Clarks shoes might not be the epitome of cool here in the UK, but in Jamaica, they hold a special place in Jamiacans’ hearts. Referenced in hundreds of reggae and dancehall songs, the “champion shoes” are the preferred footwear of gangsters, school children, Rastas, government officials and everybody in between, and it’s been that way for as long as anybody can remember.
Now One Love Books is releasing the long-awaited second edition of Al Fingers‘ cult classic, Clarks in Jamaica, updated with new interviews, photographs and previously unseen archive material.
With a focus on the Jamaican singers and DJs who have worn and sung about Clarks over the decades, this classic style reference explores how footwear made by a Quaker firm in the quiet English village of Street in Somerset from 1825 became the “baddest” shoes in Jamaica and an essential part of the island’s culture.
The Alpha Institute
Mere days away from marking 141 years of existence, the Alpha Institute credited with influencing the development of Ska and Reggae has received a boost for its music program.
On Monday, Sandals Foundation unveiled a 20-foot ‘Alpha Ska’ installation done by local artist Lisa Lindo and based on the late Michael ‘Freestylee’ Thompson’s design. The “mild steel” art installation is overlooking a performance space at the end of a 100-foot Music Walkway a $2.6-million upgrade sponsored by Sandals Foundation.
Sandals Foundation which is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International said in a statement on Monday that the upgrade also included multi-core audio mixing equipment for live performances and didactic panels that explain Alpha’s role and approach to music education for visitors and students to enjoy.
Reggae artiste Trinity died on Friday at the National Chest Hospital in St Andrew.
The Three Piece Suit singer had been diagnosed with diabetes and had been hospitalised over a week before he died of complications surrounding the disease.
He would have been 67 years old this year.
Rodguel Blackbeard Sinclair, a famed 70s dub music producer, was a close friend of Trinity, and even produced an album, Trinity and Friends , which was released in France earlier this year. I spoke to Trinity last week Friday and he sounded good even though he was in the hospital. [Friday], mi and his sister were here and her phone ring and the doctor said, Ms Brammer, it s your brother, and she said, Him dead? The doctor then said, No, him no dead, but during the night, him tek down and have to go intensive care . She asked what she can do and the doctor said, You can pray? Cause him weak weak. From the doctor said that, mi give up at the same time. This morning, Roy Francis cal
Reggae deejay and producer Wade Brammer, better known as Trinity, has died.
The singer succumbed to complications surrounding a diabetic condition at the National Chest Hospital in St. Andrew, Jamaica this morning after he had been hospitalized for over a week. He was 67.
Trinity’s song
Three Piece Suit was considered by many to be the first hit Dancehall tune in 1977 when it led the way for the era of music that was to come.
Rodguel ‘Blackbeard’ Sinclair, one of most famed 70s dub reggae music producers, confirmed his death and told
DancehallMag of his recent interactions with the singer. “I spoke to Trinity last week Friday and he sounded good even though he was in the hospital,” he said.