Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival Leads By Example

By Christian Olivier

It seems that everyday things are getting worse for the music industry. Mega-corporations like Clearchannel seek full control over radio and television broadcasting, using their strength to buy out smaller, independent stations, only to replace them with restrictive formats, dictating the play-lists, and ultimately deciding what we the audience get to hear. Under these limitations, there becomes less and less room for new talent to rise to the top, or for artists to express any message that does not adhere to the hype and sensationalism being pushed on the public by these commercial companies. Not only is this monopolization unhealthy for the industry and the artists, it has harsh effects on the consumer. Concert ticket prices have skyrocketed, causing attendance levels to drop dramatically.

Amidst all of this corporate confusion, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF) stands out as a true alternative for music lovers looking for a breath of fresh air. Festival promoter Warren Smith has made it a mission to provide a real alternative to the pre-packaged hype by battling big business to bring 'all killer no filler' world class music to Northern California.

"It seems so bizarre to have these people running the music industry that really are opposed to the spirit in which the music was created," Smith states. He has ample experience to draw upon, stretching back to his beginnings as a booking agent in Jamaica in the 1970s, where he fell in love with rebel music. Smith has booked and promoted shows for the likes of Dennis Brown, Jacob Miller and Bob Marley, as well as starting his own record label on the island. More recently, he has given himself to keeping the fire burning in roots reggae by connecting some of the most crucial creators of the music with their west coast fan base, even bringing some artists out of retirement to perform at SNWMF. Smith got one of the original members of The Abyssinians--Bernard Collins--part of one of the finest harmony trios in reggaes, to perfrom. He also convinced Sly and Robbie, who also had previously not performed together live in over a decade, to join forces with Michael Rose for SNWMF. But it is the largely unnoticed actions that Warren feels are his greatest accomplishments, like providing legendary singer Junior Byles with a dental appointment and new clothes with which to make a big comeback at SNWMF.

Smith also has big plans for the future of the festival, like appealing to a wider, more diverse audience. One of the things he would like to see happen is a better representation of California's Latino community at the music festival.

For this year's 10th anniversary, Smith and company assembled a best of the best showcase, along with several newcomers, for a tribute to roots reggae.

Friday's show began with the roaring lion Yami Bolo, who was fresh with material from a brand-new album "Rebelution," due to be released on July 29, 2003. The album features a collaboration with Capleton titled "Liberation," and includes the talents of musicians Santa Davis and Ras Michael. When asked how it was to work with Ghetto Youths Damian and Stephen Marley for Jr. Gong's latest release "Halfway Tree," Yami said, "collaboration is the mother of creation." Through his works with the Ministry, an organization designed to help the poor and defenseless, Yami Bolo is currently involved in setting up a school to teach music to the youth of Jamaica.

Led by master drummer Bongo Herman, the Prophecy Band provided the right sound for the second entertainer of the evening, culture singer Cocoa Tea. His highly anticipated performance was a real treat for the Sierra Nevada massive, who were hauled off to "Riker's Island," only to be brought back just in time for some new material.

Headlining Friday night was the fire-chanter Capleton who set the crowd ablaze with his high-energy performance, impromptu chatting, and a treasure chest of milestones like "Tour" and "Jah Jah City."

The Fully Fullwood band was there to bring in the day with an all-star musical lineup that included Tony Chin on Guitar, Fully on bass, and movie star Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace on drums. Taking the time to reason with the press, Horsemouth let the truth be told backstage. "Lots of youth… need to culturize themselves. You don't have to be Rasta, please. What I'm asking you to be, be example for your children. What the youth see you do, they do."

After a brief appearance by Earl Zero, international superstar Mikey Dread took the stage, breaking down the walls in Babylon with an extra-special tribute to the late Joe Strummer of England's The Clash. Mikey Dread produced and toured with The Clash and together they built bridges with two kinds of rebel music, punk-rock and reggae.

Next up on the main stage was the Revolutionary Dream Band based out of Seattle, Washington. Casper on Bass, Bruce on drums, Puddu on guitar, Tchaka on keys and Chris on horns created the tougher than tough rhythm section on which the rising vocalist King Katt from Kingston, Jamaica poured out pure soul to the people.

Then it was rootsman Pablo Moses rocking the crowd with classics like "Dubbing Is A Must" and "Pave The Way."

After Pablo's performance, the stunning Sister Carol took the stage like a true queen. Mother Culture's strength and power are second to none, as she made clear by leveling the vibes with pure feminine energy in a festival seriously underrepresented by women. Sister Carol took time out from her retreat in Jamaica to perform at this year's celebration because se feels "a constant love and constant support" from her fans in California. "Music is my second love, Jah is my first love" revealed Sister Carol backstage, who is releasing her first full-length album on her own record label, Black Cinderella. The album, titled "Empressive," is due in stores this summer and features collaborations with Buju Banton, Johnny Osbourne and Shinehead. Sister Carol never fails in her mission of "bringing empowerment to the woman and letting them know that they are a full part of creation."

Following Sister Carol were two star singers, Johnny Clarke and Leroy Sibbles. The musical innovator Leroy Sibbles had many interesting insights to reveal in an interview with the press. Speaking from experience, Sibbles pointed out that "there's a lot of great artists out there right now, great singers, great musicians. No one knows about them and they never will." In fact, promotion is one of Leroy's main concerns, and rightly so, because his impressive list of credentials, which includes running things for a time at Studio 1 and originating countless classic bass-lines like the immortal "Stalag" rhythm for example, remain largely overlooked. When asked if he received any credit for the song that has been sampled by some of Jamaica's most respected artists such as Sister Nancy and Tenor Saw, the charismatic singer joked about the sad reality: "No cash, nor credit!"

Ushering in the evening was the one and only U-Roy, chanting and toasting his versions over classic rhythms supplied by the Fully Fullwood Band. Then it was the extremely energetic Barrington Levy who charged up the crowd with pure "Murder," proving that he is truly "Too Experienced."

Headlining Saturday on the main stage were the larger than life Wailers, keeping the legacy of reggae's king Bob Marley alive. Under the tutelage of original bassie Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, The Wailers gave a timeless performance to the adoring crowd in Angels Camp, CA.

Booming up the nation in the dancehall was the ferocious Mighty Crown sound system from Japan who proved that they could run things with the best, incorporating proper selections and a solid dee-jay stylee.

It was then up to dancehall elders U-Roy and the one Brigadier Jerry to mash up the place with the Stur-Gav Hi Fi sound from Jamaica. Throughout the campgrounds the living pulse of bass and drums went well into the night as the festival goers settled down under the full moon after a long day.

Some of Sunday's highlights were California locals Soul Majestic, Big Mountain and Peter Rowan, who brought his own brand of music, 'reggaebilly', to the people. Definitely one of the most crucial acts this year was the amazing Della Grant alongside the Twinkle Brothers. Performing critical roots hits like "Jah Kingdom Come" and "Since I Threw The Comb Away" got the crowd on their feet and dancing up a dust storm under the hot sun that no one seemed to mind.

Over on the village stage was the mighty Warrior King. This young singer has busted into the international arena with his debut album "Virtuous Woman." Performing the smash-hit title track along with the huge "Never Go Where The Pagans Go," "Breath Of Fresh Air" and other tunes from the CD, Warrior King pleased the crowd with his original style and genuine charm. His respect for women was made clear when he pulled a young lady from the audience onstage and sang an a cappella medley to the enchanted empress. Offstage Warrior King put it simply and honestly, "To uplift the woman is to uplift the world. There's a balance…. If you want to have a better world, a better society, you have to give strength to the woman, because the woman are the gateway through which the world comes from. Every man in the world came from a woman." When the rising star was asked how it was to perform at the Sierra Nevada Music Festival he replied, "It really touches my life. Seeing the different races really bring a joy, knowing that we all are one."

Meanwhile, on the main stage, were three colossal acts, one after another: Eek-A-Mouse, Pato Banton, and Prince Buster. Rock-steady and ska's originator and innovator, Prince Buster, was in top form, and kept the crowd bobbing and weaving to a different beat with rude-boy favorites like "Madness," "One Step Beyond," and "Wine Or Grine."

Forward to the valley stage, where St. Croix sensation Midnite conquered the hearts of Sierra's massive. Their second performance at the festival found them with a much larger audience than last year's premier performance, as word of this group's raw talent and ability spreads like wildfire. Reaching from the deepest depths to the highest heights, the power of these musicians cuts straight to the bone. Lead vocalist Vaughn Benjamin, brother Ron Benjamin on keys, drummer Dion Hopkins, basie Phillip Merchant, and guitarist Abijah perform as one; solid as a rock but smooth as water. Songs like "Love The Life You Live", "Bushman" and "New Life" are testament to the group's versatility, who can go from hot as fire to cool as a breeze.

If it were not for the dedication of individuals like promoter Warren Smith, it is likely that many people on the west coast would have never been exposed to bands like Midnite, who refuse to buy into the industry hype and are uncompromising in their message and sound. But it is EVERYONE involved that has kept the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival going strong for ten years. The fans, the entertainers, the vendors, the volunteers, the promoters, the press are all equally essential in creating what has become an ever-growing musical family. Unity is strength! Many thanks to everyone for another excellent year. One Love!