Richie Spice & Spanner Banner dancehall reggae from Jamaica LIVE August 26, 2009

Armed with just a microphone, one-drop rhythms and purifying lyrical flames, singer Richie Spice is the Gideon of contemporary reggae. The publicly declared “prince of fire” uses culturally uplifting, spiritually fortified words to defeat the negative content that informs much of popular (Jamaican) music. Fittingly, Gideon Boot is the title track of Spice’s brilliant fourth album. Recorded over the timeless Johnny Too Bad rhythm (taken from The Slickers 1970s hit of the same name, popularized in the film The Harder They Come) the song details Spice’s strategic plan for delivering his musical sermon to an awaiting global audience. “I need a Gideon boot and a khaki suit to stand out inna Babylon and defend the truth/ I got a strong reggae beat with a mic in my hand fe lead out de youth dem outta destruction and let de people know right from wrong.”

Since 2004 Spice has become one of reggae’s most in demand talents and the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. He received the Most Cultural Artist Award at the 13th annual South Florida Reggae Soca Awards in 2005; he was voted the Male Singer/Singjay of the Year at Jamaica’s IRIE FM Awards in 2007 and following his performance at the first annual “Black My Story” concert held in Kingston on Feb. 2, 2008 Spice was honored for his positive musical contributions. His 2004 album “Spice in Your Life” was listed among the year’s best reggae releases by the New York Times; “In the Streets To Africa”, released in 2007, reached number 6 on the Billboard Reggae chart and one of the album’s biggest hits “Youth Dem Cold” peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart and ranked at number 29 on Vibe Magazine’s Best 44 songs of 2007. Now with the release of “Gideon Boot” even greater recognition is assured for Spice’s talent, as is the expansion of his international fan base.
“I’ve always had a wide meditation of having my music go out there to the world because I know it can go far,” says Spice. “But it is very hard singing of righteousness in the world. When you sing of good you will find that evil rise up and try to dominate good. But I will continue the fight, go out there and have people hear what I am saying.”

During his impressive career, Spanner worked with some of the most prominent producers in the industry including King Jammys, Jeremy Harding, Bobby Digital, and Clive Hunt. Spanner left Island Records in 1996, and ventured out to launch his own recording label, 'Sweet Angel Productions'. It was at 'Sweet Angel Productions' that he released, 'Lovers Story' which dropped hit songs such as 'Ladies Night' - (featuring Grammy award winner, Sean Paul), and 'Tears in the Rain'. His subsequent album 'Real Love' - released by Heart Beat Records and received much acclaim overseas. The Twin Brothers Record label later released his next album titled 'Spanner Banner’s Greatest Hits' in which covered over a decade of Spanner’s hits and included a few new tracks.

Spanner Banner next step was to commence extensive touring in North America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. He however relocated to the United Kingdom performing and recording for a number of years. He later returned to Jamaica and began almost immediate work with his brother Richie Spice, Chuck Fender and Anthony Cruz under the Fifth Element Record label.

Selections by DJ Relic Secure of Secure Dem Sound

http://www.myspace.com/inthestreetstoafrica
http://www.myspace.com/spannerbanner
http://www.myspace.com/securedem

Official Website: http://www.casparinn.com