The following articles originally appeared in Dub Missive magazine. Pilgrim's Perspective focuses on independent artists, labels and other indy projects. Please note the date written in parenthesis. Pilgrim's Perspective [December, 1993] Stuff happens! Three columns back (Vol. VI, No. 2) I mentioned the 8750 Reggae Band and the Ganglords. The photos were miscaptioned and "above" should have read "below" and vice versa. The dreadless ones are the Ganglords and the dreads are the 8750 Reggae Band. Apologies and respect to both of these fine bands. Yep, stuff happens! The Miami-based Sphinx label continues producing quality projects. The latest batch of 12" singles by label owner Joseph Williams' roots and culture trio Benaiah, feature Dennis Brown ("A Perfect Start"), Screwdriver ("She My Everything"), and Dean Fraser ("Just Beautiful"). However, "Traveling (with Jah)," penned and sung by Williams, is the crowd pleasing favorite of Benaiah fans. Benaiah is Nelijah Box and Errol Grief providing backup and harmony vocals for front man Williams. [Heavy Beat, 19750 N.W. 37th Ave., Miami, FL 33056, 305-625-4941] The Sattalites' All Over the World was a bit late getting here and worth the wait. Released about eight months ago, distribution and sales have been limited mostly to the Toronto area. Evolving from Toronto's Sattalite Music School in 1980, the group is fronted by founding members Jo Jo Bennett and Fergus Hambleton. All Over the World has eleven tracks that fit the descriptive press release phrase of "Topical Blend of Tropical Zen." Reality, roots and culture, lovers' rock, dancehall, its all there. Winners of awards heaped upon awards, I can't believe a band this hot has not been signed. Wake up and listen! [Intrepid Records, 205/65 Jefferson Ave., Toronto, Ont., Canada M6K 1Y3] More Reggae oriented publications. Hottest of the hot is Jahug published by Repatriations Productions. Volume 2 is sixty-five slick paper pages in praise of His Imperial Majesty, Jah Rastafari. Articles entitled "Greater David, Greater Son," "Nyahbinghi Visit," "Churchical Chants," "Rastafari International Theocracy Issembly," and "Who Is A Rastafari Woman?" adequately describe the content and form of this totally ital publication. Volume 1 has an extensive interview of Bunny Wailer by Dermott Hussey and Volume 3 promises more music and interviews. The publishers are seeking help with advertising and distribution in North America. [PO Box 2452, London NW2 3SX, England, 071-435-5022]. Also out of England comes what may be the first true trade magazine for Reggae music. Appropriately titled Reggae Trade, this exciting monthly targets "Retailers, DJs, Record Labels, Artists and the general trade [with] surveys, news and developments within the industry." [Pure Impact, 63a Bruce Grove, Tottenham, London N17 6RN, England] Talking Drum, [PO Box 25545, Portland, OR 97225, 503-297-1236] and The Portland Reggae Calendar [PO Box 11931, Portland, OR 97211] are complimentary newsletters covering Pacific Northwest runnings. Joan Allen of Suisun, California sends The Informer, an eight page "Calendar of Events and Helpful Information Source Newsletter." [PO Box 1131, Suisun, CA 94585-1131, 707-421-2607]. When writing for sample copies, be generous in helping the publishers defray postage reply costsÑin other words, send along a buck or two. Sad to say Rhythmicentric, Seattle, Washington's long-standing and much respected monthly listing of events, has published its' final issue. Big up Patti Caudill and crew for being a seminal mover behind the Seattle-Vancouver-Portland reggae scene. Nuff nice tings come from foreign. If the amount of recorded promotional material is any indication of the popularity of a genre, then Reggae music is a boom across the Atlantic. From Holland, Zola and Zola has three new CDs. Dairy is the debut release from Militant Irie, whom I believe is a West Indian living in Holland. Thirteen tracks feature some of Rotterdam's finest musicians from the Roots Syndicate and Livity bands backing honey-voiced Irie on "peace, love, and headband" themes. "University of Adversity" alumni Oku Onuora.has two on the same label. Pressure Drop, first released in 1984, is revived with five dub version bonus tracks by the AK7 Band. Bus Out is brand new and features Oku as vibrant and vituperative as ever. [Zola & Zola, Postbus 691, 3000 AR Rotterdam, Holland. Tel: 010-4650136. Fax: 010-4671694] ROIR Imports has released an Onuora Danceteria CD previously available only on cassette. I A Tell Dubwize and Otherwise, was recorded between 1979 to 1983 in Jamaica's Tuff Gong studios. The AK7 band is joined by the Barrett Brothers on drum and bass and Third World's Ibo Cooper on synthesizers. ROIR Imports also announces exclusive North American distribution rights for the classic and contemporary French CD label Lagoon. Founded by former General Manager of Trojan Records, Enzo Hamilton, Lagoon boasts over 100 old-and-newtime titles that are attractively packaged and of an acceptable sound quality. If you are a collector who must have it all you're going to go broke on this one: Ethiopians from their days with producer J.J. Johnson (1968-1973), Lee Perry in his Black Ark prime, Bunny Lee productions of U RoyÉbut see for yourself. Check your favorite local record shop or write for a catalog. [ROIR Imports, 611 Broadway, Suite 411, New York, NY 10012. Tel: 212-477-0563 Fax: 212-505-9908] Jamaican-born and Germany-based Hylton "The Whistler" Brown's third album, Come Rough, is like the boiled cabbage of my youth. Liking boiled cabbage first required developing a taste for it. This release requires some getting used to. Brown sings, chants and whistles over rhythms laid down by Ed Robinson at the latter's Tiff Tam studio in Montego Bay. Come Rough comes rough! A little lover's rock, a bit of throbbing Nyahbinghi-like drumming and a lot of whistling set the tone for Brown's seemingly off-key vocals. "Seemingly off key" yet consistent throughout, which leaves me wondering who's right and who's wrong, and who am I to say. The professional primitiveness of the packaging adds to the grassrootsy feel of the album, leaving no doubt this is an independent production. Who cares if Brown is on or off key and the bio contains typosÉI like this album because and in spite of all the above. [J&G Productions, Bauernstrasse 1, 2800 Bremen, Germany. Tel 0421 71423] Penetrating the US market in a big way is Dennis "Mixman" Bedeau and his Blakamix label. If you like your dub heavy (ˆ la Jah Shaka), excitingly creative (ˆ la the Mad Professor) and refreshingly experimental (ˆ la Adrian Sherwood) check Mixman's Dub Like Wildfire CD. The album combines two earlier releases Dub Like Wildfire and New Dimension Dub for twenty tracks of mind drifting tempos best heard in a smokey room. Yea mon! While there, ask about his 12" singles. [Blakamix International Records, 126 Gladstone Street, Bedford, MK41 7RT, England. Tel: 0234-215430] To make it easier for all of us, Ernie B's Reggae has ambitiously undertaken distribution of UK imports. His catalog includes nearly complete listings from Ariwa, Greensleeves, I-Anka, Twinkle, On-U Sound and Blakamix labels including CDs, 7" and 12" singles and new and used offerings from the US, UK and JA. [Ernie B's Reggae, PO Box 5019, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762. Tel: 916-939-0691. Fax: 916-939-0578] Riddle of the Month: What does King Errisson of Las Vegas have in common with the Seattle-based, steel pan and percussive rhythm masters, Bakra Bata‡? Answer: Neil Diamond. Bakra Bta's‡ newest album, Steel Drums and Percussion, is not a Reggae album but contains a unique arrangement of Bunny Wailer's "Cool Running" and an equally unusual rendition of Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine." [Bakra Bat‡, c/o Michael Shantz, 1206 E. Pie St. #1024, Seattle, WA 98122-3934. 206-322-3600] Neil Diamond's percussionist, King Errisson, has released his 6th album, Man, and likewise, it is not a Reggae album, not strictly, that is. Man is an album with the strong African Caribbean influences of soca, calypso and Reggae, as well as American rock, jazz and humor. This is a fun, toe tapping album that occupies a coveted place with the rest of my Reggae albums. Maybe it is true: after a while it all sounds like Reggae. [Ichiban Records, Inc., PO Box 724677, Atlanta, GA 31139-1677. Tel: 404-419-1414] Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide is gearing up for Conference '94 tentatively set for May or June of next year. This rapidly growing networking organization is planning albums and tours featuring RAW artists. For more information give me a call [801-355-1405] or write or call Rastaman NanŽ [PO Box 68561, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-8561] . Till soon again: Forward the Reggae VibeÉEverytime! ____________________ Pilgrim's Perspective [March, 1994] Amusing thing this Reggae music. Most folks having a long association with and love for the music end up collecting one thing or another. Roger Steffens is well-known for a Marley memorabilia collection that has practically forced him out of his house and Beat Magazine writer Chuck Foster has a wall full of books about Ethiopia. And so forth. I seek out "herb" tunes and works by American-based Reggae artists and, like Steffens and Foster, I too am running out of room. Yet seldom a day passes that I do not hear of a band or USA-based artist hitherto unknown to me. One such artist is Bolivar (AKA Newton Tony Simmons). Jamaican-born and a nine year resident of Key Largo, Florida, Bolivar's musical career spans twenty-four years and fourteen albums. His newest releases arrived in one package and conveniently filled my CD six-pack with such an entertaining variety that, after listening to all six I found myself wanting more. Bolivar's album titles (Island, Irie Island Christmas, Yellow Bird, Memory Lane, Some People Like Coconut, and Island Madness) accurately reflect his style while his song titles ("Island Boy," "Sweet Jamaica," "Jammin' in Negril," "Key Largo Moon") reflect his roots. Most of these albums have a bit of this and a bit of that, this being Reggae ("Dread Dread Wine") and that being Soca ("Jump"). In between are folksongs of the Islands (such as "Linstead Market," "Come Back Liza," "Matilda") and many Bolivar originals ("Ja Mek Ya," "Run Away to Ocho Rios"). Memory Lane is 110% Reggae and my natural favorite. Heartfelt liner notes accompany ten "songs from my youth that affected me most Ébut there were so many more Éthat volume two is sure to follow soon." I hope so! (Dart Records, 10985 S.W. 172 Terrace, Miami, FL 305-451-2725) Mix up, mix up is neither new nor unique to Bolivar. Genre combinations show up with increasing frequency. Universal Xpression has released their second such album titled Xpression. Both this and last year's debut album (World Groove) features one side of Reggae and one side of Soca. While the maturity of style and talent on Xpression far outshines their first album both are critically appreciated wota and worth seeking out. (Universal Xpression Productions, P O Box 7242, Dearborn, MI 48121 Good things come in fours-this time from Hawaii: a signature album (their debut) and second release (Livin in Harmony) from Roots Natty Roots; Version Stylee from Butch Helemono and the Players of Instruments (their sixth) and Ho' Aikane with their second, Bulletproof. Taken as a package, the four albums provide and interesting cross section of contemporary Hawaiian Reggae. Roots Natty Roots, the album, is just that, natty roots to the core. Liner notes and lyrics suggest a strong Rastafarian foundation and Izah Blu's lead vocals are clear, clean, crisp and cultural. Butch Helemono, whose Reggae on the grand piano has always intrigued me, now introduces the "one drop guitar" (AKA "skank guitar"). Version Stylee is also a roots albumÑnot rootsyÑbut roots. The difference between the two is a matter of personal style and preference. RNR is a roots harmony trio singing praises to H.I.M. Haile Selassie; Helemono is a lead vocalist singing of reality, righteousness and relationships. An added treat on the latter work is "Same Song" featuring Ras "Binghi" I on lead vocals. Ho' Aikane is altogether different. The title cut of Bulletproof leads off with the shouted military cadence of "Éleft, right, left," precursing a jump into the dancehall as they echo most independent artists with, "If you think we play Reggae music for the money/You're wrong, rightÉ ." Ho' Aikane is a Hawaiian group playing Hawaiian Reggae and singing about Hawaii. "Big Island Surfing" and "Music is Here to Stay (Aloha Irie)" are playful while "Hawaiian Roots" is a gently sung militant plea reminding Hawaiians that "these islands belong to Hawaiian people." This album, however, is not narrowly focused. Ragga/hip-hop ("Ruff Necked Non-Stop") and lover's rock/dancehall ("Slowly but Surely," "Falling in Love," "Sweet Love") round out the album All four albums are available from Niho Mano, Inc. PO Box 62047, Honolulu, HI 96822. 808-923-6887. Folks giving serious consideration to distributing African Reggae should consider both of the following albums. One comes directly from the Mother Continent and the other by way of Germany. Malawian Frank Sande (AKA Clement Malola) has released his second album Serious Toasting on the David Records label from the Republic of South Africa. Former Slaves (as in Lucky Dube and the...) Chris Ntaka and Raymond Mahono join Sande for eight tracks of distictly African-styled, seriously festive, and at times, soulful Reggae. Lyrics are of chatty chatty mouth ("Sayin' Dis Sayin' Dat," "Mind Your Business"), lover's lament ("So Long Ago," "Jenny") and reality ("One Good Song," "Ah-Ah-Oh"). Sande's vocals are sweet and his toastings heartfelt and the album's harmonies are tight. Yet it is surely the Players of Instruments that carry Serious Toasting. Of special note are Kelly Petlane's saxophone interludes on "Jenny" and "So Long Ago" but each player contributes to a disciplined, upful and entertaining package. Available on cassette and CD from David Gresham Records, PO Box 46020, Orange Grove 2119, South Africa. Also crossing all the borders, at many different levels, is the Germany-based group The Lions. Ghanian Paps Natty General (AKA Mohamed Boi Anas) shares lead vocal with Basilion Ras Macluve from Mozambique. They are joined by brothers and sisters from Tunesia, Nigeria and the Comoro Islands. This multinational octet have been enlighting audiences since 1980 with roots and culture to the core. The no nonsense English lyrics are hopeful ("One Love in our Community" and "Children"), playful ("Natty General"), spiritually inspirational ("Father of I," "Creation," and "Roots and Culture") and sometimes militant as is "Free" and "Big Slave Rider." Creation is available directly from the label at FuŸnfundvierzig, Schmiedetwiete 6, 23898 Labenz, Germany. Closer to home is a various artist's album funded by Bay Area rootsman Carlton Campbell. Featuring three Kingstonians, Captain Calvary, Banana Man and Woody Noble, Lion Heart was recorded in Jamaica for the international audience. Live musicians (Carlton "Santa" Davis, Flabba Holt and Keith Sterling) playing real instruments (drums, bass and keyboards) give this album a decidely 90's flavored edge over the syntho-computerized stuff banging our ears for the past few years. Awaiting national/international distribution, Lion Heart is presently available from Out of Many One, 4925 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA. (510-601-6314). On the same label is Fenton Wardle's second release Guard the Honor following his 1990 debut Good Judgement. Co-produced by Fenton and Augustus Pablo, musicians include Ranchie McLean (bass), Benbow Creary (drums), "Chinna" Smith on guitar, Skully on percussion and a whole heap of others backing Wardell's strenghened yet mellow delivery-style. Guard the Honor, is roots and consciousness and available only on cassette. New in every sense of the word is Positive Sound Massive and their label, PSM Recordings out of the San Francisco Bay area. PSM is the brainchild of Stefan G, described as a weaver of musical tapestry "grounded in the low end theory," and Stand Out Selector (AKA Steffen Franz), widely recognized and respected as an avant-garde deejay. They have gathered a whole heap of Bay Area musicians to introduce what they define as a label "devoted to consciousness." A companion set of two 7" singles, "Unity" and "Sex and Guns," with lively dub versions are vocalized by Raskidus and DJ Collage and artistically backed by "crucial Bay Area musicians." "Sex and Guns" verbalizes heavy truths suggesting that the system promulgates the romanticism of sex and guns in opposition to Reggae's vision of "One Love." Yes, PSM is indeed "devoted to consciousness." Thank You! [Positive Sound Massive, 2261 Market St., PO Box 487, San Francisco, CA 94114. Tel: 415-954-8816] Reggae Inna Hopiland is alive and well in Kykotsmovi, Arizona. After too long an absence, the Culture Connection is back in business. Long respected and much valued as prime stop for touring Reggae artists, Reggae Inna Hopiland is once again active. Promoter Gerry Gordon advises difficulties have been resolved and he would like to hear from old friends and new acquaintences interested in booking this Northern Arizona venue. Contact the Culture Connection, PO Box 622, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039. Tel: 602-737-9353. Lastly, plan now to attend Conference '94, Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide third annual gathering in Wichita, Kansas beginning June 3rd. Contact me (801-355-1405) or Rastaman NanŽ (616-485-8765) for more information. Till next time: Forward the Reggae Vibe...Everytime! Pilgrim's Perspective [July, 1994 So much to write about and so little room. (Please Mr. Editor, give I a likkle more space). Let's start with the printed word. Dub Talking, selected poems of Ras Marcus Benjamin, is a debut of sorts. Many of the nearly 75 poems contained therein have been previously published in various Reggae publications. Spanning twelve years of work, Marcus' poetry categorizes itself nicely into the book's three sections "Uhuru Sasa," "Sisters Section," and "Dub Talking." Many are familiar with Marcus' "One Love" sticker, yet his written words go far beyond the bumper. Dub Talking is more than a stocking stuffer, but I'd order now because this independent production is truly a limited edition. Available from Rasta Connection, 606 South Mason St., Ft. Collins, CO 80521. Tel: 303-493-7690 Heading toward the San Francisco Bay Area? If so, plan ahead and send a couple of bucks to receive a copy of the Reggae Calendar International (RCI). This 12 page, tabloid sized paper has been tracking monthly Reggae Runnings in the Bay Area and beyond for seven years. Crammed full of events, venue locations, radio stations, and more, RCI is a must for the Reggaephile heading West and bookings agents looking for gigs. Nuff respect to publishers Barbara A. Barham and Corbett Harvey Bowers I for keeping us informed. [RCI, PO Box 170644, San Francisco, CA Tel/Fax 415-626-7065]. Wow! That was my first reaction when a demo tape from Root Awakening caught my ear. I had to double check my sound system to see if I had pushed the wrong button. Nope--sure enough, I was listening to Root Awakening, a five member band based in Santa Cruz, California. What was it that grabbed me? Founding member Herb Daly, guitarist for the 1980's Santa Cruz band, the Rastafarians, writes: "[This band satisfies] our creative urge [allowing] us to play our favorite old Studio One, Treasure Isle and Channel One hits." "Don't Go," the only original tune, melds nicely with such cover classics as "Smile," (originally popularized by the Silvertones), "Trying to Conquer Me," (Delroy Wilson) and "Loving Pauper" (Dobby Dobson). This not 70's Reggae done in a 90's style; this is 70's Reggae done in a 70's style. Hardcore fans of roots Reggae will love the artistry of Roots Awakening. Investors, distributors, and major labels would be fools to pass them by. More information available from Stamina Productions, 833 Front St., Suite 222, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Tel: 408-454-9545. New issues from England include two special releases from England's Jove Music label. Citing "a new determination by British reggae artists to claim the respect due to them," the label's second album, Hartical by Trevor Hartley, is a fitting start to realizing that goal. Emigrating from his native Jamaica in 1977, Hartley linked up with Dennis Bovell and, one year later, realized his first UK hit "Selassie I." Hartical, his first album in 10 years, features some of his best work done during the intervening decade. Standout tracks are "I'm the One Who Loves You," a Mad Professor production and "Mystery," done in combination with Tippa Irie. This is one of those albums on which I can confidently select any track for airplay and know the listening audience will be pleased-and so will you. Likewise with the label's first CD, The Songs of Bob Andy. This album is a winner from the git go. Ten tracks sung by some of the best singing the best. Marcia Griffiths ("The Ghetto Stays in My Mind,") Alton Ellis ("I Would Be a Fool,") Prince Lincoln Thompson and the Royal Rasses ("Revelation,") ...you get the idea. Nine top ranking artists giving current renditions and tribute to one of Jamaica's foremost song writing artists. Bob Andy rounds out the album with his own, previously unreleased "Life Could Be A Symphony." If the accompanying press releases, jam packed with track and artist information, were converted to liner notes, this album would be an archivist's dream. As it is, it is one of the best buys of the month. (Jove Music, PO Box 917, Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5FA. Answerphone: 081 968-6221; Fax: 081 964-2844. The "new determination" continues on LJK Records. John Kpiaye's self-produced Red, Gold & Blues and Steve Gregory's Bushfire (produced by Dennis Bovell) also take on a new direction. Kpiaye, lauded as on of the UK's premier Reggae guitarists and Gregory, a multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist have both released debut, instrumental albums. Bushfire, described as "acid/jazz/reggae," features Gregory on saxophones and flutes and Red, Gold & Blues, drawing from many genres, shows Kpiaye stretching both his fingers and artistic imagination on "guitar and programming." If you want your instrumental Reggae deep, heavy and rootsy, pass these two by; if you are a Dennis Bovell/LKJ fan, don't you dare. Available from LKJ Records, Ltd., PO Box 623, Herne Hill, London SE24 0LS, England. Tel: 071-738-7647. Also out of England comes this from an unusual duo. Max Edwards, unheard of for a very long time, and Ione (pronounce "eye one") Oslinger, have released a 6 track EP as a prelude to a soon come, full length CD. Oslinger, formerly with the now defunct, all woman California band, Mystic Ray, teamed with Edwards in Montego Bay and used Ed Robinson's state-of-the-art Tiftam Studio to its' full advantage. The EP, Eclipse, offers an exciting hint of what is to come, combining Edwards Jamaican roots style with California mystic jamming, ala‡ crystals and body rubs. Distributed in the UK by Jet Star (081 961 5818) or from Max-I-One Productions(081 752 1242). More mystic jamming. The Germany-based group, Vision, always known and well-respected for avant-Reggae, have outdone themselves. Mental Healing, subtitled "45 Minutes of Dub Reggae & Trance Stepper's," is just that. Printed lyrics are included for the dub-Rggae vocals, if that makes any sense. If you can't trance out with this album, you just can't trance. Available from FuŸnfundvierzig, Schmiedetwiete 6, 23898 Labenz, Germany. On the same label is Gracy and the Herbman Band's newest Movements. Recorded, mixed and mastered in Bremen, Movements is Gracy and the Band at their best yet and a welcome follow up to Gracy's previous album which she and Mystic Dan appropriately entitled Low Budget. Five dub/instrumental cuts enhance yet another in a string of masterful issues from this punk turned Reggae label. I've not yet heard an unpleasant album from FuŸnfundvierzig A must mention is Ras Michael's "No Bow Down" on the San Francisco-based PSM Recordings label. This 7" single is produced with imagination by Steffen "SOS" Franz and Stefan G of Positive Sound Massive. Ras Michael enters the dancehallÑthe Nyahbinghi dancehall. Available from PSM Recordings, 2261 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94114, tel. 415-954-8816. Another must mention: Vibbesuoh (pronounced "vibes house"), a small Miami label, is releasing big music. Kingston born vocalist/song writer Abshalom (aka Mark Brown), a former New York sound system rapper, exercises versatility and strength on Love, his debut album. "Big Her Up," done in combination style (with himself?) is massive, advising us to "Put her on a throne/If you can't do it/Leave her alone," lyrics that are, unfortunately, too timely nowadays. If asked I'd choose "Granny's Advice," upbeat and in the dancehall, for a single release. On the same label is Juicy V (aka S. Vernon) with a 12" single "I Am Not A Toy" b/w "Ease Up Woman." "...Toy," questioning why "she" would come back "now that I'm headed for the top" is vocalized in a style somewhere between Edi Fitzroy and Junior Murvin. I hope V's lyrics are prophetical and he is indeed on his way to the top. Why? 'Cuz. (FLC Productions, PO Box 55180, 20222 NW 42nd Court, Miami FL 33055. Tel: 305-624-7515). All done. Till next time, Forward the Reggae Vibe...Everytime! _____________________ Pilgrim's Perspective [September, 1994] News Views and Reviews Recently I found myself defining the foundation of this column and my explanation went something like this: I fell into writing about Reggae much as I stumbled upon Reggae music-accidentally. I am not an authority, expert, archivist, or collector. Nor am I in any way involved in the business of Reggae. The only "instrument" I play is the turntable. Simply put, I am a fan, and that is the basis of "Pilgrim's Perspective, ". Written as a fan for fans, concentrating on independently produced recorded and written projects. Fun-huh? Dreams are nice; realized dreams are nicer. Some folks from Colorado have seen dreams come true. First is Greg Stump of the 8750 Reggae Band. His dream-come-true is a 7" single on Earl "Chinna" Smith's High Times label. Greg, as Stump I, and Dignitary Stylish, romp lively through the dancehall on "Ital Woman" with backing vocals by Ken Bob and Winston "Flames" Jarrett. Distributed by HIGH TIMES RECORDS, PO Box 529, Kingston Mall, Jamaica. Tel. 809-922-4497. Also in the dream-come-true category is the One World Music Festival, the dream baby of Judd Schwartz of Telluride, Colorado. Schwartz, a hard core World Music fan, plans his concert lineups around those artists whose performances he enjoys and/or wants to meet. The Reggae lineup for this year's Labor Day weekend celebration, the third annual, included Burning Spear, Pato Banton, Boom Shaka, 8750 Reggae Band with headliners Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers and Bunny Wailer. Add Manu Dibango, Bateke! Bateke!, War and James Brown and the bottom line was too much fun in Aspen, Colorado. Total fan Schwartz and his son Marley are looking forward and promise next year's world class event will be bigger and better. Contact FOUR CORNERS PRODUCTIONS, PO BOX 611, TELLURIDE CO, 81435. Tel/Fax: 303-728-6660 Tel: 303-728-6660. Reggae music has crossed yet another border and is now in the fast lane on the Cyberspace Infobahn. Reggae Ambassador Mike Pawka of San Diego, California is a computer nerd and a fan's fan. Several years ago he posted a call for discussion on the Internet which resulted in the creation of the rec.music.reggae (rmr) newsgroup. Since then, rmr has grown to an approximate readership of 40, 000 with global contributions from respected authorities, reggae rookies and those simply wanting to add their two cents worth. For more information contact NICE UP ENTERPRISES!, 4584 "G" W. Point Loma Blvd., San Diego CA 92107 or e-mail . Fans heading for Athens, Greece this winter will want to check the West Club (Tel: 9716145). THC Sound System rules every Tuesday with the freshest dancehall rhythms. On Thursdays they celebrate the longest continuous Reggae night in Greece at the Graffiti Club (Tel: 9597995), now into the fourth year of vibes from the 60's to the year 2000. More info from THC SOUND SYSTEM, 46 Evdoxou St, 11743 Athens, Greece. Tel/fax: 30-1-9019247. If Greece seems a bit far, New Yorkers thirsting for strictly roots style can head for the Cooler, 416 West 14th Street in Manhattan the first and third Wednesdays of each month. "Night of the Living Dub" features The Dub Posse with live performances backed by the Wordsound Band. Oku Onuora is a frequent guest artist. Free admission before 10pm and $5 thereafter. More info from WORDSOUND, 129 North 11th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211. Nice to see so much independently produced Reggae heading Stateside from all corners of the globe. UK's Blakamix International label, with Dennis "Mixman" Bedeau at the controls, has a new release and a reissue by UK-based Tena Stalin. Sun & Moon, first issued on vinyl in 1992 is now on CD (with three bonus tracks) on the Blakamix subsidiary label Dub Venture. Tena Stalin's newest, Take a Look at the World shows a heap of maturity in two brief years. Both are recommended. Also on Blakamix is My Story, the debut album from D. Maximillian. This album, strongly influenced by Jah Shaka, embodies the style and fashion of the best of UK artists. Go for the CD bonus track "Ark of the Covenant." BLAKAMIX INTERNATIONAL, 126 Gladstone St., Bedford MK41 7RT, ENGLAND. Tel/Fax: 0234-215430. African Dance Records was launched in March, 1994 with a goal of being the trademark of high professional standards for African music and to promote African bands worldwide. Their debut releases, Somandla by Makwerhu and Free the Children by Livin' Spirits are ample testimony that African Dance Records is very serious about their undertaking. Makwerhu blends traditional rhythms of their native South Africa with High-life, Reggae, Jazz, Afro-rock and a few other styles into an interesting cross cultural mixture of edutainment sung in several different languages. Livin' Spirits, fronted by South African Vido Jelashe, have been entertaining Europeans for six years. Jelashe is joined by Nigeria's Mr. Kologbo and Togo's Kwame Sometimer, uniting various cultures to bring forth African Roots Reggae, produced and recorded with quality and pride. Distributed in Europe by Semaphore. For more info contact AFRICAN DANCE RECORDS, c/o Nick Willer, PO Box 28, D-10182 Berlin, Germany. Tel: 0172-3900467; fax 49-30-5617384. Describing his music as Jamaican folk Reggae, Aba Salam has been entertaining UK audiences for several years with a relaxed musical style that soothes, pleases, and commands attention. Now, busting out globally, is his debut CD, Children of My Generation. Issued on vinyl earlier this year, the CD has six extra tracks including some too new to have been on the first version. Aba's wordsmith talents flow easily with soft, almost spoken vocals accompanied by real musicians including accomplished UK Jazz artists Alan Barnes and Aswad's Eddie (Tantan) Thorton. Also on board are Iauwata Amha Selassie of the group Hard Skin, and Mikey Campbell. Liner notes promise My Generation of Dub soon come. Distributed by ROOTS RECORDS, 2 the Boltons, Sudbury, Middlesex, HA0 2SL, England. Tel/Fax: 011-44 81908 1658. Set to winter in Jamaica while working on their next album, the Ganglords stayed home long enough to produce and back Swiss Reggae deejays Speedyman & Yasta on Filles! The six tracks of this EP-CD feature four titles and several mixes of upful and refreshing beats in a 70s to 90s style. Lyrics and biographical info are apparently in French so I'm at loss to tell your more. No matter the language, Reggae crosses more borders. Contact GANGPRODUTION, PO Box 541, 8021 ZŸrich, Switzerland. Tel: 01-241-18-10. Must mention eleven year old dub poet Little Natural. A obvious protŽgŽ of her producer Queen Majeeda, Natural reflects the prevailing musical winds out of Jamaica with her debut 7" single "Put Good Lyrics in the Music." Available from CONSCIOUS MUSIC, PO Box 148, Kingston 19, Jamaica. Tel: 809-988-8858. Ras Asa, a St. Lucian living in Europe, has released a nine track CD, Colors of My Roots, an album rooted in reality and culture. Recorded and mixed in Germany, this album retains the artist's Caribbean heritage and his faith in H.I.M. Contact: RAS ASA PRODUCTIONS, Apostel-Paulusstr 41, 10823 Berlin, GERMANY Tel: 011 49 30 7819447 Ras Mighty Monzon, formally with Germany's Ital Rocker Band, was born in Georgetown, Guyana and moved to Germany in 1988 because of a lack of home grown recording studios. Of his CD EP (4 tracks) he writes: "I have no manager, no label, no distributor and also no publisher. I have full rights to my mini CD." A truly independent production. Tracks are: "Me A Rasta, " "DJ Session, " "Fashion Rasta, " and "Join the Line." Highly recommended. More info: Estworth Phillips, Gšrlitzer Str. 61, 10997 Berlin, Germany. Tel: 030 6118730 RUNNetherlands, Holland's premier Reggae organization, has linked up with Carol "Passion" Nelson's XRated label providing worldwide exposure for artists heretofore little known outside of Jamaica. Tanya Stephens lives up to her reputation of being dynamic and versatile. Big Things a Gwaan, her debut album, showcases a flexibility of style somewhere between R&B and roots Reggae. Super Morris, with Mr. 5L Man, is looking for a bit of mischief in the dancehall. Stylistically, Super's roughly, smooth fashion is his own and augers well for a long-lasting career. Better known is Prezident Brown. Originally christened "Slim Brown" because of his vocal likeness to U-Brown, the Prez served a five year apprenticeship with Jack Ruby, touring widely in Jamaica and Canada. His present album, Big, Bad and Talented, aptly describes both the singer (6'2" and 200 pounds) and his songs. All three of these albums were recorded and mixed at the Grove Music Studio in Ocho Rio and carry the distinctive touch of producer/engineer Barry O'Hare. Also on the Dutch label is the English group Base Dance with the four track mini CD Everybody Plays the Fool. This EP is a real teaser with three original cuts that demand more. Check RUNNETHERLANDS, PO Box 900, 6200 AX Maastricht, The Netherlands. Tel: 31 (0) 43 626424; fax: 31 (0) 43 626502. All out of space. Till next time: Forward the Reggae Vibe...Everytime.