Tag: Tads Record

Reggae Virus – First Dose -Tad’s Records

Reggae Virus - First Dose -Tad's Records

Tad’s Record Releases Infection Music with Reggae Virus First Dose
Reggae music is infectious, and Tad’s Record has compiled a project that is bound to have a contagious impact on all listeners.
This musical concoction is filled with lyrical prescriptions from some exceptionally talented messengers that will uplift your spirit. This is what Reggae music is to millions of people across the world.
When you think of Reggae Virus First Dose this is what should come to mind, Reggae artists who skillfully coin and arrange music to heal, incite deep thought, and simultaneously entertain. This album is the healing to an aching world, plagued with negative actions and thoughts. Reggae Virus First Dose offers doses of positivity and love from Chezidek, Mykal Rose, Glen Washington, Sanchez, Mikey Spice, Anthony Cruz, Dean Fraser, Sophia Squire and Ray Darwin; who are incredible musical scientists worthy of notice and praise.
Lend an ear and listen to the sweet soulful and healing sound of Reggae Virus First Dose.

Written by: Chanta- Gaye Hibbert and Stacy-Lee Thompson

Flat Bridge by Jamaican Saxophonist Dean Fraser

Flat Bridge by Jamaican Saxophonist Dean Fraser

Legendary Jamaican Saxophonist, Dean Fraser, Releases Flat Bridge Album

As a student of Jamaican music, Dean Fraser is passionate about its past as its future. That is the main reason he wanted to record an album of original songs covering the evolution of reggae.

Flat Bridge is that album’s title. Co-produced by the acclaimed saxophonist and Tad Dawkins Jr., it is Fraser’s third album for Tad’s International Record.
“One of the things wi losing in our music is the instrumental vibe. Wi have a sound and a style as a Caribbean people, and we should keep the tradition going,” he said.

It is a tradition started by musicians Fraser looked up to as a young musician, including saxophonist Tommy McCook, keyboardists Jackie Mittoo and Winston Wright and guitarist Ernie Ranglin.

The 13 songs on Flat Bridge were cut at Tad’s International Record’s studio in Kingston, Jamaica in 2020 during the Coronavirus lockdown. The project has input from drummer Sly Dunbar, bass player Flabba Holt, keyboardist Franklin “Bubbler” Waul and guitarist Lamont Monty Savory.
They worked on songs like the title track, Hope Road, I Command You (featuring keyboardist Andrew Marsh) and Zah Zah which highlights the skills of trumpeter Okiel McIntyre.

Fraser said another objective was to showcase younger musicians. He was afforded similar opportunities early in his career by established players like McCook, Bob Marley and Dennis Brown.

“Wi bring these youths forward so the music can continue,” he said.

Dean Fraser is one of the faces of modern Jamaican music. He has played on countless classic songs including Wake up And Live and Trench Town by Marley; Love Has Found its Way and Inseparable by Dennis Brown; Peter Tosh’s Johnny B. Goode; Lift up Your Head by Everton Blender; She’s Royal by Tarrus Riley and That Thing by Lauryn Hill.

That resume has earned him the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government and a Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica. Fittingly, in 2020, he was recognised by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association with its Mentorship Award for his role in nurturing the development of aspiring musicians.

Sanchez – Hallelujah

Sanchez - Hallelujah Easter Version

Millions of Christians around the world are celebrating Easter. This is the time Jesus died on the cross, and on the third day rose from the dead.

Sanchez, our singing icon and legend, has recorded his version of ‘Hallelujah’. Adapted from the original, composed and performed by Canada’s Leonard Cohen, Sanchez tells the story of the resurrection of Christ The King.

His vocal performance will take your breath away.

Chezidek – Inna Dem Eye – Inna Dem Eye Riddim

Chezidek - Inna Dem Eye - Inna Dem Eye Riddim

Track listing

1. Inna Dem Eye – Chezidek

2. Hail Rastafarian – Duane Stephenson

3. Leave Dem to Time – Natty King

4. Slow like Statue – Perfect

5. Words – Teflon

6. Always Around Me – Hero

7. Hard to Bring Down – Lutan Fyah

8. Let Me Be – Turbulence

9. Far I Know Dem – Norris Man

10. Martial Law – Mickey General

11. Jah A Come – Peas Head

12. Inna Dem Eye Riddim

Tanya Stephens – Good Good

Tanya Stephens - Good Good

Tanya Stephens’ New Single ‘Good Good’

Never one to shy from social issues, Tanya Stephens lets her feelings on challenges facing Jamaican youth be known on “Good Good”, her latest single which is being distributed and marketed by Tad’s International Record.

Stephens paints a graphic picture of unemployed teens perched on street corners with little to do. It is an idleness that often leads to crime and violence which is a perennial problem in Jamaica.

“Good Good” points out this waywardness to legislators who have promised solutions to rampant joblessness in the Caribbean country but have little progress to show for it.

This rocking jam, done to the beat of Gregory Isaacs’’Hard Drugs’, is produced by Junior Tads, and written by Stephens who is considered one of contemporary Reggae’s most gifted singer/songwriters.

Known for hard-hitting songs like “Yuh Nuh Ready fi Dis Yet” and “These Streets”, Tanya Stephens’ music transcends Dancehall. Her commitment to originality has won her admirers such as hip-hop superstar Wyclef Jean with whom she has collaborated.

Written by Howard Campbell

The Ultimate 2021 – Various Artists

The Ultimate 2021 – Various Artists

The Ultimate 2021 Musical Treat

Tad’s International Record’s latest release in its Ultimate album series is a monster of hits!

Consistent with the series since its inception in 2007, The Ultimate 2021 contains a number of hit songs. In this case, 21 tracks covering all aspects of Reggae.

The diverse offering includes Block Traffic by Popcaan, Gaza Run The World by Vybz Kartel & Sikka Rimes, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (extended) by Black Uhuru featuring Michael Rose, Jah Over Everything from Jahmiel, Love is Blind by Sanchez and Cheater by Maxi Priest, and two sizzling tracks from Busy Signal.

Of interest is the inclusion of Gaza Run The World featuring the enigmatic Vybz Kartel who has been a fixture on The Ultimate since it debuted 13 years ago.

Popcaan, his former protoge, also returns with Block Traffic, a dancehall jam that made him one of the genre’s hottest names in 2020.

Also a part of The Ultimate’s 21-song salute is Chatty Chatty by Nadine Sutherland who celebrated her 40th year as a recording artiste in 2020.

For lovers of traditional reggae, Mother and Child Reunion by Bermudan singjay Magma is worth listening. It is a rework of the Paul Simon classic which was actually recorded in Jamaica 50 years ago.

So, whether you are putting on those earphones or turning up the sound system, The Ultimate 2021 from Tad’s International Record will not disappoint. Enjoy!

Chezidek – Unite

Chezidek - Unite

Chezidek Sounds For All to ‘UNITE’

Unite is the third single from Chezidek’s Hello Africa album, which was released this summer.
“So much things going on with black people ‘round the world, so wi have a lot to sey,” Chezidek disclosed.
It seemed Chezidek was destined to espouse black consciousness. The singer was born Desbert Johnson in St Ann, a lush rural parish on Jamaica’s north coast. It is also the birthplace of Pan African icon Marcus Garvey, and reggae legends Bob Marley and Burning Spear.
An elite band of Jamaican musicians worked with Chezidek on Hello Africa. They include keyboardist Robbie Lyn, bass player Donald “Danny Bassy” Dennis and drummer George “Dusty” Miller of The Firehouse Crew, guitarist Mitchum “Khan” Chin and bass player Flabba Holt of Roots Radics Band fame.
His career started as Chilla Rinch 25 years ago, but it is as Chezidek that he made his mark with producers like Philip “Fatis” Burrell of Xterminator Records.
Over the years, he has released eight albums which have yielded songs like the marijuana anthem, Leave The Trees, Call Pon Dem and Mash Dem Down.
Hello Africa is the second collaboration between Tad’s International Record and Chezidek — the first being Herbalist, released in 2009. It is executive produced by Tad Dawkins and Tad Dawkins Jr.
Hello Africa honors the remarkable run of quality recordings Chezidek has produced. Enjoy!

Unite – Chezidek’s 3rdd Single from his Smashing Hit Album, HELLO AFRICA.
Produced by: Desbert ‘ Chezidek’ Johnson.
Executive Producers:Tad A. Dawkins, and Tad A. Dawkins Jnr.

Dean Fraser – Nyabinghi Christmas

Nyabinghi Christmas - Dean Fraser

IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas for Dean Fraser. Nyahbinghi Christmas , that is.

That’s the title of the saxophonist’s first Yuletide album, scheduled for release in November by Tad’s International Record. It has 16 Christmas songs, driven by traditional Rastafarian rhythms.

Fraser began production on the instrumental project last year with co-producer Tad Dawkins Jr.

“Nyahbinghi is Jamaican music, an’ I want to bring a new instrumentation to these songs. Wi keep it musical but with a different vibe,” Fraser told the Jamaica Observer.
Some of the popular songs that receive the ‘binghi’ treatment are When a Child is Born, Christmas A Cum (Mi Waa Mi Llama), Long Time Ago, Santa Ketch Up Inna Mango Tree, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Auld Lang Syne.

For the authentic Nyahbinghi feel, Fraser brought in percussionists Congo Billy, Hector Lewis and Denver “Feluke” Smith. The sessions were some of the last for Smith who died in September from colon cancer.

Bassist Mikey Fletcher, guitarists Dario Morgan and Lamont Savory, keyboardist Andrew Marsh and flautist Zoe Mcintyre also played on the songs.
Fraser has done a number of albums, including instrumental tributes to Bob Marley and Dennis Brown. He also played on Christmas albums by other artistes but the thought of doing one for himself never came up until last year.

“I wouldn’t say Christmas is my favourite time of di year; only thing I love about Christmas is di songs…they are well-written and worth listening,” he said.

Written by: Howard Campbell

Kukudoo – Jerusalem – Tad’s Record

Kukudoo - Jerusalem - Tad's Record

Jerusalem is a profound compilation with the right rhythm, perform by an artistic individual called David ‘Kukukdoo’ McDermott.
Kukudoo is known as a vibes machine with his signature revivalist style and sound “Hai Hai Hai”. He is one of Jamaica’s vibrant gospel singers, born and raised in the March Pen area of Spanish Town, St Catherine. David initially had no interest in church or gospel singing but this proved to be his divine destiny. ‘Kukudoo’ is water baptised, Holy Ghost-filled and he is also a Minister of the word of God. His songs are popular in Jamaica’s nine night and set-up settings creating that good Jamaican vibes. Kukudoo’s aim is to continue breaking new grounds; with the of hope of positively impacting Jamaica and the world with his ministry and music.
This album, Jerusalem, consists of 16 spirit filled tracks, with biting lyrics, backed by rhythmic drumming; featuring hit singles such as ‘King David’ and ‘Thank You Jesus’. Jerusalem is a true representation of Jamaica’s spiritual heritage and promises to keep you rocking to every beat.

Written by: Garcia Clarke

Produced by: David McDermott for Tad’s Record
Executive Producers: Tad A. Dawkins, and Tad A. Dawkins Jnr.

Chezidek – March

Chezidek - March

In the current social climate, Chezidek has stepped up and continues his trend of producing conscious music with a positive message. His new single March is a call for mobility and equality; reflecting the global movement of ‘justice for all’. “So much things going on with black people ‘round the world, so wi have a lot to sey,” Chezidek disclosed.
July 23, 2020 will go down as a special day for Chezidek. The roots singer’s latest album, Hello Africa, will be released on that date by Tad’s International Record; significantly, it is also the birthday of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I.
The date is important to Chezidek who, like all Rastafarians, revere Selassie as an omnipotent figure. Produced by his Cheziberry Records, he believes Hello Africa is his most hard-hitting work to date, boosted by songs like Because I’m Black, and March.
Because I’m Black, a jab at institutionalized racism, sets the tone for Hello Africa and the second single March calls to global unification and action to tackle the injustices of the world.
Keep your ears open and receive the inspiration to MARCH!