Aretha Franklin is engaged….

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Aretha Franklin is engaged to longtime friend William “Willie” Wilkerson.

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The Grammy-winning singer said in a statement Monday that she and Wilkerson are considering a summer wedding, perhaps in Miami Beach, Florida. The Queen of Soul wants to follow the ceremony with a reception on a private yacht.

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The 69-year-old jokes: “No, I’m not pregnant.”

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Franklin and Wilkerson became engaged over the holidays.

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Comments (0) Jan 03 2012

Regrettably,
Keith Stewart of “Keith & Enid fame”, as well as boasting a stellar career as a
cabaret artist on the North Coast back in the 60s & 70s, has passed away. His velvet voice can
be well remembered as he captivated numerous audience at the famous 
Yellow Bird club back in the 60s. He was also a good amateur tennis player.
May his soul  R. I. P.
 
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Here are some of Keith and Enid’s hits…..

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Keith and Enid - Worried Over You - Hero records

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Comments (0) Nov 12 2010

Gregory Isaacs — one of the most popular and versatile reggae singers of the late-Seventies, and the smooth-voiced dancehall crooner behind the genre’s landmark 1982 LP Night Nurse —

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Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse (Live at Reggae Sunsplash 1983)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyEP_st9csI

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******

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Gregory Isaacs - My Number One

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9pgZe3ZkvE

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******

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GREGORY ISAACS : Tune in

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnw1nAVTmKY

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******

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Gregory Isaacs - Cool Down The Pace

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-XmNm0inyM

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******

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Gregory Isaacs - If I Don’t Have You

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Comments (0) Oct 26 2010

 Tribute to the Reggae Legend

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Gregory dies at 59; Jamaican singer pioneered reggae style known as lovers rock

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One of the genre major stars in the 1970’s, the ‘Cool Ruler’ had a polished sound and lyrics that focused on tales of love.  He was also known for his designer suits. 

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Gregory Isaacs, the Jamaican singer who pioneered the style of reggae music known as lovers rock and became one of the genre’s major stars in the 1970s, has died. He was 59.

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Isaacs died Monday at his home in London, according to his manager, Copeland Forbes. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer last year.

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Known as the “Cool Ruler,” as he styled himself in the title of a 1978 album, Isaacs cut a dapper figure in his designer suits and silk shirts — an image suited to a style of music that emphasized romantic yearning over reggae’s more traditional themes of spiritual and political transformation.

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“I’d say he’s one of the three geniuses I’ve known in the reggae music business, and I’ve known everyone,” said Gary Himelfarb, who recorded several Isaacs albums for his Washington, D.C.-based RAS Records label in the 1990s.

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“Gregory was the kind of person who could walk through a room of 20 people and come out the other side and tell you what everybody was wearing,” added Himelfarb, whose professional name is Doctor Dread. “He could sit at a piano and compose incredible tunes. He was really brilliant. He was on a whole other level than your typical Jamaican artist.”

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Isaacs was born in Kingston on July 15, 1951, and grew up in Denham Town. In school, he enjoyed reading, composition and painting, and at home he listened to American R&B on his family’s radio.

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Gregory Isaacs

July 15, 1951 - Oct 25, 2010

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Comments (0) Oct 25 2010

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The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission has earmarked the month of September to celebrate the life and work of Hon Dr Louise Bennett-Coverley OJ, OM.

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The amazing Miss Lou was born on September 7, 1919.  She was a Jamaican poet and activist for the Jamaican language and is described as Jamaica’s leading comedian.  Miss Lou has been lauded as the only poet who has really hit the truth about her society through its own language.  She has managed to capture Jamaican thoughts, feelings and lifestyle through her poems in the vernacular.  This has been done through masterful taste in use of the dialect which is acceptable to and appreciated by all in Jamaica and the Diaspora.

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In September, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) staged a series of activities across the island.  St. James hosted ‘MoBay Ring Ding’ as part of the celebrations.

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‘MoBay Ring Ding’ is a mini concert with a mixture of poems and storytelling.  This year the National Exhibition

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