Radio Mikrob

Daweh recorded his first song for legendary Alton Ellis and later recorded for Stewart Brown and Andrew Nash. Barry O'Hare produced his astonishing debut album "Militancy" (Runn Records- Holland). The teachings of Marcus Garvey are featured heavily on "Militancy" which went over well amongst Rastafarians and conscious roots enthusiasts.Daweh Congo then propelled himself to the forefront of conscious roots reggae with his second album "Human Rights & Justice" (Roots and Culture Records- N.C.). Daweh’s mesmerizing voice catapulted "Human Rights and Justice" to the number one position on www.ireggae.com top ten reggae albums for the month of May 2000. Vocally and lyrically Daweh Congo made such an impression that many Reggae fans regarded him as one of the most promising new singers. In 1999 Jet Star Records U.K. released his third album "Guidance" (Jet Star /Charm- U.K.), recorded at Jet Star's "Cave Studios" in London.
Next up was JAH CHILDREN a 14 song album recorded at the legendary Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica for producer Andrew ‘Super’ Nash of SuperVibez Production featuring the likes of some of Reggae music’s most accomplished musicians, Franklyn ‘Bubbler’ Waul - keyboards, Chris Meredith – Bass, Wilburn ‘Suiddley’ Cole – Drums and percussions, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith – Guitar and Dean Fraser on Sax. This album has all the ingredients for excellence and the potential to be a true classic.

Website:

http://dawehcongo.com

2008-06-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

Artistul saptamanii 12/06 - 18/06 - Dennis Brown

Known as the "Crowned Prince of Reggae", Dennis has been one of Jamaica's top vocalists for many years. His career began as a young teenager with Coxsone Dodd's Studio One Records where he recorded two albums. He really hit his stride in the subsequent years though as he recorded album after album for Joe Gibbs. Dennis, like many other reggae artists, began to spread out and start recording for many other producers, including Gussie Clark, Flabba Holt, and Sly and Robbie, among others. He began a prolific release schedule that sometimes would amount to as many as six albums in one year. Dennis was in demand, and the producers were lining up at his door. RAS first became involved with Dennis when Sly and Robbie brought us the Brown Sugar album that featured tracks like "Revolution" and "Sitting and Watching" , which had been a big hit for island records. An album from Dennis's close friend Leggo Beast was the result of a newly opened (in the early 1990's) studio called Leggo in Kingston. RAS continued to release about one album per year from Dennis, mostly produced by his close brethren Flabba Holt, bass player extraordinaire for the Roots Radics. These have also been recorded at Leggo where Flabba seemed to have the knack of getting Dennis to do his best. He will definitely go down in the reggae record books as one of Jamaica's best vocalist ever, deservedly so.

Website:

www.myspace.com/dennisbrown

2008-05-28T04:34:00.000-07:00

Artistul saptamanii 31/05 - 06/06 - Midnite

Hailing from the Island of St Croix, Midnite is one of the most promising roots reggae bands of the millennium. They are vanguards of conscious reggae who represent the King's and Queen's music to the fullness of Jah. Midnite's profound and innovative lyrics are sincere and deeply rooted to present the other half of the story. Their cd recordings and live performances will have reggae and non-reggae listeners open to the messages they bring. Lead singer Vaughn Benjamin's electrifying voice seems an amalgamation of many great voices in reggae-soulful, chanting, edgy. Vaughn's potent lyrical style and his brother Ron's exquisite production, keyboard and bass musical directorship form the nucleus of this musical sextet, which includes Christian Molina (drums), Wayne Andreas (keyboards) and Edwin Byron and Edmund Fieulleteau (guitars). Midnite weaves the cultural lyrics of "old school" roots music with modern day experiences to create a unique listening encounter. Reggae - naked and raw is an apt description for Midnite's musical style, in which they forgo the frills of extensive remixes, overdubbing and other musical refinements.

Website:

http://www.midniteband.com/

2008-05-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

Artistul saptamanii 24/05 - 30/05 - Nasio

From the rugged green mountains of Dominica a passionate manifestation of Rastafari comes forward in reggae. His name is Nasio Fontaine and his music has the power to flow into your consciousness and lift your energy. His voice has an unmistakable resonance and his lyrics speak to all Jah children.
In the mid-1980s, Nasio moved from Dominica to the hustle and bustle of the island of St. Maarten where he recorded his first 12" single Born to Be Free (1986) and EP Babylon is Falling (1990). His first full length CD Reggae Power (1994) was followed by Wolf Catcher (1997) and Revolution (1999). He soon became a sensation by the power of the music and word of mouth alone. Living in the Positive was released by Ras Records in 2004. In 2005 Nasio recorded his latest album, Universal Cry, at Long View in Massachusetts and Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in the UK; collaborating with producer, Richard Evans. The album was mixed by Kevin Killen. Universal Cry was released on the Greensleeves record label in the summer of 2006 to critical acclaim.
Lovers of reggae music throughout the world know Nasio’s name, his voice and his conscious lyrics. He speaks of revolution, of waking up the sleeping consciousness of oppressed and freedom loving people across the Earth. In his own words, "the music is important; I want my music to be my contribution to the people of the world." The world of Reggae and indeed the world of music needs a new voice and that voice is Nasio.

Website:

http://www.nasioreggae.com

2008-05-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

Artistul saptamanii 16/05 - 23/05 - Dezarie

Dezarie has ridden the rising tide of heavy roots reggae coming out of the Virgin Islands now and has been met with widespread attention and acclaim. In a largely patriarchal genre, she has quite simply changed everything, adding a fresh new voice to the litany of others chanting Babylon down with music. She is unparalleled in her delivery and stage presence, bringing houses down wherever she goes.
Along the trod to spread the message of truth, she became inspired by an array of artists such as Burning Spear, Vaughn Benjamin, Israel Vibration, Culture and other foundation roots singers. Her prodigious musical talent was recognized and rewarded when she managed to capture the award of Best New Female Reggae Artist 2001 in Atlanta, GA. On her "Fya" album Dezarie demonstrates that she's more than capable of holding her own amongst reggae's finest female artists, both in terms of songwriting ability and vocal performance. Expertly backed by the Midnite Band, she delivers her rich, lyrical messages and a stunning range of vocal techniques over mainly slow-paced roots riddims that are typically first class. Dezarie's distinctive vocal delivery in combination with the live played original riddims sometimes bring forth a moody jazzy feel, which actually works very well.

Website:

http://www.dezarie.com

2008-05-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

Artistul saptamanii 08/05 - 15/05 - Alpha Blondy

Grammy nominated Alpha Blondy was born to a Muslim mother and a Christian father and was brought up by a grandmother who taught him to love everyone. Alpha Blondy's respect for all religions and the spirituality he derives from them can be heard on tracks like "God is One" or "Jerusalem" where he sang for unity between all religions in 1986.
Alpha Blondy is spiritual, political and positive just like Marley himself. And he doesn't stop progressing; in order to reach more people with his message, he chose to sing in many languages: English, French, Baoule, and his own native language – Dioula.
Alpha Blondy has always been a critic of authority. He calls himself a defender of free speech and since his breakthrough with "Brigadier Sabari" has fought against injustice as well as racism, harrasment and corruption. In the year 2000 Alpha denounced the mismanagement of government funds for private gain in the album "les voleurs de la république" (thieves of the republic). Despite the risk, he had the courage to denounce also the mysterious murder of the burkinabè journalist Norbert Zongo. But it was in 1998 that Alpha recorded his most controversial and criticised album: "Yitzhak Rabin". He also wrote a song calling for the departure of the French military arguing that the Ivory Coast and other former French colonies did not need their services anymore, and the track "guerre civile" predicted civil war if the politicians did not stop their corruption.
Alpha Blondy (Seydou Kone) was named United Nations Ambassador of Peace for Côte D'Ivoire in 2005. He made great efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to his country's political and physical division which was a result of an attempted Coup in 2001. As of March 2007 a peace agreement was signed and implemented, due to the hard work of many people including Alpha Blondy. Alpha now reaches out further with the newly created Not-for-Profit, Non Government, Non Political, Charitable Foundation, Alpha Blondy Jah Glory Foundation, which purposely and deliberately work towards ending social injustice and generational poverty by giving people the tools that they need to help themselves.
Talking about Alpha Blondy, people think usually of music and indeed since 1980 he has written at least 17 albums and 194 titles. This itself indicates the great value he represents for his fans. Alpha is no longer an Ivorian star but an International Mega Star because of his fight for peace and unity all around the world.

Website oficial:

http://www.alphablondy.info/index.php

2008-04-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

Artistul saptamanii 01/05 - 07/05 - Burning Spear

Once in a great while, an artist emerges that has a profound effect on popular culture. Burning Spear is such an artist. A certifiable musical legend, Spear’s career has already spanned over three decades and shows no sign of slowing down. His concerts regularly last over two hours, a live show that delivers more energy and vibrancy than many rock and roll bands that are half his age.

For more than 35 years, Burning Spear's music-thus, his life-has inspired people on numerous continents. Since the beginning, his songs have implored listeners to fight oppression in all its forms, to work at improving their own condition and to consider the social impact of their actions.

Burning Spear is one of the strongest proponents of Marcus Garvey's self-determination and self-reliance for all African descendants, thus leading to several album releases in commemoration of the Jamaican activist.

'The Spear' continues his mission of expressing his heart, of entertaining and educating the masses. He cleverly accomplishes that by winning over his listeners' bodies before he impacts their minds. He witnesses that process each time he takes the stage.

Burning Spear's mission remains rather unchanged today, though the act and the music have undergone some alterations. The duo grew into a trio, but has long since morphed into Burning Spear, a solo artist. And while his music has always been a vehicle for social change, his songs are now increasingly melodic, developed with catchy hooks that use short phrases and point more subtly to internal truths for those willing to go through self-exploration.

Website oficial Burning Spear:

http://www.burningspear.net/

2008-04-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Artistul saptamanii 24/04 - 30/04 - Gomba Jahbari

The Courageous Warriors of Gomba Jahbari

Gomba Jahbari, reggae band native to the island of Puerto Rico and established in 1998, was born from the desire to rescue a part of Caribbean culture by one of the most sensible ways possible: thru music.With effort and dedication, the Courageous Warriors (Gomba Jahbari, in an African dialect) have succeeded in standing out within the reggae roots circuit in Puerto Rico. They remain active, welcomed by numerous fans and lovers of this genre.Their musical concept obeys to keeping a pure and original roots reggae sound, but simultaneously incorporates details and sounds very actual amongst world music trends. Alas, an aggressive style with a very unusual and powerful rhythm section. It's not the mellow reggae that we are used to hearing; it's a kind of heavy roots. With constant innovation, an amalgam of details emerges within a classic reggae rhythm. This can be felt in the hypnotic melodies of the profound and repetitive notes that judiciously take over the bass partition.Following the rhythmic base, psychedelic digital sounds and keyboard lines propose a tone that is out of the ordinary. The airs of the brass section, more than just adorning a piece, know how to inject a certain rush in the precise moment. Their lyrics attack matters that truly concern today's man: man in search of truth instead of image and façade. Social and cultural themes are presented to contribute towards the awakening of our brothers, with rhythms that are inviting to listen and dance... Gomba Jahbari is a manifestation that incites an internal connection.

Website:

http://www.myspace.com/gombajahbarii

2008-04-17T01:35:00.000-07:00

Artistul saptamanii 17/04 - 23/04 - Jah Shaka

Jah Shaka has been operating a London-based roots reggae soundsystem since the early 1970s. His name is an amalgamation of the Rasta term for God and that of a zulu warrior.
Shaka is perhaps best known for sticking to his rastafarian beliefs in the 1980s whilst other soundsystems followed the Jamaican trend towards playing dancehall music. His refusal to compromise inspired a host of new UK reggae artists and soundsystems such as Eastern Sher, The Disciples, Iration Steppas, Jah Warrior, Conscious Sounds, The Rootsman and Abashanti-I.
On his own record label he has released music from Jamaican artists such as Max Romeo, Johnny Clarke, Bim Sherman and Prince Alla as well as UK groups such as Aswad and Dread & Fred. He has released a number of dub albums, often under the Commandments of Dub banner.
The Jah Shaka soundsystem continues to appear regularly in London, with occasional tours of the USA, Europe and Japan.
Shaka has also established the Jah Shaka Foundation to carry out assistance with projects in Ghana, where the foundation has bought seven acres of land in Agri, thirty miles outside of Accra. It has also managed to distribute medical supplies, wheelchairs, library books, carpentry tools, drawing materials (and of course records) to clinics, schools and Radio stations in the Accra area establishing important links with the local communities.

Jah Shaka live in Central Park

website-ul oficial jah shaka: