Re: Why i cannot tolerate new roots reggae
Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:46 pm
Yes this is the case. The great Duke Reid refused to allow any mention of Rastafarianism in his Studio. He and many others saw it as a fringe cult that was dangerous to society.
Also in reference to Reggae being now under the influence of US gangsta culture I would disppute this statement. Jamaica has its own homegrown gangsta culture that has been prevelant in the Reggae scene from way back. Bob Marley often had a friend called Tek Life with him. And one can hear numerous refernces to Rhyggin, Sandokan, Bucky Marshall, Jim Brown, Skengdon & Tony Welsh. The last two are/were intimately involved in Reggae being the owners of Stereo Mars & Socialist Roots(formerly King Attorney) Sound Systems. Not to mention the GREAT JUNJO LAWES whose Volcano labels & Sound System are virtually synonomous with early 80's Reggae music. Rankning Dread was said to have been a rough character. I don't say any of this to impune anybody's characters, I've never walked an inch in their shoes or seen any evidence of illegal activity on their parts. I only point this out to say the same influences you dislike from the outside are also present on the inside. This doesn't justify any behavior or activity. It only points out, in my opinion, that no one era in Reggae has any ultimate claim to Purity-be it moral, musical or cultural. Again this is only my opinion, feel free to disagree or disregard.
Ites,
Papa D
Also in reference to Reggae being now under the influence of US gangsta culture I would disppute this statement. Jamaica has its own homegrown gangsta culture that has been prevelant in the Reggae scene from way back. Bob Marley often had a friend called Tek Life with him. And one can hear numerous refernces to Rhyggin, Sandokan, Bucky Marshall, Jim Brown, Skengdon & Tony Welsh. The last two are/were intimately involved in Reggae being the owners of Stereo Mars & Socialist Roots(formerly King Attorney) Sound Systems. Not to mention the GREAT JUNJO LAWES whose Volcano labels & Sound System are virtually synonomous with early 80's Reggae music. Rankning Dread was said to have been a rough character. I don't say any of this to impune anybody's characters, I've never walked an inch in their shoes or seen any evidence of illegal activity on their parts. I only point this out to say the same influences you dislike from the outside are also present on the inside. This doesn't justify any behavior or activity. It only points out, in my opinion, that no one era in Reggae has any ultimate claim to Purity-be it moral, musical or cultural. Again this is only my opinion, feel free to disagree or disregard.
Ites,
Papa D