them into the set. BPM is "beats per minute," one of the measurements a DJ uses to mix records, along with tone, genre and tempo.

Grab 10 songs, vinyl records, digital tracks, -- whatever your format -- and measure them with BPM counter to determine the tempo. Counters are available as free wiget downloads for Macs, website archives, or even physical gadgets.

Some DJs are strongly anti-BPM, preferring to use only ears and instincts to match songs. I've found that learning to identify BPMs with a counter enhances my instincts on the fly. With a little time and practice you can teach yourself to recognize tempos within plus-or-minus 4 beats.

But knowing tempo is useless if you're a bad song selector. And having good taste is not something that can be necessarily taught. "It's in the ear of the beholder" I guess. But good taste will take you a lot farther than a perfectly beat-matched set. That's the illogic of DJing.

More stories and advice soon in this column space. Until then, tip your local DJ -- they probably need it for cab fare.
]]> Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:52:46 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4279275 Favorites http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4142600
(Joy Jones on Future Soul, produced by Daz-I-Cue, fire!)

New albums and recent faves:


OUT NOW

ARTIST – TITLE – LABEL – COUNTRY – STYLE
Aybee – East Oakland Space – DeepBlak – US – electronic, house, IDM
Hypnotic Brass Ens Hypnotic Brass – Honest Jons US funk soul, jazz
Sa-Ra – Nuclear Evolution Ubiquity – US – R&B, soul, electronic, beatz
J Dilla – Jay Stay Paid – Nature – US – hip-hop, soul
Various – Panama 2 – Soundway – PAN – Classic Cumbia, Latin
Queen Ifrica – Montego Bay – VP – JAM – reggae
Watcha Clan – Diaspora Remixed – Piranha Musik – EU – global beats, dub
Various – Legends of Benin – Analog Africa – BEN – Afrofunk, Highlife, disco
Tommy McCook – Pleasure Dub – Pressure Soun – JAM – rocksteady, dub
Tarrus Riley – Contagious – VP – JAM – reggae
24 Carat Black – Gone: Promises – NumeroGroup – US – soul, funk, original
Joy Jones – Godchild – Future Soul – US – nujazz, soul, R&B
Quantic&Bárbaro – Tradition In Transition – Tru Thoughts – UK – Latin, eclectronic
Gnawledge – Granada Doaba – Gnawledge – SPA – flamenco, Arabic hip-hop
Georgia Anne Muldrow – Umsindo – SomeOthaShip – US – R&B, soul, spiritual

OUT: 8 – 1-09 – 8-15-09
Kylie Auldist – Made of Stone – Tru Thoughts – UK – soul, funk, retro
Cheick Hamala Diabate – Ake Doni Doni – Grigri Discs – MAL – Malian folk, blues
Various – Global Lingo Mix – ProjectAhimsa – US – dntmpo, hip-hop, electron

OUT: 8 – 15-09 – 8-30-09
Various – Return of the RubADub – Echodelic – JAM – reggae
Robert Glasper – Double Booked – Blue Note – US – jazz, jazzfunk, hip-hop
Delroy Wilson – Dub Plate Style – Pressure SoundsJAM – reggae, dub
Various – Rocksteady Roots of – Moll-Selecta – GER – rocksteady, reggae
Various – One Dub – Interchill – CA – dub, dubstep, electronic
Noiseshaper – Satellite City – CatNRoof – GER – soul-dub, downtempo
Nitin Sawhney – London Undersound – E1 – UK – electronic, pop, downtempo

OUT: 9 – 1-09 – 9-15-09
Lord Newborn – And The Magic Skulls – Ubiquity – US – funk, psych
Lusine – A Certain Distance – Ghostly – US – Electronic, indiepop
Various – TruThoughts Covers – Tru Thoughts – UK – nujazz, downtempo, soul
Fools Gold – Fools Gold – Iamsound – US – indie pan-African, Malian
Ben Neil – Night Science – Thirsty Ear – US – dubstep, electronic

OUT: 9 – 15-09 – 9-30-09
Triorganico – Convivencia – NowAgain – US – acoustic Brazilian soul



]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:01:04 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4142600 Courtney John "Lucky Man" video http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4067578 "Lucky Man" Music Video
]]> Sun, 02 Aug 2009 21:56:20 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4067578 Jeopardy Answers http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4033874 SF Vintage Reggae Society was the first to contribute Jamaica Jeopardy answers.

So here they are!

1. This famously Socialist Jamaican Prime Minister was first elected in 1972.
Michael Manley

2. This ‘crazy’ Jamaican dub pioneer produced The Congos song “Lalabambam.”
Lee Perry

3. This Rastafarian sect is known for strict rules and wrapping their dreadlocks in turbans.
Boboshanti

4. This Jamaican woman led slave rebellions and later became one of the county's National Heroes.
Nanny

5. After Bob was shot in 1976 he went into exile in this country.
Great Britain

Catch the SFVRS at their weekly happy hour party at Skylark (16th/Valencia, SF), monthly sessions at KoKo Cocktails at 1060 Gearry Street SF, The Mad Dog bar on Haight St. in SF, and over in Berkeley at The Missouri Lounge.
]]> Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:21:06 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/4033874 Jamaica Jeopardy http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/3963444

ForwardEver has been teaching a class the past two weeks in SF called The Sociology of Jamaican Music. Over six sessions the class has covered the Jamaican music industry through the lens of race, class, politics and economics.

One of our overview activities was that nugget of teacherdom, an adaptation of TV quiz game Jeopardy, whose parodies are famous on Saturday Nite Live.

The class did quite well with the questions so I wondered -- how about ForwardEver readers? Here are five selections from the Jamaica Jeopardy match. See if you know the answers (in the form of a question!) -- send them in by July 31 and I'll post the winning names or usernames! Email to: voltagemusic AT gmail DOT com.

1. This famously Socialist Jamaican Prime Minister was first elected in 1972.

2. This ‘crazy’ Jamaican dub pioneer produced The Congos song “Lalabambam.”

3. This Rastafarian sect is known for strict rules and wrapping their dreadlocks in turbans.

4. This Jamaican woman led slave rebellions and later became one of the county's National Heroes.

5. After Bob was shot in 1976 he went into exile in this country.
]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:36:28 -0700 http://virb.com/dubid/posts/text/3963444