Jamaican-born International music star, Mr. Vegas fetes his homeland’s golden anniversary with a brand new double album that explores the past 50 years in Jamaican music.
Sweet Jamaica will be released in February; Jamaica’s national Reggae Month and features a range of music from the roots of Ska in the early 1960’s through the birth of Reggae and into today’s contemporary Dancehall-driven pop music culture. Sweet Jamaica will be released to digital and retail stores under his independently-owned MV Music imprint on Tuesday, February 21st.
The two discs, Sweet Jamaica Reggae and Sweet Jamaica Dancehall together feature over 30 tracks, including exclusive new material and some of Mr. Vegas’ recent smash singles. Sweet Jamaica Reggae is a fusion of Ska, Rocksteady, and foundation Reggae rhythms. Known for melodious style of deejaying or rapping Mr. Vegas’ abandons his usual ‘sing-jay’ mode and shows off his singing talent on remakes of Toots and the Maytals’ classic, Sweet and Dandy, and Alton Ellis’ Rocksteady cover of Brenda Holloway’s You Make Me Happy.
Sweet Jamaica Dancehall features Mr. Vegas’ typically energetic Dancehall delivery on recent Dancehall hits including the current dance-driven club banger Bruk It Down, the street anthem Certain Law and Beautiful Life. Sweet Jamaica Dancehall also includes a live version of his internationally acclaimed gospel-flavored single, I Am Blessed.
Sweet Jamaica is the best of Jamaican music – from the foundation until now. Jamaica celebrates 50 years of Independence this year, and I want to celebrate that by showcasing 50 years of Reggae,” says Clifford “Mr. Vegas” Smith.
“I am releasing this album in February, which is the month we celebrate Reggae in Jamaica and Black History in America. Reggae is such an important part of what makes Jamaica unique, it is our signature sound and Reggae is key part of our culture and our Jamaican brand. Reggae figures like Bob Marley and Dennis Brown – who were both born in February – are important figures in music history in the United States and throughout the world.”
Sweet Jamaica’s lead single, aptly titled Sweet Jamaica, hit #1 on Reggae charts in Europe and the United States last year, while the video peaked at #1 on the MTV BASE Dancehall Video chart. The album’s second release, Certain Law also spent several weeks at #1 on the MTV BASE charts. Teairra Mari, Shaggy, Luciano, Nadine Sutherland, and Jovi Rockwell are among the list of musical guests on Sweet Jamaica.
MOBOaward-winning artist, Mr. Vegas, has been one of Jamaica’s leading international forces since his entry into the music industry in 1997. Over the past 15 years, he has built an extensive catalogue which includes Billboard charting hits, Heads High and Pull Up and urban radio bangers, Tek Weh Yuhself, Hot Wuk and Gallis. Sweet Jamaica is his fifth studio album.
Sweet Jamaica will be released independently by Mr. Vegas’ MV Music label on Tuesday, February 21st. Production credits include Clifford “Mr. Vegas” Smith, Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare, Cleveland “Clevie” Brown and Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson, Mikey Bennet, and Rohan Dwyer.
Source: examiner.com
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