LEFT: Artiste: Mr. Vegas, Album: Hot It Up
CENTRE: Artiste: I-Wayne, Album: Book of Life
RIGHT: Artiste: Shaggy, Album: Intoxication

Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Many artistes are hopeful that their new releases will bring them good tidings this festive season, as a number of them have released albums.

Mr. Vegas, who recently released Hot It Up, says, "It's doing well already. It was released over a month and a half ago in Japan and already they've been asking for another album. But I didn't get to do much promotion in Jamaica because I got sick."

Vegas says tracks like Yuh Gonna Need Mi, Lean With It and Sitting On My Corner are some of his favourites, especially the last, "because of the concept and the whole realistic vibe".

Most tracks already known

According to Vegas, there was an opportunity to really promote the album three months ago, when songs like Raging Bull and Tek Wey Yuh Self were still enjoying heavy rotation, but says "Most of the dancehall tracks are already known, and songs like Tek Weh Yuh Self is still being played and it's even making a crossover already. That song and Yuh Gonna Need Me are already being played heavily overseas."

The full potential of Vegas' album may not be realised, however, as he says, "Putting out an album independently is major spending. Every move you make is a budget, but sometimes having control is good. But I'm sure if I had a major label things would have been much better for the album in terms of getting money to do major promotions, making videos and getting the visibility needed. But we're just hoping that songs like Tek Weh Yuh Self blow up big so we can make a video."

Impact on sales

When asked if he thought that the Christmas season would have any positive impact on the sales of his new album, Vegas said "The days of people going to stores and asking for their favourite album and buying it, those days are done. Instead, people just stay a dem yard and download di music."

Despite that sad reality, Vegas admits "It's possible (that sales could be influenced positively), but you need good distribution as well, because if it's not stocked in the stores and the buzz created that the album is available then it doesn't make sense. But when you have people around you who are professional, like new management (Chin) who is on the road a lot, it takes a lot of the load off me."

Vegas also revealed that, "The next album is already on the way for early next year and we will also be releasing The Best Of Vegas album with songs like Heads High and Sucky Ducky, all the hits. So I'm really looking forward to that one as well."

Shaggy says things have been going really well for his new album, Intoxication, even though he started promotions late.

"Already we have been hearing that Bonafide Girl is the number one download on iTunes, but my favourite track is Woman's Scorn, featuring Natasha Watkins. Mi love di whole vibe a it, but whole heap a tune people a feel like the one wid Collie Buddz and Sizzla (Mad, Mad World), di one wid Rayvon (Outta Control) and the one featuring Akon. But the U.S. promotion will need a lot more work, but we've certainly been getting some great reviews, either four or five stars," Shaggy said.

All-out promotion

As far as promoting the album is concerned, Shaggy says he will be going all out as there are a couple shows and interviews that have already been lined up.

"So far so good. Mi line up fi do Jay Leno ('Tonight Show') and Craig Ferguson ('The Late Show'), but because of the strike we had to reshuffle. But we've been doing promotions and shows in Europe, but the U.S. leg was stalled a bit because of that, so we just got started," Shaggy said.

He added, "We plan to send a couple more videos down there (in Jamaica) either in the Christmas or next year, but wi definitely haffi hit the streets."

Like Vegas, Shaggy says he does not think the festive season will boost album sales. "I think it will have some impact, but not in any huge significant way where sales are concerned," he said.

For now, it will just be promotions and more promotions for the album, as Shaggy says, "I wasn't planning to do any more touring for the rest of the year, just promoting the album. But next year the touring will start heavily. I think Brussels is the first tour date early next year."

Other albums that will also be fresh on the shelves this Christmas include I-Wayne's Book Of Life and Pressure's Love And Affection.