This year's annual staging of the Boss Sounds Festival in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, has been renamed 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 and The Cluny 2, The Tyneside Cinema and The Curtis Mayfield House, Newcastle-upon- Tyne on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2009 and headliners will be Reggae star Freddie McGregor (June 21), Ska king Derrick Morgan in a superb double bill with Ska legend Owen Gray (June 20) and the Mighty Diamonds.

Special features

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 'Rico Rodriques - the Legacy' which captures the trombone player's life, tracking his time with The Specials and Bob Marley. Reggae Film Festival co-founder Peter Gittins will coordinate the film screenings.

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, McGregor went on to 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.

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 film, Quadraphenia. His performance is a must for all fans of Ska music. Owen Gray who will be joining Morgan, is one of the pioneers of Jamaican music, famous for his Ska hit, Millie Girl.

The Boss Sounds launch 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 a tremendous after-show party at World Headquarters.

( L - R ) Freddie McGregor, Derrick Morgan