REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 15 February 2006

By Jesse I

So far 2006 has been a busy year for reggae, and I'm particularly feeling the effects of More Fire #55 as I write. Respect to the Street Level crew from Adelaide (who proved that they know a little something about hardcore dancehall over in the city of Churches!), Basmati from Brisbane , and the rest of the Melbourne regulars who've helped us earn the title "reggae capital" of Australia . The interstate guests continue next month, with Aswon from Perth and the Rasta In Oz soundsystem from Brisbane bringing their sounds to More Fire at the Mercat LG on March 11.

Earlier in the week it was all about the internationals, with Third World back from Jamaica for their second show in 8 months, and Big Youth here for the first time. Third World delivered as expected, a first class performance from a first class band - while some of their material can get a little too deep into crossover territory for hardcore roots fans, nobody could find fault with their version of the Rasta anthem Satta, 96 Degrees in the Shade, or my personal favourite of the night, Jah Glory. Legendary mic chanter Big Youth had the tough task of following them, and though he tried hard and did score some real hits with the audience, his performance failed to have the same impact - partly because of his selector fumbling with the CD players, and partly because of his choice of material and overly long acapellas. Many were disappointed not to hear more of his classic early toasting work, but all in all I feel we were lucky simply to witness an artist of his stature here in Australia. Big Youth also voiced a wicked tune with local producer Jake Savona earlier in the day, so look out for that release soon come.

The next international on the horizon is something special for the vintage Jamaican music fans, as Carlos Malcom joins the Melbourne Ska Orchestra to deliver a "short history of reggae" at the Prince of Wales on February 24. Malcom has been part of the Jamaican music scene since the 1950s, with several hits in the ska era, and he currently leads the Jamaican National Orchestra.

For contemporary reggae sounds, the hype is definitely still with Damian "Jr Gong" Marley who just won his second Reggae Grammy award for his album "Welcome to Jamrock", and Best Urban/Alternative Performance in the R&B category. As well as playing the East Coast Blues and Roots festival in Byron this year, the self-dubbed "youngest veteran" is confirmed for a side-show at the Prince of Wales on April 10. Tickets are on sale now, and will definitely sell out, so be quick!

If this wasn't enough, the Skatalites will also be playing the Prince on April 18. More information on this one closer to the time, but anyone with an interest in Jamaican music should take note of this date and make sure not to miss this foundation act.

On the local front, the early-Sunday evening "Mash It Up" sessions at First Floor are taking a break until daylight savings finishes, but Bass Bin Laden and Ms Butt should ensure reggae and dancehall continues to be represented at Players Ball. High Tide (reggae/dancehall Thursdays in the Espy Gershwin lounge) is continuing at least until March, and going very strong. Rastafari Rhythms monthly night at Dream has moved to the fourth Saturday of every month, and a new night has started to pick up the slack on the third Saturday of the month - "Steppers Delight" at new city venue The Workshop ( 413-415 Elizabeth St , entry via A'Beckett St ). The night kicks off on February 18, with residents A13, Kilroc, Ras Crucial and I holding it down from 8.30pm-2.30am (plus regular guests). Entry is free, and there is plenty of open-air space to breathe easy...

Looking at new dancehall releases on 7", I have to give special mention to the Chakra riddim on KBC music, one of the best jump-up bashment riddims in a long time, complete with excellent vocals from Capleton, Ward 21, Chukki Starr and more. Blink on Black Shadow is very strong as usual from this quality label, Old Truck on Studio 2000 continues to move, and Connection on Déjà vu has been doing very well. Hot new roots riddims include Passion on NAP, Love Life on Gibbo, Pure Joy on Golden Cartel, Fire and Rain on Yahbell, Burn Dem (aka Hot Milk/Murderer) on King Lion, Rose Apple on Ice Berg, and Brainwash Pt2 on Crown Star.