A once-in-a-generation collaboration of reggae legends and some of Jamaica’s most respected artists has been released just in time for summer.
The group calling themselves The Mighty Rootsmen (also the name of their debut album) consists of Toots Hibbert, Gregory Isaacs, Mykal Rose, Luciano, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.
Available via Bulletproof Records, the album reimagines rock and pop hits such as its current single, a fresh, uplifting take on “Peace Train,” the Yusef/Cat Stevens 1971 anthem.
Among the other classics covered are Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away,” John Denver’s “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” Seals & Croft’s “Summer Breeze,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “I Won’t Back Down,” and “Fly Like an Eagle,” featuring a guest turn from its creator Steve Miller.
Produced by Ralph Sall (Paul McCartney, George Clinton, Billy Joel) and recorded at the legendary Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, with the renowned Word, Sound and Power band featuring Sly & Robbie, Mikey Chung and Robbie Lyn, the idea for the project began during Sall’s earlier work with Jamaican musicians and grew into a project aimed at blending the spirit of roots reggae with enduring songs of hope and resilience.
“This record is a celebration of life, legacy and the unifying force of reggae,” Sall said. “It’s not just about honoring musical legends — it’s about bringing people together through the universal language of rhythm and soul.”
SOUND ACTIVISM: The Weeknd and Shakira have been named as headliners for the 2025 Global Citizen Festival to be held Sept. 27 in New York City’s Central Park. The annual event, which offers exclusive free tickets in exchange for charitable public engagement, also will feature Tyla, Mariah the Scientist, Ayra Starr and more to be announced.
AT THE MOVIES: July 26 marks the return of Array’s signature triple movie night experience with 1985’s “Krush Groove,” featuring Blair Underwood and Sheila E. with appearances by LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys and Kurtis Blow; 1998s “Belly,” starring DMX, Nas, Method Man and Tionne (T-Boz) Watkins; and 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton,” the N.W.A. biopic directed by F. Gary Gray.
The films will be screened simultaneously at 5 p.m. on their Creative Campus in three unique screening areas: crown jewel Amanda Cinema, living-room style Cinema Lounge and under the L.A. sky in Queen’s Court. Seating for each film area is first come, first seated. For tickets, visit Events.Arraynow.com.
CLIPPETTES: Mariah Carey has announced that she will be coming out with her first album in seven years, with L.A. Reid as an executive producer, on Sept. 26. Titled “Here For It All,” it will also feature music co-written with Anderson .Paak …
Diana Ross begins a two-night stand at the Hollywood Bowl on July 25 as “American Idol” fave Crystal Bowersox is at The Coach House, and drummer Jeff Robinson is live at Pips on La Brea …
It’s “Put Your Records On” singer Corinne Bailey Rae’s turn July 26 to headline the free Marina del Rey Summer Concert at Burton Chace Park on a day that finds Keith Urban at Intuit Dome, Yellowman at Three Clubs, and Reed’s Creeds at The World Stage …
Cory Henry Presents: The Church Experience at The Miracle Theater on July 27, while Paul Rodriquez with Mel Garcia hold court at The Upstairs LA …
Cornel West has joined the nationally syndicated “Tavis Smiley” show as a regular contributor, Mondays and Thursdays. It can be heard locally on KBLA 1580 …
Lady Gaga comes to The Forum for two shows starting July 28. On the comedy front, Deon Cole and DeRay Davis are at the Hollywood Improv in separate sets …
Starz is planning to produce a prequel sequel to its popular “Power” franchise focusing on the early escapades of Ghost and BFF Tommy. MeKai Curtis from “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” will reprise his role as Kanan in the series to be called “Power: Origins” …
Omar and special guest Tabi Bonney perform at the Lodge Room on July 29 with The Sun Rose hosting An Intimate Residency with Avery*Sunshine the following evening …
The Grammy Museum welcomes seven-time Grammy award-winning gospel artist, worship leader and songwriter Israel Houghton of Israel & New Breed on July 31 for a discussion about his new music (the live Latin-infused worship albums “Coritos Vol. 1 & 2”), creative process and more, with a special performance to follow …
Also that date, The Skirball Cultural Center continues its free outdoor live music series with MULA and Frente Cumbiero, blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa is at the Greek Theatre and trumpeter Randy Brecker with Tod Dickow & Charged Particles are at Vibrato Grill & Jazz.
TRUER WORDS: “Having a gentle spirit, a kind spirit, a compassionate spirit toward oneself and others really does make space for the growth and the teachability that keeps us moving into the direction that we want to go. It’s not always easy to hold that kind of compassion and kindness for oneself, but to me that’s often where the work is.” – TRACEE ELLIS ROSS (whose new Roku series “Solo Traveling” premieres July 25 with visits to Morocco, Mexico and Spain)
TC ON TV: July 25 – “Happy Gilmore 2” (Netflix): The long-awaited sequel to Adam Sandler’s classic golf comedy is here with Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller and Dennis Dugan returning and guest turns by Bad Bunny, Kym Whitley, Lavell Crawford, Cam’ron, Eric Andre, Eminem and Reggie Bush.
July 26 – “Two For One” (TCM): Robert Townsend, the director/actor who has been moonlighting most recently on “The Bear,” introduces and discusses this double feature of a couple of his favorite films —1941’s “Here Comes Mr. Jordan” and 1976’s “Network.”
July 27 – “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time” (NGC/Disney+/Hulu): Ryan Coogler and wife Zinzi Coogler are executive producers of this groundbreaking five-part documentary series that offers an unprecedented, heart-pounding look at the disaster that struck New Orleans 20 years ago directly from those who lived through it. “Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse” (Discovery): In this twist on the franchise, 12 battle-tested survivalists take on a scorched, dystopian wasteland in South Africa where they must scavenge ruins, survive apex predators and navigate their way back to civilization.
July 28 – “Voces on PBS” (PBS): “Slumlord Millionaire” looks at a group of fearless residents, activists, and nonprofit attorneys who fight corrupt landlords and developers for the basic human right to a home in New York City’s most quickly gentrifying neighborhoods.
July 29 – “United Gangs of America” (Vice): Delves deep into the inner workings of the “Black Guerilla Family” through exclusive interviews with current and former members, offering insights into how the gang operates and maintains its influence. Never-before-seen footage will provide a raw glimpse into their world, showcasing how they earn money and initiate new members.
July 30 – “Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service” (Fox): When Philadelphia’s Black-owned Pretty Girls Cook first opened, it was an incredibly popular spot — everything on the menu sold out. So, Chef Ramsay investigates why this restaurant has taken a turn for the worse. “The Challenge: Vets and New Threats” (MTV): This iteration brings back icons such as “CT,” “Bananas,” Leroy, Aneesa and Nany with rookies from “Survivor,” “Big Brother” and “Love Island.” “Match Game” (ABC): Jay Pharoah, Phoebe Robinson, Randall Park
July 31 – “Twisted Metal” (Peacock): Anthony Mackie is back for a second season as John Doe, a motor-mouthed outsider with no memory of his past who gets a chance at a better life if he can deliver a package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC): Diplo vs. Laverne Cox and “General Hospital” vs. “The Young and the Restless”
END QUOTE: “I remember my mother said to me one time that ‘Mr. [Bill] Cosby gave you immortality. So, I know on one lane there’s legacy there. I feel like, OK, there’s that legacy there, but then, because I’ve had this full life after that show, there’s another lane of legacy that I get to leave. And I’m still working through that. There’s part of me that I will be able to leave this Earth knowing — and people knowing — that I was a good person. I’m a good person because my dad’s a good person. It is possible to walk through this world and, with all of the darkness in the world, it is possible to maintain your soul and be a good person.” – MALCOLM-JAMAL WARNER [Rest In Power] on “Hot & Bothered with Melyssa Ford”
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
