New York: Three stalwarts in the reggae industry, I-Octane – the current reggae sensation who is blazing a musical trail with hit songs Lose A Friend, My Life, and Puff It – John Holt and Leroy Sibbles have been added to the powerful Reggae Rhythm & Blues lineup, slated to take place on Labor Day Sunday, September 4 at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens.

Other performers at the event are Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Monica, Mavado, Tarrus Riley and Machel Montano HD.

The Doctor Beenieman will be honored on stage by the event organisers for his 33 year contribution to the industry.**

I-OCTANE READY FOR FIRST MAJOR OUTDOOR FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE IN NYC

Before he became known to the world as I-Octane, young Byiome Muir was just another youth growing up in Sandy Bay, Clarendon with big dreams. Recognizing early that he had a passion for music and singing – he would sing in school and used the desks as drums to entertain his classmates – he didn’t consider performing professionally as a viable career choice.

Understanding the financial hardships that his family had to endure, he took on the role of “man of the house” and focused on helping his mother raise his brothers and sister. However, his mother encouraged him to work hard at school, teaching him the importance of education. Through her encouragement, Byiome applied himself and discovered that he had an affinity for science and architecture. So much so that he considered becoming an architect. However he could not escape the call of the music.

Before he became known to the world as I-Octane, young Byiome Muir was just another youth growing up in Sandy Bay, Clarendon with big dreams. Recognizing early that he had a passion for music and singing – he would sing in school and used the desks as drums to entertain his classmates – he didn’t consider performing professionally as a viable career choice.

Understanding the financial hardships that his family had to endure, he took on the role of “man of the house” and focused on helping his mother raise his brothers and sister. However, his mother encouraged him to work hard at school, teaching him the importance of education. Through her encouragement, Byiome applied himself and discovered that he had an affinity for science and architecture. So much so that he considered becoming an architect. However he could not escape the call of the music.

After completing High School and through the encouragement of his family and friends, Byiome took the plunge – thus beginning his musical journey. He began performing under the name “Richie Rich.” His hardcore dancehall lyrics gained the attention of famed producer Donovan Germaine of Penthouse Records. Byiome began spending time at Penthouse where he met fellow reggae artist Buju Banton and Tony Rebel who gave him the opportunity to hone his talent. While working with Penthouse, he decided to change his name to something that better represented him as an artist. He realized that “high octane gas” was known for its high energy and performance. Byiome knew immediately that this epitomized the type of performer he wanted to be. He personalized it by substituting the “high” for “I” and so the name I-Octane was birthed.

After three years with Penthouse Records, I-Octane was approached by Junior Arrows who signed him to the label. The decision to sign with Arrow Recordings brought a lot of changes and I-Octane slowly began to make a name for himself. He transitioned from dancehall music to a more cultural vibe and his first hit single Stab Vampire cemented his position as a notable reggae artiste.

Stab Vampire went to number one and received the award for Video of the Year at the Excellence in Music Awards (EME). The success of Stab Vampire gave way to other successful single such as Different Page, Hurt Mi and Mama You Alone. I-Octane’s reputation soared and his fan base increased. As his popularity grew, the demands went beyond Jamaican soil, prompting a European tour. Soon he began to work with notable producers and his repertoire of hit songs broadened rapidly.

Fast forward to 2009/2010, I-Octane became an independent artiste, having ended his four year partnership with Arrows Recordings. His catalogue continued to grow thus giving way to hit singles Lose A Friend, My Life, Puff It and others, along with numerous accolades, awards and nominations. In 2010, Digicel named the singjay Brand Ambassador for the company.

2011 promises to be just as great for I-Octane as he kicks off his “My Life” tour February 1 – April 29th. The tour will consist of performances in the United States, Canada and Europe. Even with his success to date, it is clear that I-Octane has just scratched the surface of all he is meant to achieve.

1000 VOLTS OF JOHN HOLT TO BE UNLEASHED AT REGGAE RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL

John Holt was born in Kingston in 1947. By the age of 12, he was a regular entrant in talent contests run at Jamaican theatres by Vere Johns.[1] He recorded his first single in 1963 with “I Cried a Tear” for record producer Leslie Kong, and also recorded duets with Alton Ellis.

He achieved prominence in his home country as lead singer of The Paragonsand they cut a succession of singles for Duke Reid at his Treasure Isle Studio and enjoyed a string of hits, including “Ali Baba”, “Tonight”, “I See Your Face”, and the Holt penned “The Tide Is High” (later made famous by Blondie and also covered by Atomic Kitten). “Wear You To The Ball” was another of his hits with The Paragons, and hit the charts again when U-Roy added a Deejay verse to it. During his time with the Paragons, he also recorded solo material for Studio One (including “Fancy Make-up”, “A Love I Can Feel”, “Let’s Build Our Dreams”, and “OK Fred”) and Prince Buster (“Oh Girl”, and “My Heart Is Gone”)
Holt left the Paragons in 1970 and concentrated on his solo career. By the early 1970s, he was one of the biggest stars of reggae, and his “Stick By Me” was the biggest selling Jamaican record of 1972, one of a number of records recorded with producer Bunny Lee.

His 1973 album, Time Is The Master, was successful, with orchestral arrangements recorded in London. The success of the string-laden reggae led to Trojan Records issuing a series of similarly arranged albums produced by Bunny Lee starting with the 1,000 Volts of Holt in 1973, a compilation of Holt’s reggae cover versions of popular hits (and later followed by similarly named releases up to 3,000 Volts of Holt). 1,000 Volts spawned the UK Top 10 hit “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (written by Kris Kristofferson), which peaked at number 6,[2] and also included covers of Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” and Diana Ross’s “Touch Me in the Morning”, amongst others.

Holt’s style, notably slower and more romantic than most of his contemporaries, is a recognisable forerunner of the lovers rock sub-genre. His song, “Man Next Door”, has been covered by numerous other reggae artists including Dennis Brown, UB40 and Horace Andy.

NYC MUSIC FANS READY TO ‘GET IN THE GROOVE” WITH LEROY SIBBLES

Both a wonderful vocalist and fine bassist born January 29th, Leroy Sibbles initially gained fame as the lead singer for the Heptones. The Heptones were among the most prolific and influential groups of the rock steady era, along with the Pioneers, Gaylads, Paragons, Hamlins, Uniques, and Techniques.

Signature Heptones songs included “Baby,” “Get In The Groove,” “Ting A Ling,” “Fattie Fattie,” “Got To Fight On (To The Top),” “Party Time,” and “Sweet Talking.” He also provided vocals and instrumentals on the following Heptones album: On Top, Freedom Line, The Heptones, Ting A Ling, Night Food & Partytime. Leroy eventually departed the group to launch his solo career producing 6 albums and hit songs such as: Love Won’t Come Easy, Why Must I, I Shall Be Released, Book of Rules, I’ve Got the Handle, Hypocrite, Country Boy, Deceivers, New Generation, Mr. President, Serious Time, Storm Cloud, Road of Life, Suffers Time, Soul Power, Mystery Babylon, Pretty Looks Isn’t All, Rock and Come On, Dance Hall Style, Irie Feeling.

His accolades includes Canada’s “Juno Award” & Jamaica’s 2003 Prime-minister “Order of Distinction.” Mr. Sibbles is also the originator of the bass line for the song “Full Up” which was internationally popularized by Musical Youth’s recording of “Pass the Dutchie,” a remake of the wicked Mighty Diamonds” version, “Pass the Kutchie”; riddims: “Declaration of Rights”, “Love Me Forever” by Carlton (Manning) & Shoes and the “Queen of the Minstrel” by Cornell Campbell.

He has also co-authored tunes with the current reggae sensations: Buju Banton and Beenie Man. His new album is scheduled for release late 2004 and his new single from the album is titled “I Cry.”