REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 15 March 2006

By Jesse I

Reggae music has always been strongly anti-colonial, and the Queen the target of countless lyrical shots, so I found it interesting to see Jimmy Cliff associated with the Commonwealth games. He'll be performing this Thursday the 16th of March at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl at 7.30pm, as part of the 2006 Games Festival. Personally I've always considered Cliff one of the most over-rated artists in the genre - definitely not "the world's greatest living reggae legend" as press releases for this event put it - but many of the older massive had their first taste of reggae music through Cliff's performance in the film "The Harder They Come" (or the film's soundtrack LP), and this show is sure to make a lot of people very happy.

Melbourne reggae is representing the other side of the coin that same night though, with a huge all-reggae benefit gig for the Black GST campaign taking place at the Espy Gershwin Room from 9pm . The Black GST is an indigenous movement designed to show opposition to what they call the Stolenwealth Games, "calling for an end to Genocide, Sovereignty to be acknowledged, and Treaty to be made". A huge cast of Melbourne's best reggae/dancehall selectors have given their time free of charge for this night - Troublemaker, Sista Itations, Uptight, Binghi Fire, Tempa, Redbelly, Bellyas, Night Nurse, Fee, Andy Ites, Nich Power, Bonnita, Maruza, Kilroc, Ras Crucial and I - plus guest speaker Gary Foley. It's $5 at the door, and 100% of proceeds will be going directly to the Black GST.

Though not strictly reggae, the following Thursday 23rd March brings something special for the NZ dub followers, with Fat Freddy's Drop returning for a show at one of Melbourne's best live venues, the Forum, plus support from from Solar Soundsystem, Gsan, Jesse I and Ras Crucial.

Saturday 25th March sees yet another new reggae night starting in town, "Pressure Drop" at the Laundry. Presented by Tempa, Nich Power, and Sista Itations, the night will also feature guest selection from Ras Crucial, Andy Ites and I, plus Vida Sunshyne on the mic, and it's only $3 at the door.

Redder Red at Bunker has provided some seriously good vibes over the last few months, so I was sad to hear rumours that the next could be the last. Get down to the basement at 407 Swanston St on Sat 1st April for a wicked night of "reggae dancehall from creation to rule the nation" with Redbelly, Binghi Fire, Troublemaker, Tempa, and Fee.

Saturday 8 th April marks a real landmark for Australian reggae, as Chant Down Sound's monthly "More Fire" night marks 5 years at the Mercat LG (formerly Deep 11). Long established as the biggest regular reggae/dancehall session happening anywhere in the country, virtually everyone in the Australian reggae scene has played there at some point, with over 100 guests passing through. With the addition of an upstairs balcony area, things are bigger than ever, and the 5th Birthday celebrations should definitely be one of the best nights of the year. Residents Chant Down will be holding it down in prime time, plus support from Natty Sistren Sound, Houswife's Choice, Bass Bin Laden, Andy Ites, Troublemaker, Andy Ites, and Jah Builder.

I feel like I've been mentioning it for months, but don't forget Damian "Jr Gong" Marley at the Prince of Wales on Monday 10th April. While we've been fortunate enough to see many of reggae's great veterans here over the years, never before have we seen one of the new breed fully at his prime. Don't miss it!

Finally on the dance front, one a little bit different, especially for the bashment girls - Buss It Up dancing classes at the Spot, every Monday from 7.30pm . Instructor Megami Warrior combines her knowledge of African and Middle-Eastern dancing with Jamaican flavour, and teaches a variety of old-school and modern dancehall moves, all to the sounds of selector Bellyas. $15 for a solid 1.5 hour shakedown.

There have been some great new reggae releases on 7" over the last month. Getting a lot of attention is Blood and Fire's reworking of the classic Congo 's riddim Fisherman, with new vocals from the likes of Michael Rose, Luciano, Lutan Fyah and more. Even heavier is a reworking of Rod Taylor's classic "His Imperial Majesty" riddim redone by the Reggae Fever label, Taylor himself reprising the original together with Capleton, plus veteran Willie Williams, Anthony B, Jah Mason, and more. Also look out for the wicked binghi-based Jah Rainbow riddim on Free Willy, and on a dancehall tip, Gangsta Rock on Birch, Koto on MX, Mud Up on In The Streetz, and Free Up on Pure & Clean.