Ras Michael is a unique figure amongst world class and internationally commercially popular reggae artists. His music is based on roots rhythms, African drum and bass and is referred to as the Nyabinghi sound.
Imagine going way up into the hills, miles from the nearest civilized townships in Jamaica, and confronting percussionists sitting in a large circle and playing their different hand built style drums for hours on end and chanting to African rhythms centuries old. Often, these hypnotic ceremonies go on for several days and nights at a time without stopping, new drummers filling in when a drummer falls out from fatigue.
Ras Michael's special style bordering on religious frenzy, occultism, voodoo, black magic and mysticism is related to the energy of drum and bass, which frequently causes the dancers to achieve states of exaltation and go into ritualistic convulsions.
Ras Michael, since the early '60's, has released over twenty records on Shananchie, VP, SST, Trojan and Live & Learn. Perhaps the most sought after and difficult for the collector to find is "Rastafari Dub", which was first released in 1972 as a private white label LP pressing in a limited edition, timed to coincide with the release of the full "Rastafari".
Product Description
From the All Music Guide:
As the formerly cassette-only ROIR label continues to slowly reissue its catalog of classic punk, reggae and ska titles on CD, hidden treasures are coming to light again, some for the first time in years. Ras Michael, one of the foremost exponents of traditional Nyabinghi drumming and chanting, recorded his Rastafari album in 1972, and a dub version of that album was released simultaneously in a limited edition. Scraps of it have turned up from time to time, some on legitimate releases and some not, but ROIR's cassette reissue in 1989 was the first complete and fully-licensed release since the original vinyl first came out. It's too bad the non-dub version isn't included as well (there's plenty of space on the disc), but this CD is still a treasure. Ras Michael and his crew of drummers are joined by reggae demigods Carlton "Santa" Davis (drum set), Robbie Shakespeare (bass), Tommy McCook (flute), Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar) and others! , and the fusion of electric, urban reggae and organic, rural Nyabinghi drumming is perfect. Particular highlights include the dub versions of "None a Jah Jah Children No Cry" (recommended especially in conjunction with its vocal version) and the very dry and heavy "In Zion." Rick Anderson
Rastafari Dub,Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus,Roir,Nyahbinghi,Pop,Reggae,Reggae Music,Roots Reggae- Nyabinghi Drumming. Features Peter Tosh, Robbie Shakespeare, Tommy McCook, Chinna Smith & more... (ROIR)
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Rastafari Dub
Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus Manufacturer: Roir ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000JCHU Release Date: 1999-05-18 |
Tracks:
- None A Jah Jah
- Children No Cry
- Truth And Right
- In Zion
- Sufferation
- Give Love
- New Name
- Birds In The Tree Tops
Album Description
From the All Music Guide:As the formerly cassette-only ROIR label continues to slowly reissue its catalog of classic punk, reggae and ska titles on CD, hidden treasures are coming to light again, some for the first time in years. Ras Michael, one of the foremost exponents of traditional Nyabinghi drumming and chanting, recorded his Rastafari album in 1972, and a dub version of that album was released simultaneously in a limited edition. Scraps of it have turned up from time to time, some on legitimate releases and some not, but ROIR's cassette reissue in 1989 was the first complete and fully-licensed release since the original vinyl first came out. It's too bad the non-dub version isn't included as well (there's plenty of space on the disc), but this CD is still a treasure. Ras Michael and his crew of drummers are joined by reggae demigods Carlton "Santa" Davis (drum set), Robbie Shakespeare (bass), Tommy McCook (flute), Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar) and others! , and the fusion of electric, urban reggae and organic, rural Nyabinghi drumming is perfect. Particular highlights include the dub versions of "None a Jah Jah Children No Cry" (recommended especially in conjunction with its vocal version) and the very dry and heavy "In Zion." Rick Anderson
Customer Reviews:
Very nice dub set........2003-01-11
The sound quality of these dubs is clear and deep; they are truly a pleasure to listen to. The liner notes are pretty useless however, as they contain just as much MIS-information about the album as correct info. (I refer here to the text written by Elena Oumano, as well as the recording date. The info about producer and musicians seems to be correct.)
Reggae Got Soul.......2001-06-19
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Calling Rastafari
Burning Spear Manufacturer: Heartbeat / Pgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000JMCM Release Date: 1999-08-24 |
Tracks:
- As It Is
- Hallelujah (Extended Mix)
- House Of Reggae
- Let's Move
- Brighten My Vision
- You Want Me To
- Calling Rastafari
- Sons Of He (Extended Mix)
- Statue Of Liberty
- Own Security
- Holy Man (Extended Mix)
Amazon.com
It's been a long time since Burning Spear released an album as thoroughly rootsy as this--the opening track even quotes from his own classic "Slavery Days." And rarely has his music, which has always been locked into a hypnotic groove, sounded so upbeat, punctuated with bouncing horn lines--it's almost as if he's announcing that he's back, and happy to be here. While his voice isn't quite the instrument it was in the late '70s, it's still strong and supple, and there's plenty of vocal support--almost a return to the days of Burning Spear (the band) in the use of call-and-response singing. Even his writing seems to have taken a rootsier turn (as evidenced by the album title). All in all, Spear's best in years. --Chris NicksonCustomer Reviews:
Tight band.......2006-02-21
Not a classic, but by all means, a tight album.
Very nice Spearsman very nice.......2005-08-17
Hanging on.......2000-12-30
Very Very Good.......2000-10-09
still going strong.......2000-09-18
This new release is quite good, with Winston's voice in good form, and using the call and reply method he uses so well. For me "Hallelujah" and "House of Reggae" are the best tracks on here.
This cd is not a bad introduction to the Prophet for the uninitiated, but he/she would be better served finding the classic lps "Marcus Garvey," (one of the greatest reggae lps ever made) "Garvey's Ghost," "Man in the Hills, " "Dry and Heavy," and "Social Living," all of which are readily available and are must listens.
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Rastafari Dub
Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus Manufacturer: Roir ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000059XT Release Date: 1993-06-18 |
Tracks:
- None a Jah Jah Children
- Truth and Rights
- In Zion
- Sufferation
- Give Love
- New Name
- Birds in the Treetop
- No Happens
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Ites Massive
Ooklah the Moc Manufacturer: Ghetto Circus ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000059RTH Release Date: 2003-06-03 |
Tracks:
- Blessed
- Creator
- Sound Creation
- Haunted House
- Live Love
- Fafa Island
- No More Tears
- Herbal Meditation
- Spliff Mood
- Dance Ram
- Melvin's Surprise
- Humble Vibes
- Upon This Land
- Pidgeon Peas
- Children Free
- Dub Ramification
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Calling Rastafari
Various Artists Manufacturer: Nighthawk Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000003901 Release Date: 1997-09-30 |
Tracks:
- Calling Rastafari - Culture
- Small Axe - Gladiators
- 4000 Years - Mighty Diamonds
- Herbs Pirate - Itals
- Bongo Red - Gladiators
- Dem A Payaka - Culture
- My Thoughts - Gladiators
- Harbour Shark - Wailing Souls
- Jah Glory - Itals
- This Time - Culture
Customer Reviews:
Surprisingly good.......2004-09-15
"'Calling Rastafari' is an anthology of Rastafarian roots reggae recorded primarily during a three-day period in early February '81 at the Harry J Studio in Kingston, Jamaica...
...When Culture arrived (at the studio), lead singer Joseph Hill looked broadly about and, seeing the Gladiators, Wailing Souls, Mighty Diamonds and Itals, said "Dis yah a roots session."
That's all you need to know. Every cut is a previously unreleased, yet amazing version. The three Culture tracks alone make it an incredible album.
There are some pretty cheesy reggae compilations out there, but this CD is one of the best roots albums I've heard.
THe sickest roots music.......2002-07-05
Best roots compilation ever!.......2000-04-01
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King Tubby's Rastafari Dub (1974 - 1979)
King Tubby Manufacturer: Clocktower ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0002ZDVEA Release Date: 2004-08-24 |
Tracks:
- King of the Arena Dub
- No Partial Dub
- Crazy Bald Head Dub
- Living Dub
- Rastafari Dub
- Heartless Dub
- Yard Dub
- Destroy Dub Style
- Book of Numbers Dub
- Natty Roots Man Dub
- Sunny Dub
- Jam Style Dub
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Rastafari Dub
Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus Manufacturer: Roir ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00004SEUH Release Date: 1999-05-11 |
Tracks:
- None a Jah Jah Children
- Truth and Rights
- In Zion
- Sufferation
- Give Love
- New Name
- Birds in the Treetop
- No Happens
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Rastafari Plus Dub
Ras Michael Manufacturer: Lagoon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00004SI7J Release Date: 1995-08-08 |
Tracks:
- Give Love
- Give Love (Dub Version)
- Sufferation
- Sufferation (Dub Version)
- In Zion
- In Zion (Dub Version)
- None A Jah Jah Children
- None A Jah Jah Children (Dub Version)
- Truth & Rights
- Truth & Rights (Dub Version)
- Mr. Brown
- Glory Down
- It Is No Secret
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Chant Rastafari
Dub Station & Shaka Black ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000G8PCI6 Release Date: 2006-05-16 |
Tracks:
- Addis Ababa
- You Say
- Chant Rastafari
- Pickup (Live)
- Man Of Rasta (Live)
- Teardrops (Live)
- Walkdrops (Live)
- Treat Her Right (Live)
- Road Rage (Live)
- Jah Alone (Live)
- This Way (Live)
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Calling Rastafari
Burning Spear Manufacturer: Heart ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00002DETY Release Date: 1999-10-13 |
Tracks:
- As It Is
- Hallelujah [Extended Mix]
- House of Reggae
- Let's Move
- Brighten My Vision
- You Want Me To
- Calling Rastafari
- Sons of He [Extended Mix]
- Statue of Liberty
- Own Security
- Holy Man [Extended Mix]
Amazon.com
It's been a long time since Burning Spear released an album as thoroughly rootsy as this--the opening track even quotes from his own classic "Slavery Days." And rarely has his music, which has always been locked into a hypnotic groove, sounded so upbeat, punctuated with bouncing horn lines--it's almost as if he's announcing that he's back, and happy to be here. While his voice isn't quite the instrument it was in the late '70s, it's still strong and supple, and there's plenty of vocal support--almost a return to the days of Burning Spear (the band) in the use of call-and-response singing. Even his writing seems to have taken a rootsier turn (as evidenced by the album title). All in all, Spear's best in years. --Chris NicksonCustomer Reviews:
Tight band.......2006-02-21
Not a classic, but by all means, a tight album.
Very nice Spearsman very nice.......2005-08-17
Hanging on.......2000-12-30
Very Very Good.......2000-10-09
still going strong.......2000-09-18
This new release is quite good, with Winston's voice in good form, and using the call and reply method he uses so well. For me "Hallelujah" and "House of Reggae" are the best tracks on here.
This cd is not a bad introduction to the Prophet for the uninitiated, but he/she would be better served finding the classic lps "Marcus Garvey," (one of the greatest reggae lps ever made) "Garvey's Ghost," "Man in the Hills, " "Dry and Heavy," and "Social Living," all of which are readily available and are must listens.
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