Tag: Sonia Pottinger

The Paragons "On The Beach" (1967) on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheParagons #OnTheBeach #TreasureIsle #DukeReid #1967 #JohnHolt #BobAndy #HowardBarrett #GarthEvans #OldiesSunday #Oldies #OldSchool #Riddim #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Paragons – On The Beach (1967)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s Summer, and it’s time to have some fun. How about some music to go with it? Today on “Oldies Sunday“, we’re highlighting a song that you could call a “Summer Song“. We go back in time to check out The Paragons’ “On The Beach“.

Produced by Sonia Pottinger with arrangement by Tommy McCook & The Supersonics and released through Treasure Isle in 1967, it’s time to revel in some fun with The Paragons’ “On The Beach”. The group, consisting of John Holt, Garth Evans, Bob Andy, and Howard Barrett, delivered harmonies and good vibes with their song that painted the picture of days at the beach with friends, playing music to dance all the time to, and having fun like it’s never gonna end. “On The Beach” quickly became a hit for The Paragons, and ended up becoming one of the group’s best releases. The single would later be featured on their 1967 album, “On The Beach With The Paragons“. “On The Beach” would later be sampled by Microphones Killarz, and covered by band member John Holt, Byron Lee and The Dragonaires, and Wayne Wade.

Since the release of “On The Beach”, The Paragons would go on to release more music until John Holt left in 1970 to pursue a solo career. Garth Evans would also leave for solo endeavours, and The Paragons would go through a few band and name changes before disbanding. The group would reform in the late 70s, and would perform over the years. Evans, Holt, and Bob Andy would pass away in 2000, 2014, and 2020 respectively. “On The Beach” would remain one of their biggest releases.

Thank You The Paragons For This Classic!

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"American Fiction" Film on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Hollywood #Music #Jamaica #Film #Movie #13thStreetPromotions #AmericanFiction #JeffreyWright #TraceeEllisRoss #SterlingKBrown #SonyaSpence #LetLoveFlowOn #ManchesterJamaica #Manchester #Caribbean

Sonya Spence’s “Let Love Flow On” Featured In “American Fiction” Film

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s awards season, and if you’re in Music or Film, chances are you’re one of the people who is a part of an award-nominated creation. One award show many look forward to is the 96th Academy Awards. One of the Films up for a few awards is “American Fiction“. “American Fiction” stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown, and it focuses on a Novelist/Professor named Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) who out of frustration, wrote a satirical book on stereotypical Black people, that turned out becoming a success which has good and bad outcomes. The Film was released in December 2023 in Theatres, but was made available digitally on February 6. The Film features a selection of music that was played throughout, but in an important scene, a song from Jamaica was the soundtrack.

During a Wedding scene in “American Fiction”, “Let The Love Flow On” by the late Sonya Spence was featured. Produced by Sonia Pottinger and released through High Note Records in 1981, “Let Love Flow On” was a Reggae/Funk/Soul single that got Spence’s name out there. Sonya Spence was an Artist on the rise in the 1970s and 1980s, but her career was sidelined numerous times through a number of ways (You can see our Women’s History Month write up on her and this single here). (Editor’s note: I was happy and saddened by Sonya Spence’s song’s inclusion in the Film. Many Creatives worked hard for moments like these, but some of them never made it this far because they were robbed of it. Her story is truly a sad one. May she rest in peace.)

“American Fiction” is out now on your favourite movie streaming platforms. Will it secure any of the big awards? Stay tuned.

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Jamaica, Manchester, Singer, R&B, Music, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, Sonya Spence, Sonia Spence, Women's History Month, Caribbean, Oldies Sunday, Oldies, Old School, 1981, Sonya Spence Sings Love

OLDIES SUNDAY: Sonya Spence – Let Love Flow On (1981)

Posted on by swadedavillain

In recognition of March being “Women’s History Month“, Oldies Sunday will be highlighting a few women who have made their contribution to the Jamaican music landscape in the early years. In our next selection, we  highlight the late Singer, Sonya (sometimes Sonja or Sonia) Spence. She was a part of the new wave of promising acts in the 1970s and 80s. Today we look back at her single, “Let Love Flow On“. Produced by Sonia Pottinger (Jamaica’s 1st female Producer) for High Note Records in 1981, this was featured on Spence’s “Sings Love” album that was released in the same year. With a blend of Funk, Reggae, and Soul, Sonya spreads her soft vocals all over the production, and will find you grooving with your favourite person.

While Sonia had a run that birthed a few popular tracks and the release of a few albums, the later days were not very kind to her as she developed a drug habit. She made appearances at various places including Schools (Editor’s note: She made numerous visits to Manchester high when I was a student there) where she would warn against drug abuse, and she’d lend her voice to a few persons along the way till she passed away in 2007.

We hope you enjoy our selection today. Be sure to check out the track and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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