Reggae legend Gregory Isaacs passed away on Monday, October 25, at age 60. Part 1 of my multi-part tribute begins with Gregory’s earliest work including his first song, “Another Heartache” and his collaboration with his early group, the Concords. This show covers Gregory’s originals and cover songs from 1969-1975. Join me next time as I play great Gregory Isaacs music from the mid-70s onward.

As always, I’d love to read your comments about the show. Or call in and leave a voice mail.

Concords – Don’t Let Me Suffer
Gregory Isaacs & Winston Sinclair – Another Heartache
Gregory Isaacs – Too Late
Gregory Isaacs – Lonely Man
Gregory Isaacs – Lonely Soldier
Gregory Isaacs – All I Have Is Love
Gregory Isaacs – Way of Life
Gregory Isaacs – Love Is Overdue
Gregory Isaacs – Love Is Overdue Dub
Gregory Isaacs – Don’t Go
Gregory Isaacs – Rock On
Gregory Isaacs – Looking Back
Gregory Isaacs – Fly Little Silver Bird
Gregory Isaacs – Crying Over You

First you’ll hear a short version excursion on the Techniques’ “It’s You I Love” rhythm, originally on the Treasure Isle label in 1968. Gappy Ranks closes out the excursion with his very pretty and autotuned vocal on “Musical Girl.” Then it’s short rhythm update of Bob Marley’s “Coming in from the Cold.” The second half of the show features Jamaica’s young singers. Even the dee-jays show they can sing with help from autotune.

Techniques – It’s You I Love
Errol Scorcher – Rucumbine Girl 12″
Gappy Ranks – Musical Girl
Tarrus Riley – Love’s Contagious
Bob Marley – Coming in from the Cold 12″
Mandy Wood & Steel – Baby Father
Busy Signal – One More Night
I-Octane – Missing You
Natty King – Good Vibes
Sean Paul – Hold My Hand

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