SLY & ROBBIE:
Sly and Robbie, affectionately known as the Riddim Twins, are perhaps the premiere architects of the modern sound of Jamaican music. Building on the cornerstones of Studio 1 and other early pioneers of the Jamaican recording industry, Sly and Robbie became the driving force behind the fabled Channel 1 sound that dominated reggae throughout the late 70's and early 80's. Subsequent work, most notably with Peter Tosh and Black Uhuru, set the pace for the changing sound of reggae in the post-Bob Marley era. Their stellar playing and production work have also graced albums for a host of international artists including, among many, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and No Doubt. The Riddim Twins have earned two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album earned, and another nomination this year (2007). Estimates put the number of tracks they have touched from 50,000 to 200,000. With those numbers, there aren't many artists out there this talented duo haven't worked with. ------------------------------------------------------------
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CHERINE ANDERSON:
She stands at five feet, three inches tall, soaking up the world with a voice reminiscent of pure and untainted soul. What kind of soul? According to songstress Cherine Anderson, this sould is unlike any other, for it is DANCEHALL SOUL, "a mixture of reggae, dancehall, soul and R&B, truly incorporating the grittiness of my past with the sweetness of the things I have been fortunate to be exposed to." In this modern day parade of glamour, glitz, and unmerited superstardom, Cherine embodies star-like qualities. She is a true triple threat: singer, songwriter and acclaimed Jamaican actress, having starred in two of Jamaica's most successful films, Dancehall Queen (1997) and One Love (2003). Lately, Cherine has been focusing her attention on writing music and collaborating with industry giants like Sly & Robbie, David Norland (Madonna, Janet Jackson, Dallas Austin), JeekyMan (Lil Kim), as well as prominent Jamaican producers such as Steven "Lenky" Marsden (Sean Paul) and Christopher Birch (Shaggy). Reggae and urban radio stations in Jamaica, the US, Canada, several European countries, as well as internet radio have already fallen for the sweet voice spilling from their systems courtesy of her debut hit single, "Good Love". Cherine quickly followed "Good Love" with a lover's rock duet with Chuck Fenda which quickly topped both the singles and the video charts in Jamaica. Cherine's latest release, "Kingston State of Mind", currently released to radio, provides Cherine's perspetive on the realities of the environment in Kingston. This song's content illustrates the songwriting depth that lies in this young artist._____________________________________________________
___________It is important to note that this profound talent did not emerge overnight. In fact, history was in the making at a very young age for Cherine. Born in Rockfort in East Kingston, Jamaica, her parents Derryck and Barbara Anderson kept Cherine and her two older sisters in Sunday school and any other church activity that would keep them off the unstable streets. It was in church that her musical talent was discovered. Cherine explains, "it wasn't so much the message in the church songs that appealed to me at first...it was the passion and strength of peoples' voices." At the age of 12, she became a touring member of Ashe Performing Arts Ensemble, one of the Caribbean's most successful performance companies, and received professional training in dance, music and theatre. In 2003, Cherine combined her two loves, singing and acting, starring in the film One Love. Her voice lent two heartfelt songs to the film's soundtrack, and her acting talent earned her the MTV2/Urbanworld Film Festival Award for Best Actress in a Feature Film._______________________________________________________
_________One would think that nothing else could possibly fit into this seemingly superstar equation, yet there is more. Not only does this young woman possess talent, beauty and class, but Cherine is also a highly educated, intelligent woman as well. Having graduated with honors from the prestigious Middlebury College with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Music and a minor in Japanese Language and Literature, Cherine continuously raises the bar for herself in every aspect of her life. During her college career, her passion and dedication to her craft led her to acquire numerous internships at entertainment companies including MTV Networks, Interscope records and the Chris Blackwell owned Palm Pictures and Palm Records.____________________________________________________
____________"THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR MORE REGGAE AND DANCEHALL FROM A FEMALE'S PERSPECTIVE. I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH GREAT LEGACY SET BY BOB MARLEY, SHABBA, ETC... BUT I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE FEMALE MOVEMENT OUT OF JAMAICA THAT MAKES A SIMILAR OR EVEN GREATER IMPRESSION ON THE WORLD."_____________________________________________________
___________According to reggae legend Sly Dunbar, "Cherine is the real deal. A truly strong vocalist on hard core reggae riddims with the ability and potential to surpass Jamaican audiences to reach the masses." With all the attention on reggae, reggaeton and dancehall on the international market, Cherine has all the right ingredients: vocal and acting talent, beauty, intellect, and a solid understanding of the entertainment industry, to be more than just a successful artist - but a Caribbean brand.______________________________________________________
__________Some Cherine Facts
-Cherine co-starred in Dancehall Queen playing the sexually molested teen daughter Tanya in 1997
-Cherine has written for Bootsy Collins and appears with Fat Joe on the song entitled "Soul Sister" on Bootsy's 2003 release Playing with Bootsy
-Cherine's first release was a cover of Gloria Estefan's Party Time in 1998
-Cherine studied Japanese Language and Literature at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan
-Cherine has three songs which appear in the film One Love
-Cherine recorded with Wyclef Jean and Sting while she was still in high school
-Cherine's official debut single "Good Love" (produced by Sly & Robbie) peaked at #2 on the South Florida reggae charts
-Cherine's single and video for "Coming Over Tonight" peaked and spent several weeks at #1 in Jamaica
-Cherine directed the video for "Kingston State of Mind"
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DESDAMONA:__________________________________________________
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"WHERE I'M FROM I AM THE PINNACLE. I STAND ALONE. UNFORGETTABLE." Desdamona "Infinity"
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____Desdamona is the premier female hip hop and spoken word artist in the Midwest. A FIVE time Minnesota Music Award winner for Best Spoken Word Artist (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). What about 2001 and 2002, you might ask? The award didn't even EXIST those two years! It is clear that Desdamona's potent poetry and fierce hip hop delivery have been an invariable force. making her mark not only in the Twin Cities, Desdamona has graced some of America's most famous stages including The Green Mill in Chicago, The Five Spot in Philadelphia, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe in NYC, and The National Poetry Slam Competition. Des won Honolulu's Slam Championship (Hawaii's largest) in 2004. She has warmed the stages for numerous artists including: Faith Evans, Mint Condition, Wyclef Jean, Black Uhuru (Sly & Robbie), GURU, Saul Williams, Jon B, Medusa & Pam the Funkstress, Bahamadia, Ursula Rucker and Rhymesayers Artists.____________________________________________________
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"WE ARE THE MESH THAT THESE NEXT CHILDREN WILL BE SIFTED THROUGH...SO IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO." Desdamona "Refracted Light"
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____Des has spent years working hard, not only on her own career, but making a point to help others along the way as well. She has organized and participated in countless events benefiting various charities over the past decade. For four years she has hosted a popular weekly open mic event at The Blue Nile (Minneapolis), giving artists and musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents and network. She also co-founded B Girl Be, the only international female hip hop festival to incorporate all four elements of hip hop. B Girl Be (named after one of her poems) successfully celebrated its third annual festival in June, 2007._______________________________________________________
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"I DON'T STOP. THEY CALL ME PROLIFIC. BLESSED AT BIRTH WITH THE VIRTUE TO PREVAIL." Desdamona "I Don't Stop" (The Ledge)
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____In 2005, Desdamona released her first full length cd The Ledge. Largely produced by legendary duo Sly & Robbi, Desdamona garnered abundant positive write ups on the project, and earned, in addition to her win for Best Spoken Word Artist, MMA nominations for Best Hip Hop Recording (The Ledge), Critics' Choice for Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year._______________________________________________________
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"SO PUT DOWN YOUR MAP AND SET YOUR OWN COURSE AND IF YOU GET LOST REMEMBER LOVE." Desdamona "The Source"
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____Up next for Desdamona is the release of her new cd, The Source. In her follow up to The Ledge, Desdamona is sure to shock many fans with the diverse offerings, and may just redefine that oft used term "triple threat artist". Traveling seamlessly between spitting vicious rhymes, singing melodious hooks or entire songs, or taking you on a journey as she effortlessly streams a thought provoking poem, it will amaze the listener that all that talent is coming from a sole artist. Desdamona also played a big part in the creation of The Source, co-producing 11 tracks on the album. On the cd's opening track "Infinity", Des teams with beatboxer Carnage for a high energy introduction. The duo, aptly dubbed 'Ill Chemistry', is a rising pair on the scene, bringing you "old school hip hop from scratch". Ill Chemistry earned a nod at the MMA's last year for Best Hip Hop Artist or Group. With talent abound, there's no need for a guest "dropping 16" on every track. Instead, Desdamona holds her own, asking us to "...remember love, love is The Source" in the title track, and weaving family stories in "Refracted Light" and "Too Big for My Skin". After frequent guest features with stellar Twin Cities band The New Congress, Des asked the band to produce two songs, "Planetarium - the Satellite" and "Faulty Fuses - Tripped", both previously released on The Ledge, as the songs quickly became fan favorites.__________________________________________________
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"RECLINE, IN THIS CHAIR OF MINE, AND LET YOUR SOUL FLY HIGH...CLOSE YOUR EYES, HYPNOTIZED." Desdamona "Mellow Blue"
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____Stepping out of her 'comfort zone' of rhyme, The Source includes songs "Orange and Blue" and "Mellow Blue", illustrating not only Desdamona's singing ability, but her diversity as a gifted songwriter as well. Two of the most emotional pieces on the album, both in content and delivery, are the poems "Hymn of the Human Spirit" and "Miss America". These pieces are sure to leave a mark after the first listen, although the complexity of Des's words will beckon for repeats. The Source will be a nationally released project on FS Music.______________________________________________________
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"I RECOGNIZE IT IN YOU EVERY DAY...GROWING STRONGER. AND IT IS MAGNIFICENT." Desdamona "Hymn of the Human Spirit"
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____The legendary Jamaican "Riddim Twins" Sly and Robbie are pleased to return to Desdamona's follow up project, offering remixes to two songs on her album, ("The Source", "Orange and Blue"). Drummer Sly Dunbar says, "the first time I ever heard Desdamona's voice she drive me crazy! I want to wish her the best on her album...I know it's going to do great for her!" Bassist Robbie Shakespeare adds, "That girl...she should (be) named Shakespeare! The way she puts words - I can't explain! You have to listen and you get the feel because words can't explain the way that girl work. Desamona is the best!" If you want to hear the words from Sly and Robbie themselves, you can do just that at the end of "The Source" remix! Producer of The Source Paul Marino also praises Des saying, "Working with Desdamona on this album has been an incredible experience! Her beautiful voice and poetry, combined with her ability to deliver her songs and words with such passion and emotion is truly remarkable. Desdamona is one of the most talented and creative artists I've ever had the opportunity to work with. I feel blessed to have been able to be a part of this record."____________________________________________________
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"WHATCHA GONNA LEAVE BEHIND?" Desdamona "Infinity"
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____Desdamona says, "My intention in writing and recording The Source was to provoke thought, questions and communication, and engage people through my music. I want to inspire and motivate people to create and make change. I think that we are in a dark time and I want people to know that they have the power of light and the opoprtunity to create a new reality for themselves as individuals and as a global community."
