Negus on Jamaica

Last night Dateline, the SBS current affairs program, aired a report on police violence in Jamaica. Despite the somewhat awkward intro from George Negus, the report itself is good. Of course you can only scratch the surface in 10 to 15 minutes, and the problems of crime and violence in Jamaica are complicated. Anyow here's a link to the video
Jamaica's Killer Cops

And here is George Negus in Jamaica in 1979 for 60 Minutes. The interview with Bob Marley is hilarious.

Reggae rebels

Reggae On A School Night

Soulmaker Salute

When: Saturday, May 2nd, 2009, 8 til late
Where: 4 Talbot St, St Peters (off the Princes Highway)
Further info: ozreggae

From Senor Bambu...

In 1972 a Jamaican Rastaman named JJ Roberts arrived in Sydney with his Australian wife, Cheryl. JJ was a ‘sound man’, someone who had witnessed first hand the development of reggae in his homeland, Point Hill, St Catherine in Jamaica, and in England via the unique institution of the heavyweight sound system.

JJ Roberts yearned for the real sound system experience in his new home and by 1974 had established his own ‘set’, a genuine Jamaican sound system which he dubbed SOULMAKER . At a time when rock ruled in Australia, SOULMAKER brought a real Caribbean alternative to ears unaccustomed to anything much beyond Harry Belafonte singing ‘Day O’.

For 35 years, JJ and (in later years his sons Jono and Danny) have maintained a true Jamaican presence in Australia, keeping pace with the changes in the island’s music from its deep roots period through to the dancehall revolution that is now at the cutting edge of electronic music making.

To pay tribute to SOULMAKER’s 35 year tradition of bringing Jamaican sounds to Australian ears and acknowledge 30 years since Bob Marley’s visit here, an authentic reggae celebration has been planned.

Saturday May 2, 2009 at a warehouse venue in the inner west of Sydney, SOULMAKER will bring the finest floor-shaking cuts of Jamaican music to the music-hungry people of Sydney. With Father JJ at the helm, alongside Danny Ranks and special guests on the mic, selectors Don Jaro and D'varo, Jah Bya (Sound Revolution) and Senor Bambu (Unity Sounds), this will a history-making night of the highest order.

Salute the Jamaican pioneer! Come one, come all for a night of maximum niceness with the mighty SOULMAKER SOUND SYSTEM in session!

Lawless St 5 March 09 - Michael Rose Special

Kalli Dub - Jnr Dan (Honest Jons 10")
Ten Against One - Big Youth (Blood & Fire CD)
Conscience Version - The Revolutionaries (Hot Pot CD)
Dub Land - Ranking Dread (Silver Kamel LP)
Somebody's Baby 12" - Pat Kelly (KG Imperial 12")
Born Free 12" - Michael Rose (Blood & Fire CD)
more