Julian Marley set to release reggae’s next staple album, “As I Am”
Julian Marley's much anticipated 4th album, As I Am, is available for pre-order now and is giving fans a delightful taste of the soul-powered production with an immediate download of the track "Straighter Roads" with every purchase. Fans have been patiently waiting an entire decade since the release of Marley’s previous album, Awake, which won ‘Best Album of the Year’ in the International Reggae and World Music Awards, on top of being nominated in the GRAMMY's ‘Best Reggae Album’ category.
The full album is tastefully coated with style and sound elements from a variety of musical backgrounds... Marley commented, “Time is the master – we’re always working on music even though you don’t hear it. Music is a feeling and we don’t rush it. The public can expect something that’s not out there, a unique album tailored-cut to uplift, charge up and feel good.” The full album is tastefully coated with style and sound elements from a variety of musical backgrounds, and features a hubbub of international icons such as Snoop Dogg, Shaggy, Beenie Man, Spragga Benz and reggae’s renowned The Tamlins. It is obvious the attention that was taken in blending these elements to create something truly transcendant. Produced by Ghetto Youths International and Zojak World Wide, Julian Marley enlisted creative contributions of a few super stars – his own brothers! Reggae artists Damian “Junior Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley serve as executive producers and producers. The overall collaboration is crisp, clean, authentic, well-rounded and, most importantly, worth every moment spent in anticipation. As I Am takes us on a spiritual journey, offering inspiration, points of confusion, clarity, seeded uncertainities and well-processed revelations. These ideologies are layered elegantly and meticulously to produce a profound statement: music can free us, love saves us and humanity can rise above. The artist stays true to the fundamental principles of roots-rock-reggae by proffering an album fueled by universal love. The single "Magic Of Love (Compassion)" brings on the intensity through psychedelic guitar riffs, rigid bass lines and a fluid chord progression that synergises and collides effortlessly with a heartbeat-like drum and bass rhythm. This still coincides perfectly with the overall message: “Love where have you gone // I am only simply asking // Save us from the madness // We are needing all the magic of love.” Julian is inspired by life, spirituality and, while remaining true to his reggae roots, the crooner transcends musical genres. Digital effects are explicitly and poignantly laid throughout the majority of the album's raw instrumentals in a truly timeless fashion. Like his father, Bob Marley, Julian's goal is to voice the grievances of the downtrodden through the vibrations of music. “Each song is an expression from within, each feel represents who I am," explains Julian. "I was inspired by GOD, life, love, family, people and the social issues we live in today and from ever since. Music is to gather the people under the umbrella of love and the love is in the music.” He continues, “It’s called As I Am because it represents me as it’s what comes from within.” The record flows seemlessly through the chapters of Julian Marley’s inner journey, his relationship to music and ultimately the world thus far. The opening track, "Are You The One" offers an intrinsic insight to music's ability to heal and liberate from the restraints of modern civilization. "Reggae music spins through the levels and stages // Teaching the people since ages // Bringing joy to the desolate places // To energize so you never get wasted.” As a final treat, "I Am The Sound (Addis Pablo Version)" feels like a deliberate and lovely way to encourage a free form thought continumum amongst listeners. This song stands as a chance to wind down and reflect on our own connectivity to the world after being so deeply absorbed in the powerful messages brought to life. Julian Marley certainly makes one hell of a stamp – not just for the reggae scene, but for the overall global consciousness movement. As a humanitarian, visionary, songwriter, artist and friend, his choices in trusting the process of creativity, timeliness and personal growth has led to what should be known as an instant classic and a monumental work of art. As I Am will officially be digitally released on January 25th, while the physical format drops on February 8th, 2019. “I don’t plan the next step," says Julian, "I just continue on with Jah Works and, somehow, things seem to just come together naturally that way.” Julian Marley may not make too many plans, but fans can stay hyped for more great music, music videos and an eventual As I Am Tour in coordinance with the release. |
III Points 2019 offers tantalizing lineup & never-ending party
III Points Festival, located in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, unveiled a killer lineup that highlights diversity in so many realms! Whatever plans you may have had for the 15-17th of February 2019 should be out the window; basically Top Shelf is telling you to ditch your valentine and explore cultures colliding, eating like kings, discovering and immersing yourself in art and, most importantly, remembering to DANCE DANCE DANCE!
III Point organizers rose to (and surpassed) expectations in an epic feat for 2019, showcasing so many distinctly different headlining acts such as SZA, A$AP Rocky, Tyler The Creator and Erykah Badu. These names only skim the surface of the intricate and nuanced lineup.
“The mission of III Points is to reflect our community in Miami with a bold, diverse lineup,” says III Points co-founder Molly Hawkins. “Bringing together the artists that inspire us most — the greatest minds in music — has been our priority from day one and we are incredibly excited about this year’s festival.”
III Points arose six years ago as a means to represent and unite a unique and diverse community. The festival itself offers a platform that showcases Miami’s up-and-coming music acts, along with local artists from many disciplines, by placing them alongside the greatest musical and artistic minds in the world. The blending of experimental, new age, reggae, old school pop, hip hop, R&B, drum and bass and even electroswing strikes a balance that makes festy heads do a double-take. Not only is balance amongst the genres freely supported throughout the lineup, but the fest also extends its graces towards acts on the rise that deserve exposure.
Others diving into the mix include Khruangbin, who are sure to perform an epic cinematic set, along with Beach House throwing their ambient flare onto a III Point stage. For you 90’s babies, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon will fix you up and get you back in touch with serious hip hop and style — performing Only Built 4 Cuban Linx in full! Blood Orange will be taking the stage as well, along with James Blake and much-anticipated sophisticated, edgy, dare we call it, new age rock-n-roll sets from Ty Segall & White Fence while Pussy Riot brings the punk.
The mixture is assorted in terms of genre, culture, time periods and artist dynamics. You’re bound to see a mash up, spotlight or special guest onstage that weekend that will shock and satisfy the trendiest and most dynamic of listeners. In addition to the jam-packed live act lineup, the fest is kicking it up another few notches by announcing III Points All Night. Yeah, you read that right. III Points have thrown together a whopper list of legends from around the globe to keep the spirit rocking 5pm-5am throughout the weekend.
Some globetrotting favorites you won’t want to miss out on UK heavy hitters Ben UFO and Joy Orbison in a rare stateside b2b set, New York hero Honey Dijon, rising Korean-American star Yaeji, lo-fi house champion DJ Seinfeld, German experimentalist Lena Willikens, techno auteur Laurel Halo, breakout Peggy Gou, house veteran Jacques Greene and reclusive electro icon DJ Stingray.
"With Miami being one of the hubs of electronic music, we typically get blessed with amazing underground acts every week down here," says III Points founder David Sinopoli.
Tickets are on sale now and selling fast. There is so much going down at III Points, it is sure to be a banger that you won’t want to miss! Check out www.iiipoints.com for more information on ticket sales and passes, as well as get pumped with their official Spotify lineup playlist available here.
III Point organizers rose to (and surpassed) expectations in an epic feat for 2019, showcasing so many distinctly different headlining acts such as SZA, A$AP Rocky, Tyler The Creator and Erykah Badu. These names only skim the surface of the intricate and nuanced lineup.
“The mission of III Points is to reflect our community in Miami with a bold, diverse lineup,” says III Points co-founder Molly Hawkins. “Bringing together the artists that inspire us most — the greatest minds in music — has been our priority from day one and we are incredibly excited about this year’s festival.”
III Points arose six years ago as a means to represent and unite a unique and diverse community. The festival itself offers a platform that showcases Miami’s up-and-coming music acts, along with local artists from many disciplines, by placing them alongside the greatest musical and artistic minds in the world. The blending of experimental, new age, reggae, old school pop, hip hop, R&B, drum and bass and even electroswing strikes a balance that makes festy heads do a double-take. Not only is balance amongst the genres freely supported throughout the lineup, but the fest also extends its graces towards acts on the rise that deserve exposure.
Others diving into the mix include Khruangbin, who are sure to perform an epic cinematic set, along with Beach House throwing their ambient flare onto a III Point stage. For you 90’s babies, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon will fix you up and get you back in touch with serious hip hop and style — performing Only Built 4 Cuban Linx in full! Blood Orange will be taking the stage as well, along with James Blake and much-anticipated sophisticated, edgy, dare we call it, new age rock-n-roll sets from Ty Segall & White Fence while Pussy Riot brings the punk.
The mixture is assorted in terms of genre, culture, time periods and artist dynamics. You’re bound to see a mash up, spotlight or special guest onstage that weekend that will shock and satisfy the trendiest and most dynamic of listeners. In addition to the jam-packed live act lineup, the fest is kicking it up another few notches by announcing III Points All Night. Yeah, you read that right. III Points have thrown together a whopper list of legends from around the globe to keep the spirit rocking 5pm-5am throughout the weekend.
Some globetrotting favorites you won’t want to miss out on UK heavy hitters Ben UFO and Joy Orbison in a rare stateside b2b set, New York hero Honey Dijon, rising Korean-American star Yaeji, lo-fi house champion DJ Seinfeld, German experimentalist Lena Willikens, techno auteur Laurel Halo, breakout Peggy Gou, house veteran Jacques Greene and reclusive electro icon DJ Stingray.
"With Miami being one of the hubs of electronic music, we typically get blessed with amazing underground acts every week down here," says III Points founder David Sinopoli.
Tickets are on sale now and selling fast. There is so much going down at III Points, it is sure to be a banger that you won’t want to miss! Check out www.iiipoints.com for more information on ticket sales and passes, as well as get pumped with their official Spotify lineup playlist available here.
QueenTress turns up in “Turn Back Time” track
Swedish singer Teresia “QueenTress” Jannson is vibrantly bursting onto the reggae scene with a newly released track "Turn Back Time", featuring Jah Vinci. The song is one of six off her debut EP, On My Mind, due for full release early 2019. Zojak World Wide dropped the track last week and the artist is sweeping up some sweet buzz across London and Sweden, as well as on Irie FM, reggae’s hometurf radio station out of Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
The song strikes a unique blend of modern dancehall coordinated with a synth poppy quality that make it catchy and intrinsically bopable. The artist has managed to blend her personal experiences in relationships and hardships to showcase her growth as a person and highlight a more nuanced outlook of tolerance and the acceptance for the blending of cultures. "Turn Back Time" isn’t typical reggae or dancehall in that Tress doesn’t focus on putting an end to violence, rastafarian culture or a love for cannabis; it instead makes a stylish crossover into the pop realm with stories of love, loss and self reflection, while still relying on a “dubbed-backtrack” and drumbeats that are traditional of Jamaican music.
"My wish from the start with this EP was to do some collaborations with Jamaican reggae and dancehall artists, so for me, it has been great to work with a producer who is Jamaican but lives in Sweden,” says QueenTress. The first single from the project was a collaboration with reggae artist Turbulence titled "Underneath It All". Released in July, the track brings together two people from two different worlds: “This song is about falling in love with the 'wrong' person… this case, I let it be about a white, Christian, Swedish girl and a black, Jamaican Rasta guy.”
Like most European countries, Sweden's society is largely tolerant of diversity and interracial relationships. In recent years, however, mass migration to Sweden and other Scandinavian nations has ignited far right groups which oppose changing demographics. Something American audiences should be able to relate to and reflect on. “I live in Stockholm and we have lots of interracial relationships in Sweden," relates QueenTress. "Most people think that there's nothing strange about that.”
An amazing thing about this EP is the normalization and integration of people, culture and classes that should be celebrated. The more music that is produced which highlights and accepts integration, the more hope we can have for a world that doesn’t see skin color and embraces cultural differences. Jamaican culture is prominent in Stockholm and QueenTress has always felt an inherent connection to the rhythmic aspects of dancehall and the relaxed vibes of reggae. Her passion for music and creative writing skills that she has honed as a poet made the development of the EP a springboard into the music industry.
Tress has frequently visited popular club nights to enjoy the culture and music. Sharing her stories with the world as music rather than poetry has been a huge growing experience for the artist. “I was actually writing a lot of poems in Swedish and, 'cause I used a modern language and rhymes, I got the idea to make them into hip hop lyrics. But, I was listening more and more to reggae and dancehall and got very interested in Jamaica, so a year ago, I started to write in English,” she said.
It was on a trip to Gambia that she sparked her to try recording herself. “I met some reggae artists and I just fell in love with the music. I went home and immediately started doing some more research on the genre since it was already very popular in my country. I then made the decision to do my lyrics in English to make a bigger impact,” she explained. The connection with other artists on the EP – Jah Vinci, Turbulance and G.Whizz – was made by a producer friend of hers and she is happy with the work they have all created. “The making of all five songs was a great journey for me. I had to learn a lot of things; I wrote my own lyrics, but it definitely worked.” QueenTress' "Turn Back Time" single is now available on all major digital outlets.
The song strikes a unique blend of modern dancehall coordinated with a synth poppy quality that make it catchy and intrinsically bopable. The artist has managed to blend her personal experiences in relationships and hardships to showcase her growth as a person and highlight a more nuanced outlook of tolerance and the acceptance for the blending of cultures. "Turn Back Time" isn’t typical reggae or dancehall in that Tress doesn’t focus on putting an end to violence, rastafarian culture or a love for cannabis; it instead makes a stylish crossover into the pop realm with stories of love, loss and self reflection, while still relying on a “dubbed-backtrack” and drumbeats that are traditional of Jamaican music.
"My wish from the start with this EP was to do some collaborations with Jamaican reggae and dancehall artists, so for me, it has been great to work with a producer who is Jamaican but lives in Sweden,” says QueenTress. The first single from the project was a collaboration with reggae artist Turbulence titled "Underneath It All". Released in July, the track brings together two people from two different worlds: “This song is about falling in love with the 'wrong' person… this case, I let it be about a white, Christian, Swedish girl and a black, Jamaican Rasta guy.”
Like most European countries, Sweden's society is largely tolerant of diversity and interracial relationships. In recent years, however, mass migration to Sweden and other Scandinavian nations has ignited far right groups which oppose changing demographics. Something American audiences should be able to relate to and reflect on. “I live in Stockholm and we have lots of interracial relationships in Sweden," relates QueenTress. "Most people think that there's nothing strange about that.”
An amazing thing about this EP is the normalization and integration of people, culture and classes that should be celebrated. The more music that is produced which highlights and accepts integration, the more hope we can have for a world that doesn’t see skin color and embraces cultural differences. Jamaican culture is prominent in Stockholm and QueenTress has always felt an inherent connection to the rhythmic aspects of dancehall and the relaxed vibes of reggae. Her passion for music and creative writing skills that she has honed as a poet made the development of the EP a springboard into the music industry.
Tress has frequently visited popular club nights to enjoy the culture and music. Sharing her stories with the world as music rather than poetry has been a huge growing experience for the artist. “I was actually writing a lot of poems in Swedish and, 'cause I used a modern language and rhymes, I got the idea to make them into hip hop lyrics. But, I was listening more and more to reggae and dancehall and got very interested in Jamaica, so a year ago, I started to write in English,” she said.
It was on a trip to Gambia that she sparked her to try recording herself. “I met some reggae artists and I just fell in love with the music. I went home and immediately started doing some more research on the genre since it was already very popular in my country. I then made the decision to do my lyrics in English to make a bigger impact,” she explained. The connection with other artists on the EP – Jah Vinci, Turbulance and G.Whizz – was made by a producer friend of hers and she is happy with the work they have all created. “The making of all five songs was a great journey for me. I had to learn a lot of things; I wrote my own lyrics, but it definitely worked.” QueenTress' "Turn Back Time" single is now available on all major digital outlets.
ALL JOKING ASIDE: IT ONLY HURTS TILL YOU LAUGH
All joking aside, the ghastly fear of getting booed off stage during a performance could very well be the jumpstart into finding your voice and fulfilling your dreams.
At least it is for Charlene Murray, (Charlie), the lead character in All Joking Aside, a story of how an ambitious, persistent female comedian and a self-loathing, alcoholic has-been (Bob Carpenter) form a platonic, shatterproof bond based on “broken families, a healthy appreciation of sarcasm, and the undeniable rush of making a whole room full of people laugh.”
Today, Animal Mother Films will launch a crowdfunding campaign that audiences can donate to and creatively pitch-in to make this vision come to life. The campaign offers generous and thematically suitable incentives for everyone. Some incentives include: having your own joke shot for the film, receiving rough cuts and providing feedback, or even joining the team as an executive producer.
Producer Jon Ornoy and Director Shannon Kohli’s goals for the picture are multifaceted. Charlie and Bob’s story highlights the importance of comedy in our lives to deal with our emotions and baggage, how putting ourselves out there and being true to who we are is its own therapy.
Shannon Kohli said: “this phrase that kept coming up when we started this was, it only hurts till you laugh. The idea that all of the things, all of her past, and her failures, and her hurt and her dysfunctional family… Once she can look at it and put herself up on stage and open that side of herself to her audience that’s when she’s going to find her element and be true to herself and in turn grow as a person and comedian.”
The team sees this film as their chance to provide women with the opportunity to work in departments where they are not normally represented. In addition to gender parity on set, the crew hopes that by putting a strong female comedian on screen as a real and flawed person will inspire others to follow their passions despite the odds.
With everyone’s help, we will be able to catch a screening of All Joking Asideduring major film festivals next year.
Stay on top of production news by following @ajathemovie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more details about how you can contribute clickhere!
At least it is for Charlene Murray, (Charlie), the lead character in All Joking Aside, a story of how an ambitious, persistent female comedian and a self-loathing, alcoholic has-been (Bob Carpenter) form a platonic, shatterproof bond based on “broken families, a healthy appreciation of sarcasm, and the undeniable rush of making a whole room full of people laugh.”
Today, Animal Mother Films will launch a crowdfunding campaign that audiences can donate to and creatively pitch-in to make this vision come to life. The campaign offers generous and thematically suitable incentives for everyone. Some incentives include: having your own joke shot for the film, receiving rough cuts and providing feedback, or even joining the team as an executive producer.
Producer Jon Ornoy and Director Shannon Kohli’s goals for the picture are multifaceted. Charlie and Bob’s story highlights the importance of comedy in our lives to deal with our emotions and baggage, how putting ourselves out there and being true to who we are is its own therapy.
Shannon Kohli said: “this phrase that kept coming up when we started this was, it only hurts till you laugh. The idea that all of the things, all of her past, and her failures, and her hurt and her dysfunctional family… Once she can look at it and put herself up on stage and open that side of herself to her audience that’s when she’s going to find her element and be true to herself and in turn grow as a person and comedian.”
The team sees this film as their chance to provide women with the opportunity to work in departments where they are not normally represented. In addition to gender parity on set, the crew hopes that by putting a strong female comedian on screen as a real and flawed person will inspire others to follow their passions despite the odds.
With everyone’s help, we will be able to catch a screening of All Joking Asideduring major film festivals next year.
Stay on top of production news by following @ajathemovie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more details about how you can contribute clickhere!
THE HENRY GIRLS
The Henry Girls (Co. Donegal) bring something enchanting to the folk scene. The lyrics are blissful, thoughtful and powerful, and the musicianship one-of- a kind. Most notable are the whimsical three-part harmonies, and wide range of instrumentals. Over the course of an album one will feel nostalgia as the harp sweetly soothes, then joy when a ukulele strums happy anthems. Listening to the Henry Girls matches the feeling of your first sip of coffee on a cool Irish morning whilst looking out over the plains. This is a group whom has mastered the balance of being contemporary, without falling short in old- folk, rootsy charm.
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BOston's Wake up Call!
This morning, when your alarm clock was blaring, and you were thrilled that it was Monday, you dragged yourself into work. To start the week,you had a case of the “Moody Mondays."
It doesn't have to be that way, thought the Bostonians behind Spriteli, an app that lets you wake up to positive vibes via video chat. Every morning, the app provides a “concierge” from somewhere around the world who leads a two-minute positive activity in real-time:stretching, guided breathing or visualising the perfect vacation, for example.
“The goal of the app is to enable people to start their day in the best way possible,” CEO and co-founder Chris Hilger told Metro. “There’s a lot of research that shows how you start your day actually impacts how the rest of your day goes — so focusing on the right things instead of diving right into email or hitting the snooze on your alarm.”
Not thrilled about showing off your bed head? The app lets you choose if you want the video call to be one- or two-way.
Spiriteli could be the next big thing in waking up, said Scout Stevenson, executive creative director.
"By now, I compare my call to my cup of coffee," Stevenson told Metro. "It gets my day going and puts me in a positive mindset."
It doesn't have to be that way, thought the Bostonians behind Spriteli, an app that lets you wake up to positive vibes via video chat. Every morning, the app provides a “concierge” from somewhere around the world who leads a two-minute positive activity in real-time:stretching, guided breathing or visualising the perfect vacation, for example.
“The goal of the app is to enable people to start their day in the best way possible,” CEO and co-founder Chris Hilger told Metro. “There’s a lot of research that shows how you start your day actually impacts how the rest of your day goes — so focusing on the right things instead of diving right into email or hitting the snooze on your alarm.”
Not thrilled about showing off your bed head? The app lets you choose if you want the video call to be one- or two-way.
Spiriteli could be the next big thing in waking up, said Scout Stevenson, executive creative director.
"By now, I compare my call to my cup of coffee," Stevenson told Metro. "It gets my day going and puts me in a positive mindset."
College Articles:
some of my best work was while learning at my College newspaper, The Daily Free Press. click the link below for a list of popular articles I at one time in my life slaved over.