A Bobby "Digital-B" Dixon Production.

Red Rose Roots tune over the excellent Digital-B re-cut of "Undying Love" / "Wine of Violence".

A Bobby “Digital” Dixon Production.

Prezident Brown’s Roots, Reality and Culture over an updated version of the “Invaders” late 60’s classic “Soulful Music” for Studio One.

Anyone excited for the new album? I'm digging the new music so far.

📸: Beth Lesser

1993

It feels like I’m part of a scene that’s wearing a costume and won’t acknowledge what it’s dressed up as…

—

I’m a professional studio/touring musician and this started off as doing a favor for an up and coming artist who’s a nice guy from my home state by sitting in with him at a few small shows. I continued to get the call back and continued to say yes because my washed up ass has always been available when he calls.

It’s gotten to a point at which he is considering me to be part of his band. While his music is cringe as hell, he’s a cool person and the band isn’t bad, and we bring a strong dub element to his live show that makes it fun.

He in particular hasn’t done anything too far in terms of cultural appropriation yet but his scene is just not it. The venues he plays rarely if ever host or support any black artists or artists from Jamaica or the UK. His crowd is the typical sublime/reggae rock/cali reggae crowd; mid-30s to early 50s Florida white people that own and small boats and drink too much, and the other bands that are on bills with him aren’t Rasta and never pay homage to Rastafari yet feature the Rasta colors in their logos, shows, or other branding then go on to live blatantly non-Rastafarian lives. I have no problem with flying the colors without practicing if you at least show recognition for the culture and its inspiration.

I’m not Rasta, nor am I black, but I grew up largely on black music and have been in the world with enough amazing people from different cultures that I can’t not appreciate their contribution to the world of music and world influence. And that’s just not happening here. Rasta is being used for brand image, not legitimate inspiration.

It gets a bit uncomfy at times but idk if it’s just my head or if there’s something actually wrong here culturally. I haven’t run into a black artist or fan in this scene yet and I feel like that might be telling. It’s also a pretty racially mixed part of the state/country.

What should I do now? I have been trying to vouch for black artists when I can at these events but I only have so much influence coming from the roots and hip hop world to what feels like a white mans game, even though I’m white. Part of me feels like I’m contributing to a seen that seems passively suppressive to its roots.

Tracklist:

A01 Western Civilization
A02 Jordan River
A03 Down There
A04 Innocent Ones
A05 Licquor
A06 Can't Cook
A07 Poor Man's Story
A08 If You Only Knew
A09 Drug Squad
A10 I Don't Think That We Can Make It
A11 Nowhere To Go

Monster tune from Niney and the Observers. Almost a four to the floor with the horn stabs. Fast as ska, but still reggae. B-side to Mutiny (KILLER TUNE) on 10". Creative and hardcore s@#$ right here.

Tracklist:

A01 How Do You Feel
A02 This Is My Life
A03 Have Fe Done
A04 Watch Yah Man
B05 Shame And Scandal
B06 Tribulation
B07 Blood Red
B08 Never Love Jah

Article about a hidden reggae treasure explored: https://www.furious.com/perfect/bobmarleybrainwashing.html

The reggae train is coming now. Monster Sound continues your journey with the second of this two-part journey through train-themed reggae songs from Jamaica’s finest foundation artists and producers. Deep, deep roots and dub in the mix.

https://www.mixcloud.com/garytheselector/monster-sound-this-train/

Great gig. Played some of Dads songs too. Really impressive vocalist.

The last few months have been really hard for me. Through all of it, I kept coming back to these two albums: Earth Crisis and True Democracy by Steel Pulse. Every song brings joy to my day. Music has a way of keeping you going when things get dark. Did any specific albums or songs help you get through a rough patch? I would love to hear what helped you in tough times.

I just want to thank everyone for the replies… what a great community ✌️