Ken Boothe was born in the Denham Town, Kingston in 1948.  He was the youngest of seven children. Ken came from a musically talented family and he attributed his musical interests and abilities to both his mother and older sister.  When he was only eight years old, he won his first singing contest. After then, he has never lost his focus, and continued to practice. To sing and perform to the best of his ability are his aim in life.  Mahalia Jackson, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, The Temptations, and The Drifters became his musical influences.

His career started in the late 1950. At the same year, he formed a duo with his neighbor Stranger Cole. Their duo is known as 'Stranger & Ken'.  Both of them released several albums from the year 1963 – 1965.  In 1966, his first solo tracks were recorded after he was signed to Studio One Label.  On the same year, he also recorded materials for Phil Pratt and Sonia Pottinger.  With his songs like "The Train Is Coming" (on which he was backed by The Wailers) and "Lonely Teardrops" he gained immediate success.  He conducted numerous tours including Europe, North and South America, Japan and the Caribbean.  He continues to reign supreme and maintains his popularity as one of the nation’s top entertainers in Jamaica.

Boothe had a successful UK tour with the Studio One session group, The Soul Vendors together with and Alton Ellis. In 1968, at the age of 17, Boothe released his album “Mr. Rock Steady”.  This album includes numerous hits such as “The Girl I Left Behind”, “When I Fall In Love”, “I Don’t Want to See You Cry”, “Home, Home, Home”, and ‘Puppet On A String’- the title many regard as one of Boothe's best exponents of song,.  In 1970, he switched to Leslie Kong's Beverley's Records. His success continued with hits such as "Freedom Street" and "Why Baby Why".

This legendary Ken Boothe had been through thick and thins.  After Kong’s death, Boothe recorded for many of Jamaica's top producers including Keith Hudson, Herman Chin Loy, Vincent "Randy" Chin, and Phil Pratt.  In 1974, Boothe’s "Everything I Own" under Trojan Records label, reached Number One in the UK Singles charts.  Boothe had release a total of 21 albums which includes the classic gospel “Door to Door”.

In 2001, a double-disc overview of Boothe's Trojan years, Crying over You, was released by the record label while in 2003 Boothe was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in 2003.

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In 1975, Steel Pulse, a roots reggae band, was formed in Birmingham, England, in the inner city area of Handsworth. The founder of this band was schoolmates David Hinds, the song writer, lead singer and guitarist, Basil Gabbidon on guitars, and Ronnie "Stepper" McQueen on bass. All of them came from working class West Indian immigrant families, and none had much musical experience.  They had been nominated in Grammy and won only once but they were the only band to play a Presidential inauguration (Bill Clinton's in '93).

Formed in 1975, their first album was “Kibudu, Mansetta and Abuku” under a small independent label, Dip.  It was then followed by “Nyah Love for Anchor”.  At first, Steel Pulse had difficulty finding live gigs, because most club owners were reluctant to give them a platform for their "subversive" Rastafarian politics. But the group was able to have live performances.  They wound up as an opening act for punk and new wave bands like the Clash, the Stranglers, Generation X, the Police, and XTC.  This was also their first ever music festival in the spring.  They also built a broad-based audience in the process. 

Steel Pulse developed a theatrical stage show to keep with the spirit of the times.  Members of the band dressed in costumes that imitate British archetypes.  Riley was a vicar, McQueen a bowler-wearing aristocrat, Martin a coach footman are some examples.  They left a satirical humor to its audience.

Steel Pulse's first single for Island the classic "Ku Klux Klan” was considered tilt at the evils of racism and was often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage. During this time, their group expanded adding new member.  These were Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown on keyboards, Steve 'Grizzly' Nisbett on drums, Alphonso Martin on vocals and percussion, and Mykaell Riley on vocals. Despite the bands critical and moderate commercial success with their three albums, the relationship with Island Records remained tight. With the release of Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever) in 1980, Steel Pulse conquered and cracked the American market and toured even with Island’s objections.  They soon parted ways with the Island Record.

In 1994, the group headed some of the world's biggest reggae festivals and some of these are Reggae Sunsplash USA, Jamaican Sunsplash, Japan Splash and Northern California annual Reggae on the River Festival. Steel Pulse is particularly proud of their album "Rastanthology," a 17-song collection of Steel Pulse classics and was released on the band's own Wise Man Doctrine label. 

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Sheldon Campbell, popularly known as Turbulence, was born on January 11, 1980.  He is a Jamaican artist and a self proclaimed Rastafari member.  This 31-year-old Sheldon Campbell also known as Turbulence is fast becoming one of Jamaica’s leading conscious dancehall deejays.  His influences range from the great Bob Marley, Sizzla Kalonji, Jah Cure, Luciano, Mikey General and his older cousin Norris Man.  With these influences from great artist, he has developed a unique singing and deejaying style. Turbulence first discovered his talent while still attending classes at St. Andrew’s Technical High School in Kingston, Jamaica.  He started beating up the desk, testing his tunes on classmates. His talents were well received, and Turbulence was encouraged to stick to his great talent. 

In 1999, he was discovered by Phillip “Fatis” Burrell from Xterminator Records.  Turbulence has worked tirelessly for the opportunity to command the mic and speak his thoughts.  Turbulence has released numerous of albums namely, I Believe, United, Notorious - The Album, Songs of Solomon, Triumphantly, Join us and Hail The King.  He and his album were featured in a documentary show in BBC known as the Storyville.  His popular song “Blood Dem Out” was also featured in a ski movie entitled “Show and Prove”.

2007 documentary film Rise Up, which explores the world of underground music in Jamaica, featured Turbulence as one of three main acts. The film documents Turbulence’s rise to prominence as an internationally recognized and nationally celebrated reggae artist.  It also highlighted the political and socially active nature of his music.  This documentary film was directed by directed by Luciano Blotta. This documentary movie, Rise Up was screened and showed at numerous film festivals.  These film festivals include IDFA and Hot Docs to name a few.  The film won the Best Music Documentary category at the AFI/Discovery Channel Silverdocs Festival. The film was also aired on the BBC.  It also enjoyed a well received theatrical debut in Jamaica, where it was reviewed by the Jamaican Observers.  It was even called as the "Rise of a new Classic". The films showed how Turbulence voiced the problems of post-colonial corruption, poverty, and violence in his country Jamaica.

His breakout single, “Notorious”, (see youtube video below)brought Turbulence and T.H.C. Muzik international acclaim. This was first released in 2004 on the Scallawah riddim.  "Notorious" rose to Number 1 on local and international Reggae/Dancehall charts not only in Jamaica but also in New York City, London, Toronto and Japan in 2005.  The track was re-released as the feature track of the Notorious album in 2006.  Today he is considered one of Jamaica’s rising stars.  

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Inner Circle is a Jamaican reggae and Alternative Hip Hop group formed in 1968 by the brothers Ian and Roger Lewis.  Joining them is Jacob Miller, their front-man and lead singer.  This Jamaican- bred, Grammy winning quintet is one of the world’s most famous reggae groups of the 70’s.  Inner Circle’s pop Jamaican beat and energy- filled live performances made them transcend the traditional reggae niche.  They have performed alongside with pop and rock music legendary icons like John Elton, Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel and Jimmy Page among the few.  Its first debut album was released in 1974 under Trojan Records label.  In 1978, the band achieved a major breakthrough when the group was signed to Island Records where the internationally successful album entitled “Everything is Great” originated.  This album became a Top 20 hit in the UK and a top 10 smash in France.  Their most popular songs are “Mary, Mary” and “Music Machine”.  During those years, Inner Circle became one of the first Jamaican groups to tour the US.

Funky Brown (vocals), Prilly (vocals), Ibo Cooper (keyboards), Stephen Cat Coore (guitar), Ian and Roger Lewis were the original members of Inner Circles.  After several years, Douglas Gutherie on alto saxophone, and Leighton Johnson on trumpet joined the group.  In 1980, the bands fortuned shattered after their front- man, Jacob Miller was killed in a car crash.  After his death, Inner Circle broke up and did not return to the studio until six years with their new lead singer Calton.  Inner Circle was regrouped with the addition of drummer Lancelot Hall in 1985.  In 1987, they recorded the song “Bad Boys” which became the theme song for COPS, a long- running television program by Fox Network.  “Bad Boys” became a number one hit in almost every European territory.  It also sold approximately seven million copies worldwide. California guitarist, Dave Gonzales, joined the band for a tour in 1989.

In 1992, their song “Sweat (A La La La La Song)”, exploded across the world making it the number 3 hit in the UK Singles Chart.   They won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album with “Bad Boys” in 1993 and in 1994 the band scored again after earning a Granny nomination for Best Reggae Award for their album Reggae Dancer.  Their lead singer Calton, became ill in 1995 and necessitates him to have a lengthy recovery period.  He was later replaced by Kris Bentley.  In 2008, Junior Jazz became the lead singer.  Today, the members of the group run Circle House, a popular and respected recording studious in Miami.

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Christopher MacFarlane, also known as Macka B, was born in Wolverhampton.  At a young age, Macka B had already showed interest in music.  He was impressed by the vibrant reggae beat of the Lord Barley sound system playing in the blues party next door.  At school, Mack B played the violin and sang in the choir.  He listened to the music of Bob Marley, Count Ossie, Burning Spear, and Peter Tosh.  He continues to study and took his technical apprenticeship at the Ever Ready factory.  But due to factories closure, he was laid off.  He devoted his time practicing his toasting skills gaining inspirations from U- Roy, I- Roy, Prince Far- I and Big Youth.  He and some of his friend formed the Exodus sound system and soon became a Rastafarian.  His 1982 visit in Jamaica strengthened his commitment to toasting.  In 1983, he joined and won a D.J. competition in Rising Star Club in Bliston.  After this, he was featured in different radios several times, and his name began to spread.  HE performed with a local band Pre- Wax who had a hit with “Maggie’s Letter”.

In 1986, Macka B’s first ever album, Sign of the Times, was released under the Mad Professor’s Ariwa label.  HE started touring Europe and his album reached No. 1 in the Reggae LP charts.  He released his second album in 1987 entitled, “We’ve Had Enough” and his third album. “Look Are Deceiving” was released a year later.  In 1988 he revisited Jamaica where he worked with Black Scorpio label, recording the track “Love it in Jamaica” and “Slow Down Driver”.  In 1989, Buppie Culture produced the hit “Dread a Who She Loved”, Macka B’s duet with female singer Kofi which went to number one in the reggae singles charts.  Another reggae singles chart topper was produce in 1990 known as "Proud of Mandela" and became featured in the album Natural Suntan. 

Macka B became the first British artist to tour Australia and the former Yugoslavia (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia).  He recorded 8 more albums with Ariwa namely, “Peace Cup”,  “Discrimination”, “Roots Ragga”, “Jamaica No Problem”, “Here Comes Trouble”, “Hold On To Your Culture”, “Suspicious”, and “Roots & Culture”.  He won the British Best Male DJ Awards in 1991 and 1992.  He also appeared in Channel 4’s “The Real McKoy” and other stations worldwide.  In 2000, he released his album “Global Messanger” under Ariwa label.  He recorded two songs a year after under Human label namely, “Homeland Africa” and “More Knowledge”.  With his music, Macka B continues to spread consciousness and break down the barriers.   

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Within the last 5 years German film company directors Noël Dernesch and Moritz Springer happen to be focusing on the film 'Journey to Jah' - an image that attempts to show reggae being an intriguing construct of music, politics and spirituality.

They've adopted Gentleman and Alborosie because they attempt to bridge the space between cultures. They've also spoken to artists for example Luciano, the late Gregory Isaacs and Lutan Fyah in addition to adopted the youthful, ambitious Terry Lynn around in Waterhouse, among the numerous ghettos in Kingston.

Help this movie come to reality. Click here for the full information of this magnificent project and how you can help it.

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When Rancid's Tim Armstrong first hit the studio with Jimmy Cliff to produce the reggae legend's new record in May, the two had never even met. "I had no idea how it was going to work out," Armstrong says. During their first session, he picked up an acoustic guitar and started jamming on the Clash's "The Guns of Brixton." Cliff watched for a while, then headed over to an old Jamaican hand drum and started playing along. "For 12 minutes, he was locked into this serious rhythm," Armstrong says. "It was like magic."

The Clash cover appears on Cliff's new EP, due in November (a full album is coming next year). Since getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, Cliff has set about reclaiming his legacy as reggae's greatest living artist. "People in the Hall of Fame tend to clap their hands and say, 'OK, I've done it all,'" says Cliff, 63. "But for me, it was a new beginning." Cliff returned to a batch of songs he had begun writing in 2009, when he skipped his annual European tour and traveled to Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ghana. "Africa is like an injection for me," says Cliff. "Being there gave me that high feeling – the songs just poured out." Last summer, he road-tested the new material on a rare U.S. run that included a triumphant stop at Bonnaroo.

>> Read whole story here

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