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(March 10, 2005)

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     'Abijah has been doing quite a lot of recording of late. He worked with Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell on more than 20 tracks for the new album.  We are anticipating a release of the finished product by middle of this year,’ said Mr. Ramsay.

 

     Abijah burst on the scene in 2001 with the smash single Revelation. The song spent thirty weeks on the local charts peaking at number six. Since then he has electrified audiences locally and overseas with his energetic stage performances. 

 

     Last year Abijah recorded the song Overcome with one time rhythm and blues hit maker and former child star, Tevin Campbell.  Among the other artistes whom Abijah has collaborated with are DJ Krush (Japan), American female roots-reggae artist Zema, Nadine Sutherland and Nadz.  He also recorded the title track and appeared in the 2002 international advertising campaign for the Jamaica Tourist Board. 

 

     Abijah’s debut self titled album two years ago by VP Records. The 14-track disc contained the hit single Revelation as well as the follow up single, the Top 10 chart hit Press On.  To promote the album, Abijah embarked on various overseas engagements in the Caribbean, Europe and the US.

 

     Known for his promotion of positive values, Abijah was invited to speak and perform at Harvard University and Oxford University two years ago at international workshops on living values. He also performed at over numerous schools in Jamaica at free concerts focused on Healing the Nation by teaching forgiveness.
 
     Most recently Abijah teamed up with deejay Lutan Fyah, to write and perform the theme song for the Buy Jamaican campaign which is being promoted by the Jamaica Manufacturers Association.

 

• Daddy Axe Movements Movements setting up label and events promotion entity

     One of the top Jamaican sound systems from the New York tri-state area of the US, Daddy Axe Movements, is expanding its operations to include record production and show promotions.  The sound system which began operations in 1988 in Baltimore, Maryland, extended its reach to local shores ten years ago. 

 

     'Although we started out in Maryland, we have managed to set up a base in Jamaica. We have two selectors in Jamaica who handle our business down there. The headquarters for our operation is in New York, and we are looking at expanding into bigger projects. We are starting up New York Entertainment Movement and New York Movement Records.  People who appreciate good music will definitely support what we are doing. We have the expertise and the professionalism to execute our goals’, Wayne Gordon aka Godfather John Wayne told this column recently.

 

     Gordon along with Radcliff Haynes (Daddy Axe) are the main players behind the Daddy Axe Movements sound system.  The sound system is ideally known for its serving of roots and culture music. 

 

     ‘We play lots of roots and culture music, that is our main focus. But we also play dancehall and hip hop and R&B. We have to be versatile in what we do. We have done a lot of events, sharing the same stage with the likes of Stone Love, Rebel T, Travellers and Silver Hawk sound systems,’ said Haynes.

 

     On local shores, Daddy Axe Movements have selectors Ferdie and Smiley who keep the sound bosses on top of what is hot and happening in music. 

 

     ‘We are taking this selecting thing to the people the way it should be done. That is what has kept us strong over the years,' Haynes said when asked what made the sound system stand out against its competitors.

 

     Promotion of any product is important, and as such, mixed CDs play a vital role in getting the sound’s name out to the masses.

 

     ‘We recently did some mixed CDs which are doing quite well. We are also working on our own website which people can log on to at www.nymovement.com  As far as getting our name more recognized in Jamaica, we are capitalizing on a few dates that we have in the pipeline.  We are doing an event in Glengoffe, St. Catherine which will feature Black Kat, Metro Media, Exodus Nuclear and some entertainers including Kip Rich, Gabriel and Natchilous Demus,' said Haynes.

 

• Brah Yhan hits television screens with Get It

 

     Fi Wi Music artiste Brah Yhan best known for the single When Your Eyes Speak, has completed a video for his new joint Get It.  The song which speaks volumes about believing in one’s self, was produced by Yogie on the Treasure Beach rhythm.

 

     'It is basically a motivational song for people who separate themselves (think of themselves as being inferior). I really wanted to tell people that whatever they want to achieve in life, it is their call.  All they have to do is to dedicate some time into what they want to achieve and believe in themselves,' explained Brah Yhan.

     The video for Get It was directed by Kevin Lee. The scenes were shot last weekend in the Caymanas Estates area.

 

• Assassin to Infiltrate in July

 

     Infiltrate is the name of the debut album from Penthouse/VP Records artiste Jeffery Campbell, aka Assassin.  The deejay who currently holds the number one spot on the local charts with Step Pon Dem (Echo label), told this column earlier this week, that the album will comprise all new tracks with the exception of two or three previously released singles. It is due for release in July via VP Records.

 

     ‘There won’t be too many familiar songs on the album. I worked with Spragga Benz, Bush Man and Marcia Griffiths on the album. The producers who we did some tracks with include Stephen ‘Lenky’ Marsden, Christopher Birch, Sly Dunbar and Tony Kelly. We have around 12-13 songs finished so far,’ said Assassin.

     Assassin’s latest single As a Man on the Sleepy Dog rhythm looks hit bound. The track was released on the Studio 2000 label.

 

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