UB 40 – Ali Campbell-Yes, you are officially my favouritest singer – band! November 30, 2008
Posted by Mutongoria in music, news, self.Tags: ali campbell, carnivore, concert, kenya, nairobi, reggae, ub 4o
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UB 40
A little bit of history first:
The multi-platinum selling reggae group UB40 will stage its maiden Kenyan concert on November 15 in Nairobi. The show comes after the group released its 24th album, 24-7, and the departure of Robin Campbell, who steered the band to the top.
UB 40 rose to fame with the 1983 release of the Labour of Love album, which topped charts in the UK and ruled Billboard’s top 200 in the US, with hits such as Red Red Wine making it a household name. Its debut album, Signing Off (1980), went platinum and spent 72 weeks on the international music charts.
Equally popular was their most successful worldwide single, Falling in Love with You (1993) — a cover version of Elvis Presley ballad’s, I Can’t Help. Other UB40 popular hits include Rat in My Kitchen, Kingston Town, I Think It’s Going to Rain and Tell It As It Is.
After almost a decade of silence the band, which comprises James Brown, Earl Falconer, Norman Lamont and Brian, made a comeback with the 2007 release of Reasons.
“We have everything set for Nairobi. Kenya is a great country and we would love to perform there as part of our world tour,” James said at the Kampala gig in February. “We will come and thrill Nairobi when everything is alright,” he had added, alluding that their planned February Nairobi tour had been halted due to the post-election violence.
Campell’s exit fanned speculation that the group was headed for a split. “Campbell was our lead and we are sad he had to leave. But a band is never about a fellow and this is not the last you are hearing of UB40,” James was quoted as saying on the day the group bid farewell to their vocalist.
Even though the band said Campbell was leaving to concentrate on solo projects, the lead singer later alluded to internal disputes when he said he left due to ‘management difficulties’.
But even after the big hype and great expectations, the 17-track album has failed to go top 75 in the UK. The launch four months ago coincided with a UK tour, which climaxed in the recording of their next album Labour of Love IV.
UB40 is one of the most successful reggae bands of all times. They have sold more than 70 million albums and hosted memorable world tour concerts, spreading reggae to South America and Russia, besides bagging some of the most coveted music awards.
<— the history ends here —>
Now, somehow, someway, the UB40 bashment was cancelled – postponed and soon forgotten about.
Then Ali campbel was announced to be coming.
Ali was not only lead singer of UB40, but the creative mind and key songwriter for the band. The show is organised by Rani Productions which has in the past brought to Kenya Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, Raghav, Rishi Rich inconjuction with and CentreStage Experiential Marketing who brought Femi Kuti and TOK.
Ali was the lead singer at UB 40 and is voice leas such great ballads as Cherio cherio baby [you should at least have seen him perform that one; It was Awesome!!], Red red wine, homely girl, Reasons and countless others.
<— The action starts here — >
Wednesday i was at Tamambo westlands buying tickets. Two. one for me and one for my swits. No need to listen to UB 4 sing homely gal without a nice person to sing it to!
Thursday – Meet with me swits to tell her that the band whose lyrics I borrowed heavily from when we were getting close was coming to town. She was skeptical at first as kenyan reggae shows are known to get messed up pretty bad. Some convincing on my part and the date was set.
Friday – at work prepared my laptof for a wedding where I was due to dj for a friend.
Saturday – the wedding was late [aren't they all?] ut went well too. the bride was extremely beautiful.
Saturday night – We were late – arrived at Carnivore stage at around 8;30 pm with my swits.
Was surprised there were no queues and Carnivore and went right in. First some food at the stalls that I found to be quite competitively priced.
On stage was Boda boda band that was curtain raising for UB40. They did a great performance but there was an issue. Carnivore management refused to power-up the system for them. Boda boda band could not hear the music they were playing as there were no monitor speakers! Despite kidum asking for it countless times Carnivore totally refused to give the monitor sound. Imagine not hearing the music oyu are playing n from of a a capacity crowd!
Shame on carnivore.
The security was great. There were dark men in black suits, white shirts and bow ties all over the place. There was also supplementar security provided by RADAR security ltd. Good job to whoever organised that.
And then Ali Campbell showed up and gave what must be the greatest performance I have ever seen. I loved every minute! The band was amazingly cordinated and brought out a performance I will be remembering for a long time to come.
ALI CAMPBELL – THANK YOU!!
Conscious Reggae October 9, 2008
Posted by Mutongoria in music, reggae, self.Tags: conscious, luciano, music, regae, reggae
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Perhaps I should start this pos y saying that am a Christian. I know am not perfect but if I was there would be no need for Christ . . . would there? I love reggae; Yaani, there is a way that reggae music makes me feel like it is just the thing for me.
Like this mornig, when I woke up and was on company transport surfing the channels looking for something to inspire my day.
Tried a few songs and until I landed on Serve Jah, by Luciano. So I did some back grounds on him and also on other inspirational reggae artists. The fist thing that came to my mind was the Old school hit by Morgan heritage. Don’t haffi Dread that have the line. ‘This is not a dreadlocks things, it’s a divine conception of the heart’. Actually I think I should put on some dreadlocks! But no … when the heart is rightly conscious there is no need for dreadlocks.
There’s a widespread belief that ‘conscious’ reggae had its heyday in the 1970s and barely survived the death of Bob Marley. Whereas it’s true that bump ‘n’ grind dancehall and ragga did take over in the ’80s and ’90s, just as cocaine took over from weed as the Jamaican drug of choice, there were a handful of artists who managed to keep singing and writing songs about society, race, identity and spirituality whilst all around just chatted about guns and gals.
One of these artistes was Lucky Dube who died violently in the hands of thugs in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville on the evening of 18 October 2007. His music against racism in South Africa inspired millions of people around the globe.
With the release of his first heart-wrenchingly soulful hit ‘It’s Me Again Jah’ in 1995, 30 year old Jephter McClymount , an upholsterer from Manchester parish, JA, became Luciano, redeemer of the reggae massive and the Moses who would lead reggae back to the land of the conscious. His success wasn’t entirely ‘overnight’. It rarely is. Luciano had already spent several years struggling to gain a foothold in the ruff ‘n’ tuff showbiz world of Kingston, but once he made his mark, hits followed in quick succession: ‘Lord Give Me Strength’, ‘Your World and Mine’ and ‘Heaven Help Us All’.
Island Records released his records internationally and his fame became worldwide. Luciano’s soulful, spiritual voice and musical approach seem to answer a deep need in reggae fans who haven’t found the sustenance they need in the new era of gunshot dancehall music. A succession of successful albums and a collaboration with Senegalese sensation Baaba Maal set Luciano apart from your average latter day reggae star. Live, with help from the legendary Firehouse Band, Luciano exudes the spiritual and joyous intensity of a latter day Bob Marley. So don’t fear, conscious reggae’s still ridin’ high Luciano style!
At a recent concert in Nairobi [October 3, 2008] The ‘Jah Messenger’, as he has christened himself, got onto the stage and proceeded to deliver his message to an extremely anticipating crowd. Luciano should have been a priest as all his songs were inspiring and encouraging. He talked in the language best understood by hustlers, which many related to.
His message was crystal clear, “No matter what you go through, don’t give up; mighty Jah will see you through,” he said. Among the songs he performed were ‘Woman of Israel’ and the song that saw him gain popularity in Kenya ‘It’s Me Again Jah’.
THE ALBUM I WANT October 9, 2008
Posted by Mutongoria in music, reggae.Tags: album, jah, luciano, messenger, serve jah, talent
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Just been listening to some old collection of music that I have had since way back in college and came across this song by Luciano called Serve Jah and am sooooo feeling it!
Checked out the album [Serve Jah] and the track listing is as follows:
- I Will Survive feat. Messenjah Selah
- Serve Jam
- Win Or Lose
- Injustice
- True Love
- Hail King Selassie feat. Capleton
- No Where To Hide
- Born Free
- Long Story
- Gideon Bus
- House Of The Lord
- I Am Not Sorry
- Mankind
I did a search and got this review.
Luciano is known as the ‘Messenjah’ of reggae because of his deep, meaningful lyrics and image as a devout follower of the Rastafarian religion. Throughout his career, Luciano has consistently scored hits on the international stage. The message in his music has always been clear. Songs like “It’s Me Again Jah”, “Ulterior Motive”, “Messenger”, “Sweep Over My Soul” and “Who Can It Be” express his close relationship to a higher power and inspire listeners through thoughtful lyrics and his distinctive, soulful voice.
For the album “Serve Jah” he teams up with producer Morris Johnsson, aka Big Jack Scorpio. He is a Jamaican sound-system owner and record producer, who earned fame with his releases which began to hit the streets in the second half of the eighties. Out of his studio, located in Hagley Park Road, Maverley, came hits such as ‘She’s Mine’ by Barrington Levy and Capleton’s ‘Cold Blood Murder’ and numerous other hit tunes by household names like Mega Banton, Bouty Killer, Beenie Man and Chaka Demus.In more recent times, Big Jack Scorpio has releashed several successful productions, all of them being live played riddims, in contrast with the more digital and programmed music which has flooded the reggae market for so many years. The result is a fresh and crisp sound, recreating the sound and spirit of the 70’s roots and culture sound.
Here you will find a collection of topnotch ‘one drop’ reggae songs, beginning with I Will Survive a combination tune he does with his nephew Messenjah Selah. Serve Jah is a compelling religious tune. Win Or Lose comes across a remake of the classic ‘I’m Just A Guy’ riddim. The riddim was also used by artists like Garnett Silk. Injustice is a decent song, but True Love makes us jump and sing along. Great tune!
Capleton joins Luciano for the song Hail King Selassie aka Never Want The Youth Dem Die. This song was one of the leading songs for the one riddim album ‘Live On’. Born Free and Nowhere To Hide are strong songs, and for Long Story Luciano revisits the Rudy Mills original from way back. The beautiful bluesy ballad House Of The Lord refers to Biblical scripture, whereas I’m Not Sorry rides the ‘Blend Dem’ riddim. The last song, Mankind, goes back to the days of Treasure Isle, as it picks up the ‘Come On Little Girl’ riddim.
The combination of Luciano’s talented vocal delivery, his writing skills and the ‘one drop’ riddims has resulted in a high quality reggae album, which will please every reggae devotee across the globe.
If you know where I can get an original of this album around Nairobi, let me know
