Island Festival 2004, June 18-19 Kalamazoo, MI

Island Festival 2001 Line-up

Friday June 15, 2001

11:00 am Festival begins Vendors will be serving foods characteristic of the Caribbean and will have arts and crafts for sale. Sample special Caribbean cocktails from Bacardi, enjoy an ice cold Red Stripe or Island Ale!

5:00 pm Roots Stems and Branches Together since 1983, Roots Stems and Branches has released ten albums. Hailing from the Island of Dominica, their music is a blend of African/Caribbean rhythms with Soca, Zouk, Cadence, and Reggae vibrations. Bring your dancing shoes as Roots Stems and Branches is guaranteed to get you moving!

Visit RSB on the Web

7:00pm New Flavor

New Flavor is a combination of R&B/Ragga Styles of Reggae Music. Founded by Trackmaster T(R&B Flavor) from Chicago and DJ Ruff(Ragga Style) from Hawaii, this combination provides a new hybrid of high energy island style dance reggae music. With their combination of sweet R&B vocals and Ragga style rapping, you won't be disappointed. The energy will keep your head bobbing and feet moving. Come feel the vibe and taste the New Flavor!!!

Visit New Flavor on the web

9:30pm Indika

The band is proud to back two award winning vocalists, giving their audience a full spectrum of Reggae flavor in the style of Jamaica's Reggae Sunsplash Festival.

First is Doggie Ranks, Indika's D.J. and Chicago's top D.J. artist, who gives a powerful Dancehall show every time. Chicago's top male vocalist, Kelly Rankin is Indika's special guest, singing Studio One favorites and Sweet Lover's Rock as well as his own original songs.

The Indika Reggae Band itself has won several music awards in the Windy City. In addition to their own high energy shows, they have also been honored to back international Reggae artists such as Dennis Brown, Frankie Paul, Sugar Minott and U Roy.

The Members of Indika developed their talents on the island of Jamaica, giving them an authentic sound. They perform old Reggae favorites with new life, and add to the Reggae world with new original songs. You can hear them weekly performing as the house band on the Jenny Jones television show. Recently they were invited to perform at the Apollo Theatre in New York.

Visit Indika on the web

Doggie Ranks

Rasta Kelly

Special Guest Michael Black from Kingston Jamaica

In the mid 1970's Michael and his family moved to Kingston, Jamaica. He started hanging out in local record stores and performing with their sound systems. Michael has won numerous awards from the Martian Inter-Culture Music Awards, including Best Male Vocalist, Best Showmanship, and CD of the year. Michael has toured the world performing in Japan, South America, England, Germany, Mexico, and Barbados. Michael will join the Indika Reggae Band for this special appearance!

12:00 Midnight All Star Tribute to Bob Marley

Although is has been 20 years since his passing, Bob Marley remains the driving force in Reggae music. This past year Time Magazine recognized Bob's "Exodus" album as The Best Album of the Century, and Bob as one of the Top 25 Entertainers who influenced music in the 2oth Century. Bob was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. Join us for this special tribute to the life and music of Bob Marley Featuring:

Alexander Washington (Jah Kings)

Rasta Kelly (Indika)

Doggie Ranks (Indika)

Sister Myra (Yoroka)

Nathan Ndjiharine (Yoroka)

Michael Black

All backed by the award winning Indika Reggae Band!

Saturday June 16, 2001

2:00pm Family Groove Workshop (Back by popular demand!)

Bring the whole family for this interactive and fun learning experience.

The Jah Kings Reggae Band, Lead by Alexander Washington, in involved in a grass roots movement to combat the negativity that is plaguing our school and communities. Alexander speaks about his experiences as a former gang member and world class athlete. The performance captures the attention of the audience as he speaks and uses music to entertain and convey his message. Past youth performances include Kalamazoo County Juvenile home, Allegan County Juvenile Home, Lawton Jr. and Sr. High Schools, L.C. Mohr High School (South Haven), Bloomingdale Elementary, Watervelite High School, Loy Norrix High School, Benton Harbor Middle School, and Huss Academy (Three Rivers). The Jah Kings will be leaving for a tour in South Africa the day after Island Festival, and will be making numerous school appearances overseas.

4:00 pm New Flavor

6:00 pm Roots Stems and Branches Together since 1983, Roots Stems and Branches has released ten albums. Hailing from the Island of Dominica, their music is a blend of African/Caribbean rhythms with Soca, Zouk, Cadence, and Reggae vibrations. Bring your dancing shoes as Roots Stems and Branches is guaranteed to get you moving!

Visit RSB on the web

8:00pm Dub Dis

Dub Dis

Visit Dub Dis on the web

Kalamazoo Reggae fans will remember lead singer Devon Brown (Formerly of Indika). Al (Bass) and Clive (Keys) formerly with Tony Bell and Kutchie.

Reggae is not just a music, it is a philosophy, with a message handed out to a danceable beat. In the current musical landscape, Dub Dis delivers a message of the love of humankind.

What makes Dub Dis unique is their rich tapestry of creative expression that draws its inspiration from Jamaica's diverse ethnic influences. Featuring a blend of reggae, ska, calypso, mento, and soca, Dub Dis encompasses a fresh sound that is artistically entertaining.

Dub Dis has done extensive work as a touring crew. Currently, they are the backup band for international reggae star Bunny Rugs of Third World, as he promotes his solo album. Other appearances include performing with Giant recording label r&b artist Christoper Williams and reggae acts Born Jamericans, Max-a-Million, Shinehead, Frankie Paul, Big Youth, Junior Reed, Everton Blender, Sugar Minott, Half-Pint, and Tony Bell and Kutchie.

10:00pm Tippa Irie (International Superstar)

International reggae superstar and the U.K.'s top MC, Tippa Irie is blowing up with the year's hottest album, "I Miss" on the Resin Music label (Hermosa Beach, CA). Combining dancehall, roots and hip hop, Tippa has completed a deeply personal, emotionally charged tribute to his sister, who was killed tragically in England by gun violence. "I Miss" is a powerful collection of 15 new tracks with a strong anti-violence message. Other themes include the value of love, the merits of herb, and heartfelt tributes to his late father and the great Bob Marley. Showcasing rapid-fire conscious lyrics over hardcore beats and riddims, Tippa a sure bet to become THE reggae star of 2001.

Tippa's reputation as a live performer has been built through extensive worldwide touring with England's top reggae artists including UB40, Maxi Priest and Pato Banton. Currently on tour in the U.S. with the Long Beach Dub All Stars, Rappa Robert, and Slightly Stoopid, Tippa is thrilling crowds with his unique chat-rap style and charismatic presence. In addition to his legendary status in the reggae scene, Tippa has crossed over and built a strong Alternative audience through touring with the L.B.D.A.S. on the 2000 Vans Warped Tour, and being featured on their debut CD "Right Back" (Dreamworks Records). Tippa has also built quite a reputation in the hip hop scene, via guest appearances with Jurassic 5 and other top rap artists. With the musically diverse "I Miss," Tippa continues his mission to reach and teach.

Tippa Irie

Visit Tippa Irie on the web

12:00 Midnight The Jah Kings (Their last show before a South African tour)

Jah Kings at Island Festival 2000

Jah Kings, Love CD Cover

Greetings in the name of
Love, Wisdom, and Power! The Jah Kings' family welcomes you. Our message of Love, Peace, Unity and Oneness has been heard now for ten years! It has been heard throughout the United States and has been well received. We have found that conscious music and spiritual thought is what the World needs. Wherever we've performed, we're always blessed by people from all walks of Life and from different denominations. We have been celebrating diversity on the Tours of life. For all of the people we have met, we have tried to be a unifying link to the all powerful force of Love.

Visit Jah Kings on the web

Please join us for Island Festival 2001!