Junior Kelly has reached the U.S.! Coming straight from Europe where he has been promoting his

new album, Smile, released by VP Records, Kelly will be performing hard hitting songs from his latest catalog of roots reggae. This album also introduces us to Junior Kelly, the producer. He produced several of the tracks on the CD including ‘Just Another Blend’, ‘Till the Soil’, and the title track, ‘Smile’. He will be touring the Northeastern corridor with concerts in Boston, Philadelphia and of course, New York!! For tour information visit his website www.junior-kelly.com.

He’s done it again! Sean Paul is breaking records and setting standards for dancehall music. His smash hit Dutty Rock was recently certified double platinum by the RIAA. He is still dominating the U.S. charts, ‘Baby Boy’, Beyonce’s single which features our own ambassador of dancehall music, is still in the number one slot on the Billboard Hip Hop and R&B Singles chart and has been on the chart for 17 consecutive weeks.
Strictly The Best means the hottest hits in lover’s rock, roots and dancehall reggae. The VP Records compilation series Strictly The Best captures the top hits in reggae with exclusive core and crossover selections. The follow up to Reggae Gold 2003 which has shipped over 300,000 units, STB 31 will be a strong draw for reggae CD buyers this holiday season. Featured artists include Elephant Man, Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Morgan Heritage, Baby Cham, Vybz Kartel, Predator & Kiprich, T.O.K. and Rupee. Emphasis tracks are the smoking “Enemies (remix)” from Wayne Wonder featuring Fat Joe & Mobb Deep and the latest single and video from Rik Rock & Shaggy “Your Eyes” on the ‘Salsa riddim’. Look for its release later this year.

Source Magazine celebrated its 15th anniversary recently. As a testament to their longevity they hosted the Source Awards in sunny Miami, Florida. This year marked the addition of a new award category. Being honored for first time in the award show’s history was the Dancehall Reggae Album of the Year. Dutty Rock took home the honors. The Source awards will be broadcasted on November 11th.

There is a compilation in the works which will feature artists recording covers of some of Peter Tosh’s works. Artists scheduled for the compilation include; Cypress Hill, Guns ‘N Roses guitarist Slash as well as bassist Duff McKagen and drummer Matt Sorum. Sean Paul’s recording of “No Nuclear War” will feature vocals and instrumentals from its original recording and Cypress Hill will be covering “Legalize It”.