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Words by Sherman Escoffery—
There’s a lot of history to talk about as we head into Jamaica’s 50th anniversary. With that in mind, we’re hitting you with a double dose of Throwback Thursdays. First up, LargeUp contributing editor Sherman Escoffery’s recalls Tony Rebel’s early ’90s hit “Sweet Jamaica,” a track which speaks to both the beauty of Jamaica, and the serious issues that it faces. We can hardly think of a more appropriate tune…
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Words by Jesse Serwer—
We’ve been raving about Mr. Vegas’ Sweet Jamaica since we first heard the album at the top of the year. The dancehall tunes on disc one, the new versions and updates of classic Jamaican festival songs on disc two, and the classic reggae poster-inspired cover art all come together to form one of the best reggae album packages in recent memory.
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Words by Jesse Serwer, Photo and Video by Kevin Ornelas—
Amidst the covers and originals on Mr. Vegas’ Sweet Jamaica, out today after a several-months delay, are a handful of songs that see the dancehall great reinterpret reggae standards into new songs that match the feel and vibe of the original with more up-to-the-moment lyrical styles. One such tune is “Things Ruff,” an update of Jimmy Cliff’s “You Can Get It If You Really Want.” In the above clip, filmed during Vegas’ intimate performance at Miss Lily’s Variety in New York this past January, Vegas and his backup singers offer up an unplugged version of “Things Ruff.” As the tune progresses, it gradually becomes “You Can Make It,” offering an inside-out view of how one song can birth one another. Watch the video below, and check out some more of Vegas’ Sweet Jamaica unplugged performance here, here and here.
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Words by Jesse Serwer, Photo and Video by Kevin Ornelas—
Earlier this year we brought you some clips from Mr. Vegas’ intimate January performance at Miss Lily’s Variety in New York City, where he gave audiences an early preview of what is sure to be his defining album, Sweet Jamaica. With Sweet Jamaica finally set to drop tomorrow, we’re digging some more clips from that incredible evening out of the vault. Watch Vegas perform “Alive and Well” and “Can’t Stop” (album versions of which feature Luciano and Jovi Rockwell, respectively) above and look out for more Sweet Jamaica on LargeUp tomorrow.
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Words by DJ Theory—
This week for Mixtape Mondays we’ve got exclusive premieres of two heavy mixtapes in support of the double-disc reggae and dancehall explosion on deck from one of our favorite singjays, Mr. Vegas.
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Words by Jesse Serwer, Photos and Video by Kevin Ornelas—
Two more clips from Mr. Vegas’ intimate (and awesome) acoustic Sweet Jamaica performance/album preview at Miss Lily’s Variety last Thursday night here. (If you haven’t already, watch part one, his stirring version of Toots and the Maytals’ “Sweet and Dandy”). First up is the title track, followed by one called “Roses In My Garden,” a festival-style tune that Vegas explains took root from some old Eric Donaldson.
