|
Home
Festival
Roots
2005
Line-up
Sounds
Food and
Drink
For the
Media
Reggae
Links
Kalamazoo
Links
Directions
Reggae Scene
Reggae
Reviews
1999 Festival
2001 Festival
2002 Festival
2003 Festival
|
Island Festival
2008
FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2008
11:45-1:15 pm Gypsi Fari Duo
| Veterans of numerous Island Festival's
Vince (left) and Bobby (right) are the backbone of the award winning
Gypsi Fari band based in Chicago, IL. Always a crowd pleaser, the
Gypsi Fari duo will help set the mood for an Irie weekend! |
|
5:00 pm-6:00pm Reggae
Happy Hour with Ras Soul Jah
|
|
Ras SoulJah is a
driving force in modern day reggae music. Ras SoulJah has a fresh and
original style' this dynamic band's obvious influences of early
traditional roots and culture remain evident in their music.
The Ras SoulJah Reggae Band is based upon the ideology of
positive and uplifting consciousness that is conveyed through their
reggae music. This band plays a variety of 'roots-n-culture' and ragga
style originals, as well as, popular cover tunes.
Ras SoulJah's is a
dynamic ensemble including members that hail from California, Detroit,
Chicago and other parts of the
Midwest
. The evolution of Ras
SoulJah has spanned from the 1990s to present day. Ras
SoulJah is the creation of co-founders Timothy and La Donna Flynn. The
group began its origin with the formation of 'Tribal Culcha.' this band
specialized in a 'roots-n-culture' style. "Tribal Culcha's'
metamorphosis continued until 1999, adding lead vocalist Fada Wayne from
Kingston Jamaica, this ensemble then formed as the 'High Grade' reggae
band. In 2002, 'High Grade' disbanded and ultimately, the Ras SoulJah
reggae band was created.
|
6:30pm-7:45pm Reggae
Cowboys
The West Indies meets the Wild West! Reggae Cowboys pay
tribute to the black cowboys of the past century and the contribution
they made to cowboy culture. Combining the powerful rhythms of reggae
with country, pop and rock, Reggae Cowboys capture the hearts and souls
of audiences everywhere. Whether a reggae fan or not, EVERYONE who sees
the Cowboys becomes an instant fan.
The roundup began in late 1993 when Bird "Stone Ranger"
Bellony and Aljernon Delano "Click Masta Sync" Rabess
(childhood acquaintances from Dominica, British West Indies) joined
forces in Toronto, Canada. The Reggae Cowboys' name came from their
fascination with the role of African-Americans in settling the West in
the 1800s.
Country influences are widely pumped through the radio stations and
films in the Caribbean islands, so a lot of West Indians grew up
listening to country music. Says Bird, "My brother was a
projectionist at the local movie theatre, so I grew up watching Westerns
starring Clint Eastwood, Gary Cooper, Gabby Hayes, Audie Murphy and
Fernando Sancho."
By combining a unique and unforgettable mix of Reggae and Traditional
Country, The Reggae Cowboys evoke a euphoric feeling in all of their
audience members.
|
|
8:15pm-9:30pm Chicago
Afrobeat Project
|
|
Afrobeat cannot stand still. As the genre’s tempting
sounds continue a resurgence across the globe, Chicago Afrobeat Project
(CAbP) remains true to its original vision of breathing the intensity of
Chicago’s rich music scene into the infectious sounds of afrobeat.
Rather than become caricatures of the genre, CAbP slips a reverent nod
to the tradition while delivering an energized originality different
from any other band on the afrobeat scene today. At each of its 100+
live performances a year, the group’s frenzied songs hit audiences
with a big enough one-two punch to tirelessly knock them onto the dance
floor time and time again.
Afrobeat’s range of influences — funk, rock, jazz, afro-cuban,
high life and juju music – settle into a hypnotic, dance-compelling
pulse at the core of CAbP. The group layers a fiery originality around
this core through high-energy rock and experimental jazz. The
trance-like grooves that hold the floor in the tradition are pushed to
new borders in CAbP’s second and self-produced album, (A) Move to
Silent Unrest. In it, the group keeps true to the mix of respect to the
tradition and forward-thinking experimentation that shine through in
their live performances.
The individual players, coming from diverse backgrounds, each hold
their own as soloists that ultimately characterize the live shows.
Melodic and hard-hitting horn lines create a lyrical flow to the music,
delivered by a cutting, driven rhythm section dynamic. Complex
call-and-response percussion songs are dispersed throughout the
performances. At select shows, African dancers from Chicago’s Muntu
Dance Theatre accompany the band. Added up, the music is packaged
with original songwriting that explores the stylistic reaches of
afrobeat and a few classic covers delivered true to form.
The group currently performs across the country from coast to coast
with notable festival dates including Bele Chere Music Festvial (2005,
2006) Wakarusa Music Festival (2006), Chicago World Music Festival
(2003, 2006), Vassar College Jazz Festival (2005, 2006), Summer Camp
(2005, 2007), Chicago’s Summer Dance Series (2005, 2007), and High
Sierra Music Festival (2007).
|
10:00pm-11:30pm Rising Reggae
Star Stevie
Culture
Stevie Culture was born in
Kingston, Jamaica to Rastafarian parents in the 1970's. His Father
was a musician who plays the guitar and sings. He began his career
one night, in 1983, at a Dancehall party. Somebody handed him a
microphone, and in a moment of inspiration, he made up a brand new song,
right there on the spot. Stevie immediately realized that he loved
singing—and that he was good at it, too. Singing became his
lifelong passion, and as Stevie puts it, “Ever since I picked up the
microphone that night, that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.”
As the lead singer for The S.A.N.E. Band (Jamaica's top band during the
1990s) Stevie Culture had performed as the opening act for many Reggae
artists such as: Shaggy, Anthony B, Sizzla, Third World, UB40, Steel
Pulse, Culture, Burning Spear, The Wailers and Alton Ellis. More
impressively, Stevie has performed on stage as a backing vocalist for
many great artists like Dennis Brown, Tony Rebel, Everton Blender,
Capleton and the late, great Garnet Silk.
In addition to performing on stage, Stevie Culture is a prominent record
producer in Negril, Jamaica. His company, Soundbird Productions,
is currently producing upcoming stars like Phee Phee, Crystal Axe and
Steve Aliba.
Stevie has always carried with him a positive message. When asked what
one thing he would tell his fans, he responded in a heartbeat: “Hol' a
joy! (stay positive).” “Don’t let the problem rule your
life”, he says; “Don’t think of the problem. Think of the
solution. Just be happy about what you’re doing.”
The songs on Stevie's debut album; "Top Class" reflect this
"Hol' a Joy” philosophy. Each of the fifteen tracks
contains its own unique message. “Dat Ting Deh” is a warning about
hardcore drugs and how they ruin people’s lives. The title
track: “Top Class” is a message for women. It is a reminder that
women can be “independent and do what they want” without apology.
"Conscious Lyrics" is about keeping a positive message in
Reggae Music. "Link Up" is an appeal to every nation to
put aside their differences and just dance to Reggae Music.
|
|
12:00pm-1:30am Mystic
Rebel - A Tribute to Bob Marley and the Wailers
|
Mystic Rebel has been tearing
up the East Coast with a burnin’ Reggae show that has kept them on the
lips of thousands of music fans and top promoters for the last three
years. As one of the more successful bands touring the Eastern Seaboard,
the band were voted top ten "Best of the Fest" by Bethlehem
Musikfest 2006, along with recent appearances at the Vermont Roots
Reggae Festival, Pete Seeger’s Clearwater Festival , Kalamazoo Island
Festival, Ithaca NY’s Musefest and the Ski Woodbury Reggae Fest, where
they joined onstage by legendary Wailer guitarist Junior Marvin. The
group has recently appeared at top venues like BB King’s NYC, World
Cafe Live Phila, Woodstock’s Bearsville Theater, and House of Blues
AC-----------------
"The best band we’ve
had..." said Red Door in Stratton VT, while Woodstock Times called
them "...a smokin Reggae band." Said Merge digital online
reviewer Judianne Triglia, "the vocals were dead on...the perfect
combination of mellow and funky...the crowd loved them."
-----------
Since it’s inception in 2002, the group has appeared with a
mountain of artists like Pato Banton, Giant Panda Geurilla Dub Squad,
Fully Fullwood band, John Brown’s Body, Jah Works, Cowboy Junkies,
Entrain, Eric Johnson, Bruce Cockburn, Ihi Yahn Ihi Arkestra, Natty
Rebel, Jah Menelek, the Itals, the Meditations, Jah Cutta, High Roots,
See Peoples, Thousands of One, Freddie Jackson, Spiritual Rez, Mystic
Roots to name a few. --------
|
SATURDAY JUNE 21, 2008
12:00-1:30pm Mystic
Dub
| Mystic Dub is currently touring the Midwest region n lovin
d crowds. We wanna see MORE of you Roots Rock/Dancehall/Soca Reggae-lovin
people out there, too! We bring originals in all d above stylee as well
as covers by Bob Marley and the Wailers, Greggory Isaacs, Sister Carol,
Marcia Aitken/Sasha, and more! We are a four piece including d following
musicians: Hard-hittin’ Drummy- John Juan Carlos, Soul
Writer/Singer/Keyboardist-Reaiah RIME True, Uke/Sax/Melodica player,
brother Mickey Mackenzie and John Bassie Stawarz returning to bass (he
was Mystic Dub’s bassist back in 05)! |
|
2:00pm-3:30pm Family Groove Workshop by Dunuya
Drum and Dance
|
Dunuya Drum and Dance is a global drumming collective
presenting music of (West) Africa and the Diaspora (including Cuba, the
Caribbean, North Africa, and Brazil). The fundamental mission of the
group is to manifest spirit in community through sacred public
performance. Our goal is to create an environment of healing and
celebration for people from vast socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and
age demographics. Furthermore, the fundamental guiding principle of the
group is that art should be accessible, affordable, and available to
everyone. We strive to work with agencies and venues that share in this
vision.
A central attribute of our shows is the opportunity for audience
interaction, be it through singing, dancing, or playing instruments
right along with us. As such, our shows reach audience members of all
ages, and make for a rare opportunity for families and community to come
together. |
4:00pm - 5:30pm Ann
Arbor Dub Project
| The Ann Arbor Dub Project started in October of 2004 as a
studio project. What was in mind was to collaborate enthusiasts of
Jamaican music (mainly reggae) from Michigan into a cd. What happened
though was that a band was formed around Nate, Sunny and after our first
show Chip. Chip turned out to be the real backbone of the Dub Project
with his ultra talented songwriting skills and super versatile drumming
abilities. Also as much as the Dub Project is an audio project its just
as much a visual project. Sunnys Dub Posters express the spiritual
(sometimes renegade religious), political, social and environmental
concerns of the band and Chips lyrics. A lot of the time our good friend
Joe can be seen in front of the stage painting to the music on his
canvas and easel. Chip and Sunny have lived off the grid in the forest
on private land west of town since April of 07’ which has been
inspiring to say the least. They currently are spending the winter in a
wood stove heated tree house. Nate our bass player aka DJ Ornate is a
stunning reggae selecta, hip hop dj and has an amazing collection of
funk, soul and Motown records. We have collaborated with many local,
national and international reggae enthusiasts. Come check us out...
WE’RE UNIQUE!!! |
|
6:00pm-7:30pm Spiritual
Rez
|
SPIRITUAL REZ is a 7-piece reggae horn funk dance party
that has been tirelessly touring the country while commanding an
extremely unique and high energy sound. Since 2003, the band has shared
the stage with internationally touring acts such as Culture, Gregory
Isaacs, Jimmy Buffett, Israel Vibration, Buju Banton and Jamaican
Legends The Skatalites. They have also been lucky enough to play shows
featuring Bernie Worrell (founding Parliamant Funkadelic member and keys
for the Talking Heads) ..boards. Their EP, RISING IN THE EAST was
released independently in 2006 and the band plans a live album in the
summer. |
8:00pm-9:30pm Kokolo
Afrobeat Orchestra
|
"Yeah, we've got our own thing", states
matter-of-factly Ray Lugo, leader of New York City powerhouse KOKOLO.
Based on the spiky and hyper-funky grooves found in the group's latest
album, Love
International, it would be difficult to argue with the man. Few
groups in today's global Afro scene generate as much attention and
excitement as they do debate and criticism as KOKOLO.
"It's the result of going against conditioned expectations",
expands Lugo. "People are used to expecting the familiar, but I'm
just doing my thing in my time. This is music that comes from my heart,
humble music for the whole world." KOKOLO's
ever-growing international appeal (to date, the band has performed in
over 20 countries) appears to lend weight to Lugo's words.
A former punk rocker who grew disenchanted with the
promise held by that genre, Lugo formed KOKOLO in 2001
in the Big Apple’s Chinatown district. He took the name from Spanish
Harlem slang used to refer to devout fans of afro music. From the
outset, he sought to carve a path of his own. “There may be better
afrobeat, funk, latin or polka groups around…but we were going to be
the best KOKOLO in the world.” Within weeks of the
group’s formation, they recorded their urgent Fuss
and Fight debut at Gabe Roth’s Daptone Studios. Soon after
the album’s release in 2002, the band found themselves playing to
receptive audiences both at home and abroad.
KOKOLO's reputation for mounting an
explosive live show is the reason they continue to rack up frequent
flyer miles year after year. "Each musician brings an important
element...everyone just comes as they are". "Our bassist loves
his reggae, the tenor saxophonist is a Jazz and Country music head, our
congero is Mr. Salsa personified, our trombonist loves his Zappa, the
trumpeter is on the experimental side of the dial, the lead guitarrist
lives for Hip Hop and lately, I've been getting into lots of classical
music, actually", says Lugo, "These guys have a lot of
soul...and together, this mix, this authenticity...makes KOKOLO
unique onstage."
|
France - 2007 |
10:00pm-11:30pm Reggae Legends The
Meditations
|
