JAH ROOTS

Dubroom Online, Edition October 18 2009

"JAH ROOTS" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 18 2009 - About two years ago, we started to try and make the Dubroom Studio fit to record what you can call the Dubroom's Studio Band, Jah Roots.

The band got this name, Jah Roots, in the late 1980's. Since then, a number of bands with that very same name have come to the surface as well. There's one in Australia and one in the USA, and that's not all.

A problem with this?

I don't have one...

I just know and believe, that if you call yourself Jah Roots, you do give yourself the responsibility to actually live up to that name and not use it for "cultural" reasons.

Like Burning Spear sings: "I will always remember my roots, strong roots, Jah roots".

One Love, Give Thanks,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)

The above column is the personal opinnion of the Webmaster and does not neccesarily reflect the contents of the Dubroom Website and/or Message Boards and/or Weblogs.

ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:

GLEN WASHINGTON - CAN'T YOU SEE (DUBROOM ONLINE MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 18 2009 - Just can't ignore this heartical and upfull tune by Glen Washington: it has everything to make a positive and happy vibe for the Righteous Lovers among us. And for the rest of us, too.

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NADINE SUTHERLAND - CALL MY NAME (DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 2009 - With a very surprising Spanish guitar on top of the riddim, Nadine Sutherland once again showcases her skilled voice. Reggae purists might not apprecilove this one to the max, though...

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DUBROOM DRUMS 0.1 (DUBROOM DRUM LOOP)

WWW, October 2009 - This drum loop is a Steppers rhythm at 133 BPM, both in WAV and DR. REX format. The loop comes in three parts: one with an intro-break, one with a break in the rhythm, and one with the rhythm itself.

It is a first try on what could possibly become an interesting pack of drum loops at a later stage.

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CREATION REBEL (DUBROOM ARTIST PAGE)

WWW, October 2009 - Part of Adrian Sherwood's On-U label, Creation Rebel released their first (Dub) album in 1978. They're also known as The Arabs as they backed up Prince Far I on his On-U releases. Fat bass, intelligent Dub, timeless and priceless.

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REGGAE AND RELIGION

Dubroom Online, Edition October 17 2009

"REGGAE AND RELIGION" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 17 2009 - A while ago, on the Dubroom Message Boards there was a short mention of the fact that within Reggae Culture, it is no offense to give thanks and praises to the Creator by His Name JAH.

People who are not personally affected by the worship of Jah, sometimes would call the faith a "religion" and then subsequently treat the worship and faith of others as if they were representants of some sort of "religion".

The postings on the Message Board made me write a rather short commentary entitled "Ras, Reggae Religion?", which you can find in this edition of Dubroom Online.

It is my hope that you might find it a little bit thought-provoking, as this really is a hot topic in certain circles.

One Love, Give Thanks,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)

The above column is the personal opinnion of the Webmaster and does not neccesarily reflect the contents of the Dubroom Website and/or Message Boards and/or Weblogs.

ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:

NUCLEUS ROOTS - MEDITATION DUB (DUBROOM ONLINE MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 17 2009 - Crucial, hard hitting steppers in true UK DUB Style paying Raspect to the Ire Rastaman Meditation: UK based Nucleus Roots showing once again their ability to touch the heart of the lover of the better DUB.

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NADINE SUTHERLAND - BIG TINGZ (DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 2009 - Sweet Dancehall music to make you jump up for joy and celebrate life the good way. Big Tingz going on fe true, not in the least because it's Nadine Sutherland bringing them in your area, from wherever you are!

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RAS, REGGAE, RELIGION? (A COMMENTARY BY MESSIAN DREAD)

WWW, October 2009 - When you open the Bible, sooner or later you will recognize lines which have been used as lyrics in too many Reggae tunes to mention. 85% of all Reggae Artists will have at least one title livicated to the Creator, almost always called by a Name "JAH".

A commentary...

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BRIGADIER JERRY (DUBROOM ARTIST PAGE)

WWW, October 2009 - He started toasting in the same year he joined the 12 Tribes: 1978. About 7 years later, Brigadier Jerry released his début album. He's not as known as he should be, given the fact that his conscious lyrical works are of an exceptional high quality.

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RAS, REGGAE, RELIGION?

RAS, REGGAE, RELIGION?
A COMMENTARY BY MESSIAN DREAD

WWW, October 2009 - When you open the Bible, sooner or later you will recognize lines which have been used as lyrics in too many Reggae tunes to mention. 85% of all Reggae Artists will have at least one title livicated to the Creator, almost always called by a Name "JAH".

A commentary. ..

I remember when as a teenager I started reading the Bible in English, I recognized many sentences. I heard them before, over drum and basslines, but I never knew them to be Bible quotations.

We're not talking about a few quotes here and there by some obscure artist, in fact we're talking about just about everyone. In Cyberspace, you can even find a website livicated to Bible Quotes and Reggae Lyrics where you can verify for yourself just how important the Bible is for many, many Reggae artists.

Even in Dancehall music, where you will find a strong objection against the homosexual lifestyle, it is not uncommon to quote the Bible, or to express a personal faith in the Creator. In itself, this rejection of the homosexual lifestyle is also based on what many would call "religious beliefs" that drives many if not the majority of Reggae artists.

It is fair to say, that there is more than just a superficial connection with the music that is Reggae and the fact that many, if not most artists who play the music do have some kind of faith in the Creator and usually call Him by the Name JAH. And therefore, this connection must be visible in more than one aspect, which it is.

There's one aspect in particular which exposes this connection, and how it works out practically within Reggae Culture. I always look at this aspect as a small fulfillment of a prophecy, which says that every tongue will tell and every knee will bow for Jah Almighty.

There are many, many people actively involved in Reggae Promotion and do not consider themselves to believe in Jah. They could be self-proclaimed atheists, agnostics, and what have you. These people usually will tell you all about the "non-religious" parts of Reggae to make the point that they too can be involved in Reggae Promotion and they are absolutely right when they do so.

Still, there's a funny side to that, when you see just what some of these people are doing. You see them using the African Tricolor of Red, Gold and Green, you see them using the Ethiopian symbol of the Lion of Judah, you will even see them using the Name of JAH in order to "create that Reggae vibe", so to speak.

However you want to look at this, it is clear that when you are involved in Reggae Music on an active level, there's a couple of things you can and cannot do in Reggae Culture, a Culture so much connected with the worship of the Creator under His Name JAH and the Bible as a source of reference, the reading of which is driven by a personal faith, not a religion.

Ras, Reggae, Religion? I don't think so.

Ras-Reggae Relation? Definitely so.

Who feels it knows it. Come mek we reason!

One Love, Give Thanks,
Messian Dread

THE REGGAE GOT TALENT COMPETITION 2009

Dubroom Online, Edition October 16 2009

"THE REGGAE GOT TALENT COMPETITION 2009" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 16 2009 - It's actually the first in what hopefully turns out to be a real thing to watch out for every year. Not only will the winners themselves receive a whole lot of niceness, their entries will be available for free download as well.

This means obviously that the whole Online (DUB) Reggae Massive will be able to discover new, up and coming artists.

The jury is impressive: Earl 16, Afrikan Simba and Dougie Wardrop from Conscious Sounds Studio will come together to review the material that can be sent in.

In fact, you can say that we have a strong segment of the UK DUB massive looking for... you?

Yes: in today's edition of Dubroom Online, we pay a lot of attention to the "Reggae Got Talent Competition 2009". Especially of interest for the Online (DUB) Reggae Artists, but definitely not limited to the artists themselves.

One Love, Give Thanks,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)

The above column is the personal opinnion of the Webmaster and does not neccesarily reflect the contents of the Dubroom Website and/or Message Boards and/or Weblogs.

ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:

SUGAR MINOTT - SI MI YA (DUBROOM ONLINE MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 16 2009 - Sugar Minott sipping from the Challis, reasoning and singing over a super catchy Rub a Dub riddim, showing just why he is the founding father of Rub a Dub Style!

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SOLO BANTON - OLD TIME SOMETHING/DUB (DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 2009 - This is more than just a slice of UK Toast, even though it is: taken from the upcoming album "Walk Like A Rasta", a Reality Shock Records release, this Net Single features Solo Banton's impressive fast chat style and a Dub from the riddim by none other than Conscious Sound's Dougie Wardrop!

And there's more: producers and singers will want to read on as you are invited to create your own tune around Solo Banton's voice or voice your own thing over the Dub and win some very interesting prizes!

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REGGAE GOT TALENT COMPETITION 2009 (FROM THE NEWS WIRE)

WWW, October 2009 - Attention Producers, Vocalists and Sound Systems: check out the brand new "Reggae Got Talent Competition 2009", where you can either make a tune around an accapella track of lyrical super talent Solo Banton or voice over a version mixed by Conscious Sounds' Dougie Wardrop. Sound Systems can put the Banton tune in their DJ mix.

Send your production to Reality Shock Records before November 30 to have it reviewed by Reggae Veterans and get some really, really attractive prizes!

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ABYSSINIANS (DUBROOM ARTIST PAGE)

WWW, October 2009 - The classic Rasta Anthem "Satta Massa Gana" is just one of the feats of arms that the Abyssinians blessed the Conscious Massive with. The vocal harmony group was at the forefront of spiritual reggae during the 1970's, subsequently broke up and re-united in the 1990's under various memberships.

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ONE LOVE CONTROVERSY

Dubroom Online, Edition October 15 2009

"ONE LOVE CONTROVERSY" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 15 2009 - Recently, it happened again: I saw people referring to "One Love" and claiming that One Love to be some kind of New Agey mentality in which no one can ever say anything unless it makes the other "feel good", basically.

You could call it: "Political Correctness".

It happens all the time, not in the least in the so-called "Reggae Compassion Act", wherein one homosexual activist defined "One Love" and had Dancehall artists sign that definition, for otherwise he would continue to try and have these artists boycotted and even banned for questioning the homosexual lifestyle.

Of course, Bob Marley never meant to plea for Political Correctness, which becomes clear in his song "One Love", wherein he says we have to have One Love to Fight This Armageddon, not to "feel allright", for that is just a result of practicing One Love.

A result, not a goal.

One Love, Give Thanks,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)

The above column is the personal opinnion of the Webmaster and does not neccesarily reflect the contents of the Dubroom Website and/or Message Boards and/or Weblogs.

CORRECTION: Yesterday, I made a mistake. I used the word "increase" where I should have used the word "decreased". Even though the context and logic made that clear, and the correction has been made, subscribers to the mailing list have received the wrong column and therefore, I just had to write this down.

ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:

FRANKIE PAUL - JUST ONE MOMENT AWAY (DUBROOM ONLINE MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 15 2009 - When Frankie Paul introduced himself with African Princess, he was just one moment away from a carreer in Rub a Dub and Dancehall that would last until this day. In this tune, he does what he does best, on an Ire Rub a Dub tune.

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VYBZ KARTEL - MAMA (DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 2009 - Although Vybz Kartel prefers to sing and chant about the kind of love that man and woman share, in this tune he declares his love for his mother, who gave him birth in order for him to live it up.

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JOHN HOLT (DUBROOM ARTIST PAGE)

WWW, October 2009 - He's been a member of the vocal group Paragons during the 1960's, is known for his super sweet soulful Lovers Reggae, but he also released the massive Roots Rub a Dub album "Police in Helicopters". John Holt, who sung the classic Ali Baba, is a versatile vocalist fe true!

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WAR IS IN THE DANCE?

Dubroom Online, Edition October 14 2009

"WAR IS IN THE DANCE?" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 14 2009 - When Frankie Paul released his tune "Worries In The Dance" of which the title of this column has an alternative spelling, he was referring to the ongoing problem of hardcore violence which occurs in and around the Dancehalls.

It wasn't just Frankie Paul, who noticed the necessity for the violence to cold down.

Bunny Wailer, for example, released a couple of superb albums of which Rock 'n' Groove is the most important one. In it, he refers to the fact that truly it's better to come together and feel Ire than it is to fight against each other.

Unfortunately, the violence did not decrease. In a place where it is said to be more easy to get a gun than to get a piece of bread, violence is more common than most of us would know.

One Love, Give Thanks,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)

The above column is the personal opinnion of the Webmaster and does not neccesarily reflect the contents of the Dubroom Website and/or Message Boards and/or Weblogs.

ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:

POWER STEPPERS - BASS INSPIRATIONS (DUBROOM ONLINE MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 14 2009 - UK DUB the hard way for true: that would be at least a Steppers rhythm at Warp Speed with a matching bassline and some essential Dub mixing. Which happens to be a description of Bass Inspirations by the UK based DUB Collective.

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VYBZ KARTEL - RAMPING SHOP REMAKE (FEAT. SPICE) (DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 2009 - This remake of his duet with Spice is taking off where the album version from Pon Di Gaza left us: Vybz and Spice declaring each other the kind of love that many prefer to chat about in the Dance.

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INNER CIRCLE (DUBROOM ARTIST PAGE)

WWW, October 2009 - Not only are they the band behind the immensly popular tune called "bad Boys": Inner Circle has been around for quite a while and when their lead singer Jacob Miller died in 1980, they already had a history and a future that would last over decades.

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PON DI GAZA

Dubroom Online, Edition October 13 2009

"PON DI GAZA" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, October 13 2009 - I must admit that I had to do a little research before discovering it's the name of an area in Kingston that Vybz Kartel associates himself with, and that it has nothing to do with that area in the Middle East where so many people have so many opinions about.

"Pon Di Gaza", Kartel's latest album, is the latest statement in a flame war between the DJ and one of his colleagues who hails up "The Gully" as that is where he associates himself with.

The Jamaican Gleaner reported, how the words "Gaza" and "Gully" were painted more on the walls than that of the two main and rivaling political parties in Jamaica.

It's part of Dancehall Culture, but it often goes way out of hand when the saying "practice what you preach" is worked out in not so many nice ways, to say it lightly.

One Love, Give Thanks,
Messian Dread (Dubroom Webmaster)

The above column is the personal opinnion of the Webmaster and does not neccesarily reflect the contents of the Dubroom Website and/or Message Boards and/or Weblogs.

ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:

SCION SASHAY - CAN'T LEAVE JAH ALONE (DUBROOM ONLINE MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 13 2009 - In this traditional Rub a Dub tune, Scion Sashay gives I and I the best advice we can ever get and he does it heartically over some very nice musical playing and mixing work.

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VYBZ KARTEL - ROMPING SHOP (FEAT. SPICE) (DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW)

WWW, October 2009 - It's not for nothing that Vybz Kartel sings this duet with his female colleague DJ Spice: after all, they just don't do it man to man or woman to woman.

Taken from the album "Pon Di Gaza", released last month. Pumping Dancehall, contemporary effects on the voice, everything the Dancehall Lover wants is right deh!

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THE GLADIATORS (DUBROOM ARTIST PAGE)

WWW, October 2009 - Sly Dunbar and Lloyd Parkes have been working as members, and they were not even the most important ones. The Gladiators, founded in 1968 by Albert Griffiths, are still a Roots Reggae band in 2009 and they're not about to stop either!

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