Tag: 1966

Celia Cruz "Bemba Colora" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Cuba #CeliaCruz #AfroLatina #AfroCuban #QueenOfSalsa #LaReinaDeLaSalsa #Caribbean #WomensHistoryMonth #WomensMonth

OLDIES SUNDAY: @CeliaCruz – Bemba Colora (1966)

Posted on by swadedavillain

This March on Oldies Sunday, we recognize it as Women’s History Month. We salute the many Women who have taken big steps, and left amazing legacies. Today, we head over to Cuba to salute the “Queen Of Salsa” or “La Reina De La Salsa“, and “La Guarachera De Cuba“, Celia Cruz! We look back at her single, “Bemba Colora“.

Originally composed by Jose Claro Fumero, “Bemba Colora” was released in 1966 through Tico Records. The song possessed a strong anti-racist message, a bit of storytelling, and celebrated a proud African heritage as “Bemba Colora” meant “big red lips/red mouth“, which is a distinct feature of many Black people. The song features a heavy dose of percussion and horns, and will have anyone breaking out in dance. “Bemba Colora” was a hit for Celia Cruz, later on becoming one of her signature songs. “Bemba Colora” was featured on Cruz’s 1966 album, “Son con Guaguancó“.

Celia Cruz would become one of the faces of the then growing Latin Music movement overseas, mastering many forms of Afro-Cuban music styles over time. Celia Cruz has inspired generations of Latin Artists, and her presence is still felt to this day. She is still celebrated around the world, with special tributes being presented yearly. “Celia Cruz Day” is celebrated in San Francisco, California on October 25, and she has a few Schools and roads named after her in her honour.

thank you celia cruz!

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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Jamaica, Soul Music, Rocksteady, R&B, Music, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, The Techniques, Pat Kelly, Curtis Mayfield, The Impressions, Duke Reid, Treasure Isle Production, Queen Majesty, Minstrel and Queen, Oldies, Oldies Sunday, Old School, 1966, 1967, Yanah, Kone, KoneLives, Think Again, Sample, Caribbean,

OLDIES SUNDAY: Pat Kelly – Queen Majesty (1966)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Earlier today, we premiered Recording Artist Yanah’s new single, “Think Again“, now we’re gonna feature its sample. On today’s Oldies Sunday, we look back at Pat Kelly’s classic, “Queen Majesty“! Produced by Duke Reid, the song was recorded by Pat Kelly while he was a member of the Rocksteady group, The Techniques (hence why many releases used The Techniques’ name). It was released through Reid’s Treasure Isle Production in 1967, but was featured on The Techniques’ 1966 album, “Little Did You Know“. The song was a cover of the Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions’ single, “Minstrel and Queen (Queen Majesty)” which was released in 1963.

The story was Pat Kelly and his friends were huge fans of the original track, so much so that they’d stay up at night to hear it at various times on Miami Radio station WINZ. This was so because the signal from Miami to Jamaica was very weak, so they struggled at times. Pat showed interest in covering it, but had no means to get the Record. After hearing it multiple times, he finally caught all the lyrics to the track and made a Reggae version. The single was released various times since 1967, and was remixed by King Jammy’s in the mid 1980s.

Though Pat Kelly parted ways with The Techniques years ago, he is still an active Recording Artist having released numerous singles, and even handled recording sessions as an Audio Engineer for the likes of the late Gregory Isaacs and Johnny Clarke.

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Pat Kelly – Queen Majesty (1966)” →

Corona, Jamaica, Hopeton Lewis, Reggae, 13thStreetPromotions, Take It Easy, Merritone,

NEW VIDEO: Hopeton Lewis’ “Take It Easy” Featured In @Corona Commercial!

Posted on by swadedavillain

Update: See the 2017 Corona Summer Campaign here!

Recently, Corona Extra, the product of Grupo Modelo in Mexico, recently unveiled their latest Commercial as a part of their Corona Summer 2016 campaign. The video, which features a travelling Corona Beer can, uses the late Rocksteady Artist Hopeton Lewis’ 1966/67 hit, “Take It Easy (Get It Here)“. The single was produced by Sam Mitchell for the Merritone Label and was considered the song that heralded the ascension of Rocksteady music movement. Hopeton Lewis was also known to record in Jamaica the first ever song about Marijuana (Cool Collie), and had a good run of hits in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Lewis was also the founder of the Hopeton Lewis Caribbean Gospel Music Awards and owner of Caribbean Gospel Jubilee (CGJ), an Online Radio Station. Lewis passed away in September 2014 as a result of Kidney Failure. Many thanks to the good folks over at Commercial Tunage for the assistance and Genelle Golding for the heads up! Check out the commercial below and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Continue reading “NEW VIDEO: Hopeton Lewis’ “Take It Easy” Featured In @Corona Commercial!” →