Nike shoe company and VP records have teamed up to promote Asafa Powell: Train for Speed. The 35-minute interval running workout is available via iTunes and features a voiceover by Jamaican sprinter Powell (pictured above, far right), plus an exclusive new Mavado tune, “On The Go (Faster Than Bullet).” The mix also features music by Wayne Marshall, Tami Chin, Barrington Levy, Sean Paul, and Sister Nancy. Powell held the world record in the 100 meters before being bested by track and field teammate Usain Bolt this year. Both runners will represent Jamaica at the Olympics in Beijing.

The New York charity concert Carifest C.A.R.E.S. was canceled this past July 4 weekend, due to poor ticket sales and weather conditions. Carifest C.A.R.E.S. publicist Erika Tooker stated, “Moving forward with the concert under these circumstances will in no way benefit the cause. Reggae-Carifest N.Y., Inc. apologizes to all patrons who purchased tickets and assures such patrons that full refunds will be made.”

Cocoa Tea will release his new album, Yes We Can, this summer on Roaring Lion/JamJam. The album was produced by Cocoa Tea and includes his tribute to Democratic Presidential candidate Barrack Obama. The album also features guest appearances from Shabba Ranks, Marcia Griffiths, President Brown, Cutty Ranks, and El General.

Jamaica Gleaner columnist Mel Cooke has a fond reflection about the dancehall video that launched the music’s modern era. The song and video for “Anything For You” were performed by Canadian singjay Snow and Nadine Sutherland and featured Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Terror Fabulous, Louie Culture, and Kulcha Knox, performing on the remix version. Sutherland recalls of the recoding made at Penthouse studios, “the energy was off the hook. Everyone was creating on the spot; I don’t remember any competition.”

U.K. dub soundsystems King Shiloh, Disciples, Afrikan Simba, Fatman Sound, Young Warrior, Mad Professor, Levi Roots, Aba Shanti I, and Iration Steppas are featured in Musically Mad, a new documentary DVD and booklet about England’s enduring roots sound culture. Watch the trailer for more.

Reggae Sumfest will get a break on Jamaica’s newly enforced noise restrictions. The policy change was announced by the government after the event promoters declared that the show would have to be canceled if it was forced to close off at midnight on Thursday and 2:00 a.m. on the weekend.

Famed Roots Radics member and premier session guitarist Dwight Pinkney has released a Bob Marley tribute set titled Picks Marley Melodies, featuring “One Love,” “Jammin,” “Three Little Birds,” “Nice Time,” “Put It On,” “Simmer Down,” “Screwface,” and “Trench Town Rock.” Musicians Sly Dunbar, Aubrey Manning, Ansel Collins, David Madden, and Sticky join Pinkney.

BBC 1Xtra Top Ten Dancehall Chart
1. Mavado “I’m On Da Rock” (Baby G)
2. Stephen & Damian Marley “The Mission” (Baby G)
3. Beenie Man “Wine Gal” (TJ Records)
4. Demarco “Sort Dem Out” (Juke Boxx)
5. Richie Spice “Di Plane Land” (VP)
6. Etana “I’m Not Afraid” (VP)
7. Mavado “Money Changer” (Juke Boxx)
8. Demarco “Fallen Soldiers” (Skarkutt)
9. Mykal Rose & Damian Marley “Shoot Out remix” (John John)
10. Vybz Kartel “Fatter Den A Pound” (Open Ear)

Photo by Eckhard Pecher.