The SXSW showcase will feature live performances by the previously mentioned artists at The Driskill Hotel’s Victorian Room on Friday, March 16. On the following day (March 17), a panel of industry experts discuss their influential roles in Bass Culture. These key figures include producer/writer Mykaell Riley from the Grammy-winning group Steel Pulse, Channel One Sound System DJ Mikey Dread, BBC’s radio personality Robbo Ranx and recording artist Lady Leshurr.

Punch Records are partnering up with Blue Lotus Music Group and Continental Drift to compile a 12 track Reggae CD for the South by Southwest festival. If you’re a live Reggae band who are interested in being on the South by Southwest compilation CD, send us a demo track or myspace/soundcloud  link to ammo@punch-records.co.uk to be considered for the  festival demo compilation. The deadline to submit the tracks for the complilation CD is Wednesday February 29 2012.  For more information on the Bass Culture Showcase, click here.

SXSW 12 from BBN TV on Vimeo.

Contact Ammo Talwar at Punch for further information on:
0121 224 7444/ammo@punch-records.co.uk

With a twenty year career in British broadcasting behind him, rising through the ranks from BBC local radio in London to being a part of the launch team at BBC 1Xtra in 2001, the revolutionary new national station devoted to Black music; Ray Paul begins his tenure with a major tour ‘Jamaica Party’ exploring the deep and enduring influence of Jamaican music,  featuring high profile artists including; Mala, Channel One and Top Cat.

Ammo Talwar, CEO of Punch quotes:

“We are very excited to have Ray Paul join Punch in this senior post. His skills and knowledge of Black music will redefine Punch’s annual music programme. 2012 will be a landmark year for us with a series of tours, festivals and events linked to celebrating Jamaica’s 50 years of independence and the London 2012 Olympics”.

In the 1950′s, Jamaicans brought the sound of the Island direct to British dance floors. Under the influence of Mento, Ska and Reggae, UK producers, DJs and muscians changed the sound of British music forever. Jungle, Dubstep, Garage, Grime and Hip-Hop are all rooted in Reggae. The Channel One Soundsystem spread pure and undiluted Roots across the globe for over 30 years. Top Cat, a key player in the early days of Jungle, started his career on the Coxsone Soundsystem as a toaster.

The Heatwave Crew embody what this tour is about - a UK Bashment Soundsystem dropping Jungle, Grime, Roots, Hip-Hop and Dancehall in their tear-out sets.
The toasting / MC tradition is represented by RoxXxan, Lady Leshur, and Rtkal -the movers and shakers of the mic scene today and tomorrow.

If you want more, headlining the six tour dates will be Mala, Coki, The Bug and FlowDan. Having dominated the scene with gritty and intense productions, they will need no introduction.

Jamacia Party is bringing all these scene stalwarts together for a six date tour of the UK.

Dates

3 February – World HQ, Newcastle (Deviate)

4 February – Stylus, Leeds (Vagabondz)

6 February – The Ritz, Manchester (Hit and Run)

10 February – Stealth, Nottingham (Basslaced)

17 February – Life, Brighton

24 February – Cable, London (Vagabondz/ Subdub)

Afrobeat Vibration Spring Tour 2011

19 March Manchester Band on the Wall

24 March, Bristol Fiddlers

25 March Exeter Phoenix

26 March London Afrobeat Vibration New Empowering Church, Hackney

8 April Birmingham Midlands Arts Centre

15 April Colchester Arts Centre

Following this tour Dele triumphantly returned to Birmingham in 2011, playing a storming set at Mostly Jazz festival in July and then to lead in the Fela Kuti birthday celebration Felabration! at the Hare and Hounds.

From his early discovery as a green 16 year old keyboardist by Fela Kuti, who brought him into his band Egypt 80, Dele rose to prominence as musical director of Fela’s legendary 30 piece band during the 80’s and 90’s.

Whilst at the helm he hatched a plan for a new more aggressive sound, featuring shorter songs and tighter arrangements with an old school mate, who just happened to be Fela’s son Femi Kuti. The result was the band Positive Force, with whom he toured globally for a decade, honing his craft and exploring all the richness of this amazing music, which is now featured in his own 10 piece band.

Increasingly Jazz and other styles started to feature in his thinking and Dele opted to jump ship and pursue his own musical vision, packing his bags and heading to London to form his own group. Being his own man has really suited him, allowing the realization of his own vision – one that’s faithful to the Fela blueprint, but also clearly bears Dele’s own DNA, exploring the jazzier side of Afrobeat. With performances live on Radio Resonance 104.4 FM, Jazz Refreshed at Mau Mau Bar and at the recently concluded World City Music Village festival at London’s Hyde Park Dele is justifiably coming out of the back rooms and into the limelight.

Dele Sosimi and the cast of Fela! celebrated Fela’s birthday at Camden’s Jazz Cafe which you can see on YouTube below.

Dele and Fela! cast celebrate at Jazz Cafe

Afrobeat Vibration Deles Bimonthly sessions have also grown to be London’s top African underground event, very much at the forefront of London’s current love affair with African music

Roots reggae has been cited by many music critics of the 20th century as the mother of many modern music forms. Born from the garrisons of Jamaica this music has given a voice to disaffected peoples of all cultures and all backgrounds around the world. The messages of rebellion and truth seeking that roots provides struck a chord across the globe.

In the 1990′s artists like Ragga Twins, Rebel Mc & Lennie De Ice began to fuse roots reggae with acid house. Jungle techno, or as it was first called, 4beat, was born. Jungle is the child of reggae, conceived by the union of Jamaican sound system culture and British acid house music.

Director / Interviews — Chris Jones / Producer — Nick Hayman@ Burningwick / Elliot Seeds @ Motion Graphics / Sound Man — Alpesh Patel / Camera — Squeaky Clean, Sophie Akehurst, Ben Cornish.

Friday 14 October 2011 (9pm – 1am)

106 High St, Kings Heath, Birmingham,

Tickets £10 each or £20 for 3 at TICKETSELLERS

Punch, leftfoot and Mostly Jazz presents Felabration

Fela Kuti’s Birthday tribute concert is the annual event to celebrate the originator of Afrobeat. Led by Fela’s Egypt 80 keyboardist and musical director of award winning musical “FELA”, Dele Sosimi who moved to London in 1995 from Nigeria, stands out as one of the most active musicians currently on the Afrobeat scene worldwide. His dedication to Afrobeat has contributed to the development of many musical influences and interests in multi-cultural London. Covering a collection of Fela’s greatest works and tracks from Dele’s critically acclaimed albums “Identity” and “Turbulent Times”.

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/

For more info contact Paul Fordham on 0121 224 7444

Thursday 4th August

The Drum, Aston, 7.30pm

Punch Records and MUZIC4LIFE present’s Recognize – An eclectic mix of Hip-Hop, Gospel, Classic soul and RnB

Recognize includes major international artists including R Swift & Eshon Burgundy both from the USA.  Along with UK’s finest supporting artist’s Jahaziel, Melody from Nu Soul and a fresh new talent Ms Coco Dupree.

Djs include Dj Alex & Jamo (b2b)

A major music event not to be missed!!!!

R Swift is an avid poet and lyricist he performs music, which goes against the norm and challenges its listeners. R-Swift, a native New Yorker, now resides in Philadelphia. Although he began rapping when he was 11 years old and wanted to do things his own way, God inspired him to start his ministry at the age of 17 in 1998. Initially, he only rapped around his friends and in church until the lord saw it fit to move R-Swift’s ministry beyond the four walls of the church– for more info click here

Eshon Burgundy is also a talented lyricist, and has performed at numerous events in places like Canada, Detroit, Miami, California, New York, Chicago, and New Jersey; and even shared the stage with well-known artists including Mos Def, Common, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Talib Kweli, Roy Ayers and Pharoah Monch.

After years of dabbling in both secular and holy hip hop, Eshon finally decided to focus his message solely on the saving grace of God through Christ, but still for the streets– for more info click here

Jahaziel is a MOBO award winner that has a heart for the Gospel and has ministered on stages all over the world. Jahaziel has featured on renowned Gospels artist’s albums such as Lecrae, Da T.R.U.T.H, R Swift, Kim Burrell, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Cece Winans, Stacie Orrico and many others. Website  http://www.jahazielmusic.com/

Melody from Nu Soul

Is a talented singer song writer, with a voice that has to be heard to be believed, he has a passion for the Gospel. His soulful vocals will leave you with a nice warm feeling and a desire to hear more. Melody has been honing his craft for many years with his group Nu Soul, they are all currently working on different projects.

Coco Dupree

A sensational songstress with an electrifying passion for the art. Her passion for her craft can be felt through her music. Her eclectic sound is a wonderful blend of genres including traditional gospel, neo-soul, funk, Rock and Rnb.

Date:

Thursday 4^th August 2011 – The Drum, Potters Bar, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU http://www.the-drum.org.uk/

Saturday 6^th August 2011. The Albany Arts Centre, Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG 9pm-2am 0208 692 4446 www.thealbany.org.uk £10 adv

For more info contact punch on 0121 224 7444

www.punch-records.co.uk

The show uncovered the worldwide Bhangra phenomenon, showcasing individuals who have championed the UK and USA Bhangra scene with colourful album sleeves, personal photos and rare print for a visual musical journey.

A unique series of events at the popular venue 92YTribeca ensured that New York City experienced the international culture of Bhangra like never before. Brooklyn-based DJ Rekha, a musician and entrepreneur, was the catalyst behind this specially adapted exhibition.

Check out DJ Rekha on NYC’s 24 hour newschannel on the web, NY1 who have captured the exhibition and highlights from the night. Please click here to see.

The launch was celebrated by an interesting panel discussion led by Dr Rajinder Dudrah, University of Manchester with panelists; Shin from DCS, co-presenter and key partner DJ Rekha, UK DJ and journalist Boy Chana, New York based educator Nina Chanpreet and producer Erica Rubin.

Have a look at the pictures from the launch and show below:

The night ended with DJ’s Rekha & Boy Chana and a ground breaking performance by lead vocalist Shin helped by an audience raising the roof; Balle Balle! Check out the clip of Shin’s performance filmed by Desi Hits! an entertainment & lifestyle hub for Desi culture who were present at the exhibit and afterparty.

Following the overwhelming response from the launch in NYC, Punch now hope to tour this exhibition further in the states. For more information contact Ammo on 0121 224 7444 and click here to read about the exhibition. Also keep up to date with news or get involved by joining the Facebook page: Soho Road – Five Rivers to Five Boroughs.

On Sunday March 6th, the Punch team was in Bradford helping to bring the 2011 Peace Jam to life. A full programme of live art, performance and hands-on workshops was delivered to a young and enthusiastic audience from around the world. Everyone joined in exciting activities based around Punch’s popular “Fight the Power” exhibition, which is showing at the venue until the end of April 2011. Artists helped visitors make and display their own protest placards, print ransom notes and T-shirt slogans. Participants curated their own show of famously censored art, including photos of the Sistine chapel, Oscar Wilde’s grave and Buddhas defaced by the Taliban. Live performers LCB and Soul Hesson were on hand to deliver thought- provoking performance pieces.

The curators of “Fight the Power”, Scholars and Warriors, said –“ We don’t call this an exhibition, we call it a re-mixhibition, and the audience plays a part in shaping it every day. A few people have tried their best to censor certain images and exhibits. Hundreds more have added to it by uploading found images to the facebook group, joining in the discussions and sending in and pasting up their own slogans and art. It’s all part of the show, and it reveals how few cranks and bullies there really are in society, compared to the overwhelmingly sensible, playful and creative general public.”

Graphic designers  MMSIX and urban art agency Redhawk Logistica were involved in both the workshop and the show, which also features work by internationally renowned graffiti artists Mohammed Ali and Nigerian sleeve artist Lemi Ghariokwu. Lemi said about the show: “I am very proud to be a part of the show. Punch has helped bring my work to a whole new generation, and help make people aware of the plight of all who suffer injustice.”  Mohammed Ali said “This is an exhibition that shows people, especially young people, how graphic design and art can be used to champion the vulnerable and to fight injustice.”

Roots reggae has been cited by many music critics of the 20th century as the mother of many modern music forms. Born from the garrisons of Jamaica this music has given a voice to disaffected peoples of all cultures and all backgrounds around the world. The messages of rebellion and truth seeking that roots provides struck a chord across the globe.

In the 1990′s artists like Ragga Twins and Rebel Mc, (now known as Congo Natty) began to fuse roots reggae with acid house. Jungle techno, or as it was first called, 4beat, was born. Jungle is the child of reggae, conceived by the union of Jamiacan soundsystem culture and British acid house music. Dub to Jungle tour explores the living history of bass culture with an exclusive line up that delineates the development of the sound

Dub To Jungle tour includes Channel One Sound System, Congo Natty, Tenor Fly and Klose One who will be hitting a whole bunch of cities across the UK in May.

5 May Manchester The Ritz

Tel. 0161 236 8800 / www.ritznightclub.co.uk

6 May Leicester The Auditorium

Tel. 07790852062 / www.theauditorium.info

7 May Bournemouth The Old Firestation Club

Tel. 07827 932424 / www.oldfirestation.co.uk

13 May Bristol Trinity Centre

Tel. 0117 935 1200 / www.3ca.org.uk

14 May Stylus Leeds University Union

Tel. 07830249693 / www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/barsandclubs/styluspulseandmine/

20 May London Secret Shoreditch Warehouse

Tel. 07908785897 / www.the-shoreditch-warehouse.londonclub.tel

Download the flyer here- dub to jungle promotion flyer

Check out the advert below:

Rising to prominence as musical director of Fela Kuti’s lgenedary 30 piece band during the 80’s and 90’s, Dele moved onto form Positive Force with Femi Kuti and touring internationally.

Now leading his own orchestra he kicks off on a UK tour covering the following dates

Created by Decypher Collective with the cream of UK Spoken word, poetry and music talent, this is pioneering Grime Theatre not to be missed.

CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE FROM THE  TOUR

Full tour dates are
30 September Birmingham mac
macarts.co.uk
1 October Glasgow The Aches
thearches.co.uk
2 October Edinburgh HMV Picture House
hmv-picture-house
6 October London Barbican Centre
barbican.org.uk
7 October Bristol Metropolis
metropolisbristol.co.uk

Born in August 1940, and a self-taught musician, he began to play at the age of eighteen, a fan of American jazz but also fascinated by traditional music and with the percussion work of Ghanaian Guy Warren, who mixed traditional rhythms with the new sounds of American bebop. Invited to audition for a jazz-highlife band by Fela Kuti in 1964, he became an original member of Kuti’s Koola Lobitos highlife-jazz band and started a decades-long musical relationship.

Allen is known as the man who put the beat in Afrobeat, Nigeria’s most influential musical export – acombination of the heavy groove and universal appeal of soul with jazz, highlife, and the polyrhythms of Yoruba music. Allen’s fusion of drum styles perfectly complemented Fela’s new African groove and he recorded over 30 albums with Fela and Africa ’70 – widely regarded as Fela’s best works. He has also worked with Manu Dibango, King Sunny Ade and Ray Lema. While often returning to the Afrobeat template that made his name, in the years since Allen has also worked with a broad range of rock acts, such as Jimi Tenor, Sebastien Tellier, Charlotte Gainsbourg and, to general acclaim, with Damon Albarn, Paul Simonon as the group The Good, The Bad and the Queen.

A free exhibition charting the history of Bhangra will be on display in the foyer area at Warwick Arts Centre from Tuesday 11th May to Sunday 6th June 2010. Soho Road to the Punjab is a rolling project, which collects the memories and memorabilia of UK Bhangra. The exhibition explores, explains and celebrates the development of British Asian Music into a world class export. For more information, click here or visit the Soho Road to the Punjab website.

The play opens from Tuesday 25th May 2010 at Warwick Arts Centre with the press night at Warwick Arts Centre taking place on Wednesday 26th May at 7.30pm where Coventry artists, The Balle! Shava! Bhangra Dancers and Masterclass Dhol Drummers come together to perform from 6.45pm – 7.30pm in the foyer area. This is a free performance open to all non ticket holders.

The dancers bring their own individual experiences and unique style in the art of Bhangra dancing. They have toured alongside mainstream acts in the Bhangra industry and starred in number one Asian music videos. Masterclass led by Juggy Rihal have also toured with the biggest names in the Asian music scene and international artists with their aim to represent the Asian culture on a worldwide platform.

Please click here to see pictures taken from the press night and below check out the footage of the The Balle! Shava! Bhangra dancers and MasterClass Dhol Drummers performing:

For any enquiries on the performance please contact:
Kully Singh on 07850594655
The Balle! Shava! Bhangra Dancers and MasterClass Dhol Drummers

For more information call Punch on 0121 224 7444.

The network produces ten tours per year plus an associated programme of Learning and Participation work.

Black Routes is a partnership between five organisations – Africa Oyé (Liverpool), Punch (Birmingham) and Serious (London).

For more information on the Black Routes check out the dedicated website by clicking here.