REMEMBER Harlem Gem, local icons of reggae who began performing in Bradford all those years ago? Based in Huddersfield, the Gems released some of the most memorable and smoothest reggae releases to come out of England. After several years break, they are performing live once again after several years break for an extra-special gig for the people of Bradford this coming Sunday the 5th of April at the relaxed, multicultural Love Apple CaféBar (around the corner from the Alhambra Theatre, opposite Wetherspoons) around 9pm.

ALSO PERFORMING is international world music pioneer DisOrientalist, who ran the quintessential Love Apple club night DisOriental, which sadly ended three years ago, and he will be flying across especially to Yorkshire from Dublin, where he is performing the night before, to bring back the magic of DisOriental for one night only!

IF YOU LOVE REGGAE, you cannot miss the not-for-profit community event in Bradford city centre, "Sunday Funday". It's only £3 in, and the event lasts from 5pm to midnight, and there are dub and world music DJs, and even bellydancers plus home-cooked food is available (including vegan options). A high definition copy of the poster is included as an attachment with this email, if you'd like to print it off and help us advertise the event.

ABOUT HARLEM GEM

HAILING from Huddersfield, headlining act Harlem Gem are Richmond Quarshie
(Richy Gem) and Lloyd Charles (Lloydie Gem). After working on seperate
projects, gifted singer/songwriter/producer Richy linked-up with lead
vocalist Lloydie in 1989 to form the outfit, the outfit signing for Boss
Records, releasing a series of distinctive singles including the
unforgettable Missing You, Missing Me c/w Heaven Is (*Lying In Your Arms),
which topped the independent singles charts and won Harlem Gem the
Best Newcomers Award.

HERALDING a new horizon, single Let Me Love You received critical acclaim
in 1994, playlisted nationally on radio, including Radio 1, and was featured
on Jet Star's premier reggae compilation series - Pure Lovers Vol. 6
alongside distingished legends like Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Junior
Delgado and Ruddy Thomas, helping establish Harlem Gem in Europe, Africa,
the Far East and other parts of the world. Around the same time, Harlem Gem
appeared on Teenbeat, Africa's premier television music programme, alongside
the likes of Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and Shabba Ranks.

SHARING THE STAGE with The Wailers, D-Influence, Alton Ellis, Mike Anthony,
Don Campbell and many more, Harlem Gem sparked an explosion in UK reggae.
Their 1999 album Hungry capivated hearts and minds with powerful messages
about social struggles and human issues, giving the band their deserved
acclaim, Hungry rated as one of the most consciousnessly significant albums
of its time.

"It's one of the most committed and paradoxically engaging UK reggae albums
of all times". ECHOES

"The genious duo that make up Harlem Gem deserve your respect and
admiration... The future's safe in their hands". PEOPLESOUND

"It looks like it's taken a duo from Huddersfield to stamp UK's reggae
imprint firmly upon the map". THE VOICE

"It's probably the best thing I've heard coming out of the UK for a long
time". NEW NATION

"A splendid UK debut sure to put them well on the road!" REGGAE TRADE

FOLLOWING their rise to stardom, Harlem Gem toured France, appeared at
Clotheshow Live! at the NEC, the Hackney Empire, the Commonwealth Sports
Awards in St Lucia, and the Bradford International Music Festival,
confirming their status as one of the UK's most accomplished reggae outfits.
The potent combination of Richy's musical integrity and Lloydie's silky
smooth voice, a unique formula in reggae, has become instrumental in
defining their distinctive sound.

Discover more at: - www.myspace.com/harlemgem

NOW RECORDING for Huddersfield-based in-house label Gem Magic Records, they
are releasing a brand new EP entitled Xtra Play 1 (XP1), forming part of an XP series. Including a trio of new songs including Everyday, You and I, and Only You Can Fly, "the Gems" are back on the scene with a vengeance. Special guest at the Love Apple is recording artist Junior Lex (formerly of One Love) who also features on the EP. While XP1 will be available mostly by download, there will be a limited number of colector's piece CD copies at the Love Apple on a first-come, first served basis, so only those fans attending the gig this Sunday will be able to lay their hands on a hard copy of their new material.

ACCOMPLISHED musician/mixed-media artist/DJ/producer/promoter and clinical
engineer Aejaz Zahid (DisOrientalist) has travelled far and wide across
the world exploring fascinating musical styles, traditional, experimental,
and a mixture of the old and the new, encorporating vast soundscapes into
his eclectic compositions. Originating from Lahore, the film, arts and media capital of Pakistan, having lived, studied, DJed created live music all around the world including North Africa and the Middle East, a graduate of McGill University in Canada, the University of Surrey and Trinity College, Dublin, Aejaz has progressed from a mixer and two tape decks to the latest computer-generated technology, and is also developing an eye-cordinated music-making sortware for people with motor disabilities.

At 8PM, DisOrientalist will be playing an special unmissable global live electronic performance, combining African, Asian and Eastern European influences, just as he did at the Jambash, Essaouira, Morocco (see picture!).

KATH CANOVILLE from BCB Radio (the Global Meltdown show), will be spinning hot fusion tracks from the decks along with the Unknown Zone and Aunt Sally, so if you love good music, and care about the local scene, please attend this community gig, and let's keep reggae alive.

PLUS there will be comedy cabaret music from Madam Laycock and her Dabeno Pleasures, bellydancers from Manchester (the Urban Gypsies), poetry from Jane Steel, and illuminated butterfly art from Crunchy Seafood Snack. Best of all, it's all not-for-profit, and a credit crunching £3 in (under 16s get in free accompanied by adult), so the organisers hope to see you all down at Sunday Funday.

SHOW YOUR LOVE for Harlem Gem, and turn up to the Love Apple in Bradford City Centre this Sunday.

See You There!

"Sunday Funday Goes DisOriental"
5th of April 2009, 5pm to Late
£3, under16s free with adults before 8.30pm
Love Apple Bar & Restaurant
Bottom of Great Horton Rd,
Bradford City Centre (near Alhambra Theatre),
01274 744075

www.myspace.com/thesundayfunday