Rest Well Mr. Fitzroy Gordon...

Depending on where you live, you may or may know Fitzroy Gordon.  Mr. G, as he is affectionately called, is the founder and CEO of G98.7 FM in Toronto.  G98 is the only, the ONLY, adult contemporary radio station in Canada.  Mr. G’s tenacity and unrelenting vision is the reason why the Caribbean and African community can hear their native genres on the radio  at a time when no other mainstream radio station would give us that ‘bligh,’

Fitzroy Gordon
Photo Credit:  David Cooper - The Toronto Star

Pushing further, Mr. G made sure that the airwaves heard popular music from Beres Hammond, Buju Banton and Busy Signal, as well as independent talents such as Ammoye, Chelsea Stewart, Ms. Paige and Tony Anthony (to name a few).  All artists had a home on the airwaves, and he always  encouraged fellow independent artists to submit material to the station.  He was always supportive.  Outside of music, and within the community, Mr. G was always encouraging youth to follow their passions, and encouraged parents to invest in their children and invest in ways that grows the community.

What Toronto and Canada lost yesterday was Mr. Fitzroy Gordon in physical form; what we gained were years of encouragement, a permanent media home, and several men and women blessed by his spirit who will continue to open doors for our community in his name.

Rest well Mr. G.  We love you; we appreciate you, and we continue in your name...

Cinematic Art - Vertigo by Justin 'Jus Bus' Nation!

One of my favorite songs is “Vertigo” and comes from an amazing, and extremely talented multi-medium / media artist, Justin ‘Jus Bus’ Nation!

I posted earlier about the song “Vertigo,” and now I’m going to tell you a little bit about the music video which is a work of art!  Vertigo was shot on location on the twin island nation of  Antigua & Barbuda.  The shoot was in 2014 (good music has no expiry date) during one of the longest dry spells the islands have seen in 2 decades.  Because of this dry spell, shooting became possible in areas that otherwise would not be accessible.

Dried up Potworks Dam and Valley Church Salt Pond exposed parched crack beds – ideal for the video’s treatment.

The director says “our protagonist finds himself miraculously beating the odds in the face of extreme adversity and sees this as a sign that he is destined to continue on to his final destination.  He sets out on a journey ‘of life;’ a journey that takes him in search of his ultimate plateau which still remains only a dream.”

Shot and directed by Lawson Lewis and Anderson Andrew, this is a must see music video.  Watch it here:  https://youtu.be/y8V92Mi-k0g

Video / Film Credits:

Director / Cinematographer / Editor:  Lawson Lewis

Cinematographer:  Anderson Andrew

Grip:  Anderson Edghill and Kiston Browne

Song Producer:  Torsten Stenzel

Guitars:  Roger Massimo

Canada’s Chelsea Stewart Ready to Take Centre Stage!

Centre stage is reserved for talent ready to shine, and in the case of Canada’s Chelsea Stewart, she is shining as one of Canada’s brightest talents.

Classically trained and claiming multiple genres of music as her own, Chelsea’s range moves between Classical and Jazz, R&B and Blues, and takes you on a journey visiting the eras of Billie Holiday, Donny Hathaway, Bob Marley, and Mariah Carey.  This young vocalist possesses a voice that moves you.

Self produced and clear with her musical direction, Chelsea independently released a promotional CD with a selection of songs by Etta James, Billie Holiday and a few Reggae legends which resulted in the sale of 40,000 units in Toronto, and demand for her disk as far away as Asia.  Not one to disappoint fans, Chelsea released her debut single, “Over You” which has sold 9,000 units and counting.  While speaking to Marion Rodrigues from G98 FM, Chelsea said “music is my passion; it’s my heart and my love.  I don’t do anything else but music so when I sing, the fans get all of me!”

Fans enjoy the young stars voice and lyrics so much, she has enjoyed lengthy residencies at #1 on several charts due to their votes.  Chelsea is solidified as one of Canada’s brightest talents.

Born and raised in Canada, and of Jamaican parentage, Chelsea’s relationship with music began as early as age two when she began to talk.  Her Mom and Manager, Karen Stewart, was immediately supportive of Chelsea’s talents, nurtured by exposure to multiple genres.  Building on the success of her promotional CD, and the success of her single “Over You,” Chelsea will release her debut EP ‘The Only One’ via iTunes and in hard copy format on April 28^th, 2015. 

Adult Contemporary in sound, the disc shows the world the range of Chelsea’s reach, and has been heralded by Tony Carr from WPFW 89.3 FM as being ‘a mature sound from a young talent,’ while Sir Daddy D from the UK’s Reggae 4 Us calls the EP ‘a work of sonic art that will be embraced by all people from all walks of life!’

Receiving standing ovations at local jazz festivals and on the international stage in countries such as France and Hong Kong, this young powerhouse has been an opening act for various artists, including R&B artist Mario, and Reggae superstar Beenie Man.  To close out the summer of 2014, Chelsea opened the stage for Superstars I-Octane, Marcia Griffiths, Pinchers, Sanchez and Luciano – a tall order to fill on the most prestigious Reggae stage in Canada, the Montreal International Reggae Festival.

Alumni of the Regional Arts Program at Mayfield Secondary School, Chelsea Stewart continues her studies in music and the arts at The Jazz Program at Humber College.  She’s sung for and shared the stage with two legends in their respective genres, Stevie Wonder and Bobbie McFerrin, and left all in attendance amazed that such a voice can come from a tiny frame.

With support from leading radio jocks in all markets around the world, and a growing fan base of loyal listeners, Chelsea is sure of her success.  Listeners can’t hear her lyrics and music enough to satisfy their desire for such a sweet voice.

A star is born, introducing Ms. Chelsea Stewart!

Stream or download “Over You” here:  http://www.mediafire.com/listen/aayi650a6x4d2dt/Chelsea_Stewart_-_01_-_Over_You.mp3

Connect with her on Twitter >>> @cstewartsings | www.chelseastewart.com

Celine Dion – Loved Me Back to Life!

Greetings!

Coming November 8^th, 2013, Celine Dion’s newest studio album entitled Loved Me Back to Life is approximately 11 days away from release, and to ‘wet’ the appetite of her eager fans, the Queen has shared a preview of her second lead single which I confess, have greedily consumed.   

The second lead single is a remake with Stevie Wonder called “Overjoyed” and that is exactly what fans will be. 

Using a symphonic opening as grand as Celine’s show in Las Vegas (slight exaggeration but you get my point), we hear the sweet introduction with Stevie’s voice singing “over time / I’ve been building my castle of Love….” Oh those familiar lyrics; classic melody which has become institutional for lovers of true Adult Contemporary!  We didn’t think a sing so fine could get any better, until the sweet voice of Celine comes in singing “over dreams / I have picked out a perfect come true / though you’d never / knew it  was of you I’ve been dreaming / the sand man has come from too far away / for you to say come back some other day….” 

Using an underlying syncopation similar to Billy Joel’s classic “Just the Way You Are,” Celine and Stevie draw us deep in to their vocal interplay which pays the ultimate compliment between the two. 

If this track is any indication of how great Celine’s album is going to be, then you know it is going to be brilliant! 

Here’s the track listing: 

1. Loved Me Back to Life

2. Somebody Loves Somebody
3. Incredible (duet with Ne-Yo)
4. Water And A Flame
5. Breakaway
6. Save Your Soul
7. Didn’t Know Love
8. Thank You
9. Overjoyed (duet with Stevie Wonder)
10. Thankful
11. At Seventeen
12. Always Be Your Girl
13. Unfinished Songs

P.S.  Tweet Celine your thoughts >>> @celinedion | +CelineDionGR6 

 

HOTTT New Adult Contemporary ►►► Dalton Harris – You Will Know {Penthouse Records}!

Greetings!

 

I feel like speaking to you in reverse where I give you the end statement, then I work my way back to the beginning so here goes … Dalton Harris has the voice of an Angel! 

Every generation has a crop of artists that, as soon as you hear their voice, you just know they will have a successful career (if guided by the right hands).  Donovan Germain, Bunu, Shane C. Brown and the team at Penthouse records know what they hear in the voice of Dalton Harris, and now you will know too! 

Originally performed and released in 1988 by Stevie Wonder as track 2 of his Characters album, the song was a #1 R&B hit.  It made his label, Motown very happy, and it made his fans very happy too.  Fast forward to 2013 and we have Dalton covering the chune in a way that would make Stevie proud! 

For those of you who are particular about the arrangement of a song, you will like what team Penthouse did, and will appreciate the structure of the lead guitar as it plays a supporting role to Dalton’s smooth vocals!  If you’re in a mixed format setting, this song easily mixes with Adult Contemporary, R&B and Jazz! 

Broadcasting at 320kbps, catch Dalton Harris and the chune “You Will Know” at the links below.  Make sure you connect with Team Dalton on Twitter and let him know that you support the chune and his career >>> @harrisdalton | @PenthouseMuzik | @L3Magazine

Box.com Link:  https://app.box.com/s/ypyghqrfbxeypgxkukgs