Greetings Roots and Culture Posse!  It's been a while but I'm back.  First of all, I would like to wish all of you a belated HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS New Year.  Hopefully we will all have the new President of OUR CHOICE and this Five Year War will be over.  (Over 4,000 soldiers killed)  It's really important to get out and vote.  I personally don't want another Bush in the White House.

In October 2008 we lost a great artist Lucky Dube.  I had the honor of picking Lucky up at the San Jose Airport and driving him and his band to Santa Cruz for a show at the Veterans Hall.  After the show we had a chance to hang out for a while before having to get them back to the airport for a 4am flight.  A few days later he came to play his last show in San Francisco, California.  I was again honored to be able pick him up at the hotel and drive him to the venue.  After that show, he left for South Africa and in a matter of days he was killed in a senseless shooting.  That was a great shock to me and everyone else.  Recently, we also just lost local radio station DJ Isa "The Iron Lion" (KPOO).  He was a big part of the reggae community with close to 25 or more years of service.  We also lost another soldier, the original Dread at The Controls, Mikey Dread, who passed on to Zion after battling a brain tumor.

We are now officially in the reggae festival and concert season.  The Ragga Muffin Festival [Bob Marley Day] held in Long Beach, California in February kicked off the official reggae festivals for 2008.  Lots of major artists will be touring and there will be a lot of festivals.  Sierra Nevada World Music Festival http://www.snwmf.com, Reggae Rising http://www.reggaerising.com and the North West World Reggae Festival http://www.nwworldreggae.com, just to name a few.  In March alone several Bay Area clubs featured performances by Sister Nancy, Sister Carol, Mad Professor, The Itals and Earl Zero.

Be sure to check your local reggae stations and newspapers for up coming shows.  You can also check the event calendar in the Reggae Review or IReggae.com.

The Reggae Review is looking for good writers.  If you feel you can contribute to the Reggae Review contact our editor at editor@reggaereview.com.  The Reggae Review celebrates its 11th Anniversary this month.  We have covered many events across the US, The Caribbean, Europe and Canada and we are nationally and internationally recognized. 

Club Dread will have its Grand Opening on Monday, April 7, 2008, at its NEW location Pier 23 @ The Embarcaro, San Francisco, California.  For more information go to  http://www.pier23cafe.com.

Jah Love Universal Sounds Presents Monday Nite Reggae at the Bay featuring The Humble Lion, Brixton Hitman (KUSF Saturday Nite Rockers), Massive Sound International featuring Spliff Skankin (KPFA/KFJC) Imperial Star Hi Fi featuring General Patton and Jah Love Universal Sounds plus special guest.  No cover for the month Of April.  Join us for Club Dread’s Grand Opening.

Well, Crowda People I've got to run.  Remember to show some Love to your Youth and your Family.  Spend some quality time with your Youth.  As little as a ½ hour a day will mean a lot to your son or daughter.