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HAPPY 67th BIRTHDAY to Mark "Marty" DeBarge of the legendary group, DeBarge!

He is a R&B/soul singer–songwriter, drummer, percussionist, and plays all wind instruments, including the saxophone, flugalhorn, trumpet and flute.

He is best known for his work as member of 1980s Motown singing family group DeBarge. He is best known for writing the group's popular album track, "Stay With Me", later covered by the likes of The Notorious B.I.G., Ashanti and Mariah Carey.
In 1982, the group's second release, All This Love, featured the group's hits "I Like It" and "All This Love", which constantly featured Mark's, vocals, and flugelhorn playing. Throughout the 1980s, DeBarge rose to international fame with singles such as "Love Me in a Special Way", "Time Will Reveal", "Rhythm of the Night" and "Who's Holding Donna Now". Mark remained in the group when brother El and sister Bunny left the group in 1986 and the following year, DeBarge released the album, Bad Boys on the Striped Horse label. DeBarge formally split up in 1989 after the convictions of brothers Bobby and Chico. Mark, James, Randy, El, their mother Etterlene, Bunny and youngest twin siblings Darryl and Carol got together as "The DeBarge Family" in 1991 and released the gospel album Back on Track.

NEW EDITION
CAN YOU STAND THE RAIN

👑 BIGGIE SMALLS 👑

From Christopher Wallace to one of the greatest hip-hop icons of all time. This journey through the years reminds us that legends aren't born overnight—they are built through talent, determination, and an unforgettable impact on the world.

His voice, style, and legacy continue to inspire generations.

The Notorious B.I.G. Forever.

Today is the birthday in paradise of a great real jamaican legend & superstar like Hugh Christopher Mundell, better known in the world like Hugh Mundell and also like Jah Levi on dj version.
Mundell was born the fourth child and only boy of Teresa and Alvin Mundell. Alvin Mundell was a successful lawyer. Hugh attended St. Margaret's Preparatory School, Kingsway Preparatory School and the Ardennes High School before embarking on a career in music. Most thought Mundell would become an athlete because he was known to be a competitive runner and regularly participated in road racing running with other neighborhood youth.
Mundell has only grown houses away from three other young people who would also go on to become reggae singers: Winston Winston Mcanuff, Earl Dread Sixteen, and Yabby You protogé Wayne Wade.
Mundell was introduced to reggae for reggae performer and producer Boris Gardiner, who was a family friend. Mundell was in Joe Gibbs' studio on the day Winston McAnuff recorded the song "Malcolm X" Joe Gibbs offers Mundell the chance to record and lay down a song titled "Where's Natty Dread?" The track is never pressed for vinyl. It is at Gibbs' studio that he meets the dub master Augustus Pablo.
Mundell explains in his November 1980 interview with Sounds magazine by Edwin Pouncey:
"I made a recording for Joe Gibbs for Errol Thompson Records, which was not released called 'Where's Natty Dread' and one day I was in the studio and Augustus Pablo saw me in the Joe Gibbs session 'so he used to run and check out you know. And he asked me to come make some recordings for him, so I said 'Yes!' So I went to his house and started rehearsing and the rhythms were created. The following Saturday we went to the studio where we recorded my first two songs for the release called "Africa Must Be Free" and "Mine, Mine".
Between 1976 and 1978 Mundell and Pablo lay down the traces of what would ultimately become Mundell's first album "Africa Must Be Free By 1983". Produced by Augustus Pablo, Mundell wrote every song on the album. It included two Black Ark recorded titles: "Let's Do It All Unite" and "Why Do Man Black Fuss & Fight", both supervised and mixed by Lee Perry.
It was a big influence on Junior Reid, who was three years younger, and Mundell was the first to record Reid. He also had a close friendship with Reid Lacksley Castell's friend, who like Reid, greeted by Waterhouse.
Hugh Mundell only performed publicly several times during his career. While it may have performed a number of shows in Jamaica and the UK, only the following shows have been confirmed:
Mundell performs at the Organization of African Unity (OUA) 14th anniversary show on Wednesday May 25, 1977 at the Queens Theater in Kingston.
Also on the bill are the Twelve Tribes of Israel players made up of Junior Dan on bass, Sangie Davis on guitar, Albert Malawi on drums, and black Pablo on the keys; and Generation Gap, which includes a very young Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson on the frets and Dalton Brownie on the guitar.
Interestingly, many of the players in this event are the same musicians who play for Mundell's Africa must have been free since 1983. They have also been part of the Rockers All-Stars, who play on Augustus Pablo's production.
Oct 29, 1979, Ward Theater, Kingston, JA w / Augustus Pablo, Junior Delgado, Dave Robinson, Tallawah Ballerini, Tivoli Liceo Ballerini, Horace Andy, Little Junior, Jaba Tate, Shaolin Kid.
The show was supported by the seventh extension and the international band roots.
June 1980, Bermuda, Hugh performed on a ferry boat cruise. Mundell stayed in a Bermudian apartment rasta football legend Cyril "D**o" Steede while in Bermuda.
October 20, 1980, Palais des Arts, Paris, France with Brimstone
February 17, 1981, Top Rank Suite, Dale End, Birmingham w / Sir Coxsone, Fatman, Studio City, Quaker City audio systems.
April 6, 1981, Hammersmith Palais, London, UK with Ras Brainfood Matumbi, tribe members, Brimstone, and Bumble & The Bees.
July 1981, The Stone, San Francisco.
OCTOBER 4, 1981, Reggae Sunblast Festival, Greek Theater, Berkeley, California.
Also on the bill are Judy Mowatt, Marcia Llyneth Griffiths, Joe Higgs, The Band Wailers, and Wailing Souls.
Mundell appeared in the bay area in December 1981 where he played a reggae roots festival together with Wailing Souls, Raskidus, Joe Higgs and Unity, and turned to Oakland at the Auditorium on December 11 and the Japan Center Theater on December 12.
MAY 30, 1982, Keystone, Berkeley, California, supported by I-DREN, an all-Jamaican band from the bay-area.
In addition to playing live as a reggae artist, Mundell also performed live as Jah Levi throughout Jamaica on the island sound system circuit with the likes of Barrington Levy, B***o Banton, Ranking Toyan, Junior Reid, and Elflego Barker (Vulcano Hi-Fi). He also performed for Noel Harper's Killamanjaro Sound System with the likes of Super Cat, John Wayne, Dirty Harry, Junior Reid, Madoo Maddo, Hopeton James, Puddy Roots, and Major Manci.
There is no existing Mundell audio on the audio sound system twice. In August 1983 Mundell, together with Junior Reid, represented Killamanjaro on Whitehall Avenue, Kingston.
With Ainsley selector on the plate, Mundell and Reid made several numbers, Mundell versioning "reasons" and Reid expressing the "Some Guys" standard.
On 7 Sep, 1983 Mundell and Junior Reid represented Sound Volcano in Cassava Piece, Constant Spring, Kingston 8. With Volcano selector Danny Dread in the command post, Mundell and Reid Spar on the riddim "diseases", before performing the "Bet By Golly Wow " standard. Mundell also plays his song "Great Tribulation".
Mundell was shot dead on October 14, 1983 while sitting in his vehicle on Grant Penna Avenue, Kingston, Jamaica.
Also in the car were Mundell's wife in the passenger seat and Junior Reid, who was sitting in the back seat.
Reid survived the assault and spoke in great detail about it in an 1985 interview with The Beat Roger Steffens, also Junior Reid meet him in Rome July 16 1986 when organize his show in Rome Italy with Black Uhuru, lead vocalist with Puma Jones & Dukie Simpson also The Wailers as backing band.
At the time of his death, Mundell had recorded five LPs and numerous singles.
Never forgotten.
June 14 1962 - October 14 1983

Please help us wish Andrew Tosh a very Happy Birthday! 🎂🎶

Carrying on the legacy of one of reggae's greatest legends is no easy task, but Andrew Tosh has proudly kept the spirit of Peter Tosh alive for generations of reggae fans.

And tell us...

What's your favourite Peter Tosh song of all time? 👇

47 years ago today, Bob Marley sold out Madison Square Garden.
Two days before the show, he accepted the United Nations Peace Medal at the Waldorf Astoria. Same week. Same city. Jamaica's son standing at the top of the world.
The Kaya Tour made MSG history, one of the first reggae artists to headline that stage. The set that night included "No Woman No Cry," "War," and "Exodus."
From a small parish in St. Ann to the most famous arena in New York.
That's the Bob Marley story.
Send this to someone who didn't know this.

June 19 1964, Martha and the Vandellas recorded their signature hit, “Dancing in the Street” at Detroit’s Hitsville U.S.A. studios. Written by Marvin Gaye, William “Mickey” Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter, the single would reach No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.4 on the UK pop chart. A Motown classic, the song has since been covered by the likes of Mick Jagger and David Bowie, the Mamas & the Papas, and Van Halen, among many others.😍

Happy 76th Birthday to Ann Wilson

Today’s the day and perfect for Juneteenth... the official global release of the first-ever box set of The 5th Dimension, titled "Let the Sunshine In: The Soul City & Bell Albums 1967-1974," available at both Cherry Red Records and on Amazon. Celebrating 60 years of The 5th Dimension, the deluxe 6-CD collection features newly remastered albums, rare recordings, unreleased material, and live performances. The impressive booklet highlights a new round-table discussion with Marilyn, Billy and Florence, an introduction from Jimmy Webb, and lots of photos!
Featuring the timeless artistry of Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, and Ron Townson, this expansive collection shines a fresh light on one of the Pop n’ Soul era’s most beloved vocal groups. The 5th Dimension remains ever-relevant, as evidenced by the group’s performances, and lead vocalists Marilyn & Billy’s special appearance in Questlove's directorial debut, the Academy Award- and Grammy-winning documentary "Summer of Soul," which celebrated the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969.
Get yours today! Available at Cherry Red Records and on Amazon! Another option to purchase is:

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/the-5th-dimension-let-the-sunshine-in-the-soul-city-bell-albums-6cd