REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 5 December 2007

By Jesse I

2007 has been a good year for reggae in Melbourne, with groundbreaking tours by Luciano and Jah Mason, and more regular dances happening than ever before. The icing on the cake comes this month with the first ever Melbourne performance by Junior Reid. Known for his work both as a solo artist and with Black Uhuru, Reid is a true legend of Jamaican music, responsible for hits such as Original Foreign Mind, John Law, Fit Yu Haffi Fit, Rappa Pam Pam, and the seminal One Blood - one of the most-sampled songs in reggae music.

After a rough upbringing in Kingston's Waterhouse district, Junior Reid's first break in reggae music came at the age of 14, when he recorded the songs "Speak the Truth" and "Know Myself" for singer Hugh Mundell. From there, Reid went on to work with producers such as Sugar Minott and Prince Jammy, before eventually replacing Michael Rose as the lead singer of Black Uhuru in 1985. After two years and two successful albums, Reid left Black Uhuru to concentrate on his solo work, and his JR label and studio. During the 90s, Reid remained a major force in Jamaican music, while increasing his reputation internationally via collaborations with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes, Poor Righteous Teachers, Coldcut and The Soupdragons. Recent times have seen Jr Reid make a big impact on the hiphop/r&b circuit thanks to his collaboration with The Game on "It's Okay", and his remix of MIMS' "This Is Why I'm Hot".

Backed by New York's DJ Power (Outta Control Radio) Junior Reid brings his unmistakable sound to Brown Alley on December 15 for More Fire #77. Support on the night comes from Chant Down, Natty Sistren, Housewife's Choice, and Steve Austin. 

Veteran guitarist Ernest Ranglin is back in town, and will be performing tomorrow night at the Espy Gershwin Room, supported by the Trojan Horns and Mohair Slim. Ranglin is a true pioneer of Jamaican music, having played on (and arranged) sessions throughout the ska, rocksteady and early-reggae eras. He has also found equal fame within the Jazz world from 1964 when he became resident guitarist at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London, right through to his critically-acclaimed reggae-jazz album of 1996 Below The Bassline . His last Melbourne shows in 1995 were pure sweetness, as he and band ran through jazz interpretations of some classic reggae and ska riddims - fans of both jazz and early Jamaican music would be well advised to check this out.

PBS Live Music Week launched last Sunday with an great day of indigenous, roots and reggae music at Fed Square . The live vibes continue all week on 106.7 FM, with all PBS shows putting to air an act of their choice. Highlights for reggae/dub fans include Dunkelbunt playing live on Planetary Chaos (Friday 11am-1pm ), The Mista Savona band with Vida Sunshyne on Chant Down Babylon (Saturday 5-7pm ) and Project Saturn on Heartical (Sunday 5-7pm ).

Mista Savona and band can also be found playing live every Tuesday this month at the Evelyn hotel in Fitzroy, showcasing the vocal talents of guest Jornick from French Guyana. Live dub outfit Sine also continue their Sunday arvo residency at Laundry through December.

Big ups to Systa BB and DJ Delay for their latest contribution to the local scene; "Foundation" at the Curve Bar (Arts Centre). From 4-8pm Saturdays they (and weekly guests) present a reggae BBQ outside in the sunshine - something Melbourne has lacked for a while now. The launch last Saturday was very nice and chilled, and this one should only get better as summer arrives in earnest. Upcoming guests include Sista Itations, Bellyas, Dunkelbunt, Uptight, Troublemaker, and more...

Looking at the regular monthly sessions... Pressure Drop will be giving us an early xmas party on December 22 at Laundry, with Ming, Troublemaker and I joining residents Natty Sistren and Nich Power... Riddim Method will be taking a break for December... and Heartical HiFi's Basement Session won't take place as normal on the 1st Saturday of January, but instead Heartical will be joining forces with Wobble on Australia Day Eve for a mash up of reggae, dub, jungle, dnb, and dubstep.

Finally, More Fire returns to Brown Alley on New Years Eve for another massive night of blazing reggae and dancehall to welcome 2008 in fine style. Once again this will be one of the biggest sessions of the year (new or old!) with a lineup featuring Chant Down, Damajah, Dizzy Dee, Sista Itations, Housewife's Choice, Rise Up Sound, Andy Ites, Troublemaker, Redbelly, Night Nurse, Twist, Lady Banton, Traffik, Ras Robbie, Dr Fil, and more... plus nuff giveaways thanks to Hardwax and VP records. Tickets $20 at the door.