XLR8R

Morgan Heritage’s new album, Mission In Progress, landed at the number one position on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart last week.

The UB40 singer drama continues. After announcing recently that U.K. singer Maxi Priest would assume lead singer duties after the departure of former lead Ali Campbell, now comes word that Ali’s brother Duncan will share the role. Duncan sings seven songs on a new UB40 album, which also features Ali’s final performances with the band.

New York Governor David Patterson (whose family background is Jamaican) and Mayor Michael Bloomberg are calling this Sunday, May 4 a “Day of Reggae,” coinciding with the 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). The event takes place at the Apollo Theater and will feature performances and award presentations from Beenie Man, Ky-Mani Marley, Doug E. Fresh, Tarrus Riley, Freddie McGregor, Etana, Buju Banton, Macka Diamond, Lady G, Tony Rebel, Lady Ann, Dean Fraser, and Junior Reid.

Thirty years ago, on April 22, 1978, the historic One Love peace concert, headlined by Bob Marley & The Wailers, took place in Jamaica. The concert’s apex was when Marley, back in Jamaica after a two year exile, brought the country’s two political leaders–the PNP’s Michael Manley and JLP’s Edward Seaga – onstage to shake hands.

Bob Marley’s mother, Cedella Marley Booker, died at her home in Florida last Tuesday, April 8. She was 81. Ms Booker, who was honored in a memorial service yesterday, was not only the King of Reggae’s mom, but an author and artist in her own right who recorded several albums and remained active in her community to the end.

World Clash Jamaica winner Mighty Crown went down early. Killamanjaro, featuring Ricky Trooper, was voted out too. Matterhorn, Sentinel, and Black Kat nah mek it to the finale. When it came down to dub fi dub, it was two veterans, Jamaica’s Bass Odyssey and the U.K.'s David Rodigan, who stood across from each other in the last round of the seventh and final UK Cup Clash held Sunday, April 6 at the Stratford Rex in London. Bass Odyssey, known as “sound from country,” lead by selector Squingy, was victorious. More details soon.

One876 reggae news feed reports that dancehall artist Mavado (a.k.a. David Brooks) was charged with two counts of shooting with intent and illegal possession of a firearm, but later offered bail after he appeared in court.

Black Entertainment Television (BET) will film a benefit concert for Team Jamaica Bickle, an organization that supports aspiring Jamaican athletes. The “Team Jamaica on the Road to Beijing” reggae charity concert will take place at Brooklyn College on April 20, and feature Richie Stephens, Etana, Duane Stephenson, and Jamaican sports legend Donald Quarrie.

PDW expresses our continued condolences to the family and friends of Michael “Mikey Dread” Campbell, the artist who passed away last Saturday, March 15. For more, read XLR8R’s full tribute to the man who pioneered radio and music as the Dread At The Controls.

First Raging Bull then Bob Marley? Martin Scorsese and the family of Bob Marley have begun production on an authorized documentary film on the life, legacy, and global impact reggae’s king. Tuff Gong Pictures and Scorsese’s Shangri-La Entertainment will produce the film, which is to be released globally on February 6, 2010, the 65th anniversary of Marley's birth.