I dig flipping thru stacks of old vinyl, dusty book stores, exotic incense, vintage clothes, old reggae & soul 45s, photography, martial arts, 70s cars, bluebeat, rocksteady, jazz, hip hop, Japanese art, hookahs, conspiracy theories, movies, turntablism, beatboxing, chess, music journalism, blues, unexplained tape gaps, coffee, organic food, punk rock, interesting sidewalk characters, good beer, egypt, burlesque, art galleries, freestyle ciphers, motorcycles, hemp, 50s pin up and porkpie hats, Greenwich Village, 60s beatnik writers, late night jams with friends, club promo, guitars, internet flava, poetry, indie labels, old record players, jungle, jazz festivals, nature treks thru the woods, long road trips, etc....and of course, hanging out with my beautiful wife, going to concerts and parks with my kids, chilling out at home with my pets. Check out the slideshow below for some pix of a few previous projects & old friends, they are cool, but also kind of funny now - one love!
Music
Reggae, soul, jazz, hip hop, blues, dub, foundation rockers, downtempo, scratchy vinyl oldies, jungle, roots & culture, super cat, clash, coxsone dodd, classic rock, boogie down productions, tubby, perry, stevie ray, jack ruby, ramones, josey wales, coltrane, miles, herbie hancock, stevie wonder, hendrix, traffic, keith poppin, studio one, pixies, phish, led zeppelin, doors, dj shadow, de la soul, wilco, manu chao, budos band, def jux, minor threat, django, steel pulse, tenor saw, cutty ranks, kon & amir, outkast, wu tang, burning spear, nick drake, johnny cash, george jones, beck, velvet underground, sly, al green, shuggie, zappa, dead, p-funk, afro-cubano, barrington levy, thievery corporation, fela, hieroglyphics, parker, monk, garrett, grant green, heptones, stone love, van morrison, jayhawks, tribe, dylan, massive attack, tappa zukie, slim smith, delroy wilson, heptones, culture, stones, alton ellis, junior brown, the distance, allman brothers, elgin james, abyssinians, yep roc, richie spice, gregory isaacs, frankie paul, los straitjackets, nick lowe, mf doom, itals, buena vista, wackies, caitlin cary, earth ruler, dilla, madlib, sharon jones & the dap kings, drive by truckers, loretta lynn, back porch music, sound dimension, upsetters, pacifico, stooges, flaming lips, replacements, black keys, lupe fiasco, jah shaka, jesus dread, jackie mittoo, keith hudson, horace andy, dennis alcapone, joe gibbs, kaze, augustus pablo, love to support local art & music...
Experienced in all phases of music marketing. Lifestyle & club promo, guerilla band promo, retail co-op and web promo, high level strategies, indie & major label experience. (Buju Banton, Super Cat, Wu Tang, Nick Lowe, Caitlin Cary, John Mayer).
♪ DJ Ras J 's Companies
Redeye Distribution Haw River, NC US Marketing Director Marketing/Sales
2000- 2003
UNC-TV RTP, NC US Promotions Manager Communications
2003-present
SFX Broadcasting Raleigh, NC US Promotions Coordinator Radio
1997-2000
Strawberries Music Orange, CT US General Manager Retail
1995-1997
Poindexter Marketing NY, NY US VP of Marketing Radio & Retail Promotions
1993-1995
Rude Boy/Atlantic Records NY, NY US Promotions Manager Retail & Radio
1992-1993
Cold Chillin' Records NY, NY US Intern Promotions
1992
Register Citizen Torrington, CT US Music Features Writer/Graphic Artist Daily Newspaper
1988-1989
WECS 90.1 FM Willimantic, CT US Reggae & World Music Director ECSU
About me: NEW!!!! Now you can find out about all my events and other reggae concert dates around the state in advance via your personal email account. List members can also ask general reggae questions and connect with NC reggae fans.
Sign up for my 'Soul Circle Events' email listserv:
HERE
Greetings to the four corners of the earth -
I am originally from the scenic hills of Litchfield, CT and moved to Chapel Hill with my beautiful wife back in 1997.
Before that, I went to college at Uconn and ECSU. When I graduated in '92, I got an internship through my college radio show ('Ewadjo' on WECS 90.1 FM) with OJ Wedlaw (now at Universal) and Cold Chillin' Records (Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap, Genius, Roxanne Shante (PhD now!), Biz Markie, Terminata, etc.) in NYC. I lived up in Washington Heights at 137th & Broadway and took the 1/9 downtown every day. After that I worked for Rude Boy/Atlantic Records (Shawnie Ranks) in the same building as the Source magazine in Greenwich Village. I used to love to have a beer and hang in Washington Square Park. Good times.
After a few months, eventually I was lucky enough to move on to Poindexter Marketing, which at the time was one of the only major reggae promo companies in the country, having had a big hand in breaking Shabba Ranks in the US market. We worked on Buju Banton's major label debut 'Voice of Jamaica' and his first official US single 'Deportees' (on Loose Cannon/Mercury/Polygram) and also helped break Born Jamerican's first big hit 'Boom-Shak A-tack' for Delicious Vinyl. We worked with our brethren DJ Yonnie (Road International) on Tony Rebel, Jimmy Cliff, Tiger, Diana King, Patra and the 'Cool Runnings' soundtrack for Columbia and on Rumpletilskinz 'Attitudes' for RCA. We also worked Red Fox's 'Dem a Murderer' on Elektra, the 'Positively Reggae' project (Shaggy, Damian
'Junior Gong' Marley, Lieutenant Stitchie, etc) for Sony, as well as doing some early promo work for the original Wu Tang Record label and RZA on 'Protect Ya Neck' - and a million other indie reggae and hip hop projects. I did a lot of club promo (Webster Hall, Sticky Mike's Posse, Tilt Club, Arena) in NYC, the most successful of my own events being the
'Bambu Nation' series of hip hop parties (Anarchy Cafe, 205
Club) with DJ Mighty Mi. I worked club promo on the streets of NYC for Matt De Matt (Gaslight,
G2) and coordinated the music acts for the annual "May Day" event in Washington Square Park in NYC, booking groups like the Jungle Brothers, Yami Bolo, Sister Carol, Dog Eat Dog and many more for crowds that reached 20,000. I was even in a bunch of videos back then, 'Show Me Love'-
Robin S, 'Bedroom Bully' - Shabba Ranks and quite a few others. Crazy, fun times. I worked with the Now Born Click (Staten Island)
on
Step Sun Records and was also a roadie during that time for Super Cat and Wild Apache (RIP Fred). In other words, I paid my dues.
After that I moved back to CT and managed a Strawberries (TWEC)
music store for a few years & also worked at Toad's Place
nightclub in New Haven. (My old buddy from those days, Jay Reason, now runs Stillborn Records in CT with Jamey from Hatebreed.) I moved down to North Carolina a couple years later & got a great job in commercial radio promotions (SFX, Capstar, AMFM), where I stayed for a few years
covering concerts (Phish, Van Halen, Pearl Jam, Aerosmith, Dave Matthews, Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic, Ozzfest, etc.) & various promo events all over the Raleigh market. My next job was at Redeye Distribution, as their first Marketing Director. We did some great work with Nick Lowe, Caitlin Cary, Los Straitjackets, the Pernice Brothers and many more. Some cool folks over there, I wish them well. The last big project I worked there was setting up retail promo for John Mayer's 'Room for Squares' cd. (Who knew, right?) I've got two beautiful daughters, Kaily (9) and Lucy (5), so you know the deal. Not much club action or trees these days. I still have my turntables, my mic skills, my guitar and a few friends & I dj out at clubs & festivals
(Cat's Cradle, Southern Rail (monthly), Fuse, Milltown)
down here now and then with the Soul Circle Soundsystem playing vintage reggae 45s, seventies soul, rootical dub and classic dancehall niceness. In the past I've opened for Buju Banton, Steel Pulse and the Wailers. I also still write freelance music reviews once in a while
(Independent Weekly, Sky Vibes). My good friend, foundation reggae artist Keith Poppin lives nearby as well. Basically, I have a myspace page so that I can network with old friends, meet a few new folks, promote shows & find out about some different music. Glad you stopped by, positive vibes and jah guide.<<~~ Can you dig it? ~~>>
JAMIE IRIE is working with top reggea band HOUSE OF RIDDIM at the very moment on a L.P called KINGSTON 13 and will have some new releases this year and a tour to follow.look out for him. www.myspace.com/houseofriddim .
WORDS CAN BE SO SIMPLE .A video shoot at various locations UK. and J.A by Chris Ilston of CRIZ.E produtions .......
NEW TUNES OUT SOON!
( WORDS CAN BE SO SIMPLE) backed by the HOUSE OF RIDDIM with a solid bass and wicked horn section and drums to rock with. A tune for the reggea music fan at its very best . This tune will make you get up and go and move you forword to a positive state of mind. www.myspace.com/houseofriddim Jamie, here's my HONEST opinion & comments.... "Words can be so simple...Actions..." YES, but MUSIC also speaks louder than words....& thats EXACTLY what this tune does. From the intro chants of "LION....LION!", you get the feeling of positivity & strength from the word GO! The bubbling riddim track is met with uplifting vocal vibes from Mr Irie. A tune aimed at those who talk 'round di ting' & don't seem to put talk into motion, this song hits the spot. A vibesy tune to fill the air with as much punch as ALBOROSIE's herb tune, this tune should be big across Europe & Japan, never mind the UK. BIG TUNE from Jamie Irie. PLAY IT LOUDLY!! :) :) Blessed. Mikey D.O.N. (Krispy(3)/www.unityradio.fm)
NEW TUNE OUT SOON (SWEET SESIMILLA) The Reload 2010 JAMIE IRIE,s back on form again with a brand new riddim section from the great HOUSE OF RIDDIM .THE HOT RIDDIM. LT.Stitchie Ward 21 Bunny general Dr. ring ding Kirk davis a.k.a. Little kirk ON this jump jump party time HOPPERS RIDDIM
Not to be missed INNA DI DANCE upcoming events in Hamburg Saturday 12.12.09 A nite called “COOL RUNNINGS“ feat special guest from Zürich ALI BABA SOUNDSYSTEM DJ Dynamite aka Joni Rewind Talawah Sound feat. Juggla
Location: WAAGENBAU - Max-Brauer-Alle 204 Hamburg //DOORS: 11pm // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INNA DI DANCE PRE CHRISTMAS DANCE Monday 21.12.09 Straight from Jamaica STONE LOVE (For the first time in Hamburg) Supported by Bramma (Live on stage from Jamaica) Talawah Sound Josha (Bushfire Sound) Location: WAAGENBAU - Max-Brauer-Alle 204 Hamburg //DOORS: 11pm // Make it to a date!!!!!!
Greetings ayah, check di Jah Army wintergear on www.jah-army.com. Some items are heavily reduced until 20th december. Merry I-smas!! For more infos plz subscribe to I&I blog: http://lnk.ms/0NXCt or become a fan on facebook at http://lnk.ms/1w2wl 1love J.A.H.
HAve you ever been to a "FOAM PARTY" before? If you have, then you know how it goes down. But if you havent, This is your Chance to be part of it. The First "FOAM PARTY" in Greensboro NC. Friday November 20!! @ RUMBA D' CACHE Everyone FREE till 11pm Drink Specials ALL NIGHT!! For more information about this event call (919) 841-2252
"There goes Dolly, Dolly Dagger...her love's so heavy gonna make you stagger, There goes Dolly, Dolly Dagger...she drinks the blood from the Jagged Edge....Drink up Baby!"
Greetings bredren & sistren, new stuff out now! Get nu shirtz & hoodies fi dem cold days dem on www.jah-army.com. for more infos plz subscribe to I&I blog: http://lnk.ms/0NXCt or become a fan on facebook at http://lnk.ms/1w2wl 1love J.A.H.
We salute...Those About to Rock!..(that would be you)
If you can, join us at the worldwide Audio Engineering Society this Friday in NYC with thousands of other Music Producers, RecordingEngineers, Music Equipment Companies and Rock Stars....we will be cruzin around saying hello!
Jason Adamo & JP Flowz... its gonna be Fresh! Great music, great food, and a great cause! Come rock with us as we keep it fresh in NC and raise money for Dynamic Water to get clean water to those who need it. $1 of every ticket sold goes to Dynamic Water as well as a portion of food sales. Its gonna be a great time and we want you there. Get more information and discounted advance tickets @ www.noworneverent.com
$8 in advance (www.noworneverent.com) $10 at the door
Mama Jean's Bar-B-Q Menu -ribs -chicken -fish -baked beans -green beans -corn -$6 plates include meat and two veggies
hey, how's your summer going? We are finally ready to start promoting my 'I Surrender' single with my album, 'Ella Trip' coming right after -yey!! What d'ya think to the video teaser? Please drop by my page & comment on the new 'I Surrender' remixes as well, I'd love to know what u think of all the newness! Peace & Love
Bless up fam, I give thanks for the friendship, and the love. We just finshed an album bout to drop..sept.09.. called "Break Free" . with the entire Man-I-fest family. click my pic to hear us.
Ras what's up my bwoy. I'm in ATL for a week. Gotta try to come check you, before year end...Hope all is well with the Fam. Tell live I said what's up... Holla
Greetings from Tighten Up Radio Show :-), We wish to inform you about a brand-new 7 inch single from CARLTON LIVINGSTON and ECHO MINOTT published during this summer 2009, A wicked combination : CARLTON LIVINGSTON and ECHO MINOTT on the same 7 inch single !!!
weblink : www.uniteammusic.com
Still available at Ernie B's, Patate Records, Irie Ites, Dubstore and many good records stores...