REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 27 September 2006

By Jesse I

Big up to everyone who came and made the recent PBS FM "200% Dub" benefit another huge success, raising some well-needed money for the station that has always been Melbourne's biggest supporter of dub and reggae music. It was one impressive showcase of local dub talent, and respect is due to all acts - Project Saturn, Melatonin, Agency Dub Collective (whose songs with guest singer Traffik were the personal highlight for me), The Red Eyes, Ras Crucial, Heartical Hi-Fi, and Redemption Sound. Unfortunately I had to leave before the big dubwise showdown between the latter two, but from all reports it was as heavy as it promised to be, and really got the Corner Hotel vibrating!

The same night also saw the first of a new monthly called Tafari Earth Uprising at Ace Morning, which also managed a strong crowd despite the competition. Respect to the promoter Dreadbeard (and the man called Twist!) for a great night of conscious roots reggae sounds with top-notch selection and pure positive vibes. Tafari Earth Uprising returns to Ace Morning on October 7, with selection from Twist, Sista Itations, Heartical D, Troublemaker, Toola, Redbelly, and Night Nurse.

It feels like a long time between drinks at Brown Alley, but the next More Fire dance will take place there this Saturday the 30th September (corner Lonsdale and King in the city). The debut session at the new venue last month was deadly, and things should only get better as Australia's longest-running monthly reggae night settles in to the new surrounds. Alongside resident sound Chant Down will be guest selectors Nich Power, Redbelly, Christar, and Night Nurse. Also, www.chantdown.com has totally been redesigned, and now features downloadable video clips and live session audio, as well as photos from the first year of More Fire dances in 2001 - check it!

Rastafari Rhythms monthly reggae party has moved to the first Saturday of every month. Catch residents Dirty Harry Selassie and Sista Levi at Dream ( 229 Queensbury St, Carlton) on October 7, together with live band Nyah Binghi Warriors, and guest selector Binghi Fire.

Looking at new releases... Lutan Fyah continues to cement his position as one of the best new roots artists of recent times, with another great new album Healthy Living (VP records). Produced by Fatis Burrell, a few of the tunes have already appeared on his Xterminator imprint, but there are enough new killers on this one to satisfy even the serious 7" collector. Beenie Man 's latest album Undisputed (Virgin records) recently debuted at #65 on the Billboard chart, and on the top of their reggae chart. With first week sales of 15,012 in the US , Undisputed only just managed to outsell Baby Cham 's recent Ghetto Story album (Atlantic/Mad House) which sold 15,000 in its first week. Arguably the greatest US reggae band, Groundation have announced the featured guest vocalists on their forthcoming album - legends Ijahman Levi and Pablo Moses. Can't wait!

New releases on Jamaican 7" vinyl slowed down a little last month, but there were still a few strong riddims to check for. On the roots tip, Borderline is Irie Ites follow-up to one of last year's biggest riddims, Zion. Again, this one features big cuts from Lutan Fyah and Spectacular, plus Luciano, Anthony B and Ras McBean, and Chezidek. Speaking of Zion, Irie Ites have also just released a late Capleton cut on that riddim, "Throw Us Down". The Sweet Sadies label is back with their best roots riddim to date, Need Love - check for big tunes by Tony Rebel, Jah Mason, Yami Bolo, and Morgan Heritage among others. Sly & Robbie's Taxi label keep em coming too, with a big cut of the classic Cuss Cuss riddim - great to hear a new tune from Mutabaruka on this one, "Bring The Fire" (and he does!), as well as Jr Kelly's "Youths Dem Nah Cool", previously available on album only.

Not so much for bashment dancehall fans this time though, apart from H20's latest riddim, the tuff 12 Gauge , Stone Love's Oki Doki , and Angrier on Daseca. Newcomers Movado and Busy Signal deliver the standout dancehall tune of the month on the latter, the savage badman tune "Full Clip". Fortunately, to help fill the lull, two huge dancehall riddims of yesteryear have recently been repressed - Shines "Black Widow" and Madhouse's "Joyride". Pick these ones up quick if you see them, as it could be years before they come back again based on previous experience!