IVOR Ruddock, the manager of Gyptian, has issued a statement in response to rumours about the health of the Reggae star, clarifying that he is suffering from dehydration following a 60-day tour of Europe and Africa.

 Singer/songwriter Duane Stephenson is set to hit the road with the legendary Wailers, this week. As the tour opener for The Wailers, one of reggae music's most prized acts worldwide for decades, Stephenson will be placed in the spotlight to bring his blend of new-age reggae music to some of the genre's most avid lovers.

This U.S. tour will journey along the east coast, from Florida to Maine, and runs for two weeks. It kicks off on Thursday, September 16 at the University of South Carolina, and concludes on Friday, October 1 at the prestigious House of Blues in New Orleans, Louisiana.

REGGAE singer, Gramps and his brother Peetah Morgan are reportedly still on a musical high after completing solo tours of Europe that saw them delivering performances in Zurich, Switzerland; Poland; Bersenbruck, Germany; Oslo, Norway; Uppsala, Sweden; Schlossplatz, Germany; Amsterdam, Holland; Cantazaro and Lecce, Italy.

“The shows were all well attended and everyone was very satisfied with our solo performances. A few fans even commented that they were shocked, as they did not know I could sing so good. To be honest, to hear fans sing along to songs from my debut album was refreshing and is an endorsement of the hard work that I have put in over the last 12 months,” Gramps said in an interview.

THE bravado of Tivoli Gardens residents who, dressed in white, vowed two weeks ago to die for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke -- a man indicted by the United States on charges of drug- and gun-running -- was nowhere to be found Thursday when the media were allowed a one-hour tour of the embattled community.

Hours after the sun came up on the fifth day of the military operation in the feared inner-city enclave that served as Coke's stronghold, women and young girls, who had given loud and vociferous support in his defence, were noticeably quiet. After previously announcing their willingness to die for Coke, against whom Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced on May 17 extradition proceedings would begin, the Sunday Observer could find no one still willing to breathe their last breath for him.