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Place :
Date :
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Rohan Lee & The Recipe
Backstage ~ Maastricht ~ The Netherlands.
26 May 2000
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Let's go back to Friday 26th May
2000, when "Backstage", situated in Maastricht, The
Netherlands, was the place to be for an evening of conscious
roots reggae music. On stage singer/songwriter, and true
rastaman, Rohan Lee from Kingston, Jamaica, and his Dutch
backing band The Recipe, who came to do their first out of
approximately 10 shows, which would take them through Belgium
and The Netherlands, also including performances at such great
and well known festivals like "Open Tropen,
Turnhout" and "Mundial, Tilburg". And, of
course, this gig was also the presentation of their acclaimed
debut album "For The Poor", released by
Maastricht-based reggae label RUNN Records International. |
|
| The humble and
sympathetic Rohan Lee is into music business from the early
eighties. His father was a Christian, who happened to play
guitar in church, so the link to music was there from the
beginning. Rohan Lee was - in his own words - an ordinary
youth. He smoked the chalice, went to yard, throw a bassline,
and the feeling was nice. However, the vibes encouraged him
and Rohan started to write a song - "Jah Jah You All I
Need". It was this song he sung when he was a yard, so
people that came along could hear it. They really liked it,
and started singing it too. Then Rohan Lee got linked up with
the legendary Johnny "Dizzy" Moore, who learned him
a lot. "Dizzy" was his teacher and very important
for his musical development. |
| Then came the
period with renown Earl 'Chinna' Smith's "High Times".
In 1983/84 - meanwhile playing with a band - he recorded
"Sounds Of Rainbow" at Channel One & Aquarius
Studio, which was followed by "Strugglin' In The Ghetto"
in 1990. The band mashed up in 1995 and multi-instrumentalist
Rohan Lee started to work as a studio musician at Joe Gibbs'
studio, where he got involved in recordings with such renown
Jamaican artists like Alton Ellis, Gregory Isaacs and the
sorely missed Dennis Brown. Furthermore he took time to do a
programme at school for education, Bozra. In the Spring of
1998 Rohan Lee came to Europe to do some live gigs with the
Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari. Through Mystic Revelation's
manager he linked up with the Belgian journalist and reggae
fan Karel Michiels, who took him to Brussels, where he did
some acoustic club gigs. At the "Reggae Geel 1998"
festival, he concluded the afternoon programme, with a couple
of Dutch reggae musicians, who used to be part of a roots band
called The Vibe, witnessing Rohan's performance. They were
truly impressed by Rohan's delivery, got a cassette with his
music, and started rehearsing. |
 |
Back in Jamaica
Rohan Lee got a tape with the band's music on it. He not only
liked the sound very much (a kind of wailing sound), but also
the fact that this band really did sound like THE band,
convinced him to work together. In 1999 Rohan Lee returned to
Europe, and did his first performance with the band - now
called The Recipe - at the keyboard player's wedding. They
started to do more shows to improve, and in a short space of
time they got everything together, including the recording of
an album at Groove Studios in Belgium. Not a specific
reggae-minded studio, but the vibes were truly right. Rohan
Lee & The Recipe is like a family. They discuss and talk
about a lot of things. |
| Talking about
Reggae and Dancehall music in general, Rohan Lee states that
he himself feels most associated with big reggae artists from
long time such as the "King" Bob Marley, Peter Tosh,
Twinkle Brothers and Israel Vibration. He has nothing with the
Dancehall music, which - from his point of view - brings a low
immoral level to the (Jamaican) nation. There's a big
hypocrisy in the Dancehall scene, and, what's more, it's all
about the money. Although he has done several recordings in
Jamaica, Rohan actually never got the chance to present his
own, strongly roots oriented reggae music to a wide audience.
However, things and times have changed, regarding the well
received "For The Poor" album and already having
done a respectable amount of shows in Europe since 1998. |
 |
| Then, where we
all came for....the show!! After a fine instrumental opener by
The Recipe, Rohan Lee - dressed in a white robe - took the
stage and kicked off with the first track of the album, the
suitable "Are You Ready?". After this well executed
first song, Rohan Lee & The Recipe treated the
approximately 150 reggae fans to a very enjoyable and
entertaining live performance of the "For The Poor"
album. |
 |
Rohan Lee's stage presentation was energetic and The Recipe -
in good shape and truly a tight playing band - provided the
right backing for the singer. Regarding their efforts on CD,
it was striking to witness the singer and band even sound
better when they perform their tunes "live". Songs
like for example "Wolf", "No Ratings",
"For The Poor", "Still Improve" and the
single "Boogie Yagga System" belonged to the best of
the entire show, but also the other deliveries made a decent
impression and were well received by the audience. |
 |
| The only
disadvantage was the fact that the crew behind the board
wasn't familiar with the mixing of a "live" reggae
sound. Sometimes the sound of the bass lacked the correct
level, which was especially frustrating for the listeners at
the back of the venue, and the instrumental parts that
screamed for a heavy dub echoe didn't get what they required.
Despite these critical notes it definitely was a thoroughly
enjoyable, positive reggae show. |
Concert
report by Teacher & Mr. T - Photos by Teacher : All Rights
Reserved. © 2000 Reggae Vibes Productions NL
All
Rights Reserved. © 1998 - 2002 RUNN RECORDS INTERNATIONAL
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Place
Date
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Concert
report
Axx of Jahpostles & Anthony B.
Backstage ~ Maastricht ~ The Netherlands.
01 - 08 - 1997
|
Reggae fans in Maastricht and
environs experience a wonderful summer of 1997. Within one
month great reggae acts such as Revolutionary Dub Warriors,
Prezident Brown with Panache Culture, Axx of Jahpostles and
Anthony B. were in the area to do a show.
It was the first time ever Axx of Jahpostles came to Europe to
do some gigs. Before they were going to play in front of a
large crowd at the annual Geel Reggae Festival in Belgium and
the Essential Weekender festival in London they came to
Maastricht (hometown of their recordcompany RUNN Records) to
do a little show in order to present their outstanding
debutalbum "Give thanks and praise". Selectors King
Whitey and Chipie of RUNN Sound played some wicked tunes
before Axx of Jahpostles started the show at 11.30 p.m. |
 |
 |
In a delightful
set of approximately 40 minutes they gave an excellent
performance in which they fully showcased their talent and
skills. The music was tight, the harmonies right as they
presented tunes like "Ghettos end", "All kinda
fight", "Man with the hammer", and "Babylon
glass house". Jamaican dj Franco joined the band in one
song and the crowd loved it ! Axx of Jahpostles closed the
show with "We a nuh loafter", "True lover"
and "Give thanks and praise". |
| After a short
break Axx of Jahpostles surprised everyone with an unannounced
appearance of Anthony B. This young cultural singjay showed
the crowd in a set nearly 35 minutes long why he's making a
lot of noise in the reggae community for his conscious lyrics
and energetic presentation. |
 |
| The set he
worked was short, but long enough to show the people in the
audience he has the tunes, the dance moves, the stage show and
the talent to make him a star. Songs like "So much things",
"Cold feet", "Raid di barn", "One
thing", "Mr. Marley", "Watch what you eat"
and "Fire pon Rome" were delivered in a very
powerful and impressive style. He also did a new tune, called
"Waan back", using the classic Gregory Isaacs' 'Night
Nurse' riddim...wicked !
|
 |
 |
After
the sizzling pereformances of Both Anthony B. and Axx of
Jahpostles Runn Sound took over the stage and started playing
some serious selections which kept the crowd dancing for the
rest of the night.
This splendid performance from both Axx of Jahpostles and
Anthony B. made the sun shine bright, although it was night
and raining outside ! |
 |
During his stay in The Netherlands Anthony B. voiced some
specials at the RUNN studios for the RUNN Sound Soundsystem. |
 |
| All
Rights Reserved. © 1998 Reggae Vibes
Productions |
|
Title
Place
Date
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Concert
report
Macka B, Chukki Star & The Robotiks
Backstage ~ Maastricht ~ The Netherlands.
26 - 06 - 1998
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Macka B's one
and only Dutch concert of his current tour was held in
Backstage, the place to be if you love reggae music, situated
deep in the south of the Netherlands. It was certainly worth
the 100 miles to Maastricht and (late at night) another 100
back home.
As soon as the Robotiks band started playing and the unique
and immediately recognizable mixing style of the Mad Professor
was poured all over the audience, all felt the roots of reggae
music, the power of drum and bass.
You either love or hate the Ariwa posse's riddims, and Neil
Fraser's mixing style, but if you love it, it is great to hear
some live dubs flinging around you and through your ears in
your head, played by this tight live-outfit.
|
Eddie
Brown, bassplayer |
| Talented Chukki
Starr did a few songs of his current Ariwa release Ghetto
Youth Livity and riding the riddims with his powerful
voice (which reminds as much of Capleton live, as it does on
his Ariwa set) he seems to be able to become a great
performer, if he adds some more 'audience awareness' to his
live shows. |
|
|
 |
After that the
man from Wolverhampton Macka B took the stage. The tall Macka
B, with his gruff voice and style of delivery that match the
Mad Professor's riddims so well, performed his inimitable
witty lyrics in his unique way. He even deejayed a few phrases
in French during his tribute to the Reggae Boyz, who won their
match against Japan earlier that evening, Allez Reggae Boyz.
Performing mainly songs from his later albums on Ariwa
records, like his tribute to Bob Marley from Hold On To
Your Culture simply titled Bob, and the in Holland
in itself unnecessary Legalize The Herb (but the
audience sang along for all abroad who are less lucky). He did
a strong rendition of his song about BSE Mad Cow and
described the vibes at Backstage during this concert very well
with Roots Is In Town, both from his latest album Suspicious.
The audience also participated in his anti racist song (Racist)
Back Off, and all the other selections were as well
received. |
| It seemed
unfortunate that the roof at Backstage isn't really high,
especially for a tall man like Macka B, which kept Macka B a
little more static on stage, but his vocal performance more
than made up for that. I can only recommend everyone able to
catch a Macka B performance this tour to do so, he is one of
those artists whose live shows add something extra to what you
already heard at home. |
|
| After
the concert we were able to talk to both artists. First we met
Anthony Williams, better known as Chukki Starr. He started out
as a deejay for the Echo Stones soundsystem in the Stone Ridge
Community. After joining his family in Jamaica he voiced some
specials in Jamaica. |
| In 1993/1994 he
returned to the UK, teamed up with Gussie P. of "Fashion
Records" and began working for the Evilous sound system.
Back in Jamaica he recorded a couple of tunes for Bobby
Digital and African Star and voiced lots of specials for
several Jamaican sounds. From that time on he built up a
special relationship with Bobby as well as African Star. For
Saxon he recorded Unity, a combination track alongside
Frankie Paul. The latest Saxon sampler (Volume 5) contains two
of his tracks: Mark A De Beast and Yout Dem Anthem.
At this moment he's working on an album for Saxon records and
a combination track with Nerious Joseph. He's quite happy with
the album he recorded for the Mad Professor, Ghetto Youth
Livity. Lyrically he always concentrates on conscious
themes. |
 |
| Born
Christopher MacFarlane, Macka B. began his career in 1975 with
the Exodus soundsystem in his native city Wolverhampton. |
| After the sound
broke up he got involved with the Birmingham based sound
Wassifa hi-fi. A tape of a dance was going round and his fame
spread to London where he recorded the fast chatting single Bible
Reader in 1985 for Fashion records. The following year
Ariwa released his impressive debut set Sign Of The Times.
Since then his output for Ariwa has been prolific and he has
also recorded some tunes in Jamaica. He tries to combine
humour and consciousness in his lyrics and gets his
inspiration from Jah. Because he feels that people need
something to relate to he keeps away from slack lyrics.
Although tonight he did not perform for a long time on stage,
he's looks back satisfied on the concert. The crowd reacted
enthusiatically, giving him the right vibes : "It's
important there is a positive interaction between me and the
audience". |
 |
| Text : Souljah
and Teacher & Mr. T. ~ Pictures : Teacher |
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Title
Place
Date
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Concert
report
Vivian Jones, Supa Ranking & Benjie.
Backstage ~ Maastricht ~ The Netherlands.
30 - 01 - 1998
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|
|
Dutch
winters usually are cold, wet and windy, so we really were
in need of some 'tropical heat' that night. As we entered
'Backstage' the Runn Sound soundsystem was already warming
up the audience at Backstage with a trailer-load of
handpicked digital riddims from the '80s and '90s and the
crowd just loved it. At the time deejay Supa Ranking (left)
and vocalist Benjie (right) from Amsterdam started
toasting and singing over the tunes played by Runn Sound
selecta's King Whitey and Puppa Chipie, the dancefloor was
filled with a skanking crowd.
|
|
|
Then
Vivian Jones came on stage kicking off with a lovers tune
across the 'Spinning the wheel' riddim, one of the latest
riddims created by Barry O'Hare. What followed was a fine
performance, filled with his latest hits and some vintage
tunes. 'Build Up Africa', 'Strong Love', his breathtaking
rendition of Bob Andy's 'Unchained' and an acappella version
of 'Trench Town Rock' were some of the highlights of his show.
|
|
|
| Talking
about his career Vivian Jones told us he started singing in
1977 "just for fun, because I wanted to be a professional
soccer player. Unfortunately I got injured and focussed on
singing". His first UK #1 was on the Third World label,
called 'Good Morning'. "I used to listen to all the great
reggae singers : Bob, Peter, Bunny, Dennis Brown, Gregory
Isaacs and Delroy Wilson. My spiritual teachers were the
mighty Wailers". In 1984 he recorded his first album
"with my brethren Ruff Cut, who build his studio to
record the album 'Bank Robbery'."He has recorded in
Jamaica for Barry O'Hare, Bobby 'Digital' Dixon and Junior
Reid. "For the near future I'm planning on an album for
various Jamaican producers." |
 |
| When
asked about his opinion on the returning of conciousness in
reggae music, especially dancehall music he replied : "Roots
and culture has never been away, it was always there, even
when there was a hype around artists who focussed on 'slackness
and gun talk'. However, it's great to see that the roots and
culture has taken over, 'cause there can be no good music
without roots !" |
Vivian
Jones loves to perform, rather than working in the studio.
"It's great to see the crowd enjoying the show, dancing
and singing along." His album for Jet Star (Vivian Jones
Reggae Max) was entirely compiled by himself and contains
mostly self-produced material. "I've produced my latest
album 'Moment
of magic' and issued it on my own Imperial House
label." Just like other small and independent reggae
labels he experiences the same problems when it comes to
distribution, a main problem in the reggae business.
After our little chat with Vivian Jones he went on stage once
again and gave the public what they wanted... more Vivian
Jones !
Vivian Jones
34 Cecil Rd Croydon Surrey
CRO 3 BG Great Brittain
tel : 0181 251 8636
Teacher & Mr. T.
|
 |
| All
Rights Reserved. © 1998 Reggae Vibes
Productions |
Title
Place
Date
|
Concert
report
Prezident Brown & Panache Culture, featuring Mighty
Mike.
Backstage ~ Maastricht ~ The Netherlands.
11 - 07 - 1997
|
| After a powerful
and impressive performance at the annual "Open Tropen
Festival 1997" in Belgium, where he left the crowd
begging for more, followed by two other successful shows, it
was time for Maastricht to welcome Prezident Brown, the
cultural deejay from Ocho Rios.
Panache Culture
(presenting their new line-up) started showtime with a solid
set of four new songs from their forthcoming album and a
medley of tunes, covering the best from their first two
albums.
At 11:30 p.m.
Prezident Brown took the stage and showed the crowd in a set
nearly 60 minutes long why he is cited as one of the most
up-and-coming performers. Well-known songs like "Heathen
Chant", "Prezident Selection", "Bun Down
Rome", "False Pretender", "Roots In The
Music", "Rough Road" as well as the brand new
tunes "In This Life", "Brain Food", "Audition"
and "Paper Roses" were delivered in a great,
energetic style. Some of the tunes got an exciting "rub a
dub" treatment with the real wicked "Talking
Drums" as one of the highpoints. Not to be overlooked is
the flawless backing provided by Panache Culture (throughout
the years without doubt grown to a high quality level, not in
the last place due to their cooperation with producer Barry
O'Hare and Jamaican artists like Mikey Spice, Daweh Congo,
Prezident Brown, Natty Remo and Nardo Ranks).
After one
encore Prezident Brown left the stage and mixmaster Mighty
Mike, from Irie-FM Jamaica, took over in order to keep the
crowd moving on the latest and hottest Jamaican tunes
including his wicked dubplate specials. After a while
Prezident Brown, Barry O'Hare and members of Panache Culture
even joined the dancing crowd. This was definitely an evening
of thorough satisfaction.
Teacher & Mr. T.
|
|
All
Rights Reserved. © 1998 Reggae
Vibes Productions
|
Title
Place
Date
|
Concert
report
Jah Batta, Mystic Don, Youthman Promotion & Jah Sound
International
Backstage ~ Maastricht ~ The Netherlands.
05 - 03 - 1998
|
 |
Ragga
Steve |
| Backstage
in Maastricht is steadily becoming one of the hottest places
in The Netherlands for all Dutch, Belgium and German reggae
fans. Within a few months fine reggae acts such as Vivian
Jones, Anthony B., Prezident Brown, Axx of Jahpostles and
Panache Culture delivered a bunch of exciting shows. |
| This night Jah
Batta and Sugar Minott were scheduled to do a show. Due to
personal circumstances the Sugar Minott gig was canceled, but
The Youthman Promotion soundsystem we're there and so was Jah
Sound International, with selecta Glamma Willy who warmed up
the audience in fine style, followed by Youthman Promotion's
Ragga Steve. Ragga Steve pleased the audience with his
selection of dubplates, hot new 7" singles and some
classic reggae tunes. The crowd responded with enthousiasm and
soon the dancefloor was filled with people dancing and
skanking. |
Glamma Willy & Ragga
Steve |
| Jah Batta came
on stage and did a wicked selection from his latest album 'Earth
Crisis' : 'Moving too fast', 'Bad lamp' and 'Earth crisis'
were followed by solid interpretations of 'No hard drugs', 'Jah
light shining bright' and 'Roots do the work'. As a surprise
dj Mystic Don joined hime on stage and together they gave the
crowd "worries and trouble inna de dance" ! When Jah
Batta ended his performance Youthman Promotion and Jah Sound
International took over and kept the audience dancing for a
long time. |
|
Jah Batta
|
| After his
performance we were able to talk to Jah Batta. Born Antoney
O'Meally (St. Catherine, Jamaica), he emigrated to the USA in
1973. Ten years later he teamed up with Brooklyn based
producer Lloyd Barnes aka "Bullwackie" for whom he
recorded a dj album called 'Argument'. After his stay at
Wackie's he did some recording for his nephew's label 'Hammer'.
From that time on he started working on what is now known as
his 'Earth Crisis' album. He opposes to slackness, and "will
always stick to roots music". The single 'Moving too fast'
did very well, just as 'Earth crisis', the title track of his
album. He felt very happy with the musicans who played on 'Earth
Crisis' : Ricky Myrie, Laurence Lewis, Jerry Harris, Jerry
Johnson, and Sly 'n' Robbie. The arrangements were done
together with Ricky Myrie. |
 |
Mystic Don |
He thinks highly
of the Youthman Promotion organisation. All over the world
"there are guys who share the same positive vibes"
and he's glad to be a part of it. It's more or less "one
great family, from Jamaica to the USA and Japan". At this
moment he's working on new songs for an album "with the
same roots and culture vibes as his latest album".
Jah Batta can be reached at Ruff Stuff Studio ~ 5624 Beverly
Road ~ Brooklyn, NY 11203. Phone : 718 629-5900. |
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Rights Reserved. © 1998 Reggae Vibes
Productions |
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