HOUSE MUSIC FANS HEAD TO JAMAICA FOR 5-DAY DANCE PARTY

HOUSE MUSIC FANS HEAD TO JAMAICA FOR 5-DAY DANCE PARTY

by Dave Rodney, Caribbean Times Writer

This March, there will be no shortage of entertainment and sport activities on the island of Jamaica. As soon as the Buju Banton concert in Kingston is over and done, all roads will lead to the resort town of Negril where Jamaica Frenzy, a house music festival will take place from March 26 to 31.  This is the first year of what the promoters hope will be an annual event, and the festival  will feature a dazzling array of the best mix DJs in house and electronic dance music.

Among the world-class DJs and talent line-up announced for Jamaica Frenzy are Ultra Nate, Body& Soul with Francois K, Joe Claussell and Danny Krivit, Anane and Louis Vega, David Morales, Timmy Regisford, David Harness, Spen, Karizma, Kai Alce, Salah Alase, Gigi Testa, DJ Spinna, Manoo, DEL from Philly, Jamie 3:26, Mark Francis, Donna Edwards and liL Ray, among others.

The collection of talent represents those who have greatly influenced urban house music over the past decade, and some of the veterans like David Morales, Timmy Regisford and Louie Vega have transformed house music nightclubs in New York into shrines at which house music lovers worship. Regisford, for example, is the mix master at New York’s Shelter nightclub – a spot where the doors open at 4 a.m. on Sundays and the party is sizzling by 7 a.m., ending late in the afternoon. Apart from signing numerous breakout artists to Atlantic and Motown Records where he was a senior vice-president, Regisford became a legend for his Saturday night dance party mixes on New York’s very popular WBLS FM radio station.

This year, Jamaica Frenzy  will unfold in partnership with a number of resorts in Negril including Royalton and Hedonism 11.  Many of those booking are from right here in New York,  with other house music lovers from elsewhere in the United States and Europe. The magnet will be the house music, but visitors will also embrace the island’s own reggae music plus the cuisine, the beaches, the sunsets, and the other exciting experiences and attractions that Negril has to offer. For more on this festival, go to jamaicafrenzy.com