HIGHER PURSE
Horace Reece also known as Higher Purse has been actively involved in music since 1993. As the president of the Wembley Youth Club (a social club in Marverly, Jamaica) in the early to mid nineties Higher Purse and his staff would host weekly stage shows to build spirit decor among neighboring communities. After the death of one of the entertainment committee member in 1998, Higher Purse left the Wembley Youth Club and moved to Mandeville, a rural community in Jamaica and return to Kingston after two years. Up on arrival in Kingston, he began writing songs with the hopes of getting other artists to sing them. Regretfully, that did not happen so that led him to begin singing his songs himself.
In 2004 Higher Purse recorded his first song entitled, “bitter sweet love” and his life literally changed from that point on. The release of “bitter sweet love” plunged him into the music business head on. He immediately recorded and released two follow up singles entitled; “big up daddy” and “love in a word” which is a combination with dancehall artist Myni Mo. The track “love in a word” was voted as a number one song on Roots 96.1fm, which is one of Jamaica’s top local community radio stations.
Realizing that reggae lovers both in and out of Jamaica were embracing him, in 2006 Higher Purse decided to start his own record label, now called Russcuttaz Music Production. He got together with two other producers Sean Tenn and Buff and began working on a rhythm driven compilation called “twylite riddim”. Shortly after the completion of the “twylite riddim”, Higher Purse, Sean Tenn and Buff got to work on the “challenge rhythm” which was released in 2009 and is currently being distributed by Reggae Inc. Currently, Higher Purse has just wrapped on production on his latest rhythm driven compilation, called; “old school rhythm”. This compilation is schedule to be released in the fall of 2010. On this project, Higher Purse not only sang but he also displayed his skills as a songwriter, having written a guarantee number one, which is performed by reggae star Natty King called “you were chosen”.
Under the direction of his management team, Higher Purse will be embarking on his first North American tour, which kicks off in Florida and concludes in Canada. The tour will serve as a medium to create awareness of and promote the “old school rhythm” compilation.
For more info on Higher Purse visit: www.reverbnation.com/higherpurse
KARAMANTI
Shelly-Ann, otherwise known as Karamanti, is a reggae dancehall artist who hails from the beautiful island of Jamaica.
Initially, Karamanti (who is formerly known as Lady Shelly) started out doing house, techno and dance. In 1994 she migrated to Montreal, Quebec where immediately after high school she got signed to her first recording contract with house label, Numuzik. While with Numuzik she released a slew of hits such as, "sweet party", "get it on" and "macrena that’s me". Between 1995 and 2000, Karamanti approached music with an aggression rarely seen by any female artist. Among her many accomplishments, is the title of artist of the year for the island of Dominica Republic for both 1995 and 1996. She did two nationwide tours on the island in both years.
At the turn of the 21st century she signed a joint recording contract, which included Premiere Muzik International and ISBA records. While with both companies she released a full-length album, entitled “endurance”, which featured the hit single, "you know". Karamanti was awarded a plaque for going gold (over 50,000 copies sold) in Canada for the aforementioned track.
Shortly after the release of Endurance, Premiere Muzik International underwent internal changes, which gave Karamanti the option to opt out of her agreement or renegotiate. She decided to opt out of the contract and relocated to Toronto, Ontario.
While in Ontario she stepped away from the microphone and began working at a reggae/dancehall record label. Intent on learning every aspect of the business, Karamanti started out as an A&R and worked her way up to sales and marketing coordinator while doing everything in between. Armed with a proper understanding of the music business and knowledge of how exactly to promote and market her music, Karamanti left the label and began recording again, this time, focusing entirely on the reggae/dancehall genre.
Soon after leaving the label Karamanti recorded two extremely controversial singles that caught the attention of disc jockeys in Jamaica. The singles are “welcome to Canada” (which harshly criticize the stereotyping of Jamaicans in Canada) and “kum out” (which deals with domestic abuse). The tracks earned her a nationwide media tour in her hometown, Jamaica.
After spending several years in Canada, Karamanti moved back to Jamaica in 2007 and really began to focus on her craft. Taking the advice of more experienced artists and musicians, Karamanti spent the next couple of years training her voice and working on her vocal delivery.
In the fall of 2009, Karamanti resurfaced with her promo CD entitled “karamanti mix – volume 1”. The CD was meant to create awareness, and it did just that! So much so that early 2010 karamanti was approached by two international DJs requesting to do exclusive Karamanti mix CDs. Eager to acquire the recognition of her peers and potential supporters, Karamanti hit the studio hard and recorded approximately 53 new tracks. In April 2010 Karamanti released the Transition mix CD, mixed by Triple Crown from the Blessed Coast Sound, which is based in Bellingham. One month later in May, she released Strictly Music No Politics, mixed by Massive G from Rock the Nation Sound, which is based in London, England.
Several singles from both mix CDs began to get heavy rotation on radio and in nightclubs in various parts of the world. Tracks such as “bulletproof” and “thank you” quickly stood out and began climbing numerous reggae/dancehall charts. Karamanti recently shot a video for the single “thank you”, which is due to be released to major television network later this year. The success of both mix CDs and individual tracks earned her a major tour to North West U.S.A in August of this year. The cities covered in the tour were Bellingham and Seattle in the U.S.A and Vancouver, Canada.
Karamanti is presently in the studio putting tracks together for an album she would like to have out by the end of the year, while simultaneously touring.
For additional information on Karamanti log on to www.karamanti.blogspot.com
