Posted By: C. Harrison

FAB FAB FAB

photo credits: C. Harrison/March 2, 2017

ONE ACCORD WE RISE

Written By Editor: C. Harrison/February 5, 2017

Celebrating REGGAE HISTORY WITH VP RECORDS get all you need in Reggae History at your VP records retail outlet at 171 Jamaica Avenue New York.

Plugin in here….Monday, February 6, 2017 come celebrate the great one himself Bob Marley’s Birthday… His earth strong wil be held @ SOBs Verdict Street, Manhattan.

“I  also want to take this time to celebrate how far we have come as a people. We have strived to maintain our footing in the mainstream functioning of the worlds and we prevailed, our history was forth- coming but it took hard work, intellect, activism and vigilance. We can not go back or turn around. We must go forward the baton as passed and our ancestors saw us has their beacons to carry on, so that our off -springs and generations to come will have the beautiful life, that was carved out for us. We must leave it this way for them, so they may do the same for their generations.

Today, we have the misfortune of having a President who wants to turn back the clock in America. We cannot allow this to happen, he might not see where we have to go but we know where we must go.  Our ancestors pointed out the way.  It doesn’t matter your colour,  They showed us what to do how to do it and when we must act. We must embrace all people because we are the bread carriers. Without us, there is no them.

Thus far, one organization has steadily shown us that we can and yes we will…the Screen Actors Guil, where a few have moved up they gave us in 2016, Hidden Figures, Fences and Moonlight, these movies showed us that we were and we are. While there is a few yards to go, it is a line in the middle. We vogue in spirit because we are  a spirited minded people and we standup together in accord when we have to. So during this short Month of celebration, we must first give thanks to the almighty, be mindful, use wisdom and common sense…we know that some of us is lacking this latter but, we must thread our way with this new President and stay vigilant at all times. The struggled road we still must take but keep in mind… ‘When They Go Low We Rise.’ ”

QUEENS OWN CLYDE VANEL INAUGURATED

     Photo credits: C. Harrison

By: C. Harrison/January 31, 2017 @ 4:21 am

Clyde Vanel is a member of the class of 2017,   to joined the ranks of the Queens official legislative body, as State Assemblyman. He was sworn into office by the honourable Justice Raymond Joseph Lohier, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, on Sunday, January 22, 2017, at York College in downtown Jamaica,  New York.  Dr. Stacie C. Grant was Mistress of Ceremony. The Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake of the Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral cast the Invocation and Benediction. The Altino Brothers sang the national anthem and renown singer,  Natalie Imani sang “Lift Ever Voice and Sing,” 

Vanel was commemorated by six esteem members of Congress, most noted the honourable Charles F. Schumer, who articulated that Vanel, will be an asset to the Democratic process.  Borough President the honourable Melinda R. Katz, the honourable Judge Alton Waldon  and York’s President, Dr. Marcia V. Keize also remarked highly on Vanel’s behalf.

He was cast in this manner for his consistent participation even before today and was validated for his work. Vanel had been working at joining the ranks of the Queens Government since 2009. All reiterated with one accord that Vanel’s win is a win for Queens. They say that he will work for us and some couldn’t wait for him to began.

Clyde Vanel, was a former owner of Vanel’s Law Firm, former Restaurant & Bar owner, owner of an online trademark.com blog, He’s a pilot who operates and own a small aircraft. He’s also the newest Queens legislative member. Vanel the Businessman..  was featured in Money Magazine and Black Enterprise Magazine. He attended Boston University School of Law, JD. He was Journal of Science and Technology Law, Editor in Chief. He is a member of Suny, Aerospace Technology Aviation Administion and he was the Student Government Association President.

The intrinsically established and optimistic Vanel, was born and raised in Cambria Height, right here in Queens, with his parents and nine siblings..some of whom were at his inauguration. The Assemblyman is big on education and according to Laticia James, New York States Advocate he will help the DrmocraticParty to win by crafting the necessary suits that will be needed in the months to come. Moreover, according to the consensus and Vanel himself, he will be aiming for ameloration; once he reaches Albany. He is among the young rising stars of the Democratic Party.

                                             p-credit: C. Harrison

The Assemblyman was further bestowed upon by District Leader the honourable Archer Spigner, New York State (D 10) Senator the honourable James Sanders , Jr.; New York Senator (D-14) the honourable LewroyComrie; New york City Council Member (D-31) the honourable Donovan Richards; New York City Council Member (D–27) the honourable L. Danner Miller.  Congress members include the honourable  Joseph “Joe” Crowley, the honourable Gregory Meeks, the honourable Hakeem Jeffries, and New York’s State Assemblyman the honourable Carl Heastie.

Additional notables were…the Kappa Alpha Pai Queens Alumni Chapter President, Carol Washington and the Black Pilot association Rep. Brian Worthington. United States Federation of Teachers rep. Dermot Smyth and Shaun Francois Jacques Leader of DC 37 local 372, also remarked.

Performances were done by the Cardozo High School Alumni Gateway Program..in charge Calissa Saint Paul.  Dance selection..Devore Dance Center, Haiti  La Peate des Antilles, Panaman Fonte, My Hat Fell and Voix et Tambours D` Haiti…Voices and dreams of Haiti.. Remarks from Daphane Vanel and Ralph Renol.  And Musical Entertainment provided by DJ Randy Gordon. These were among a room filled to capacity of well-wishers who came out to see Queens native son get sworn in.

copyrights©2017C. Harrison

Posted By : C. Harrison/Feburary4, 2017

A POINT OF VIEW

The Bitter Sweet Journey

Photo via Google                           Photo taken by C. Harrison via MSNBC

Written  By: C. Harrison/January 21, 2017

On this blog space, I have stated before that President Obama, is an avatar and that notion still stands today. Two years before he took office in 2008, I learned of his ambitions to run for the Presidency; at that time he was in Chicago and I was helping to get a former congressman elected up in the Bronx. I asked the former congressperson who was Barack Obama and why did he want to become President. The answer he gave was that Barack is a young Democratic Senator and a rising star in the Democratic Party. I asked how will he change this nation for the better and was told that he will make a change. I then inquired about what kinds of changes he planned on making and was given a slue of items. Immediately, I got on board the plan there after was to help get him elected.  History was in the making in the after math.

Barack Obama came into office on a historical precedent with the slogan  “Yes We Can” and today,  reflecting on his farewell speech to the nation and looking at what he cemented in history with his accomplishments, you realised that his journey was worth it. Here  I will do an overview of his achievements.

President Obama magnified his slogan “Yes We Can” throughout his presidency and profoundly finished with “Yes We Did.” Indicative of what people thought, he actually got and won out with getting a lot done in spite of the zillions of blockades Republicans set up in his path.

According to published reports, President Obama is, “The most successful President since FDR,” on record and this was not a small feat.

What Obama was not able to finish as President, is not on him but rest with the Republican Party; some of whom smite him, hate him, and despised him etc. Some, because of his color, others because they weren’t going to allow a black man to gain anything Presidential on their watch, he was not good enough for them and the rest was just because. What they didn’t realise or should’ve was not only was he the one to make the changes but he was the right person for the job at the right time in our history and that there were no mistakes when he was chosen.

He was the peoples President both locally and internationally,. Many look to him for leadership and guidance, even if he didn’t know it. What we saw was the first black President of the United States under surmountable pressures from all sides and he endured it all. He ruled with quiet strength,  methodically, intellectually, calculatingly, strategically, charismatically,  with wisdom and above all, he communicated very well. He handled himself with profound dignity. He treated the nation as well as he could under the circumstances. He knew we had intelligence and didn’t see us as if, we had no sense. He knew we the people were the Government and he acted accordingly.

President Obama’s achievements spoke volume for which I will name a few here. On foreign affairs…the Israeli/Palestine conflicts. President Obama said, “I wanted to preserve a two-state policy because I didn’t see an alternative. and we cannot force peace between two nations.” He stopped in its track Iran, from further development of unclear weapons and slowed down their program significantly. in addition, he put rover, on Mars and we actually saw another planet with water like ours. He lifted scansion on Cuba,…something we never though we would see in our life time and he made a monumental shift in US/Cuba policy because he said the policy in place is outdated. He made the United States help in the correlation in the international effort to combat climate policy, for which dozens of countries are now participating in. Obama rewrote the game on the international Trade Bill which rallied an international effort. And he took out the mastermind of 9/11 Osama Ben Laden, Al queda’s leader.

On the local front, Obama is the reason Veterans now have better VA hospitals and a better out look on life. The mentally Ill also have a better lease on life. He is responsible for 90% of Americans having health insurance and 20 million more people with health insurance Obamacare today. He fortified medicare, for years to come and gave people with per-existing conditions a new least on life. He put two women Supreme Court Judges on the Supreme Bench. He mandated a fare housing policy. Obama made it so that credit card companies can’t raise your credit cards rates until or unless they notify you.

The Obama administration made Equal Pay standard for women and increased the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Under his watch, President Obama saw increased in graduation rates shot up to 8.3% across the board all over the country.  He stopped oil companies from exploiting Alaska and else where. And in a historical move, he preserved precious (Indian) tribal lands, for future generations and save us clean water. He also signed a decree that student can stay on their parent’s insurance until they reach the age of 27, as long as they are in college. He has made it easier for students to go to community colleges tuition free…ensuring that all student in this nation g a fair education under the law. He has made it possible for immigrant kids to get the stayed okay in this country because they’re here through no fault of there own.

Accordingly, the President’s biggest achievements was to bail out the auto industry, for which they have paid us back and the act saved millions of jobs in the US. In this sense also he have created millions of jobs and saw the GDP come down to 3.5% around the nation. Furthermore, he has set in motion the effects of equal rights for LGBT people; whom can now get married without reprisal.  He shut down all fake colleges and has of yesterday, Friday morning, he signed into law The National Talent Act, a Bill he created in 2012..an innovation fellows program for which top talent opportunities are offer positions to serve in the Executive Branch of our Government. These bullets points are a drop in the bucket of what this President mandated and got done.

Moreover, in his farewell speech, Mr Obama reiterated that “We have more work to be done.” He said, “We have to stand up for democratic moral values,” and a tended to the fact that  “People of merit from every race and colour from every corner of this country will rise up.” “Voting restrictions lead right back to Jim Crow,” he said. Mr Obama said, “I will fight for kids in this country because they’re here through no fault of their own.”  “I believe there are more good than bad people in this country,” he quipped. and contents with the ideal of, “I believe in the American people.”

The President in the end, even though he is not going away, explained that he’s going to be quiet for a minute, spend some time with his wife Michelle Obama, write a bit some,  and take a small vacation. He is betting on the American people who have never waver or gave up.

All Photographs Are Taken By The Editor Of This Blog: C. Harrison

Posted January 18, 2017

Yes, I literally cut those carrots and made that macaroni and cheese. And took that boat ride across to the statue of Liberty. The mountain photo I took from MSNBC via the President visit to Alaska. I like it so thank you MSNBC

copyrights©C. Harrison2017

Posted By: C. Harrison

Posted By: C. Harrison

Highlights from the Big Interview About The New Album

 photo credits: C. Harrison

VP Records Retail Store GRAMPS AND PETER

       According to the duo, it’s not a sprint it’s a journey. The album is in store and online. Catch them in a city near you.

 Reasons They Got Thrust Into The Top Spot

P credit: C. Harrison (R)Dir. Richard Lue, Kumar and Demar

By Editor: C. Harrison/January 10-12, 2017_

Raging Fyah is a prominent identity known worldwide as a Jamaican Reggae Band. A few months ago the group was nominated in the best reggae album category for the  2017 59th annual Grammy Awards, to showcase this February via their latest album  “Everlasting;” a debut album for VP Records, dropped Spring, May 2016.  It followed the group’s previous albums “Destiny” 2014 and “Judgement Day,” 2011. The group also has a 2017 tour lineup.  Fyah stop in at VP, for the pre-Grammy interview to let us know why ‘Everlasting’ had been chosen for Best Reggae album of the year and bestowed upon a gift, a Grammy nomination. The interview took place at VP’s warehouse on Jamaica Ave, NY and was attended by a room full of media personalities. Raging Fyah got its inception  2006.

The Interview was conducted by Richard Lue, Director of Business Development for VP Records. The announcement was made by Dub Rocker Imprint, a VP Records in-house. “Everlasting” is produced by Llamar ‘Riff Raff’ Brown, a Tuff Gong studios Producer. A Grammy nomination and award are sort after dreams by every musician world over, who seek it as they progress in their musical journey. The resilient band has proven that they are the young ambassadors of reggae who have picked up the torch to carry on cultural reggae music and to show that cultural & roots reggae veteran musicians have in fact passed on to the next generation to ensure that this type music will be alive and well in the future.

The very cultivated Raging Fyah, is a five member band that’s said to be talented and dynamic. The group which started in 2002, consisted of three members: Demar Gayle, keyboard player, Anthony ‘Tony’ Watson, drummer and Delroy ‘Pele’ Hamilton bass player.  The trio attended the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, under the guidance of Ibo Cooper, a former Keyboardist with Third World and called themselves Inside-Out.  Thereafter, two more band members Conroy Willis, singer and veteran Cortland ‘Gizme’ White, lead guitarist joined the group in 2005. And later in 2010, the group added Kumar Bent, a protege also of the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, who helped the group to finalised their desires to write and perform original pieces.

The astute band was a touring band at first, they played all over Jamaica, backing several artists; but, it was after Kumar, who spearheaded the efforts in the birth of “Everlasting,” and inspired the single “Dash Wata,” along  with “Ragga Muffin,” and “Getting Dread,” that the band took a perspective path…one that would shape, defined and solidified the identity the group carved out for themselves today. The group’s chosen path to stay roots reggae and to be uniquely versatile, was not surprising nor unsuspecting. It was a tactical move because the band toured and surmised what the world wanted as far as reggae sounds.

Moreover, they knew that their lyrical tunes and sounds were linked to iconic legends including Third World, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Inner Circle, Aswad, Maroon 5, Steel Pulse, and Bere Hammond. Thus, they realised what the world wanted more of. Furthermore, being a young and up coming band, they were poised to filled that gap. “From our last album until now, we have travelled so much and experienced different scenarios that we felt that they should be a part of Everlasting,” noted Pele.  It also helped that the group was blessed; to record the monster hit album, at Tuff Gong studios and already have a Grammy ace Llamar, has a producer whose legacy includes: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, and Morgan Heritage. The rest was history and was certain to be in the Grammy’s line of sight.

“Everlasting,”  which significantly personified and propelled Raging Fyah, to acclaim status of top spot and is slated to fetch a Grammy award, put the group in the company of a selected few; basically cemented them to the industry’s creed. “The challenging lyrics on “Everlasting, challenged what we were able to do as musicians.”  “Musically, we kept our roots but went way beyond them because there is not one shape to Fyah, it takes different forms,” stated keyboard player Demar.  And  according to Pat Meschino, of  Billboard, the title “Everlasting”, was chosen to convey the durability of Raging Fyah’s music and the long term collaborating with Riff Raff, has had on the band.” Conversely, Demar also explained that “We had the choice to work with any producer we wanted locally and internationally and we chose Llamar.  “We have learned so much from him and the way he helped to shape our sound is an everlasting lesson.”

More Importantly, the group inserted some of their experiences noting , “When you are on tour you make a lot of sacrifices; the last time we were on tour we were being driven in a little van sitting up for 18 hours. We were  tire miserable and uncomfortable, we wanted to go home to our wives, kids and love ones but couldn’t. We had to sacrifice and enjoyed doing it. It wasn’t that we wanted to tour using a little van,  but in terms of cutting cost,  and staying within our budget we have had to do so, especially, because we had little money.” “It’s not fun it’s a business,” they conceded.

Additionally, the group confessed that they would go back to that little tiny van, if they had to do it, to break into another market even through they have come into acclaimed status. Their reason were that one, or (artists) don’t know his/her or their true worth. They explained that if an artist were to go on tour with numerous artists or  50 artists, the artist won’t know who is there to see him/her. For example, they said that when they first went to Europe, they only had one hundred people in the room but, by their last show they had 800 fans showed up to see them. The band also pointed out that success doesn’t come as easy as one might think, they contended that they didn’t see major success in Jamaica and that it was not until Europe that they saw and started getting some successes. They did Europe to get some play in Jamaica. Noting here, that fifty percent of the tourist came on board for them and that it was the tourist that called upon them for 2016. Here, interviewer Lue assured them that they have already made it and that the Grammy’s nomination and hopefully trophy, is just reflecting the point.

Confidently, the group revealed that they have been trying since 2010 to structure themselves into the crest of the music industry, where they could literally realized what they are working for as well as worth. They conveyed that for the past five years they have been seriously working towards a Grammy.nomination, should they win  thereafter, its back to the drawing board looking towards the future five years.

Raging Fyah, collectively comes from all over Jamaica, they have been writing together for the last ten years.  The group explained that they basically talked to each other every single day and that sometimes they talk la little and sing a little;  if what is manifested sounds good the excerpts get turned into songs. The ultimate goal they said is to, produce particular types of music that the entire family can listen to. The group stressed that now that they’re set for bigger and better shows, they need to do some shows in Jamaica. “We were invited to Dominica to do the boat show,” they revealed.

“Everlasting,” carries 13 tracks, and its strategic simplicity divulged innovative sophistication; which is embedded in the array of music styles on the album. Some track favourites are:  “Happiness,”  “Try Again,” “Justice,” and “Ready For Love.”  The album also collaborated tracks with heavy weight like Busy Signal,  who nestled us with “Would you Love Me,” and “Live Your Life.” Also on the collaborative, tail are Jesse Royal, who threw down with “Humble,” and California’s up coming reggae gem J. Boog.

The album’s other raving tracks are “Wondering,” lauded to bring about attention to the plight of Haiti and “Get Up,” which fringes on the idea of progresson of Africans and the historical smite they faced down.  Further defending “Get Up,” Kumar reiterated that the song is also about a belief system via the advancement of the black race; creeping first then walking as a people and taking pride in our history.  Kumar said, ” The classical pieces  put into the set is to represent colonialism.”

Raging Fyah’s performances has brought them to the crust of the world’s pathways which includes: the South Pacific Island of New Caledonia, Siberia, Russia, Europe, and now vested in the middle of an extensive tour already in progress here in United States, which begun March 2016, in San Diego and is set to last through to March 2017; ending at the Rialto Theater in Tucson, AZ.  From there, its back to Europe beginning May 10, 2017, to support UB40 and ending August 2017. The group had also performed in Santa Cruz, CA at the Emerald Cup…along side Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley, Dirty Heads, Tribal seeds and Stick Figure. The band have been supported by networks such as the BBC, Robert Elms Show, David Rodigan and Toddla T. Raging Fyah is one of five artists nominated for the BBC’s freshman session for 2017 and is the only reggae band in the running. Other nominees sited are Nadia Rose, A.J Tracy, Afro B, and Murder He Wrote.

The Grammy’s other nominees are Sly & Robbie, Devin D J Dakta, J. L, J. Boog, Ziggy Marley, Revolution and SOJA.  In ending the spirited interview, Raging Fyah assured us that they’re always working even if we don’t see or hear them on radio.

Photo credit: C. Harrison

 VP Records Team           Kumar, C. Harrison, Demar


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Posted By Editor: C. Harrison

!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY LET US GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT WE WILL RECEIVE IN THROUGH THE JOURNEY OF 2017. MAKE IT A SAFE YEAR!!!