KINGSTON, Jamaica – Again Rebel Rootz Krew Tour 2006 is hitting the road on the East Coast road, featuring Tony Rebel, the performer, producer and Jamaican statesman.
Tony Rebel introduced the world of Reggae to his culturally unique “singjay” style. Rebel’s inspirational hit song, “Jah is By My Side” has become a mantra for conscious reggae listeners. Another of Rebel’s biggest hits, “Sweet Jamaica ,” featured in the Disney film “Cool Runnings” is also known as the country’s unofficial national anthem. Along with running his Kingston-based Flames Productions, Rebel has recorded with everyone from Steven Segal to Jimmy Cliff.
The Rebel Rootz Krew Tour includes the powerful and conscious Queen Ifrika, daughter of legendary Jamaican singer Derrick Morgan. In 1998, while performing at a stage show in Montego Bay, Queen Ifrika met Rebel. Impressed by her musical virtuosity, Rebel and his Flames family have embraced her. From her initial release of “Royal Love” through to the present, Queen Ifrica has always kept her music strictly conscious, which is rare in dancehall music these days. The ‘Raging Lioness’ elaborates on songs like “Randy” and “No Love Again” decrying the current situation in Jamaica in which guns and violence are rampant.
The NewKingstonBand, is currently the hot, new young band in Reggae music. This is a four member band consisting of the three Panton brothers—Tahir (keyboards), Courtney (drums) Leighton (bass), and family friend—Steve (lead vocals & guitar). This young group of musicians ranging in age from 17 -24 is the most electrifying, dynamic talent to emerge in the last decade.
They play all forms of Reggae music, from the old school Studio One, Ska, Rock Steady and Dub right up to the present day genre of high energy, percussive dancehall beats. But this is not all, these young men absolutely defy their age shown by the ease with which they embrace an array of music styles from Motown to Pop, folk festival to Jazz and yes—today’s bad-boy music, hip hop.
