Queen of Dancehall Lady Saw Reclaims Her Crown with New Album “My Way” – Sept 7th

New York, NY – August 23, 2010 – Grammy-winning dancehall pioneer, Lady Saw is back naughty, nasty and explicitly electrifying with her new album My Way set for release on September 7th, 2010. The record, her first with Toasting Music/Diva Records, distributed by Fontana/Universal, follows the 2007 release Walk Out, her final album on the reggae label VP Records. Saw’s latest collection, featuring collaborations with multi-platinum rapper Eve and Ding Dong as well as production by Lady Saw along with Tony ‘CD’ Kelly, Lloyd ‘John John’ James, Danny Browne and Stephen McGregor, opens a new chapter for Saw and Divas Records productions.

“I wanted to have the independence and freedom to do things 100% my way. I can tell the producers what I want for my riddim and say what I want to say in my songs. No one is telling me what I can or can’t do on this album,” says Lady Saw.

Born Marion Hall, Lady Saw remains true to her sexually empowering, cheeky lyricism on My Way, but with an eye on reaching a wider audience. Whether it’s liberating anthems like “Every Way Mi Go” and “Party Til December” or her uncut delivery on “Muscle Control” and “5 Minutes,” this 16-track collection is jam-packed with radio ready tunes and the hardcore style that put Saw on the map with her massive 1994 debut release Lover Girl. She also gives listeners a glimpse of Miss Marion Hall, her softer, more mature side, on the title track “My Way” and “I Am A Woman.”

“I have grown over the years. People ask me, ‘are you toning down’? I say, the nasty stuff is still there, just not as over the top,” she explains. “They still gonna really get the raw Lady Saw, especially when I perform. But, I wanted to make a record for everyone.”

With over three million albums sold and a Grammy under her frock for her collaboration with No Doubt on “Underneath it All,” Lady Saw is one of the most distinguished and influential artist in dancehall, reggae and hip-hop. The songstress, deejay, producer and writer continues to headline shows worldwide, and her longevity reveals that true artistry always stands the test of time. The multi-talented Jamaica native has had a hand in creating hits for artists like Beenie Man, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Vegas, Vybz Kartel, Capelton and Spragga Benz. Her appeal has also resulted in dynamic collaborations with Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliot, Remy Ma, Trina, Nicki Minaj, Foxy Brown Michael Franti, and Pharrell Williams.

Preview the album here:
http://ladysaw.bandcamp.com

Physical CD Track Listing:
1. Every Way Mi Go
2. Your Chick
3. Bigga Than
4. He Is At My House (Feat. Eve)
5. My Way
6. Party Till December
7. Tighta
8. Cyaan Get Me
9. Crazy Love
10. Me Hold Ya
11. Muscle Control (Feat. Camar)
12. 5 Minutes
13. Facebook
14. I Can’t Wait (Feat. Ding Dong)*
15. I’m A Woman

*Track 14 is replaced with Bet U on digital download album

Tour Dates:
· Hot 97 ‘On the Reggae Tip’ – New York, NY. 9/3
· Dancehall Stylee – Vineland, NJ. 9/4
· Labor Day Parade/West Indian Carnival – Brooklyn, NY. 9/6
· Miami Carnival – Miami, FL. 10/9



Ziggy Marley Presents: Dancehall Originators Vol.1

Multiple Grammy winning artist Ziggy Marley, and Tuff Gong Worldwide present “Dancehall Originators Vol 1,” the first in a new series of dancehall reggae albums designed to pay homage to the groundbreaking original artists that paved the way for dancehall artists today. The album, which will be released on February 2nd, features tracks by Chaka Demus, Yellow Man and Buju Banton, among others (track list below).

In 1992, producer/songwriter Phillip Smart, founder of Long Island’s HC&F Studios, created the scorching “Hot This Year” riddim, whose bouncy keyboard riffs and resounding bass were considered groundbreaking at the time.

From its initial release, “Hot This Year” inspired numerous other artists, including Shaggy, Yellow Man, Buju Banton, and Chaka Demus, to use it as a basis for their own songs. It also inspired the durable and popular song “Hot This Year” by the late DJ Dirtsman, which crossed over into other radio formats.

“There weren’t that many reggae records that crossed over to R&B radio at the time, and Dirtsman’s song went from reggae radio shows to getting airplay in regular rotation on New York stations,” recalls Phillip Smart. “So that put it in a different format and the song became a favorite in clubs that didn’t play a lot of reggae.”

Because it so deftly illustrates such an important era of dancehall reggae history, Dancehall Originators is a must-have for any knowledgeable dancehall devotee, as well as more recent reggae converts.

The Tuff Gong label was founded in 1965 by Bob Marley, with the vision of producing, distributing and promoting his music free from the constraints of corporate label politics. In a time decades before artist-owned record labels were commonplace, the legendary Bob Marley’s vision was characteristically well ahead of its time. Now, nearly a half-century later, his dream is being realized.

Track list:
HOT THIS YEAR BY DIRTSMAN
BIG, BAD & BOLD BY CHAKA DEMUS
TAKE IT EASY BY PETER METRO FEATURING TANTO METRO
SO SWEET BY PINCHERS
LOOK WORK BY JOSEY WALES
ROUGHER THAN DEM BY CHARLIE CHAPLIN
KING FE DANCEHALL BY YELLOW MAN
STOP IT BY COCO TEA
DANCEHALL VIBES BY GENERAL TREES
MR. BAD MIND BY BUJU BANTON
THE ORIGINATOR BY U-ROY & GEORGE NOOKS
TAKING YOU BACK MEGA MIX – MIXED BY DJ ROY OF ROAD INTERNATIONAL