Tag: Old School

OLDIES SUNDAY: @IvyQueenDiva – Quiero Bailar (2003)

Posted on by swadedavillain

September 15 marks the start of “Hispanic Heritage Month” in the United States. The month recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans from entertainment, to sports, to pop culture. Today on Oldies Sunday, we highlight one of those contributors. Her name is Ivy Queen, known as the “Queen Of Reggaeton” who hails from Puerto Rico, and her track is called, “Quiero Bailar (I Want To Dance)“.

Produced by Iván Joy and Jeremy Harding and released through Universal Music Latino in 2003, Ivy Queen made a powerful move with “Quiero Bailar”. The song speaks of a Woman who dances with a Man, but he misinterprets her sensual moves as an invitation to sleep with her. She emphasizes that that isn’t the case, and she shouldn’t be looked on as a promiscuous Woman. She wants to have fun, and not be added to a Man’s list or roster. “Quiero Bailar” sampled Harding’s “Liquid Riddim“, which was released in 2001, and borrows a cadence from Missy Elliott’s “All N My Grill” from 1999 (which was also borrowed by Dancehall Artist Chino, who has a song called “Hold Yuh Man” on the Liquid Riddim). The Reggaeton release was first featured on the Reggaeton Compilations “The Majestic 2“, and “Kilates“, and enjoyed success on those projects before being included in the Platinum Edition of Ivy’s “Diva” album, which was released in 2004.

“Quiero Baliar” enjoyed success as it became the first Spanish-language track to go #1 on Miami’s WPOW Rhythmic Top 40 chart, scored Billboard chart placements, and became an anthem for Women’s Empowerment. “Quiero Bailar” was covered by Puerto Rican Rapper Dlaklle, Recording artist Abaya, Boricua Boys, was sampled by Ecuadorian Singer Sophy Mell, and Chilean Singer Paloma Mami, was remixed with Reggaeton Artist Karol G, and was re-recorded in 2019 with a Female-led team of Engineers in partnership with Spotify, and released on International Women’s Day.

Since the release of “Quiero Bailar”, Ivy Queen went on to release more music to much success, and is still active. She has influenced a number of Artists, and has made major contributions to Reggaeton, and the Hispanic American culture. “Quiero Bailar” remains one of her most recognized tracks.

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Messenjah "Rock You High" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Canada #Kitchener #Ontario #Reggae #13thStreetPromotions #Messenjah #RockYouHigh #1982 #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Messenjah – Rock You High (1982)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Reggae Music has enjoyed a number of “firsts” over the decades, and there are times we forget about them. For today’s “Oldies Sunday” selection, we highlight one of them. Today, we head over to North America to check out Canadian Reggae Band Messenjah’s “Rock You High“.

Produced by Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey and released through Phonyx Records in 1982, Messenjah came to shake the nation with good music on “Rock You High”. Taking the music to a new stage at the time, Messenjah was the first Canadian Reggae Band to sign to a major label (Warner Music Canada a.k.a. WEA). The track got a lot of attention for the Band as it quickly became well known outside of Canada, and it became a part of their live shows over the years. The track was released through their Independently-released debut album of the same name, which went on to be a success.

Since the release of “Rock You High”, Messenjah went on to become one of Canada’s most popular and successful Reggae Bands. The Band went on to release more music, collect awards, toured for a number of years, and even being featured in the movie “Cocktail” starring a then up and coming Actor named Tom Cruise. Messenjah disband in the late 1990s, but reunited with some members in 2014 for a Bob Marley tribute concert in Toronto. “Rock You High” remains one of their most popular releases.

Thank You Messenjah For This Hit!

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Mr. Easy "Drive Me Crazy" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #NewYork #Dancehall #Music #13thStreetPromotions #MrEasy #DrivesMeCrazy #SheDrivesMeCrazy #BuyOutRiddim #TonyKelly #TonyCDKelly #2002 #KLicious #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Mr. Easy – Drive Me Crazy (2001)

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There are hits, and then there are smash hit singles. Sometimes we don’t know how to differentiate the two, but time has a way of showing us. This Artist can say he has a smash hit single, as it has transcended decades, and still feels like a new song. Today’s “Oldies Sunday” selection comes from Dancehall/Reggae Singer Mr. Easy, and his track, “Drive Me Crazy“.

Produced by Tony “CD” Kelly on the “Buy Out Riddim” and released through the K-Licious label in 2001, Mr. Easy is in a dilemma in “Drive Me Crazy”. He shares the stress, and the feeling of being bamboozled as the Woman who he has been investing his time in, is not the person who he think she is, but she is pregnant with his child. The song is a reality for many who think they have an ideal partner, but once the veil is lifted, they see a whole different person. Despite his troubles, Mr. Easy found success with “Drive Me Crazy”, and it was one of the more popular singles off of the “Buy Out Riddim” when it was released. Ultimately, it became his signature single, and was later remixed by Recording Artist Kevin Lyttle in 2004, and sampled by Haitian Compas Band T-Vice in 2008.

Since the release of “Drive Me Crazy”, Mr. Easy went on to enjoy a successful career that found him scoring local and International careers. He still tours, helps to develop upcoming Artists, and still gives people good vibes when he performs “Drive Me Crazy”.

Thank You Mr. Easy For This Classic Tune!

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Roy Shirley "Hold Them" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #RoyShirley #HoldThem #JoeGibbs #1967 #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Roy Shirley – Hold Them (1967)

Posted on by swadedavillain

As the Summer season winds down in its final few weeks, we wanted to keep listeners grooving until the end, and we hope to accomplish that with our “Oldies Sunday” selection. Today, we go back to the 1960s with Roy Shirley’s “Hold Them“.

Produced by Joe Gibbs and Lee “Scratch” Perry for his then Amalgamated Records and released in 1967, Roy Shirley was having a party in “Hold Them”. Considered the first Rocksteady single, “Hold Them” was made to get the people moving, and make anywhere a dance floor. Backed by energetic production, the track quickly became a hit locally and Internationally, and topping the music charts for 6 months in Jamaica, but it almost never happened. During the recording stages, Shirley tried to record the song in Ska style, but it wasn’t clicking. He tried to record it with Slim Smith (a friend and bandmate in the group “The Uniques“) and Ken Boothe, but during the failure of that route he was suggested to do it by himself in his own style by Musician/Singer Gladstone “Gladdy” Anderson. The song was rejected by a number of Producers at first, but recording it with Joe Gibbs was a move in a positive direction, and the rest was history.

Since the release of “Hold Them”, Roy Shirley went on to release more music, and perform in various parts of the world. Shirley passed away in 2008, leaving behind a legacy that connects with many today. “Hold Them” remains one of his biggest songs.

Thank You Roy Shirley For this Classic! Sleep Well.

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The Visionaires "Marcus Garvey" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #RootsReggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheVisionaires #MarcusGarvey #1982 #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Visionaires – Marcus Garvey (1982)

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Yesterday (August 17) was celebrated as the birthday of the late Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The Pan-Africanist was Jamaica’s first National Hero, and inspired many Civil Rights Activists, Rastafarians, The Nation Of Islam, and Black Power Movements. His teachings and influence continues to connect with many generations, but on “Oldies Sunday“, we look back at one of his tributes. Today’s selection comes from the Roots Reggae Band, The Visionaires and their track, “Marcus Garvey“.

Produced by Austin Hutson and released through the Orthodox Label in 1982, The Visonaires shared the importance of the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey in “Marcus Garvey”. The track champions for the philosophical works of Garvey to be taught in the schools, and encourage more people to learn about him and become more conscious of themselves. The band also speaks on Garvey’s prophecies that have come to pass, and call out those who try to eradicate his name and works from the public. “Marcus Garvey” was featured on the band’s only album, “To Have A Home“, which was featured in 1982, and gained popularity locally and Internationally. Not much information is out there about The Visionaires, but the band consisted of Audley Watson, Basil Gayle, and Winston Dudney. “Marcus Garvey” is still played today, especially during Marcus Garvey celebrations.

Thank You The Visionaires For This Classic!

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Matumbi "Empire Road" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #UK #Birmingham #EmpireRoad #Reggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #Matumbi #UKReggae #ReggaeBand #1978 #EMIRecords #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Matumbi – Empire Road (1978)

Posted on by swadedavillain

There are songs that have made an impact in the culture that may have fallen by the wayside over the years, but because of “Oldies Sunday“, they get a chance to reconnect with familiar ears, and connect with the new generation. Today, our selection comes from British Reggae Band Matumbi with the track, “Empire Road“.

Matumbi’s “Empire Road” was produced by the Band, and released it through the Harvest label in 1978. The track was a theme song from the short-lived BBC series of the same name, which was written by Guyanese-British Writer Michael Abbensetts, and starred Guyanese-British Actor Norman Beaton (Desmond’s), Trinidadian-British Actress Corrine Skinner-Carter (Eastenders), and St. Lucian-British Actor Joseph Marcell (The Fresh Prince Of Belair).

The series was set in a street in Birmingham, England called “Empire Road” that hosted a racially diverse mix of African-Caribbean, East Indian, and South Asian residents, highlighting the day to day incidents that occur there through the life of a Residential Property Landlord. The series made history as the first British Television series to be written, directed, and acted predominantly by Black Artists. The song highlights the clash of cultures from food to way of life in the community, but making a call for better living there. While the song was originally made for the TV series, it gained a lot of popularity to the point where it had to be released as an official single. The track was featured on the Band’s 1978 debut album “Seven Seals“.

Since the release of “Empire Road”, Matumbi went on to become one of the top British Reggae Bands in the 1970s and early ’80s. They released a number of singles and albums until their split in 1982, with some members having solo careers, and others joining The Cimarons and The Squad. “Empire Road” still has a place in the hearts of many, and holds a significant place in British Black History.

Thank You Matumbi For This Classic!

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