On Sunday Aug 19th, DubShot Records in collaboration with Blackwell Rum and Midtown 1015 will host the official after party for Central Park ‘s Summer Stage concert with headlining act Inner Circle and special guests Rootz Underground, Iris Ation featuring Rhatid Sound and Prince Polo. The event begins at 7pm and will feature live performances, an exclusive listening session, artist meet-and-greet, promotional giveaways and very special guests.
The third annual DubShot summer reggae party has hit the rooftops this year at Midtown 1015 (53rd st & 2nd ave). The Summer Stage afterparty will also celebrate the signing of Rootz Underground and release of lead singer Stephen “The Lightning” Newland’s new album in stores August 14th. The Lost Tracks is eclectic collection of unreleased material, spanning 14 years, from the singer. Rootz Underground will perform at this exclusive affair, after wrapping an east coast tour, which stretches from New Jersey to Vermont. Their third new album Return of the Righteous, is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2012 on DubShot Records. The signing with DubShot comes on the heels of the acquisition of their debut release and best-seller, “Movement,” from Warner Music Group/ADA.
To anyone who’s familiar with Inner Circle, the GRAMMY winning band’s 20-year-plus history in reggae has had a long string of success. Inner Circle’s special brand of pop- oriented Jamaican beats and energy-filled live performances have allowed the band to transcend the traditional reggae niche and enjoy widespread crossover appeal. From their early days with lead singer Jacob Miller, to the internal hits “Bad Boys (COPS theme song)” and dance party favorite “Sweat,” Inner Circle’s brand of unforgettable hooks and island beats has kept the band a mainstay in the reggae world. Fresh off a tour throughout Europe and the east coast of the US with international reggae band SOJA, the Bad Boys of Reggae return to the big apple to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence with Israel Vibration and The Mighty Diamonds. After their performance in Central Park, the band will be performing a special set featuring new songs from the upcoming album Dub Planet-X in stores August, 21st. Led by keyboard player Touter, the new album represents a significant contribution in dubstep from a reggae act – a genre whose origins rest in the echo chambers of the dub studios in and around Kingston, Jamaica, but have evolved oversees to become a worldwide phenomenon.
The evening will also include performances from DubShot recording artists Prince Polo and Iris Ation. Brooklyn-based Iris Ation, who recently made a viral splash with her video for “Hello Operator feat Tropical Fantasy,” will be making her debut performance with her production partners Rhatid Sound in support of the new single currently available at iTunes. Dub technician Prince Polo, who released his debut album Brooklyn Bodega in 2011, will be spinning and dubbing tracks from his new project with legendary dub producer Clive Chin.
The first thing to come to mind when thinking of Jamaica’s greatest exports is usually reggae, but that is about change with Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum. The brainchild behind the brand is Chris Blackwell – the man who introduced the world to Bob Marley, founded Island Records and the Island Outpost group of resorts. Blackwell was born and raised in Jamaica and hails from one of the island’s oldest rum producing families (we’re talking 17th Century!). Drink specials will be available from the fine rum brand with suggested mixed drinks themed for the rooftop reggae celebration.
