Strictly Vinyl ... Record Store Day 2019

Saturday April 13th, 2019 is Record Store Day so for its special vinyl-only Records Store Day 2019 titles, VP Records reaches into its early history and two of its important sublabels. 

A 7-record box set of 7-inch singles on the collectible Roots From The Yard label highlights the early years of the company, when records were pressed on behalf of independent producers on a variety of sublabels including Roots From The Yard. The set includes tracks from Barrington Levy (“A Yah Me Deh”), Bim Sherman (“Mighty Ruler”), The Mighty Fantells (“Every Where”), Junior Delgado (“Tishan”), Freddie McKay (“I Man”/”Creation”), Earth & Stone (“Wicked Haffe Dress Back”), and Linval Thompson (“Roll River Jordan”).

The next title is Nightfall, a deep collector’s rarity from reggae and dancehall icon Johnny Osbourne. Released in 1981 on VP’s Jah Guidance imprint, the album features heavy mixes and extended dubs produced by Linval Thompson, with the Roots Radics band, and engineered by Hopeton “Scientist” Brown. A companion release produced by Thompson, the 12-inch single by Freddie McKay “Another Weekend,” backed with Earl Sixteen’s “Live Together” is featured as a Record Store Day title in Europe on VP’s subsidiary label Greensleeves.

The final Record Store Day title is the Roots Radics 12 Inches Of Dub, a spectacular and never before released dub companion to General Echo’s 1980 Greensleeves album 12 Inches Of Pleasure, produced by Henry “Junjo” Lawes, and again featuring the Roots Radics in their prime with heavy mixes by Scientist.

VP Records will celebrate Record Store Day 2019 on April 13th at its flagship retail location on Jamaica Avenue in Queens, New York and its store in Miramar, Florida with a day of special DJ and soundsystem performances celebrating and featuring vinyl records. Events will be streamed live on the VP Records YouTube channel.

Follow @GreensleevesRecords @17northparade @vprecords @vprecordsretailny @vprecordsfloridaretail on Instagram and tag pictures of these releases at #recordstoreday #RSD19 #vinyylrecords #33rpm #45rpm and @recordstoreday and @recordstoredayus.

King Shine 'Shines' at World Fight Club!

New Jersey’s King Shine sound came out victorious over Brooklyn’s Kosmik Movements and Platinum Kids from the Bronx, to become the very first World Fight Club (WFC) champion.

Set to the backdrop of Brooklyn, North America’s sound clash mecca, New York region dancehall and clash fans poured into Linden Hall, to witness Platinum Kids (also Aidonia's USA management team), Kosmik Movements along with veteran selector Johnny Killa (most known for being dancehall icon Matterhorn's selector for many years), and King Shine battle it out for the champion title.

The exciting rivalry between all three sounds made it a night of settling unfinished business. One part of the rivalry stemmed from the 2016 New Jersey Cup Clash of which Kosmik and King Shine competed, but ended in controversy. Additionally, all three contenders faced off in the 2017 US Rumble (along with 4 additional sounds), which ended in an upset as the most inexperienced clash competitor of that line up—Platinum Kids—came out with an unexpected win over seasoned clash sounds.

King Shine has had a couple of controversial clash endings versus clash legends like Ricky Trooper, as well as Pink Panther, and most recently one of Brooklyn’s “Big Four”, the legendary Earthruler Sound.  A clean win for the New Jersey titan, King Shine’s deadly performance in WFC Round One was a historic moment—the New Jersey native killed two sounds from New York, in New York.

Saturday’s launch of World Fight Club marks the beginning of a new era in the international sound clash arena. The all-new league stands out among other clash brands because only true thoroughbreds in the global arena can face the ultimate test of top tier musical savvy, and wit, in WFCs classic sound clash format of less sounds, and longer rounds. Additionally, contenders in WFC compete for a beautiful belt, of which they must continuously earn the right to keep versus future contenders from all over the world.

Produced by North America’s legendary sound system, King Addies, the sound clash icons encourage all sounds and DJs worldwide to get involved. Co-manager of King Addies, Shinez, says “We are about showcasing authentic Jamaican sound system culture to wider audiences…it’s the only way to push the culture forward.” 

How Young Hawk Got His Sound Clash Wings!

Canada Cup Clash Opens The 2015 Sound Clash Season

Photography / Videographer:  Father Matic from Illmatic Sound

Sound Clash season officially began in Toronto on Saturday September 19^th, 2015 with the Canada Cup Clash.

Hosted by Michael Moore of Michael Moore Entertainment, this Clash saw 4 Sounds represent 4 countries for the coveted favor of the crowd.

Warrior Sound with Selecta Matthias played first representing Germany and played solid rounds.  Making it clear that his dubs were cut with creativity (salute for the Beres Hammond “What One Dub Can Do Dubplate”) and not cut like everyone else’s, the young yute from  the land of Heineken gave a solid overall performance, and was only eliminated from the Clash because of bias.  Please note, out of all the Sounds, and under the Sound Clash rules, Warrior Sound was most deserving to win.

Steppa Choice, playing 2 and representing Jamaica had the crowd excited from Dubplate 1 to Dubplate done.  Opening their round with Sanchez back to back:  “Amazing Grace” and “Praise Him,” the MC’s speech connected both chunes and had the crowd eating out of their hands.  By the time they finished their 15 minute round with Chronixx’s “Start a Fyah,” it was clear they meant business, and were ready for war.

King Attarney played for Canada and drew 3.  Despite technical difficulties, this sound if nothing else showed their fierce determination, and their tenacious quest for the coveted title of their home country.  Their Dubplate strength is the reason why they have a seat at an international competitors table.  Beginning their round with Tarrus Riley’s “Never Leave I,” it was clear that eliminating this Sound would be a challenge for the other 3 Sounds.

Fate is the reason why Young Hawk, representing the United States drew #4!  It was simply in the cards that the Hawk would FINALLY get his wings and fly.  Finally, because this is the Sounds first win on Canadian soil … totally unexpected.  I predicted that Young Hawk would lose this Clash based on past performances, but what has surprised me is how much he’s learned and applied to his performance style in the past 2.5 years.

His first round didn’t gel for me, but did make an impact on the knowledgeable Canadian audience.  What did stick for me were rounds 2, 3, and 4!  His performance was so on point, and distant from past performances, that the audience had no choice but to cheer for the young bird who was finally learning to fly right in front of out eyes – and fly he did.

Congrats to Young Hawk.  By no means is he ready to compete on the World Clash stage, but his Canada Cup Clash win is a good qualifier to let the world know that his training camp regiment is paying off.  Fly Young Hawk – and don’t forget Canada in your travels!

Most Played Artists:

1.       Tarrus Riley

2.      Lindo P (in attendance at the Clash)

3.      Taranchyla (artist and Selector from Poison Dart Sound)

4.      Chronixx

5.      Capleton

6.      Exco Levi

YouTube Link:  https://youtu.be/8iQcs5noQdc