International Reggae music star, Half Pint, rocks the Hollywood, California crowd at the Key Club on the world famous Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Here he is joined by the World Citizen Band to perform fan favourites such as 'Just Be Good', 'Cost Of Living', 'Crazy Girl', and many more. The Jamaican Press dubs him 'The new prince of Reggae,' a badge previously coveted by the late Peter Tosh. The Rolling Stones and Sublime have covered his music and the Long Beach Dub Allstars invited him on tour and to perform on their albums.
Track Listing/Features:
Greetings
Mr. Landlord
Hypocrites
Interview
Victory
Cost Of Living
Just Be Good
Sally
Hold On
Substitute Lover
Gonna Take A Miracle
Children Of His Majesty
One Big Family
Our Own Song
Interview
Level The Vibes
Have Little Faith
Crazy Girl
June 16, 2009
HALF PINT JOINS SLIGHTLY STOOPID, SNOOP DOGG, &
STEPHEN MARLEY ON 'BLAZED AND CONFUSED' SUMMER '09 US TOUR
For Immediate Release: Half Pint, Reggae's beloved veteran singer, will join the popular So California based rock/reggae band Slightly Stoopid on their "Blazed and Confused' Summer '09 US Tour. The tour also features Hip-Hop superstar, Snoop Dogg, and Stephen Marley, son of Reggae icon Bob Marley, performing in mostly outdoor amphitheaters around the US. Half Pint will be Slightly Stoopid's special guest artist performing during their set on dates starting in Primm, Nevada on July 10th through the tour's finish in Mansfield, Mass on August 8th.
Slightly Stoopid and Pint have a history together recording songs in the studio previously and Stoopid's manager, John Phillips (Silverback Management), was instrumental in Sublime / Long Beach Dub All Star's success who have cited Pint as one of their musical influences. Half Pint's most recent studio album No Stress Express is available now through Half Pint Music / Essential Media Group / Universal.
Tickets are available now through TicketMaster locations nationwide www.Ticketmaster.com
BLAZED AND CONFUSED SUMMER '09 US TOUR
FEATURING SLIGHTLY STOOPID (WITH HALF PINT), SNOOP DOGG, AND STEPHEN MARLEY
Fri 07/10/09 Primm, NV Star of the Desert Arena
Sat 07/11/09 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sun 07/12/09 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
Tue 07/14/09 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
Wed 07/15/09 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Fri 07/17/09 Portland, OR Memorial Coliseum
Sat 07/18/09 Quincy, WA Gorge Amphitheatre
Sun 07/19/09 Nampa, ID Idaho Center Amphitheater
Mon 07/20/09 Salt Lake City, UT Usana Amphitheatre
Wed 07/22/09 Vancouver, BC Pacific Coliseum
Fri 07/24/09 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sat 07/25/09 Chula Vista, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
Thu 07/30/09 Atlanta, GA Masquerade Music Park
Fri 07/31/09 Saint Petersburg, FL Vinoy Waterfront Park
Sat 08/01/09 Miami, FL Bicentennial Park
Sun 08/02/09 Elkton, FL St. Johns County Fairgrounds
Wed 08/05/09 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
Thu 08/06/09 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Fri 08/07/09 Philadelphia, PA Festival Pier
Sat 08/08/09 Mansfield, MA Comcast Center
May 1, 2009
SLIGHTLY STOOPID, HALF PINT,
SNOOP DOGG, AND STEPHEN MARLEY
BLAZED AND CONFUSED TOUR
Fri 7/10 Primm, NV Star of the Desert Arena
Sat 7/11 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sun 7/12 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
Tue 7/14 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
Wed 7/15 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Fri 7/17 Portland, OR Amphitheater at Clark County
Sat 7/18 George, WA The Gorge Amphitheatre
Sun 7/19 Boise, ID Idaho Center Amphitheater
Mon 7/20 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Wed 7/22 Vancouver, BC Pacific Coliseum
Fri 7/24 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sat 7/25 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
Thu 7/30 Atlanta, GA Masquerade Music Park
Fri 7/31 St. Petersburg, FL Vinoy Park
Wed 8/5 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
Thu 8/6 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Fri 8/7 Philadelphia, PA Festival Pier at Penn's Landing
While it was Jah Cure that daybreak caught wreaking havoc, it was vintage music that ruled as Western Consciousness 21 unfolded on Saturday night before a small but appreciative gathering at the scenic Paradise Park near Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.
From the United Kingdom-based King Sounds, through to the likes of Admiral Tibet, the phenomenal Half Pint, a velvet-smooth Errol Dunkley, the potent Johnny Clarke and England-based Sista Musical aggregation, the story of Jamaica's music was brilliantly told as each performer opened up their respective catalogues and generously offered musical gifts to the patrons.
When the Fireman Capleton closed the show at 6:30 a.m. with a well-received cameo, the satisfied fans did not even call for an encore and departed the venue, ignoring the fact that traditional crowd-pleasers Beenie Man, the Messenger Luciano and the living legend, Bunny Wailer, who were billed for the show, did not appear.
coming of age
For the Jah Cure fans, it was a powerful coming-of-age performance, as the singer displayed great confidence and self-assurance in an impressive set. In fact, he looked and sounded like a man who had crossed the barrier from star to superstar as he made an indelible mark in belting out songs such as Free Again, Sticky Out Deh, Reflection, Good Morning Jah Jah, Longing For and Call On Me.
However, for many, the performance of the night belonged to a dazzling Half Pint. Hitting the stage after a tremendous set by Admiral Tibet, Half Pint had the fans at his mercy, as he kept them in a non-stop dancing frenzy, reeling off hit after hit. At times, it sounded like he had a choir with him, as the crowd went toe-to-toe with him on songs like Greetings, Hold On, Landlord, One Big Family, Level The Vibes and Winsome.
Admiral Tibet, who got one of two encores for the night, was compelling as he rolled back the clock to the days when he ruled the local charts. Songs such as, Time So Serious, Terrorist, Babylon and Leave People Business Alone, were delivered with such authority that his encore, which yielded Woman Is A Problem and No Longer, all connected.
Like Half Pint, fellow veterans Errol Dunkley and Johnny Clarke both rolled back the clock, generating solid responses for the vast number of hits they unleashed.
In the second and third segments of the show, the younger patrons really had a blast as the group LUST had the ladies going crazy with hits like Run Free, Lady and Broken Hearted Melody.
Lutan Fyah was particularly impressive with his roots-flavoured hits, which was like an addition to a biting three-song salvo unleashed by the veteran Natty Remo, who appeared before him. Lutan Fyah was simply masterful on St Jago Dela Vega and Rasta Still Deh Bout.
In the first segment, which featured the likes of Timmi Burrell, Stamma T, Grandson, Cen C Love, Illey Dread, Empress Roberta and Stream, the class performers were definitely Romaine Virgo, who elicited uncontrolled screams from the ladies; Spectacular, who combined high energy with powerful vocals; and House of Leeds recording artiste Iyahblazze, who got the night's first encore for his dazzling set.
When Capleton closed the show with snippets of songs such as Small World, Tun It Up and Slew Dem, it was clear that a show minus lewd and violent lyrics could be richly entertaining.
Culture Yard just posted some great video of Pint's Seattle performance in April of this year. The video starts with "Winsome" and then continues at 6:47 with "Hold On" and "Just Be Good":
August 26, 2008
Added a bunch of photos from Pint's current tour with Slightly Stoopid and Sly & Robbie:
I got a chance to see Pint on Sunday for the first time in quite a while. He's doing great and sounded awesome, as always.
August 22, 2008
PLEASE NOTE: Saturday August 23rd's show in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada has been postponed.
July 16, 2008
HALF PINT JOINS SLIGHTLY STOOPID ON THEIR
U.S. "TAILGATE 2008 SUMMER TOUR"
For Immediate Release: Half Pint, Reggae's beloved veteran singer, will join the popular So California based rock/reggae band Slightly Stoopid on their "Tailgate 2008 US Summer Tour." The tour also features Pepper and reggae masters Sly & Robbie performing in outdoor amphitheaters around the US. Half Pint will be Slightly Stoopid's special guest artist performing during their set on dates starting in Nampa, Idaho on August 6 through the tour's finish in the band's hometown of San Diego, CA on September 6th at the San Diego State Open Air Amphitheater.
Slightly Stoopid and Pint have a history together recording songs in the studio previously and Stoopid's manager, John Phillips (Silverback Management), was instrumental in Sublime / Long Beach Dub All Star's success who have cited Pint as one of their musical influences.
Tickets are available now through www.Ticketmaster.com nationwide
TAILGATE 2008 SUMMER US TOUR FEATURING SLIGHTLY STOOPID (WITH HALF PINT), PEPPER, AND SLY & ROBBIE
Wed 08/06/08 Nampa, ID Idaho Center Amphitheater
Thu 08/07/08 Redmond, WA Marymoor Amphitheatre
Fri 08/08/08 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheater
Sat 08/09/08 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre
Sun 08/10/08 Tahoe City, CA Truckee Park Amph.
Wed 08/13/08 Butte, MT Depot
Thu 08/14/08 Magna, UT The Great Saltair
Fri 08/15/08 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sat 08/16/08 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
Wed 08/20/08 New York, NY Roseland Theater
Thu 08/21/08 Boston, MA Bank Of America Pavilion
Sun 08/24/08 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Pavilion
Wed 08/27/08 North Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues
Thu 08/28/08 Cary, NC Koka Booth Amphitheatre At Regency Park
Fri 08/29/08 Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle
Sat 08/30/08 Boca Raton, FL Centre For The Arts At Mizner Park Amphitheatre
Sun 08/31/08 Saint Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Fri 09/05/08 Mesa, AZ Mesa Amphitheatre
Sat 09/06/08 San Diego, CA SDSU Open Air Theatre
Released earlier this year, No Stress Express (Half Pint Music/Essential/Universal), is deemed to be a classic and is available now at all leading music retailers. The hot tracks include “Unity” featuring Jack Maness from Long Beach Dub All Stars / Sublime, “Bad Boys” featuring Sizzla, “Just be Good” featuring R&B songbird Mikki Howard, ‘Mind Over Matter,” ”Suzie,” and "Children of His Majesty.”
Half Pint has enjoyed a long history of success dating back to the early 1980's. He was the first major artist produced by Prince Jammy (later King Jammy), and together they helped establish a lighter, more relaxed, more melodic approach to dancehall that made for an easy transition into the digital ragga era. His first big hit "Winsome" was later covered by the Rolling Stones in 1986 (under the new title "Too Rude"). Many hits followed: "Money Man Skank," "One in a Million," "One Big Family," "Pouchie Lou," the socially conscious "Mr. Landlord," and the all-time dancehall classic "Level the Vibes." The huge hit "Substitute Lover" came in 1992, and in 1996 the rock group Sublime covered another Half Pint classic, "Loving."
British female pop/R&B star. Estelle, has recorded a new hit cover of Pint's "Substitute Lover" on her new sophomore CD release, Shine, released on John Legend's Homeschool label distributed by Atlantic Records. Look for a remix with Estelle featuring Half Pint for the cover version to be released soon.
Additional upcoming Half Pint "No Stress Express" tour dates:
Sat 07/19/08 Tuscon, AZ The Rock
Sat 07/27/08 Toronto, ON, Canada Jamaica Day Celebration
Sun 08/03/08 W. Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheater (w Freddie McGregor & Wayne Wonder)
Sat 08/23/08 Ottawa, ON Canada Ottawa Reggae Festival (Festival Pier At Penn's Landing)
The sounds of No Stress Express, the 17th album by singer Half Pint, released by Universal Music, delivers 16 tracks of pure conscious reggae tunes. From the first song entitled Unity, he takes you down a stress free road of cool, calm reggae music.
In it, he goes back to the early days when this genre of Jamaican music was just finding form, when it was true, a time before the music had diverted from its roots to the violent and at times unwholesome lyrics.
On No Stress Express, Half Pint sings about love, romance, unity and the struggles within the rough inner-city areas, themes for which reggae music became known and appreciated.
Special mention must be made of the third track on his album, Just Be Good, which was done twice on the CD. This track is, simply put, a wonderful creation, one that is reminiscent of the reggae music of old. One where the sound, the words and the instrumentals soothe the heart and capture the mind. It is a sound the traditional reggae music lovers will never be able to get enough of. Originally produced by Beres Hammond and Harmony House Production, Just Be Good should bring back memories to the older folk, and give young listeners something to appreciate. After all, this one is a classic.
And if that was not enough, Suzie and My Best Friend's Girl provide the icing on the cake for the lovers rock fans. This icing does in no way cloy the appetite. Rather, what these songs do is that they turn you into an addict, in that it leaves you yearning for more. And the more you get is the more you want, just like Suzie.
Born Lindon Roberts, Half Pint emerged on the reggae scene in the early 1980s, and has worked with top notch producers such as, King Jammy and Prince Jammy. During this time he released songs entitled Greetings, Winsome, Victory and Mr Landlord. These are among his more popular tunes, which invariably laid the groundwork for his future success, the latest being his present compilation.
Another recording which stands out is, Bad Boy, where he collaborates with powerhouse deejay Sizzla Kalonji, to produce arguably one of the best tracks on his CD. The song entitled Bad Boy starts out "... bad boy in the street and we have no food to eat, and when life should be sweet it's a tragedy." Sizzla then interjects with, "we looking for a way out, sufferation got to stay out." Such sounds come from a truly mystical place, and the duo does much to convey this message with an eclectic mix of traditional reggae, as it pertains to Half Pint, and a retro dancehall style in the way Sizzla delivers his half of the rendition.
One should also mention that his album made a wonderful move when it omitted the computerised noises which are so prevalent in many reggae album releases today. By doing this Half Pint remains true to his roots, natural, cool and devoid of those excessively amplified tones. As such, the artistes true voice, and persona comes out.
The instrumental is also very good, it is dominated by Dwight Pinkney's guitar riffs, and the easy-going drumming of Donovan Watson. Paul Crossdale and Christopher Meredith add to the sweet one-drop rhythms, and the keyboards sound is also phenomenal.
It is one that anyone can listen to, virtually anywhere, in the car, while cooking or when on a family outing, or when feeling stressed. This album should be good for that album collection of reggae classics.
Overall a B+ effort.
May 8, 2008
Some more video footage from Pint's No Stress Express tour, courtesy of Tony Williams. Here's Pint in a parking lot singing "Deliver Us" with Tony:
May 4, 2008
There's been a lot of great press coming out surrounding the album and Pint's tour. I've already mentioned the excellent Reggae Rhythms Podcast (check it out if you haven't had a chance). Two others definitely worth checking out:
The Pier did an outstanding interview with Pint. They talk about the tour and the new album (of course), but also about the "Greatest Hits" compilation, a new project in the works with members of Sublime, and Pint's most memorable moments.
The other is a very in-depth review of No Stress Express by Diane "Livonn" Adam at reggaereview.com (currently unavailable, but be sure to check back for it). Diane also provided us with a great set of shots from Pint's performance in San Francisco:
Full versions of both articles will be posted in the archives here shortly.
May 2, 2008
One quick tour addition:
May 6 - Skully's - Columbus, Ohio
As always, the full schedule can be seen in the tour section.
April 25, 2008
Two quick tour updates:
Sun. April 27 - Knotty Pine Bar - Victor, ID
Wed. April 30 - Owsley's - Denver, CO
As always, the full schedule can be seen in the tour section.
April 24, 2008
Be sure to check out episode 47 of the Reggae Rhythm Update podcast hosted by Joshua B for a great show dedicated to Pint. Joshua interviews Pint and runs down a great series of tracks. All fans will definitely want to check it out. Here's what Joshua has to say about the episode:
One of the great things about doing this show is that I get to speak to some of my musical heroes. Half Pint is one of those artists that I discovered while doing my radio show at Emerson College in Boston. Starting one night, young ladies would call and request his new song at the time, “Substitute Lover.” That song turned out to be one of my all-time favorites, along with “Level the Vibes,” with which I’d open my show week after week. With last night’s performance in Los Angeles, Half Pint began his U.S. tour. Visit his web site for the latest tour updates. I spoke to him over the phone from his hotel room. I think you’re going to love what he says about his musical mission to uplift people.
The track list is as follows: Level the Vibes, Days I Can't Forget, Sally, Sally Dub, Winsome, Greetings, Substitute Lover, Hold On, Unity, Blessing Darling, Just Be Good, and Children of His Majesty.
April 22, 2008
Here's some fan-shot footage of Pint singing "Greetings" and "Hold On" at the Malibu Inn last Friday night:
April 20, 2008
Half Pint recalls 'One Big Family'
Mel Cooke; Jamaica Gleaner
When Half Pint wrote and sang One Big Family, which eventually was the title of the 1990 album of the same name, Jamaica was in some ways returning to older times while at the same time adjusting to the inevitable changes of an increasingly globalised world.
The People's National Party was back in power with Michael Manley at the helm, ending the Jamaica Labour Party's stint after their 1980 landslide general election victory, which came after the near civil war of the late 1970s. The Sleng Teng rhythm of 1985 had changed the Jamaican music industry, ushering in an increased production of deejays, among other changes.
Song of unity
Into the political and social changes came Half Pint with a song of unity, looking back a few decades. As he put it, "The rivalry of the politics did start to die down, but the stigma was there.
"Overall, me grow with a more family background. Then the general way of how Jamaica was different from the Jamaica that I know from the 1960s, where every parent would grow a child, even neighbour. The balance we had, we had more confidence as children," Half Pint said.
"In the 1970s and '80s, when the political violence come up, we could remember the '60s.
"The song come up like if I can turn back the hands of the times and we come together as a family," Half Pint said.
So he sang, on a remake of the 'Death in The Arena' by Sly and Robbie with a 'wicked mix' by engineer David Rowe, that:
"We are one big family, inna dis ya country
We are one big family, living inna harmony."
And he rejoices "joy, joy to the word, joy to every boy and girl," and prescribes friendship among human beings "like roses need water".
Unification favourite
It is natural, then, that One Big Family has become a unification favourite, sometimes given the close-of-show treatment that has been accorded One Love. There was, however, a little concern from some of Half Pint's colleagues, as he called some names, but naturally, many had to be left out.
In the verse where he specifies members of the 'family', Half Pint speaks about George Phang, Bunny Wizzy, Peter Metro, Admiral Bailey, Josey Wales and Michael Palmer, ending "Junior Reid flashing it said speed".
"Me couldn't call everybody name,' Half Pint said, laughing, as he remembers that there were those who asked why they were not mentioned. He said those who made the list were among "the people who formulate in the music business around us".
Single did well
He said that as a single, distributed by Sonic Sounds, One Big Family did well. "I guess overall people just pick up on a Half Pint song in the 1980s," he said. And he says that the cover of the album was him in performance at Sting, with Derrick Barnett of Sagitarius Band and Isaiah Laing of Supreme Promotions in the background. "When yu look at it yu no see dem dat clear, but me know is dem," Half Pint said.
More important than the popularity in terms of units sold and chart placing, though, is the sentiment of unity which it fosters. "When One Big Family play it mean come forth an' dance to the tune," Half Pint said.
Nearly 20 years after it was first made, One Big Family will get a renewed lease on life, as it has been remade along with a rapper and another singer, who actually does a verse in Spanish. It will appear on Half Pint's next album, which will come hard on the heels of the recently released No Stress Express.
And Half Pint has just started a tour of the US West Coast and Hawaii, bringing the 'family' together once again.
April 17, 2008
Reggae's raggamuffin veteran singing star, Half Pint, kicked off his No Stress Express US tour to a packed house last night in Los Angeles at the Dub Club. From the opening notes of Pint's clessic "Greetings" to the well-deserved
encore of "Unity" from the new No Stress Express CD release, Pint had the appreciative crowd electrified with his charismatic performance. Other member of the Reggae fraternity came out to support Pint such as the duo Michigan &
Smiley, producer/engineer Scientist, and others. Backed by the Bay Area based Yellow Wall Dub Squad and opening artists Itawe and Stevie Culture continue the tour tomorrow night at the Malibu Inn in Malibu, CA. This tour is not to be missed!
Here are some shots from the opening night of Pint's No Stress Express tour, courtesy of Russell Gerlach / Foundation Media/PR.
April 16, 2008
Below are the tour updates as of today (there are a number of changes/additions):
Half Pint "No Stress Express Tour"
w/ The Yellow Wall Dub Squad, Itawe, and Stevie Culture
Wed. April 16 - The Dub Club (@ The Ex-Plex) - Los Angeles, CA
Fri. April 18 - The Malibu Inn - Malibu, CA
Sat. April 19 - World Beat Center - San Diego, CA
Sun. April 20 - Fox Theater - Salinas, CA (Afternoon Show)
Sun. April 20 - Moe's Alley - Santa Cruz, CA
Mon. April 21 - Pier 23 - San Francisco, CA
Tues. April 22 - Lola's Room - Portland, OR
Thurs. April 24 - Nectar Lounge - Seattle, WA (More info)
Fri. April 25 - The Top Hat - Missoula, MT
Sat. April 26 - Zebra Lounge - Bozeman, MT
Sun. April 27 - The Star Bar - Park City, UT
Mon. April 28 - Monk's House Of Jazz - Salt Lake City, UT
Wed. April 30 - Quixote's - Denver, CO
Thurs. May 1 - Wild Hare - Chicago, IL
Fri. May 2 - Caribbean Village - Indianapolis, IN
Sat. May 3 - TBA - St. Louis, MO
Sun. May 4 - Blue Nile - Minneapolis, MN
Mon. May 5 - Shank Hall - Milwaukee, WI
Wed. May 7 - G's Jamaican Quisine - Kansas City, MO
Also, two Hawaii dates for later in May, where Pint will be with Daville, Freddie McGregor and the Millennium Band:
Sat. May 17 - The Shell - Honolulu, HI
Sun. May 18 - Veterans Memorial Hall - Maui, HI
However, for many, the performance of the night belonged to a dazzling Half Pint. Hitting the stage after a tremendous set by Admiral Tibet, Half Pint had the fans at his mercy, as he kept them in a non-stop dancing frenzy, reeling off hit after hit. At times, it sounded like he had a choir with him, as the crowd went toe-to-toe with him on songs like Greetings, Hold On, Landlord, One Big Family, Level The Vibes and Winsome. 
