http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Mon, 18 Dec 2006 08:42:36 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/12/18/084236.php Joel SavageAnthony Keith Blair alias Anthony B, like other musicians such as the late Joseph Hill of Culture, Luciano etc, has been a strong musician for the oppressed and the down trodden masses. After a number of albums, Anthony B is out again with Suffering Man. On December 7, 2006, after his exotic electrifying live performance at the Petro in Antwerp, I spoke with him. These are the excerpts of the interview.You were on the scene ten years ago, but the name Anthony B, wasn't on the lips of music fans like now, how did you make it so fast?Reggae music is trying to get the message across to the people. I'm not a racist and I don't discriminate behind my music, rather I sing about global love and togetherness. Since the fans like the message, that is part of my quick acceptance and success.If I'm right, you duet with the late Joseph Hill of Culture, on which project or album is that song?It was the song "Two Sevens Clash" It wasn't an album. I sang it with the "Mighty Diamonds"You are now at Petrol, the venue Joseph Hill of Culture played his last concert before his death. What was the impact of his death to you and Jamaicans in general?I had two or three concerts with him before this happened. I saw him some a few days before and all of a sudden Joseph was gone. It was a big blow to me and all reggae fans across the world. "Culture" was like an educated history teacher amongst artists, whom people go to and ask questions about historical factors. He was the pioneer of reggae music and one of the artists who kept burning high with authentic music.I listened to your Seven Seals album. The track called "Mr Heartless" - what inspired you to write that nice music?Talking about suffering, I don't even have words to explain it. Because this is the way we live. It is part of our life that we never try to eliminate it. We always have to remember our roots, as Burning Spear" said. For me there is too much suffering in this world. People live rich while others live in poverty, yet no one cares. This was created by man, not God. This is what "Mr Heartless" is about.You were born Anthony Keith Blair. Did changing your name to Anthony B, enhance your success as a musician?Not really, but growing up in music in Jamaica as an artist, you need to find a name for your self. I'm oriented African with an English name, so I made it "Anthony B."I always ask every artist I interviewed the same question. Many are those who sing about Africa and the love to return or visit the continent. But how many of you have been there?I have been to Senegal and Gambia. First and foremost is the reality as an African. I respect my culture. There is an incidence about my visit to Gambia, when my visa expired the same day. I was at the airport when I was told that the Gambian police were looking for me to deport me to Jamaica. It is a silly thing to know that you have been to the continent of your origin but haven't enough days to see the people. All these problems are created by the political leaders. If you want a visa to Gambia you have to go to England first. They have to remove all these political barriers. I remember of a friend from Accra-Ghana, who was deported from Germany to Jamaica. He doesn't know anyone in Jamaica. Luckily he has my number. He called me and I had to help him because we are Africans.The sleeve design of your album That's Life has a wonderful picture of an African baby in her mother's womb. How did the conception of that art created?Evolution is a must and knowledge is in school. Already people have thought that people come from monkey and ape, for me that is not the concept of life. The concept of life is reality. If there is no baby, there is no woman and if there is no woman, there wouldn't be a baby. Every man we see today was once a baby. They all come from the mother's womb. The great civilisation came from Africa.What message do you have for your fans?The message for my fans is to call for togetherness, with one love and respect for everyone. No bloodshed. No discrimination. I'm black or white doesn't bring any good result in our communities. All we need is love.Anthony B, thank you very much for this interview.You are welcome. Music57198@blogcritics.org Mon, 18 Dec 2006 08:42:36 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/08/24/220106.php Joel SavageLike many reggae fans worldwide, I never had the chance to see the late Peter Tosh, one of the original members of the Wailers, performing live. Therefore, Andrew's appearance in concert at Openlucht Theatre in Antwerp was a great joy. Just because I missed the father doesn't mean I have to miss the son.Andrew stepped on stage to one of his father's tunes, ''Coming in Hot'', and the crowd went crazy. Andrew resembles his father in looks -- no great surprise there, but how did it happen that he has the same voice? One couldn't tell the difference between the two when Andrew sang ''Equal Rights,'' ''Downpressor Man,'' ''Johnny B Good'', and more. After thrilling the fans, Andrew gave me this short interview:Joel: Andrew, every one knows that your father was one of the greatest reggae stars the world has ever produced. What actually inspired you into music?Andrew: Definitely my father was my biggest influence in music. He thought me how to play the piano when I was very young. He was like a teacher who guided me through my childhood to have broader knowledge in music.I listened to your Message from Jah album; the track ''Come Together'' is very touching. What inspired you to write that song?My inspiration in music comes from Jah. I believe in peace and togetherness.How do you relate to your fans?I love people, so I do interact with my fans. Singing is one of the ways to meet them.What is your long-range objective in music?Currently I'm working on my album Focus and also working on another called Andrew Sings Peter Tosh. He Never Dies.How has your father's experience as a reggae star influenced your life?My father's experience is both good and bad. He had a very bad experience with the Babylon system, but as I said before, the good part of it is inspiring me into music.I love to ask any reggae star I interview this question. Many musicians sing about Africa and the love to return to the continent. But they never go there. Why is it so?I have been to a lot of places over there, including South Africa and Angola. I think some of these artists don't recognise the true culture of the continent, even though some may wish to go there, they don't know how to organise that.Many love reggae music, yet the music is given less recognition amongst other music. Can you tell me the reason?Well it's true because the message is sharp and strong.Have you ever had a conflict with any musician and how was it resolved?I have never had a problem with any musician. I love all people. [He laughed.]My final question is -- what is your greatest weakness as a great musician?[Laughing... ] Women. Music51966@blogcritics.org Thu, 24 Aug 2006 22:01:06 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/11/19/070407.php Joel SavageGenetic (DNA) testing is being carried out within the framework of family reunion procedures under the Belgian law of 15 December 1980. This law is primarily about those who can have access to the territory, residence, settlement and, of course, the expulsion of foreign nationals from Belgium.This law had been inactive until barely two years ago, when the authorities strongly brought it into force. The question is, why parents who want their children to join them in Belgium should undergo a compulsory DNA test, to find out if they are truly parents of the claimed children?In fact many of the children brought to Belgium are not the children of those who claim to be their parents. On many occasions, the children are forced into prostitution on arrival. If they refuse they are threatened with violence and possible death.Last year The Voice, an African magazine published in the Netherlands, reported the story of an alleged mother who forced her "daughter" into prostitution to recover the money she spent on bringing her to Europe. When the girl refused to pay the money, it became warfare between the two parties. Eventually, the mentally and physically tormented girl went to the police to tell them that: "She has been forced into prostitution. That woman is not my real mother." With hundreds of such cases reaching the police daily, it is not surprising that parents and children are now compulsory subjected to DNA tests and the plan has worked out for the Belgian authorities. Since the DNA test came into force, Belgian Embassies in Africa are very quiet. Investigations have revealed that some applicants bringing their children to the country have abandoned their passports, even though the visa fees have been fully paid. Unexpectedly, the DNA test request has hit them so hard that they are nowhere to be found. To fight against child abuse, prostitution and trafficking, other European countries should follow the actions of Belgium. ed/pub:NB Politics39612@blogcritics.org Sat, 19 Nov 2005 07:04:07 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/10/24/124536.php Joel SavageGreed, selfishness and crime are still with us. Recently the Spanish police broke up a Nigerian "phishing" gang, which has conned more than 20,000 people over the internet.The Foreign Ministry in Madrid announced that more than 300 Nigerians have been arrested in the last few months. The gang made millions of euros through fraudulent lotteries on the internet, whereby people pay a fee for the chance to win a prize that did not exist.No one knows how the gang gets the addresses of their victims, to whom they send false winning notifications. They then demand large sums of money from the victims a "as processing fee" which would enable them to deposit the money into their accounts. Most victims of the fraudulent acts are from Europe, North America, Australia and Japan. About four hundred members of the Spanish Police Force have been investigating on this case for two years prior to the arrests. Culture38427@blogcritics.org Mon, 24 Oct 2005 12:45:36 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/10/12/124541.php Joel SavageFor over thirty years, the legendary Winston Rodney, alias Burning Spear is continuously releasing great reggae albums, such "Door Peep" in 1969 to the Grammy Award winning album "Calling Rastafari" in 1999."It was in 1969 when I met Bob Marley and he told me to check "Studio One" Within that year "I sing I man first line" as Burning Spear. Said Winston Rodney.Last month September 20, 2005, Burning Spear added another new album "Our Music" to his already numerous crucial reggae albums. Reggae Fans! do you want to hear this great album? Then go for it. Music37822@blogcritics.org Wed, 12 Oct 2005 12:45:41 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/09/19/171347.php Joel SavageIt's a bit disturbing to see many blacks in the diaspora angry or embarrassed when referred to as Africans, even though history reveals how they found themselves in strange lands like America, Surinam, Jamaica, Curacao, Cuba, Haiti etc. Whether it's ignorance or not I once witnessed a black man from Surinam, angrily yelling on a fellow black man from West Africa that "You are a slave, I don't come from Africa. I'm a Surinam."It's very sad to hear such a comment coming from a black who seemed to have forgotten his history. While some Africans in the diaspora are shunning Africa, others have great interest in visiting the continent to find their roots. One of such people is Rita Marley, the wife of the reggae legend Bob Marley. Rita Marley, supported her husband as one of the I-Threes, with Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths. She has a number of albums to her credit.Rita Marley for some time now has been regularly visiting Ghana, the country formerly called Gold Coast. In the year 2000, Rita opened and registered "The Rita Marley Foundation" as a non governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization in Ghana. The foundation recently presented medical supplies to major hospitals in Ghana.The foundation also embarked in the contruction of many projects, such as schools and laying of pipes in a village. Her great desire in rural development, resulted to her instalment as a Queen Mother of development, with the stool name as Nana Afua Adobea I, in the South Akwapim District of Ghana. Rita Marley has now completed her residence in Ghana, naming it Alpha and Omega.edited:ME Music36475@blogcritics.org Mon, 19 Sep 2005 17:13:47 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/09/15/135827.php Joel SavageHOVE-LIVE FESTIVAL-BELGIUM. SEPTEMBER 3, 2005If you could remember the nice old tunes from artists like Ken Boothe, Desmond Dekker, John Holt, Jimmy Cliff and so on, then you might as well remember tunes from Alton Ellis. He is one of Jamaica's first artists who stormed the charts with "Muriel" in 1961, as a part of duo with Eddie Perkins. He later recorded tunes like "Dance Crasher" "Cry Tough" and "Girl I've got a date" After a long silence, I was surprised to see him among the artists of this year's performers, including (U-Brown, another old talented reggae artist who made "Train to Zion" album) at Hove-Live Festival in Hove, Belgium. After performing, I contacted him and this is what he has to say.Joel: Mr Ellis, you started strongly those years with artists like Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, John Holt etc. Then you suddenly disappeard. What has kept you away for so long?Alton: Ya! that's a good question. I was in London and I don't have any documents in that country. I couldn't work. I couldn't travel. I couldn't do anything. I was stuck for a couple years in that situation. The moment I had my documents I started travelling. Since then I'm active.Joel: So when did you come back actively in music after the long silence?Alton: I came back in 1985 and slowly building up. I have been to Jamaica and did a couple of shows and records.Joel: Do you have anything coming out soon for your fans to know that you are really back on the music scene?Alton: Yes I have new materials. The problem is the people are really zooming in. The younger boys like Beenie, Bunju and so on are breaking through in terms of new songs and all the people want to hear new songs. Artists like Ken Boothe John Holt etc all have new songs but the radio station don't play them.Joel: Which music station are you talking about. Is it in Jamaica and what is the reason they don't play the old artists music?Alton: The artists you hear their music now on the air in Jamaica, pay a lot of money for the promotion. I refuse to do so, because I spent my whole life making reggae music for the people to enjoy. I don't mind paying a reasonable fee, you know. But the amount of money they take is too much.Joel: At the moment you are on tour in Europe and you just played in Belgium. Where is your next destination?Alton: The next place is America. I'm on tour in America next week and then back to Jamaica.Joel: Many Jamaican musicians such as Joseph Hill of Culture has visited Africa many times. Have you ever visited Africa?Alton: No I haven't.Joel: Then when do you plan to visit Africa?Alton: Well as soon as I'm invited. Just to go to Africa on my own is impossible. But when any recognised organization invites me, I would honour the invitation. Africa is my mother land.Joel: Mr Ellis, thank you very much.Alton: You are welcome.Joel: Music36230@blogcritics.org Thu, 15 Sep 2005 13:58:27 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/08/31/150833.php Joel SavageJohn Holt is one of the few Jamaican early singers like Desmond Decker, Alton Ellis, Gregory Isaacs etc, to have gained recognition on the international stage. His version of "Help Me Make it through the Night" which was recorded in 1973, was a top ten hit in the UK and well sold throughout Europe.Born in 1947, he enrolled in a medical school training to be a doctor but his passion in music enabled him to join a group called "The Binders" In 1970 he had it big with "A Love That I can Feel" His albums "1000 Volts Of Holt" in 1973, from which he sang "Killing me softly" and "Help me make it through the night, "Dusty Roads" in 1974 and "2000 Volts of Holt" of which he sang his version of Bob Marley's "Keep On Running" were instant sell outs.John Holt might be still in music or out of music but his love songs are still been played on the air and in our bedrooms today. REF:ME Music35186@blogcritics.org Wed, 31 Aug 2005 15:08:33 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/08/21/114644.php Joel SavagePOLE-POLE FESTIVAL, Gent, Belgium, July 21 2005Manu Dibango is perhaps one of the world's best jazz saxophonists. A true international super star with a career starting from the 50's. At 15 he was sent to Paris to prepare for a professional career. He is a tireless globe trotting musician. Last year, he played for hundreds of funs at Mano-Mundo Festival in Belgium, and this year he was in Belgium again to play at Gent. He speaks about his passion in music.Joel: As an African musician you have made such an enormous contribution to African music internationally. How do you feel about this achievement?Manu: I'm glad I'm still in motion. I don't think of my past achievements. The most important thing is what I'm going to do tomorrow. I'm happy I did what I did. Thanks be to God.Joel: In 1972, your hit "Soul Makossa" stormed the world. Since then you are still on the music scene. What keeps you moving all these years?Manu: Passion "La Passion" What I would want African youths to have is passion. Because if you have passion, you can easily accept suffering and when there is no passion, you have to try to cultivate it. If you can do that then you can really bring out the best of your self.Joel: In 1985, you raised funds for famine stricken Ethiopia through your "Tam-tams for Ethiopia project" with Mory Kante and others. What do you feel about the present situation in Ethiopia?Manu: Well, talking about Ethiopia is like talking about the whole continent. A month ago we played against AIDS and famine. We also played in Dakar. It is not only the music which is playing an important role on this issue of problems affecting Africa, but the activities of doctors, sportsmen and journalists are also helping in various ways.Joel: According to an international music magazine I read recently, you and the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti are among the world's best saxophonists. How do you feel about this?Manu: It's nice to hear that. You know that one don't play music just for the hours to pass. But you play music because you are in love with music and luckily if it happens that people like what I'm proposing, then I'm happy. Although music is business, yet you don't start thinking about money from the initial stages when you are in music. First propose to the people what they want and if they like it, then the money comes later.Joel: Last year, I watched you playing at the Mano-Mundo festival, when the frenzy crowd called for more song. What was your experience at that moment?Manu: Well you can see that I'm still in motion. It happens that you share the music with the audience. That is the best happiness an artist can have. I'm not alone on stage but with a group of musicians. So the more the music is successful, the more the audience feel happy about the music. It's the responsiblity of an artist to make his fans happy. That is proposition. I'm always talking about proposition.Joel: This question comes from one of your fans who lives in the United States of America. He said I must ask you the reason you do always play in Africa and Europe but not in the USA.Manu: If they want me there, I will be there. I go to every country that wants Manu. I have management and those who want me to play contact my management. I have played in Canada and some parts of South America. I live in America for two years in the 70's. The most important thing is they love my music.Joel: This another question from one of your fans. He said that when he was young, he heard that you sued Michael Jackson for using "Makossa" in his music without your permission. Is it true?Manu: Yes that is true. It is a long time story in 1986. But the problem has been solved long time.Joel: I believe that you are in your seventies. What is the secrete behind your fitness?Manu: If I have a secrete of what keeps me young, then definitely I'm going to sell it. (He laughed) I told you before, It's passion.Joel: In 1994, you released "The rough guide of Manu Dibango" What do you have in store for your numeous fans worldwide?Manu: Well at the moment I have a big band in France. The name is "Marabuti" We have big projects presently and the future we are going to the studios probably in autumn for recording.Joel: Sir, thank you very much for this interview.Manu: You are welcome. Music34543@blogcritics.org Sun, 21 Aug 2005 11:46:44 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/08/16/190222.php Joel SavageSFINKS FESTIVAL, Boechout, Belgium, July 31, 2005There are no human rights in Africa but there are animal rights in Europe and America. Famine, malaria, AIDS, and other diseases are killing Africans daily. You don't hear of anything at all from the developed world. It is like there is no continent called Africa. Yet when you hit a dog with a stone, in defending and protecting yourself from an attack, you will surely be jailed for that in Europe, because the dog has rights.These are the words of Seun Kuti, who has stepped into his father's shoes to continue his musical message against corruption, injustice and the many problems affecting his country of Nigeria and the continent of Africa. Seun expressed his concerns about the situation in Africa when answering questions during a press conference in Boechout-Antwerpen before he went on stage."Our colonial masters were in Africa to do what ever they wanted to do. They taught the Africans many things but when they left they didn't teach Africans how to be governed by what my father called 'Democrazy'. Miltary governments have destroyed Africa to the extent that no remedy can be applied to save the continent", said Seun. He condemned the use of firearms and other weapons in solving political crises in Africa or any other part of the world.Asked if there is any positive change in Nigeria and Africa generally today, despite the suffering, jailing and beating endured by his late father, musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Seun declared that "there hasn't been any positive change in Africa. It may be incompetency or corruption. For example, a police official in Nigeria is now in jail for corruption. This man has houses in almost every state in Nigeria and has amassed himself a fortune. If this had happened in Europe, an investigation would have taken place immediately. In Africa, it went undiscovered until he had a problem with the president. That is Africa."Asked if he was easily accepted by the members of his father's band as a leader, Seun said most of the members of the band knew his father when he [Seun] was a child, and therefore he is a son to them and so they have accepted his leadership. In fact, thousands of Afro-beat fans, who never had the opportunity to see the great Fela Anikulapo Kuti play before he died, turned out on July 31st 2005 in Boechout-Antwerp (Belgium) to watch Seun and the band. Seun is the youngest son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the creator of Afro-beat. He was just eight years old when he first stepped on stage with his father. Femi Kuti, his older half-brother is also a musician with his own band. But Seun is the one many believe has taken on the responsiblity of continuing the uncompleted work of his father. He is at the moment the leader of his father's Egypt 80 band. It's nice to see Seun performing. You may be amazed by his appeance: Is it Fela himself or the son on stage? But please don't get me wrong. That does not mean that Seun is impersonating his father, but rather the image and sprit of his father is strongly apparent in him. The resemblance is striking whether he is dancing, singing or playing the saxophone.With Tony Allen on drums, the group gave the audience their money's worth, including an original song called "Mosquito", bearing the message that malaria is killing thousands of people daily in Africa. Something must be done about this issue as well as AIDS. Seun played only four tunes and left the stage. Angry fans showed their anger and frustration by throwing missiles and other objects on stage. "Seun, we want you back", said a woman almost in tears. Music34259@blogcritics.org Tue, 16 Aug 2005 19:02:22 EDT