 Red
Di, "Gwaan True"
Red Di releases Debut CD
By Joe Aytch
For five years, Northern California’s own Red Di Band has set itself
apart. With a fan base that spans from Australia to Mexico with the biggest
concentration in the San Francisco Bay Area, Red Di’s homegrown-flavored
Reggae is creating its own unique genre.
Until this CD release, if I wanted to hear Red Di, I had to catch them
at one of their many performances, and Red Di is busy, which explains
their ever-growing and loyal fan base. Now with the release of "Gwaan
True," produced by the band’s rhythm guitarist Ed Elizalde,
I can experience the Reggae/rock sound of this popular band in my own
living room.
The CD cover is an artsy, psychedelic piece of work, and the sound quality
is very good, which makes sense since it was recorded at Awesome Sound
Studio in Hayward, California.
 The
title, "Gwaan True," according to the band members means "going
true,"–not selling out, and/or a belief in truth. By featuring
ten original songs, Red Di definitely remains true to itself and its fans.
Lead vocalist/songwriter/rhythm guitarist Frank Castro penned six of
the songs and has a harmonious, sweet voice and classic guitar style that
clearly displays his musical influences, which include rock, blues, R&B
and Reggae. Frank’s songs are about life’s experiences. "It’s
About a Woman" is a lovers rock tune. Bobby Black’s Pedal Steel
(his only appearance on the CD) gives the music an exotic Jawaiian tinge.
Franks’s other songs are well named: the political "Skeletons
in the Closet," "True Love," "Adversity," "Man
on a Mission," and "One World/One Rhythm."
Toaster Mustapha Craig’s trademark rough/tough deejay style adds
that Jamaican dancehall quality on many of the songs, and he performs
his own dub, "Jah Kallin," with skankin’ bass by Mike Tringali,
and background vocals by Tamara Haynes & Karen Smith. Mike also wrote
"Take a Chance" and "One Night Love."
The piano, organ and synth playing of Steve Hoffman proves there is more
than the tink, tink, tink style of traditional Reggae keyboards. From
classical piano to Ragtime, Steve is a true musician, "I found a
great love and respect for Ragtime, which made for an easy transition
later on to Reggae. If you listen to the beat that the left hand keeps
in Ragtime, you'll notice that it is nearly identical, though about twice
as complex, as the skank in Reggae keyboard playing," says Steve.
Founder and drummer Danny Molina studied under percussionist Mingo Lewis
(formerly with Santana and The Tubes). His drumming is solid and keeps
it all together.
Is "Gwaan True" pure reggae? No Mon! Mike Tringali said it
best, "I like the elements of Reggae music that make it pure, but
it’s the varied influences of all the band members that makes our
music a different sound. And a sound that works."
For more information about the band, the CD or booking, check out their
website at: http://www.reddi.net,
or contact their manager: Mary Kirk, 43222 Starr St. #4, Fremont, CA 94539,
USA. Phone: (510) 651.6026. E-mail: marykirk@catwing.com.
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Joe Aytch is a San Francisco Bay Area Photo Journalist whose writing and
photos have appeared in various publications throughout the United States, including
The Reggae Calendar International, Exodus, The Buffalo Soldier, Forward, Dub
Missive, The African Voice, The Guardsman, The Bayview Heritage and more. He
is currently an Editor/Writer for CityFlight Newsmagazine and was formerly an
editor for the Reggae Review. He appears on several web pages, and has been
a featured MC at the Afribbean and One Root Festivals. He can be reached at
jtaytch@aol.com or at P.O. box 90384, San
Jose, CA 95109-3384.
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