| Turning Up The
Reggae Heat
9th Annual Monterey Bay Reggae Festival
Andre Smith of A & P Productions
Photography and Article by Diane "Livonn" Adam © 2004
It was a wonderful day when fans of Reggae music received
the news that this year would include an impressive comeback of the 9th
Annual Monterey Bay Reggae Festival held on Labor Day weekend, September 5-6, 2004.
Last year we were all disheartened to hear that the festival would not be held. Like true
warriors A & P Productions took back the reins at the Monterey Fairgrounds to
produce this year’s festival with MC Alan "Rocky" Bailey. Always
focusing on the best in Roots and Culture, headline performers on the main "One World
Stage" on Sunday, September 5th included Morgan Heritage, Sister
Carol, Yami Bolo, Prezident Brown, Bambú Station and Iba
from St. Croix, and Inner Vision.
On Saturday, September 6th lighting up the stage was
the original roots master and nyahbinghi specialist Ras Michael and The Sons of Negus,
Bushman, Israel Vibration with the Roots Radics Band, Dub-Wize,
Mabrak, Earl Zero, Yellow Wall Dub Squad and youth performer,
Prince Rastan and an exciting and stimulating festival-closing performance by Beenie
Man.
Always providing fans with satisfying alternatives, the festival
also included a 2nd smaller "Food Court Stage" on both days. This
year some splendid performances came from Baldread & the Raggamuffin Crew, Luna
Angel, Pacific Vibrations on Saturday and on Monday, the party started again
with Dub Congress and Expendables and a rousing performance by the Bay Areas
own Native Elements who later backed Hawaiian performer Humble Soul. On both
days the festival opened with Steel Drums and a ceremonial blessing with Nyabinghi
Drumming.
Festival Highlights
Sunday, September 5th
Inner Vision
Inner Vision got things rolling on the "One World
Stage" on Sunday. Though the stage area was sparse with people lazily stretched out
on the lawn under a blazing hot sun, Inner Vision nonetheless performed with skill and
conviction on the strictly roots songs "Who Will Lead Us To The Promise Land",
"Love One Another" and "Train To Mt. Zion". Inner Vision then took the
rock classic "Hotel California" by The Eagles and gave it a sweet Reggae
treatment that got cheers and applause from the small but appreciative audience.
Prezident Brown gave a splendid performance of his
earlier releases and also performed songs from his upcoming CD release, Generation X,
while band member Vince Black rocked on rhythm guitar.
Yami Bolo
|
I yie yie yie oh yeah, Lord knows it
was the sweet vocal’s of Yami Bolo who moved on stage to begin his soulful set
with the title track of his latest album, "Rebellution". Yami kept the audience
in his gentle embrace as he delivered a satisfying set of roots songs including "Weep
Not", "Jah Love Worth More Than Gold" and "Do Good" (to the poor
man). Touching on the need to cease the current turmoil in the world, Yami performed his
songs "Weapons of Mass Destruction" and "More Love" (in this war torn
world). When he stopped the band to perform "World Wide Disarmament" as he
strummed on his acoustic guitar there was no doubt that the words he sang had taken hold
of the hearts of the swaying crowd. |
Representing
the Queens and giving the proper female balance to the festival was none other than the
original Mother Culture, Sister Carol backed by the Yellow Wall Dub Squad
Band featuring Fazel Pendergast on rhythm guitar. The sound of "The
Conquering Lion" (shall break every chain) drifted out like a gentle breeze before
Sister Carol appeared on stage to meet her adoring fans who cheered her on as she broke
into the song "Black Cinderella". Giving praises to Selassie I and Queen
Omega, she truly uplifted the women dem when she sang "Fire ‘Pon The
West" (if you try to ditch the Empress). Never loosening her Rasta grip, she launched
into a moving array of Roots and Culture songs including "Reggae Arena" where
she hailed up the great Reggae legends and "Rasta Fire". |
| She also performed songs from her new album
release, Empressive with the songs "Joy" and "Empty World". Sister
Carol nicely changed up the vibe and surprised everyone when she sang Capelton’s
"Mashin’ Up The World" which she smoothly transitioned back into her song
"Joy". It was a non-stop culture ride as Sister Carol (gift wrapped with her
sister’s lovely gospel drenched vocals that also got a chance to shine later in the
show in a solo performance of "Listening" in a rub-a-dub style) captured the
audience’s full attention. Especially on the songs "Rasta Girl" and
"Wombman" and closed her splendid set with her trademark treatment on
"Dread Knotty Congo". |
Sister Carol
|
Iba |
The St. Croix, Virgin Islands explosion was
set off by a splendid performance from Iba, who sang songs from his 2003 album
release, Jah Lion (Children Of The Nile). Iba’s easy style and manner
embellished each song and a new breeze chilled out the crowd as he performed the songs
"Work To Do", "What’s It Gonna Take", "Chant",
"Dying Breed" and the title track from his new album, "Jah Lion". The most original and jaw-dropping performances of the 9th
Annual Monterey Bay Reggae Festival came from St. Croix’s Bambú Station
formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Jalani Horton. Bambú Station gave a brilliant
performance of thoroughly conscious songs from their splendid 2003 CD release, One Day.
|
As the bass line began, Horton eased onto
the stage to open the set saying, "We come to expose them who deceive the
people, hurt the people and wrong the political freedom." Bambú Station then
launched into the powerful song, "Man In Exile" and riveted the crowd as the
band excelled in weaving their musical magic while the amazing voice of Jalani Horton
loomed large as he sang the thought provoking lyrics,
"Man In Exile should be dead / Should be dead if
them a murderer / Man In Exile should be dead / if them a murderer / Man In Exile should
be dead / If people suffer/ Old dry bones / People start to cry / Mama them bawling’
so them come and ask me why / Old dry bones / Their children in their graves / Politically
them say the boy them was too brave / Or they locked in prison for ideas and opinions /
Nothing New / Old dry bones / Them building valleys of death / All I know / Because of
religious doctrine / Millions have been murdered / And yet our people sing…"
Bambu Station & Inner Vision
Once these words were heard it was clear the road Bambú Station
is trodding as they fiercely and passionately addressed the troubling state of the
world today with frank and intellectually soulful lyrics on the songs "Even Man
Cry" and "Humanity Bawlin". Each song seemed to surpass the next and with
moans of sadness and dismay Bambú Station kept the audience completely spellbound. They
continued their set with the songs "Pass It" (pass me the information so I can
be revolution), "Gunsmoke" and "Eyes Of Men" which they dedicated to
the spirit of Dr./Mrs. Betty Shabazz wife of Malcolm X. Bambú Station closed
their breathtaking set with a soulfully sweet performance of "One Day" and
secured their place of honor as one of the highlights of this year’s festival.
| The Food Court stage, surrounded by taste
tempting treats of calamari, fresh lemonade and Jamaican food by Aunti P, rocked
during the day with Pacific Vibration and the sweet and gentle sounds of Luna
Angel. While the nighttime crowd jammed inna dancehall style with Baldread
and The Raggamuffin Crew who sounded great as they performed
"Where My Roots At". |
Baldread and The Raggamuffin Crew
|
| Closing the
Sunday night performances on the One World Stage was the first family of Reggae, Morgan
Heritage. They baptized the crowd with pure Rasta affection and ushered in a family
affair spirit of love and unity as they opened their set with "Don’t Haffi Dread
To Be Rasta". The genuine warmth of Morgan family members, Peter, Una, Gramps,
Mr. Mojo and Lukes spread like a wildfire throughout the crowd as they
performed the songs "Live Up", "Trodding On", and the Hip-Hop chat by
Mr. Mojo provided a fresh and youthful twist to "What We Need Is Love". Morgan
Heritage is a group that never skimps on the music and I have yet to see them voluntarily
shorten their show but instead they always give 110% each and every time. |
The Morgan Heritage Family: Una, Peter, Gramps, Luke & Mr. Mojo |
Their performance in Monterey was no
exception as they delivered an impressive bundle of songs that got the crowd twistin’
and shoutin’ as they sang "Give A Helping Hand" and sister Una lent her
voice to the song and later embraced her brother Peter as they sang in unison. Peter even
shocked out on a performance of Jacob Miller’s "I’m A Rasta
Man" (not a dreadlock) and from their album More Teaching, the group was red
hot as they sang, "Rastafari Teaching". Mr. Mojo got into the mix and led the
way on "Nice Up Your Medi" as little brother Lukes hit some wicked licks on the
guitar. Peter was in rare form as he sang the touching "A Man Is Still A Man"
and Gramps’ gospel drenched "Down By The River" was a big hit with the
crowd. |
To the
delight of fans they also performed for the first time live their brand new song,
"You Got Me" from their soon to be released CD, Full Circle on VP
Records. The ladies swooned and a real Reggae party ensued as Peter sang out, "I
like they way you move your body Senorita / Makes me want to be your partner / Up and down
/ The way you move ‘round / You got me." The full force Latin-edged sound of
the band rose to a crescendo and, as I looked around, each and every one on the festival
grounds was fully involved. The crowd gave the group their seal of approval as they
screamed with delight when Peter sang out, "Do that thing, mama do that
thing". This was the first time Morgan Heritage performed on the Monterey Bay
Reggae Festival stage. And as they closed their dazzling set with the song "Reggae
Bring Back Love" it was a loving crowd that "put their hands in the air caused
they feel it" and cheered in vain for Morgan Heritage to come back on stage for an
encore. |
Monday, September 6th
The Yellow Wall Dub Squad Band got things rolling on the
One World Stage on Monday, followed by youth performer, Prince Rastan and veteran
singer Earl Zero got his shot to sweet the crowd. Mabrak engrossed the crowd
with their song "Survival". They also gave the crowd a music lesson when they
introduced the talking drum performer who lent his talents on "Summertime
Rhythm" explaining to the audience that the foundation of Morse Code came from the
African people who used the drum to communicate between vast distances and later Mabrak
transitioned the song into a rub-a-dub style. Nice! Also performing on Monday was Dub-Wize
who gave a fine set of strictly instrumental dub style songs.
The Roots,
Rock, Reggae portion of the show took flight with Ras Michael and The Sons of Negus
who came to beat down Babylon with a lovin’ vibe and opened the show with the
spiritually potent "Jah Givith Life". Ras Michael enlightened the crowd saying, "This
is the peoples’ music for everyone, the Kings music" and in the ancient
traditions of the peace pipe they solidified the Rasta vibe with "Sip Your Cup
Now" and used the familiar "Here Comes The Bride" rhythm to launch into
"Marriage In Canaan". |
Ras Michael
|
No Ras Michael performance is complete without his song "72
Nations" which he always performs by including a sentimental reminiscence about sweet
Jamaica, land of wood and water and tells us "J" is for the Jews,
"A" is for the Arawacks, "M" is for the Mulattos, "A" is for
the Africans, "I" is for the Indians, "C" is for the Chinese and
"A" is for the Arabs -- and that is Jamaica! It was a spirited Nyahbingi
sessions that saturated the already fiery air and seemed to increase the temperature with
every one drop rhythm. Ras Michael and The Sons of Negus band’s strong gospel vibes
shined bright on "Fly Away Home" and "Rastaman Chant". |
A wonderful
musical delivery adorned Ras Michaels’ voice and drumming. Providing a skillful
musical execution was band members Ras Trevor on Nyahbingi drum, Elija Walker
on bass, Alfonso Kirk on saxophone, Mark Spiller on trap drums, Freedie
Flint on rhythm guitar, Alex Walker and Jeremy Park on keyboards and
guest artist Ras Kidas on Funde drum. Ras Michael & The Sons of
Negus truly jammed on their closing song, "Rastaman Give Thanks and Praise"
which they melded to Bob Marley’s "Get Up Stand Up". It was a set
cut short due to time constraints but nonetheless, greatly satisfying in every respect.
Wadada! |
Also gracing the Monterey
Bay Reggae Festival stage was Bushman, who opened his show with his inspiring new
song, "In My Sanctuary". He proceeded to conduct a strictly roots performance of
songs including "Worries and Problems", "Vegetarian", "Your
Love", "Weak Heart" and a wicked performance of "High Grade" that
really got the audience in the mood. As you listen to Bushman it’s no surprise to
learn that he was strongly influenced by The Messenger Luciano, who he says
is his inspiration. He gave a nonstop performance of his earlier songs including "Man
A Lion" and "Cannabis" from his 1997 album, Nyah Man Chant and
"Your Love", "Yadd Away Home" and "Fire Pon A Deadas" |
Bushman
|
from his 2001
release, Higher Ground on Greensleeves. It was his performance of new songs
that captured the attention of the crowd as Bushman sang "Creatures Of The
Night", "Pleasing People", "Lighthouse" and "Lion" all
from his outstanding new CD release, Signs on VP Records. |
Israel Vibration’s Skelly and Weiss
and the Roots Radics Band brought their strictly roots sounds for a very short set
of their original songs opening the show with "Highway Robbery" and a smooth
groove on "Why Worry", "Last Soul", "Cool & Deadly" and
"Same Song".
"You want a proper fit, call me. You want to get your
kicks call me. You want your G stick call me. Me have the remix, call
me…Hear the girls calling, hear the girls ballin’ hear the girls crying out,
they say BEENIE!"
Beenie Man
It was pure
pandemonium when Beenie Man took the stage to close the 9th Annual
Monterey Bay Reggae Festival on September 6. Beenie Man broke into a beaming smile as he
came on stage to greet his loving fans that chanted out his name in excitement. The girls
were nearly hysterical near the front of the stage as they jumped up and down and waved
frantically to the King Of The Dancehall. Beenie Man opened his show singing
"Row like A Boat" and the girls pushed even harder at the barrier that separated
them from the stage. When he said "I’m the girls dem sugar that’s
all" it was take off time and he pulled out all the stops as he gyrated, grinded,
pumped and wined his way into the hearts of every female dancehall lover in the crowd.
There is no doubt that this entertainer has what it takes to shimmy and shake his way to
the top with the ladies tightly in tow and "Zagga Zow, on bed, ‘pon floor,
against wall, we sex them all 'till they call me. I’m the girls dem sugar
that’s all, welcome the King of the Dancehall. Even if you are not a big
dancehall fan, it’s hard not to join in the fun when Beenie Man performs. He
gave a rollicking performance, singing many of his standard songs like "Rommie",
"Who Am I" and of course "Girls Dem Sugar". |
Taking the crowd by storm,
he launched into "She Don’t Really Need A Boyfriend" where he gave the men
in the audience a graphic lesson on how to satisfy a woman that was truly a lark to
behold. He also performed "Bad Man" from his 1997 Grammy Nominated album, Many
Moods of Moses. Beenie Man even performed his ever popular new song, "King Of The
Dancehall" and right on cue he slowed it down and gave the ladies a chance to catch
their breath with "Back Against The Wall" both songs are from his current CD
release, Back To Basics on Atlantic Records. |
Little Kirk
|
Many people
that I spoke to after his show said they came to Monterey from as far as Portland, Oregon
just to see Beenie Man perform in California and to show their love and support for this
phenomenal artist. Beenie Man provided a brilliant close to the festival and many were
still wigglin’ and gigglin’ there way home, truly satisfied with this
year’s 9th Annual Monterey Bay Reggae Festival. |
Give Thanks and Praises to Andre and all of the staff and
volunteers of A & P Productions for providing fans of Reggae music an exciting and
fantastic lineup of great performers at this year’s festival.
Blessed Love |
