07.22.05 (MusicPortal.com) Ridge Records is set to release the RUNRIG album, "Runrig - 30 Year Journey," on August 29th. If there is one band who encapsulate the very best of Scotland - its poetry, its passion, and its spirit - that band is RUNRIG. For the last three decades, they have uniquely combined their Gaelic roots with a mainstream Rock sensibility that has won them countless fans across the globe. Formed 32 years ago on the Isle Of Skye, RUNRIG are notable for both their extensive line-up over the years and their many achievements. They have had chart hits and won awards, but they have always stayed true to their roots. Traditionalists and pioneers, RUNRIG have created music that is emotional, passionate, accomplished and unforgettable. Not surprisingly, the band have had some notable milestones along the way. Some little known facts about the group include the following: RUNRIG were the first Rock band ever to play on the banks of Loch Lomond and they were also the first Rock band to play Edinburgh Castle. They're also the only band in history to have had a Top 20 hit in Gaelic. Their new lead singer, successful Canadian solo artist Bruce Guthro, comes from New Breton Island, Nova Scotia and -- joining the band in 1998 -- has commuted from Canada to Scotland ever since. Two previous members of RUNRIG have also left to pursue political careers, while ex-keyboardist Peter Wishart is still a member of the House Of Commons. Former lead vocalist Donnie Munro was also Rector of Edinburgh University. RUNRIG have also won countless awards throughout the years, topped the video charts in different decades, had various Top 10 albums including "Amazing Things" (which went to No. 2), and also recently won a "Lifetime Achievement" award at the Nordoff Robbins Tartan Clef Awards. The RUNRIG song 'Running To the Light' was chosen by Houston as the wake-up call on the ill-fated Columbia Space Shuttle, as astronaut Dr. Laurel Clark was a huge fan of the band. "Runrig - 30 Year Journey" is a "Best Of" compilation that embraces all the high points on that singular path that the band have taken over the last four decades. Featuring 16 tracks in all, the songs on "30 Year Journey" draw on the spiritual, political and historical themes that surround them. With tracks featuring both current lead vocalist Guthro as well as ex-lead singer Munro, the compilation is a true celebration of the music that's been performed by RUNRIG over the last 30-plus years. Already a No. 1 hit in Denmark, "Runrig - 30 Year Journey" encapsulates the many moods and memories of one of Scotland's most important bands of yesterday and today.
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07.20.05 (MusicPortal.com) For the first time ever, Trojan Records will release the first truly comprehensive compilation from one of the best known UK Reggae acts, MATUMBI. October 3rd sees the 2-disc release of "Matumbi - Music In The Air," an album that demonstrates why the UK's finest skankers were a leading voice in the British Reggae arena throughout the seventies. Aside from their best-known singles, including a version of 'Man In Me' and 'Point Of View,' "Matumbi - Music In The Air" highlights a number of previously unreleased recordings from the group's initial recordings sessions. From the best and the rarest of MATUMBI's recorded material, this collection pretty much has it all. "Matumbi - Music In The Air" was compiled by the group themselves. After forming in 1972 to support visiting Jamaican performers, London-based septet MATUMBI made their recording debut the following year for Trojan Records. After a series of well-received singles, including 'After Tonight' and 'Brother Louie,' the group signed to EMI Records, subsequently enjoying a cross-over hit with the song 'Point Of View,' taken from their second album recorded for EMI. After acquiring a substantial mainstream following, MATUMBI disbanded in the eighties, with key member Dennis Bovell becoming a central figure on the modern-day UK Reggae scene, both as a producer and performer. Disc #1: "The Hits" Track Listing: 1. Can't Get Enough (Of That Reggae Stuff) • 2. Brother Louie • 3. Running In And Out Of Life • 4. Man In Me • 5. Can't Satisfy • 6. Take It From Me • 7. Law Of The Land • 8. After Tonight • 9. Music In The Air • 10. Guide Us Jah • 11. Bluebeat And Ska • 12. Hook Deh • 13. Black Civilisation • 14. Come With Me • 15. Living In A Dream • 16. Point Of View Disc #2: "Rare & Unreleased" Track Listing: 1. Gloria • 2. Tell Me Again • 3. Ten Green Bottles • 4. Call In Al Capone • 5. Wipe Them Out • 6. Go Back Home • 7. Seeing Is Believing • 8. Chatty Chatty • 9. Raindrops Falling • 10. Wishing On A Star • 11. My God Is Real • 12. You Turn Me On • 13. Time For More Loving • 14. Man Sized Rocker • 15. Everybody Out Except Julie • 16. I Will Never Let You Down • 17. Dear John

07.08.05 (MusicPortal.com) Following up last year's successful anthology album, "I Could Have Been A Contender," comes the first commercial release from JAH WOBBLE since 1994's "Take Me To God" album. "Mu," scheduled to be released on September 12th via Trojan Records, is a 10-track album described by the artist as "Zen Dub." JAH WOBBLE, one of contemporary music's more unique bassists and producers, has found a new sensibility on "Mu," drawing on a plethora of inspirations, sounds and techniques that make up the genre-busting set. For instance, 'Samsara' is a tough Urban track with a deep and spiritual message, while 'Viking Funeral' is a real London-flavored Reggae number and 'Buddha Of Compassion' is a lush, dreamy and cinematic slice of World Dance. Behind the concept of the album, Wobble explains how "the original idea behind 'Mu' was to make a dub-style Surround Sound 5.1 recording." However, owing to technical difficulties at a fairly early stage, he aborted the 5.1 sessions and reverted to Stereo. Despite the switch back, Wobble "retained a '5.1 sensibility' with most of the tracks, i.e. lots of frequencies moving around, stereo image as wide as can be, the sound layered in sonic tiers." "Mu" also presented itself as a perfect opportunity to showcase the prodigious talents of sound engineer Mark Lusardi (The Orb, David Bowie, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Dennis Bovell, Duran Duran, etc.). Wobble first worked with Lusardi back in 1978, and have since collaborated together on various projects including "Deep Space" (1999) and "Molam Dub" (2000). "He (Lusardi) is the most under-appreciated and unacknowledged 'back room boy' in the game that I know of," Wobble comments. "Mu" continues JAH WOBBLE's ability to mesmerize, surprise and challenge his audience, his musical direction having always been genuine, from the heart and pure. According to Wobble, The title "Mu" refers to an old Zen Koan. "It came into being when a famous Chinese Zen master called Joshu (A.D. 778-897) was paid a visit by an aspirant monk. As a dog walked by the Monk asked Joshu: 'Has that dog got Buddha nature or not?" Joshu immediately answered 'Mu!' 'Mu,' like the original..." [full story]

07.07.05 (MusicPortal.com) SEAN PAUL is putting the finishing touches on his upcoming new album, entitled "The Trinity." He's spent the last 6 months hard at work in the studio recording the album, which is due for release in October via Atlantic Records. The first single from "The Trinity," 'We Be Burnin,' will be issued to radio at the end of the month. SEAN PAUL has become a household name worldwide for Reggae, Hip-Hop, and Pop music fans since the 2002 release of his album "Dutty Rock." Since he dropped his breakthrough single 'Gimme The Light' from that release, he has gone on to become a platinum-selling artist in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Japan and dozens of other countries. Early on as a Dancehall music DJ, SEAN PAUL began scoring hit singles in Jamaica starting in 1996, and has since attracted American attention with his appearance on the soundtrack to Hype Williams' "Belly" (along with Mr. Vegas and DMX) and his 1999 hit, 'Hot Gal Today.' Born Sean Paul Henriques on January 8th, 1973, the multi-ethnic artist (his parents have Portuguese, Chinese, and Jamaican ancestry) grew up comfortably in St. Andrew, Jamaica, his mother a renowned painter. Although his education was enough to land a prosperous career, Dancehall music remained SEAN PAUL's first love, particularly crafting rhythm tracks. He became a DJ after he began writing his own songs, patterning his style largely after Super Cat and finding a mentor in Don Yute. He also found early contacts in several members of Reggae band THIRD WORLD in 1993, which helped open up his music business connections. SEAN PAUL released his debut single, 'Baby Girl,' in 1996, which proved a significant success, leading to further regional hits in Jamaica like 'Nah Get No Bly (One More Try),' 'Deport Them,' 'Excite Me,' 'Infiltrate' and 'Hackle Mi.' Several years later in America, SEAN PAUL would make an appearance at Summer Jam 2000 in New York City, after which his first stateside album, "Stage One (a collection of many of his previous hit singles and compilation cuts, plus a few brand-new songs), would be released by VP Records that Fall.
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[Ethnic News: June 2005]
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