Strictly Talented, Stricty Roots

For the 23-year-old, blonde-haired, blue-eyed frontman of Strictly Roots, fame is only a stones-throw away. Rason Jahmal has the confidence of a mid-1980s 49er linebacker with good reason. He has taken over one of the Bay Area’s finest Reggae bands, Strictly Roots.

When Ras Jahson, leader of Strictly Roots and father to band members Rason Jahmal and Don Juan unexpectedly passed away after a San Francisco show in January 1998, it was only natural for his sons to take over. “There was never any blueprint for what would happen if this happened... I sang a song with the group here and there and did some singing from behind the drums, but I never considered being the lead singer for the group... That was something that just naturally came about,” said former-drummer Rason.

Ras Jahson founded the group back in 1980. In the 1970s, he had vacationed in Jamaica and was so enamored of the music and culture that he stayed nearly five years. When he returned to the States, he eventually settled in California where his two children grew up. Jahson surrounded his children with Jamaicans and Jamaican culture, so that now, although neither of the kids have ever been to Jamaica, they speak with a patois accent. Rason recounted, “Actually, not one member of the band has been to Jamaica. But even when I was in New York City, the people at the airport run up, ÎA which part you come from?’ Because if they hear me talk, I can’t convince them that I’m not from there... My brother and I grew up playing Reggae. We definitely were born with dreadlocks and have had dreadlocks since birth and grew up with Jamaicans playing Reggae music... So it is our heritage.”

Through rain and through wind, Strictly Roots drew an amazingly loyal crowd at the Napa Valley Reggae Fest on May 14, 2000. One of the concertgoers in the crowd relayed, “These are my boys. I have to show my support any way I can.” And that was the vibe throughout their set. They performed many songs from their soon-to-be-released album “Next Generation” as well as some older tunes. Others were so impressed by their performance that they mistook them for the headlining band. Festival promoter Teresa Sylvia, who has been working with the band for many years, has a soft spot for them and is deeply committed to their rise to fame. She says the Strictly Roots organization is planning a tour to spread their message, bringing a new Reggae vibe to the world.

Strictly Roots always intrigued me. I was struck by the band’s talent and Rason’s stage presence. He is a natural. Over a year ago, on May 1, 1999, I was fortunate to interview the entire band before their show at Ashkenaz in Berkeley. They seemed a little surprised at the attention, and awkwardly answered questions as they were posed to them. However, later that night I went to the show and all of their uneasiness and discomfort dissipated. There were no moments of hesitancy, no awkward, self-conscious silences, just deep, jammin’ music. Polished, professional and fun, Strictly Roots played two sets to a hyped up crowd.

With their new album “Next Generation” anticipated for a summer release, things are revving up for the band, which is comprised of six members: Rason Jahmal on lead vocals, Don Juan on keyboards, Del-Rickie Carter on guitar, Nicholas Newman also on keyboards and vocals, Bo Freeman on bass and Thomas McCree on drums. This is what they had to say when I asked them about the upcoming album:

Del-Rickie Carter: In my opinion, the diversity of the album makes it unique. It seems like it can play to several types of people. We took time and studied what song America might recognize and we came up with The Doors’ “Light My Fire.” So, we do a cover of it on the new album. We test played it for some people and it sounds like people recognize it… And it fit with what we were trying to achieve. That’s what I think. Hey Nick, what do you think?

Nicholas Newman: The album is dope! Go out and buy it.

Bo Freeman: The album still has the roots Reggae in it real deep. And that’s what it needs...mainly the same stuff that has been rocking Strictly Roots since it started. That flavor is still there, along with the new flavor that is coming in. All the tastes are coming together! We’re just here to rock.

Don Juan: The way I feel about this CD is that it has a wide appeal as it has got some dance tracks on there and many different flavors. It has things that people aren’t really going to expect from us.

Picking up on the diversity issue, I asked them about their musical influences:

Rason Jahmal: It’s hard to single out anyone really, but you’ve got to speak of Bob Marley first and foremost because he brought Reggae to the world in a big way. Then you can speak of artists that were innovators and influenced a lot of music, such as The Beatles. You’ve got to give thanks to the modern music. I love R. Kelly and all different stuff that a gwaan...When music is your life, you listen to music 24 hours, 7 days a week. You listen to it as a fan and as a fellow musician...So, you give respect to just about everything and anything. I even listen to Shania Twain! It makes no difference to me...

Bo Freeman: I like everything from Chaka Khan to Sly & Robbie to Jimi Hendrix. I play a lot of Latin music, so I just love it all. Whatever I like, I go into it and I’m stuck in there.

Nicholas Newman: I’m influenced by a lot of English music act0ually. English Reggae is like the bomb to me. I still love Bob Marley, don’t get me wrong, but Steel Pulse and those kinds of groups are more my style.

Del-Rickie Carter: Well, I like the Reggae music... I like jazz. I like pop. I like R&B. I like Marley. I like Dennis Brown. I like Barrington Levy. I like John Coltrane, Miles Davis. I like Hendrix. I like the Beatles. It’s all music and if you’re a music lover as we are, it’s all real and it’s all good. I even like Willie Nelson! It doesn’t matter; it’s all good!

Thomas McCree: I listen to Dennis Chambers a lot. I listened to Bob Marley a lot when I was coming up. I listen to a lot of jazz, blues. The drummers that really influenced me were Dennis Chambers, Tony Williams, all them big cats. That’s mostly where I get my style.

Don Juan: My influences go way back. I like some old school artists like James Brown, the Beatles, Hendrix and all that. But I also grew up in the younger generation, so I like the new style. I like some hip-hop. I like some dancehall music. I like house music, jungle music. So, we’re just bringing it all in.

With all the confidence and animation that this up-and-coming band portrays live, Strictly Roots has a bright future bringing a new energy and a new vibe to California Reggae. They have stayed true to the foundation of Reggae music while incorporating their diverse backgrounds and diverse musical influences to create a tight, finely tuned band. Look for their new album this summer in your local record store or check out www.strictlyroots.com for more information.