Reviewed
for the Reggae Movement by Rasta Stevie (pictured right)
Reggae
on the River is undisputedly hailed as the worlds best reggae festival.
Reggae, as the festival is commonly referred to, was epic this year, to
say the least. The vibe is pure love, unity and freedom with heaps of
free hugs, herbs and happy people.
Colorado
was in the house with I-man Rasta Stevie emceeing alongside some bona
fide emcee legends including Leon the Jamaican actor from Cool Runnings
movie, Ras Records founder Dr Dread, Red I the Humboldt Kingpin, and PB
the promoter of Reggae on the River.
The
new tradition of an early Friday start at Reggae got the vibes flowing.
By Friday evening the world music vibe of Reggae was in full swing with
hot sets by Kanda Bongo Man and surprise act Bongo Maffin, who filled in
for Steel Pulse. England’s
reggae legends were forced to cancel due to lead singer David Hinds’
doctor ordered rest after a Hinds' collapse a few weeks earlier from
fatigue and dehydration. Exemplifying the higher conduct of Reggae, when
I announced on stage that Steel
Pulse was not going to perform and asked for all of Reggae to send
out healing vibes to Hinds, the massive cheered and sent big love to
Hinds. Moments like this show that Reggae is the best crowd in the world
for Jah’s Music.
No
worries as Michael Franti and Spearhead closed Friday’s show
with butt wagging consciousness raising hip hop. Reggae was one vibe in
motion to the beats as Franti called out to stop injustice, unite the
family and live good. Their set left the massive supercharged, mindfull
and ready for the weekend.
Reflecting
forward on the festival, it is impossible to pick the best acts, but
highlights were many.
Morgan
Heritage is absolutely the finest family in reggae music. Every one
of their shows is incredible and Reggae rose even higher. All the best
songs with a live intensity that kept everyone on their toes. Bringing
the sistren energy to fruition, lead vocalist Peter Morgan highlighted
Uva Morgan on a duet that was unbelievably great. The Morgan
Heritage family vibe is so strong, everyone responded with massive
praise as unity overtook Reggae.
A
major highlight of Reggae had to be the Ghetto Youth Krewe. They
opened their set with a sound system from Miami, JAH STREAM. With
its bobo dread wrapped selectors, the sound blew up when mic chanter Steven
Marley hit the stage. Chanting a few verses over some b sides,
Steven and surprise guest artist Ky-mani
Marley, hyped the crowd to full vocal versions of dancehall
favorites over the last 15 years.
Then
came the full band, Uprising, with Julian
Marley. His command of the stage is growing rapidly and he blasted
some strong new material. Enter Damian
"Jr Gong" Marley; Reggae went beserk. Dressed in red
velvet, Damian looked crisp and sounded masterful. No sparring partner
Daddigon, just Jr Gong and a back up female vocalist for most of the
set. He handled all the vocal parts of his tunes with ease and blazed
hard performing hits off Half Way Tree and Me Name Jr Gong as well as
fabulous new versions of his dad's music. No wonder he got the Grammy
this year as his stage performance is at a very high level and growing.
The
headliner on Saturday, The Taxi Triple Connection featuring, Sly
and Robbie with Michael Rose
was a top set for many. Sly and
Robbie played the wickedest live dub ever, super heady herb smoking
brain food. Michael Rose’s
voice and haunting stage presence reminded us of why Black
Uhuru’s was one of reggae’s greats. All your favorite Uhuru
songs sounded better today than they did in 1985. Like Bunny Wailer,
Rose's voice felt like the word of Jah coming down upon your head. The
set was extremely convincing, true and clear.
With
all these fantastic performances before him, the pressure was on for Prezident
Brown. Although he played mid day on Sunday, his set felt like a
pinnacle of the entire weekend. His performance was humble, heartfelt
and real. The Prezident’s strictly uplifting positive lyrics and
quality songwriting gave him an edge over everyone. His songs captured
the moment and everyone a feel it, big time.
Prezident
Brown’s band on this Unleash the Lion tour, the Orchestra of
Judah, is well honed after a grueling first two months of the
most ambitious tour ever overtaken by a reggae group. They are playing
flawless sets of hard Jamaican riddims, offering the Prez a solid
foundation to launch his pleas of encouragement. Stepping above the rest
with his intention to inform, entertain and educate, Prezident Brown’s
set at Reggae was rock solid.
The
only real dancehall artist on the bill was Sean Paul. With his
top hit "Gimme the Light" riding the R&B/Hip Hop charts in
America, the anticipation was huge and he delivered. For dancehall fans,
every tune was on a recognized riddim with Paul’s version a certified
anthem. His clean performance was refreshing. He proved that this uptown
Kingstonian is carrying the swing. Obvioulsy aware of his American
audience, his haul and pull ups were few and he even gave us full
versions.
The
only thing missing was his advertised set mates Tanto Metro and
Devonte and T.O.K. No worries as Paul gave us plenty a tune.
After
a long absence on the scene, South African superstar Lucky Dube rammed
the massive at Reggae with a fantastic performance, complete with his
Zulu dance and sultry female vocalists. Dube’s voice was strong and
convincing showing us the best of Lucky Dube is yet to come.
Then
Sunday’s headliner, Burning Spear
was introduced by one of the emcee’s Spliff Skanking, saying this is
the final Burning Spear tour. The Spear t shirts also said the same. The
debate continues as to whether Spear is
retiring and recently, he was quoted in a magazine saying "I
will never retire." What is up with the last tour t shirts then Mr.
Rodney?
His
Reggae performance was truly inspirational and strong like always. No
surprises other than a band that none of us recognized any of the
players but still sounded great.
Reggae
on the River is a communal village of responsible partiers that live,
dance, smoke, pray, eat and sleep together for three glorious days. Big
up to People Productions for supreme staging of a 10,000 person incident
free bashment year after year.
Why
can't we in Colorado do the same????? Where is our reggae on the
mountain???? Reggae on the Rocks is
great but it is just a long concert not a communal village. It is a
shame that we didn't support the One World Festival as it now seems we
in Colorado have lost the communal village forever.
It
is such a shame to waste the incredible potential we in Colorado have,
to stage a conscious party like Reggae on the River beneath America's
biggest mountains. Until then, I will continue my sojourns to Reggae to
feel the positive vibes and fantastic performances of the world’s best
reggae festival.
Don’t
miss next year’s event the 20th Annual Reggae on the River. This
festival always sells out months in advance. Tickets go on sale in
April, so check out the website starting in March at www.reggaeontheriver.com
Comments or suggestions can be sent to Larry@reggaemovement.com
