THE EDITOR, Madam:
I READ the article concerning the decline in sales worldwide of Jamaican music. Please note I did not say "Reggae". Let me be very blunt . There is little or no Reggae anymore. This semi rap/dancehall monotone, gibberish is not reggae. It is a short-lived fad with no music to it, no substance, and certainly no meaningful lyrics.
As a Jamaican living in Miami I have bought very few CD's recently because there is very little reggae available. Understandably we can only have a Bob Marley once in a lifetime, but it is difficult to get good reggae from traditional artists. Gregory Isaacs, Freddie Mcgregor and the like are a fading breed.
I have several American friends who enjoy reggae, not that other stuff. I have hundreds of reggae albums that can still be listened to time and time again and enjoyed. That other stuff will become dead and buried.
In closing , Mr Chin of VP records claims piracy is a factor in declining sales. That is nonsense. If we get reggae back on track sales will pick up.
To our musicians , artists etc...get back to basics. Write and produce our good beloved reggae. If Ska sales can still be doing well then reggae should be light-years ahead. The writing is on the wall!
I am etc.,
WILLIAM RAYMOND
E-mail: wfcr@att.net
Miami, Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
