REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 18 July 2007

By Jesse I

 

Big news on the touring front this month, with word that Jah Mason will be here on September 8 for More Fire at Brown Alley. With all due respect to Damain Marley, this represents the first time Australia will witness a contemporary firebrand Jamaican DJ in his prime, and will not be one to miss. Hardcore DJ Spragga Benz will also be coming to town in September, working with Freq Nasty as part of the Parklife festival - watch this space for news of a sideshow.

More Fire made a welcome return to Brown Alley last Saturday with the annual Rastafari roots dance, and it was well worth the long wait between drinks. Moving upstairs to the upper level gave things a more intimate feel almost reminiscent of the old Deep 11, and the new smoking laws did nothing to dampen the vibe at all - respect to all involved for a truly special night of conscious music.

It's an international link-up at Brown Alley next month on August 11, as Chant Down play host to special guest sound Tribe of Kings from the US, and selector Don Pyro from Germany's Soul Jah Tribe soundsystem. Tribe of Kings have been running things in San Diego since 1998 as a 9-man collective, and they'll be represented here by modern roots & culture selector Jester-1, and dancehall/early 90s specialist Peril. Residents Ras Crucial, Damajah and I will also be joined for this one by local guests Dr Filip Knockshot, and X-Rated Ming.

Tribe of Kings selector Jester-1 also plays at Pressure Drop this month, July 28 at Laundry. Pressure Drop regulars Natty Sistren, Nich Power and Tempa will also be joined by the ghetto fabulous Ms Butt, so this promises to be another great night of reggae and dancehall vibes.

Some good news for the dub fans also this month, as it looks like Heartical Hi-Fi have finally found a suitable inner-city venue accommodate the complete Heartical set. September 1st is the tentative date - more details soon come.

The big new-roots riddims keep coming this month. The Abyssinians' seminal Declaration of Rights gets the version treatment courtesy of the Total Satisfaction label, and it does satisfy. Lutan Fyah's "Jah Children" stands out for me, but cuts by Jah Mason, Sizzla, Half Pint, Admiral Tibet and Anthony B all deserve a listen. French crew Special Delivery are back with the Vision riddim, another well-produced upbeat roots piece with a great selection of vocals. Queen Omega teams up with Gentleman for a massive combination "Revolution", while Morgan Heritage come together perfectly for "Have No Fear", and Richie Spice needs no help for the understated "All At Once". Having originally come out a few years back on 10", the Charging Warrior riddim isn't really new, but UK label Cousins have just released a run of cuts including the previously heard Chuck Fender "Locks a Flow" and Michael Rose's "Trample The Dragon", as well as fresh tunes from Everton Blender, Luciano, and more. A version of the Aswad anthem "Warrior Charge", Cousin's version is a suitably tough mid-tempo roots cut, with good live horns - well worth checking. Other good new roots riddims include the Wes Rock on La Familia West (a nice organic sounding piece with prominent acoustic guitar) and Africa on Feed The Children - and don't miss the killer one-shot tunes "Ghetto Life" by Pressure on Don Corleon, and Alborosie and Michael Rose's combination ganja tune "Waan The Ting" on Forward.

Damian "Jr Gong" Marley comes in with biggest dancehall tune of recent times, with the deadly "One Loaf of Bread" (aka Something For You). Released on the Marley's Tuff Gong label, but produced by youth producer Baby G (one of King Jammy's many sons) the riddim is suitably dramatic and militant, the perfect platform for Jr Gong's message to the downtrodden and disenfranchised; "don't let the pressures of the system get upon your head, poor people there is something for you". Movado's "Me and My Dogs" might have a title that makes me cringe, but it's another huge tune from this refreshing artist who continues to cement his position as the most exciting new voice in dancehall, easily eclipsing the other cuts on this riddim from Sizzla and Bounty Killer. Diwali producer Lenky hasn't quite managed to recapture the success of his first big riddim, but he continues to release interesting beats, such as his latest Swazzi . This one sounds almost like he's been listening to Irish folk music or something, but somehow it works, at least for good tunes from Busy Signal, Beenie Man, and Assassin. Producer Don Corleon continues to pump them out, and though his latest riddim Back Ache is nothing special, it should appeal to fans of his work as more of the same. Finally, Gangstaz Prayer is a new dancehall riddim from Delly Ranks' label Pure Music, well worth checking for some wicked badman business.