Reggae Sessions

U-Roy and Junior Murvin - Coming to Zion

2006-12-27T08:53:00.000+02:00

The winds of reggae are blowing hard in Zion lately. After legendary shows this past year by The Gladiators, Eek-a-Mouse, Lee Perry, The Mad Professor, Matisiyahu and Ziggy Marley, we are treated to a real special nite to start off the new year. U-Roy and Junior Murvin a comin' to Zion for THREE shows, 2 in Tel Aviv and one in Jerusalem, Jan. 24 - 26.

Originally born named 'Ewart', he got his famous name from a young family member who couldn't pronounce Ewart and the nickname stuck. Known as the Originator, U-Roy wasn't the first DJ, nor even the first to cut a record, but with a career now spanning over 5 decades, he is a legend indeed. He was the first to shake the Jamaican nation and he originated a style so distinctly unique by DJing over old record cuts, that he single-handedly changed Jamaica's music scene forever.

Junior Murvin is known for his falsetto vocals, unique dancehall style, and is famous for his hits recorded with such greats as Lee Scratch Perry, King Tubby and Joe Gibb. "Police and Thieves" which was his most famous and first hit, has been re-recorded by The Clash, Boy George and others.

Together on one stage in Zion, these should be some really great shows. Below is a preview of what we should expect - Check it:

Daddy U-Roy inna stylee fashion:

Junior Murvin - Police and Thieves - 2004:

Tanya Stephens Shut Out of 2006 Reggae Grammy Nominations

2006-12-14T23:11:00.000+02:00

Ziggy Marley, Sly and Robbie, Matisyahu, Buju Banton and UB40 are all gonna battle it out for the Reggae Category Grammy….BUT the widely hailed Rebelution album by Tanya Stephens was completely shut out of the nominations.

The nominations for the 2006 Grammy awards were released a week ago and in the Reggae category, a conspicuous absence is that of Tanya Stephens, whose Rebelution album was widely hailed and on the top of many charts, but is not among the nominees. Stephens' previous album, 2004's Gangsta Blues was also bypassed for nomination that year.

In an interview with the Jamaican media, Stephens said that she did not need any validation outside of Jamaica for her album.’That's like a girl begging to get into the boys' club. It's a club unto itself, and I don't need it." She referred to Shaggy's multi-platinum Hot Shots album, which also missed Grammy nomination.

The 2006 nominees in the reggae category are Too Bad by Buju Banton, Ziggy Marley's Love Is My Religion, Youth by Chasidic Jew chanter Matisyahu, Sly & Robbie's Rhythm & Doubles and Who You Fighting For by UB40.

Plans for Bob Marley and the Wailers Movie - The Black Beatles

2006-12-07T14:21:00.000+02:00

'The Black Beatles' is the title of a screenplay by John Dixon, an african-american obsessed with Bob Marley and The Wailers, and who was inspired to write a script on the legendary reggae group. Dixon is a an amateur screenwriter who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

While still in super preliminary stages, Dixon has launched a basic website called Black Beatles with portions of the script for public view, in order to publish and present his idea out in the open to Hollywood moguls. Dixon claims that his script has been five years in the making and that "it's not just another Bob Marley and The Wailers story". "What makes my project stronger is it is not another documentary, which I personally feel there are too many," he said. "The Black Beatles script is part fictional and dramatized to make the film more interesting."

There's been lots of industry buzz recently about Bob Marley films coming soon, specifically Warner Brothers was talking about producing a major budget bio of Marley, as well as talk of Jamie Foxx playing the leading role.

Dixon prefers to focus on all members of the original Wailers, especially Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. "With all due respect to Bob Marley, I want the film to show that Peter and Bunny were just as talented." Getting his story of The Wailers on screen, he says, would be the ultimate tribute to one of popular music's outstanding groups.

Dixon also adds (and it makes sense to me see the pics at the top):

"Can you imagine Terrence Howard as Bob Marley, Samuel L. Jackson as Peter Tosh, Don Cheadale as Bunny Wailer and Nick Nolte as Chris Blackwell?"

If you're interested in contacting John Dixon 'bout dis movie, you can do so by emailing him at wisemanspeaks@aol.com or calling954-767-4828. For a full length interview with John Dixon about his movie plans, click here, or for a little taste of some legendary original Wailers positive vibrations Live in London 1973 , check it below.

Dennis "The Crown Prince" Brown - Nuff Respect (1999)

2006-12-03T14:36:00.001+02:00

Were it not for a fundamental flaw in his character, Dennis Brown, died at age 42, should have been crowned the undisputed king of reggae. After Bob Marley's death in 1981, fans were practically gagging to hand him the title. Even Marley himself had selected Brown as his successor, dubbing him the "crown prince" of reggae.

Managing to record over 70 albums and 300 singles over a 26 year career, he began his musical career at 9 years of age. A visit to Studio One at the age of 12 resulted in his first hits, the singles "No Man Is an Island". In a career that spanned 4 decades, Dennis worked with many of reggae's top names, beginning with Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, going on to work with Winston (Niney) Holness, Joe Gibbs, engineer Errol Thompson, Sly & Robbie, Gussie Clarke, Bunny Lee Delroy Wright, and many more.

Some of his major hits include "Whip them Jah Jah", "Revolution" and “Money in My Pocket” which hit the pop charts in England during the late 70’s. In 1994 he was nominated for a Grammy for the album “Light My Fire”.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Dennis Emmanuel Brown became ill while touring in Brazil in May 1999 smoking some of his last spliffs (or should I say crack-pipe?) with Gregory Isaacs and Max Romeo. He passed away soon thereafter in July of 1999. Though his initial cause of death was noted as respiratory failure, some reports state that Brown actually died of AIDS-related pneumonia. Around the industry, it was allegedly known that Brown had contracted AIDS and was a frequent crack-cocaine user.

In the days leading up to Dennis’ funeral, a reported 10,000 mourners (right) filed past the casket. Later, crowds watched a tribute at the National Arena, which included performances from Maxi Priest and Shaggy, as well as an appearance from his five (of thirteen) children.

Below is an 8 minute interview with him in 1982, as well as a video of a live performance of "Revolution"

Perry Henzell - Jamaican Director of "The Harder they Come" dies

2006-12-01T12:58:00.000+02:00

Perry Henzell, whose low-budget urban Jamaican film "The Harder They Come" became an international blockbuster in 1972, died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.

Ironically, Henzell died one day before his film, "No Place Like Home", was to be shown at the Flashpoint Film Festival which opens today in Negril, Jamaica. It is part of a thematic trilogy of which The Harder They Come was the first. His new film is the second in the trilogy and most of the film was actually shot just under three decades ago during the 1970s. It has been about 25 years in the making as it was severely hampered by financial problems.

The Harder They Come made a superstar out of now reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, who played the lead role of Ivan. With the up and coming reggae beat during the 70's, The Harder They Come helped introduce reggae and Jamaican pop culture to an international audience, and even won Best New Cinema at the 1973 Venice Film Festival.

Even Jamaican PM Portia Simpson Miller reacted to news of Henzell's death, saying he "made a sterling contribution to the development of the arts in Jamaica. Jamaica has lost a very talented son and his death has created a void throughout the creative industries in Jamaica."

In honor of Perry Henzell, here's the trailer of his greatest contribution to reggae history. Check it.

Tosh Family Beats the Sh!tstem - M16 Guitar eBay Auction Cancelled

2006-11-29T13:40:00.000+02:00

The eBay auction of Peter Tosh's M16 Stratocaster Guitar, as previously announced here on Reggae Sessions, will not be proceeding as planned at the FlashPoint Film Festival after massive controversy and protests by two of his sons who live in the U.S. A legal claim disputing the current ownership has been filed, and in the interests of parties, it is impractical to proceed with the auction.

The auction was to take place on behalf of Andrea (Marlene) Brown, the late Tosh's common-law wife, who put the guitar up for auction in October. She told the Jamaica Gleane r that Tosh gave her the Fender Stratocaster as a gift. But the rastaman's sons objected to the sale, saying it belonged to the Peter Tosh Foundation. Brown's family had the guitar for 19 years stored in the United States.

I tried to place a call to Peter's youngest son, Jawara Tosh (see bottom pic), who wrote numerous open letters to the festival, to Ms. Brown, and to the citizens of Jamaica expressing his concern about this highway robbery. Jawara Tosh lives in Boston and is known in music circles as Tosh1. I wanted to give personal tanks and praises to him that this piece of reggae history will not be sold to the highest bidder and massive bigups for his effort to stop this horrendous crime from occurring.

You can contact him yourselves to show your support via email at jtosh2020@yahoo.com, or by calling him on the phone at 617-929-1673 and letting him know how you feel. Don't forget to mention Reggae Sessions ;-)

Let's hope dis one stays a part of reggae history forever. Nuff Respect to the Steppin Razor. Check it!

Reggae Inna Israel - Past to Present in Zion

2006-11-26T14:16:00.000+02:00

Some of you may already know this, but I'm based out of Tel Aviv, Israel, which has been my home for the past 7 years. Combining the fact that it is off the usual music tour routes, along with the sometimes nervewracking political and security situation which scares people off, some high quality acts have come here throughout the years. I thought I'd give tanks and praise to all of those that have made an effort and come to spread the irie reggae vibes to the people of Zion.

1982: Aswad, Dillinger
1983: Amazulu, Kabbala
1984: Musical Youth
1985: The Wailers
1988: Voices from the Third World Festival - featuring Manu Dibango, Alpha Blondy and the Solar System, Toure Kunda, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Rita Marley
1989: UB40
1990: Oasis Peace Festival - featuring The Wailers and Burning Spear
1993: Inner Circle, Achziv Reggae Festival featuring Israel Vibration and Roots Radics
1994: Achiziv Reggae Festival featuring Al Anderson, Jamaica Papa Curvin, The Vitals
1995: Gregory Isaacs, Israel Vibrations, Sister Aisha, The Twinkle Brothers
1996: Culture, Third World
1997: Buju Banton, Shiloh, Misty in Roots
2000: Mutaburaku, Tony Rebel, Alpha Blondy, Prezident Brown, Cutty Ranks, Aba Shanti
2001: Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, Mikey Dread, Saxon Soundsystem with Daddy Colonel
2002: Third World, Mad Professor, Saxon SoundSystem, Jah Mason
2003: Trevor Sax and Saxon SoundSystem,
2005: Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, Matisiyahu
2006: Ziggy Marley, The Gladiators, Eek-A-Mouse

And hopefully many many more to come. Bigup and much thanks to Irielion for much of the information above.

Opposition to Tosh's M16 Guitar eBay Auction Growing

2006-11-25T09:34:00.000+02:00

As per my last post below, it looks like Peter Tosh's legendary M16 guitar he got as a gift from a fan in 1983, on his Mama Africa tour, is going on sale on eBay tomorrow as planned. But not without a fight from his family and ex-managers...

For the full story on the fan and how he ended up getting this guitar into Tosh's hands, check it here.

Following a scathing commentary by guest columnist Herbie Millerin Nov. 19ths Jamaica Observer, reggae impresario Copeland Forbes who, like Miller, was a former Tosh manager, called the planned auction an "illegal transaction". Forbes said, "the family is hurting by the news of the impending auction of their father's most prized posses on his M-16 guitar. We all as lovers of reggae music MUST do something to stop this illegal transaction that is about to take place."

Tosh's youngest child Jawara, in an open letter wrote: "We would like the people of Jamaica and across the globe, who are interested in this auction, to know that they are bidding on stolen property. After Peter was brutally murdered in his home, many of his personal belongings came up missing, this guitar being one of those items. The Tosh family is doing everything in their power to see that this auction does not take place and wants the world to be aware of this injustice. We are Not Gonna Give It Up!"

Forbes wrote a letter to the Jamaica Gleaner last week explaining how this legendary guitar came to be in Tosh's hands:

"It was I who bought that guitar from a fan who custom-made it specially for
Peter and brought it to the Franklyn Plaza Suite Hotel in Los Angeles, where
Peter and his group, Word Sound and Power, were staying on our stop in Los
Angeles when Tosh played the famous Greek Theatre during the Mama Africa World Tour of 1983. During our stay at the hotel a young reggae fan came to the
hotel and asked to see Peter Tosh. The front desk clerk then called me in my
room, as I was then Tosh's manager, saying that a fan wanted to see Peter. I
then spoke to the fan on the hotel's phone and he told me that he had a special
gift for Peter which he personally made for the Bush Doctor."

For the full story on the fan and how he ended up getting this guitar into Tosh's hands, check it here. Long live the Bush Doctor!

Peter Tosh's M16 Guitar on eBay

2006-11-23T11:39:00.000+02:00

Man I would love to get my hands on this one. Don't think I have the cash though :-) Peter Tosh's famous M16 StratoCaster guitar (as seen in the pic here) is going on sale Nov 26th on eBay.

The guitar, specially commissioned by Tosh in 1983, will be auctioned on eBay from 10 p.m. Sunday, November 26 to 10 p.m. Sunday, December 3, 2006. Known as 'The Steppin Razor', Tosh is one of music's most revolutionary figures and the shaping of the guitar into a gun was by no means a cheap attempt at either celebrating violence or seeking hype. Instead, the M16-shaped guitar clicks easily into Tosh's military stance, while using music to battle injustice the world over.

He had particular interest in South Africa's apartheid regime, socio-economic injustice, black consciousness, and promoted the legalisation of ganja. His play on words like 'poli-tricksters' and 'shit-stem' made his music and his performances legendary.

This guitar was first unveiled during Tosh's 1983 European tour, and some say it is actually made from a real M16 from the Angolan war.

Desmond Dekker - Nuff Respect (2006)

2006-11-21T11:44:00.000+02:00

Desmond Dekker, a.k.a Desmond Adolphus Dacres, was the unanimous King of Ska. Dekker and his backing group the Aces had the first international Jamaican hit with Israelites. Released in 1968, it appeared on both the US and UK charts, eventually topping the UK and making Top Ten in the US. He was the first Jamaican performer to enter US markets with pure Jamaican music.

Orphaned as a teenager, Dekker began working as a welder, singing around his workplace while his coworkers encouraged him. Dekker also met Bob Marley at the plant he worked at, who was brought there by his mom to work. "We were very, very good friends," Dekker later said of Bob Marley. "I called him Robbie, he called me Iley One--it means a person who don't have no girlfriend, just eat and sleep and work" The two would go up to the roof of the plant and watch the cricket games (by day) and football games (at night), eating buns and drinking Fantas. "Bob loved to play football and I sometimes used to watch him play. I didn't play, 'cos cricket was more my thing." (See the full 1999 interview)

Dekker's next big hit, King of Ska, on which he was backed by the The Cherrypies (also known as The Maytals), became one of his early signature tunes and remains well-known among ska fans. Other hits include 007 (Shanty Town), from 1967, and It Mek (1969).

In May 2006, Dekker smoked his last spliff before suddenly dying of a heart attack at age 64. A true king. Check it.

Shottas - Raw Jamaican Gangsta Thriller

2006-11-19T16:10:00.000+02:00

Dubbed the Jamaican 'Scarface,' or a combination of 'Scarface' and 'The Harder they Come', Shottas (meaning gangster in Jamaican) just hit the big screens all across America. The featured attraction is Ky-Mani Marley, son of Bob, who has done some reggae recording but here tries out the role of a drug kingpin named Biggs. Spragga Benz, a dancehall star, plays Biggs’s childhood friend Wayne. According to a review in the New York Times, 'This movie glorifies the drug trade and the contempt for life that it entails. Somehow these despicable thugs are surrounded by curvaceous, compliant women, who tend to be onscreen just long enough to bare their breasts, which promptly get bullet holes in them.'

“Shottas” is full of interesting performers in the smaller roles; the best known is probably Wyclef Jean, who also composed the movie’s music. In an article titled "Jamaica should sue Shottas for slander", in the New Jersey Star Ledger, the review reads 'The male performers look stoned, even when they're not supposed to be, and parade before the camera like mugs at a police lineup. The female performers look as if they've just finished two hours of table dances at Scores. The plot consists of people we can't root for killing people we can't stand. The direction consists of someone occasionally remembering to say cut.'

The movie trailer is below. Check it.

The Gladiators - Inna Zion, Come and Gwaan

2006-11-16T21:29:00.000+02:00

After waiting more than 3 weeks since buying my tickets to this show it finally came and went. Come N Gwaan real quick. Like da sun pon fi wintery day. I went to the 2nd of two shows at the Zappa Club in Tel Aviv. Wow! The vibes were very very irie, riddim was flowing and the ganja wafting through the air. This was wicked vintage roots rock reggae at its best, at its core. I give tanks and praise to my beautiful woman Ilanit who snapped dem fotos above. For some more, check it here.

This tour was the first in which Albert Griffith's sons, Al on lead vocals and Anthony on drums, have been almost fully handed over the torch of their father's legacy as founder of this great band. Albert Griffiths was a complete no-show here in Israel so we got a full preview of what's in store for da future. Al Griffiths kept on mentioning his father's name over and over again and towards the end of the show gave respect, lots of love, smiles and bigups to almost anyone and everyone he knows, including his band manager, tour manager, assistant, etc who he all brought on stage. Most of al, I especially liked his Jahrusalem t-shirt (see pic above) which he proudly showed off to the crowd, apparently after the band toured the city itself during the day. I wonder where he bought that. I want one too :-)

The band was tight, with a full brass section as is called for in roots reggae, and great high-pitched vocals by a pair of remaining original gladiators who were also simultaneously playing rhythm guitar, percussion and lead guitar. All da classics were played, including Hello Carol, Stick a Bush, Im a Rast Man, Jah Works and more. For us older generation roots fans, this was 2.5 hours of heaven inna zion. Check it (2 videos below).

Reggae Discrimination? Ask Barrington Levy

2006-11-14T16:33:00.000+02:00

After a recent performance in Jamaica, Stan Evan Smith, the music editor of Carribean Style newspaper, inteviewed Barrington Levy. According to Smith, Levy was "in very candid and frank mood. He had a number of issues he wanted to air publicly."

Levy said "It's not easy being in this business" and the reason he’s kept going over the years is "for the love of the music, not for the money or I would have given it up a long time ago." Levy contends that bias in the music industry seems only to favor light skinned artists like “Bob Marley, Sean Paul and Shaggy” access to the wherewithal to be successful. He expressed strong reservations regarding the perception and treatment of dark skinned artists like him, who “look too much like Marcus Garvey.” Barrington noted that despite his obvious track record of success and enormous talent he has never been given the same label support as his lighter skinned peers who have succeeded. He believes that artists like Shaggy and Sean Paul could benefit from collaborations with him and expressed surprise that this hasn’t already happen given his proven success with P. Diddy on Rapper Shine’s “Bad Boys.”

Levy also hinted that he is contemplating retirement from the recording business. If true, this would be a devastating loss to reggae music. Levy is completing, what he say is his final album, and is seeking a record distribution deal. He says he isn’t interested in a major label deal because he feels record labels only “sign you then shelf you.” His children have taken active interest in the music business, so his retirement would allow him the time to guide them.

Finally, he lamented the fact that white audiences are far more supportive of him and his music than blacks, especially Jamaicans. This constantly amazes him when he plays new places and the all-white audiences sing every word of all of his songs. He complained of feeling betrayed and saddened of being let down by Jamaicans and his peers in the music business whom he feels are not supportive of each other. This last point, seems especially regrettable, Bob Marley complained that after being in Jamaica all his life and not getting the respect he earned, and that it was only when people in Europe, Canada and America recognized him, Jamaican chose to follow suit. Levy’s broadside suggests it seems that not much has changed thirty years after Bob complained in the now famous 1975 ‘Talkin Blues’ interview to Dermot Hussey about this.

Carlton "Carly" Barrett - Nuff Respect (1987)

2006-11-09T23:48:00.000+02:00

Feel it in the one drop... Carlton "Carly" Barrett was the original originator of the one drop rhythm. This drumming scholar's first set of drums was made out of empty paint cans.

He and his brother, bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett (interesting interview - check it) were original members of the Upsetters where they began collaborating with Lee Perry. Bob Marley's Wailers at that time also began moshing it up with Lee Perry. The sessions began a major turning point in the history of reggae music. Between Bob Marley and Lee Perry it will probably never be known who really influenced who, but they probably fed off each other, each in their unique style.

Together they turned the beat down a notch, and thus began the most influential wave of reggae. In 1971, The Wailers / Upsetters collaboration ended in a massive clash over the money and songwriting credits involved, and Bob Marley convinced the Barrett brothers to joinThe Wailers, thus dissolving the most famous Upsetters line-up.

Carlton Barrett stuck with the Wailers from 1969 all the way to Bob Marley's death in 1981, personally writing "Them Belly Full", "Duppy Conqueror" and "Talkin Blues" (check all dem samples). "Field Marshal," as he liked to be called, is indeed the marshal of the one drop rhythm who kept the Wailers steady in his own militant style.

On Good Friday April 17, 1987 Carlton Barrett was brutally murdered as he opened the gate to his home, while smoking his last spliff. People say he was one of the greatest drummers to emerge from the small island of Jamaica.

Below is some footage of the Upsetters and the Heptones moshing it up in Lee Scratch Perry's Scratching Post studio, with some interesting commentary. Check it.

Made in Jamaica - Reggae Documentary

2006-11-07T12:01:00.000+02:00

Made in Jamaica is a brand new reggae documentary which just premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September. I haven't seen this movie yet, but I definitely plan on it, as it is generating a lot of buzz in both the reggae world and the documentary circles. Hopefully it makes it to a theater in Zion (a.k.a Israel) which is where I live.

The film talks about the Jamaican Dream, which is to rise up out of the ghetto and become a music superstar. All the issues and themes are covered, including: crime and violence of the ghetto, political responsibility, slavery, colonialization, the Legend of Bob, religion and rasta, sex, women and lots of hope for a better life.

The cast includes some of the best known Roots and Dancehall artists from the 70's up, including Gerogry Isaacs, Beres Hammond, Elephant Man, Capleton, Third World, Toots, Bounty Killer, Lady Saw and many more. It should be a fun and very interesting movie to watch. Check it (trailer below).

Jacob Miller - Nuff Respect (1980)

2006-11-04T10:17:00.000+02:00

Jacob Miller, most famous as the frontman for Inner Circle in the 70's, was the man many people picked to be the most serious competition to Bob Marley in terms of worldwide reggae stardom. He and the band had just signed with Chris Blackwell's Island Records when he suddenly died in a car crash. He rammed into a stoplight on the way to by himslf some sugarcane.

To mark the opening of Island Record's new offices in Brazil, Blackwell, Miller and Bob Marley, went to Brazil for promotional appearances in mid-March. Two days after returning to Jamaica, at the age of only 25, Jacob Miller smoked his last spliff (probably in the car during the crash).

Inner Circle didn't play after that for 6 years, but later went on to record many albums and even won a Grammy in 1993. Thier most famous album by far was the Bad Boys album, with hits like Sweat (a la la la long) and the Theme from the TV show Cops. The video below is from the "Heartland Reggae" documentary about reggae music in the 70's. He's performing live in Jamaica in 1978 in what looks like some field, puts on a police hat and sparks up a big fatty.

Augustus Pablo - Nuff Respect (1999)

2006-11-02T17:01:00.000+02:00

This is the first of many in a series of posts I'll be putting on my blog about all those amazing reggae artists, musicians, composers and engineers that are no longer with us. Many of whom I never got and never will get to see. I'll do my best to give thanks and praise as well as bring them back to life with some photos and videos so that we can celebrate their contribution to Reggae.

Augustus Pablo, also known as Horace Swaby. Smoked his last spliff at age 47 in 1999. Suffered most of his life from Myasthenia Gravis, a nerve disorder. He was most known for his mastering of the melodica, which kind of sounds like a harmonica but looks more like a miniature keyboard that you blow air into.

Pablo's most famous and probably best album was
Rebel Rock Reggae - This is Augustus Pablo.Below is a video of Pablo and the Soul Syndicate Band in Japan at Japan's Reggae Sunsplash in 1986. Check it.

Fire fi di man dem weh go ride man behind

2006-11-01T17:46:00.000+02:00

Which means..."Burn the men who have sex from behind", from his song Pump Up. Apparently, Sizzla is stirring it up with some massive controversy. His lyrics are explicitly anti-gay and homophobic. He's not allowed into the UK! Here's a few other examples which I've managed to find. Check it:

Boom Boom
Boom boom! Batty boy them fi dead (Boom boom! Queers must be killed)

Get To Da Point
Sodomite and batty bwai mi seh a death fi dem (Sodomite and queers, I say death to them)
Mi no trust babylon fi a second yah so (I don¿t trust Babylon for a second)
Mi a go shot batty bwai dem widdi weapon ya (I go and shoot queers with a weapon)

Even though Reggae did start as a protest music, it's too bad that many artists of today have taken this music of peace, love and unity and transformed it into one of hate and killing.

Off the topic - Borat

2006-11-01T16:51:00.000+02:00

I saw the movie - Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. Borat is OFF THE WALL and frikkin hilarious. Probably one of the top 5 funniest movies of all time, at least of the movie I've seen. I guess it's not THAT much off the topic, since the actor Sacha Baron Cohen also plays Ali G, a British Jamaican talk-show host who tells it like it is and asks all the right questions. This is a pic of Borat in his very stylish bathing suit, Highly recommended. Check it.

Elan - The Young Lion

2006-10-31T13:05:00.000+02:00

I'm giving Elan a bigup and massive shoutout, and not only because I went to summer camp (Chetz va Keshet) with him in Israel in 1991 (to-do: find some pics from that!).

It's because he also has skillz. It turns out this kid I used to go to the Soweto Reggae Club with in Tel Aviv eventually made it to become the lead singer for 3 years with the legendary Wailers band. Apparently he was discovered by mistake by one of their musicians who lives down the street from Elan. He then decided to go solo, and had the privilege of his first album being produced by No Doubt’s Tony Kanal. It also features some solid musicians and producers in currentJamaican reggae culture: Sly & Robbie, Fatis, Steve “Lenky” Marsden, Tony Kelly and DJ legend Cutty Ranks among them, as well as guest appearances by Gwen Stefani and Assasin. Check it.

The Origins of Reggae

2006-10-29T13:55:00.000+02:00

I looked up the word "Reggae" on Wikipedia and there is a section which talks about the origins, or roots, of reggae. I wanted to share these bits and pieces with my brethren:

1) Reggae is founded upon a rhythm style characterized by regular chops on the back beat, known as the skank. This rhythmic style is played by a rhythm guitar and a bass drum hitting on the third beat of each measure, known as the one drop.

2) In 1963, Jackie Mittoo, pianist with the ska band The Skatalites was asked to run sessions and compose original music by record producer Coxsone Dodd at his Studio One recording studio. Mittoo, with the help of drummer Lloyd Knibbs, turned the traditional ska beat into reggae, by slowing down the rhythm.

3) It is thought that the word reggae was first used by Toots and the Maytals, in the title of their 1968 hit Do the Reggay. Other theories say the term came from the word streggae, a Jamaican slang term for prostitute, or that it originated from the term Regga, which was a Bantu-speaking tribe from Lake Tanganyika.

The Gladiators - Coming to Zion

2006-10-29T00:34:00.000+02:00

Albert Griffiths is passing the torch to his sons on this tour. The founder of the legendary Gladiators original roots reggae band is retiring. Big up. Check it - November 14 and 15 at Tel Aviv's Zappa Club.

Joseph "Culture" Hill - Nuff Respect (2006)

2006-10-28T10:23:00.000+02:00

Joseph 'Culture' Hill died on August 19, 2006 after a show in Berlin, Germany. He was 57 years old. These photos and videos are a tribute to him... The first picture is a photo of when Culture visited and played at a peace concert in Israel in 1987. This was taken with some Israeli soldiers on the outskirts of Jerusalem's walls. The second picture is of Hill and the one and only Master of Reggae himself, the lion Bob Marley.

Two Videos - Culture Live in Africa - Too Long in Slavery and International Herb