DJ Gabriel has returned to the Hi Grade Muzik Workz label in Vineyard Town for whom he has recorded a new single, "Brainwash," for the Xmas season.Gabriel, you may recall, had his "bust" with Long, Plain and Straight (Links), a very controversial dancehall song about the political leaders which earned him quite a few enemies and more admirers.
Since then he has done reasonably well with Mi Sick on Richard Browne's "Intercourse" rhythm on the Call Me Shams label. The song has turned out to be one of the most requested tracks on the VP/Call Me Shams double CD, Real Sex.
Recently, he has recorded Powers for Jeremy Harding's 2Hard label, Silent River for Chris Jammy and "Brainwash" on Hi Grade where he says he will now be based.
Gabriel has become as controversial as Bounty Killer for the issues he has tackled in his social commentaries and in such a mixed-up society he is constantly under threat. But, we are happy that he has not allowed criticism to divert him from his message.
"I know the controversy hold me back, because I really should have achieved a lot more by now. But, I guess what I need to do is to make it clear that I really don't mean anybody any harm," he said.
Prince Oret off to NY
Ocho Rios-based DJ/producer Prince Oret leaves the island this week for his appearance at Ride or Die, scheduled for 133rd Street and St. Nicholas in Harlem on Saturday night.
Oret, who heads the Godfather label, will be supported by Haskel Disco from Denver, Colorado, and Stereowise from New Jersey.
Hotshot label undergoes name charge
GLENROY "Virgo" Donaldson has decided to change the name of his label from Hotshot to Red Hot Music Production and they are now located at Baron's Plaza in Kingston.
The new label is coming out with a rhythm called "Heavyweight," featuring tracks from his own Hotshot Crew, as well as Capleton, Jah Thunder, Nitty Kutchie, Captain Barkey, Determine, Alexa, Lala and ARP.
Donaldson plans to shop the singles to European and North American labels next month, prior to releasing them on vinyl locally.
New crew on the scene
Probably the crew to look out for this Xmas is the Binggae Label Studio crew from Kirkland Heights, Kingston.
They launched their new rhythm, "Wild Forest," at Hamilton Plaza, Red Hills, St. Andrew on Saturday night. The session featured Stone Love, Tony Matterhorn, Fire Links, Renaissance and Bass Odyssey.
