This is a musical tribute to Sugar Minott who passed away Saturday, July 10 in Kingston, Jamaica. My best memory of Sugar was from his performance at Boston’s Harbor Lights venue (or it might have already changed names to Bank of America Pavilion) in the mid ’90s. Garnet Silk’s “Hello Mama Africa” and Beres Hammond’s “Come Back Home” were big dancehall songs at the time, and Sugar had a cover on the same Startrail rhythm, “Smile” where the chorus goes, “Dance, dance, dance this reggae music…” Sugar stopped the band a number of times and told the crowd that when he came to the chorus, he wanted all of us to stand up on our feet and dance to the music. He was insistent that we comply and wouldn’t accept anyone sitting. I think most of us finally followed his wishes so he was able to finish the song and continue to the next in his set.

Sugar Minott – Vanity
Sugar Minott – Rough Old Life
Sugar Minott – Good Thing Going
Sugar Minott – The Girl is in Love
Sugar Minott – Herbman Hustling
Sugar Minott – Harbour Shark
Sugar Minott & Charlie Chaplin – Four Wheel Wheelie
Sugar Minott – Right Track
Sugar Minott – Real Raggamuffin
Sugar Minott – Run Things
Sugar Minott – Sprinter Stayer
Sugar Minott, Beres Hammond, Tony Rebel – Where is the Love
Sugar Minott – Smile
Sugar Minott & Louie Culture – No Vacancy
Sugar Minott – Right on Time

Get set for a brand new interview with Twiggi who has completed and released her new inspirational CD, The Sun Shines Through. You’ll hear Twiggi talking about:

• Her experience at the One Love Reggae Music Festival in West Palm Beach, Florida and vibing with Tanya Stephens, Nadine Sutherland, Third World, Tanto Metro & Devante
• Breaking into the business with help from Tinga Stewart, Boris Gardiner, and Ruddy Thomas
• Her role and responsibilities on the new album, The Sun Shines Through
• The 10 year transition of physical media like CDs and records to digital files
• Her faith in God and what she has learned over the past several years
• Her favorite foods
• Tachyon Japanese reggae magazine and more!

If you haven’t had the chance to hear to my first interview with Twiggi, listen to Reggae Rhythm Update #38. And for even more information about her music, visit Twiggi’s official web site.

As always, I would love to read and hear your comments. Post a comment here or leave a voice message.

My Everything
Forgive and Forget
The Sun Shines Through
Reaching Out To You
Angels
Full of Your Love
More Love

Happy Mother’s Day 2010! The show starts with my friend Alpheus’ song “Mother Dearest.” Then the “Dance with Me” rhythm update begins. Finally, we hear a smooth, r&b style vocal from Queen Ifrica from her latest CD, Montego Bay.

Alpheus – Mother Dearest
Delano Stewart – Dance with Me
Johnny Clarke – Rock with Me Baby
Aggrovators – A Crabbit Version
U Roy – Rock with I
Tommy McCook – Dance with Me
John Holt – Rock with Me Baby
Cornell Campbell – It’s Grooving Time
Nerius Joseph & Winsome – Rock with Me Baby
Sanchez – Baby Can I Hold You Tonight
Sanchez – Back at One
Thriller U – Stay or Let it Go
George Nooks – Mr. Pop it Off
Bushman – Worries and Problems
Tony Curtis – Six Eight Twelve
Glen Washington – Jah Children
George Nooks – I Wanna Show You
Half Pint – Mind Over Matter
Romain Virgo – Wanna Go Home
Queen Ifrica – Far Away

Thanks to listener Ron C for the suggestion to do a version excursion on this great Aswad rhythm! Let me know if there’s a particular rhythm or even theme that you’d like me to research for an up-coming episode.

Note: When I recorded the show, I mistakenly referred to this episode as #79.

Aswad – Love Fire
Dennis Brown – Promised Land
Garnet Silk – Keep Them Talking
Shabba Ranks – Bad and Wicked
Thriller U – Everything to Me
Sanchez – Love is a Funny Feeling
Glen Ricks – How Can I Forget
Luciano – Raggamuffin
Macka B – Tribute to Garnet Silk
Mad Professor – Dangerous Escapades of Dub
Richie Stephens – Glass House
Tippa Irie – Tippa Vex
George Nooks – General
Sluggy Ranks – Coming of the Lord
Frankie Paul – Promised Land

This show is dedicated to my good friend Chris Heroux who is going through probably the hardest challenge in his entire life. First up is a set of uplifting tunes for him. The second half of the show is a version excursion on Bob Marley’s “Jah Live” rhythm. Fiona wraps up the show with “Stop Talking.” Let’s remember to not only talk and create awareness about the situation in Haiti, but to act on it by donating to reputable organizations.

Gramps Morgan – Wash the Tears
Duane Stephenson – You Are Not Alone
Gyptian – Life Hard
Beres Hammond – Cry No More
Chino – From Morning
Bob Marley – Jah Live
Luciano – Jah Live
Tarrus Riley – Love Created I
Duane Stephenson – August Town
Mikey Spice – I Cry You Cry
Fiona – Stop Talking