Blessing or Offense? (2) - Webmaster's Column

Dubroom Online - Edition November 18, 2007

"BLESSING OR OFFENSE? (2)" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, November 18 2007 - Yesterday, we witnessed how Stitchie, a born again Christian, can tell his friends in the Dancehall he is going to fast and pray for them to become born again Christians too.

They will not take offense, like some people do, but they give thanks for the blessing. This is a very important principal in Reggae Culture that you can see over and over again.

For example, in the heavy warrior lyrics in the Podcast reviewed for today, that still has the title "Easy Skanking", or in the non-dreadlock singing Bob Marley's very-dreadlock tune "Crazy Baldhead"...

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


ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:

Rootical Part 6: Easky Skanking (MP3 Review)
Sly and Robbie - Crazy Baldhead (Live) (Video Review)

Rootical Part 6: Easky Skanking (MP3 Review)

ROOTICAL PART 6: EASY SKANKING
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW



WWW, November 2007 - Singers chanting truth and right and the players of instruments playing some heavyweight Roots Reggae from different times and places: one hour of Easy Skanking for the Rootsman!

DJ Ian Irie takes us into a Rootsman experience that will keep the hearts and souls in a state of rejoicement and encouragement: the power, yes High Power of Reggae is once again perfectly represented by the Ambassada.

Heavy duty tweaking of just about every knob on his mixing board, effects, deep DUB excursions with one riddim flowing into the next like water on one place, where short silences increase the tension on others.

Balance everywhere, vibes everywhere too: from Conscious Lovers to a militant Johnny Clarke telling the wicked how things really are. A DUB Plate carrying the voice of Barry Brown, and the ever-faithful Luciano are two other highlights in what really is one hour of crucial Easy Skanking, Rootsman Style.

PLAYLIST

1) Grab a hold on Jah - Richie Davies
2) Red Hot - Levi (Reggae Reggae Sauce) Roots
3) King of Kings - Nerious Joseph
4) Stop Them Jah - Johnny Clarke
5) Gold Of Sheba - Earl Sixteen
6) Solomon Dub - Gussie P
7) Finger on the pulse - Sly & Robbie
8) Step Up - Robbie Valentine
9) Dem A fight (Dubplate) - Barry Brown
10) Revelation 18 - Jah Shaka
11) Want To Know - Prince Malachi
12) Move with Jah Flow - Mikey General
13) Solidarity - Luciano
14) Don't Give Up the Fight - Bitty Maclean

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Sly and Robbie - Crazy Baldhead (Live) (Video Review)

SLY AND ROBBIE - CRAZY BALDHEAD (LIVE)
Dubroom (DUB) Reggae Video Review



WWW, November 2007 - When the Riddim Twins plays the drum and bass, you have reason enough to check out the performance they will give.

When Sly and Robbie play, Reggae Music plays. The Dynamic Duo played a number of Reggae riddims into the multitrack of various recording studio's that has at least 5 figures, if not 6!

In this video, the Riddim Twins play the classic Bob Marley riddim together with a band, while the singer (Beres Hammond?) does more than singing the words of Crazy Baldhead: he sings some more lyrics (his own?), and even goes on to sing Get Up Stand Up as well.

The start of the track isn't impressive, vocal-wize. But that is about to change after a few minutes, when the singer starts to sing other lyrics over the riddim and the working out of the tune really starts.

Interesting!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Blessing or Offense? (1) - Webmaster's Column

Dubroom Online - Edition November 17, 2007

"BLESSING OR OFFENSE? (1)" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, November 17 2007 - The video reviewed for this edition of Dubroom Online is very important, as it explains a very important principal of Reggae Culture in a few minutes.

Imagine the sight of someone telling others straight into their face, that he's going to fast and pray for them to see the Light.

Imagine the recipients thanking him for the blessing, not minding at all to be filmed while all of this happens and even help making it into a crucial video for the one who told them what other may find very offensive?

I would definitely recommend checking out Stitchie's video on "Fast and Pray" to check out what this is all about!

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

ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:
Stitchie - Fast and Pray (Video Review)
Forgotten Gems (MP3 Review)

Stitchie - Fast and Pray (Video Review)

STITCHIE - FAST AND PRAY
Dubroom (DUB) Reggae Video Review



WWW, November 2007 - Claimed by the "Gospel Reggae" Industry as "one of their own", Stitchie makes it clear how he doesn't have to separate himself from Reggae Culture in order to be who he is.

It's a principal issue: do Reggae artists have to leave Reggae Culture when they are Christian?

Yes, says the "Gospel Reggae Industry".

This rather new branch of the Christian Industrial Complex was founded in the mid 1990's by an organization called "Christafari". They currently have their Head Quarters near Hollywood California, from where they cultivate and sell what they call "sanctified" Reggae.

Big business it is: when you know how to speak Christianese, you can wrap yourself up in a fancy Hollywood styled "Rasta Image" and become a "Gospel Reggae Star". However, you have to separate yourself from Reggae Culture, not to mention Rastafari Livity and Spirituality, in order get there.

Obviously, this an open and clear attempt by what is usually called Babylon System to break Reggae Culture and Rastafari Livity. And since it is done in the name of "Jesus" or "Christianity", the principal question on top of this review needs to be asked again.

It's a principal issue: do Reggae artists have to leave Reggae Culture when they are Christian?
Yes, says the "Gospel Reggae Industry".

NO!, says Stitchie. In an interview, he was quoted as saying:

First of all, I need to make this very lucid that these artistes are all my friends and I’ve not lose contact with them because I’m now a born again Christian, if anything, I’m now enjoying even closer friendship with them. I freely received love from Jesus Christ so I’m giving it freely to everyone. This is the motive behind the concept of the video as it is of vital significance that as an Ambassador of Christ I demonstrate the love of Christ to all my fellow dancehall artistes and musicians. (SOURCE)

Whatever you may think of Stitchies personal Christian faith, doesn't really matter. It's a matter of natural fact, that Rasta's and Christians and those who are both have had a prominent place within Reggae Music from the very foundation in the 1960's until this present day in 2007 and it's not about to stop anywhere close.

"Fast and Pray" is a very strong track by Stitchie, in which he appears together with some other "secular" dancehall artists, including the legendary King Yellowman himself. He tells them, that he will fast and pray for them and they give thanks for the blessing.

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Forgotten Gems (MP3 Review)

FORGOTTEN GEMS
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW



WWW, November 2007 - From Don Carlos singing "Satta Massa Gana" to Yabby You's "Love of JAH", here are ten hard-to-find tunes from the Doctor's medicine bag...

A wide variety of styles within the ten track selection of Dr. Tahl's' 10th podcast ensures that there is something for everyone here.

We're really taken from one style into the other, which is kind of refreshing. Yabby You's deep Roots Reggae is played just after Ed Cobb's "Rock 'n' Roll Reggae" cover of "Tainted Love", for example.

The fact that the mix contains "only" ten selections in just over half an hour provides the pleasant experience of being taken from one vibe into the next sometimes rather suddenly.

The kind of mix you will want to put on when you're waking up to live another day with some nice music to help you through.

Nice One!


PLAYLIST

01 Milton Henry - Let the Sunsine in
02 Milton Henry - What am I to do
03 The African Brothers - Mystery of Nature
04 Don Carlos - Satta Massa Ganna
05 Love Joys - I Belong to You
06 Ed Cobb - Tainted Love
07 Yabby You - The Prophets
07 Yabby You & Vivian Jackson - Love of Jah
08 Jackie Mittoo - Hot Milk
09 Johnny Osbourne - Love Makes the World Go Round
10 The African Brothers - Father Lead Us


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Real People, Real Reggae (2) - Webmaster Column

Dubroom Online - Edition November 16, 2007

"REAL PEOPLE, REAL REGGAE (2)" (WEBMASTER'S COLUMN)

WWW, November 16 2007 - You can study and analyze for example the Dubroom's Midi Files, put it in a test tube so to speak in order to get the right formula to play a Reggae Riddim.

But that is not all you need, in order to play Reggae Music. There is an element that is necessary, that element you could call: authenticity.

Real people, in the sense that they do not pretend to be something they are not, will find that if they are able to play Reggae, they will feel right at home because if there is one thing that you need in order to play Reggae, it is...

A Heart!

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

ITEMS FOR THIS EDITION:
Steppin' Youth - Ghetto Corner (MP3 Review)
Wailing Souls Live At Jay Leno Show - Shark Attack (Video Review)

Steppin' Youth - Ghetto Corner (MP3 Review)

STEPPIN' YOUTH - GHETTO CORNER
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW



WWW, November 2007 - Ghetto Corner starts with a special A' Capella session by none other than Sugar Minott, introducing the French-based Steppin' Youth Sound System. A sign of the quality that is about to follow? You bet!

When they started their Sound back in 1994, the Steppin' Youth were at the beginning of some very interesting years to follow. Not only did they work together with some crucial vocalists, they would also develop their mixing skills.

One result can be heard while enjoying "Ghetto Corner", the first episode of some truly crucial mixes by the French based collective. The tracks follow each other seamlessly, the mix is filled with strategically placed effects and original jingles.

The selection? Simply crucial! Designed to make you move and groove, the riddims are carefully selected and taken out of various times and places.

Enjoy to the fullness!

PLAYLIST

00. intro sugar minott
01. stars cornell campbell
02. trigger happy dolly man
03. rougher yet slim smith
04. you a fool boy angela prince
05. bad boy bad boy Silvertones
06. never let go slim smith
07. see them a come pad anthony
08. bad boy possee robert ffrench
09. are you ready barry brown
10. bank clerk junior reid
11. jah black barrington levy
12. ghettoman problem wiston hussley
13. live good barrington levy
14. dance in the area tony tuff
15. fight fight don carlos
16. slave horace ferguson
17. knock knock don carlos
18. cool it tony tuff


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