February 7, 2008 – The Half Moon Hotel/Resort, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was the scene on Saturday, January 26, 2008, when the entertainment fraternity turns out to support the launch of the latest venture from superstar artiste, Half Pint. Dignitaries, media personalities from Jamaica, the US, Europe and the Caribbean along celebrities from as far as Germany witnessed the Jamaican launch of his album No Stress Express. This offering will be released worldwide on March 11, 2008 through Half Pint Music / Essential Music Group and distributed via Universal Music Group Distribution.
No Stress Express is deemed to be a classic and is poised to be his best album to date. The hot tracks include “Unity” featuring Jack Maness from Long Beach Dub All Stars / Sublime, “Bad Boys” featuring Sizzla, “Just be Good” featuring R&B songbird Mikki Howard, ‘Mind Over Matter,” ”Suzie,” and “Children of His Majesty.” Half Pint will be performing on three shows in Great Britain to promote the album in February 2008 and a US tour in April / May.
High praises poured out for Half Pint acknowledging his latest achievement. His manager, Loyal Haylett, lamented on his fifteen year relationship with the superstar. Ras Astor Black reminisced on the early days of the artiste’s career performing and doing interviews on reggae Roots TV in Chicago. He stated that “Half Pint deserves to be on the Reggae Walk of Fame.” Jamaica’s Minister Of Culture and Information, the Hon Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange stated, “the singer represented the culture of Jamaica and has always made her feel proud.” She thanked his record company for supporting Half Pint.
Mr. Desmond Young, the President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM) remarked that artistes such as Half Pint make Jamaica the most popular place on earth. Other speakers included Levent Karahan, President of United Music Industries, Derede Whitlock, a representative from the Ministry of Tourism of Antigua and Barbuda, and producer / industry veteran Clifton ‘Specialist’ Dillon. Mingling in the gathering were Sharon Burke, Ainsworth Davis, Bridgette Anderson, Dacosta Records executives Tyehimba Kafele and Dr. Vernon Dacosta, singers Carol Gonzales and Pam Hall, Ken Williams (WVIP -NYC), Jamusa (WAVS – So Florida), Steve James (Roots FM), Conrad McLeod, Howard Hendricks, David ‘Squeeze” Anakie (Link Up Media), Sandra Rose, photographer Dianne Issachar and representatives from The Gleaner, The Sunday Herald, XNEWS, Jamaica Observer, JamRock magazine, Buzzz magazine, Echos magazine,Yard Flex, Bob Arts TV, Carib TV, ReggaeInc.com, Serfphonic Disco among others.
Half Pint has enjoyed a long history of success dating back to the early 1980s. His first big hit “Winsome” was later covered by the Rolling Stones in 1986. Today,he is surrounded by a competent and able support team which consists of manager Loyal Haylett, and Ra-Umi Alkebu-lan ” Alkebu-lan / The Media (Jamaica) and Russell Gerlach / Foundation Media (North America).
