Philosophising about Jamaican music?

It is funny how some subject matters are not thought about from a questioning perspective.  Discussion like where is Jamaican music going seem to be quite an odd question to ask. Is it that  we take so many things for granted…..i wonder how other cultures have progressed with the development of their music industry i wonder if they involved questioning and engaging and planning at some point…philosohising….which point is it for us?

When is music artistic?

I was talking to a freind today she is somewhat of expert on music in my estimation has she has always collected music and is rather close to music circles in Jamaica.  She commented that Buju Banton’s Album Buju Banton and Friends was a  flop because it was passed off as art. I was suprised and deeply interested in her comment…he passed the album off as art i didn’t ask her what she meant exactly as i was stuck on the point that it was a flop because it was not art. i have never before conecived of Jamaican artists particularly Reggae, Dancehall artists  engaging in music as art. This is something i reserve for European and North American Electronic music and other such genres. A few hours later i started to listen to Lee Scrath Perry ” Jamaica ET” which i found so strange as it defies the conventions of music as i know it. It has vocals on top of vocals…something i have always thought was a no no….was this Artistic?…was this an example of what my friend meant by art. I find it creative and bold…I guess because it is so different……but i put the question to her directly, What is art in music?

Take a listen to Jamaican ET

http://www.amazon.com/Jamaican-E-T/dp/B001L99QOK/ref=sr_shvl_album_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1240424767&sr=301_8

When will we…..

Just a small question…I had an idea a burst of inspiration perhaps. When will we….Reggae , Dancehall Artists start to get creative with our Album cover designs? I guess it is like asking the question what is in an album cover? What is in a design?

Sweet sounds creep into my mind

Every now and again you get a sign that you are doing the right thing that you are in the right place a burst of inspiration. Listening to Dj Ripley (Larisa) at Club Fiction on Wednesday night was one of the most inspirational moments..From familar sounds mixed with unfamilar sounds, jungle, dubstep, garage, dancehall, reggae, hiphop…..it was fabulous. even more faboulous hearing this in Jamaica. Her music makes me think about the possibilities of where music can go. Dj Ripley is a well traveled well experienced Dj with a passion for music that you hear in every song….yeah man Dj Ripley…ripping it up.

http://www.spannered.org/radio/1153/

http://www.last.fm/music/DJ+Ripley

http://www.myspace.com/ripley

http://www.mashit.com/2008/05/27/ripley-to-the-party-members/

Finding my way through Sound