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What a summer of REGGAE! You have read about the irie California festivals,
but there have been irie Northwest events too, such as the wonderful Roots
Mountain Reggae Festival in Tonasket, Washington, that I praised here
previously. A few weeks after that Roots Mountain Reggae Festival I flew
up north again to Seattle, Washington for another jammin' reggae weekend.
I came to work at Northwest Reggae Fest in Seattle for Stephen Benbrook,
and the fun started right off Friday afternoon at Zion's Gate Records
with Norris Man, Corrin from Lustre Kings record label, Billie (Jah Mason's
manager), and myself, as Norris Man listened for the first time to a Lustre
Kings' 45 of his new song, "Culture Dem," "recorded in Jamaica on one
take," he told me.
That night I called another Seattle promoter, John Baptise, to see what
was up at his club, the mighty Bohemian. Located in Pioneer Square, in
the heart of the nightlife area, the Bohemian (bohemianreggaeclub.com
or 206.447.1514), is the most successful of the 10 clubs in the Square.
Every February John also organizes Seattle's Bob Marley Festival (hotline
206.447.9868). The Bohemian is a great club. Remodeled and expanded, the
walls in the main club are adorned with big paintings of Jamaica, Haile
Selassie and reggae artists. The most spectacular is of Luciano, stretching
forth his hand, holding a Bible. There are lots of nooks to kick back
in, or you can dance right on the stage in the smaller club, or roam between
the clubs as the mood takes you. John proudly presents 'live' reggae every
night in at least one of the clubs under the Bohemian banner.
 I
was quite happy to hear that Apple Gabriel was playing at the Bohemian
that night, backed by the Dream Band. The Bohemian is now three clubs
under one roof and it was hopping wild that night, with Apple in fine
style. Backing Apple Gabriel was an ex-Bay Area band now known as the
Dream Band. Several years ago Oakland's Out Of Many One Band, (also known
as Pablo Moses' Revolutionary Dream Band), became the Dream Band when
Casper, Puddu, Shaka and Bruce moved to Seattle and formed a band. The
Dream Band now has the perfect gig: ‘House' band at Seattle's best
reggae club, performing weekly with many famous stars, while also standing
up quite well with their own original songs. I had just seen them backing
artists at Roots Mountain Reggae Fest. In late September they traveled
to California for the Rollins Lake Renegade Festival and some other dates,
also backing Apple Gabriel. Apple and the Dream Band are a great musical
match up, and Apple thinks so too; he just recorded a 'live' album with
the Dream Band at a performance in Eugene, Oregon.
 The
next morning I ate breakfast on Seattle's waterfront, then rode the Metro
Rail to the Space Needle and the Experience Music Project, to wander through
a fantastic exhibit: "Island
Revolution, Jamaican Rhythm From Ska To Reggae, 1956-1981." In
California earlier this year I had attended the Grand Opening of Roger
Steffens' "The
World of Reggae Featuring Bob Marley" next to the Queen Mary, re-visiting
several times during its exhibition run. I had called "The World Of Reggae"
a mecca all reggae fans should make a pilgrimage to at least once ...well,
before January when the "Island Revolution" exhibit ends, you best come
here too! Curator David Rosencranz has gathered up many treasures such
as Bob Marley's personal Bible and other rare artifacts, recordings and
photographs. Using interactive kiosks you may also explore the recycling
of rhythm tracks to create new songs--versions--comparing and contrasting
original songs with their versions. Or you could touch a map and zoom
in on any section of Jamaica, going deeper into any location you want,
traveling by fingertip to the Yard. This exhibit included 'live' performances,
panel discussions, presentations, movies and lots of examples of reggae
music. Very nice.
 That
afternoon I headed over to the Northwest Reggae Fest, for two shows in
one day, one show for "All Ages" and one show for "over 21." Both shows
included a lively Dancehall, modern-Roots lineup downstairs at the I-Spy,
and five DJ Systems spinning at the Nation upstairs, all for one ticket
in. Besides reasoning throughout the day and evening with all the artists,
Jah message blazed on stage with Ras Shiloh, Norris Man, Jah Mason, Lutan
Fyah and Ruffian. I was again staggered by the wisdom coming out of the
mouths of such young men. Lutan Fyah was new to my ear and a wonderful
showman on stage, as was Ruffian. Ras Shiloh continues to impress me as
a musical prophet; he was feeling better than at Tonasket a few weeks
earlier when he felt ill and still gave that crowd a great show! Jah Mason
gave it his best on stage and Norris Man was just as good. I saw the Artists'
sound check too, so for me the whole day was a fantastic jumble of music
and song! I had been to this Festival last year too, touring with the
Twinkle Brothers and Della Grant, and again, I was impressed by the hard
work of Stephen Benbrook and his crew. He also has now opened a Zion's
Gate Records in Portland, run by DJ Professor Stone, (who used spin in
the clubs in Fresno) and plans to also bring Northwest Reggae Fest to
Portland next year.
Around these great shows were plenty going on in California, like the
Monterey Bay
Reggae Festival where it was all magic-come-true, with Alpha Blondy,
Abyssinians, President Brown, Israel Vibration, Steel Pulse, Bayanga,
Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus, Don Carlos, Mighty Diamonds, Mikey
Dread, Boom Shaka, Humble Soul, David Kirton, Fully Fullwood Band, Vince
Black with Root Awakening plus Jonah and the Whalewatchers--all were most
UPstanding! One of my highlights didn't happen on stage, it was watching
the soccer game of reggae artists and industry folk, romping about 50
feet from the stage; good fun and high energies going on with many children
and youth watching how grown-ups play. Mentor always, slackness never.
Onstage I was most impressed by President Brown (and what a kindly and
thoughtful man), Bayanga, Ras Michael, Don Carlos, Mikey Dread (can't
get enough of this guy) and Boom Shaka. MBRF promoters Andre and Pam sure
got a good thang going on!
What a summer of REGGAE! After attending eighteen events with one hundred
and six bands run by twenty-one promoters, I sight once more the hard
work and dedication of the Promoter. Most assuredly, there are easier
ways to make a buck! The common thread between these promoters is a vision
of something bigger, something spiritually and musically grand, plus a
compelling drive to spread it to you, the public, in spite of all the
work, risks and tribulations--I think Jah MAKES them do it! Thank
God!
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Wendy Russell, ex-promoter in Fresno, CA for 15 years is now Festival volunteer,
organizer, writer and photographer, and also editor of Reggae Festival Guide.
She is a radio DJ on Satellite Radio Bilingue nationwide, worldwide at www.radiobilingue.org.
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