REGGAE RUNNINGS - 2 July 2008

By Jesse I

Big up to Mohair Slim and everyone else involved with last Saturday’s amazing Caribs/Melbourne Ska Orchestra gig at the Corner. Though not strictly reggae as such, this was a truly historic night, and without Mohair’s research and hard-work I’d say that most of us would still be totally oblivious to Australia’s vital part in the birth of the Jamaican recording industry. Respect fe real!

The next big one to look forward to is Bushman’s “Get It In Your Mind” tour, August 28 at the Corner Hotel, while firebrand Jamaican chanter Jah Mason returns to Melbourne to perform at Miss Libertine on September 13.

Miss Libertine (34 Franklin St, City) is actually the new home of Australia’s longest running reggae/dancehall night More Fire, now in its eighth year. Chant Down Sound will be blazing it up for the first time at Libertine on July 12, settling in with a real family affair – residents Ras Crucial and I will be joined by original Chant Down MC Damajah (performing a special showcase set), plus Dizzy Dee, Troublemaker, Sista Itations, Andy Ites, Nich Power and Bellyas.

Dancehall Dynamite Thursdays at La Di Da has changed to a monthly, now happening on the first Thursday of every month. Tomorrow night brings the first monthly instalment, a launch party for the new Reggae Gold 2008 release on VP records, featuring selections from Nukc, Binghi Fire, Redbelly, Ras Crucial, and I, plus Damajah and Dizzy Dee on the mic.

This Saturday at the Corner Hotel is a night called “Independent West Papua”, with all proceeds going to the Australia West Papua Association. While not a reggae night as such, reggae features prominently, with performances by Culture Connect, Agency Dub Collective, Chant Down Sound, Pataphysics, B12 Shot, and West Papuan singers and dancers. It’s a great cause, so come and support it – for more info check www.freewestpapua.org.

Also on this Saturday is Basement Session #10 at the Night Owl bar, featuring Heartical Hi-Fi’s Cassawarrior and Steve Austin, plus guests Top Ranking, Dangerous, DD and Dizzy Dee; while Sunday at the Noise Bar in Brunswick is a night called Finding Ground, featuring Tiger, Fee, Dr Fil, Cris, I and more.

July 18 at Croft is the next instalment of Riddim Method, featuring the excellent live crew Basslines (Sydney) alongside residents Housewife’s Choice, Damajah, Ras Robbie, Jesse Jahmal, Jahred Badman, and Tempa.

July 26 it’s all about Pressure Drop at Laundry, featuring Riddim Collision (Brisbane), Sista Itations, Voodoo Dread, Housewife’s Choice, and Papa Stylee.

It’s been quite a while since I did a proper review of recent 7” vinyl releases. The output from Jamaica slowed noticeably earlier in the year, making it obvious more than ever that the humble 45 is no longer the format of choice there. Thankfully for those of us that haven’t yet jumped ship to the digital bandwagon, the export market is keeping Jamaican vinyl alive, and the last couple months have seen plenty of strong releases out of yard to go with the consistent stream of riddims out of Europe. Recent killers include the Pure N Clean on Soundbank, Vet Law on Dill-Ox, and Kingdom on Massive B, all very solid and tough roots riddims. The Secrets riddim on Don Corleon follows on from his previous hits Drop Leaf and Seasons, and while it may be a little soft for some, strong cuts by Queen Ifrika, Pressure and Morgan Heritage make this a winner for me. The General Key on Oneness is a bouncy upbeat number with first class contributions from Jr Kelly, Prince Malachi, and Queen Ifrika again. The No Doubt label’s follow up to the 83 riddim is the Rub A Dub, another strong one though not particularly original. Sly and Robbie’s old Tune In riddim is back again also, with killer new cuts by Sizzla, Tarrus & Jimmy Riley, and Lutan Fyah among others. Finally, not yet out on vinyl but one to watch out for is a recut of the Black Uhuru riddim General Penitentiary produced by Fat Eyes – a classic steppers sound with excellent fresh vocals.

Looking at dancehall, the Mission on Yard Vybz gives us the biggest tune in Jamaica for the last 6 months, Movado’s massive “On The Rock”, as well as the Marley brothers hit which gives the riddim its name. Young genius producer Stephen McGregor (son of singer Freddie) has continued his run of hit riddims with Chiney K and Daybreak – too dark for most Melbourne dancefloors it seems, but deadly still. Nuh Linga on Boardhouse is a personal favourite of mine from the last month, Assasin showing that he still deh bout, and even the selector Fire Links coming in with a wicked tune. Double Joint is Don Corleon’s latest minimal dancehall riddim, and his best for a little while also. Going back a few months for those that might have missed them, I have to mention Da Go Go on Massive B, The Warning on Juke Boxx, and Airwaves on Hit Strip.