Jah Malla: Alive & Well

[Vlad]

Wanted to start thread on this one for a long time; What a wicked LP this is; Anyone agrees? Also, anyone has heard other good stuff from this band? There is a more easy to catch LP out there, but the music is nothing near this stunning release!

[blessup]

Vlad, I agree... this LP is wicked! The other one Jah Malla did was cool but way more on the commercial approach to Reggae but "Alive & Well" is straight up deep and no nonsense stripped down Roots all the way. Cleon Douglas who sings most of the lead and played guitar in Jah Malla was the original vocalist and lead guitar player in the Soul Syndicate before the great Chinna Smith and recorded with them behind The Wailers on two tracks @ Lee Perry's studio.

[Chaz]

Any sign of this getting a re-issue (like other Clappers releases)? Would really like to hear this, but it's very hard to find.

[Vlad]

gimme your email i send u MP3

[Chaz]

Thanks Vlad!

Email sent.

[frederic]

My band opened for Jah Malla in Rochester NY around 1983. They were incredible. I have the album Alive and Well in my mother's garage on vinyl. Their live version of "People Are Strange" by the Doors was totally killer, with an unbelieveable throbbing bass line coming though the subwoofers of the club, The Red Creek. I'd kill to hear it again.

[fadel diagne]

they are the first reggae band that visited senegal back in may of 1977 and were promoted by late senegalese music promoter mamdou johnny seka the one that gave bob marley the peace medal at the waldorf astoria back in june 1978.i would really love to see them reunited for a tour or an album.i did love them as well as the rastafarians.noel alphon,so came back here in 1996 as sister carole's drummer and musical director
a pity that there isn't any official footage after jah malla

[Inyaki]

Interesting info Fadel!
I saw that footage once,when Marley got that medal he is genuinely overwhelmed by Mr Seka's true enthusiasm..."we love you in Africa!"

Cimarons went to West Africa in 67, but I don't think they went to Senegal. Was it Ghana?

Jah Malla were Augustus Pablo's friends and sometimes backing band in the studio (and probably for live shows in NY?). I think they backed Max Romeo and many other artists passing thru NY in the late 70s too. Not sure but maybe someone can confirm it.

[Han]

They worked with Pablo yes( there's a rare US Rockers 12" that credits them, titled 'house of dub' )..
never heard that they did any live shows with Pablo though

[fadel diagne]

yes i came across a review of max romeo show in the late 70's in new york where he was backed by jah malla.some of jah malla's band members feature on some pablo's albums such as"east of the river nile".they are on"chant to king selassie"on"east of the river nile" and"rising sun"too