African Jamaican Culture
Jan 22, 2012 Bands, Home Page, Spiritual Life
On Saturday January 21, we had the pleasure of speaking with Duruh-John, half of the founding team of African Jamaican Culture Band. John explained how the band started as a percussion band in 1998. The Band has since evolved into a full band. John admits that he never saw himself as a singer, but also admits that he loves it. He also shared that he writes all the songs for the Band. 
The band tours around Germany and has quite a following there. John says the Band would love to come and perform in the United States. We are very pleased that He chose Conversations and WDGP to make his first venture into United States territory. We wish African Jamaican Culture Band nothing but success in their all their endeavors You can purchase their music and follow African Jamaican Culture on their website and on Facebook.
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Tags: arranger, Band, independent, Jah, motivation, music, musician, percussion, performer, Reggae, roots, Soulful, writer
Carlton Mighty
Aug 17, 2010 Spiritual Life, Today's Stars
“I’ve given my life to Christ to do whatever he chooses!” This is the sentiment and message that clearly comes through in Carlton Mighty’s music ministry. As with his debut CD, his current project, Why Can’t I, covers a varied collection of songs ranging from old time traditional gospel, to more contemporary, reggae filled inspirational tunes. And, his musical praise effectively gives the listener insight into his musical training and spiritual background. His spirit filled and unpretentious renditions are inspiring and a marvelous display of his God given talent. Carlton’s vocal interpretations are his own unique blend of Al Jarreau like silky jazz, peppered with tones reminiscent of Aaron Neville’s earthy yet melodic crooning, and skillfully combined with rhythms from his reggae roots.
At age twelve, while still living in Jamaica, W.I. where he was born and raised, Carlton began using his gift of song in service to the Lord. As a matter of fact, he developed his voice and song style in the same circle of church singing groups as his long time friend, Noel Willis, leader of the well known Jamaican gospel singing group, Grace Thrillers. Although, the two attended separate churches, both of the churches they belonged to were congregations that reported up to the larger “church body” known in Jamaica as New Town Deliverance Church of God. Carlton and Noel often sang at the same events, albeit in different choirs, and as a result, formed a life long friendship. After migrating to the U.S. in 1973, Carlton continued in humble service to God at Little Temple Church of God, in Washington D.C. A Deacon and member of the choir, he continues to minister musically at that church, which has since been renamed Shiloh Christian Fellowship and relocated to Silver Spring, Maryland.
Carlton has been married to the former Donna Walker since 1975. The couple currently resides in Gambrills, Maryland and has three adult children who along with their mother are staunch supporters of their father’s ministry of music. Carlton gets his greatest joy from listening to and singing praises to the Lord. He is most grateful to the Lord for the gift of song, which was bestowed upon him. And, has often said, “My mission is to use music to inspire others to lean on Jesus.” Throughout the years, he has performed heartily, held on to his faith and waited patiently for the day when he could musically deliver his message to a wider audience and be a witness to the world of the joy one can receive by simply asking the Lord to “Take My Life.”
Enjoy the interview
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Tags: arranger, copyright, encouragement, Gospel, independent record label, Jazz Inspiration, Praise and worship, preformer, Reggae, writer
Carl St Clair
Jul 11, 2010 Beyond The Music, Legends, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
One of the things I love about being involved with WDGP is the fact that I get to meet and talk with so many people. The first living legend I got to interview was Drink Small, a blues artists whose been in the business for over 50 years and still going strong.
On July 11, 2010 I got to chat with Mr Carl St. Clair who’s career in music has been vast. Mr St Clair had the music in him. He has entertained since childhood. From pretending to be a Dj to competing in talent shows. This was preparation for a long and rewarding career as a Reggae Artist. Being transplanted from Kingston, Jamaica to the UK did not dampen his spirit or his talent, since he has continued to enjoy a healthy career. Best yet, he’s not done. He continues to turn out great music as well as produce other artists in his own studio. It was my pleasure to share him and his music with my listening audience.
He is a very personable young man that has much more music left in him. Look to hear more. Keep up with Carl St. Clair on Myspace.com
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Tags: arranger, composer, Old School, preformer, Reggae, singer, Vocalist, writer
Jo Tongo
Feb 28, 2010 Home Page
JO TONGO was born and raised in DOUALA (CAMEROON), West Africa. His mother has a lot of sons and daughters but Jo is the elder brother. The father is a notary and also a good violin and up straight bass player. JO was surrounded with music since his mother belly cause his grand grandfather, the Reverend Alfred TONGO DIBOUNDOU use to play organ in the church he was preaching. At the age of 13, JO TONGO was granted with an acoustic guitar by one of his uncles and started studying how to play by himself. He found his way by using a guitar book since he was able to read and write music. Matter of fact, JO learned elementary music theory at the high school, and was always the best on this matter. At the age of 15, he joined the high school band as guitarist and two years after became the band leader. That happened in YAOUNDE, the capital. At the same time, JO set up his first band in DOUALA with his young friends, the ROCK’N CHACH, mixing up African, Caribbean and American soul music and started writing his own compositions, sounding different from the other bands. JO recorded this music at the Cameroonian radios both in DOUALA and YAOUNDE. There was no recording studio in CAMEROON those days. JO gained his elder musicians consideration and started playing with them. Since he became without doubt the best guitar player of his country. To prevent him from winning the bands competition organized by the head of state of the moment, JO TONGO was sent to Paris by his father. The latter did not want his son to become a professional musician. In Paris, JO studied pharmacy for two years, but was obliged to stop cause of his father’s problems with the Cameroonian government. At the same time, Jo was learning classic piano. He obtained the first degree of piano of Paris national superior academy of music. Then he changed for accountancy for two years. Jo worked three years as an accountant, and then he decided to become a professional musician. JO TONGO started playing with the best musicians in Paris, like Manu DIBANGO, Françis BEBEY, Joseph KABASSELE, and Franklyn BOKAKA. He was involved in the main recording sessions in studio with African and European artists. In 1966, Gerard AKUESON gave JO opportunity to make his first record. JO played what we could call world-music today. From his second record, JO turned to a kind of Afro funk music, very original and exciting, mixing up African sound and American Rhythm and blues. Jo was given the battle name of JOJO L’EXPLOSIF (JOJO THE EXPLOSIVE). In 1968, after he recorded his second record (GET IT THE WAY I LIKE & NON NON NON); the young artist was invited to a concert in the “SALONS DES AMBASSADEURS” in the “CHAMPS ELYSEES” in Paris. The main African and Caribbean artists had to perform in front of all the ambassadors of Paris. Manu DIBANGO’s band had to back all of them. But for some unknown reason, DIBANGO refused to back JOJO. After a lot of arguments, he accepted. But instead of singing two songs like everyone, Jo was allowed to sing only one song. After performing GET IT THE WAY I LIKE, the public made a standing ovation to JOJO and asked him to sing another song. The artist turned to the musicians and said: I’VE BEEN LOVING YOU. JO performance was simply wonderful. Gisèle BAKA, a Caribbean singer and manager came to congratulate the young man. Then she invited JOJO to another concert she organized in “OLYMPIA” in Paris, two months later, in commemoration of Doctor Martin Luther KING Jar death. DIBANGO started the same problems again, saying that if JOJO is there, he would not come. A lot of artists decided not to be there if JOJO is absent. This time JO sang a single song. The public delighted and excited was waiting for another one. The young man just came back on stage for a reverence. A star was born. As a music director and conductor, JOJO made beautiful arrangements for other artists as UTA BELLA and Manu DIBANGO. Jo took lessons of classic orchestration and arrangements with VLADIMIR KODJOUKAROV, the conductor of the French National Classic Orchestra. (Orchestra National de Paris). JO TONGO became the most popular African artist. He played for African heads of states like NYASSIBWE EYADEMA of TOGO, YAKUBU GOWON of NIGERIA, MOBUTU SESE SEKO of ZAIRE (Democratic Republic of CONGO), AHMADOU AHIDJO of United Republic of CAMEROON, Prince ALBERT II of MONACO. The artists that brought JO to higher audience are the American pianist and singer MEMPHIS SLIM, the King of BOOGIE WOOGIE and MIKE BRANT, a singer from ISRAEL who became a legend in France.
In 1976, after performing in MIDEM (Cannes) JO TONGO created a new band he called TUMBALO. Patrick, Alex and Chris FRANCFORT (now called THE GIBSON BROTHERS) asked JO to become members of his new band. Vicky EDIMO who heard about this asked JO to join the group, what was done.
TUMBALO recorded 10 songs for DECCA, but for some unknown reasons, this record never came out in time so that the FRANCFORT brothers decide to follow their own way. They were right.
JO TONGO has one of his music used in a French movie called “FEMME DE SA VIE” with the famous French actress Emmanuelle BEART. Later on, he was asked for music for an American movie: NEVER EVER with a well-known French actress SANDRINE BONNAIRE.
Nowadays JO TONGO added REGGAE MUSIC to his influences. He backed KY-MANI MARLEY (one of the BOB MARLEY’s sons) who came to Cannes Festival (of Cinema) for the movie he produced, ONE LOVE, in 2004. With a help of Claudine DE JESUS COSTA, JO TONGO who also made cinema studies in Cannes created RISIN’SUN to promote afro music and movies.
His last CD, JO TONGO ( JOJO L’EXPLOSIF) GREAT HITS and the video clips for this album are RISIN’ SUN productions with a help of AURORE PRODUCTION.
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Check out Jo Tongo’s MySpace page
Tags: composer, funk, happy, Jazz, music, Old School, Reggae, RnB, Uplifting, vintage, World, writer
Cashbook Clique
Feb 11, 2010 Today's Stars
Biography:
Cashbook Clique
CashBook Clique a group of fascinating individuals was born in late 2008.
The group consists of three individuals, Dwayne AKA “Keez”, Andrew AKA “Bin-Law” Ricardo AKA “Scaffle” and Ainsley “Khani” Smith.
The music performed by the three can easily be described as a true blend of Dancehall Reggae and Hip Hop two of worlds leading genre’s of music.
Since the formation of CashBook Clique in 2008 Bin-Law, Scaffle,Khani and Keez have employed their ingenuity and street smarts to establish for themselves a vehicle in the form of their very own record label (also registered in late 2008)Street Dream Records to get their music out to the public.
The music “clever rhymes wrapped around ear pleasing beats” are all written and the music composed by the trio.
Operating from their home Base in Buff Bay Portland the group has been successful in putting out what they consider as their introduction to the music scene an album titled Ghetto Genesis Volume 2 which is presently being digitally distributed by CD Baby.com and is being sold on Amazon, itunes and Rhapsody just to name a few.
This the group considers to be a strong move as Ghetto Genesis Vol. 2 has had songs downloaded as far away as Japan and have gotten airplay from quite a few Radio stations and Podcasts in America and England (and the number rises by the day).Many of these have branded the music of the group as “some of the best to be exported from Jamaica (Jamrock) thus far”.
In addition to being played on overseas radio the group has recently had one of their tracks titled “Rise” played on Hitz 92 FM a radio station based in Jamaica and the response to the song has been a promising one as scores of CashBook Clique fans have expressed their joy in hearing the group on Jamaican radio.
A recent review of the groups musical efforts was done by Soundline Magazine an on line magazine based in Canada.
In this review which can be viewed online by going to www.soundline.ca the group was commended for the way in which they brought the 2 genre’s of music that they do together while maintaining a Jamaican feel to their music .
In addition to these accomplishments the group has recently done a music video for what they consider their title track “Street Dreaming” which has become a fixture on local channels in Portland Jamaica and has been played quite a few times on RE TV one of Jamaica’s biggest entertainment channels.
The quartet of CashBook Clique is poised to do great things in the music industry at large and are working full time to see their dream of becoming household names for music in Jamaica and the world come through.
For further information on CashBook Clique please visit www.streetdreamrecords.com or contact Dwayne Valentine @ vdwayne67@yahoo.com or Cashbookkeez@gmail.com or call Dwayne Valentine @ 1-876-996-1870 or 1-876-892-3490
CashBook Clique
http://www.streetdreamrecords.com
Location: Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica
