Ras
Michael is a unique figure amongst world class and internationally commercially
popular reggae artists. His music is based on roots rhythms, African drum
and bass and is referred to as the Nyabinghi sound.
Imagine
going way up into the hills, miles from the nearest civilized townships
in Jamaica, and confronting percussionists sitting in a large circle and
playing their different hand built style drums for hours on end and chanting
to African rhythms centuries old. Often, these hypnotic ceremonies go
on for several days and nights at a time without stopping, new drummers
filling in when a drummer falls out from fatigue.
Ras
Michael's special style bordering on religious frenzy, occultism, voodoo,
black magic and mysticism is related to the energy of drum and bass, which
frequently causes the dancers to achieve states of exaltation and go into
ritualistic convulsions.
Ras
Michael, since the early '60's, has released over twenty records on Shananchie,
VP, SST, Trojan and Live & Learn. Perhaps the most sought after and
difficult for the collector to find is "Rastafari Dub", which was first
released in 1972 as a private white label LP pressing in a limited edition,
timed to coincide with the release of the full "Rastafari".
"Rastafari
Dub" has found popularity with the same audience that gives props to Lee
"Scratch" Perry, Niney the Observer, Mikey Dread, Yellowman, Linton Kwesi
Johnson, Burning Spear and the Bad Brains.
In
addition to the Sons of Negus Rastafari percussionists, this CD features
Peter Tosh, Tommy McCook, Robbie Shakespeare, Geoffrey Chung and Earl
"Chinna" Smith.
"A
balm for the psyche." -- Puncture
"An
excellent collection of material." -- Guinness Who's Who of Reggae
"At
long last the 1972 dub version of the classic Rastafari LP with lots of
Nyabinghi drums and Peter Tosh on 'wah wah' guitar. Deep roots indeed."
-- The Reggae Beat
"It's
sexy, skanky and earthier than more modern dub. It will move you, soothe
you and titillate you - gently massaging." -- Amy Watchel, CMJ Reggae
Routes
"Be
prepared for some heavy dub style reggae that evokes history." -- Alternative
Press
"Every
groove of this exceptional cassette has been etched into my soul." --
J. Poet, Propaganda
"Excellent
dub set. Uncompromisingly Rasta, committed and powerful." -- Steve Barrow,
World Beat
"ROIR
now unearths another amazingly obscure oldie. Slinky, old style funk -
laid back hypnotic spaciness." -- John Strausbaugh, City Paper
"Prime
material." -- Jared Rutter, Player
"It
teases with an almost sexual tension. The organic rhythms of the burra
drums anchor the dub groove where it belongs." -- Elena Oumano from the
liner notes
