This year’s annual staging of the Boss Sounds Festival in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, has been re-named the Red Stripe Boss Sounds Festival after the Jumpin’ Hot Club secured a deal with the famous Jamaican brewer. The Festival takes place at the Cluny & The Cluny 2, The Tyneside Cinema and The Curtis Mayfield House, Newcastle upon Tyne on Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 June 2009 and headliners will be Roots Legend Freddie McGregor (21st June), Ska King Derrick Morgan in a superb double bill with Ska legend Owen Gray (20th June), and The Congos.

This year’s festival will also feature for the first time outside Jamaica, “The Reggae Film Festival” which will see some of the greatest reggae films ever made screened at the Tyneside Cinema. Highlights include “Heartland Reggae” which documented Bob Marley’s One Love concert and “Duke Vin & The Birth Of Ska” which documents the arrival of Reggae in the UK via the first ever Jamaican sound systems run by the likes of Duke Vin and Count Suckle, and “Rico Rodriques – the Legacy” which captures the trombone players life, tracking his time with The Specials and Bob Marley.

Freddie McGregor ranks alongside Bob Marley as one of the biggest reggae singers Jamaica has ever produced. Famous for his smash number One hit, “I Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” he is loved by pop fans and reggae enthusiasts alike. A graduate of the famous Studio One, Freddie went on the develop a reputation as one of the most vocally gifted singers in reggae, able to turn his hand to lovers or roots material with equal potency as demonstrated on massive hits like, “Big Ship” and “Jogging”.

Backing up Freddie on the Sunday will be Jamaica’s greatest roots combo the Congos. Lauded for their sublime “Heart of the Congos” one of Lee Perry’s greatest releases. A pure roots vocal trio rated at amongst the genres greatest acts and making their north-east debut.

The King of Ska, Derrick Morgan’s career dates back to the birth of the Jamaican record industry. He is famous for his Jamaican Independence anthem, “Forward March” and recorded extensively for Prince Buster. He later fell out with the great Prince and recorded, “Blazing Fire” which was featured on the Soundtrack to The Who film, Quadraphenia. His performance is a must for all fans of Ska music. Owen Gray who will be joining Derrick is one of the pioneers of Jamaican music famous for his Ska hit, “Millie Girl”.

The Boss Sounds launch which takes place on the 4th June, features the Mighty Diamonds, the sublime Jamaican vocal trio famous for their hits, “Pass the Dutchie”, “I need a Roof” and a string of ’70s roots classics..

Other festival highlights include Ska’d for Life DJs and great bands, Diddley Squat and the Emporers Dentist plus as ever a tremendous After-show party at World Headquarters.

For more information go to www.jumpinhot.com or www.myspace.com/bosssoundsfestival