REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 9 April 2008

By Jesse I

Another column, another death notice… sadly, this month we have to pay respect to Michael Campbell, aka Mikey Dread, who passed away on Saturday 15th March from a brain tumor. While most here would know him for own musical output, the “Dread at the Controls” will go down in history as one of the most important radio DJs in the history of reggae music. In 1970s Jamaica, radio was dominated by foreign music, so when Mikey Dread was given a nightly spot on JBC from midnight til 4am, it was the most rootsy thing the country had ever heard on the airwaves. As well as the tunes that were running things in the dancehalls of the time, Mikey Dread also took in reggae’s history, playing the classics and original riddim counterparts to later versions. Following the success of his radio show, releasing records was a natural progression, and after working with people such as Joe Gibbs, Sonia Pottinger, Carlton Patterson, and Lee Perry, he launched his own label Dread At The Control in 1978. DATC featured Mikey Dread’s own singing/toasting, and artists such as Rod Taylor, Earl 16, and Edi Fitzroy, but ultimately the label became best know for the innovative dub b-sides. Mikey Dread continued to produce music and tour up until his battle with cancer, and will be missed by many. RIP.

The biggest news in Melbourne reggae this month is the announcement of the Roots Nation festival, Sunday 25 May at the Arts Centre. Headlined by Luciano and Mikey General, plus the legendary Horace Andy, this will be much more than just a concert, with a whole day of support acts, side events, stalls and even Jamaican food on offer. Unlike last year’s tour, Luciano will be backed by his own band this time around, while Horace Andy will be performing with local band Rootbound System. Fans of the Jamaican soundsystem are also in for a treat, with veteran soundman and producer Jack Scorpio (of Black Scorpio fame) bringing his dubplate box to town for this one. Local supports include The Red Eyes, Bart Willoughby (of No Fixed Address), Mista Savona, Chant Down Sound, Natty Sistren, Heartical Hi-Fi, Redda Red, Ranking Yoni, Troublemaker, Deline Briscoe and Tjimba Possum. Tickets on sale now.

Chant Down’s monthly More Fire session is the longest running reggae night in the country, and a cornerstone of Melbourne’s reggae/dancehall scene. Saturday 19th April marks seven years of dances, and to celebrate Chant Down are blazing it up for another bigger-than-big birthday bashment! Residents Ras Crucial, Dizzy Dee and I will be joined for this one by the great Natty Sistren Sound (Sister Itations and Vida Sunshyne), Troublemaker, Andy Ites, Lady Banton, and Tony Bashment - plus nuff guest MCs, giveaways, party treats and other surprises. More Fire fi real!

Speaking of birthdays, Natty Sistren’s monthly Pressure Drop night celebrated two years at Laundry last month with an insane cammo party – wicked to see the entire place decked out in khaki and camouflage! Pressure Drop returns to Laundry on Saturday 26th April with Natty Sistren joined by Rhythm Infinit and Missle (WA), Bass Bin Laden, Sister Sarah, and Ernest.

Laundry has also added another reggae session to their schedule, with Ring The Alarm kicking off this month and taking place every Wednesday night. Resident selectors Ras Crucial, Sister Itations and I will be joined by MCs Vida Sunshyne and Dizzy Dee, plus weekly guests, and entry is free. Tonight features guest selection from Night Nurse and Fee, while upcoming guests include Christar, Comrade Dubs, Ms Butt, Roots Tradition (NSW), Andy Ites, and Mr Savona.

The recent Dancehall Dynamite night at La Di Da was billed as a night of “decadent dancehall delights” and it delivered just that. Dancehall Dynamite returns to La Di Da for another explosion on Thursday 24th April (Anzac Day eve), featuring Binghi Fire, Sister Itations, Andy Ites, Ras Crucial, Dizzy Dee and I.

Just when you thought the sound couldn’t get any heavier, Heartical Hi-Fi have added two more 18'' bass scoops to the already massive rig. Heartical’s monthly Basement Session continues to forward rootical reggae and dub on the first Saturday of every month at the Night Owl bar, with residents Derek M, Steve Austin, and Cassawarrior plus guests.

The imaginatively named “Reggae at the Horn” session continues on the first and third Saturday of every month at the Horn in Collingwood, from 5pm til 1.30am. Resident Binghi Fire is joined by various guest selectors every time, and with African food and beer on offer, this is a nice way to get your evening started.

Singer/MC Jornick has now departed our shores, but Mista Savona and the Rootbound System continue to hold down a Tuesday night residency at The Evelyn in Fitzroy with MC Dizzy Dee taking over on mic duties. This band just gets better and better, so if you haven’t checked them yet, do yourself a favour.