REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 7 June 2006

By Jesse I

First things first, I have to pay respect this month to the great Desmond Dekker, who died of a heart attack in London on May 24, at the age of 64. Dekker was the first Jamaican to experience international success with his music, introducing countless people around the world to reggae via his huge hit "Israelites".

Dekker was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in Kingston, July 16, 1941. At the age of 20, he auditioned unsuccessfully at both Studio One and Treasure Isle, before eventually finding a home at Lesley Kong's Beverley's label. His first release didn't eventuate until 1963, as Kong was reportedly waiting for the perfect song - that was to be Dekker's Honor Your Father and Mother, his first hit. From then on, the hits continued, Dekker becoming a rude boy icon in the late 60s with tunes such as 007 ( Shanty Town ), Rude Boy Train, and Rudie Got Soul. As Jamaican music evolved, Dekker was gradually left behind, but remained a cult figure in the ska and two-tone scene until his death, as well as a very popular live performer. No doubt he will be greatly missed, and remembered forever as one of reggae's most important figures. RIP.

Things seem to have generally quietened down a little in Melbourne reggae with the coming of winter, so it was good to see two huge nights last month. New night Pressure Drop continued its early success at Laundry with a great crowd, great sound, and great selections all night - they're confirmed to continue on the 4th Saturday of the month, so check out the next one on June 24.

Last month's More Fire was also blazing as bright as ever, proving that for at least the 400 people who packed out both levels, reggae is not a seasonal music! Catch the next instalment this coming Saturday 10th June at the Mercat LG, featuring Chant Down Sound, Nukc, A13, Ernest Dubious, Twist, Foundation Stepper, and newcomers Rise Up Sound – pure reggae and dancehall til sunrise.

Weekly night High Tide at the Espy has been scaled back for the cold months, and will now wrap up at 1am . Guests for the next few weeks include Tomo (Japan ), Daniel Ring, and Bass Bin Laden. Likewise, Monday night dub session Forward The Bass at Horse Bazaar has moved forward its starting time to 9pm - catch DJ Delay every week, plus upcoming guests including Ranking Yoni, Uptight, Jonathon Alley, and Jah Benny.

Speaking of changing times, Systa BB's long-running global dance radio show Planetary Chaos has moved to the new slot of Friday 11am-1pm (106.7 PBS FM). Although not strictly reggae, the Systa knows her tunes, and always delivers a healthy dose of roots and dub, well worth tuning in for.

A massive big up this month to fellow PBS presenter and DJ Uptight, who has just recently put the finishing touches to his Heartical Hi-Fi. This is a major achievement, and something of a landmark for the Melbourne scene, the first true reggae sound system to be built here. Uptight put the system together himself, in the tradition of heavyweight UK rigs like those of Jah Shaka, Channel One UK, Abashanti and Disciples. Comprising over 10 speaker boxes, it's a seriously impressive sight, but one of the things that really sets it apart from your average house PA is the custom designed Jah Tubbys pre-amp - purpose built for reggae music and amazingly deep bass. It's taken 3 years to build, but hopefully it won't be much longer now before the Melbourne massive get to experience it first-hand - watch this space!

While reggae has always been a singles-driven market, I have to mention a couple great new albums this month. Michael Rose's latest effort Babylon A Fight (Cousins label) is a worthy follow up to his last great release African Roots, voiced over a great selection of new roots and vintage Bunny Lee riddims from the 70s. Lutan Fyah's latest album Phantom War (Greensleeves) could be his best yet, collecting many of his big singles from recent years, together with enough unreleased material to keep it fresh for singles buyers; a very solid effort from this young sing-jay who seems to get better and better all the time.

Some great dancehall releases on 7" this month, with the standouts for me being the Bullet riddim on Young Blood, Jah Glory on African Star, Holiday on P&L, and the Intercom Reloaded on Maximum Sound. New roots riddims to look out for include the very classy New Day riddim on Lustre Kings, Lionvibes' latest Ever Bless, Love Selassie on FirePonRome, and Sweet Sop on Downsound.