NYS Music 20​13

Tag: reggae

  • Hot Reggae and Jazz at Red Square Thanks to Spiritual Rez and Groovestick

    On November 14th, Red Square in Albany hosted two talented bands that offered up a wide range of musical stylings for any kind of music lover. A trio from members of some of Albany’s favorite bands joined forces to unite in a progressive jazz funk experience to make Groovestick. Reggae group and Boston’s own Spiritual Rez ended their extensive tour in Upstate New York after traveling all over this summer to festivals such as Catskill Chill and Backwoods Pondfest.

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    The newest band on the music scene is the jazz funk trio, Groovestick a dynamite collaboration with Dan Gerken on guitar/bass (Timbre Coup/Mirk), Chris Carballeira on organ/keys (Dirty Paris/Funk Evolution) and Frantz on drums (The Kollectiv/Dirty Paris). A slow and steady start to the night with smooth jazz made way for a funk powerhouse set closer. Carballeira brings an upbeat soul shaking performance as he shines on the organ while Gerken provides the right amount of attitude on the guitar. Their sound is catchy, unique and continues to turn audiences into funky jazz lovers across Upstate New York. Be sure to see them for their return to Monopole in Plattsburgh December 6th and with The Kollectiv at The Hollow in Albany December 13th.

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    Spiritual Rez brought a taste of summer to Red Square with their undeniably fun reggae melodies. They have a raw energy that can’t be matched or stopped as their music flows on wave upon wave. Jesse Shaternick laid down some heavy bass bombs as the horn section brought a twist of ska to the mix of reggae bliss. The only drawback of the show was the small stage space of Red Square, limiting Toft Willingham to his usual outrageous dance moves. The six-piece band was a tight squeeze on the stage but it forced the sound forward, hitting dancers hard in the face with dubtastic rock. Spiritual Rez brings out the animal in everyone with their primal screams, carefree attitude and explosive grooves. Spiritual Rez will be making stops throughout the east coast in December and will celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Spot in Providence, RI.

  • Michael Franti and Spearhead Coming to Upstate Concert Hall, Monday September 16th

    Through his music, Michael Franti delivers a message of hope, justice, and peace. That message will ring loud and clear Monday, September 16th as Michael Franti and Spearhead bring their unique blend of hip hop, reggae, jazz, and funk to the Upstate Concert Hall (Clifton Park, NY). Special guest The Kopecky Family Band, will open the show.

    Michael Franti and Spearhead continue to enjoy the success of their 2010 album release, The Sound of Sunshine, which reached the number 17 spot on The Billboard 200 list. It features 12 tracks including four hit singles, “Shake It”, “The Sound of Sunshine”, “Hey, Hey, Hey”, and “I’m Alive”. In July 2013, Franti released his eighth studio album entitled All People.

    Ticket prices for Monday’s event are $25 in advance or $28 at the door and are available through Ticketmaster, the Northern Lights Smoke Shop (518-453-3402), or at the Upstate Concert Hall box office. Show time is 8:00PM.

  • Songs at Mirror Lake Music Series Announces Reggae Night with Morning Sun & The Essentials on August 6th

    PineLakeMusicThe Pines Inn ‘Songs at Mirror Lake Music Series’ presented by Adirondack “By Owner” has announced the sixth performance in the seven week series, scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th, as Reggae Night with Morning Sun & The Essentials. The Mirror Lake Music Series is held at 7:00PM on seven Tuesdays throughout the summer at Mid’s Park on Main Street, Lake Placid.

    Morning Sun & The Essentials aims to create innovative yet classic sounding reggae and world music. The challenge was finding the right dynamic between the two distinct voices of Michel Aubertin and Phil Grajko. With conscious lyrics, unforgettable melodies, and two unique voices.

    These weekly performances, running from July 2 through August 13, feature local, regional and national acts in the scenic and historic setting of Mid’s Park on Main Street, Lake Placid, New York.  The series features local and regional emerging artists in a variety of musical genres and provides valuable exposure to these up and coming acts.  The music series is also an opportunity to introduce residents and visitors to a diverse range of musical genres in a scenic and relaxing setting.

    Admission to the music series is free, so grab your blanket and head on down to Mid’s Park on Tuesday’s for a fabulous time.  Parking is available at St. Agnes Church which is a short walk to Mid’s Park.  Should there be inclement weather for the performances the rain site is around the corner at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, 17 Algonquin Drive, Lake Placid.  If you would like to volunteer to assist with the concerts please contact Bill at bill@songsatmirrorlake.org.

    July 30, 2013 Local Jam Night with Lucid
    August 6, 2013 Reggae Night with Morning Sun & The Essentials
    August 13, 2013 Funk & Soul Night with Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds

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  • Reggae Legend ‘Luciano’ Comes to Saratoga Springs July 19th

    Luciano056Nectar’s  Presents recently announced  that  The  Messenger,  Luciano  will  bring  his   brand  of  roots  reggae  to Putnam Den  on  July  19th.  Known  for  his  electrifying  epic  live performances,  he  will  be  backed  by  the  famed seven‐piece i-­KRONICK  band  for  his   much  anticipated  first  tour  of  North  America  in  years.  The  evening  will also  feature  selections  by  DJ  TRUMASTR  and  knomad.

    With  the  release  of  his  landmark  album  Where  There  Is  Life  in  1995,  Luciano   emerged  as  one  of  the  most important  reggae  singers  in  decades  and  the  greatest   hope  for  roots  reggae’s  survival  in  the  digital  dancehall  era. Since  then,  Luciano  has   released  over  45  albums  and  has  been  consistently  praised  for  imparting  conscious sentiments  of  spiritual  salvation,  Rastafarian  edification  and  African  repatriation.   Born  in  the  parish  of Manchester,  Jamaica,  he  has  influenced  countless  artists  from   Stevie  Wonder  to  the  “The  Crown  Prince  of Reggae”  the  late  great  Dennis  Brown.

    i-­Kronik  represents  the  future  of  the  ‘classic’  reggae  band.    Coming  from  the  lineage   of  the  Gumption  Band, they are  redefining  roots  reggae  with  years  of  experience   playing  on  the  world’s  largest  stages  backing  legends  such as Beres  Hammond,   Luciano,  Dennis  Brown,  Freddie  McGregor,  Barrington  Levy,  Ken  Boothe  and countless  others.

     Show  Details:  Nectar’s  Presents   Reggae  Legend   LUCIANO   “The  Messenger”   Backed  by  the  Seven-­‐Piece  Band:  i-­‐KRONIK   July  19,  2013   Putnam  Den   Downtown  Saratoga  Springs,  NY  (63  Putnam  Street)   (Across  from  library  and  behind  Uncommon  Ground  Coffee)

  • Photo Review: John Brown’s Body at Water Street Music Hall in Rochester

    John Brown’s Body pretty much packed Water Street Music Hall with reggae fans for The Big Upstate Reggae Fest. They shared the stage with Dub Trio, Nevergreen, Among Criminals and Axis Armada. John Brown’s Body just released their new album Kings and Queens, highly recommend for fans of JBB.

    The rest of the acts put on equally impressive shows, with a crowd that was definitely into the music and generated energy on both sides of Water Street Music Hall, making for a magical evening. The upbeat vibes of reggae kept everyone going all night and JBB capped off the night with an encore of “33 Revolutions”. Overall, Big Upstate Reggae Fest and the entire lineup did not disappoint,; here’s looking forward to the next one!

  • John Brown’s Body and Barika warmed things up at The Putnam Den on January 24th

    When most people think of Saratoga Springs it’s visions of horse racing in August.  Tiffany and Jonathon Albert, Bob Millis and Jarrett Hartstone and the staff at the Putnam Den are working hard to make Saratoga known as a place to catch great ORIGINAL music, year-round!  Based on the crowd at the Putnam Den on a bitter cold Thursday in January, they may be succeeding. Over 150 people braved the negative temperatures to feel the face melting heat of two talented bands, Barika and John Brown’s Body.

    Barika (pronounced body-kah) started off the night with a unique blend of psychedelic charm and West African-inspired beats thrown in, crossing gracefully into the realm of dub.  When Craig Myers stood center stage with a large gourd that had a long neck and bright yellow strings, heads turned.  The opening act of most shows is noticed for a moment and then conversations continue throughout the room.  However, when Craig started to play his Kamel N’goni – a wave of silence washed over the crowd.  The Kamel N’goni sounded like two dueling banjos fighting it out to see who could please the eardrums more.  Both hands plucked and strummed away at the neon strings, setting off a magnetic vibe through the Den.  As Barika played, the crowd started to creep toward the stage to find out what foreign magic these strangers from Burlington, Vermont brought to Upstate New York.  Craig wasn’t alone in playing the funky groove. Barika has six other talented musicians: Caleb Bronze (Drums), Rob Morse (Bass), Andric Severence (Keyboards) and on horns are Dave Purcell (Trumpet), Gordon Clark (Trombone) and Deva Racusin (Tenor Sax).  Deva didn’t make it out to the Putnam Den, but you can hear everyone on Barika’s new CD, Remember, available on iTunes and other outlets.

    Download Barika’s show here

    Just as things were getting warmed up nice and toasty, John Brown’s Body came on stage and turned the heat way up. John Brown’s Body has Upstate roots in Ithaca and have been playing their future roots take on reggae for nearly 10 years.  With tours around the world, it is always nice to catch them back in the area with new songs and a new EP, JBB IN DUB.   JBB started the show with a song off their new release, “The General’s Ambush.”  A nice steady beat and smooth horns come into play in this melodic instrumental number.  Bandleader Elliott Martin got to flex his chops with the second song, “Invitation” that had more of a ska sound with the brass section sharing the spotlight with Elliott’s smooth yet strong vocal stylings.  The crowd took the “Invitation”, and those fortunate enough to be at the Putnam Den had a hard time not approaching the dance floor.  More dub, more funk, more dancing ensued as JBB played another track off the new album, “The Grass.”  “The Grass” was reminiscent of the reggae of Marley in that it carried a strong message. The band ended up playing three songs off the new EP.

    John Brown’s Body is also planning a new full length album in the next few months and played “Plantation” off  that upcoming release. They also played old favorites like “The Gold”, “Resonate”, and “Push Some Air”.  Look for them around the festival circuit this summer and keep an eye out for the new album.  John Brown’s Body is a treasure that Upstate New Yorkers can call their own and it was a nice surprise to see them at the Putnam Den.  Be sure to check out the Den’s upcoming shows and give them the support they need to keep bringing these great line-ups to the region.

    Setlist: General’s Ambush*, Invitation, The Grass*, Plantation, Wellington*, Shine Bright, The Gold, Follow Into Shadow, Peace in the Valley, The Cup Dub, Empty Hands, Make It Easy, Zion Triad

    Encore: Resonate, Push Some Air

    * Off the new EP release JBB IN DUB

  • Sitting down with The Wailers’ Aston Barrett, Jr and Drummie Zeb

    The Wailers started their current tour just two days after Christmas and January brought them through Upstate NY.  Lewis Tezak, Jr. offered a great review of the Seneca Niagara Casino on January 12th and NYS Music was at the Bearsville Theater show in Woodstock less than a week later to sit down with The Wailer’s drummer Drummie Zeb and keyboardist/bassist Aston “Famz Jr.” Barrett, Jr.

    NYSMusic:  So, Aston it was nice to see you on stage with your dad.  I noticed that this is only your second show back on this tour, what were you doing before that?

    Aston Barrett Jr. (AB):  I was in India playing with Julian Marley.

    NYSMusic: What’s it like to play reggae in India?

    AB: It’s nice, man. They love reggae.  Everytime I go on the streets it was like, “Family Man, Family Man, Wailers.”

    NYSMusic: So it was nice to be recognized?

    AB: Oh yes.

    NYSMusic: So Drummie, you have been on the tour since it started?

    Drummie Zeb (DZ):  We started this tour on January 27th and played right through 2012 and into 2013.  We played New Years Eve in Telluride, Colorado. Way up there, beautiful country.

    NYSMusic: I know how Aston got into the Wailers, how did you get in (the Wailers)?

    DZ: Oh my my you have to go back a few years now.  I met Famz in the early 80’s and I saw Carlton right after Bob Marley. They were on a tour it was either 83 or 84, Carleton was playing and the tour came through DC.  Junior Marvin, Al Anderson, Alvin Patterson, “Wire” Lindo, Tyrone Downie – the whole band. And Carleton, the Mighty Carleton. I saw him rattle that snare.  I can still hear it now. *makes the sound* Because he was sitting way up there, because of how the stage was in this building. It was unreal.  It was such a pleasure to see him work.  Good god, man, I was just always seeking out those drums. So, we drove from Virginia for two hours to that show that night to meet Famz.  And ever since that night, they would be on tour and I would be on another support band called the Awareness Art Ensemble. It was a big band in the 80s and we would support the Wailers every year.  We’d see Famz and hail up each other through the 80s and then through the 90s… all the way to 99. And Famz and I were on a show together, he sees me and says “hey Drummie” and I’m so honored, always to be amongst him and he asked if I would be interested in reviving the set. I said “yes, truly!” And time would go on but we met them in the 80s and I think that’s where it started. Cause I was on the set.  I think with any young musician you need to stay on the set.

    NYSMusic: Truly, thank you.  Aston, do you remember your uncle Carleton?

    AB: Nah, I was too young.

    NYSMusic: I understand, what’s it like to play with your dad?

    AB: It feels nice.

    NYSMusic: Is he a tough critic?

    AB: He’s a good father. You know it’s an honor all the time. Everytime I look at him.  Sometimes I am playing and I’m like “oh shit that’s Family Man” and then I’m like, oh, he’s my dad. You forget you know? I look at him so highly and so proud to be his son. It’s like, “wow!” So anytime I am playing music, I try to reach the higher, higher, high. The highest standard and keep my father’s music inside me and my uncle’s music there. This music will never die, it will go on forever and get bigger and bigger and bigger until it finds its right people.

    NYSMusic: I am glad to hear that and that leads to my next question. You guys have been touring now since 69 to now.  Where do you guys see the Wailers going? Studio? Another album?

    AB: Plenty of more albums to come. The only thing is that the singers now in these days are very different. As we listen to the message of Bob’s days. Almost every singer that comes out has a message. I don’t think they can sing the same message these days because it’s different times. So what we are dealing with now is more positive and positive vibes. It’s more peaceful and mind, body and understanding.

    NYSMusic: So, Drummie, if we go back to the positive vibes, why do you think Family Man chose Survival for this tour?

    DZ: I know last year it was talked about with Roger (Steffens). It was talked about to get a little intention to it.  And God bless because last year we did the Uprising record. We did all the Uprising songs last year and tonight was Survival.

    NYSMusic: Is there a Confrontation tour coming up?

    DZ: That would be great. It’s one of my favorites and I tell his (Aston’s) father that all the time. Because we used to play “Buffalo Soldier” from Confrontation. But all the rest of them are such anthems. You know “Trench Town” and “Jump Nyabinghi”. I mean, wow!

    AB: “Mix Up, Mix Up”

    DZ: Ah, “Mix Up, Mix Up” oh man that record right there. We’d be dancing off the stage ourselves there because I wait to play that one.

    NYSMusic: I just love the trilogy and you can see the Wailers evolve with those three albums.

    DZ: That’s a good idea.

    NYSMusic: Kaya was before those and sort of ganja loving and laid back.

    AB: 1978! Ah right.

    NYSMusic: So you are touring for the next two months and then what? Are you doing any festivals?

    AB: I don’t know yet, but in June and July it’s festival season and if there is a Reggae Festival we should be here.

    NYSMusic: My first Wailers show was a festival in the early 90’s.

    AB: Ah that probably was with “Wire” (Earl Lindo), “Carrot” (Irvin Jarrett) , Junior Marvin was the lead singer at that time and Carrot’s Third World Band. First time to see them, respect, respect.

    NYSMusic: With the chaos in the world today, I don’t know how much has really changed.  What is your message to the world?

    AB: Peace, Love and Unity. That’s all we can bring.

    DZ: Jah guide that One Love. Keep moving forward ever, backward never.

    NYSMusic: I like that.

    DZ: Yes, sir.  I think we just need to say it more. Send more vibrations out there. Because we are coming closer and we are feeling more love. More vibrations. More. So we will put the sonic sound of survival out for all of 2013 and really push this message. That is a powerful delivery of music, man.

    NYSMusic: I really appreciate your time. I know you have a long day and playing again tomorrow in Pennsylvania.

    DZ: It’s great. The audience hear felt great here. Everyone was warm, very accepting, we’d still be up there playing, man. It felt like that.

    NYSMusic: It was a great show and our goal at is to get people out to the music. There is nothing like seeing it live.  Aston, do you see the role as bandleader getting passed from father to son soon?

    AB: Whatever Jah says. Whatever my destiny is we don’t know, but we are all good people. We will follow the right way, we do good so good will follow us, right?

    NYSMusic: I was happy to see you slide over from keys to bass.

    DZ: And to the first question you said, “Where’s the Wailers going?” Se this new generation right here (points to Aston Jr and Avery). To the future that. It’s done already. It’s going on.

    NYSMusic: And it sounds good.

    DZ: Alright! Rastafari long live. Jah Bless.

    NYSMusic: Thank you for your time.

    DZ: Thank you for your time. Love.

    AB: Give thanks for your time and stay safe. God Bless.

    If you haven’t caught the Wailers yet on this trip through Upstate there is one more chance.  They will be performing at Turning Stone Casino on January 23rd in the showroom. Tickets are only $10/$15/$20.

    Also, Upstate Reggae Woodstock presented its first award last Thursday at Bearsville Theater to Aston “Family Man” Barrett, one of the founding members of The Wailers.  A Rennie Cantine original crafted wooden bass guitar signifying Famz’ lifetime of innovation and musical excellence on bass guitar and his steadfast commitment to world touring and producing music for the next generation of reggae talent.  “May Family Man and The Wailers always return to perform in Woodstock, the home base for music,” said Lea Boss of Upstate Reggae Woodstock.