Thurs 29th Aug @ Concorde 2, Brighton
Jah Shaka Soundsystem
Heavy dub/spiritual roots with the bassiest of bass and African
influenced percussion. £8. 9.30pm.
Shaka's apprenticeship was with Freddie Cloudburst during the
1970s which started off what has proved to be the most incredible
cultural journey in British reggae history. Right from the beginning
he was preaching how sound-system was the true medium of the people,
capable of passing on vital messages unable to be heard anywhere
else. Providing more entertainment for hordes of weekend revellers
never came into it. Reggae sound-system on Shakas terms meant
something entirely different. Music had a role to play in the
local community; it could act as a teacher, news carrier, historian
and liberator of oppressed souls and his dedication to fulfilling
all and more of these social functions has never wavered.
"Shaka, for those who know their history, is the name of
the African Warrior "King of the Zulus". For those who
know their reggae it is the name of the undisputed king of the
sound system."
H.I.M. Shakas sound was built back in the black consciousness
era, and was formed as a vehicle for promoting messages relating
to the black struggle. Following his musical source all the way
back to Africa, he established the Jah Shaka Foundation to carry
out assistance with projects in Jamaica, Ethiopia, and Ghana where
the foundation has bought seven acres of land in Agri, thirty
miles outside of Accra. It has also managed to distribute medical
supplies, wheelchairs, library books, carpentry tools, drawing
materials (and of course records) to clinics, schools and Radio
stations in the Accra area establishing important links with the
local communities, and his work continues...