Jamaica Cultural Alliance

2008

VP RECORDS SENDS THEIR CONDOLENCES TO JOE GIBBS' FAMILY AND FRIENDS

VP Records sends its sincerest condolences for one of the greatest losses in reggae history. The legendary producer Joe Gibbs (born Joel A. Gibson) has passed away at the age of 65.

This influential man behind and in front of the boards was a major pioneering force from the late '60s, early '70s rock steady/roots era to the early '80s dancehall era, known for his seminal releases such as, "Two Sevens Clash" by Culture, "Someone Loves You Honey" by J.C. Lodge, as well as his influential four chapter African Dub Series.

VP Records President Chris Chin expresses, "We want to take this time to remember a truly pivotal producer in the reggae business. Our prayers go out to his loved ones. His spirit and music will live on."

Joe Gibbs, and the late Errol Thompson, have an exclusive worldwide agreement with VP Records vintage imprint, 17 North Parade, to re-release his complete catalog, including the Barrington Levy Collection (Apr. 26th), Joe Gibbs Reggae Anthology (May 2008) and many more.

17 North Parade (VP Records) A&R Fidel Luna states, "The legendary Joe Gibbs to me is one of the most humble, straightforward and pleasant people I have ever encountered in the music business. His contributions to Reggae as a hit-making producer and distributor are truly second to none."

Rest in peace Joe Gibbs.

Save Cockpit Country, Jamaica

Cockpit Country is a mountainous, forested area of western Jamaica, rich in biodiversity and home to the Leeward Maroons of Jamaica. Its landscape of steep-sided hills and deep, round valleys eroded from the limestone bedrock is an outstanding example of karst topography. The wet limestone forest of Cockpit Country is Jamaica's largest remaining primary forest and a refuge for rare Jamaican animals such as the Black-billed parrot and the Giant Swallow-tail butterfly, and more than 60 endemic plants. While the Land of Look Behind is famous in Jamaican history, each scientific expedition reveals more natural wonders of this 'biodiversity hotspot' and secrets of its Taino and Maroon heritage. A renewed interest in prospecting for bauxite and limestone in the Cockpit Country has sparked a campaign led by a wide cross-section of local and overseas Jamaicans – the Cockpit Country Stakeholders' Group – to protect this unique area. Mining in Cockpit Country would destroy the natural, cultural and archaeological resources of Cockpit Country that are virtually untapped as a source of sustainable livelihoods, especially eco- and heritage tourism, for many rural communities of Jamaica.

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2008

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Save Cockpit Country, Jamaica

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