REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 30 August 2006

By Jesse I

I have to begin this month by paying respect to another of reggae's true legends - the great Joseph Hill, who became ill and died suddenly on Saturday 19 th while in Germany on a European tour. As the lead singer of the seminal band Culture, Hill was a major player in reggae music from the mid 70s up until his death.

Joseph Hill was born in January, 1949, in Linstead, Jamaica . Like so many others, his start in the music business came at Studio One, initially as a percussionist with the Soul Defenders in 1972. The group Culture was formed in 1976, a vocal trio in which Hill was joined by Kenneth Dayes, and his cousin Albert Walker. As an artist, Hill's country-style delivery was reminiscent of Burning Spear, though with stronger leanings towards the dancehall. Culture will forever be remembered for the massive hit Two Sevens Clash, an apocalyptic tune recorded in 1977 in apprehension at the coming of the date 7/7/77. As well as captivating Jamaica (reportedly the whole country virtually shut down due to superstition when the day itself arrived), the tune crossed over widely into the white punk market, and can be pointed to as being one of the key records in the initial link between the two genres. Unlike many veteran artists, Hill never eased up, recording and touring almost constantly over the decades, and he will be sorely missed.

Monthly reggae session More Fire kicked off in fine style at new home Brown Alley last fortnight, a blazing night with pure big tunes, and massive crowd response. Respect to Andy Ites and Bellyas who set the tone nicely, and A13 who played one of the best sets I've ever heard from him, including some outstanding live remixes. Special guest Smo (representing Berlin 's Bam Bam Sound) definitely delivered - pure excitement on the mic, and an amazingly deep dubplate box - his style might have been a little too hardcore for some, but a real treat for the true bashment dancehall crew. The next More Fire will take place on September 30, featuring guests Nich Power, Redbelly, Christar, Night Nurse, and resident sound Chant Down.

This Saturday 2nd September brings a special gig with a special cause - 200% Dub at the Corner Hotel, with all proceeds going to community radio station PBS FM. The follow-up to last years hugely successful 100% Dub, this promises to be another huge night of live acts (The Red Eyes, Melatonin, Agency Dub Collective, and Project Saturn) and dubwise soundsystem action (Heartical Hi-Fi vs Japan's Redemption Sound, plus Ras Crucial and I). Entry is a measly $5 for PBS members, and $15 for everyone else.

If straight dub is not your thing, September 2nd also brings a night of conscious roots reggae, Tafari Dance Massive, at Ace Morning. Put on by Nimbin's Dreadbeard, the night features selectors Ras Crucial, Twist, Troublemaker, Bellyas, Night Nurse, and Toola.

The Pressure Drop crew continue their series of wicked parties at Laundry on September 23, and they've got a big one planned alongside Sydney 's dancehall dons, Nasty Tek. No strangers to Melbourne, Nasty Tek are well known as one of Australia's longest running and most hype sound crews, selector Prince Andrew joined by top-ranking mic man Mikey Glamour - pure entertainment! Pressure Drop residents Sista Itations, Vida Sunshyne, Nich Power and Tempa will also be joined by guest selector Night Nurse.

Finally, for those looking for a little open-air reggae action, Ras Crucial and I are playing at the container bar Section 8 (Tattersalls Lane, city) this Thursday 31st from 9pm , and then fortnightly for the near future. DJ Fee also spins reggae there early on Friday evenings, bringing some real culture to proceedings at the end of the working week!

Some new releases to look out for on 7" vinyl... Soul Vybz from France have just released a series of outstanding cuts on the classic Unchained and Movie Star riddims, Rockers on Rockers Rebel features a killer Jah Cure and Al Borosie combination, and the Outa Sound label have released yet another run on the Diseases riddim... Dancehall's golden producer Dave Kelly is back with the wicked Stage Show (featuring Baby Cham's Rude Boy Pledge, the follow-up to his hit Ghetto Story), and the Cashley label delivers one of the best bashment riddims in recent months with the self-titled Cashley.