& I-Foundation, Rum Shack, Glasgow, 7 August
A free reggae gig in a new Caribbean venue on the southside? Featuring the best lovers rock band in Britain and the new roots sensation all the way from Jamaica? Good things truly come to those who wait. Word had spread, well, like a raging fire really, and Pollokshaws Road was already rocking to its foundations from the selection of top ranking DJ Caroline Murphy as the crowd gathered eagerly to soak up the atmosphere on maybe the last of these hot summer nights, with the Commonwealth Games feelgood factor in the air and a tantalising glimpse of a better future just ahead. What better way to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of Jamaican independence, and all the wonderful influences this small island has given us. The venue is a spacious old pub with food from Fire In Babylon, billed as a pop-up, but let’s hope it establishes itself as a permanent fixture, with lots more nights planned for the end of August Weekender. This gig was swiftly arranged following the cancellation of the 02 ABC concert on Monday, but everything was cook and curry, and the vibes were set for a night of live reggae like never seen before in Strathbungo. The place was already rammed when the I-Foundation took to the stage, and I cannot believe this is the first time I have actually seen this band, although I have taken advantage of their very generous free download. Their authentic brand of sweet lovers rock has seen them win friends all over the reggae world, making their own compositions like ‘I Adore You’ blend in alongside classics like Louisa Marks’ ‘Keep It Like It Is’ without anyone batting an eyelid. They can also get any crowd moving with covers of the likes of Toots and Burning Spear to show their versatility and love of all types of reggae music. After a short break and a bit of tuning up, Raging Fyah took to the stage, ready to show what all the fuss is about.
Reggae followers know that the roots and culture message of Rastafari has never gone away, but there have been dips and hurdles along the way, until someone picks up the baton again and reaches a new generation the way Garnett Silk, Luciano and Sizzla did about twenty years ago. Now it has passed to the likes of Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Jah 9 and the Raging Fyah band. They are most definitely a band, which is in itself quite unusual in Jamaican music, and all five members played a vital part in creating their irie vibe and warm and easy skanking style, reminiscent of Steel Pulse, the Wailers and Third World, but very much their own sound, with two albums of entirely original rhythms and lyrics under their belt already. The live versions of songs like ‘Behold’ and ‘Fight’ bring an added dimension to the studio blueprint, with improvisation, audience interaction and dubwise. They have definitely caught the mood in the country, with call and response ‘We Say Scotland, You Say Freedom’ going down like a house on fire. Throw in a little bit of Slim Smith at the end, and everyone left very happy. The only mystery that remains is how ‘Rude’ by Magic can be number one across America while these two bands are not yet exposed to that kind of audience, but I for one am very grateful to be one of the lucky ones who has got to know them at this stage in their destiny of global domination, making the world a better place through reggae music. At times it can seem like a hard, lonely road, but its nights like this that make it all worthwhile, touching the hearts of people from all walks of life, letting us forget our troubles and dance while we can. A massive big up, maximum respect and a huge thank you to everyone who is or was involved in the Glasgow reggae scene, one love to all, keep on keeping on.
Reggae followers know that the roots and culture message of Rastafari has never gone away, but there have been dips and hurdles along the way, until someone picks up the baton again and reaches a new generation the way Garnett Silk, Luciano and Sizzla did about twenty years ago. Now it has passed to the likes of Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Jah 9 and the Raging Fyah band. They are most definitely a band, which is in itself quite unusual in Jamaican music, and all five members played a vital part in creating their irie vibe and warm and easy skanking style, reminiscent of Steel Pulse, the Wailers and Third World, but very much their own sound, with two albums of entirely original rhythms and lyrics under their belt already. The live versions of songs like ‘Behold’ and ‘Fight’ bring an added dimension to the studio blueprint, with improvisation, audience interaction and dubwise. They have definitely caught the mood in the country, with call and response ‘We Say Scotland, You Say Freedom’ going down like a house on fire. Throw in a little bit of Slim Smith at the end, and everyone left very happy. The only mystery that remains is how ‘Rude’ by Magic can be number one across America while these two bands are not yet exposed to that kind of audience, but I for one am very grateful to be one of the lucky ones who has got to know them at this stage in their destiny of global domination, making the world a better place through reggae music. At times it can seem like a hard, lonely road, but its nights like this that make it all worthwhile, touching the hearts of people from all walks of life, letting us forget our troubles and dance while we can. A massive big up, maximum respect and a huge thank you to everyone who is or was involved in the Glasgow reggae scene, one love to all, keep on keeping on.
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