The I & I Foundation Newsletter (#1040) Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 23:58:28 -0500 From: STEVEN IBANEZ Subject: I & I Foundation Monthly News Letter Greetings Since we last posted to the forum Foundation Records has just returned from Jamaica. First I need to make a correction on the show that Foundation artist performed on. It was, Reggae Latium at the Jah Creation Entertainment Center in Latium, St. James. Second The Buffalo Soldier was unable to perform due to lack of rehearsal time. This was the first big event for this new venue. The line up was; Struggle Martin, Black Lion, Natural Mystic, Okonko, Little Mice, Jessie Rankin, Sugar Banton, Icho Candy and Foundation Artist Queen Ifrica, Major Lloyd, special guest Grindsman and Screwdriver of Testimonial Records to headline this cultural segment of Jamaica's Western Artist, all backed by the Jah Creation Band. Those artist representing the East or Kingston were; Lady G, Barrington Levy, Singing Melody, President Brown and Headliner Denise Emanuelle Brown backed by the Same Band. Things kicked of slowly as they always do in Jamaica, but when the band started to play nothing could hold the people back. By the time Queen Ifrica performed the place was jam backed. She was the first of many to get a forward from the crowd. She sang four tunes they were covers of Peter Tosh's "Jah is My King" and Garnet Silk's "Cry of My People" although she has here own original material Ifrica respects these two fallen soldiers and thus pays tribute for their inspiration. The next artist to stand out was original Icho Candy by far still on very underestimated performer he sang many of his own songs from the past. Next came Major Lloyd, he sang nine song seven of which were Foundation releases. Major was the first to get a gun salute they other two went to Singing Melody and President Brown. The crowed was in love with his every move on the stage were his backup singers who really added to the performance. All dressed in beautiful mustard color suites they shined like gold. Singing crowd favorites like "Why Worry", "Cut A Long Story Short", "Midnight Rose", "Weak Under the Treatment", "Mister Corro", "Chant and Plant", "Mama Omega", "Fire", "Rhinestone Cowboy". When he sang his last song Original Grindsman came and performed a quick one and a half tunes and left the already sizzling crowd in a frenzy for the next artist Screwdriver. Elise Kelly called Driver on and he began to perform his international set to the amazed St. James masses. Luckily Screwdriver is versatile and he changed his set to fit the needs of the patrons giving them an abrupt change from "Jah You've Been So Good to Me" to "Sharon A Pregnant" rewound three time to the titillation of the people. Performing the rest of his set on the same style of dancehall vibe this ended the first segment. First the Same band was as tight as the Original SANE band was tight and very professional. Expecting Lady G came to the stage and licked three quick shottas. Followed by Singing Melody who gave a remarkable set of well polished songs in support of his new release on VP records he was a very dynamic performer and well deserved the gun shot salute that he was given. Next came the veteran Barrington Levy doing his bit early to make an other engagement in Westmoreland. He gave the masses his four biggest hit and quickly left. President Brown has really come a long way this is the first time that I and I think I have seen the people show respect that he deserves. Where in Jamaica dancehall is the status quo Brown's cultural style is hard to win over the yardies. This was definitely seen in Screwdrivers performance where his act in foreign can't be stopped in Jamaica the people just couldn't appreciate his well composed and thought full lyrics they would rather see him revert back to Sharon A Pregnant. Brown on the other hand has held firm working with Runn in Holland has really been a good thing for him. He had some of the most original and masterful rhythms that I have heard in a long time. Big respect to President Brown. The Final act was Denise Brown singing hit after hit he closed the show the way it should have been with a veteran that all know and love. Nuff respect to I Spy and Jah Creation Entertainment Center. Aside from the show I and I was in Kingston as usual checking up on the status of our affairs. Things have been very bad musically for cultural outing with dancehall rhythms mashing the palace up. One good thing Axe of Jah Apostles, Denise Brown, Bunny Wailer, Triston Plama, and Screwdriver are coming out with some wicked albums from what the showed be to be release this new millennium. Kingston is a magical place for those of us in the Reggae Business. All of the people are here think of it as the Hollywood of Reggae. La Roo's had a big dance with Metro Media, Stone Love and a sound from Houston that wonderful. Asylum is still the happening place to be and music is being produced. As far as our new productions we voiced two new songs one more to add to those songs that will feature Luciano, Mikey General, Triston Palma, Anthony B, and The Buffalo Soldier, and a new song by Triston "Let Them Talk". These songs a about to be mixed the Soldier's and B' song are finished and the others will be finished by Tuesday. Promotional release will be 1st of May to the DJ in Jamaica and the 15th for the street. Also to be released will be another song on the Chant and Plant rhythm "I Love" by the Buffalo Soldier, with Screwdrivers to soon follow. Currently talks are under way for SOL Entertainment to Manage Kings of Kings recording artist Chrisinti and Norris Man. Mad Ites are working on new material, Major Lloyd is working to finish his debut album, Al Pancho is off to Israel, Africa, England and Germany and Rockland is working with Caveman Studios putting together a demo. As you can see the works a go forward. And the price of gas can lead to riots. Tell next time likkel more. Bless Steven Ibanez RAW 1040 I & I Foundation Record www.txdirect.net/users/selah ========================================================================