Festival Guide 2005 ❤ 56 YELLOW WALL DUB SQUAD’s Bob Marley Birthday Party?” Party?” Birthday Marley Bob SQUAD’s WALLDUB YELLOW reggae of hands MARLEY.the healing BOB from and “Hey,you said know She I don’t the at her experience share changing to wanted life she guessed never have would I me. approached 20s early her in woman red-haired tive-looking, conserva- somewhat A CO. Durango, in College Lewis Fort near store convenience old refurbished a in shop coffee new more works. I walked into Durango Joe’s, a small but jumping do to online get to needed show,I radio dub and shinebright: Stevie hadonememory From Colorado, DJ, promoter and festival MC Rasta has touchedtheminsomeway. me by people who want to share with you how reggae music given experiences reggae-related – over world whole the ily memory! Some great memories are here from our reggae fam- favorite most own my ‘pon reason another,I from while hear there in the big wide world of reggae’s runnins, that we better someone asked,“We gotrizlas?” when around all laughs Weakshow. covering their doing headphones ears, fltheir with top oor the on were they but kept pushing, in a big empty building with only the DJs inside, elevator late at night with no an one to in hear the stuck alarm buttons we’re we that fact the about cool be to trying while nervous all are we Now jammed! elevator this until – is that happening that weekend on Key Biscayne – really having fun, that played reggae, all to talk up Reggae on the Beach 2004, stations radio many area’s the around tooled we as fun ing AND RANKING JOE, and had been laughing and really hav- CAMPBELL CORNELL SIBBLES, LEROY DREAD, MIKEY with fltop the on oor station radio a to up going all Wewere it. sweating really now,were utes we min- eight for inch an moving not confiflbetween stuck nes, and oors tight elevator’s the in but weather, was typical warm and sultry Florida Outdoors elevator. the in hot was real It me. around all in packed collected byWendy Russell n cl Fia ngt n pi floig y Rasta my following April in night Friday cold a On Oh my! There are so many experiences and memories out stars reggae with was, I Here

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M M M M get KBOO at all unless I stuck my radio out a window or put or window a out radio my stuck I unless all at KBOO get hardly could I Inside, tight. in signal the keep to just around it the move and arm’slength at up of radio my holding yard prison middle the in out stand to had I signal, its improved fistation At the reggae. before up-to-date rst, for source only my really was It could. I eagerly reggae soul-saving the all absorbing crook, or hook by KBOO, institution, lefty-com- radio Portland’s munity in pull could I that OR, Portland, near Prison Sheridan to Hawaii from moved being after remember I say. to like I as “edutainment” or education, reggae/rasta my of lot a got I where was there In years. nine serving up ended I that. after release” “supervised six-year a with prison federal in The legal consequence – 12 years substance – 3,000 doses of acid. controlledThe sell. to intent with substance controlled a of session pos- for arrested and handcuffed then offi cers, Squad of Narcotics group a by surprised was I up todreadlocked: Ras where Danny Fallon, tells us how Oregon, he went from locked Portland, to “Higher Reasoning Reggae Time” DJ and promoter up step let’s Next night atDurangoJoe’s liftedusboth. then and it that conversation into The life.” into sinking deeper forward hook me drawing a is there like heart my in it feel I Bob’smusic to listen I When awesome! Marley’smusic know,”you times, these “Isn’tthrough continued,Bob me she lifted has reggae and weeks for surgeries from bed in been power. The unlikely reggae lover unabashedly shared, “I have have sound word, that – words and thoughts our through ity real- our manifesting of I, Selassie Haile in Christ true the of message the reggae, an of gift the for on reasoning hour-and-a-half opportunity the opening was I answered idea no I had When I “Yes,” 800. population CO, Dolores, of town Brewery’s 2005 Bob Marley Celebration Birthday in the rural River Dolores the at house packed the to referring was She

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Unknown Inmate Photographer 57 ❤ Reggae Festival Guide 2005 part of Jamaica.” I replied, “Yes, “Yes, replied, I Jamaica.” of part bad friends in the bad part of Jamaica!” The crew crew The Jamaica!” of part bad the in friends good . I met his mother and father, who is Chris Blackwell! Blackwell! Chris is who father, and mother . his I met Live album from 1977. We were listening to “Old It was spring of 1986, I was in Ivory Coast (West Africa) It was spring of 1986, I was in Ivory(West Coast This is when I knew I wanted to be on stage – I was about about was I – stage on be to wanted I knew I when is This Twang

Marcus Garvey” when my mother looked out of the window and told me with excitement: “Kush, I think Burning Spear is downstairs on the field playing football!” “This is the hardest joke possible to believe!” I replied to her. She was insisted serious, she so I finally jumped sister My off himself! Rodney Winston was, he my there and window seat to rush to the then said she thought she knew who had brought him to the neighborhood since her neighbor was a concert promoter, and arranged that I would meet with Burning Spear and the hand his shook I football. playing done were they after group and he invited me to sit next to him on a bench. My mother took a picture of the two of us. I told him as a teenage what it meant for fan me to talk with him like this. “For me it was to see Burning Spear and die.” this To he replied something I have never forgotten, “No, man, see Burning LIVE!” He asked Spear me if I could and come to the show but I knew I wouldn’t be allowed to go because it was at a huge stadium go to young too was I me. with go to anyone have didn’t I and lifelong a photo, the had I instead But said. mother my alone, memory and what was for me the very best seat! Forward to reggae star and producer Junior Reid, ago: months few a touring phone, cell a on 12 years old, from walking As school in Jamaica. I Kingston, the in there playing was band a Parade, Downtown the passed The crew thanked me, told me I did a great job and told me that that me told and job great a did I me told me, thanked crew The the in friends “had I now I have but was When such I a group! my and special extended talented that I no idea had leap that took and days four extra that stay Jamaica! to moving I’m forever! fate my change to about was it birthday 49th my for and – memories greatest my of one was It leap! the taking I’m it! for going I’m boot! to A life changing memory from Kush, lead vocalist Angel: and songwriter of Kush and Bloodfiyah where I grew up. I was 16, my mother was and very strict. I was in high school which was quite far from a single mom home, so my mother and I apartment stayed at my for sister’s BURNING the of tape a me with brought had I day. that lunch SPEAR’s a child! So the last four days of my vacation were spent filming filming spent were vacation my of days four last the So child! a English Greg, jet with my skis riding co-actors all over Negril, West Deep the in filmed We crew! Kingston the of rest the and the with boat a on private out way Beach, Mile Seven on and show Underground Rootz at the a guest I also was turtles! sea we When people. of group a beautiful what and Sands the at do they how me showed Kingstonians the filming, finished were dancing street and singing the and stylee Kingston the in things Negril the at 2005 5, August is opening The fun! much SO was Oh in Storm is Film by Festival Jamaica. the the director way, of Darlene Innes Darlene - Making the leap! - Twang (‘twang’ is a term I am in a Jamaican comedy When I got shipped from the jail in Hawaii to the main land – though I had been into reggae for a heard long of time Jah and through the music – I didn’t really know much about . So I decided it was time to start learning. I started with books about Marcus Haile Garvey, Selassie and other great black people. I reasoned with some of Rasta the bredren inside few with me, and I also got involved in the process learning this Through group. culture African-American I found my real freedom. Ironic, eh? That I should find it such in an environment? Now free, and with my release” winding “superviseddown, my mission is to forward Jah to the massive. After my release, I went right to KBOO where I now host my own weekly reggae program, the title of which is a had have music reggae and Jah that influence the of reflection in my life. I am also starting to promote live reggae and am a big supporter of evolving events Portland’s reggae scene. to livicated are – it announce don’t I if even – shows my of All my bredren and sistren who are doing time behind Babylon Next from a California reggae fan, Darlene Innes Next from a California reggae fan, Darlene Innes movie actress: unexpectedly becomes a Jamaican called used for when one wants to fit in with the gang). I was cast on while vacation in been Jamaica. there I roughly a had week my final chance to and make the jump off a 25-foot cliff at the Sands was in front of me. One of the divers, “Drawers,” (so named as a child due to his pants always falling off after diving), well, he called me a chicken – so off came the clothes the off and suit bathing my to down cliff I went – wow! What a thrill! Afterwards, on my ladies’ way room, a very to nice looking the and sharply dressed, gentleman approached Jamaican me, ask walls, in what I refer to as “Da Belly a Babylon Beast!” walls, in what I refer to as “Da Belly a itup against apiece of steel. Sometimes I’d have to use my whole bed, which was made out of steel,But I managed.as an antenna. ing where I was from. During our conversation he introduced himself as Paul, a producer, and invited me to be in a ! Twang He told Jamaican me to be movie, there in the morning. Of course accepted I and with script in hand I was off to go That study. next morning Paul said, “After talking with you we decided that because you can carry on a conversation, we are going I acting only The too! was it – part.”Yep bigger a you give to had ever done was singing “...just a spoonful of as sugar...” Reggae Festival Guide 2005 ❤ 58 utain on rmtr hi Dckr el of tells Deckker Chris promoter born Australian breaking theGuinnessBookofWorld Records AT ok h sae n wvd i du btn ih sur high, baton drum his waved and stage the took HART African Djembe. The energy was electric! The crowd broke crowd The electric! was energy The Djembe. African made drums, home middle eastern drums drums, and me, with log my trusty old drums, conga drums, samba – sizes and over and shapes all of instruments drums were There drummers. percussion dedicated 5,500 of battery a by rounded Amy Goldberg Junior Reid forwards the Junior Reidforwards Red, Gold&GreenMemories h mmn I a be wiig o arvd MICKEY – arrived for waiting been had I moment The reggae vibe up. I wasn’t afraid. What I remem got I band,sothe stylewithfree park. Anyone could jump up and Mundell the next year. singlefirstproducerformy Hugh talent,trade.releasedjustnotaI highergrade. That singing wasa realizedI wantedaItaketo toit park was whole kickin’! the In yawd and that bride...” day my be you more... someday I hope you’ll love “...never I forget song,love that sang slammin’! I was It hot! ber the most is my foot bottoms got : - - - for a concert at the Tito Puente Amphitheater. At first it was it first At Amphitheater. Puente Tito the at concert a for About a year ago we had ALPHA BLONDY here on the island have about one monthly.big event with an artist international Around Rico: theworldtoPuerto Amazing! IwillneverforgettheDrumsofPeace. pilots of their wings shaking was when they dropped bombs! dropped they when was shaking wings their of pilots from reports known other only the that discovered I research further On shaking. were plane his of wings that powerful so Guinness Book of World Records). He said that the sound was the event from the air (for verification further filming of crowd size for was who pilot the to spoke I ended, circle drum the After me. for experience healing a truly was It heart. one as beating drummers of thousands of rhythm powerful the within drum circle, this was an a ancient ritual reborn. I was immersed than more was This time! in playing actually all were we that amazed was I and grins ecstatic with bursting faces our drummed, We create! could drummers many so that power HUSSAIN and AIRTO MORIERA. I was awestruck by the sheer ZAKIR including percussionists renowned world’smost the of some by stage on joined precision, timed with participants the conducted Mickey maestro hours two For begun! had – peace to dedicated – circle drum largest world’s The my neck. on hairs the raised which rumble thunderous a into out My name is Isabelle Cleveland. Here in Puerto Rico we Rico Puerto in Here Cleveland. Isabelle is name My 59 ❤ Reggae Festival Guide 2005 - One stands out that we can call “The Most Generous given has who indeed, Rasta generous most a yes, Ahhh,

the stage could stop dancing and singing! It was by far the best reggae concert here in Puerto thereRico was and only even about thoughforty of us at the there end, was you some could sort tell of connection under the rainstars that night. and the of us to Zion, March 17, 2005, for his just rewards. of us to Zion, March 17, 2005, for his archivist has dozens of such stories: archivist has dozens Rasta.” I had visited JUSTIN HINDS at his three-story home on a hillside in Steertown, Jamaica, several times and when he finally visited my Reggae and Ethiopian Archives in latethe 1990s and saw all that I had there, he said must “Jim, come youforward to Jamaica with your archives and take over my house!” I mentally Justin, counted don’t up you have and twelve replied or “But so there with family you?” He membersslowly countedliving up and enthusiastically replied “Fourteen, but it doesn’t matter. some place else toIf They youstay. want, I’ll If stay. you want, can I’ll all find leaveappreciativekindtheoftoo!”That’s givingandperson Justin Hinds was.” il and long his after And music! reggae sweet our to much so Jim Marshall, California reggae photographer and lustrious singing career Justin Hinds has gone onwards ahead onwards gone has Hinds Justin career singing lustrious a beautiful night but as got it on went songs the a little cloudy. It didn’t because though, matter here the reggae fans are used only the to it’s as rain with dealing place reggae concerts are held and rain every it other show. will The place was packed, Alpha Blondy was worldwide. Alpha Blondy has created more Alpha Blondy has created

than one memory for reggae fans Wendy Russell Russell Wendy amazing with his trancelike sound effects and beautiful raspy though even everyone– mesmerizing French, in singing voice the of end the At saying. was he what clue no had us of most but left people the of many so and hard raining started it show let couldn’t just us of few a goodbye said Blondy Alpha when him go, we wanted more! So up to the front of the stage we went, chanting his name until he came back out and enticed us with another five songs in the pouring rain. I know for a fact many artists would not put up with this, because it has right end will show the Usually before. times many happened there – and it’s understandable with all the music equipment and the health singer’s at risk. But he was not ready to leave oron one No soaked! getting all off were we though even us Reggae Festival Guide 2005 ❤ 60 Wendy Russell this album done. In fact, so much so that he was being con being was he that so much so fact, In done. album this get help to needed was it wherever NY,– Jamaica, Miami – there was Robbie Uncle harmonica. as it know we but it, call uncle Robbie was nicknamed – played harps as the Jamaicans solo album, my Uncle Robbie, who was with working with PETER TOSH on his first living was I time the At life. my changed forever it and 1974 in reggae to exposed heavily was I earliest. my of DJ/producer Lance-O was certainly raised up right: always and respectful tous. person nice very a was Junior remember I but too. It’s been so long now, I don’t know which songs around anymore, be would he so and friends were Brown Dennis and Jamaica:He in Studio Recording Randy’s at recording when days, early those in back from Junior with tracks three or two remembers JuniorDelgado: to happennow? Skate at days our since Junior known had I wicked! sounded the but connections, bad the over hear to hard was It listen to the song. It was maybe the last one he to ever recorded. me wanted He strong. and healthy sounded Junior song. new a voicing England in studio his in him caught had Life worked Life with JuniorDelgadoinhislastdays: Jah distributor music and Producer onainl as lyr ul Flwo, also Fullwood, Fully player bass Foundational me washisversionof“IfThisWorld Was Mine.” man and the people like who were always were who ROBBIE SLYand like this people the of and man stature the realize didn’t I time, the At occasion. on sidered to be Peter’s manager. So Peter was around the house truck andthey delivered musicall over Europe.What’s going a had Junior tings. and business on day every almost talking months, few last the close really got we but Kingston, in land Red, Gold&GreenMemories Sister Carol reminisces One of my fondest memories about reggae is also one also is reggae about memories fondest my of One up backed I and producer the was Observer the Niney We had spoken just the day before his passing, when Jah Legalize It, for Columbia Records. “Yuck” – as my radio and in our musical selec musical our in and radio the on “Juks,” as known also to him in the early days: Carol remembers listening we lost Junior 2005, Delgado. Sister 11, April On uirs ht a vr da to dear very was that Junior’s of song Another artist. coming up-and- an as struggles my in (politician) “Tition” Out,” Cries as Heart such “Blackman’s “Warrior,” songs his from tion inspira gained I home. at tion We would listen to Junior, to listen would We - - - - were treated with respect and allowed to experience the medi queens The premises. the on smoking cigarette or alcohol no Strictly dancehall. with the entering on mixed up you bless (sage) would ganja umpepu of smell The night. the continue through would Oneness of greeting the So dancehall. the in present already everybody greet and side left-hand the on start Wewould headdresses. and tams their remove to have sistren must cover their dread with a scarf or cap and all kings all dancehall the entered we As version. uncut the controlled Jeff Ras knew all we but airplay African South was from banned It hear. to wanted unrest with pregnant already youth ayo cle i mr bcu utl hy unmee us outnumbered they until backup more in called The Babylon continued. session music the while them with talks into went elders The gathering. illegal an dancehall the declared has and outside is Babylon the that announcement an made bredren a night, that two about At backyard. somebody’s in needed that canvas pitched a was dancehall moves energy.The and endurance dance different off showing circles, in dance normally would brethren The idren. lustful off fending tative nature of the dancehall, rather than being on her guard on Ptr Tosh’s Peter Cape Town. of ghettos the in reggae attend to started away.and music disco from break clean a wanted youth The night Saturday the skank and laws emergency apartheid the defy would Rastafarians and comrades Many Gugulethu. in session night Saturday regular his playing be would Fighter, dancehall as a the posse. to RAS JEFF,trodded we who when was Africa known as South a in Freedom (1985) Emergency resistance inSouthAfrica,from LeoxasibGalant: of spot the as dancehall the about hear we Next along. SoletJahbePraisedandyouwillpraised. really is ‘you’ for the most part. So essentially I was right all right was I essentially So part. most the for ‘you’ is really Jah revealed, been has truth the that now But wrong. been I came Then to find out what Jah meant and praised. said to myself that I had be you let praised, be ya let Like ‘you.’ for word slang a like was Jah thought I time, the At meant. was what knowing truly not but words the knowing of that was it case, particular this In Praised). Be Jah (Let “Igziabeher” was most the out stands that song one The words. the knew I but songs word for word. I didn’t always know what I was singing the knew I much so along sang I along. singing while the over...all and over album the play would I and lyrics the had the with there small, local, private theater but Peter still stood out. I would sit starring movie Jimmy Cliff, the see to went I fact, CLIFF.In JIMMY and MARLEY BOB to listened and liked I wrong, me get Don’t around. it From that time it forward was my favorite music. I always had time. this me on had it that impact the had never it but this to prior bit little a reggae heard had I music. Peter’s presence, also attended. What stand out for me is the of memory Peter’s I that concerts several the of one doing was he when around I remember that it was a cold night during the State of State the during night cold a was it that remember I album cover and inside sleeve that sleeve inside and cover album It Legalize qa Rights Equal The Harder They Come like ten times at a lu ws h msae a message the was album - Reggae Festival Guide 2005 ❤ 62

Cary Sullivan Performer/songwriter RockyDawunirocks out: Performer/songwriter in Cape Town, freedom SouthAfrica. dancehall of birth the as out stood event single became the only separation between cop and Rastaman. That the night, “Get Up, Stand Up…”, thru while clouds screamed of ganja equipment smoke of pieces broken The run. a thing stood on top of their vehicles to experience how the dancehall night. The officer in charge kept a circle around whole the the yard. for They dancehall the at stay to had all we so sunrise, at again start would and sunset after just stops township the to transport cops, Public attack. forceful including this during injured people, where Many vehicles). unrest equipped to their Caspers, back Hippos and Gazelles (names street, for their specially- the to them drive to succeeded We kicking. light in the backyard went out and was everybody hitting and the – back them fight to started bredren the play.of to Some the continued music the to where into get to damage attempts their in house some did and speakers the in anybody. kicked at They strike to continued just and batons and whips their with in came They and steppers. dancehall dancehall the gassed the tear stormed they Then one. to three almost Here’s my favorite to add to this wonderful collection: great nightforallwhowere blessed tobepresent. wail with the excited crowd screaming in disbelief. It was a was It disbelief. in screaming crowd excited the with wail soulful a into delved then He refrain. It!” Shake it! “Shake the of response and call beautiful most the in crowd the led then my song “Wake the Town.” He played an incredible solo and on us joined and harmonica his with stage on up walked he would love to join us on stage. The whole house erupted when he that me to message a sent Stevie set, our through Halfway stage. on got BAND PROJECT REVELATION my before just music, my support and experience to there was he how and again, other each see to was it great how about pleasantries again him few see a Weexchanged America. to North in here me concert my for at honor great a was it so Ghana, country, my of city capital the Accra, in earlier months few a Stevie with concert benefit a played had I room! dressing create blessedmemoriestogether. Rocky DawuniandStevieWonder Red, Gold&GreenMemories Last August I was backstage at Reggae on the River in River the on Reggae at backstage was I August Last though the crowd to my to crowd the though walked entourage his and WONDER than STEVIE other none then and house packed the in noise loud a heard I preparing to go onstage was November.I While last California Los Angeles, in Club was at Zanzibar concert my memory during gae y raet reg greatest My - 63 ❤ Reggae Festival Guide 2005 - - Reggae MIDNITE’s MIDNITE’s tented hospitality room. We were all absorbed in involved manager Kufunya ran reasoning in and busi minute last organizing out as ness, the full room abuzz and active, when I saw the sweet side of BENJAMIN, VAUGHN the lead singer of Midnite. A young man had way talked backstage and his into the dressing room holding a large intricate, unfinished red, gold bearing painting oil green and the Rasta lion, asking anyone who would listen if he could Satélite Radio Bilingue, with its many ❤ Croix band, Midnite. band, Croix Wendy Russell, a vibrant part of the reggae industry and community and industry reggae the of part vibrant a Russell, Wendy

Vaughn Benjamin and his Vaughn forward that awesome St. Wendy Russell Wendy Gainde Ron Benjamin brother nite can – exploding forward with righteousness, awesome the in danced all we As reasonings. Rasta lyrical and crowd – all tight together in a spiritual high – a tear came to my eye in This spite is are of how all my it joy. could be. We Festival Guide, she writes for www.ReggaeReview.com plus Perspective for Wendy’s www.JahWorks.org, and has 10s, Top CD reviews and photographs in various publications whenever requested. For relaxation she enjoys her gardens and her 60 turtles and tortoises from around the world. [email protected] 559/226-9280 for many years, is a radio DJ on stations nationwide. She also is a promoter Along produce with other being festivals. Editor in and a writer for Fresno, CA and helps one here. paint during Midnite’s set with himself being RotR stage... on but the he huge was being brushed off. to Quietly Vaughn, “It’s I a said big thing to be on the he wants stage, to that’s paint why that painting on stage, people would see him and...” “It would help him?” asked, Vaughn interrupting me. “Yes, it would,” I replied. “He probably that hopes painting afterwards.” to When sell Midnite took to the stage, there was the young painter working on his canvas on stage. Midnite then graced us with mighty Jah’s music as only Mid