NEW YORK (AP) – The Bob Marley documentary Marley will stream on Facebook simultaneously during its theatrical opening, a signal that social media may also play a role in shifting movie release windows.
Such day-and-date releases have become increasingly common in recent years for smaller independent films. But this will be the first such U.S. film to stream concurrently on the social media behemoth while opening in theaters.
The film, directed by Kevin Macdonald, will be available for a $6.99 rental beginning April 20th, which is the day it opens in theaters. A portion of the proceeds from Facebook sales will benefit Save the Children, the charity for needy children.
Marley is also being released via video-on-demand on April 20th.
Facebook began hosting movie rentals in March 2011. Digital delivery of new releases and older films has been a highly competitive frontier, particularly among Google Inc.’s YouTube, Apple Inc.‘s iTunes and subscription service Netflix.
Marley The Life, Music and Legacy of Bob Marley Directed by Kevin MacDonald
Bob Marley’s universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. MARLEY is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.
From Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (One Day In September, The Last King of Scotland) comes the story of a towering figure of musical history, whose music and message has transcended different cultures, languages and creeds to resonate around the world today as powerfully as when he was alive.
MARLEY will make its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival this month followed by its North American premiere at SXSW. Magnolia Pictures will release theatrically and on VOD on Friday, April 20th.
Nadia Batson On The Cover Of Caribbean Belle Magazine and Shiver No Pressure Official Video
Nadia Batson is one of the Caribbean’s premier entertainers: a “Trini” sweetheart, and an A-list songwriterand singer. I caught up with “Miss B” at Bally’s Woodbrook salon, where she was being primed for this issue’s photo shoot.
She was certainly in good hands. A team of experts, including Kirk Thomas, lead make-up artist at the Hyatt Regency’s Spa Essencia, and Ashvin Bally, were immersed in creating her sexy, sultry, editorial look.
During the beehive of activity she mentions the launch of her all-girl band, called Nadia Batson with Sass, and about how she’s reinventing her look. “I’m going a little more daring,” she says. “Taking a little break from the sweet Caribbean girl image.”
Nadia is perhaps best known for her behind-the-scenes work, penning a string of chart-topping and title-winning singles in the last few years. These include Jumping Up for Young Marcel, which won the teenage performer the Junior Soca Monarch crown in 2002, and Bridging The Gap, which took him to the Soca Monarch finals in 2003.
Nadia’s Running Red won Marcel his second Junior Soca Monarch title in 2007. She has written and co-produced the now-classic hit Go Ahead (And Do Dat) for Soca diva Michelle Sylvester, who became a household name after that smash, and went on to win the International Soca Queen and International Groovy Soca Monarch titles.
Nadia has since moved from backstage into the spotlight. Since her singing debut, with the 2006 Zouk-tinged single One Island, she has been going strong, performing hit after hit. One recalls “Miss B” and “Caribbean Girl.” Nadia has also been a front-liner for Kes the Band, over the six years since the band’s inception.
As the photo shoot begins, she’s wearing red pumps and a beautiful cowl-necked top by Peter Elias. The photographers are clicking away. During an interlude, we relax in the outdoor courtyard, and chat about her music, inspiration, most recent music video, and the new band.
Kimba Sorzano who is also one of the semi finalists in the 2012 Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch Competition, releases his official video for Over You on the Maserati riddim. This is what you call sweet groovy Soca.
Kimba Sorzano, as his aboriginal name suggests is no less than a burning Flame, blazing the trail where ever he goes igniting your passion for music and crooning his way into your heart.
Born on the 24th of June 1984, Kimba sorzano grew up in the urban town of San Juan, Trinidad and from and early age music has courted him shaping his experiences almost as a potter to clay, culminating into this refreshing blend of dance infused pop tracks with caribbean undertones, some may even call it caribbean contemporary.
Though his skill had been honed as a young calypsonian while coming through school competitions, it was not until 2006 when he exploded onto the scene on the Synergy Soca Star Stage, did the Public at large bare witness to his astounding presence.
As a Singer/Song writer Kimba Sorzano prides himself on his clever Melodies and ingenious writing. With Soca music as his base he springboards bringing to you a sound unlike any other yet one that is hauntingly familiar. Sorzano writes all his material and has recently begun to write for industry Giants like Machel Montano.
The Sorzano Experience, as he calls it, is one specially prepared and concocted to bring women to a slow simmer. His charged lyrics and his sex appeal goes unmatched and he takes up residence in women’s hearts everywhere.
Kimba Sorzano is the complete package. He is an artist who is multifaceted, who is unafraid to let us into his world Via his music.
He knows a thing or two about the bottom, now he’s taking you straight to the top. Buckle your seat belts as we embark upon the “Sorzano Experience”
Here are some behind the scenes footage.
Kimba Sorzano Over You Official Video directed by Kern Rose for Kern Rose Films and Liquid Matter Stylist Keisha Als
Kimba Sorzano’s bio and image courtesy of his Facebook fan page.
Be sure to follow Kimba Sorzano on Facebook
Kimba Sorzano on Twitter
A little over a month ago we posted some behind the scenes footage of Common’s recent trip to Haiti filming for his latest video “Sweet” the new single from his upcoming The Dreamer – The Believer. During that trip, the Grammy Award-winning rapper-actor help put together a documentary with Justin Dillon which allows him to use his star power to help rescue children forced into slavery. The documentary was created for CNN and is a part of CNN’s Freedom Project, an initiative to end modern day slavery.
The Common Dreams Documentary focuses on Haitian children forced into slavery which is commonly known as Restaveks, which accounts for an estimated 300,000 children working as domestic servants in Haiti..
You can watch the documentary in its entirety at the project’s site, or view it below.
On Life Teachings, I Wayne rejects materialism (“Wise and Fearless”), predicts the imminent downfall of Babylon (“Burn Down Sodom”), rails against the violence associated with “Drug and Rum Vibes” and successfully ventures into dancehall terrain with “The Fire Song” featuring Assassin (a.k.a. Agent Sasco). Understanding the significance of creating a balance in life as well as in music, several songs on “Life Teachings” display a romantic sensitivity not often seen from I Wayne. “The Nile”, “Empress Divine”, “I Care For You” and “Life Service” each extol women who uphold natural livity (lifestyle). “Life Joy,” produced by Marcus “Icus” Deacon, is a hit bound, sultry R&B flavored duet featuring popular Jamaican songstress Etana. The resplendent roots reggae gem, “Real and Clean” is I Wayne’s sweetly seductive declaration of love set to an irresistible one-drop beat.
Born Cliffroy Taylor, 32 years ago, the Kingston native, captivated fans in 2005 with his debut release Lava Ground and its trilogy of hits, “Can’t Satisfy Her,” “Living In Love” and “Lava Ground;” and in 2007 he released his second album Book Of Life, which also landed on Billboard’s Reggae chart. “Can’t Satisfy Her” is still considered one of the most captivating reggae tunes, which charted to no. 31 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and received heavy rotation at New York’s Hot 97 radio station.
Track Listing:
1. Burn Down Sodom
2. Real and Clean
3. Empress Divine
4. Pure As The Nile
5. Herb Fi Legalize
6. The Fire Song
7. Drugs and Rum Vibes
8. Wise and Fearless
9. Change Them Ways
10. Life Teachings (Ital Sipp’ns)
11. Life Joy Featuring Etana
12. Life Service
13. I Care For You
14. Do The Good
Dahved Levy Named Man of the Year. Dahved Levy the man who has been rocking you – rocking you was recently named Man Of The Year 2011 by the Great Men of Excellence Award in New York.
CMM: NY Top flight radio announcer and host of the #1 Arbitron rated Caribbean show,Caribbean Fever on 107.5 FM WBLS, Dahved Levy, has been named Man of the Year 2011, by the prestigious Great Men of Excellence Award in New York. Levy is in good company as he is being honored along with former Mayor of New York, David Dinkins who will receive the Legendary Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Percy Sutton will receive the Legacy Award which is also named for him.
The awards will be bestowed on the recipients on Saturday, November 19, 20011 at the Black Spectrum Theatre in Queens, NY.
The Great Men of Excellence Award is celebrated annually onInternational Men’s Day, November 19. International Men’s Day is a call for international collaboration to address the challenges and problems men face; for improving gender relations between men and women; for promoting gender equality; and for highlighting positive male role models.
Cathleen Williams, co-regional coordinator of the organization, put in a surprise call on Sunday November 14, to the studios of WBLS and made the announcement live. Although Levy was shocked at the honor, the award comes as no surprise however as Levy has reigned supreme on radio in the media capital of the world (New York) for close to twenty years.
Cathleen Williams stated, “Fans of Dahved stated repeatedly that they actually learn news from listening to his show. Dahved’s program has been reported by people regardless of heritage as the one show they can listen to and learn from. His ability to address everything that is important to them, break it down and keep them informed about what is going on in the world was a major factor in the decision to make him man of the year.”
Consistency and excellence has been the wind in this ace announcer’s back. He has been number 1 in the Arbitron ratings on the airways of107.5 FM WBLS for over a decade-an unparalleled feat. In fact Dahved’s(mainstream) radio program on 98.7 WRKS FM Kiss in New York debuted to a record 6.8 ratings in 1990.
Mavado Settle Down Official Video on the Over Proof riddim has been released. The Over Proof riddim is wicked by the way. The video features this year’s Miss Jamaica Universe contestant Peta-Gaye Simpson who is his love interest in the video. Settle Down is directed by Steven Bernard and edited by Kevin Lee. The Over Proof riddim is produced by JA Productions.
Behind the scenes of Mavado Settle Down Official Video
For those of us who follow soccer, take a look at some off camera filming of Guinness Football Challenge’s new season. African footballing greats Marcel Desailly, Kalusha Bwalya, Jay Jay Okocha and Rigobert Song were just messing around between takes and some footage of these players guiness soccer trick shots were captured.
Our peoples over at 2 Step Video sent us this video of Common’s behind the scenes look at his recent trip and video shoot in Haiti for “Sweet” off of his upcoming release entitled “The Dreamer, The Believer”. The Dreamer, The Believer is set to release on November 22nd.
After the first few days of pretty much non stop rain, Miami Carnival 2011 parade day occurred without a drop of rain. Here are some Miami Carnival 2011 pictures.
Miami Carnival 2011 Pictures taken by Two Step Video ph # 770.896.4425 and Jay Wiggs. Jay Wiggs on Facebook
Reggae’s Gone Country is a compilation album which features an array of current reggae stars performing covers of classic country songs.
The VP records compilation recently charted on the US Billboard at number 2 in the reggae chart and number 65 in the country chart.
According to their youtube channel…
“As disparate as Jamaican reggae and American country music seem, they actually share many commonalities. Both genres were created by marginalized peoples, be it Jamaicans who flocked from rural locales seeking jobs in the bustling capital Kingston then settled in overcrowded tenement yards often lacking in basic amenities or Americans in the southern Appalachia region residing in economically depressed communities, in near isolation from the rest of the country. As a vital means of expression, each populace fashioned a sonic identity culled from various influences. Jazz, Cuban music, calypso and especially early R&B heard on U.S. radio signals reaching Jamaica were essential components in the creation of the island’s first home-grown popular music, ska, in the early 1960s; the frenetic ska beat was slowed down into rocksteady then morphed into reggae by the late 1960s. Bluegrass, the direct forerunner to country music is derived from the English and Scottish ballad tradition and Irish and Scottish fiddle music. African-American blues musicians also played preeminent roles in crafting bluegrass and country’s signature instrumentation, most notably through their introduction of the banjo, now regarded as an emblematic representation of the region, into the music.
The reggae and country genres are rife with love-gone-wrong songs, romanticized gritty outlaw tales and expressions of unwavering spiritual devotion providing guidance through daily struggles, each delivered in their distinctive regional voices, the molasses thick Jamaican patois heard on many reggae tracks and country’s indelible southern twang…”
1. California – Romain Virgo & Larry Gatlin
2. He’ll Have To Go – Luciano
3. Wolverton Mountain – Richie Stephens
4. Crazy – Etana
5. The Chair – Tarrus Riley
6. He Stopped Loving Her Today – Beres Hammond
7. Suspicions – Duane Stephenson
8. Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes – Tessanne Chin
9. Feel So Right – Gramps Morgan
10. King Of The Road – Freddie McGregor
11. El Paso – Sanchez
12. Flowers On The Wall – L.U.S.T.
13. The Gambler – Busy Signal
14. Straight Tequila Night – Tarrus Riley [iTunes Bonus Track]
According to the directors, Noel Dernesch and Moritz Springer…
“JOURNEY TO JAH has been a 6-year journey so far. During the development of this project, we have been in Europe, followed Gentleman in Jamaica for three weeks and met Alborosie in his house in Kingston. We have talked to reggae artists like Luciano, Tony Rebel, Gregory Isaacs, Lutan Fyah, Rootz Underground, Mikey General and many more. We met the well known Jamaican Professor Carolyn Cooper, we followed the young, ambitious Terry Lynn around in Waterhouse, one of the numerous ghettos in Kingston, and we met Rastas, like Natty, Gentleman’s friend.
What has always impressed us, is the positive way Jamaicans confront their problems and their life in general; this is the power that forms the core of their actions adfn as well the core of our film. We want „Journey to Jah“ to be a positive story, about to youn men, who left their homes to seek spirituality and truth in a different cultural context. The film follows them on their search for authenticity, identity and acknowledgement in the context of Jamaica’s daily struggle for a better society.
Reggae is a big part of Gentlemans and Alborosies lifes, Reggae is Rebel Music, in Reggae lies the power of change. Reggae is much more than just music; it is an expression of their way of life, of their political and spiritual dispositions.
In Jamaica music is politics and the key to transformation, but it also carries discrimination and enemy stereotypes. Reggae encourages freedom and justice, yet at the same time, it turns into commercialism, causes agitation and exclusion, and is, with reference to the system of values of the Old Testament, often in contradiction to a liberal worldview.
Now we are at a tourning point of the film. We know, where we want the film to go, we have all the people togehter to make it and we were able to raise a great part of the money, we need. Now it depends, if we reach our kickstarter goal to finally start with real filming!”
The film is being showcased on Kickstarter which is an online community of creatives that allows the public to follow and fund creative ideas and endeavors.
The film makers would like you to know This Film is not finished jet!!!!!
The material of the trailer is from our research! We need to go to Jamaica at least once more to get the material for a feature documentary, that stands up for cinema!
Now it is in our hands, if we succed! Let us reach the $60.00on Kickstarter and make the film happen!!!.
The Story Of Lovers Rock – Reggae Feature Length Documentary
A few months ago we posted the trailer for The Story Of Lovers Rock by Menelik Shabbaz. Airing for the documentary is set to start in the UK theaters this Friday.
THE STORY OF LOVERS ROCK by MENELIK SHABBAZZ is a feature length documentary tells the story of an era and a music that defined a generation in the late 70s and 80s. Lovers Rock is romantic reggae that was uniquely British. It developed from a small UK scene to become a global brand through the likes of UB40 and Maxi Priest
Lovers Rock was particularly influential to a new generation of black British young women and men who identified with this music that reflected their experiences. Female artists like Louisa Marks, Janet Kay, Brown Sugar, Carroll Thompson led a ‘girl power explosion in it’s early phase.
The music provided a coping mechanism against a backdrop of racial tension and riots across the UK as well as being a counterpoint to the male dominated ‘roots’ scene.
The film combines live performances with some of the Kings and Queens of Lovers Rock with comedy sketches, interviews and archive material.
Interviews include Denis Bovell, UB40, Levi Roots Linton Kwesi Johnson, Angie La Ma, Maxi Priest, Mykaell Riley, The comedy sketches are provided by the likes of Eddie Nestor, Robbie G, Wayne Rollins, Glenda Jaxson. Rudi Lickwood, John Simmit., Annette Fagon.
Below are a few of the “Ten Quintessential British Lovers Rock Tunes” from the folks over at Largeup.okayplayer.com Be sure to visit Largeup.okayplayer.com for their full Toppa Top 10 list.
T. T. Ross – Last Date
Aswad Didn’t Know At The Time
Deborahe Glasgow – Give Me That Touch
June Lodge & Prince Mohammed – Someone Loves You Honey
Be sure to visit http://www.loversrockthefilm.com/ for details on showings.
Them Island Boyz — B.V. & Drastic — So Seductive [Official Music Video]
We have been profiling each member of the group Them Island Boyz (B.V. & Drastic) for more than a year. Now we have their official video, “So Seductive”. The track is produced Jus Bus & Zaid. Video was shot on Water Island and St. Thomas U.S.V.I.
Some behind the scenes footage.
Directed By: Sean David of SDotFilms
DP: Anderson “ATA” Andrew
Editor: Sean David
Produced By: iSwag Ent. & SDotFilms
Below the Brain: West Indian Carnival Brooklyn 2010 Documentary Trailer
Four filmmakers teamed up to produce Below the Brain, an experimental documentary that highlights last year’s Caribbean Carnival in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Following one of the largest and greatly celebrated parades in the United States in a 24-hour time frame, Below the Brain is a visual compilation of the filmmakers’ individual experiences that captures the visuals of any vivacious festivals.
The film will be premiered at the BAM Rose Cinema in Brooklyn tonight and will be followed by a week-long theatrical run at Spectacle Theater on the next day where it will also showcase different island-themed films. Vice recently sat with the people behind this film for an interview where they discussed their experiences while shooting the film, and the topic of melancholic Haitian music.
BELOW THE BRAIN TEASAH from FAR EYE on Vimeo.
Recorded by Olivia Wyatt, Sam Fleischner, Tony Lowe, Wills Glasspiegel
Assembled by: Tony Lowe and Sam Fleischner
Additional music by: Kevin Bewersdorf and Andrew Vanwyngarden
