REGGAE RUNNINGS - 22 October 2008

By Jesse I


Jamaican music lost another legend last week, when the “Godfather of Rocksteady” Alton Ellis died of cancer on Friday 10th October at London’s Hammersmith hospital at the age of 70.

Although he was already an established singer when Jamaican music made the shift from ska to rocksteady in the 60s, Ellis really came into his own over the slower and cooler rhythms of the rocksteady era. Singing both solo and with the vocal group The Flames, he was responsible for countless hits for the biggest labels of the time, Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle (hits such as Cry Tough, Get Ready Rocksteady, and Girl I’ve Got A Date) and rival Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One ( I’m Still In Love, Breaking Up, and Sunday Coming). As the music progressed into the early reggae sounds, and roots of the 70s, he continued to record for many of Jamaica’s top producers, even after moving to the UK in 1972. Ellis remained active on the reggae scene until his death, making regular concert appearances back in Jamaica and around the world. Melbourne producer Mista Savona worked with him earlier this year on what must be one of his last songs, and it will be featured on Savona’s next album.

Speaking of Mista Savona, his band Rootbound System returns to the Evelyn hotel in Fitzroy this month, resuming their Tuesday night residencies with Dizzy Dee on the mic. I’ll be there also, spinning 45s before, between and after the band sets.

Live reggae band Irie are also doing a residency this month, every Thursday night at Veludos in St Kilda – free entry from 9pm.

Ring The Alarm is still happening ever Wednesday night, bringing reggae and dancehall selection to Laundry. New resident Ranking Yoni has now joined Ras Crucial, Dizzy Dee and I for this one, plus two weekly guests appearing every week. Entry is free, 9pm til late.
Looking at the bigger monthly parties, this Saturday night it’s all about Pressure Drop at Laundry. With resident sound Natty Sistren out of town to perform at the Island Vibe festival in Qld, the “badmen tek ova”, original Pressure Drop selectors Tempa and Nich Power joined by Andy Ites, Ranking Yoni, and newcomer Gaza.

Friday 29th October is Traffic Jam at Workshop, featuring Ras Crucial, Sista Sara, Bonnita, Redbelly, Binghi Fire, and Sister Racquelina. Free entry from 8pm til late.

Saturday 8th November is More Fire #90 at Miss Libertine, as Melbourne’s original reggae night begins the run to the 100th gig. Joining resident sound Chant Down will be Christo and Bonnita (playing a historic father/daughter combination set), Ranking Yoni, DD, and Dizzy Dee on the mic.

Heartical Hi-Fi’s monthly Basement Session at the Night Owl has changed to the third Friday of every month, and they have a big one planned for Friday 14th November. Residents Derek M and Casswarrior will be joined by special international guest Eddy Foundation (from Foundation Sound UK), plus a live reggae band and guest DJs. This one will also kick off earlier than normal at 8pm, with the Australian premier screening of Musically Mad, a crucial documentary on UK soundsystem culture.