Some of the best-known names in reggae and several mainstream music notables have pitched in to create “Spirits in the Material World: A Reggae Tribute to The Police,” a compilation recognizing The Police’s dedication to the music form.
Released on the Shanachie Entertainment label and coming in the midst of the band’s big 2007-2008 reunion tour, the 13-track album turns out special reggae renditions of selected Police hits.
The album is great listening from beginning to end. From the opening cut, Jr. Reid sets the pace with a lively performance of “Synchronicity.”
Joan Osborne’s rendition of “Every Breath You Take,” “Wrapped Around Your Finger” done by Cyril Neville of the famous Neville Brothers, Gregory Isaacs singing “So Lonely” and “One World (Not Three)” performed with the patented harmonies of The Wailing Souls are just a sampling of the musical baker’s dozen.
Other standouts are Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and his recording of the title track, “Spirits in the Material World,” Pepper’s lively “Can’t Stand Losing You,” a tasty version of “Invisible Sun” from Horace Andy followed by a sizzling rhythm-driven dub performance of the same tune by Lee (Scratch) Perry called “Invisible Dub.”
Other performers on the compilation include Toots and The Maytals, Ali Campbell of UB40, Horace Andy, Inner Circle and Tarrus Riley.
Part of the proceeds from the album – produced by Inner Circle members Ian and Roger Lewis and Touter Harvey – will benefit the Toots Foundation, which was founded by Toots Hibbert of Toots and The Maytals to create and operate youth centers in Jamaica.
Visit www.shanachie.com for information about the new album. For more on the Toots Foundation, visit www.tootsandthemaytals.com.
Basquiat film
The film “Basquiat,” about the life and times of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat – a talented and influential New York artist who was born to Haitian and Puerto Rican parents who struggled with his successes – will be shown on Wednesday, February 27 in Queens at the Queens Public Library’s Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, at 5 p.m.
The screening will be presented by the Gallery and Fine Arts and Recreation. For information, call 718-990-0700.
‘The Great Debaters’ screening
A SPECIAL free screening of the popular Hollywood film “The Great Debaters,” which chronicles the struggles and successes of the all-black Wiley College debate team, was shown at Brooklyn College in recognition of the late Hobart Jarrett, a distinguished English professor at the college and a member of the historic debate squad.
The 2007 film – starring Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker – was shown in the Whitman Auditorium. A panel discussion followed the screening.
Jarrett, who died in 2005, had an illustrious career at Brooklyn College. He was the first African-American to head the school’s English Department.
Music, film & Marley
A sreening of “Africa Unite,” a documentary about a 12-hour, 2005 concert in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, celebrating the anniversary of reggae pioneer Bob Marley’s 60th birthday, will be held on Friday, February 29 at 9 p.m. The film will be shown at the Marcus Garvey Holistic Center, 5105 Church Avenue (between East 51st and East 52nd Streets) in Brooklyn. Call 718-421-6927 or (718) 363-8043 for reservations and information, or send e-mail to info@tsoproductions.com.
Caribbean music at Lincoln Center
Under the billing “of the West Indies,” jazz pianist Monty Alexander and a group of musicians will pay tribute to the masters of classic Jamaican mento folk music and Trinidadian calypso on March 7 and 8 at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center.
Such great mento music performers as Jamaicans Lord Flea, and Alerth Bedasse, and the works of Lord Kitchener, Mighty Sparrow and other great calypsonians will be featured in the shows, which will be held in the Allen Room of Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall at 7:30 and 9:30 each night.
Tickets are $60. Visit the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office at Broadway and 60th Street or call CenterCharge at 212-721-6500. Also visit Alexander’s web site: www.montyalexander.com.
Down to ‘Earthman’
The “Earthman Experience,” an evening with Richard (Earthman) Laurent performing a blend of Haitian Creole, tribal, Afrobeat and world music with the backing of DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry, will take place Wednesday, February 27 in Manhattan. Show time is 9 p.m.
Laurent will perform songs from his latest album, “The Beginning.” The show will be held at the Shrine World Music Venue, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, between 133rd and 134th Streets. The cover charge is $10.
Call 212-690-7807, send e-mail to info@shrinenyc.com and visit www.myspace.com/earthmanexperience.com.
Honoring gifted young people
The annual Young, Gifted & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial Awards will be held Wednesday, February 27 in Manhattan at LOLA Is Soul, 15 Watts Street (at Thompson Street) in SoHo from 6 to 11 p.m.
Loris Crawford, executive producer of the Art Off The Main art show; Dennis Hawthorne, president and CEO; Dennis Shipping; veteran music producer DJ Clarke Kent of Clarkworld Entertainment and occupational therapist Danielle Brown are among this year’s awardees. Call 212-675-6700 or send e-mail to YGBAwards@GMail.com for information.
