Flat-nose pliers

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Pliers are a hand tool used to hold objects firmly, for bending, or physical compression. Generally, pliers consist of a pair of metal first-class levers joined at a fulcrum positioned closer to one end of the levers, creating short jaws on one side of the fulcrum, and longer handles on the other side. This arrangement creates a mechanical advantage, allowing the force of the hand's grip to be amplified and focused on an object with precision. The jaws can also be used to manipulate objects too small or unwieldy to be manipulated with the fingers.

There are many kinds of pliers made for various general and specific purposes.

History[link]

As pliers in the general sense are an ancient and simple invention, no single point in history, or inventor, can be credited. Early metal working processes from several millennia BCE would have required plier-like devices to handle hot materials in the process of smithing or casting. Development from wooden to bronze pliers would have probably happened sometime prior to 3000 BCE.^[1] Among the oldest illustrations of pliers are those showing the Greek god Hephaestus in his forge. Today, pliers intended principally to be used for safely handling hot objects are usually called tongs. The number of different designs of pliers grew with the invention of the different objects which they were used to handle: horseshoes, fasteners, wire, pipes, electrical, and electronic components.

Design[link]

The basic design of pliers has changed little since their origins, with the pair of handles, the pivot (often formed by a rivet), and the head section with the gripping jaws or cutting edges forming the three elements. In distinction to a pair of scissors or shears, the plier's jaws always meet each other at one pivot angle.

The materials used to make pliers consist mainly of steel alloys with additives such as vanadium or chromium, to improve strength and prevent corrosion. Often, pliers have insulated grips to ensure better handling and prevent electrical conductivity. In some lines of fine work (such as jewellery or musical instrument repair), some specialized pliers feature a layer of comparatively soft metal (such as brass) over the two plates of the head of the pliers to reduce pressure placed on some fine tools or materials. Making entire pliers out of softer metals would be impractical, reducing the force required to bend or break them.

Gallery[link]

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  Slip joint pliers

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  Diagonal pliers or side cutters

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  Lineman's pliers or combination pliers

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  Needle-nose pliers

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  Pincers

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  Electrical wire stripping and terminal crimping pliers

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  Crimptool for N, R-SMA, TNC connectors for RG174, RG58 and HDF/LMR200

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  Heavy duty crimping pliers with interchangeable RJ heads

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  Hand crimp tool

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  Hand crimp tool for insulated terminals and non-insulated terminals; also has a wire cutter and stripper and screw cutters

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  Tongue-and-groove pliers

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  Locking pliers

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pliers

Look up pliers in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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Chaka Demus
Chaka Demus live on stage in Stockholm in 2009
Background information
Birth name	John Taylor
Also known as	Chaka Demus,
Born	(1963-04-16) April 16, 1963 (age 49)
Origin	Kingston, Jamaica
Genres	Reggae, Dancehall
Instruments	Vocals, Turntables
Associated acts	Chaka Demus & Pliers

John Taylor (born April 16, 1963 in West Kingston), better known as Chaka Demus, is a Jamaican reggae musician and DJ, best known as part of the duo Chaka Demus & Pliers.

Biography[link]

Early Years[link]

Taylor was a regular attendee at Kingston dances and was given a chance by Prince Jammy to DJ on his sound system.^[1] Upon releasing his debut single, the Jammy-produced "Increase Your Knowledge" in 1985, he was virtually unknown and none of his early records saw chart success, but would later become huge hits. Other musicians quickly recognised him as having great potential, most notably Yellowman who joined him for such songs as "Everybody Loves Chaka", "Scotty", and "Bring It To Me" and Admiral Bailey, who collaborated with him on "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer", giving him his first hit.^[1] After minor success, he moved to the Penthouse Records label where he recorded the single "Chaka on the Move" but switched back to Jammy's the following year where he paired up with Shabba Ranks for the Rough & Rugged album. The same year saw the release of "Everybody Loves Chaka", for the Scorpio label, which was then followed up by the 1989 album, The Original Chaka' 'Watch me Ride'.^{[citation needed]}

Mainstream Success[link]

He first met Pliers (Everton Bonner) in 1991 and suggested that they team up.^[1] They enjoyed an internationally successful partnership including a string of hit singles and a number one album in the UK between 1993 and 1997.^[2]

In 2007, Chaka Demus & Pliers reunited to record a track called "Need Your Lovin" which was released on vinyl, on Explorer Records. On November 18, 2007, Chaka Demus & Pliers performed "Murder She Wrote" alongside Alicia Keys at the 2007 American Music Awards. The new album, "So Proud", was released in Europe and the Middle east in October 2008. A solo album, called DJ Spirit was released in 2008.

Chaka Demus now runs his own record label, Bright Star, on which he has released records by his son, known by his stage name of Marvellous.^[1]

He continues to perform with Pliers, and recorded a new album in 2012, featuring guest appearances from Pliers, Marvellous, and Freddie McGregor.^[3]

References[link]

Richie Spice (born Richell Bonner on September 8, 1971 in Rock Hall, St. Andrew, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae artist.^[1] He is a member of the Rastafari movement. Some of his most famous songs include, "Youth Dem Cold", "Groovin' My Girl", "Earth A Run Red", "Marijuana" and "The Plane Land". He is one of the Bonner brothers all of whom are reggae artists, including Pliers and Spanner Banner.

Biography[link]

Spice's first Jamaican single "Killing a Sound" was produced by Dennis "Star" Hayes. This was followed by "Shine" by ace Jamaican record producer/musician Clive Hunt. Spice also teamed up with Hunt for his debut album on the Island Jamaica Label from which came his first major hit "Grooving my girl". His sister, Bridgett Bonner for Bonner Productions Ltd., organized his second album. The album produced hits such as "Earth a Run Red", "Living Ain't Easy", Land of Jamaica "Time So Rough", the aforementioned "Grooving My Girl" and many others.

Having gained popularity in the mid-'90s, Spice has performed at all major shows staged locally namely Reggae Sun Splash (a paid tribute by him to Bob Marley), White River Reggae Bash, Rebel Salute and many others. Spice has opened shows for the likes of Chaka Demus and Pliers, Spanner Banner and Rita Marley on extensive tours of Europe and the United States 1996-1997.

He again toured East North America from June to September 2001. His increased popularity has gained him spots at numerous venues. His most recent projects include performances at Sting held at Jam World St. Catherine (December 26, 2002) and Sting Miami (March 2003).

More recently, a remix of one of his more popular tracks, "Marijuana" by Digital Mystikz's Coki, re-named "Burnin'" has focused more attention to him in the blossoming dubstep scene coming out of the UK. The original version of "Marijuana" also appears on the "These Are Serious Times" modern reggae compilation on XL Recordings.

His song 'Youth Dem Cold' was featured on Grand Theft Auto IV's Massive B Soundsytem 96.9 and the ending sound track of Attack the Block.

Richie Spice-Book of Job The Old Testament’s Book of Job considered the Bible’s most profound and scholarly work, addresses the significance of unwavering faith as it relates the tribulations endured by a godly man named Job. As a series of circumstances take Job from prosperity to destitution, it is his devotion to the Almighty that carries him through his greatest adversities and ultimately, restores his fortunes.

Singer Richie Spice’s chose “Book of Job” as the title for his 5th album, scheduled for release on February 22, 2011 on VP Records, because his commitment to creating uplifting music is as unwavering as Job’s faith was while enduring his many hardships. “A whole heap of things reach Job, he lose wealth, he lose him family, him lose everything, but because he was praising God, he regain,” Spice explains. “It’s the same thing with the music: it is righteousness me declare to the fullest and me nah go switch. A lot of people switch and sing other songs but we say righteousness because righteousness shall cover the earth like water cover the sea. We never give up on those words. It is something that we know must happen in time.”

Although prevailing trends find many reggae artists glorifying an array of vices, Spice’s steadfast commitment to Jah Rastafari propels his mission of using music as an honorable weapon, which he wields to stunning effect throughout “Book of Job”. Whether he is extolling “The Mother of Creation” or honoring his “Father”, celebrating the “Joy of Reggae” or “The Soothing Sound” that is Jamaican music overall (and Spice’s music in particular) Spice’s evocatively sung vocals complemented by scatted punctuations and deejayed phrases are neatly woven into organically crafted one drop riddims (courtesy of the set’s primary producer Donovan Germain) yielding a benchmark release for contemporary cultural reggae. “When you sing of good, you will find that evil rise up and try to dominate the good,” Spice observes. “Culture music might rise, people start to accept it and artists jump on the bandwagon but if they see evil more popular than good then they will go towards the evil. But there are artists who never stray and I will always use my talent to do good because good will always overcome evil.”

Since he began singing Richie Spice has dependably used his music for good, guaranteeing that inspirational roots reggae isn’t relegated to a bygone era but continues as a thriving, evolving genre. Born Richell Bonner in the Kingston, Jamaica suburb of St. Andrew, Richie Spice hails from a musical family that includes his older brother Pliers (from the deejay/singer duo Chaka Demus and Pliers of “Murder She Wrote” fame), singer Spanner Banner and deejay Snatcher Dogg. It was Spanner Banner (best known for his hit “Life Goes On”) who first brought Spice to the recording studio; the hopeful singer, initially, couldn’t manage the rigors of voicing on a riddim track but the opportunity opened his eyes to the proficiency required to succeed in the (reggae) music industry. “That experience show me that to reach anywhere there is a lot of work to be done,” Spice reflects.

Spice continued working towards gaining a foothold in the music business and before long, he met veteran producer Clive Hunt who produced his breakthrough single “Grooving My Girl”, a captivating lovers rock tune that is still one of the most popular songs within Spice’s repertoire. “Grooving” was initially featured on Spice’s 2000 debut album “Universal” (Heartbeat Records) as was the song that would make him a household name in Jamaica, the apocalyptic roots anthem “Earth A Run Red”. In 2004 he joined forces with Kingston based 5th Element Records/Management who recognized Spice’s songs had the potential to reach a wider audience. 5th Element rereleased “Earth A Run Red” and shot an accompanying video; the song went on to become (arguably) the biggest reggae hit of 2004 and the New York Times named Spice’s sophomore release “Spice in Your Life” as one of that year’s best reggae albums (VP Records rereleased “Spice in Your Life” in 2006).

Since then Spice has gone on to reap numerous awards including Male Singer/Singjay of the Year at Jamaica’s IRIE FM Awards in 2007 and, following his performance at the first annual “Black My Story” concert held in Kingston on Feb. 2, 2008 Spice was honored for his positive musical contributions. Spice has also released three superb albums for VP Records: “In the Streets To Africa”, reached no. 6 on the Billboard Reggae chart in 2007, its hit single “Youth Dem Cold”, produced by popular New York Reggae radio personality Bobby Konders, peaked at no. 59 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart. “Gideon Boot” debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard Reggae chart, in May 2008, propelled by the hits “Di Plane Land” and the inspiring title track that details his vow to continually wage war for the survival of righteous reggae.

“Book of Job” builds upon those valorous efforts with a compelling mix of Rasta anthems (“Jah Never Let Us Down”), unity pleas (“No More War”) selections for the ladies (“Serious Woman” produced by Shane Brown) and social commentaries drawn from Spice’s life experiences (“Street Life” and “Yap Yap”, produced by Stephen “Lenky” Marsden). Spice has performed throughout the world including concerts in Japan, all over Europe and in Africa, and his interactions with people from various hscultures has influenced his writing. “Legal”, for example, was inspired by his visit to Goree Island, just off the coast of Senegal, where slaves were held before they were shackled and forced on to ships that sailed across the Atlantic, making stops throughout the Caribbean on their way to the Americas. “That song is to honor the tribulation that those people go through at those time,” Spice explains. The song’s memorable hook, meanwhile, sums up the injustices that persist today: “Wi legal still dem a gwaan like seh wi illegal.”

Spice targets the drugs, guns and other oppressive tools of the “Babylon” system (“some don’t want you lift your head above the water…Babylon dem want to keep you in the gutter’) on “Confirmation”; he urges his brothers to show respect to each other and honor their ancestors’ sacrifices as he cautions “Don’t Call Mi No Dog” (produced by Horace Davis): “To call one’s self a dog is to lower one’s self-esteem and self-worth,” says Spice, acknowledging a common street slang used among the youths. “I don't feel good to hear my brothers calling themselves dogs. As an artist, it is my job to uplift the youths and teach them right from wrong, that's why I do this song.”

In Spice’s heartfelt prayer to the Almighty, “Better Tomorrow”, he asks for strength to face a new day while expressing hope for a brighter future. “You have people out there who need help,” says Spice, “and the only way for me to give dem hope right now is through music.” With the release of “Book of Job” Spice honors his pledge towards making music that empowers and educates as it entertains, insuring a better tomorrow for reggae music.”

 The most recent works of the artiste, Richie Spice, is he has been touring West Coast, USA for the past 4 consecutive years, with much success and gaining added recognition of his works and messages from all class, creed and culture.  He has graced many a countries, cities and states belting an imprint of what authentic, life-long reggae music is to be, such places include, Kenya, Australia, The Caribbean, Europe, USA, Costa Rica and Brazil, just to name a few.

Reggae Music is my conscious livity that helps me to embrace life each new day as it dawns, "Spice proclaims".

Discography[link]

• 1999: Living Ain't Easy
• 2000: Universal
• 2006: Spice In Your Life
• 2007: In The Streets To Africa #6 at Top Reggae Albums^[2]
• 2008: Gideon Boot #1 at Top Reggae Albums^[2]
• 2009: Street Life
• 2011: Book Of Job

References[link]

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