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Here Come The Hotsteppers Ini Kamoze and a re-united Black Uhuru are amongst the highlights of the Reggae Festival of Wales line-up. |
 
"Thanks man" he croaked in an exhausted sounding voice, reminding me of the countless reggae songs that tell us how 'the heights of great men reached and kept, were not obtained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night'. As promised Reggae Wales are delivering a festival that features some of the most influential artists from the seventies and early eighties roots era, alongside representatives of the modern UK dub sound system scene. Rather than being fickle and concerned with the latest hype, the international roots audience are famously loyal to their heroes. I can hear the enthusiasm and energy returning as Dean explains "A lot of respect being paid to the legends; Johnny Clarke, Fred Locks...Mikey Dread and Ijahman Levi were fantastic last year so we thought we'd bring them back. We've just finished a tour with Ijahman. Four days in a bus listening to his stories was amazing!" Dean may be clocking up the hours organising the third and biggest Reggae Festival Of Wales, but persuading people to come and play hasn't been hard work. I'm surprised to hear that even Ini Kamoze, who's hot property again thanks to Junior Gong sampling his 'World A Music' for the smash hit 'Welcome To Jamrock', was secured incredibly easily. Dean laughs as he sets me straight "Kymani Marley and Ini Kamoze came from the same agent, they turned around and said we've got both of them available, do you want them? We've done very little calling around. The agents of nearly all the artists we've lined up contacted us."
It's the nuts and bolts of a two day event that are being organised now. "We worked out the time slots last night. We're working out who's on what stages. Trade stalls can be open from whenever they want and the music starts from one in the afternoon. It has to finish on all stages by midnight. There are neighbours quite close to the venue, so the licence stipulates that we have all the music outside finishing at 8pm. The big indoor 5,000 capacity hanger will then take over from 8 till midnight. The Reggae Lounge is all day." The Reggae Lounge promises to offer a two day snapshot of the UK sound system scene. From the established names of Aba-Shanti and Iration Steppas, the veteran Jah Observer (the first reggae sound ever to play Notting Hill Carnival) to the new generation of sounds, Operation,Toxic and Uprising. "In the Reggae Lounge everyone gets an hour, with a sound followed by a band, followed by a sound and so on. Whereas the emphasis is on live music on the main stage and sounds like Trojan are only playing between the bands." I asked Dean to predict which of the less well known bands on the bill were likely to make an impression. "Pama International are ska oriented and they make you want to get up and dance. Foundation Crew, Ramshaka and Daddy Teacha are from down Cornwall way and are linked to Toxic Sound System. There's some real talent down there. Foundation Crew were working with Junior Delgado a little while before he passed away. They're both live bands and they're good."
My own advice would be to ensure that Ini Kamoze is on the outdoor stage. If he's playing indoors and starts singing 'World A Music', the roof might come off. Out in the Showground "they call it murder!!" Welcome to Haverfordwest.
June
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