FEATURED ARTIST

ALBUM INFO
Veteran Reggae music singer Courtney Melody is back after nearly a decade with a long awaited new album, Serious Business, for Reggae Vibes Productions, upcoming tour and appearance at Amazura in New York on Saturday December 8th with Sizzla, Jah Mason, and many top stars. The music business has been serious for this beloved singer and his musical journey began over two decades ago to establish this artist as an international star. In 1986 one of the hottest song being rotated on Jamaican radio was “Bad Boy,” a mammoth effort by the fast rising Courtney Melody, whose two earlier releases did not really enthralled an audience. However, the same cannot be said about “Bad Boy. Melody’s voice actually mesmerizes his audience and soon many persons in Jamaica and overseas were absorbed by his unique sound. This recording spread like wildfire, far surpassing his Stereo One recording “Screechie Across the Border,” which was actually his first 45 single. From his success in 1986 Courtney Melody never looked back. His musical career was on a high when tragedy loomed its ugly face. Born Courtney Monroe in the lust hills of West Rural Upper St. Andrew, Jamaica, Melody was musically weaned by his grandmother, who was an important figure in his life. Her impact on his unique singing is evident in the way he makes his voice tremble as he hit high notes - A complete replica of her style. Courtney Melody’s career actually began in 1982 as a sound system deejay. He was a regular on the Black Spider sound system and soon a colleague of his introduced him to Stereo One. Courtney Melody was an instant success on Stereo One and soon he was doing major projects with them. Before long Courtney was working with Winston Riley’s Techniques label and soon voiced “How Long Will Your Love Last” and “Exploiter.” He did not stop there, but went on to record a plethora of hits with other producers such as King Tubbys, Robert Ffrench and King Jammys. These include “Bad Boy,” “Ninja Mi Ninja,” “Modern Girl,” and the vibrant but serious “Protection,” a resounding collaboration with Dancehall’s Don Gorgon, Ninja Man. Many of these songs are cemented into Jamaica’s music catalogue and remain modern day dancehall classics that are still enjoyed worldwide. Melody’s most popular hit song, “Modern Girl,” was originally written for Jimmy Riley, however Robert French and Jah Mikes who were associates at the time allowed Courtney to record the hit song instead because of his unique voice. It was an instant hit not only in Jamaica but well beyond her shores. Soon Courtney Melody was busy touring Europe, America, and Asia. After being propelled into international stardom Courtney Melody’s career took a turn for the worst when he was involved in a motorbike accident that left him in the hospital for over fifteen months. This was a major turning point in Courtney’s career, which was still in jeopardy because of recurring sickness. However, he was eager to get his career back on track and seven months after leaving the hospital he was back in the studio recording despite him sporadically feeling pain from the accident. Although he was in the studios occasionally, Courtney Melody never found a hit that reached anywhere near “Modern Girl.” His inability to fully promote his work and the fact that he lacked a good management team was hampering the progress of this talented reggae superstar. Inevitably his popularity waned and while his earlier hits were rotating regularly at reggae sessions and on several radio frequencies, persons were unable to put a face, and in some cases a name, to his songs although they were able to sing them word for word. Courtney Melody’s career was dormant throughout the 1990s. It was on the Baltimore Rhythm that he proved that he was still one of the best reggae artistes around when he recorded “In The Street” for Star Trail. Melody’s career did not blossom then, but was heading in the right direction. Courtney’s love for the music was so strong that despite him not being fully healthy, he spent some of his time in a sick state touring Japan and parts of Europe. The other major turning point in Courtney Melody’s career was looming and was rumored to be big. At the 1999 World Sound Clash in New York a Courtney Melody tailored dub plate for “Ninja Mi Ninja” helped Japanese Sound System, Mighty Crown, to outclass their opponents and take the trophy. Courtney Melody’s popularity escalated wildly among sound systems worldwide and soon he was in demand to do dub plates. He was also being eyed by a number of producers whose interest in him suddenly soared. After that sort of reintroduction to sound system recording, Courtney Melody then visited Third Eye Studio in October 2001 to voice a dub plate called “Rebel,” another sound system killer. The Rootsman produced song highlighted Melody’s worth and showed that he was still a force to be reckoned with in the dancehall. In 2003 his ties with producer Jah Mikes reawakened and Courtney Melody instantly began working with Reggae Vibes Productions, which is own and managed by Jah Mikes. Reggae Vibes Productions Inc. has a long history of success in the Reggae music market with nearly a decade of work to its credit. The label has released Ky-Mani Marley's 2001 Grammy®-nominated Many More Roads CD, Wayne Wonder's Schizophrenic CD, and Tony Curtis' Ready For the World CD with VP Records Their reunion instantly sparked the idea for Courtney Melody to record a new album for Reggae Vibes Productions (and worldwide distribution through NY based Fractal Entertainment). The album, entitled Serious Business, is Courtney as a matured artist at his best ever addressing social issues and relationships. He is ready once again to make his musical mark in the industry and with fans in 2007 and beyond. His first single and music video for "Just Like The Rain" was shot in August in the surrounds of Upper St. Andrew with hot music video producers, Leo Productions. A winter tour is also in the works for Courtney Melody and the Reggae Vibes Productions stable of artists also boasts up and coming artists Nico, Rally Bop, and Prince Theo. For more information on Courtney Melody visit.www.ReggaeVibesProductionsInc.com / www.MySpace.com/CourtneyMelodyMusic IN STORES NOW
VP Records
Sam Goodys
J&R Music World