REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 10 October 2007

By Jesse I

 

With Sean Kingston at number 1 on the Australian Top 40, and sporting the Jamaican flag everywhere, it looks like "reggae" is back on top! Um... or rather, real reggae fans will have to spend the next few months explaining that Sean Kingston isn't actually reggae at all, and reggae selectors will have to endure countless Sean Kingston requests any time they play outside the established nights...

Funnily enough, the latest album from Shaggy - an artist who really has been responsible for a lot of people's misconceptions about reggae - is actually pretty solid. Intoxication comes out later this month VP records, and while it does include a few shockers, it also features many strong tunes including a strong combination with Sizzla & Collie Budz, the currently hot Bonafide Girl (on the classic 007 Shanty Town riddim), and the deadly hit Church Heathen. Sarcasm aside, I'd actually love to see the latter on the top of the Australian charts!

Meanwhile, fans of hardcore undiluted roots reggae would be better advised to check out Infinite Quality, the latest from the Midnite camp. Produced by Lustre Kings (one of the best production crews in the US) this album has a more traditional roots sound than other recent Midnite collaborations, and it definitely lives up to its name - pure quality all the way, with live strings and horns, beautiful arrangements, and the best lyrics in reggae music courtesy of Vaughn Benjamin. Highly recommended.

German reggae star Gentleman has just dropped his latest long-player, Another Intensity (Four Music). As you might guess from song titles such as "Tranquility" and "Serenity", this is quite a mellow release, but it shouldn't disappoint fans of his sound, though I don't think it represents his best work. On the other hand, Chezidek's Inna Di Road (Greensleeves) is the strongest to date from this understated singer, and benefits from some first-class production by Massive B. It's well worth a listen, as is Khari Kill's debut Picture Of Selassie, a wicked collection of new roots from this Trinidad-born NY artist.

Finally, if you haven't checked it already, Mavado's Gangster For Life (VP) is my frontrunner for hardcore dancehall album of the year. Subtitled "The Symphony Of David Brooks", Mavado's debut album collects most of his major hits to date, and shows why he has taken Jamaica by storm in the last couple years. While the braggadocio and badman lyrics are nothing new, Mavado's singjay style is the freshest sound of recent times, and combined with some of the biggest riddims of the last two years, this is one serious release. Check More Fire at Brown Alley on November 10 for a proper Gangster For Life release party, with giveaways thanks to Hardwax.

In the meantime, this Saturday October 13 actually marks the 75th More Fire reggae/dancehall session, so the fire will be blazing extra bright at Brown Alley for this one. Resident sound Chant Down will be joined by Melbourne's A1 selectors A13 and Bonnita, as well as Perth's Spinn-Aphex, and Adelaide's Dubarama. Chant Down have also put together a live CD capturing last month's massive Jah Mason show, with discs on sale at the door for only $10 with entry to More Fire, or $20 otherwise.

The following Friday (October 19) brings the 3rd Riddim Method party at the Croft Institue, presented by Housewife's Choice and Rise Up Sound. This night has quickly established itself as a wicked session, and with guests Nich Power, and the Redda Red selectors Binghi Fire and Redbelly, this should be another winner.

Pressure Drop keeps the reggae vibes coming at Laundry on October 27, residents Natty Sistren and Nich Power joined by Chant Down's Ras Crucial, jungle/dancehall specialist Foundation Stepper, and Redbelly.

Heavyweight soundsystem Heartical Hi-Fi returns to the Night Owl bar on November 3, joined by special guest sound Jah Trinity from Adelaide . Jah Trinity's Milton Naphtali has a long history in the UK soundsystem scene, dating back to the early 80s in Gloucester with a sound originally called Lord Demonstrator Hi-Power. Following a decision to concentrate on Rastafarian concepts in 1985, the system was rebuilt and renamed Jah Trinity, and played out all over the UK until 1999 when Milton immigrated to Australia . Jah Trinity's Milton Naphtali and Heartical Hi-Fi's Derek M and Steve Austin will also be joined on the night by Cassawarrior, who has joined Heartical as a permanent member.

Sunday November 4 is "High Ground Vibration", a new sunday arvo reggae session and bbq taking place on the first Sunday of every month at The Workshop from 5pm . Sounds from Natty Sistren, Rise Up Sound, Binghi Fire, Foundation Stepper, Ras Crucial and I, and entry is free.

Red Violin is also featuring reggae every Sunday night, with resident sound Ujahmaa joined by regular guests. This is one of the nicer inner city bars, comfortable and relaxed, with quality sound, and no cover charge on Sundays. Ras Crucial and I will be playing as guests on November 4.

Finally, a reminder that Junior Reid plays at Brown Alley on December 15 - tickets on sale this week at the usual outlets. Don't sleep on this one!