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REGGAE UPDATES FROM JAMAICA: Henton wins award for 'Konvicted'
• Jamaican producer Paul Henton collects double platinum award for his work on Akon’s Konvicted album
*Jamaican music producer Paul Henton, more popularly known as Computer Paul, recently picked up a double platinum record for his work on the track Mama Africa. The track is featured on Akon’s double platinum selling album Konvicted. Henton played the keyboards on the track, which was produced by another Jamaican producer, Robert ‘Bobby Digital’ Dixon.
Henton who has worked with a long list of Jamaican and international artistes over the years, was in high spirits when this column caught up with him earlier this week. 'I am happy to have been recognized for the work that I have done’, commented Henton.
Henton already has four gold records for his work on gold selling albums and singles for reggae artistes including Shabba Ranks, Inner Circle and Jimmy Cliff.
Henton currently manages Jamaican dancehall/pop girl group MBC. The group recently released an album with a Japanese imprint.
• Salanyde spreading the reggae message in Grand Cayman
Dancehall artiste Sean Gordon who goes by the name Salanyde has been creating some impact in Grand Cayman with his brand of dancehall music. This rising entertainer, who originally resided in Palmer's Cross, Clarendon, says his love and dedication for music along with his unique style and sound definitely places him in a position, to become a force to reckon with in the not too distant future.
Salanyde started out performing for classmates and later on, woudl engage in lyrical clashes with other aspiring talents after school. After graduating from the Garvey Maceo high school in 2003, he worked for a year as a mechanic and dabbled with music in his spear time. The following year he migrated to West Bay in Grand Cayman.
Having relocated to Cayman he decided to pursue a career in the music business, which for him was hobby, while he resided in Jamaica. He would later on make the link with two other Cayman based artists Bishmeezy and Phynezz and recorded a single titled "In Your Arms" (Bezzle Bezzle Entertainment).
A video was also shot for the song. This opened up the doors for Salanyde, as he gained recognition from the recording, which led to a demand for him to perform on major stage shows in Grand Cayman. He would later share the stage with top acts from Jamaica including Beenie Man, Morgan Heritage, Busy Signal among others.
Having made a name for himself in Grand Cayman, Salanyde plans to return to Jamaica within the next few weeks to commence working with some of the island’s top record producers. He hopes to make inroads similiar to what he has garnered in Grand Cayman.
His catchy phrase "Its off a di meeta" has won him a lot of fans in Cayman. When asked what it meant he said ‘It bad, it sort out, it wicked, all of these slangs put together means off a di meeta’.
• Anthony B rises to the top with Tease Her
Firebrand deejay Anthony B shot to the top of the charts with the song Tease Her. The song which is a deviation from his customary cultural and conscious lyrics, speaks about the desire and need to seduce a female.
Produced by Mario C for Trinity 7 Records, Tease Her, according to Anthony B does’nt signify a change in the direction of his lyrics. “Is a song that Mario C bring to me and the song really did connect. Right now mi just a give thanks fi the love that the people are giving to the song. Its one of the most requested songs whenever i perform overseas’, Anthony B told this column recently.
Anthony B’s latest single Nookie is featured on Mario C’s latest dancehall rhythm project which is called Revenge. Beenie Man and Barbee’s collaboration Give It Up is the lead off single from the project. Mad Cobra and Versatile also appear on the Revenge.
• Fantan Mojah, Maxi Priest, Jimmy Riley, Junior Kelly and I Wayne to release new albums
Expect a flood of releases over the next few months. I Wayne is dropping his sophomore album Book of Life in October. On the set of the video shoot for the title track single, I Wayne told this column that the album will be different from his debut Lava Ground.
He said the album will contain a few collaborations and the message-laced set will display some maturity in his lyrical output.
The video for Book of Life was directed by Ras Kassa last weekend.
Meanwhile, Fantan Mojah said his new album is coming out wtihin the next month. He said the album which is the follow up to his 2005 Greensleeves debut Hail the King, will be something to look forward to.
Veteran singer Jimmy Riley and father of new sensation Tarrus Riley, says he will be releasing a new album in October. According to Riley, the first single a cover ot When She Was My Girl, is already gaining momentum.
Singer Maxi Priest is prepping the release of a new opus in February of next year.
And, Junior Kelly recently finished working on his new album which is called Prince of Roots. The album contains different musical flavors including blue grass, punk rock, and hard rock. To date, Junior Kelly has released nine albums including his most recent effort, Tough Life.
• El A Kru member Tizzy and Machel Montano win big at International Soca Awards
Antiguan singer Tizzy from the group El A Kru won a handful of awards at the recently held International Soca Awards. Her awards included Female Soca Performer of the Year and Best New Female Scoa Artiste. Tizzy sang lead vocals on the EL A Kru’s smash hit Expose, which topped Tempo’s Cross Caribbean countdown for several weeks earlier this year.
Machel Montano from Trinidad and Tobago grabbed the male Soca Performer of the Year, Soca Artiste CD of the year for his album Book of Angels and Best Soca Music Video of the Year for the song Jumbie. Machel’s collaboration Hold You Tonight featuring Jamaica’s Vybz Kartel won the award for Best Ragga Soca Collaboration.
Barbados artiste Biggie Irie won the award for Soca Song of the Year for this smash hit Nah Going Home.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Sherwayne Winchester won the award for Male Soca Vocalist of the Year for his smash hit Open the Gate.
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