Also appearing at this summer event dubbed “MANTRA” by the organizers, are Papa Lion aka Mankind (USA) and dancer Adjei (Ghana). Dj Dominic is the night’s scratcher from the control tower.

The show at MS Innvik is one of the rare live Ras Nas’ shows in Oslo. The night is also your chance to buy Ras Nas’ CD “Dar-Es-Salaam” at a concert price. The CD contains a mix of reggae and afro (soukous). Last November Ras Nas was one of the headliners at Oslo World Music Festival where among others, Seun Kuti, Rachid Taha, Cessaria Evora and Ba Cissokho took part.

With a tight band and renewed vigor, Ras Nas’ line up includes Chuck Frazier (guitar), Uriel Seri (drums) and Ole Kristian (bass).

Ras Nas’ reputation as one of the best live acts within reggae and African music in Norway is without dispute. Reviewing Ras Nas ’ live radio concert, spring 2007, veteran music journalist with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, NRK, Arne Berg, put it in this way; “It was a memorable experience. From heavy dub poetry to exhilarating soukous – rarely has the public in Studio 19 shaken their bodies so thoroughly and seldom have we experienced such a sweaty, happy and smiling audience go home after a show!”

MANTRA is an urban entertainment concept where musicians, dj’s, dancers and the public mingle in an intimate atmosphere. The first MANTRA this summer season was held at Underground in June where the top Tanzanian R&B singer Ali Kiba was also one of the performers who entertained a packed crowd.

Venue: MS Innvik, Oslo
Dat: Saturday 18th July 2008
Concerts start at 21.30 (9.30pm)
Food is served from 18.00 - 21.00 (6pm - 9pm)

Tickets for both food and concert are: kr 150
for concert alone: kr 80

7-Time JUNO Nominated R&B/Neo-Soul singer Lorraine Reid has been invited to perform at the Montreal Reggae Festival on July 12, 2008. Known to many for her work with the dance group Temperance, Lorraine will be performing songs from her debut solo album “Lessons Learned,” to be released this summer. Lorraine is also scheduled to play the Michigan Reggae Festival this coming August.

Montreal Reggae Festival
July 12, 2008 12pm - 8pm
“Loto-Quebec” Stage
Old Port of Montreal
http://www.montrealreggaefest.com

The Montreal Reggae Fest’ has ranked among the top annual festivals held in Montreal each year. The 3-day weekend-long event is by far the largest of its kind in Canada, currently attracts over 30,000 people with fans traveling from across the globe to attend.

Lorraine Reid pours her soul into the mic every time she steps on stage to sing. While recording dance music for Temperance, Lorraine’s heart as always been with soul and rhythm and blues. Lorraine attributes her unique vocal style to the influences of Billie Holiday, Sade, Sarah Vaughan and Whitney Houston and primarily enjoys listening to vocal jazz, rhythm and blues, and reggae. While with Temperance, Lorraine achieved many successes on top of her Juno Nominations, including six top ten singles on the Canadian National Dance Chart and a Much Music Video Award for Best Dance Video. She also toured extensively throughout North America, the U.K. and Europe.

http://www.musicdish.net/lorrainereid/
http://www.myspace.com/lorrainereid

PHOENIX, AZ — FROM THEIR HIGH-POWERED CD — “UN NUEVO ESTILO”….. International Latin sensation STILL ALIVE, the Colombian family group who cuts and creates their own style and version of Hip-Hop, Reggaeton, R&B, and too many other music styles to count, are now in Phoenix, AZ- home site of their indie label, Patrón Records…. Members include: SUNDAY, brother MAKLIKY, and cousins, BIGDAY and RJ. Just weeks after entering Miami, FL (the USA) STILL ALIVE has managed to heat-up and shake up the clubs…. continues to create a big buzz in the media. The group was recently seen on the set of Telemundo taping for the CADA DIA show…. “We are all fired-up and hyped-up, we are always ready to perform and we go 150% each time we hit the stage,” states STILL ALIVE. The group’s hot Single Debut- “Lady” has recently hit the Top 10 on the ‘AC Top 100 charts’ with the Spins Tracking System and continues to gain huge reviews from national and world radio stations. The group’s next stop has now landed them in Phoenix, Arizona- home site of their Indie label- Patrón Records.

“We are knocking the door down, our marketing and promotions is right on,” states Abel Romero, CEO of Patrón Records.

**Note– We are now open for investment opportunities/business deals from all major labels and companies! Please check our info and links on our high-powered group - “STILL ALIVE.”

We are currently booking clubs and events in Phoenix, AZ and surrounding areas….
To all clubs and venues– if you are interesested in booking this amazing, highly charged, and stylish group, hit us up at our (booking) email and contact information.

2008 NEW LATIN ARTIST HITTING THE USA CHARTS WITH A BANG !
HUGE RAVES: ORIGINAL, EXPLOSIVE, DYNAMIC, UNIQUE-STYLE, CUTTING-EDGE
FEATURING THE 2008 SUMMER CLUB-BANGER “Lady” with their remix video !!
Check out our “LADY” video at
http://www.blastro.com/player/stillaliveladyremix.html
Preview the CD at http://www.cdbaby.com/stillalive
Check the charts at http://www.newmusicweekly.com

Patrón Records LLC
Abel Romero
1877-7-Patron ext #1
http://www.myspace.com/patronrecordsinc
http://www.patronrecords.com
http://www.shop.patronrecords.com
P.O. Box 8803 Phoenix, AZ 85066
Bookings/General info, via email at: info@patronrecords.com

‘WAKE UP IN THE MORNING’

Abdoul Art is roots reggae originaly from Marrakesh Morocco. After his short successful appearance, and his reggae group The Herbalitz in Berlin a few years ago, Abdoul Art propelled himself to the forefront of conscious roots reggae with his Debut EP Wake up in the morning.

Released by his Independent Reggae Label Humble Sounds Records last year this album features minutes of pure conscious New Reggae Flavor, that are sure to uplift the hearts and souls of roots music lovers all over the world.

For more information please visit : www.abdoul-art.com

Irie

Humble Sounds Records

SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA (Canada) + KOBO TOWN (Canada)
KARLEX (France) + CHARANGA SOLEIL (USA)
plus
DJ NEVA

Free to the Public!

BAMcafe Live
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-636-4100
http://www.bam.org/events/bamcafelive.aspx

Friday, April 4th, 2008:
DJ NEVA 8pm
SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA 9pm
KOBO TOWN 10pm

Saturday, April 5th, 2008:
DJ NEVA 8pm
KARLEX 9pm
CHARANGA SOLEIL 10pm

“Music Is The Weapon: Voices United Across Borders” is an ongoing experiment in breaking through America’s current protectionist mentality that creates so many obstacles and restrictions for musicians, and for artists in general. While countries around the world welcome American musicians, international musicians are finding it increasingly difficult to enter and work in the U.S. Issues such as obtaining visas, dealing with senseless homeland security laws, lack of music industry support, lack of media interest, prohibitive expenses, etc. - are among the major obstacles encountered by musicians in this country.

The participating musicians all come from the collision of different cultures and traditions. Although we share a common language called music, our experiences and backgrounds define our various dialects. This project connects multicultural musicians across national boundaries, to perform together in a rich and vibrant exchange of cultural expression, and hopefully create some new musical dialects in the process!

In the spirit of internationalism, we invite you to join us in a celebration of joining forces across borders - in this case, Europe, United States and Canada.

MusicDish - http://www.musicdish.net
Music for the Masses - http://www.musicforthemasses.org

Participating Artists:

* KOBO TOWN ( http://www.kobotown.com )
Named after the vibrant and turbulent neighborhood in old Port-of-Spain where Calypso was born, Kobo Town strives to recover the social conscience, satirical storytelling and strong acoustic/organic rhythms that characterized Trinidadian music in the past. Based in Toronto, Canada, the band serves up a steaming mix of Calypso, Roots Reggae, Dub, Mento and more.
BAMcafé Live: Friday, April 4th - 10pm

* SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA ( http://www.souljazzorchestra.com )
Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, the Souljazz Orchestra combines Jazz, Funk, African and Latin music while touching on politics and spirituality. Most of their songs are rooted in Nigerian Afrobeat, but there are elements of Soukous, Salsa, Funk and Free Jazz thrown in as well.
BAMcafé Live: Friday, April 4th - 9pm

* CHARANGA SOLEIL ( http://www.charangasoleil.com )
Founded in New York City, Charanga Soleil is an all-star international dance band featuring some of the most seasoned and creative musicians on NY’s international scene. With a classic repertoire and original arrangements, the band brings together three of the world’s greatest dance genres: Cuban salsa, Congolese rumba-soukous, and Haitian compas.
BAMcafé Live: Saturday, April 5th - 10pm

* KARLEX ( http://www.karlexmusic.com )
Based in Montpelier, France, Karlex is a Haitian American singer who fuses with the vibes of his native island with funky guitar sounds, heavy bass and soulful rhythms in a unique blend he calls Afro Groove (i.e., World Soul meets Funk meets Pop meets Afro).
BAMcafé Live: Saturday, April 5th - 9pm

* DJ NEVA ( http://www.musicforthemasses.org )
NYC-born DJ Neva is an Ethnomusicologist with a specialization in “musical creoles” - the magic that happens when two or more cultures come together to create something new. Each of these two nights will inspire its own unique mix that reflects the bands that will be performing.
BAMcafé Live: Friday, April 4th - 8pm
BAMcafé Live: Saturday, April 5th - 8pm

WHAT: Wyclef Jean premieres on the HDNet Concert series from the famed Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia this Sunday March 30, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Jean plays from his catalogue of hits including “Gone Til November,” “Carnival,” “Ready or Not,” and “Stayin’ Alive.” He also performs his own version of reggae standards “No Woman No Cry,” and “Redemption Song.”

Coming from humble beginnings in Haiti, Wyclef Jean joined two school friends in the 90’s to create the seminal hip-hop group, The Fugees. Later, he embarked on a successful solo career and is also active in his support of his native country by creating the Yele Haiti Foundation, providing humanitarian aid and assistance to Haiti.

WHEN: Sunday, March 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

About HDNet
HDNet ( http://www.hd.net ) provides viewers with the best in original comedy, drama, news, sports and music programming.

HDNet is your exclusive, high definition home for popular, critically acclaimed original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report”, “Dan Rather Reports” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather and “NASA on HDNet” (presenting live shuttle launches through 2010). HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, the NASCAR Camping World Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup re-broadcasts, boxing and premiere Mixed Martial Arts from “HDNet Fights;” behind-the-scenes sports news with “Inside the NHL” and “Inside MMA;” groundbreaking music programming with the HDNet Concert Series featuring leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, Black Eyed Peas and more; entertaining and irreverent lifestyle programming including “Deadline!”, “Art Mann Presents,” and “Get Out!” HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to the critically acclaimed and award winning programs such as the Emmy Award winning “Arrested Development,” “The Black Donnellys,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” “Dead Like Me,” “Smallville” and the hit BBC series “Torchwood.”

HDNet Movies also features a wide selection of major studio theatrical releases – all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio so that HDNet Movies viewers get the best possible home theater experience.

Only HDNet Movies exclusive “Sneak Previews” bring feature films to viewers before they premiere in theaters! Some of the HDNet Movies “Sneak Previews” have included the Academy Award nominated “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” Toronto Film Festival nominee “The War Within,” and “Bubble,” the first of six movies by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh and produced exclusively for HDNet Films. Other featured films include “Cashback,” written and produced by Sean Ellis, “Broken English,” from Zoe Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, Parker Posey, Drea de Matteo and Griffin Dunne, the critically acclaimed “Redacted” directed by Brian De Palma and, most recently and “Flawless”, starring Michael Caine and Demi Moore. Upcoming “Sneak Previews” include “Quid Pro Quo,” starring Nick Stahl and Vera Farmiga, and “Gonzo,” the story of the life and death of infamous gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson from director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit http://www.hd.net

Ras Nas aka Nasibu is a musician and poet from Tanzania. His style is a mix of reggae, swahili rumba and dub poetry. The lyrics are in both English and Swahili. “Dar-es-Salaam” is Ras Nas’ follow up to debut “Cut You Loose” (1997). In this latest CD, Ras Nas appears to gain maturity and attain a distinct identity as a musician full of creation. The eight tracks include songs like Guantanamo, Zakina, River Nile and Revelation Times.

Ras Nas has been around for a while. In 1992 he performed for Nelson Mandela and 1998 shared the stage with Lou Reed, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan at Norwegian Wood Festival. The new CD is a follow up to the debut “Cut You Loose” (1997). November 2007, Ras Nas was among the artists at Oslo World Music Festival. Other musicians included Seun Kuti, Simphiwe Dana, Rachid Taha, Ba Cissoko and Cessaria Evora.

Download “Dar-es-Salaam” for free here!

On announcing that BigUp Radio will be celebrating the 100th episode throughout the month of January, BigUp Radio’s CEO Raoul Krakowski commented, “Common Sensi and I grew up in the same circles in Oakland and he’s been a reggae DJ as long as I’ve known him. Sensi is one of the most well rounded reggae dancehall DJs in the Bay Area. I feel blessed to have watched him grow as a DJ over the years and it’s great to share in his worldwide success.”

AllSpice Reggae was the second show to launch on BigUpRadio.com when the stations started including DJ hosted shows to its regular programming. Featuring a mixture of both old and new dancehall reggae hits, during the two years the show has been on the air, DJ Common Sensi has had an impressive list of reggae artists on his show for interviews and features. The AllSpice Reggae show’s mix has attracted a global following with music geared for audiences of all demographics and varying levels of familiarity with Caribbean music. Special guests on the show have included both well-known legends as well as up and coming artists. Guest artists who have been on the show include: Freddie McGregor, Richie Spice, Bushman, Queen Ifrica, Michael Franti, Collie Buddz, Assassin, Ras D, Boom Steppa and many more.

BigUpRadio.com listeners are able to tune-in every Friday to “AllSpice Reggae,” a two hour program showcasing the latest singles, riddims, remixes and more, mixed together and presented by DJ Common Sensi. The show airs 3am, 9am, 3pm and 9pm EST to reach both US and European markets. Listeners are able to hear interviews with their favorite artists as well as request their songs and win prizes or giveaways.

About Bigup
BigUp Radio was founded out of a love for Reggae music and a desire to share the greatest in Reggae music with fans around the World. For more than five years BigUp’s Dancehall and Roots radio stations have been among the most listened to Reggae stations online and responding to listener requests for the full spectrum of Reggae music, in October of 2005, BigUp added stations for Dub, Soca, Ska, Reggaeton & Lovers Rock. BigUp’s stations, which generate over two million tune-ins each month, are available using iTunes, WinAmp or Windows Media, and for mobile listeners through Spodtronic.com’s SpodRadio, Nokia Internet Radio and through the Mobile Broadcast Network. BigUp Radio’s web-site features one of the largest catalogs of Reggae CDs, DVDs and vinyl available anywhere as well as the latest news, reviews and event listings.
http://www.bigupradio.com

About DJ Common Sensi
Every Friday Bigupradio.com features veteran dancehall selector Common Sensi and the Groove Unlimited Sound out of California. For the past 15 years Common Sensi has been playing reggae music in California and around the world from Belize to Brazil and beyond. Groove Unlimited Sound has played alongside top sounds like Stone Love, opened for acts like Barrington Levy, and cut numerous dubs with classic artists like Freddie McGregor, Meditations, Cobra, and more. Allspice Reggae Mix show will feature reggae classics, blazing new tunes mashing up the clubs, interviews, and exclusive dubplates weekly. Log on to Bigupradio.com Fridays 3am, 9am, 3pm, & 9pm EST. Email Common Sensi at DJcommonsensi@bigupradio.com for requests, shoutouts, mix cds, and promos and visit http://www.myspace.com/commonsensi for club dates.

The most recent addition to an already strong line-up of DJs and shows from around the world, the “Tippa Irie Radio Show” hosted by Tippa Irie out of London, England will air monthly on the second Saturday of each month, focusing primarily on UK and European Dancehall artists and music. The Tippa Irie Radio Show will feature special guests, new and unreleased songs direct and of course, the host with most, Tippa Irie himself!

Commenting on his decision to take his show to the world on BigUp Radio, Tippa Irie said, “I’m very excited to be working with BigUpRadio.com. I’ve been a fan for years.” said Tippa Irie. “One of the best things about internet radio is the ability to reach a worldwide audience without leaving London. It’s quite brilliant!”

BigUp Radio Sr. VP Paul Abramson shared Tippa’s enthusiasm for the the Tippa Irie Radio show saying, “It’s an honor to be working with one of the pioneers of UK dancehall reggae. Tippa Irie has been making his mark not just on Dancehall but on Reggae and urban music for more than 25 years and we’re excited to hear what he’s got in store for 2008. Whatever it is, I’m sure his show will deliver positive vibes globally.”

The Tippa Irie Radio Show premieres Saturday Jan 12, 2008 on BigUp Radio’s Dancehall internet radio station, airing at 5am, 11am, 5pm and 11pm EST.
http://www.bigupradio.com

About BigUp Radio
BigUp Radio was founded out of a love for Reggae music and a desire to share the greatest in Reggae music with fans around the World. For more than five years BigUp’s Dancehall and Roots radio stations have been among the most listened to Reggae stations online and responding to listener requests for the full spectrum of Reggae music, in October of 2005, BigUp added stations for Dub, Soca, Ska, Reggaeton, Dub & Gospel. BigUp’s stations, which generate over two million tune-ins each month, are available using iTunes, WinAmp or Windows Media, and for mobile listeners through Spodtronic.com’s SpodRadio, Nokia Internet Radio and through the Mobile Broadcast Network. BigUp Radio’s web-site features one of the largest catalogs of Reggae CDs, DVDs and vinyl available anywhere as well as the latest news, reviews and event listings.

About Tippa Irie
Anthony Henry - a.k.a. “Tippa Irie” - emerged from England’s Saxon Sound International - the star-studded travelling sound system that has been at the forefront of the U.K. reggae dancehall scene for the past 25 years and helped launch the careers of artists such as Maxi Priest, Papa Levi and Smiley Culture. Tippa Irie was part of the new generation of British MC’s who developed the ‘Fast Talking’ style chat which today can be heard in modern day rappers like Busta Rhymes. Tippa toured extensively with his friend and long-time sparring partner, Pato Banton, throughout the Eighties including an appearance at Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash and their U.S. debut tours together. The U.K. DJ duo of Tippa Irie and Pato Banton had become one of the genres favorite combinations. As the Nineties began, the dynamic duo pursued their solo careers. Over a decade would pass before Tippa & Pato would reunite in the studio with legendary singing sensation Peter Spence to produce “The Good Old Days”–a track featured on Pato’s 2000 Grammy-nominated ‘Life is a Miracle’ and Tippa’s “I Miss” tribute album to his late and great sister/MC Miss Irie.

“Lyrically and musically Kobo Town is a trans-national triangle that connects Toronto, Jamaica and Port-of-Spain, the sort of thing that could only happen now, here. Reaching back past soca’s hollow mainstream din, Kobo Town resurrects, reinvigorates and redefines calypso for the new millennium. Independence is an important album not only because of the editorial observations on post-colonial life and trans-border cultural connections but because it offers an almost forgotten music new life by coyly injecting it with a therapeutic blend of reggae, dancehall and dub. As such Independence comes with a promise: it’s well on its way to facilitating a belated introduction between Canada and the art of the calypsonian.” Brent Hagerman, Exclaim! Magazine

Since the November release of their much-acclaimed debut album Independence, Kobo Town has been performing major festivals across Canada, from the Montreal Jazz Festival to British Columbia’s Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival. The band has also been a regular of the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC), including Canada Live, FUSE, Bandwidth and Big City Small World. Kobo Town is working on a follow up album for the Spring of 2008 and preparing for a U.S. tour. Named after the vibrant and turbulent neighborhood in old Port-of-Spain where Calypso was born, Kobo Town strives to recover the social conscience, satirical storytelling and strong acoustic/organic rhythms that characterized Trinidadian music in the past.

http://www.kobotown.com