Peace, Perfect Peace

And, whatever your religious persuasion... a safe and serene Holiday, recalling the Reason For The Season.


"We Wish You A Merry Christmas" {RAS} - RAS Posse - A Reggae Christmas
"Santa Claus In Ska-in To Town" {Rhino} - Granville Williams Orchestra - Natty & Nice

"Deck The Halls" {RAS} - Jacob Miller - Natty Christmas
"...Dub" - Ray-I - Natty Christmas
"Materialist" {Trojan} - Horace Andy - Trojan 12" Box
"Silent Night" {(Self)} - Elevated Sound - Our Christmas

"Bling Bling Christmas" {Heartbeat} - The Silvertones - Christmas At Studio One
"Love Child" {Rhino} - Kiddus-I - Natty & Nice
"Book Of Rules" {Hip-O/Island} - the Heptones - The Reggae Box
"The Call" {Easy Star} - Tommy T - The Prester John Sessions
"Real Christmas Rock" {Heartbeat} - Tennessee Brown & The Silvertones - Reggae Christmas From Studio One
"Created By The Father" {Heartbeat} - Dennis Brown - When Rhythm Was King

"Christmas In Jamaica" {Heartbeat} - Brent Dowe - Reggae Christmas At Studio One
>"My Day" {Greensleeves} - Bushman - Most Wanted
"As-Salaam Alaikum" {MP3} - Monsoon
"The Beatitude" {Trojan} - The Uniques - Best Of...1967-1969
"Earthquake" {Sequel} - Prince Buster - FABulous Greatest Hits

"O, Holy Night" {Blue Mountain} - Delroy Wilson - Blue Mountain Christmas
"Twelve Days Of Christmas" {RAS} - Peter Broggs - A Reggae Christmas
"I Saw My Mommy Kiss A Dreadlocks" {EKO} - Barrington Levy - Yard Style Christmas
"Gee Whiz It's Coming" {Rhino} - Frankie Paul - Natty & Nice
"Go Tell It" - Elevated Sound - Our Christmas
"Be Thankful" {ATTACK!} - Bunny Clark - Shocks Of Mighty

"Crying In The Chapel" {MP3} - Elvis/Wailers Mashup
"Time Has Come" {Trojan} - Slim Smith - This Is Reggae Music
"Peace, Perfect Peace" {Mango} - Toots & The Maytals - Mango Greats

White "I"s-mas

Last Friday, the heavens dropped two feet of snow on Charlottesville. Maybe ice, tomorrow.

Jah willing, I'll be on the air as usual at 2PM (eastern/USA) for a special Holiday edition of Reggae Vibrations, barring any automotive calamity. When the gift-giving and the frenzy's all done, tune in... or the podcast will be up, as usual.

I'll also be doing the noon rock show, for Something Completely Different.

To all that listen in or reference this site... make the Season Irie. Do something good for someone less fortunate.

For the Scrooges of Wall Street... Some Marley's Ghost.

I'm sure plenty of people are jaded about Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", in its literary and film versions... but, in cruel times like these, the message still cuts to the quick: the self-absorbed "Priviledged", focused only on the dope of personal gain, trod their paths on the sacrifice of others. If you wanted to push the thematic envelope a little further, "Tiny Tim" is a perfect allegory for Health Care.

That speculation aside... the part about The Guilty's visitation by ghosts, overnight, is appealingly just.

Jacob... or Bob Marley... think about it, CEOs.

"Ramble" - Rico Rodrigues - Countryman [Mango]
"Three O'Clock Road Block" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Countryman
"Wake Up And Live" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Survival [Island]
"Crazy World" - Lucky Dube - Retrospective [RYKO]
"Wicked Man" - Ben Harper - Reggae Sampler [Virgin]
"The Call" - Tommy T - the Prester John Sessions [Easy Star]
"African Roots" - King Tubby - Dub From The Roots [Moll-Selekta]

"I'm Worried" - Culture - Culture At Work [Shanachie]
"Living The Life Of A Gun" - Tarrus Riley - Contagious [VP]
"Poor Man" - Henry Turner & Flavor - Facing The Millenium [Hit City]
"King Son" - the African Brothers - Want Some Freedom [Easy Star]
"Oil In My Lamp" - The Ska Kings - Roots Of Reggae: Ska [Rhino]
"Lead Us Dub" - African Bros. - Want Some Freedom [Easy Star]

"Grow Your Natty" - Bushman - Most Wanted [Greensleeves]
"Industrial Spy" - Mikey Dread - Best Sellers [RYKO]

"Jah Is Mighty" - Leonard Dillon/David Gould - Feast Of The Passover [Adonai]

"Machete Strike" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [I-Town]

"East-West Express" - Tommy T - the Prester John Sessions [Easy Star]
"Love Is A Radiation" - The Black Seeds - Solid Ground [Easy Star]
"Jah Love" - Bad Brains - Build A Nation [Oscill-O-Scope]
"Oromo Dub" - Tommy T - the Prester John Sessions [Easy Star]

"I Am The Upsetter Version" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Hold Me Tight [Trojan]

"All I Want For Christmas" - Jacob MIller - Natty Christmas [RAS]
"This World Makes Me Wonder" - Delroy Wilson - Once Upon A Time [Heartbeat]
"Silent River Runs Deep" - Judy Mowatt - Rocksteady: The Roots Of Reggae [Moll-Selekta]
"Talking Love" - the Paragons - Hold Me Tight [Trojan]
"Winsome" - Half Pint - Half Pint Classics [Hightone]
"Winsome Version" - Half Pint - Half Pint Classics In Dub [Hightone]
"HIgh Tide Or Low Tide" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Catch A Fire [Island]
"Moving Away" - Ken Boothe - A Man And His Hits [Studio One]
vinyl!

DJ Dave Battles The Evil Of Black Friday

"Get Ready to Ride the Lion to Zion" - Culture - Two Sevens Clash
"Train to Zion" - Linval Thompson and U Brown
"Can't Enter Zion with your Big Checkbook" - Niney the Observer - Headshot
"Careless Ethiopians" - Toots and the Maytals
"Conscious Man" - Dr. Alimantado - Kings Bread

"Sodom and Gomorrow" - The Congos - Heart of the Congos
"Pirate Days" - Culture - Two Sevens Clash
"Sufferer's Heights" - The Heptones
"Marcus Children Suffer" - Burning Spear - Social Living
"400 Years" - Bob Marley and the Wailers
"Place Called Africa" - Junior Byles
"Soul Rebel" - Bob Marley and the Wailers
"Love Again" - Jackie Mittoo

"Got to be a Soldier" - 10 Ft. Ganga Plant - Bush Rock
"Slipping into Darkness" - Carl Bradney - Darker than Blue
"This Life Makes Me Wonder" - Delroy Wilson
"Lucky Man" - Courtney John - Made in Jamaica
"Popcorn Reggae" - Soul Agent and the Soul Defenders

"Know Fari" - Bongo Herman and Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont - Tighten Up vol. 5 and 6
"Baby Why" - The Cables - Best of Studio One
"Kingly Character" - Garnett Silk
"Double Barrel" - Dave and Ansel Collins
"Flash Gordon Meets Luke Skywalker" - Scientist and the Roots Radic Band

"Time" - Corey Harris, Ranking Joe and the Easy Star All-Stars - Dub Side of the Moon
"Lovely Rita" - Bunny Rugs and U-Roy and the Easy Star All Stars - Easy Star Lonely Hearts Dub Band
"No Surprises" - The Meditations - Radiodread
"Storm Warning" - Lynn Taitt and the Jets - Hold Me Tight
"Smokey Places" - Lynn Taitt and the Jets - Hold Me Tight

"Iron Sharpen Iron" - Culture - Harder than the Rest
"To be a Lover" - George Faith
"Roots Train Number One" - Junior Murvin

Giving Thanks

To be standing atop the ground, instead of under it. Unemployed, but not destitute. Allowed to broadcast conscious sounds without restrictions. The Bush years, in the rear-view (though, with "centrist" Democrats, who needs Republicans?).

It's a short list for Thanksgiving... but, there are things for which to be thankful.

Jah Provide.


"S-90 Skank" - Big Youth - Ride Like Lightning [Trojan]
"Z-90" - Trinity - Shanty Town Determination [blood And Fire]

"Giving Thanks" - Beres Hammond - In Control [Elektra]
"Crisis" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Kaya [Island]
"Crisis" - Culure - Culture At Work [Shanachie]
"Poor Man" - Henry Turner and Flavor - Facing The Millenium [Hit City]
"The Beatitudes" - Techniques - Slim Smith & The Uniques [Trojan]
"Walking To Jerusalem" - The Corporation - Solid Gold From The Vaults [Trojan]

"The Call" - Tommy T - The Prester John Sessions [Easy Star]
"Columbus" - Corey Harris - blu.black [Telarc]
"Jah Is Mighty" - David Gould - Feast Of The Passover [Adonai]
written and voiced by Leonard "Sparrow" Dillon
"Food Clothes And Shelter" - Misty In Roots - Jah Sees, Jah Knows [ReCall]
"Move Up" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets

"My Day" - Bushman - Most Wanted [Greensleeves]
"Tell Me Something Good" - Lee "Scratch" Perry - Return Of The Super Ape [VP]
"I Sight" - Tarrus Riley - Contagious [VP]
"Solid As A Rock" - Twinkle Brothers - Free Africa [Caroline]
"Bush Rock" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [ROIR]

"Moodorama" - Roland Alphono - Solid Gold From The Vault [Trojan]


"Lifers" - Tommy T - The Prester John Sessions [Easy Star]... w/ Eugene Hutz of Golgol Bordello
"As-Salaam Alaikum" - MONSOON
"Mama Africa" - Chico Cesar - Chico Cesar [Putumayo]
"Congo Natty" - Bingui Jaa Jammy - African Reggae [Putumayo]
"Oromo Dub" - Tommy T - The Prester John Sessions [Easy Star]

"Make A Move" - Black Seeds - Solid Ground [Easy Star]
"Robber Dub" - The Clash - Super Black Market Clash [Legacy]
"Come Home" - Twinkle Brothers - Free Africa [Caroline]

Ill Winds

Like our DJ for Danza Latina just said, "Un Hurricán Frío!"

Yeah. For three days, the soggy remains of "Ida" sat atop the Mid-Atlantic.
In November.
No Global Warming, here!


"Sounds And Pressure" - Hopeton Lewis - Roots Of Reggae: Rock Steady [Rhino]

"Rain All Night" - Don Carlos & Gold - Them Never Know Natty Dread Have Him Credential [JJs]
"It's Raining" - The Three Tops - Duke Reid's Treasure Chest [Heartbeat]
"Rain From The Skies" - Delroy Wilson - Best Of [Heartbeat]
"Fixing A Hole" - Max Romeo - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Black Star" - GGs All Stars - Roots Man Dub [Heartbeat]
"Roots Man Dub" - GGs All Stars - Roots Man Dub

"Revolution" - Soldiers Of Jah Amry - Peace In A Time Of War [SOJA]
"Zimbabwe" - Bob Marley & theWailers - Survival [Island]
"Since I Throw The Comb Away" - Twinkle Brothers - Since I Throw The Comb Away [Sunsplash Records]
1982 Mo Bay

"Jah Is Mighty" - David Gould - Feast Of The Passover [Tzadik]
"King And Queen" - Corey Harris/Davina Jackson - Blu.Black [Telarc]
"Thanks And Praise" - Cool Riddims and Sistah Teedy - Pledge To My People [NYNO]

...and, from this point on, we Dedicate the show to Goldmine Sacks: they're "doing God's work'" as they tell us. He wants to make sure they don't get the flu, too.

"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter Heaven".

Selah.

"Stealin'" - Max Romeo - War Inna Babylon [Island]
"Everything Crash" - the Ethiopians - Trojan Explosion [MOJO]
"Vanity" - Sugar Minott - Respect To Studio One [Heartbeat]

"GP" - Gregory Isaacs - 12" [Full House]
"Big Shot" - Noiseshaper - CD-EP [Cat N' Roof]
"Lost Penny" - The Maytals - Rough Guide To Ska [Rough Guide]
"None Shall Escape the Judgment" - Johnny Clarke - Trojan Explosion [MOJO]
"Storm Warning" - Lynn Taitt & The Jets - Hold Me Tight [Trojan]

"Rico Farewell" - Rico Rodrigues - Rough Guide To Ska

"Earth Rightful Ruler" - Augustus Pablo - Earth Rightful Ruler [Message]
"Until We Burn In The Sun" - Bedouin Soundclash - MP3
"I'm Still In Love" - Marcia Aitken/Trinity - Trojan 12" Box Set

Ras Rizla At The Controls: A Tribute To Johnny Gilmore

I don't have Rizla's playlist, but this show is a special Live-I-Cation to the musical talents of Johnny Gilmore, veteran journeyman drummer for too many Charlottesville bands to count. Jazz, Blues, Reggae, whatever you could imagine was within grasp of his sticks. Tragically, gone. But, Remembered.

Ras Rizla, At The Controls

We've been pre-empted for two weeks for the Fall Classical/Jazz Marathon, but back, live-and-direct, tomorrow afternoon. Ras Rilza rewinds the Vibe.

Soon, archived broadcasts from the WTJU.net website will be available for two weeks after airing. For those of you who don't have access to our 2PM Friday broadcasts, and have trouble with the Podcast, this is another way to spread the message. Appropriate links will be posted when it's up-and-running.

Nuff RASpec'.

Watching The Wheels

I'm still pissed about the arrogant resistance to health care in the US.

Hmmm... "pissed". That isn't the word I want to use... right, England?

It's easy to "resist" when you're a politico, having your strings pulled by medical/corporate/insurance interests... who wring money from the sick and powerless and call them "campaign contributions". To keep their influence. To feed their egos. To keep their puppets in office.

While people die, because of it.


It's a small act, in the scheme of things, but it's time to embarrass the Blue Dog Democrats, bound, like their Republican counterparts, to deny basic, affordable health care to Americans. If nothing else, sick people will get what they need. And for those who oppose, the after life will be a very lonely place. Idiots.

Oh, and today was John Lennon's birthday. One can scarcely imagine what his opinion of present conditions might be... but those who call themselves fans might have some idea.

The Message Is In The Music.



"Listen to DJS" - Long Beach Dub Allstars - Wonders Of The World [Dreamworks]
"Nice Time" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Hold Me Tight [Trojan]

"Thank You Lord" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Songs Of Freedom [Island]
"Come To Me" - The Black Seeds - Solid Ground [Easy Star]
"Walk And Talk" - Tony Tuff - Say Something [Minor 7/Flat 5]
"Better Must Come" - Delroy Wilson - The Outernational Sound [ESR]

"Tougher Than Tough" - Derrick Morgan - Rocksteady: The Roots Of Reggae [Moll-Selekta]
"No, No, No (You Don'tLove Me)" - Dawn Penn - Rocksteady: The Roots Of Reggae [Moll-Selekta]
"Live It Up" - The Natives - Trojan Rock Steady Box
"The Upsetter" - Lee Perry - Trojan Rock Steady Box
"He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best" - the Clarendonians - Best Of [Studio One]
"Upsetter Version" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets

"Why So Much Wickedness" - Tarrus Riley - Contagious [VP]
"Golan to Galilee" - Groundation - Here I Come [Groundation]
"My Day" - Bushman - Most Wanted [Greensleeves]
"Bulletproof" - the Black Seeds - Solid Ground [Easy Star]
"Watching The Wheels" - Matisyahu - Instant Karma/Save Darfur
"Cool & Collect" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [ROIR]

"Bongo Red" - the Gladiators - Full Time [NIghthawk]
"What A System" - Clinton Fearon & the Boogie Brown Band - What A System [Kool You Foot]
"One More River To Cross" - Clinton Fearon & the Boogie Brown Band - Me An Mi Guitar [Kool You Foot]
"You Never Know" - Corey Harris - Zion Crossroads
"Jubilee" - Zema - Jubilee
...with the Gladiators Band

"Talking Love" - John Holt - Hold Me Tight [Melchizedek Music]
"Feeling Fine" - Don Drummond - Greatist Hits [Jet Set]
"Stream Of Life" - Lynn Taitt/Roland Alphonso - Hold Me Tight

Richmond Folk Festival

Throughout this weekend (Oct 9-11th), the City of Richmond is hosting its yearly free festival at Brown's Island, with virtually something for everyone... particularly lovers of Roots Reggae.

Clinton Fearon and the Boogie Brown Band will be performing thrice over Saturday and Sunday: Clinton Fearon being one of the founding members of the foundation reggae band, Albert Griffiths and the Gladiators. With many quality solo recordings to his credit, there is no lack of upful sound possible from he Boogie Brown Band.

In addition, there are also scheduled performances by Corey Harris & Phil Wiggins/Swamp Dogg/Jorge Negron's Master Bomba Ensemble/Trouble Funk/Jerry Douglas Band/Paul Williams & Victory Trio/Masters of Slide Guitar... and too many more to mention.

Check out the festival schedule for times and stages (there are many).

We'll be playing lots of Clinton Fearon, today on "Reggae Vibrations".

Rocksteady: The Roots Of Reggae

Harvest Time

The scotch bonnet peppers. The Healing Of The Nation. The next crop of Representatives.
It's Harvest Time.

"S-90 Skank" - Big Youth - Ride Like Lightning [Trojan]
"Z-90" - Trinity - Shanty Town Determination [Blood and Fire]

"Harvest Time" - Don Carlos - Deeply Concerned [RAS]
"Golan To Galilee" - Groundation - Here I Am [Groundation]
"Dreamland" - Bunny Wailer - Blackheartman [Mango]

"Bedward The Flying Preacher" - Prince Far I - Sound Of The Beat [the Beat]
A response to all of the web hits for this song. Hey, you can make requests here, too.
"Kill The Police Bill" - Ranking Ann - 12" [Rough Justice]
"Give Me Power" - The Stingers - This Is Reggae Music [Trojan]
"Sunshine Showdown" - the Upsetters - Trojan Suedehead Box

"Pressure Drop" - Toots & the Maytals - Mango Greats
"Pressure Drop" - the Clash - Black Market Clash 10" [Epic]
"I And I Survive" - Bad Brains - 12" [Bad Brains/Important Records]
"Peace Be Unto Thee" - Bad Brains - Build A Nation [Oscilloscope]
"Machete Strike" - 10 ft Ganja Plant - Bushrock [ROIR]

"Living The Life Of A Gun" - Tarrus Riley - Contagious [VP]
"Soon Come" - 10 ft Ganja Plant - Bushrock
"Call The Hearse" - Bushman - Most Wanted [Greensleeves]
"Glass House" - Peter Tosh - Mama Africa [EMI]
This is for all of our politicians of questionable morals... the first to cry out about other's failings.
Hypocrisy and Politics: inseparable.

"Time Come" - Groundation - Here I Am
"Feast Of The Passover" - the Congos - Heart Of The Congos [Blood and Fire]
"Jah Is Mighty" - David Gould/Temple Rockers - Feast Of The Passover [David Gould]
"Garden Of Love" - Don Drummond - Greatest Hits [Jet Set Records]
"Feeling Fine" - Don Drummond

"Freedom Street" - Ken Boothe - Rocksteady: The Roots Of Reggae [Moll-Selekta]
"Say You" - Colourbox - Colourbox [4AD]
"Dreadneck" - Ras Alan & The Lions - A Letter From Appalachia [Red Pepper]

To Whom Respec' Is Due, Respec' It Must Go T'roo

It has been my great fortune to have witnessed some excellent reggae radio, here on the east coast.

A prerequisite to spending many years in the DC area was having access to excellent broadcasts, of which WPFW Radio was instrumental. In that time, this radio station representing Howard University was host to two icons of reggae radio: Papa Wabe, who presented "Shock Waves", which not only forwarded conscious reggae, but instructed with the "Rastafari Voices" segment... and Sydney White, whose weekend show exposed a young roots-rock lover to the bedrock of rock steady.

Though other influences are legion, these performers and Selectors helped define my inspiration and appreciation with Forwarding reggae music.

And, with respect, I begin today's program with "Natural Progressions", Mr. White's sign-on theme:



"Natural Progression" - Aswad - New Chapter [CBS]
"Natural Aggression" - Aswad - New Chapter Of Dub [Mango]

"Natural Mystic" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Countryman soundtrack [Mango]
"We Rock It" - Noiseshaper - CD single [Cat N' Roof Records]
"Music My Rock" - Bedouin Soundclash - MP3
"Run The Plan" - Groundation - Here I Am [Groundation Music]

"Dance Of The Vampires" - Scientist - ...Rids The World Of The Curse Of The Evil Vampires [Greensleeves]

"Your Teeth In My Neck" - Scientist - ...Rids The World Of The Curse Of The Evil Vampires [Greensleeves]

"Party Time" - Heptones - Best Of Studio One [Heartbeat]
"Fist To Fist" - Lone Ranger - Collection [DGV]
"Conquering Heart Dub" - Blue King Brown/Chris Macro - ReAmplify [Easy Star]
"Johnny Was" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Songs Of Freedom [Island]
"Since I Throw The Comb Away" - Twinkle Bros - Since I Throw The Comb Away [Sunsplash Records]
"Struggling" - John Brown's Body - ReAmplify [Easy Star]
"Machete Strike" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [ROIR]
"Mystic Man" - Peter Tosh - Honorary Citizen [Columbia]
"National Herb" - Lone Ranger - Collection

>"Ramble" - Rico Rodrigues - Countryman [Mango]
"Dos Lenos" - The Toyes - Viva La Rasta [Aztlan]
"Besame" - Pericos - Yerbabuena [EMI]
"Quem Aviso" - Djambi - Keep This Feeling

"Big Shot" - Noiseshaper - CD-EP

"Crystal Blue Persuasion" - Heptones - Deep In The Roots [Heartbeat]
"White Man In Hammersmith Palais" - The Clash - Clash On Broadway [EPIC]

Groundation at State Theater, Falls Church, VA Sept 17 (tomorrow)

It is said that if you don't know your past, you don't know your future; well Groundation knows its past, and they're stepping into the future. While capturing the essence of true Roots Reggae, internationally acclaimed Groundation aims to take the art of genre-bending to new heights by blending elements of both Jazz/Funk fusion and transcendental Dub in their progressive amalgam of sound.

The name 'Groundation' came from the Rastafarian ceremony of the same name. Its goal: using the vibration of music to get everyone on the same wavelength in order to forward positive consciousness.

Groundation was founded in the fall of 1998 when three long time musicians Marcus Urani (organ/keys/piano), Ryan Newman (bass) and Harrison Stafford (guitar/lead vocals) came together in the jazz program of California's Sonoma State University to form the core of Groundation's fusion of style and sound.

They were later joined in 2000 by San Francisco based Jazz trumpeter David Chachere and the North Bay's Kelsey Howard on trombone. Groundation saxophonist Jason Robinson has gone on to become the head of the Jazz program at UC San Diego. Drummer Paul Spina (Claypool's Flying Frog Brigage, Will Bernard's Mother Bug) was replaced in 2008 with Reno-based Jazz/Fusion specialist Tekanawa Haereiti. Bay area percussionist Mingo Lewis Jr. (son of Santana percussionist Mingo Lewis) brings Latin and African infused rhythms, adding heady layers to Groundation's already stout syncopations. Jamaicans Kim Pommell and Stephanie Wallace, joining the group in 2007 and 2008 respectively, have helped take Groundation's harmonies and live shows to new heights and are featured lead vocalists on the new studio album.

Though Groundation has played in 30 countries on 4 continents in just the last few years (headlining huge multi-genre festivals in Israel, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco and Brazil to name but a few), 2009 marks a turning point in their development here at home. On their wildly successful coast-to-coast 2008 summer tour, worlds collided as Groundation's internationally seasoned high-energy show style met the American heartland, culminating in an historic tour. Once again, Groundation heads across America at a truly crucial time in our country's history with shows from coast to coast starting in the Fall.

2009 also will see the release of the long awaited full length studio album "Here I Am." Following the release of "Rockamovya," the first Groundation side project featuring Grammy-nominated Jazz guitarist Will Bernard (Stanton Moore Trio, Dr. Lonnie Smith) as well as Jamaican Reggae legend Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace (Burning Spear, The Abyssinians the cult film 'Rockers') on drums, "Here I Am" is already generating considerable buzz throughout the international music industry and will surely go down as an early 21st century classic (U.S. release set for June).

Reggae music's commitment to an upheaval of our unjust social system and Groundation's livication of forwarding this message through a fresh, improvisation-based musical lens has created a truly unique movement. Groundation is the biggest, most respected American Reggae band in the world today...come join us and find out why.

The State Theater

Remembering Katrina... from across the Gulf

Tagging along with the Jazz department, and giving credit where it is due: the Crescent city, New Orleans. Four years after Katrina, there are glimmers of hope, but much remains to be done.

Would Jamaican music be the same without those static-y broadcasts across the water in the 50s and 60s?

Perhaps not.

Two hours of storm-related and Second Line Skank...

...and a massive Big Up to our friends at WWOZ Radio (particularly WTJU alumni, Tom "Bartender" Morgan).



"Reggae Sound" - Linton Kwesi Johnson - Reggae Greats [Mango]
"Machete Strike" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [I-Town]

"Lightning Flash Weak Heart Drop" - Big Youth - Beyond The Frontline [Caroline]
"Tidal Wave" - Frankie Paul - Tidal Wave [Greensleeves]
"Weather Report" - the Tennors - Rock Steady Classics [Nighthawk]
"Wild Gilbert" - Lovindeer - Why Don't We All Just Have Sex? [TSOJ]
"Sproing-A-Dub" - Burning Babylon - Beat Beat Beat [SoundShack]
"Below The B-Line" - Burning Babylon - Beat Beat Beat

"Louisiana" - Taj Weekes - Deidem [Jatta]
"Rough Out There" - Noiseshaper - Rough Out There [Echo Beach]
"Sufferer" - Aggrolites - IV [Hellcat Records]
"Stab You Back" - Judah Eskender - The Builder [Tan Yah]
"Who Laughs Last" - El Tibby & the Stingers - MP3
"Storm Warning" - Lynn Tait & the Jets - Hole Me Tight [Trojan]
"Smoky Places" - Lynn Tait & the Jets

"Lee Dorsey" - Holy Cow - MP3
"You Never Miss Your Water" - Derrick Morgan - I Am The Ruler [Trojan]
...and Patsy
"Roscoe Gordon" - No More Doggin' - MP3
"Man To Man" - Kendrick Patrick - The Trojan Story [Trojan]
"Cry Tough" - Alton Ellis - Duke Reid's Treasure Chest [Heartbeat]
"Pressure And Slide" - Lynn Tait & the Jets
"Long Story" - Lynn Tait & the Jets

"I Can't Keep It To Myself" - Cool Riddims & Sistah Teedy - Pledge To My People [NYNO]
"Fixing A Hole" - Max Romeo - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Still Waters" - Jerry Jones - Studio One Soul [Soul Jazz]
"Follow Into Shadow" - John Brown's Body - Pressure Points [Easy Star]
"Doule Clutchin'/Pass The Dutchie" - Chris Ardoin & Double Clutchin' - Zydeco [Putumayo]

"One Day" - Matisyahu - Light [Epic]
"Home, Home, Home" - Ken Boothe - Mr. Rock Steady [Studio One]

Jamaica World Championship Gold/Happy Birthday, Hawaii!

As stated in Friday's New York Times:

"Jamaica's Usain Bolt, set a new world record in the 200 meter final during the World Athletics Championships in Berlin on Thursday.

Melaine Walker, the reigning Olympic champion in the 400 meter hurdles from Jamaica, added the world championship by winning in 52.42 seconds, the second-fastest time in history."

The legacy continues.

On This Date, in 1959 (Friday, August 21st), Hawaii joined the Union as the 50th state. Still, "Hawaiian lands should be in Hawaiian hands". The rest of the country could learn much from the Aloha Spirit.

Read To Steal A Kingdom to find out why this is a bittersweet anniversary.


"Sounds And Pressure" - Hopeton Lewis - Roots Of Reggae [Rhino]

"Bush Rock" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [I-Town]
"Every Man Ought To Know" - Max Romeo - Open The Iron Gate [Blood And Fire]
"The Gold" - John Brown's Body - Re-Amplify [Easy Star]
"Joggin'" - Freddie McGregor - Tougher Tha Tough [Mango]
"Stay With You" - Tarrus Riley - Parables [VP]
"Cool & Collect" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant

"I Shot The Sheriff (Live)" - Bob Marley & theWailers - Songs Of Freedom [Island]
"Peace In A Time Of War" - Soldiers Of Jah Army - Peace In A Time Of War [SOJA]
"Fu Manchu" - Desmond Dekker - Rockin' Steady [Rhino]
"Just Can't Win" - Versatiles
"Dry & Heavy" - Burning Spear - Dry & Heavy [Mango]
"Natty Dread Kung Fu" - Dub Funk Association - Roots Of Dub Funk [Tanty]

"Is This Love? (remix)" - Bob marley/DUBMATIX - MP3
"It's Alright" - Aggrolites - IV [Hellcat]
"Tomorrow" - Ken Boothe - A Man And His Hits [Studio One]
"Let Me Down Easy" - Derrick Harriott - MP3

"Ramblin'" - Jazz Jamaica - Skaravan [Hannibal]
"Nubia" - Jazz Jamaica - Skaravan

"Men Who Ride Mountains" - Israel Wamakawiwo' ole - Island Roots [Quiet Storm]
"Fish & Poi" - Sean Na'auao - Fish & Poi [Fat Katz]
"Sovereign Land" - Iz/Hawaiian Style Band

"Coming In From The Cold (12")" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Songs Of Freedom
"Waiting In Vain" - Terence Simien - Tribute Sessions [AIM]
"Crying In The Chapel" - Elvis/Wailers - mashup MP3

USA Reggae Rock

In the past decade (or more), legions of USA-based reggae bands arose... particularly, thanks to the contact that the internet provided. John Brown's Body is one of the pioneers. Check the playlist, and the podcast: you may agree.

Labelmates Ten Foot Ganja Plant are pretty amazing, too. Their newest, Bush Rock, displays sounds like authentic Augustus Pablo and the Congos. And, who can't love a band named "Ten Foot Ganja Plant"?


"S-90 Skank" - Big Youth - Tougher Than Tough [Mango]
"Z-90" - Trinity - Shanty Town Determination [Blood and Fire]

"Speak Of The Devil" - John Brown's Body - Amplify [Easy Star]
"Push Some Air" - John Brown's Body - Re-Amplify [Easy Star]
"Do The Beng Beng" - Derick Morgan - The Trojan Story [Trojan]
"Feelin' Alright" - Aggrolites - IV [Hellcat]
"Intensified Festival '68" - Desmond Dekker - Rockin' Steady [Rhino]
"Soul Shakedown Party" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Songs Of Freedom [Island]
"Cool & Collect" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [I-Town]

"Vanity" - John Brown's Body - All Time [I-Town]
"Love Is A Fire" - John Brown's Body - Among Them [Shanachie]
"Bush Rock" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [I-Town]
"Head Shrinker" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [I-Town]

"Joy In The Morning" - Dennis Brown - My Your Food Basket Never Empty [RAS]
"Queen Majesty" - Techniques - Tougher Than Tough [Mango]
"Machete Strike" - Ten Foot Ganja Plant - Bush Rock [I-Town]

"What We Gonna Do?" - John Brown's Body - Pressure Points [Easy Star]
"Tribal War" - George Nooks - MP3
"Throw Some Water In" - Lee "Scratch" Perry - Roast Fish Collie Weed and Cornbread [Lion Of Judah]
"Larger Than Life" - Tarrus Riley - Challenges [VP]
"Storm Warning" - Lynn Taitt & The Jets - Hold Me Tight [Trojan]

"Conquering Heart Dub" - John Brown's Body - Re-Amplify [Easy Star]
"Follow Into Shadow" - John Brown's Body - Pressure Points [Easy Star]
"Give Yourself Over" - John Brown's Body - Amplify [Easy Star]
"Rainbow Country" - Bob Marley - Roots, Rock, Re-mixed [Tuff Gong]

Yes. Really. Elvis Aron Presley. Lurking deep in my iTunes, there was no credit for this masterpiece.
At first, it seemed like it would be a "novelty" song... but it almost sounds "reverential".
"Crying In The Chapel" - Elvis/Wailers - MP3 mashup
"Selassie Is The Chapel" - Bob Marley - The Complete Wailers 67-72 [JAD]

John Brown's Body/IS Venue, Fri August 14th

Along with openers, Passafire, John Brown's Body appears this Friday at IS Venue, bringing epic reggae music to Charlottesville.

Years ago, at a tiny restaurant/venue in Fredericksburg, VA., I had the opportunity to meet and interview the then-frontman of the band, Kevin Kinsella. Not long before, their debut CD was released, All Time: rootsy, authentic, and seemingly recorded with the sonic "sensibilities" of Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Through subsequent changes in personnel and many more releases, their sound has gotten bigger and distinctive... and takes the music to a whole new place, as it should: Heavy. Message-driven. Authentic.

Check out "What We Gonna Do?" and "Follow Into Shadow" from Pressure Points, and "Give Yourself Over" from Amplify (not to forget the amazing remixes on Re-Amplify).

Then... Get Your Face In The Place.

Vampires

"Out the candle... tek off you bangle... turn your neck 'pon the right angle"." It sounds hilarious when Lone Ranger chants it. After all, he claims "Barney 'a de best inna de bizness... Barney chew your neck like a Wrigley's".

Totally the opposite of what the theme of this show is supposed to be. Many may be glamoured by the Children of the Night... but there are real vampires out there, feasting upon the living: Bankers. Insurance/Pharmaceutical Companies. Politricksters. Corporate Executives.

Come... grab a musical wooden stake.

"Sounds And Pressure" - Hopeton Lewis - Roots Of Reggae: Rock Steady [Rhino]
"Coming In Hot" - Peter Tosh - The Toughest [Columbia]
"Too Hot" - The Specials - The Specials

"Dawn Is Breaking" - Dry & Heavy - Full Contact [BSI]

"Vampire" - Black Uhuru - Sinsemilla [Mango]
"Vampire" - Devon Irons - Arkology [Island]
"Barnabas Collins" - Lone Ranger - Barnabas (in) Collins (wood) [GG/Wave]
"Your Teeth In My Neck" - Scientist - ...Rids The World Of The Curse Of The Evil Vampires [Greensleeves]
"Vampire" - Peter Tosh - Honorary Citizen [Columbia]
"Bumbo Klaat" - Peter Tosh - Honorary Citizen

"Dracula" - Bob Marley & The Wailers - Soul Revolution I & II [Trojan]
"Dance Of The Vampires" - Scientist - ...Rids The World Of The Curse Of The Evil Vampires

"Natty Champion" - Prince Far I - Sucker Punch [Trojan]
"Larger Than Life" - Tarrus Riley - Challenges [VP]
"Small Axe" - Bob Marley & The Wailers - Songs Of Freedom [Island]
"Shame And Scandal" - Peter Tosh - The Toughest [Heartbeat]
"It's Not An Easy Road" - Buju Banton - 'Til Shiloh [Island]
"Conquering Heart Dub" - Blue King Brown/Chris Macro - Re-Amplify [Easy Star]

"Ramble" - Rico Rodrigues - Countryman [Mango]
"Three O'Clock Road Block" - the Wailers - Countryman

"Dreadlocks In Moonlight" - lee Perry - Countryman
"You Should Have Known Better" - Justin Hinds & The Dominos [Trojan]
"The Wicked" - The Reggae Boys - 7" [Joe Gibbs]
"Crooked Beat" - The Clash - Sandinista [Epic]
"Redemption Song (Live)" - Bob Marley & The Wailers - Songs Of Freedom [Island]

Art Of The Reggae Album

Today marks my return after three weeks of accommodating my alternate's schedules... and I'm glad to get back in the saddle.

In the meantime, before the playlist and podcasts appear, I'd like to share an amazing pair of websites that celebrate the Art of the Reggae LP, both of which were revealed when digging around the cybersphere to learn more about the legendary dub pioneer, Scientist. Exhaustive research and an obvious appreciation of roots music and culture can be found at:

42 Reggae Album Cover Designs: The Art & Culture of Jamaica

and

I Am The Gorgon!

As my history with reggae began with vinyl, in fact, my love of music, also... there is no substitute for a 12" square piece of artwork. And, as you will see, the visuals on reggae LPs are at once dramatic, soulful, sometimes cheesy, at times outlandishly cartoony, vaguely ominous, and completely distinctive... and, almost always disguising the power hiding in the grooves, inside.

Not the least is the creative expression of the artists: unaided my computer enhancements or clip art, this is human, media and imagination at its most earthy and compelling.

'nuff niceness.

DJ Dave... Come FORWARD!

"Death in the Arena" - Soul Vendors - Downbeat the Ruler
"Oh Mr. D.C." - Sugar Minott - Tighten up Vol 5
"Y Mas Gan" - The Abyssinians - Satta Massagana
"Roots Train" - Junior Murvin and Dillinger
"Sufferer's Heights" - Junior Dread
"Love Again" - Jackie and the Invaders
"Sufferer's Dub" - The Upsetters
"Take me Home Country Roads" - Toots and the Maytals
"Can't Enter Zion with Your Big Checkbook!" - Niney
"Mr. Brown" - Bob Marley
"Downpressor Man" - Peter Tosh
"Armagideon Time" - Dr. Israel
"Flash Gordon Meets Luke Skywalker" - Scientist and the Roots Radics
"One Two Order" - Tarrus Riley - Parables
"Ark of the Covenant" - Corey Harris - Zion Crossroads
"Rastaman Chant" - Ras Michel and the Sons of Negus
"Return of the Scorcher" - Sound Dimension
"Armagideon Time" - Willie Williams
"Armagideon Time" - The Clash
"Federated Backdrop" - Sound Dimension
"Can't Come In" - The Congos - Heart of the Congos
"Man in the Hills" - Burning Spear
"Family" - Tarrus Riley
"Armagideon Time" - Dave Grant
"Set up Yourself Dreadlocks" - Jah Stitch
"Solomon a Gunday" - Big Youth
"Good Memories" - Prince Jazzbo
"The Answer" - Lone Ranger
"Ali Baba" - John Holt
"I Killed the Barber" - Dr. Alimantado
"Barber Feel It" - Dr. Alimantado
"Liquidator" - Harry J All Stars

Independence...

...is useless without Inter-Dependence. e pluribus unum, y'all.

A special Shout Out to the Morally Superior, commencing with "Hipocrite"(sp). The bigger they come, the harder they fall... eh, South Carolina? Arizona? DC? Alaska?

"S-90 Skank" - BIg Youth - Tougher Than Tough [Mango]
"Forward March" - Derrick Morgan - I Am The Ruler [Trojan]
"Intensified" - Desmond Dekker - Israelites [TKO]

"Know Your Rights" - the Clash - Combat Rock [Epic]
"Message From A Black Man" - Heptones - Studio One Soul [Soul Jazz]
"The Village" - Gregory Isaacs - Reggae Legends III [Rohit]
"Enforcement" - Vin Gordon - Jamaica's Independence 30th. Anniversary [Striker Lee]
"Split Second" - Vin Gordon - Jamaica's Independence 30th. Anniversary [Striker Lee]

"Hipocrite" - Bunny Wailer - ...Sings The Wailers [Mango]
"Money Move" - Barrington Levy - Broader Than Broadway [One Time]
"Shame And Scandal" - Dr. Ring Ding & The Senior All Stars - Ska Island [Island]
"Half Idiot" - Marcia Griffiths/Cutty Ranks - Watch How You Flex! [Shanachie]
"The Gold" - Dubmatix/John Browns Body - Re-Amplify [Easy Star]
"Time Of The Season" - Scofflaws - Record Of Convictions [MOONSka]

"Zion City" - Laurel Aitken - The Blue Beat Years [MOONSka]
"Welcome To Montego Bay" - Queen Ifrica - Montego Bay [VP]
"Take Me To Jamaica" - Ziggy Marley/Toots HIbbert - Family Time [Tuff Gong]
"Take Me Back To Jamaica" - Jolly Boys - Sunshine 'N Water [RYKO]
"High Tide Or Low Tide" - Bob Marley & The Wailers - B Is For Bob [Tuff Gong]
"Java Plus" - Augustus Pablo - The Message [Prince Buster]
...also arranged and produced by Prince Buster
"Reincarnate" - Ras Tesfa McDonald

"Reflections of Don D" - Johnny "Dizzy" Moore

"Fixing A Hole" - Max Romeo - Easy Star's LOnely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Don't Let Me Down" - Marcia Griffiths
"Mad, Mad" - Alton Ellis - When Rhythm Was King [Heartbeat]
"Joy In the Morning" - The Gaylads - Hold Me Tight [Trojan/Sanctuary]

"Hold Them" - Roy Shirley - Hold Me Tight [Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Give Yourself Over" - Goldilocks - Re-Amplify [Easy Star]

A Luta Continua

a musical telegram to the Opposition in the streets of Tehran... and a Remembrance Of Juneteenth, the Day Of Emancipation in Galveston, Texas, June 19th, 1865.

"Shah-Shah A Go-Go" - the Stranglers - The Raven
"Ai Bod Dub" - Llwybr Llaethog - Mewn Dub [ROIR]
"Ouelli el Darek" - Cheik Khaled - Sahra
"Let Me Cry" - Cheb Mami - Planete Rai [Declic]
"Rock el Casbah" - Rachid Taha [Barclay]
"Mustaspha Dance" - the Clash [Epic]

"Cool Down" - Silvertones
"Weather Report" - the Tennors - Rock Steady Classics [Nighthawk]
"Give Yourself Over" - Soldiers of Jah Army - Get Wiser [Innerloop]
"A Luta Continua" - Big Youth - A Luta Continua [Heartbeat]
"Give Praises" - Big Youth - Ride Like Lightning [Trojan/Sancturary]

"Slavery Days" - Burning Spear - Reggae Greats [Mango]
"Slave Master" - Gregory Isaacs - Mr Isaacs [Heartbeat]
"Massi Massa" - the Tennors - Rock Steady Classics
"We And Dem" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Uprising [Tuff Gong/Island]
"Us And Them" - Frankie Paul - Dub Side Of The Moon [Easy Star]

"Reincarnate" - Ras Tesfa McDonald

"Is This Love?" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Dubmatix remix
"Talking Love" - John Holt & the Paragons - Hold Tight! Lynn Taitt & the Jets [Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Better Must Come" - Delroy Wilson - Trojan Explosion! [MOJO]
"You Should Have Known Better" - Justin Hinds & the Dominos
"Happy Land" - Carlton & the Shoes
"Storm Warning" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Hold Tight! Lynn Taitt &the Jets

"A Day In The Life" - Michael Rose/Menny More - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]

playlist, 5 June... a prelude to a Splendid time

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - Junior Jazz - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"With A Little Help From My Friends" - Luciano - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Unity" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Hold Me Tight [Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Rough Out There (Tokyo Tower Mix)" - Noiseshaper - Real to Reel [Echo Beach]
"Rasta Shout Again" - Mr. Irie - MP3
"Meditations" - African Connection - Ghetto Knowledge [Easy Star]
"Storm Warning" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Hold Me Tight[Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Smoky Places" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Hold Me Tight[Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Fixing A Hole" - Max Romeo - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Baby I Love You So" - Jacob Miller - DJ Andy Smith Greensleeves Document
"King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown" - Augustus Pablo - DJ Andy Smith Greensleeves Document
"You Are No Good" - MIchael Prophet - DJ Andy Smith Greensl
"At The End Of The Day" - Trumystic - Dub Power [TMG]
"At The End Of The Day (DUB)" - Trumystic
"Gun The Man Down" - Prince Buster - The Outlaw [Prince Buster]
"Us And Them" - Frankie Paul - Dub Side Of The Moon [Easy Star]
"Version"
"What We Gonna Do?" - John Brown Body - Pressure Points
"What Comes Around" - Ruff Scott - Easy Star Vol 1
"How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?" - Sharon Jones/Ticklah - MP3
"Left With A Broken Heart" - Paragons - Unearthed Gold Of Rock Steady [Ossie]
"Small Garden" - Zoot Simms - Studio One 7"
"Nice Time" - Lynn Taitt & The Jets - Hold Me Tight [Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Airbag" - Horace Andy - Radiodread [Easy Star]
"Can't Stop Us Now" - Viceroys - Can't Stop Us Now /Lynval Thompson Productions [Easy Star]
"A Day In The Life" - Michael Rose/Menny More - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band