Deadly Dragon Sounds farewell...

I want to thank my fellow Deadly Dragons for all of the hard work over the last 5+ years in putting together this great show on East Village Radio. Due to scheduling and conflicts with East Village Radio, the show has been moved and renamed and I will be continuing to select and host it as a solo Dragon. This blog will remain here and you will still be able to access some of our favorite archives. Big thanks as well to all of the artists and fellow selectors that have blessed up the show.

You can catch Deadly Dragon every Thursday night for Downtown Top Ranking at Happy Ending in NYC, or at the store in Chinatown and Scratch Famous continues to put up killer podcasts on the Deadly Dragon Podomatic Site.

You can also catch me over at QueenMajesty.com and now on Thursdays at East Village Radio from 2-4pmET for Jamaica Rock.

Thanks for the support!

07.09.12 - Studio One Session

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As you can see from the photo above, Studio One is a top label and choice of sound for Queen Majesty. This show is two hours of some favorite Studio One songs of hers, but she could probably play her favorite Studio One tunes back to back for two weeks. That's just how vast and excellent these musical cuts are. Check the archive and the playlist!

07.02.12 - Wolf Meets Dragon

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For this show, Queen Majesty joined forces with the excellent show before hers, Chances With Wolves. She played an hour long set of non-reggae vinyl on their show for the second hour (episode #206) and then the wolves were guests for the first hour of Deadly Dragon Sounds. Check the archive and the playlist!

06.25.12 - Strictly 12" Singles

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Queen Majesty brought a crate of some of her favorite 12" singles to the studio for this show. Not only is the sound quality of these gems superior but often you get a different or extra version of a song that you wouldn't normally have. Check the archive and playlist!

06.18.12 - Summer Breeze

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Summertime, and the living is easy... Queen Majesty selected some nice summer tunes for you and even put a few calypso songs in there as well. Check the archive and playlist!

06.11.12 - Africa We Want To Go

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Queen Majesty was blessed with a trip to Ghana about this time last year, and in thinking of this was inspired to select 2 hours of her favorite reggae songs about Africa. Check the archive.

06.04.12 - Sound Boy Killing

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Big ups to the great SHINEHEAD for the killer dub plate that started off this show and also inspired the theme. Queen Majesty mixes nuff sound tunes amongst some of her other favorites throughout the show, check the archive!

05.21.12 - Brigadier Jerry LIVE in the studio

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Brigadier Jerry is one of the most popular cultural DJ’s to regularly improvise over Jamaican sound systems. He started out at the legendary U-Roy's King SturGav Hi-Fi system in the early '70s, and soon moved on to the Jah Love Muzik system. A brilliant lyrical improviser, Briggy -- as he is affectionately known -- elevated the standards for speed and fluidity in DJ chatting technique, laying the groundwork for much of what followed. Highly respected in Jamaica as a conscious DJ, Briggy was a soundsystem teacher, teaching Rasta culture to the multitudes. Bootleg recordings of these dancehall sessions started to leak out internationally amongst the deeper cultural enthusiasts, spreading Briggy’s name abroad. In the years to come, other DJ’s were to follow his example, but Brigadier Jerry remains as the teacher who set the standard. We were very excited to have him on the show, play some of his hits like Jamaica, Jamaica as well as chat with him about what he is up to now musically, spiritually and anything else he would like to share. We also previewed a newly pressed limited edition vinyl release from Israel Vibration called Bad Intention that previously only ever existed as a dubplate for Jah Love Muzik sound system (and you can get it while you can at DeadlyDragonSound.com).

05.14.12 - Beatles covers & Subatomic Sound

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Mother's Day was this past weekend, so for this show Queen Majesty did an hour of Beatles reggae covers in honor of her own mother who both listens in every week and loves the Fab Four. She has been digging up the best covers for you for some time, and has found some for this show like Bob Marley's And I Love Her from Studio One. During the second hour we played lots of Lee "Scratch" Perry in support of his upcoming NYC show and were joined in the studio by Emch of Subatomic Sound System who is playing alongside Perry on the tour. Besides some music and talk of the tour, he also brought a man who has worked with Perry on various projects for almost 20 years, Paul Zasky, band leader and bass player of Dubblestandart out of Vienna.

05.07.12 - Lloyd Brevett Skatalites Tribute

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Another great piece of musical foundation passed on to the other side. LLoyd Brevett, the double bassist who helped carry ska music from Jamaica to the world as a founding member of the influential band The Skatalites passed on this past Thursday at the age of 80 years old. This show is dedicated to the Skatalites. We have chosen to play some our favorite sogs from them as well as SOund Dimension and Soul Brothers tunes and other ska legends like Prince Buster that worked with them.

04.30.12 Carlton "Tetrack" Hines LIVE in the studio

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Tetrack was originally Carlton Hines, Dave Harvey and Paul Mangaroo. They formed in the early 1970s, catching the ear of producer and instrumentalist Augustus Pablo, for whom they cut the strong singles I'm Not Satisfied (1975) and Let's Get Started (1977). The latter became the title-piece of their first album for Pablo in 1980, followed by a second for Gussie Clarke before the outfit called it a day towards the end of the digital decade.
We were so glad to have Carlton Hines on the show to hear and talk about his latest album Unfinished Business. The revived line up initially featured Hines, Harvey and new recruit Norris Reid of the Viceroys - but Harvey left prior to the start of the project. The regrouping came to the attention of another master producer (and colleague of Pablo's) Clive Chin who helped arrange download distribution from VP.
It's a wicked album, definitely grab it online and big up Michael from VP for bringing Carlton to the show! He is a man with lots of stories of the history of the music, I wish we had more time to talk to him but hopefully he will be back on the show again. Check the archive for the interview and the preview.

04.23.12 - Romain Virgo LIVE in the studio

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Twenty-two year old Jamaican musical sensation Romain Virgo joined Queen Majesty live in the studio to discuss the release of his sophomore album The System on VP Records. This soon-to-be-released album of 15 original songs is both personal and universal and Romain's sincere delivery brings those elements together. Queen Majesty talked to Romain about the album while previewing it during the live stream. She also selected some of Romain's older tracks throughout the show, such as the Donovan Germain-produced hit single Who Feels It Knows It, and Romain does a wicked take over the Conversation riddim live on the air! Check the album and the archive!

04.16.12 - Cool Cool Collie Edition

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In preparation for April 20th aka 420, Queen Majesty put together 2 hours of her favorite songs about weed, collie, kutchie, kaya, herb, ishen, sensi, ganja, tu shun peng, mary jane and hi grade for you. Playlist here. Enjoy!

04.09.12 - DJ Art of Newtown Sound New Zealand selects

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Fellow reggae head and vinyl lover DJ Art aka Heart Offishal from Newtown Sound in New Zealand aka Aotearoa is in town with some tunes to share. Lucky for us he was able to bring some to the show as well as joining us this Thursday night at our weekly Downtown Top Ranking party! Queen Majesty starts out the show with some digital and 80s roots and dub for you, and then the second hour is DJ Art's who shared some favorite 45s and then treated us to some wicked New Zealand tunes as well as a production or two of his own - Check the archive! Also check him for the next few weeks while he is here, book him!

03.26.12 Female Artist Salute w/ Grace Of Spades

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Big up all the ladies! In honor of Women's History Month, we decided to take this last Monday of March and dedicate it to all of the big female artists out there, many majorly underrated. Queen Majesty starts out the show with her hour tribute then hands over the decks to our good friend and fellow vinyl junkie Grace Of Spades. Grace drops some wicked and big tunes inna mostly dancehall style - many tunes you have probably never heard before so definitely check the archive!

03.12.12 - Jack Scorpio of Black Scorpio LIVE in the studio

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Deadly Dragon Sounds was proud to welcome back Jack Scorpio of Black Scorpio Records and Sound System! Black Scorpio Disco started started in 1971 by Maurice "Jack" Johnson and soon after formed into a top clashing sound as well as a worldwide label. Jack Scorpio is one of Jamaica's top veteran music producers with countless hit songs as well as working with performers such as Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, Capleton, Yellowman, and Sean Paul just to name a few.

This show features many Black Scorpio songs as well as a selection of specials and dub plates from the big man himself and some chatting about the history of Jamaican music straight from the mouth of this legendary pioneer.

AND you can check the legendary artist himself this THURSDAY night at Downtown Top Ranking for a special Black Scorpio edition! We will also be celebrating the birthday of our good friend and DTR's mic specialist JD Ranking!

03.05.12 - Gentleman LIVE in the studio

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Gentleman, the German multi-platinum and award-winning reggae artist is here for his first NYC showcase in promotion of the US debut of his latest album, Diversity on VP Records. This album stays true to his first musical love: roots reggae and also has him teaming up with top Jamaican recording artists like Tanya Stephens, the late great Sugar Minott and producers such as Don Corleon, Red Roze, Shane Brown, Xtermintor and Firehouse Crew.

We we're thrilled to have Gentleman stop by the studio and not only did we get to talk to him about his tour and latest album, we were treated to a LIVE acoustic performance from the man himself alongside his backup singer and wife Tamika (check out her album Piece of Mind out now) and guitarist Stahl. Please check the archive for this special show - video up soon!

MARCH 13th 2012 - Be sure to check Gentleman at Le Poisson Rouge with Richie Stephens + Meta and the Cornerstones!

02.13.12 - Screechy Dan Valentine's special

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It's the day before Valentine's Day and that makes us Deadly Dragons think of love. It could be love of your husband, your matie or even the love of reggae and rocksteady but it is love nonetheless. For this occasion we brought some of our favorite love and heartbreak songs to play. We are then joined by the mega-talent that is Screechy Dan. Screechy brings some tunes of his to share with us (including a song with The Manhattans!) as well as killing it on the mic with some spontaneous freestyle - check the archive!

02.06.12 - Bob Marley Birthday

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It's that time of year again, when we do our Bob Marley birthday show (and it's his birthday). This year it falls exactly on the right date and to celebrate we brought not only our favorite songs sung from one of the most famous men in reggae history, but also songs from his wife Rita, his sons Damian, Stephen and some of our favorite Bob Marley and The Wailers cover tunes. Picture by our favorite photographer David Corio. Check the archive!

01.30.12 - Neil Nice's Dennis Brown selections

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Our good friend Neil Nice from Turntable Lab brought a stack of his favorite Dennis Brown vinyl and also one of his fellow reggae collectors Dermski to the show to do a killer Dennis Brown tribute in honor of his birthday on February 2nd. Check the archive!

01.23.12 - Winston Riley Techniques tribute show

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We were very saddened to learn last week that Winston Riley had died, having dies from complications due to gunshot wounds to the head. As a teenager, Riley founded the influential harmony group, The Techniques, which recorded for Duke Reid"s Treasure Isle label. He also went on to start his own "Techniques" label after gaining fame for producing such songs as Double Barrel by Dave Barker and Ansel Collins. With this label, he went on to produce the famous Stalag riddim which features some hits like Bam Bam by Sister Nancy and Ring The Alarm by Tenor Saw. These songs and that riddim has had an enormous influence on later dancehall as well as hip hop. Winston Riley was one of the hardest workers in the business, and is said to have been one of the people responsible for introducing reggae to England.

We don't have the words to say enough about his work as a musician and producer, but he is definitely one of the reasons why we specialize in selecting only reggae music and why it is so special, varied, and vast. For this show we play some of our favorite songs from The Techniques as well as from the Techniques label, please check the archive.

01.16.12 - MLK Day w/ SuperFly of Legal Vibes Sound

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Every year we do a tribute set to the late great Dr. Martin Luther King. These can be reggae songs that directly reference him or they can be songs that we think has his spirit in mind. Queen Majesty starts off the show with these kind of selections and then is joined by the selector SuperFly of Legal Vibes Sound, who began in his early djing career in Trinidad. He takes the second half of the show and dedicates it to some late greats of the reggae world in a one-two punch vinyl style. Check the archive.

01.09.12 - Johnny Clarke Birthday

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The Deadly Dragons are big fans of the talented and prolific artist Johnny Clarke, and what better excuse to play a bunch of our favorite Johnny Clarke tunes but for the big man's Earthstrong! His birthday is really on January 12th, but we were lucky enough to be able to place a call to him on-air down in Jamaica and give him some of our good wishes directly! Please check the archive.

01.02.12 - John Igei guest selections

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Yes, welcome to 2012 everyone! Big thanks to Deadly Dragon's own Mr. K for holding down this show alongside our friend John Igei. John brought along some of his favorite vinyl to the show and nuff Digital B selections! Check the archive.

12.19.11 - Deadly Dragon Holiday Special

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This is the time of year where you can actually dust off the reggae versions of Christmas songs and give them a spin on the turntables, and we did not let it pass us by. It is pretty much a full holiday song show, done inna Deadly Dragon fashion. We were also joined in the studio by our friend Steven Nero from Single Ape in California. You may have heard him dj at Happy Ending when we were lucky enough to have him to drag some of his vinyl to the East Coast. Check his website and also the archive!

12.05.11 - Barry Llewellyn & Fattis Burrell Tribute

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We were very saddened to learn that two big artists in Jamaican music had passed away. The first was Barry Llewellyn, one of the founding members of the legendary The Heptones who passed away from pneumonia at 63 on November 23rd in Saint Andrew, Jamaica. The second was the celebrated, prolific producer Phillip "Fattis" Burrel of the Kingston, JA based Xterminator Records, who passed away from medical complications after a stroke at the young age of 57 years.

Queen Majesty and Scratch Famous take turns playing their favorite Heptones and Xterminator tunes in loving memory to these two musical greats, may they rest in peace. Check the archive to listen to the show.

11.29.11 - Special DDS edition with Jimmy Cliff!

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The legendary talent Jimmy Cliff was in town to support his new EP "Sacred Fire" produced by Tim Armstrong. Scratch Famous and I were honored to have a chance to meet the man and talk to him about his latest musical efforts in a very special edition of Deadly Dragon Sounds, check the archive, and also his website....

11.21.11 - Metric Man aka The Freedom Fighter

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Our friend Metric Man graced us with his talent and warm personality for this show, please check his info below and the archive!

Music is a gift given by the most high God to the soul of mankind. It is up to the vessel to carry out the works thereafter and surely Metric Man is doing his part to fully execute his musical ability.
Born in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad and Tobago comes the voice of this versatile Reggae performing artist. His unique style and versatility has no limit. His vocals and presence are backed by political activism and social consciousness blended with an infectious Reggae vibe.
His melodies can make you groove while the Freedom Fighter conveys deep messages in a rough and raspy yet smooth and captivating voice. In him you can hear the people chanting for Equal Rights and Justice for all of mankind. Performing in school calypso shows at the age of 8, this Singer and Songwriter is the real deal.
His convictions are apparent in his lyrics, which are clearly rooted in his culture and proud heritage of a Caribbean warrior.

Metric Man Myspace

11.14.11 - special guests DJ Tomas & Machaco!

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DJ Tomas (Umoja Soundsystem/Voltage Music) has DJ’ed on radio and in clubs for over 20 years; he's also played drums in alternative rock bands, written for Urb and XLR8R magazine, and hosted radio shows since the late-80s. The Bay Area native started out as a radio DJ in high school and later at college station KXLU in LA. He began spinning clubs in 1990 and co-founded the Umoja Soundsystem, a six-person multicultural, multi-genre music crew. Umoja Hi-Fi is an eclectic group known for reggae, jazz, hip-hop, soul, electronic, house, broken beat, Latin and Afrobeat – a unity of culture through music.
Check his blog...

Born and raised in Aichi, Machaco’s musical career began as a singer / DJ for the Dynasty sound system in 1992. Her talent being recognized immediately, she started to record for a variety of producers ever since. Machaco has been one of the most consistently successful female vocalists in the history of reggae music in Japan, and is becoming a successful producer at the same time.

Queen Majesty and Selector JD were grateful to be joined by them for this show, please check the archive!

11.07.11 - DJ Rata guest selects

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Our good friend and great selector Rata joins us with his favorite 45 selections for you, including some crazy beautiful Chinese rocksteady cut - check the archive!

10.24.11 - Producer Gyasi Addae LIVE in the studio

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Deadly Dragon Sound welcomed legendary NYC label owner, producer and sound system operator Gyasi Addae into the studio. In the late 80s/ early 90s the sound of Gyasi's was the sound of New York Dancehall. In a relatively small period he released an enormous amount of 12"s and LPs and discovered such huge dancehall hit makers as Super C, Mad Lion, Princess Goldie and more. Queen Majesty and Scratch Famous will be talking to him about the golden age of New York dancehall and the future it promises to hold, as well as his own ranking alter ego and more! Check the archive.

10.10.11 - Jasmine Solano guest selections

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Jasmine Solano is a Brooklyn-based rapper and DJ whose debut single, “That’s Not It” can now be seen on MtvU. Born in Philadelphia, her career began after she took an opportunity to host her own radio show called, The Secret Spot, featured on Boston’s WERS 88.9FM in which she received the Urban Music Award for Best Female Radio Personality. Jasmine is known not only for her skills on the mic but also on the decks, and she brings some of her favorite reggae tunes for us. Check the archive as well as www.jasminesolano.com!

10.03.11 - DJ Ayres guest selection

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DJ Ayres has been a staple in the NYC dj scene for over a decade with countless popular parties, mixes and remixes to prove it. Ayres brings his fondness for reggae to the show and selects some classic tunes as well as some things we have never heard before. Be sure to check the archive as well as www.djayres.com!

09.26.11 - John Cardiel aka Juan Love guest selects

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The legendary pro skater John Cardiel aka DJ Juan Love was in town from California and stopped by to guest select on the show! John has been collecting and selecting reggae for some time now, and his natural positivity and contagious spirit comes out in the songs he chooses to play. Take a listen to the archive!