Screwdriver Makes His Mark on Road Block Screwdriver – Road Block (Joe Frasier/VP)
The long awaited album from Screwdriver (Dalton Lindo) lives upto its rootikal hype , and it’s all in the title track “Road Block”!!!
Recorded and produced in South Florida and London courtesy of Joe Frasier, Jason Sterling, with some influence from Mafia & Fluxy; “Road Block” consists of 15-roots-conscious filled tracks that hits your imagination to the core. It’s evident as you feel Screwdriver’s message, punctuated by the many first-class musicians who deliver an awesome rhythmic sound….Sly & Robbie, I-Paul, Dwight Pinkney, “Cannon” Dean Fraser, Robbie Lyn, Ansel Collins…..
The title track “Road Block” is built off The Wailers track “Soul Shakedown Party” and has a millennium-lick that describes the richness and sweetness of the Reggae sound, and the niceness that it creates as it brings people together in the street…..big tune! The roots-conscious fan will salute “Roots Man”, “Poor Man Dream” - built off The Wailers track “Small Axe”, and, we can all relate to “Stress Out”, check the lyrics!
Screwdriver didn’t leave out the Sista’s: “Spar With Me”, “Murder She Wrote” addresses the false image that women portray as they live their lives dangerously with many sexual partners. “Sherron” follows under the same theme as [Sharon] is being thoroughly questioned by her dad regarding her destructive lifestyle. “Driver Reply” is the counteraction to Gargamel Buju Banton’s scorcher – Driver, a jugglers anthem.
“Road Block”, bound to capture your imagination and consciousness once you put it into your CD player/turntable. For more information, visit: www.vprecords.com
Jamdown Riddim Is The Next Drop Leaf Various Artists – Jamdown (VP)
The one-riddim album “Jamdown” is taken from VP’s Riddim Driven series, and this one proves to be one of the best one-riddim tracks this year; similar to what the “Drop Leaf” riddim did last year.
Produced by Danger Zone Records, “Jamdown” is 15 soft, influential, spiritually conscious tracks which will appeal to everyone. The only female on the album Ce’cile produces a classic statement for the Sista’s with “Waiting”…tuff tune! Morgan Heritage, Chezidek salute the herbalists and the farmers.
Veteran Sing-jay Pinchers stands out with “Seen & Done”, Junior Kelly, Tony Curtis & Jigsy King, recently-released Jah Cure, Lutan Fire, Perfect all deliver impressive tracks that keep you consciously hooked. Even the version track has your mind drifting, grooving along with the infectious reggae beat.
“Jamdown”, an album that should be in your collection this year. For more information, visit: www.vprecords.com
3rd Annual Calgary International Reggae Festival getting hotter The Calgary Reggae Festival Society (CRFS) announced the line-up of featured artistes and events for ReggaeFest 2006.
The theme for ReggaeFest 2006 is 'Salute to the King,' celebrating the legacy of Bob Marley, 25 years after his passing and will feature three 'not to be missed' tribute events. Festival producer Leo Cripps says '25 years after his death, Bob Marley is bigger than ever. ReggaeFest 2006 is one event where lovers of Marley's music can share in the legacy he left us...'
The Calgary International Reggae Festival will offer 6 days of Reggae activities around the city starting on 14th August, concluding with the Main Event at Shaw Millennium Park on Saturday, 19th August, 2006.
Events 'Round Town August 14 - 18 will feature the festival launch, Reggae readings and reasoning's, Reggae films, Bob Marley celebration presentation and noon hour concerts.
Featured performers for ReggaeFest 2006 will include Reggae great Sugar Minott and his band, international Reggae star George Nooks, the legendary Writer, Radio Host and Dub Poet Mutabaruka, Former Big Sugar band members Truths and Rights, 'Lion King' stage performer Toni Anderson and Winnipeg's ska sensation JFK and the Conspirators.
Bob Marley biographer and Reggae Historian Roger Steffens, will take us on an intimate excursion of Marley's life with an exclusive presentation of never before seen video footage, while writers Klive Walker and Judy Powell will take us in between the Reggae covers.
Lends a hand to help the poor and needy Hailed as the 'Poor People's Governor,'Dancehall icon Bounty Killer joins forces with non-profit organization
Upliftment Jamaica to revive his signature stage show *Saddle to the East*in support of on-going educational initiatives in St. Thomas, Jamaica's most
impoverished parish. After a 6-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Saddle to the East, returns on August 26th, this time at Goodyear Oval in St. Thomas, and features the ace deejay (mc) alongside his A-List dancehall and reggae brethren.
'The 5 Star General' who was named "Upliftment Ambassador" at theorganization's 2004 Gala, is re-launching the annual concert to raise money to support Upliftment's programs geared toward improving academic training and structure, furnish teaching materials and supplies, and re-building playgrounds in St. Thomas's under-funded schools.
"It's a beautiful thing to see artists like Bounty Killer not only say, but also do," states Upliftment Jamaica founder and St. Thomas native Gary Foster, Vice President of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmon's Rush Communications. "I give the utmost respect to Bounty Killer for using his
celebrity status as platform to make a difference in people's lives and tomake a positive impact on Jamaica."
Bounty Killer, whose given name is Rodney Pryce, has been dominating the dancehall scene since the 90's with a unique rapid-fire delivery and hard-hitting tunes like "Poor People Fed Up," "Anytime," and "Look." His 1996 album *My Xperience* spent 6 months at the top of the Billboard Reggae Chart and 2 months on the Billboard Top Albums Chart. In 2001, he reached number 5 on Billboard Top
200 with "Hey Baby" which he recorded with rock/punk band No Doubt. He initiated Saddle to the East in 1995 in an effort to rally the entertainment sector to give back to the community. Originally held during Christmas season, the moderately priced show gave less fortunate populations
the opportunity to see the biggest and best names in Jamaican music, while the proceeds were donated to schools and charities in the country's inner-city communities.
Due to mounting resistance from local authorities, Bounty Killer discontinued the show in 2001.
Upliftment Jamaica is a U.S. non-profit organization with a base in the rural community of White Horses in St. Thomas, Jamaica. Founded in 1999 by Gary Foster and 3 childhood friends—Nigel Paris, Clayton Balliston,
Rainford Grant, and the late Kirk Green-- UJ empowers children and adults throughout the island of Jamaica through annual and year-round programs in the areas of health, education, and workforce development. UJ operates a basic school, community technology center, a children's library, and several athletic programs.
Screwdriver – Road Block (Joe Frasier/VP)
Various Artists – Jamdown (VP) 
The Calgary Reggae Festival Society (CRFS) announced the line-up of featured artistes and events for ReggaeFest 2006. 
Hailed as the 'Poor People's Governor,'Dancehall icon Bounty Killer joins forces with non-profit organization