|
Archive
Pages
November 2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November
2002 Edition |
|
Photo by Corbett Harvey Bowers I
|
Spotlight on
Yami Bolo
by Ms. Cool |
Yami Bolo's voice is like the Sun. The renowned
singer/conscious lyricist (Rolando McLean) defines his warm, expansive tenor as a roots
and culture sound, a style that represents a new era in Reggae. On Mother's Day we caught
up with the young Lion in an Emeryville recordings studio, where he was laying down a
vocal track for an upcoming project with producer Joseph I, famed engineer Hopeton
"Scentist" Brown, the Fully Fullwood Band and rhythm guitarist Fazel
Pendergrast. Yami, former child star whose stellar tracks include "When A Man is In
Love," "Love is Dangerous," "Curly Locks," and "The Puppet
Master," spoke openly about his growing spirituality.
Reggae Review: So, how did you come up with the lyrics for the songs you
are working on today? I see that you've got the Bible with you.
Yami Bolo: Well, the lyrics were there before, but we were reading the
Bible afterwards for different types of inspiration.
RR: What passages were you reading?
YB: Matthew, chapter 6 today. The whole of Matthew is saying a lot of
things about Christ. "Be careful of the false prophets, that you don't be
deceived."
RR: What projects have you been working on during this West Coast tour?
YB: Well, we been promoting the songs, going on the radio. We did a show
in Seattle and one at the Edge (Palo Alto). It was nice, promoting the works of Jah and
speaking to his people.
RR: Which of your songs mean the most to you?
YB: I have certain songs that mean a lot to me, the songs that speak the
truth and justice.
RR: When you sing, we can hear each phrase so clearly.
YB: It's something that I practice. Pronunciation is very important.
RR: Did you ever have any vocal training?
YB: I never really took a professional vocal lesson. I exercise and run
to the beach and praise the almighty Jah. He's the one who gave me all the vocal training.
It's an inborn concept.
RR: Did you ever sing in church?
YB: I love singing in church. In fact I grew up going to church and
worshipping.
RR: What kind of church?
YB: The Philadelphia Christian Church. Now the Ethiopian Orthodox is my
church.
RR: What projects are you working on in Jamaica right now?
YB: A lot of things are going on, but the main thing I'm working on is
building my company. Yam Euphony Music in Kingston. Through the powers of the Most High,
we'd love it to be a worldwide corporation. Right now, we're putting out an album called
"Put Down the Weapon." Moral support and upliftment for humanity, to help ghetto
youth and even help build Africa in the process. Enough work still. It's a struggle.
There's a whole host of people who work with us, the holy hosts.
RR: What artists influenced you when you were growing up?
YB: We loved all artists, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, James Brown-you
name it.
RR: Has anyone told you that you sound a lot like Jr. Reid?
YB: Yes. They've also told me that I sound like Michael Rose. In fact, I
used to admire Junior Reid because he used to come through Sugar Minott's when I was
working with his Youth Promotions Crew. That's where it all started.
RR: What kind of work do African people need to do in terms of spiritual
upliftment?
YB: We have to praise His Imperial Majesty, no doubt, and emphasize it
very much. The words he already said, we have to build upon. We need more love and unity.
That's what holds back black people right now. The Chinese unite, Japanese unite, white
man unites-every man unites, its only black people who can't see themselves because they
can't see the Emperor. As soon as they see the Emperor as them king and them God, they
will rise again. It's like, we haffe take the white Jesus off of the wall and put up Haile
Selassie I, So we can get the black power within. It's not about segregation or prejudice,
but emphasizing our blackness, being proud of our blackness. Say it loud, you know. We
love white, too, and we love Indians, too, it's like a garden of flowers that Jah created.
RR: Black people have a lot of soul. What does that concept mean to you?
YB: Black people have a lot of faith. That's what it means to me.
RR: You wore a beautiful African outfit on stage today. What influence
your style of clothing.
YB: As Africans living in the Western Hemisphere, we have to Love our
culture and uphold our culture. Sometimes I go on (stage) in jeans, but I still haffe
establish the Lion (of Judah) and Haile Selassie. It's natural still.
RR: "Curly Locks" is one of your most popular songs. How did
that one come about?
YB: That song was produced by Sly & Robbie as well, and it's also on
the album. Whenever we do a show, it's always part of our repertoire. It was written by
Junior Byles. The audience likes the way I do it justice. It's a great song and I love it.
RR: At Reggae on the River a few years ago, you did a wonderful version
of Madonna's "La Isla Bonita." What inspired that song?
YB: "La Isla Bonita"... I Love that song. I like that Santana
guitar, the Spanish guitar (hums and riffs). I Love Madonna's singing as well.
RR: Early in your career, you worked with the late Augustus Pablo. What
was it like working with him?
YB: Yes, well give thanks for Augustus Pablo, the life and the knowledge,
you know. He taught us how to play piano. I give thanks to him for sharing that knowledge
of musical arrangements with "InI."
RR: How old were you when you first started working with Augustus Pablo.
and what was your first album.
YB: I was 17: "Jah Made Them All"
RR: Did you ever work with Dennis Brown?
YB: I worked with him, and I told them that I wanted to produce him. We
booked the studio time and he recorded the song for me on Yam Euphony. In fact, we did a
duet together "Bust off Head," in 1991. It's on the "Jah Love" album.
RR: How old were you when you worked with Dennis Brown?
YB: Twenty-one. In fact, I've known Dennis Brown, from the time I was
17th. The first time I went to England, I went outside without my Jacket, and he was
telling me that I would catch a cold. He was looking after me.
RR: Who do you admire nowadays, in terms of singers.
YB: I admire all of them, because everyone has got their own unique
(style). The elders really stand out. My favorites are Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning
Spear, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Issacs, Junior Delagdo--all the greats. In terms of the
younger artists I love the cultural segment--Sizzla, Capelton, Luciano and Anthony B.
RR: When you're singing, it seems like you get carried away. Are you
aware of the audience when you're performing.
YB: Sometimes, I try not to be, however, when you're dealing with the
audience, you haffe stay focused. Sometimes, I get lost in the music, too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 2002 Edition |
|
