SAT MAY 4th REGGAE/SKA EXPLOSION w/ Big Youth, Dawn Penn...

[Jay Funk Dawg]

World Entertainment Omnimedia Presents

in association with Sunspot Records

TORONTO REGGAE/SKA EXPLOSION VOL. 1

SATURDAY, MAY 4th, 2013

featuring

BIG YOUTH (Jamaica)

DENNIS ALCAPONE (Jamaica/U.K.)

DAWN PENN (Jamaica/U.K)

(Leon) DELROY WILLIAMS (U.K)

WILLI WILLIAMS (Jamaica/Toronto)

Plus Toronto’s own

JASON WILSON BAND

DIZZY & THE ARSENALS

HOUSE OF DAVID GANG

and DJs:

Ron Nelson (CHIN 100.7 FM/ReggaeMania.com)

Chocolate (Radio Regent)

Patrick Roots (CIUT 89.5 FM)

Selector K Zar & Dub Connection

General Eclectic (Footprints/Uma Nota)

Host & MC CARRIE MULLINGS (CHRY 105.5 FM/RebelVibez.ca)

THE PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE 410 Sherbourne St.

2 rooms: Main Stage & Vinyl Parlour

Doors: 7:00 pm

Tickets: $40 + 5.20 Early Bird before April 1 (150 available: online only @ ticketweb.ca)

$50 advance + $6.50 HST

$60 at the door

19+ event

Online Tickets: http://tktwb.tw/13KT0dI

Facebook Link: http://on.fb.me/13HlHIT

Advance ticket locations:

DOWNTOWN TORONTO:

Soundscapes (572 College St. / 416.537.1620)

Rotate This (801 Queen St. W. / 416.504.8447)

Play De Record (357A Yonge St. / 416.586.0380)

Genesis One (14 St. Andrews Pl., Kensington Market / 416.913.9470)

Kops Records (229 Queen St. W. / 416.593.8523)

NORTH YORK:

Treajah Isle Records (1514 Eglinton Ave. W. / 416.787.7615)

Caribbean Queen Jerk Drum (3408 Weston Rd. / 416.746.8169)

SCARBOROUGH:

2 Lined Music Hut (31 Tapscott Rd. / 416.264.3999)

Henrys Records (130 Shorting Rd. / 416.297.5585)

Broadway Fashions (1160 Morningside Ave. / 416.283.6999)

Broadway Fashions (Scarborough Town Centre / 416.296.0609)

Nicey’s Food Mart (50 Morecambe Gate / 416.497.9717)

MISSISSAUGA:

Nicey’s Food Mart (325 Central Parkway W. / 905.270.4417)

Broadway Fashion (Square One / 905.848.4823)

BRAMPTON:

Gem’s West Indian Grocery (1785 Queen St. E. / 905.458.4400)

Nicey’s Food Mart (107 Kennedy Rd. S. / 905.450.6045)

PICKERING:

Island Mix (1050 Brock Rd. / 905.831.1645)

VAUGHAN:

Island MIx (3175 Rutherford Rd. / 905.761.6649)

MARKHAM:

Nappy’s Hair Shoppe (7381 Kennedy Rd. / 905.948.0884)

On Saturday, May 4th, World Entertainment Omnimedia in association with Sunspot Records (London, UK) proudly presents one of the greatest collections of reggae and ska talent ever seen on a single Toronto stage in one evening. Toronto Reggae/Ska Explosion Vol. 1 features no less than five living legends of Jamaican music -- Big Youth, Dennis Alcapone (his first-ever appearance on Canadian soil), Dawn Penn, (Leon) Delroy Williams (all backed by Canada’s reggae ambassador Jason Wilson and his internationally-acclaimed band) and Willi Williams. Rounding out the spectacular lineup are two of Toronto’s most popular reggae & ska bands -- The House of David Gang and Dizzy and the Arsenals -- and an A-list of reggae, dub & mashup DJs: Ron Nelson, Chocolate, Patrick Roots, Selector K Zar & Dub Connection, and General Eclectic. MCing is Carrie Mullings, the ranking queen of Canadian reggae radio.

Presented by the team who brought you the legendary Prince Buster in 2006, this show is the first of a series of planned concerts that will feature essential Jamaican & U.K. reggae/ska artists from the 60s and 70s; providing a unique opportunity for Toronto audiences to see the genre’s foundational and original artists live. Sunspot Records also sees this as an opportunity to begin forging new relationships in the Toronto reggae scene, supporting established artists and breaking new ones through selective releases and worldwide promotion. In addition to the musical happenings in the Phoenix’s grand main room, the Vinyl Parlour will feature more intimate DJ sets and a merch table stocked with Sunspot albums that have never before been available in Canada on vinyl.

About Big Youth

www.myspace.com/bigyouth1

Before beginning his musical career, Buchanan worked as a diesel mechanic at Kingston's Sheraton Hotel, where he would develop his toasting skills while he worked, and was nicknamed "Big Youth" by his co-workers. He started to perform at dances, initially influenced by U-Roy, and became a regular with Lord Tippertone's sound system by 1970, becoming the resident deejay, and attracting the attention of Kingston's record producers. His early singles for producers such as Jimmy Radway ("The Best Big Youth"), Lee Perry ("Moving Version") and Phil Pratt ("Tell It Black") were artistically and commercially unsuccessful.

By 1972 he had begun working with Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, a teenage producer whose rhythms and singers were more in tune with the vibes on the streets of Kingston, and "The Killer" (on a version o fHorace Andy's "Skylarking" rhythm) became his first major Jamaican hit, soon followed by "Tippertone Rocking". Following this, he released the hugely successful "S-90 Skank", featuring a motorbike being revved in the studio, for Keith Hudson's Imbidmts label, versioning the producer's own "We Will Work It Out". This became his first Jamaican number one hit, and also featured in a television advert for the Honda motorcycle that inspired it. The first album to feature his vocals, Chi Chi Run was produced by Prince Buster in 1972. Distinctive musically, his half-sung style contrasting with his contemporaries, he was also visually distinctive, with his teeth inlaid with red, gold, and green jewels.

In 1973 he released his first album entitled Screaming Target, produced by Gussie Clarke. The album is still considered as a classic of its genre, featuring rhythms from well-known hits by Gregory Isaacs,Leroy Smart, and Lloyd Parks, among others. Around this time, he also notched up some achievements in the singles chart, having seven singles in the chart at one time, and having four singles remain in the top 20 for an entire year. Throughout 1974 and 1975 he continued to record for other producers, including Glen Brown ("Dubble Attack"), The Abyssinians ("I Pray Thee"/"Dreader than Dread"), Yabby You ("Yabby Youth" - later known as "Lightning Flash (Weak Heart Drop)"), Bunny Wailer ("Bide"/"Black on Black") and Joe Gibbs ("Medecine Doctor").

His next LP, Dread Locks Dread, was released on Klik Records in 1975. Although ostensibly a Big Youth LP produced by "Prince" Tony Robinson, it in fact only featured six vocal tracks, two of which - "Marcus Garvey Dread" (originally "Mosia Garvey" on Jack Ruby's Fox label) and "Lightning Flash" had been released as singles for other producers. By this time he had begun releasing his own self-produced recordings on the Negusa Nagast and Augustus Buchanan labels in Jamaica, sometimes buying rhythms from producers for whom he had worked, but latterly using his own musicians, usually the Soul Syndicate band. Many of his singles, such as "Hot Stock", and "Battle of the Giants" (with U-Roy) were released on this imprint. His first self-produced LP was Reggae Phenomenon in 1974. His self-productions continued with Natty Cultural Dread in 1976, followed later that year by Hit the Road Jack. Having recorded only deejaying records initially, by now Big Youth was developing more confidence as a singer; while his vocal range was never the greatest, his singing sides continued to improve in musical quality, and began to become as common as his DJ tunes. This was helpful, as new young DJs such as Trinity and Clint Eastwood were appearing on the scene, and Big Youth's chanting style was becoming less fashionable.

He signed to Virgin Records' Frontline label in 1977, his first release on the label being the Isaiah First Prophet of Old album, and he also appeared in the film Rockers. Virgin declined the chance to release his next three albums, however, and as the 1970s came to a close, Big Youth's popularity took a dip. By the early 1980s, events had combined to make reggae much less successful than it had been five years earlier. The rising tide of violence had driven many musicians and producers to leave Jamaica for the UK and U.S., reggae had not broken through to widespread commercial success, and, in the wake of Bob Marley's death a lot of major labels either dropped their Jamaican artists or spent little on promoting them, and the music returned to its insular roots.

His career revived in 1990, with the "Chanting" single, produced by Winston "Niney" Holness, and "Free South Africa" on the protest album One Man One Vote.In the 2000's Big Youth teamed up with modern dub producer Twilight Circus to record two notable singles 'Daniel In The Lions Den' & 'What We Need Is Love', in a style harkening to the sound of Youth's vintage 70's classics.

About Dennis Alcapone

www.myspace.com/dennisalcapone

Dennis Alcapone (real name Dennis Smith) is one of the original Dee-Jays, a classic performer of extraordinary talent and a true reggae living legend. Born in Clarendon, Jamaica in 1947, Dennis first started to D.J for the El Paso Hi-Fi in 1969. Influenced by U Roy, his excellent D.J skills and ability to toast over the tracks made El Paso the leading sound system of the time. U Roy was the first D.J to make records voicing over tracks, but it was Dennis' skill and unique style that challenged U Roy's dominance. His first hits were made for the youth producer Keith Hudson who doubled as a part time ghetto dentist. In 1970, Dennis had his first hits with tracks such as Shades of Hudson, Spanish Omega, Revelation Version, Maca Version and The Sky's the Limit.

Through the early 70s Dennis created over one hundred tracks and released three albums, working with some of the great reggae producers including Coxsone Dodd, Winston Riley, Lee Perry, Joe Gibbs, Prince Buster and others; and collaborating with artists such as Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson and Augustus Pablo. Tracks such as Number One Station, Mosquito One, Alcapone Guns don't Argue, Rock to the Beat, Love is Not a Gamble, The Great Woogie, Teach the Children and Musical Alphabet raced up the Jamaican charts and placed Dennis firmly on the front ranks of international reggae. By 1974 Dennis was living in England, but continued to tour as well as work in Jamaica and through the late 70's worked on making albums for Sidney Crooks, Bunny Lee and Count Shelly.

After moving to the U.K. and focusing on producing for many years, Dennis returned to touring in the late 1980s. He was the first reggae artist to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and has also featured at WOMAD, Japan Splash, Heineken Star Time, and Rototom sharing the stage with the likes of The Heptones, Cornell Campbell, and Norma Frazer. Recording-wise, he has collaborated with A-list artists and producers such as: Adrian Sherwood, Prince Jazzbo, Mad Professor and Alton Ellis. In February 2013 he was honoured by the Jamaican High Commission in London as a Reggae Ambassador, and also received a 2013 British Reggae Industry Award in recognition for advancing the music around the world through live performance. His song “Struggle†was recently remixed by Canada’s own Juno-winning Dubmatix.

About Dawn Penn

www.myspace.com/dawnpennmusic

Dawn Penn is one of the original queens of reggae music. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, she grew up in a musical family, studying classical violin and performing with her sisters Pat and Audrey in churches. She made her professional debut while in first form at high school, and her first recording came in 1966 with “When I’m Gonna Be Freeâ€. She then recorded for the legendary Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and her first hit soon followed with 1967’s “You Don’t Love Me – No, No, Noâ€. One of the most famous reggae hits of all-time, this timeless classic has been covered by countless artists around the world including Beyonce, Rihanna, Sean Paul, Wu-Tang Clan, Eve (of Ruff Ryders) and Lily Allen.

Over the next several years, she released several singles on Prince Buster’s label, including “Blue Yes Blue†and “Here’s The Keyâ€. In 1970, she moved to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands to explore her roots on her father’s side. She returned to Jamaica in 1987, re-recording her debut single with Steely and Cleavie in 1991 to commemorate Studio One’s 35th Anniversary. This became a crossover hit in the mainstream pop charts and was picked up by Heartbeat in the U.S. Another version of “No No No†-- recorded in 1992 with King Jammy & featuring Bounty Killer, Dennis Brown and Ken Boothe -- was a smash dancehall success.

In 1993, Big Beat (Atlantic Records) signed Penn to an 8-year album deal, and by the following year she was back on the charts with her re-recorded dancehall version of “You Don’t Love Me – No, No, Noâ€. The single charted in 53 countries, was featured in advertisements for Nissa nand the album was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1995 she produced and recorded her original track “What Do You Do?â€, followed up by “Come Againâ€, an album co-produced with Delroy Williams on Trojan Records which sold close to 110,000 copies. Her 2000 single “Never Ever†was released on Jet Star, becoming a smash hit on BBC Radio 1. In 2001, she was honoured with the Martin Luther King Award by Caribbean Images in recognition of her contribution to Jamaican music. From 2002-2004 she collaborated with top U.S. hiphop artists including John Forte of the Fugees on “What You Gonna Do†and “Mercy Pon We†which culminated in extensive European touring. In the U.S., “Spit Again†with Cocoa Brovaz was released on Rawkus.

She toured with Alpha Blondy in 2005, officially releasing “Growing Up†(another collaboration with John Forte) to wide acclaim. Since then, Penn has toured with Lauryn Hill and Capleton, and has thrilled vintage reggae lovers and crossover fans alike at festivals in the United States U.K., Sweden, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy.

About (Leon) Delroy Williams

www.delroywilliams.com

During a career spanning over thirty years, (Leon) Delroy Williams has made his mark as a singer, songwriter, impresario, producer and actor. Of humble roots, he was born and raised on a farm in Bamboo St. Ann, Jamaica, leaving the island at the age of nine to settle with his parents in England. By this time, he had developed a keen interest in music and in the mid-sixties his singing and dancing skills led to his involvement with a UK soul band.

Known as Delroy, his talents were recognised by a busy entertainment agency, and over the next few years he performed in clubs, RAF and US military bases, and colleges across the UK. He was then signed by the Mecca agency, which arranged gigs around Europe; by the late sixties, Delroy had gained a reputation as one of the hottest live acts around. In 1966, while still a teenager, he created the first-ever open-air reggae festival in London’s Brockwell Park, which ran until 1971. The idea was so popular that he was approached by the Rolling Stones to help them launch an open-air festival in Hyde Park, which became a huge success.

He made his recording debut with Bell Records in 1968, before cutting his hugely popular reggae versions of Ben E. King's R&B favourite. 'Don't Play That Song' and Billy Joe Royal's pop hit, 'Down In The Boondocks' on which he was backed by The London Philharmonic (Orchestra); that were issued on iconic reggae label Trojan Records. He also appeared on Castle Music’s best-selling “One Step Beyond†compilation. Delroy continued to remain a favourite on the UK & European reggae and soul scene, but after the birth of his daughter in 1977 he decided to retire from performing. During this break, he studied drama and honed his acting skills which he put to use appearing in British TV programs such as 'The Saint', 'Petticoat Junction', 'Us Girls', 'The Bill' and 'The Knock', as well as appearances in TV advertisements for Puma. In 2005, Williams appeared in ‘Batman Begins’ starring Christian Bale.

In 1981, Williams became manager of reggae legend Desmond Dekker, as well as a full-time member of Desmond's backing band, the Aces. In addition, he became a consultant to Sanctuary Records, advising the company on all matters relating to reggae. Following the sad passing of Desmond Dekker in 2006, he got the call from “The King of Ska†Prince Buster to join him as a backing singer with whom he continues to perform today; he also fronts his own 10-piece soul and reggae ensemble, The Junction Band, which includes many original members of Desmond Dekker’s Aces.

About Willi Williams

www.williwilliams.com

Willi Williams is an original foundational member of Roots Reggae Music, best known as the writer and original singer of "Armagideon Timeâ€, the beloved reggae anthem covered by The Clash and other artists from various genres. Over his 40+ year career, he has contributed consistently to the greater body of Jamaican reggae music, collaborating with many of the music's luminary figures such as Gregory Issacs, Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Aswad, and many others.

After his introduction by Superstar Bob Andy, he started recording Calling for Coxsone Dodd's Studio One in 1966, Williams' career grew steadily as he and Bobby Kalphat established the Soul Sounds label in 1969 and produced artists including Delroy Wilson, The Versatiles, and the legendary Barrett Brothers (as Rhythm Force), who would become the engine of Bob Marley's regular backing band.

Through much of his career, Williams split his time between Kingston, Jamaica and Toronto, Canada, where he formed a close association with Jamaican keyboard legend Jackie Mittoo. Mittoo, perhaps the single most influential musician in Jamaican music history, recorded frequently with Williams in the 70s and contributed significantly to Williams' outstanding album Messenger Man, released in 1978.

Williams' original recording of "Armagideon Time" has remained a reggae standard and was included on the comprehensive four-disc set, Tougher Than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music, released by Mango Records in 1993. "Armagideon Time" also found its way back into popular culture in recent years via the 1999 Jim Jarmusch film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. "Armagideon Time" utilized the recognizable Studio One backing track known as "Real Rock." Willi Williams' cut of the rhythm helped propel it to become the most "versioned" or recycled in all of reggae history. Punk legends The Clash helped internationalize "Armagideon Time" in 1979 as a b-side to its "London Calling" single and a standard part of its live performances.

Far from being a one-hit wonder, Williams' reggae career has been substantial and prolific with frequent tours around the world, throughout the years. His work with singer/producer Yabby You has marked his reputation, as well as his later efforts with producer, instrumentalist, and dub icon Augustus Pablo. In the 80s, Williams recorded See Me and Natty With A Cause for the London-based, soundsystem giant Jah Shaka and Gordy Johnson, of Canadian rock group, Big Sugar. Most recently, the rock band Government Mule adapted and recorded Williams' composition "Natty With A Cause" as "Rebel With A Cause," which features Williams' voice along with that of singer Warren Haynes in a reggae-rock style.

Williams' most recent album is Di Real Rock (Drum Street), a collection of new and old productions. Since 2000, Williams has also overseen the production of Full Time Love, released through M10 Records in France. The set features a live backing band, The Drum Street Crew, and Jamaican keyboardist Bobby Kalphat, another of Williams' notable musical associates. Full Time Love captures the full-band sound of reggae's past, but with a contemporary production touch.

About Jason Wilson

www.jasonwilsonmusic.com

Pegged by the Canadian media as a “reggae-visionaryâ€, Jason Wilson has recorded and performed with some of the world’s biggest reggae acts including UB40 and Sly & Robbie. An award-winning author (Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup, Fenn Publishing 2006), Wilson has also worked outside the reggae world including collaborations with Alanis Morissette, Percy Sledge and The Mighty Sparrow.

Wilson recently released “Red Rose Medleyâ€, the first single from his upcoming full-length album “The Lion Rampant" with British fiddle legend Dave Swarbrick (Fairport Convention). His acclaimed double CD “The Peacemaker’s Chauffeur†focuses on various attributes of the human experience in times of both ‘war’ and ‘peace’. The album boasts an impressive array of musical legends who offer Jason a helping hand for a project that was four years in the making. Special guests include: Swarbrick, the late Studio One reggae keyboard king (and Wilson’s mentor) Jackie Mittoo, James Brown and Van Morrison’s band-leading saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, Aswad frontman Brinsley Forde, Jamaican guitar legend Ernest Ranglin, folk poet laureate David Francey, Canadian icon Ron Sexsmith and many many more.

About Dizzy & The Arsenals

www.arsenalska.com

The Arsenals have successfully created a signature blend of authentic Jamaican ska, rocksteady rhythms and pop. Since 1994, they have built a broad and dedicated following, keeping their audiences entertained with irresistibly charismatic performances, superior musicianship and an extensive musical catalogue. Led by an astonishingly energetic trombonist named Dizzy D who shares the limelight with a charming and easy-going singer named Comfort, the Arsenals captivate audiences from the moment they hit the stage. Backed by a group of accomplished musicians, the Arsenals deliver a house-party vibe even at a big amphitheatre. The Arsenals have performed with ska legends Toots and The Maytals, Monty Morris, Lord Tanamo (Skatallites), The Toasters, The Slackers and The Satallites. They perform regularly in and around Toronto, tour Canada and the U.S., are booked annually for festivals.

About House of David Gang

www.houseofdavidgang.com

House of David Gang is a reggae outfit that delivers late 70s and early 80s style Jamaican reggae originals and and the classic roots reggae songs of greats such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown; mixed with folk, soul, calypso, afrobeat, and hip hop influences. It is fronted by vocalist King Selah and drummer Jahlin Edwards, with guitarists Chris Davies & Jay "High Plains Drifter" Cleary and bassist Snappy Homefry rounding out the modern incarnation of “The Gang. The band takes its name from The House of David, an afterhours spot on Queen Street West which was a hotspot for artists from the city's burgeoning Rastafarian and reggae community from the late 80s until the mid 90s.

House of David Dang recently released its long-awaited full-length album Reggae Warrior in 2012 to considerable enthusiasm and acclaim. Their annual Bob Marley Birthday Tribute and Food Drive tour has become a staple of the winter music calendar across Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. In Ontario, hundreds of reggae lovers come out for their springtime Original Wailers Showcase and Peter Tosh tribute. House of David Gang has performed in front of enthusiastic crowds at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Atlantic Jazz Festival, Evolve Festival, The Word On The Street, Ottawa Reggaefest, Toronto Freedom Festival, and more. The Band has also shared the stage with the likes of Mighty Diamonds, Echo Minott, Bushman, Mad Professor, Third World, The New Kingston, ill Scarlett, Down with Webster, DJ Czech, Wassabi Collective, Friendlyness & The Human Rights, Selassie I Power, Truths & Rights, Mountain Edge and many others.

About World Entertainment Omnimedia

www.weomnimedia.ca

Based in Toronto, World Entertainment Omnimedia was founded in 2006 by Lynden Myers. Lynden saw the need and desire for Canadian audiences to have access to the best and brightest Jamaican and U.K.-based ska, reggae and rocksteady musicians, entertainers, singers, bands and songwriters on the planet – from the foundational legends of the music to its brightest new talents. The company made a remarkable debut in 2006, bringing the father of Jamaican ska Prince Buster and (Leon) Delroy Williams (of Desmond Dekker and the Aces) to Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre. Willi Williams opened the show.

WEOmnimedia has ambitious expansion plans, first across Canada and then globally, by promoting a wide range of events from intimate club shows to festivals that bring together the established greats and the stars of tomorrow. The company will also leverage its global connections to help worthy artists develop their markets and nurture the reggae/ska community in general. In addition to its event-based activities, WEOmnimedia also: sells remastered vinyl records and CDs from legendary and new artists on its roster; and memorabilia in conjunction with Sunspot Records U.K. Sunspot has a licensing agreement with Trojan Records U.K., one of the world's great reggae/ska labels whose catalogue of essential recordings is the foundation of WEOmnimedia’s extensive library.

About Sunspot Records

www.sunspotrecords.co.uk

Established in 2010 and based in London, Sunspot Records is one of the last remaining yet fastest- growing reggae labels in the UK -- specializing in old school reggae music from the true legends of the music. All Sunspot vinyl is licensed from Trojan Records. Sunspot is always looking for new talent to compliment their growing catalogue; new talent recordings -- with a particular eye on the thriving Toronto reggae community and its deep historical roots -- will be produced for vinyl, CD and digital formats.