REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 15 August 2007

By Jesse I

 

When it comes to international tours, most of the live reggae we've seen here in the last couple decades has been in the classic roots vein - veteran artists and bands such as Burning Spear, Toots, Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, and Third World . Earlier this year we were treated to a "soundsystem style" showcase featuring Luciano and Mikey General, contemporary Jamaican singers still in their prime, and a real breath of fresh air. Next month we're set to take it to another level, as we bear witness to the first real hardcore Jamaican artists to perform in Melbourne (with all due respect to Sean Paul and Jr Gong).

September 8 sees Jah Mason performing at Brown Alley, backed by selector Lenny Roots of the I-tal Acoustic sound. Though his style is generally dubbed "sing-jay", Jah Mason's rougher DJ style has always been his forte, comparable to artists like Capleton and Sizzla. Jah Mason's start in the music business came in the early 90s at Junior Reid's One Blood studio in Kingston Jamaica, where he hung around (and even slept) for over a month until he was given his first break. Released under the name Perry Mason, his first tune was called "Selassie I Name Me A Call", and it set the tone for his future work as a serious Rasta DJ. "From the beginning we start, it nah go halfway through. Yuh see me a seh? Cause only two things you can put out - either you come speak of the good, or you speak of the bad". The last decade has seen Jah Mason rise to prominence in Jamaica and around the world as one of the top Rasta artists, with particularly strong support in Europe where he tours regularly. His vist to Melbourne marks the first time a young firebrand Bobo Rasta artist has performed here, and it's fitting that this show will take place at More Fire.

Hardcore MC Spragga Benz performs live at the Prince of Wales Bandroom later in the month on September 26. Spragga has maintained a place as one of Jamaica's top deejays for the last decade, initially delivering rudebwoy themes before sighting up Rasta and moving with the Marley family's Ghetto Youths crew. He also stars with Kymani Marley in the Jamaican gangster movie "Shottas". As well as MCing for Freq Nasty at the Parklife festival, Spragga will be doing a straight-up soundsystem-style side show, with support on the night from Diafrix, RuCL, Mista Savona (ft Damajah and Vida-Sunshyne), Nicky Bomba, Rik E Ragga and band, and I.

In the meantime, Melbourne's dub fans are in for something truly special this month, as Heartical Hi-Fi presents their first basement session at the Night Owl bar ( 33 Elizabeth St, City) on September 1. Custom built for reggae music in the UK soundsystem tradition of people like Jah Shaka and Jah Tubbys, the full Heartical Hi-Fi will have to be heard (and felt) to be believed. It's taken Heartical's maker Derek M (aka Uptight) over a year to find a venue suitable to accommodate the complete system (which boasts 14 speakers, and around 10000 watts of power), but a lack of noise restrictions and a late license at Night Owl means Melbourne should finally be able to experience dub music as it should be experienced - complete with bass so heavy you can literally feel it. Derek has been a mainstay of the local reggae scene since migrating from Liverpool, UK in 2001, while his Heartical offsider Steve Austin moved here from Southend, UK in 2005. Together they bring decades of experience in soundsystem, and a serious record collection with a focus on dub and rootical reggae - plus they'll be joined on the night by guest selectors Foundation Stepper and Cassawarrior.

This Friday brings a welcome new addition to the Melbourne soundscape, as Rise Up Sound and Housewife's Choice present Riddim Method at the Croft Institute. This looks set to be pure niceness and roots with quality, as these two class sounds are joined by selectors Don Pyro (Germany), Night Nurse, and Sister Sarah.

Pressure Drop returns to Laundry on August 25 for what promises to be another killer installment, as the vibes keep getting bigger and bigger. Residents Natty Sistren, Nich Power, and Tempa will be joined for this one by guests Night Nurse, and So'Fire. Natty Sistren will also be launching their long-awaited 2nd mixtape, so look out for it!