(AP) Cedric Brooks, a Jamaican saxophone player and influential roots reggae musician, has died. He was 70.
One of Brooks' sisters, Paulette Keise, said he died Friday of cardiac arrest at New York Hospital Queens. She said Saturday that he suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes and fell ill several years ago, losing his ability to speak.
Brooks began his music career in the late 1960s as a studio musician, playing in songs such as Burning Spear's "Door Peep." He also had hits with trumpet player David Madden including "Money Maker" and "Mystic Mood."
Brooks also was a member of the Jamaican ska band The Skatalites. He is survived by seven children and four sisters.
Jamaica's police force arrested a suspect on Monday in the beating, stabbing and robbery of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's older brother Vincent Simpson.
Andre Foreman, 21, of Kingston, was arraigned on charges of aggravated robbery, wounding with intent to kill and illegal possession of a firearm. He is due to appear in court on Friday.
The robbers took J$30,000 ($310), a television set, a pistol and other items from Simpson, who remains in a Kingston hospital. Two other men who were suspected to be involved in the attack remain at large.
Police in Jamaica have detained two teenage girls in the death of a 39-year-old man as they investigate accusations that he tried to rape one of them.
Police said Friday that Phillip Bell lured the two girls, ages 16 and 14, to his house to use his computer on Thursday afternoon. Police said Bell apparently tried to rape one of the girls, prompting the other girl to attack him with a machete.
The man was taken to the hospital, where he later died. No one has been charged for his death.
Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill has been sentenced to three months in prison for failing to pay about $1 million in taxes. Hill pleaded guilty last year to three counts of failing to file tax returns on more than $1.8 million between 2005 and 2007.
Before the sentencing, her attorney had said Hill had paid more than $970,000 to satisfy the state and federal tax liabilities. Hill had faced a maximum sentence of one year each on three counts. Her attorney had sought probation.
Hill must also pay penalties and taxes still owed, a $60,000 fine, serve a year on probation and possibly three months of home confinement.
She's to report to prison July 8. It's not clear where she'll serve her sentence.
New York Hot 97 DJ and producer Calvin "Mr. Cee" LeBrun was arrested last night in a prostitution sting. The 46-year-old Hot 97 employee was taken into custody in Brooklyn after trying to solicit an undercover police officer who was posing as a male prostitute.
This is the DJ’s third time being arrested on prostitution related charges in the last three years. Mr Cee was busted on loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution on October 8, 2010 in Lower Manhatten. He pled guilty to those charges a month later. He was arrested in March 2011 after police observed him getting oral sex from a male prostitute in a parked car. Mr. Cee pled guilty to a charge of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense in June of 2011.
He was ordered complete three months, or 12 sessions of counseling with a doctor.
The older brother of Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was held up, beaten and stabbed at his business early Thursday morning, May 2 2013.
Vincent Simpson, who is 71 years old, is the managing director of Simpson's Dollar Saver clothing and dry goods store in the heart of volatile downtown Kingston. He was attacked shortly after he showed up to open the store around 4 a.m.
Police stated that the robbers took about J$30,000 (US$310), a television set, a pistol and other items from Simpson. Vincent Simpson was taken to the hospital and is expected to be ok.
One of reggae’s most prolific artists Sizzla returns with his 70th album The Messiah on May 28th (Kalonji Music/VP Records). Since his emergence in 1995, the enigmatic vocalist has undeniably put his stamp on the genre regardless of the current style or trend. His latest effort showcases his musical depth, passion and precision in partnership with Bread Back productions.
Mostly written and executive produced by Sizzla himself, Kalonji’s full scope of talents are displayed on The Messiah. With a fresh perspective in 2013, the man on a musical mission inspires positive change worldwide on this 15-track collection. His social commentary on songs like “Chant Dem Down,” “No Wicked Man” and “Psalms 121″ reveal his daring bravado and righteous lyrics, while his melodic anthem “Good Love” unveils his softer side.
The Messiah Track Listing:
1 Psalms 121
2 Look How Many Years
3 Center Of Attraction
4 No Wicked Man
5 The Messiah
6 Chant Dem Down
7 Dem Nuh Business
8 Suffer So Much
9 Good...
