Monday, January 14, 2008

REGGAE NEWCOMER MYSTIC SOUL -"I AM THE ONE"


Fort Lauderdale, Florida, December 15, 2007--- At a crucial time in Reggae music history when the hype of dance hall music seems to be drowning out the positive roots lyrics, and interest groups are gathering momentum against artists; promoters and record stores that help advance homophobic lyrics and violence; along comes a new voice, a voice of reason - a voice that has the potential to speak to the grass roots with his uncanny style and hard-hitting lyrics.

Mystic Soul was born Winston Hall, in Kitson Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica. He relocated to Waterhouse when he was nine years old and was a runner-up in the Tastee Talent contest in 1985. His passion for music and singing resonates in every chord sung by this natural crooner. His clear, silky smooth voice invites listeners to his mysterious world of enchanting harmonies that do nothing but soothe the soul.

Known to his friends as Wheeler, this warbler wanted a mystical stage name that captured his essence, passion and delivery, hence the name Mystic Soul. Simply stated, his clean and vivacious delivery of chord and his distinct diction is enchanting and indeed mystical. Mystic Soul started singing when he was four years old and only when looking back, he is able to see the calming hands of his Grandmother molding his career. “I used to sing for my grandmother. I lived with her even though my mother lived nearby. My grandmother would drop me off at my mother’s house on Saturdays to go off to the market. I can remember granny making me sing for her and her friends on their sojourn…that is one of my most treasured memories.”

Mystic Soul remembers fleeing from Waterhouse, the community in which he grew up because of violence. He later took up residency in Bridgeport, Portmore prior to immigrating to the United States in 1998. Mystic Soul considers himself blessed to be where he is today because he did not succumb to the obstacles and violence young boys face growing up in Waterhouse and the inner cities.

Mystic Soul honed his skills singing with a band in Miami for about three years but yearned to give his voice new challenges. Mystic Soul's big opportunity came when his childhood friend and DJ, "Danny B" told Wayne Russell and Raphael Logan from LyricSurge Records that he had a friend that is the "wickedest singer ever to come out of Jamaica” this coming from his friend, the label was, at best, impassive. When Mystic Soul performed live, unrehearsed with a group of guys he had never met before, in a dreary basement in Brooklyn, the label was sold. So powerful was the vocal of this virtuoso that within a month of his signing the label aired his first two singles Pledge and Ride een.

LyricSurge was in search of a pure vocalist with a reverence to the craft of reggae music for their collection of songs and found the perfect match in Mystic Soul. His debut album "I am the One,” is scheduled to be released in March 2008. This album demonstrates the vocal dexterity of Mystic Soul, and simultaneously fulfills the label’s attempt to recapture the didactic elements of reggae music. Showcasing the pre-released tracks: “Pledge,” and “Ride een" the album captures the richness and sincerity of Mystic Soul's voice, with songs ranging from upheaval and pain of lost love, to a nostalgic rallying cry for Jamaicans living in the Diaspora to come home. The title track "I am the one" is a soulful love song that will resonate with females all over the world declaring that chivalry is still alive. This 14 track album with its 14 potential number one hit songs is guarantee to get lovers of the reggae art form listening, rocking and reflecting – like back in the days. Mystic Soul has arrived and he plans to let everyone know that he is indeed…" the one."

Friday, January 4, 2008

THE INAUGURAL REGGAE ACADEMY AWARDS SLATED FOR FEBRUARY


The first REGGAE ACADEMY AWARDS ceremony is set to unfold on Sunday February 24th at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston Jamaica. The REGGAE ACADEMY is a project of the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica/RIAJam which is made up of just over thirty music companies doing business inside Jamaica and internationally.

Earlier this year RIAJam officially launched its REGGAE ACADEMY which is a membership group made up of music producers, vocalists, songwriters, music video producers, media representatives, artist managers and agents. RIAJam chairman Clevie Browne explains that the staging of a first class international music awards event for Reggae and Dancehall was identified as a priority activity by his board of directors and the organization when it was established four years. He stated that the objective is to celebrate and recognize creative excellence in a format that will allow for judging and voting by persons directly involved in performing, making and promoting Reggae around the world. The members of the REGGAE ACADEMY will decide on the recordings and artists to be considered for nomination and will also vote to determine what projects and artists are the best for the year 2007. Interested industry persons are still able to sign up for membership to the REGGAE ACADEMY.

While work continues on building the membership of the REGGAE ACADEMY a professional production team has also been engaged by RIAJam to deal with the planning and staging of the awards show on February 24th 2008. According to chairman of the REGGAE ACADEMY Lloyd Stanbury, plans are at a very advanced stage for the event. The design and technical elements of the show are being worked out, and several top artists have already signed contracts to appear as performers and award presenters on the show. These include Shaggy, Sean Paul, Morgan Heritage, Elephant Man, Diana King, Ky-Mani Marley, Bounti Killa, Wayne Marshall, Queen Ifrica, Tarrus Riley, Buju Banton, Ce’Cile, Etana, Assassin, and Voice Mail. In addition to the artists already confirmed the organisers are also looking at a number of overseas based artists who have been involved in Reggae and Dancehall music such as Gentleman out of Germany, Sinead O’Conner, Sean Kingston and Collie Budz.

The REGGAE ACADEMY AWARDS will be the final event in a 4-day series of activities in Kingston which will include music business conferences and live performance showcases for emerging artists. The project has already received the endorsement of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaica Trade and Invest/JAMPRO.

Promotion of the REGGAE ACADEMY and AWARDS has been ongoing for over a year and includes the establishment of websites at
www.reggaeacademy.com
www.myspace.com/reggaeacademy


PRESS ACCREDITATIONS ARE NOW BEING CONDUCTED.
To Register E Mail >> jamiceyjace@yahoo.com