GREAT VIBES AT RICHIE STEPHENS ALBUM LAUNCH

Reggae artist Richie Stephens performed live to launch his album “Real Reggae Music”, which features 14 songs. Stephens performed songs from the new album showcasing his experience and versatility as a seasoned reggae musician, compelling the audience to shout out their appreciation.

Despite being held at 10.30p.m. on a Sunday night the venue was electrified with fans who turned up in their numbers and danced to real reggae music.

Derrick Barnett, Richie Stephens and Ed Robinson

Special guests for the evening were Richie’s two bonafide bredrins musician Derrick Barnett and singer, songwriter and producer Ed Robinson. Derrick Barnett took to the stage as a singer giving the audience a taste of his vocal skills. Barnett sang 3 songs that he produced. Robinson then gave the crowd three tunes all were pulled up. As always Ed’s performance was very energetic, funny and pleasing.  Thereafter, he called the Silky voiced crooner to the mic.

In a brief speech Stephens spoke of the need to bring back real reggae music and he compared and contrasted the present state of reggae music in our community verses the European community. He also thanked his fans, colleagues and friends Ed Robinson and Derrick Barnett who have been with him from the beginning of his career to the present day.

Paul Wayne and Richie Stephens. Marcia Davis in back (left)

Among those attending the launch were singer and songwriter Marcia Davis and Paul Wayne. Radio Hosts Fran Chin, Goose, Dj Bandit, Dub Master and Vaughn All Star. Selectors Rebels Dawatas and Roast Breadfruit. Event Planner, Tamara Dresinger. Stylist, Violeta. Luciana Maneri, CEO Push Broom Gang and Poet/Rapper, Ken Text.

ED ROBINSON HEADLINED REGGAE TING FESTIVAL AUGUST 2, 2014. He Astounded The Crowd…

Nestled up on a gentle ridge and cradled completely by a range of gorgeous and lush green mountains that reminds some of Jamaica, the mood at the Dairy Field was fill excitement and nostalgic euphoria. The western Catskill Mountains were alive with the sounds of reggae music and flavored with the spicy aroma of Jamaican cuisine on Saturday, August 2nd, 2014. The day started off with radio personality Sir Walford of WCDB 91.9 FM, Albany – NY spinning a lively set of reggae representing the progression of Jamaican music from the ska era. Our fine arts and percussionist friend Tim Touhey of Stanford, New York Art Galleries, started the live segment with a 10 minute congas set. Bombmob Electrodub of Woodstock, New York followed Touhey with a riveting set of progressive heavy-duty dub-style reggae that sounded out of this world in the fresh Catskill Mountains air.

Mark Shine who is pound for pound one of the best entertainers in reggae, followed Bombmob with his progressive ROCSTA brand sound playing tracks like ‘Summer Reggae Party’ and songs from his new album “Metamorphosis.” As the different shades of green leaves in the mountain above the Dairy Field seem to shimmered and dance in the setting golden sun to the drum, bass and rhythmic applications of Mark Shine’s performance, the audience showed appreciation by rocking to the performance.

At 8 p.m. veteran international reggae star Ed Robinson headlined Reggae Ting after a full day of cool music and festivities. And as the sun sets below the mountains and the lights were turned up, Ed Robinson’s electric performance was nothing short of delightful. WOW! Ed took the vibes and mood to a whole other level and engaged the eclectic audience of children to mature adult.

Reggae Ting 2014 marks the second event to be held at the Dairy Field outdoor venue. The first event held at the Dairy Field was Mark Shine’s Rocsta Summer Reggae Party, September 1, 2013. With the success of August 2, 2014 event, the second annual Reggae Ting Festival is on deck for Saturday, August 1, 2014. In summary it was a great day. Festival goers had a great time. One very cool take-away. A couple s howed with a toddler at the entrance. They were told the baby could enter free of charge. The couple insisted and paid for the baby. This speaks volume of the crowd that attended Reggae Ting Festival, 2014.

Upcoming Global Rock Showcase Festival, Saturday September 13, 2015 will be held at the Dairy Field also. Ed Robinson, Mark Shine and Bombmob Electrodub alongside legendary punk-rock-hardcore legend HR (Human Rights) of Bad Brains are among artists and bands that will perform. This Global Rock Showcase event is geared to everyone and definitely to the network of SUNY University students attending colleges Upstate New York. Of course there will be a warming bon fire.