REVIEW 2002



Peace begins with this often difficult and painful understanding. It begins in the heart. It is that simple and it is that profound. For there to be peace in the world, we must first cultivate it in our hearts then extend it into our homes, communities, and through this, the world – our global community and family." (Julia Butterfly Hill)

In spite of ongoing tribulations on our planet, the echo of laughter, the renewal of old and the beginning of new friendships revealed a model utopian family. United by Reggae music and strengthened through the belief that the key to survival and happiness on our planet is to cultivate peace by nourishing our hearts and minds with love and cultural acceptance of all people. The simple but profound words "Peace On Our Planet" found a spiritual habitat in the Redwood hills of California’s French’s Camp in Humboldt County as the 19th Annual Reggae On The River® took wings and soared on August 2, 3 and 4, 2002 in Piercy, California.

Opening ceremony for this year’s show was delivered by Jim Brown of the Pomo Nation Tribe and followed by performances by King Chango, Medicine Drum and the North Coast Underground. Kanda Bongo Man brought the excitement of Congolese Soukous as he sang in his Lingala language spoken in Zaire and his native Congo. Bringing an exhilarating close to the Friday, August 2 show was the socially conscious lyrics of Michael Franti & Spearhead. A truly uncommon celebration of "all the freaky people" came with Franti’s colorful stage performance of the title track from his latest CD release Stay Human -- which made a larger than life emphasis of "all the freaky people" and their differences with a three ring circus displaying human eccentricities ranging from tight wearing flame throwers to cross-gender dressed acrobats and clowns on stilts. Making a surprise appearance on the Reggae On The River® stage on Friday was the exciting South African group, Bongo Maffin performing songs from their first U.S. release, Bongolution on the Lightyear Label (2002). On Saturday, August 3, the Reggae massive was properly rocked by a wicked Taxi Triple Connection with the legendary Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare. Sly and Robbie heated up the stage and ushered in the "Reggae Party" as they backed the "Waterhouse" style of Michael Rose. The "rhythm twins" also flexed their musical prowess by also backing the lyrical gangsta, Ini Kamoze who flawlessly performed his hit songs, "Listen Me Tic" and "Here Comes the Hot Stepper."

The Rasta youths are on the rise! So proved by an energetic and brilliant performance by the talented camp from Ghetto Youths International with Marley youths Steven, Damian "Jr. Gong", Julian and a guest appearance by brother Ky-Mani Marley. Blazing the turntable between songs was a street-wise dancehall set with a rare mixing table performance by the militant but conscious Miami-based sound system master Jah Stream (celebrating the release of his CD, Give Thanks for Life). Julian Marley opened the Ghetto Youths extravaganza with songs from his last CD release including the title track, Lion In The Morning and "Loving Clear." Julian also performed new songs soon to be released including, "One Way Train" and "Here Together." Appearing on stage to deafening applause was the youngest of the Marley crew, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley.

Jr. Gong blazed through an impressive retrospective of songs including the title track from his 2002 Grammy winning CD, Halfway Tree as well as the songs "Educated Fools", "More Justice" and the stylish Reggae duo with brother Stephen Marley, "Catch A Fire" (Slave Driver). Launching an all inclusive Reggae cruise, Jr. Gong sailed through a generous number of songs all delivered with a pleasingly youthful Rasta flavor laced with a distinctive Hip-Hop beat including the songs "Me Name Jr. Gong" and "Mr. Marley" from his CD, Mr. Marley (1966). Displaying his musical versatility, Jr. Gong got the crowd jumping when he performed the Calypso-flavored "She Needs My Love." Giving respect to his older brothers, the young Jr. Gong introduced brother Ky-Mani Marley who move smoothly on stage to sing his lovingly expressed, "Dear Dad" -- a touching letter-song to his father Robert Nesta Marley. Ky-Mani continued the dedication to his dad by singing his song "Crazy Baldheads" while Jr. Gong completed the dedication with "So Much Trouble In The World "and" Trench Town Rock." The Marley youths made a wonderful showing at this year’s Reggae On The River®!

Other performers who scored big with the crowd at this year’s show was a wicked performance by the great Detour Posse band who backed dancehall artist Sean Paul, who rocked the crowd when he performed "strictly dancehall" songs from his current CD release, Stage One on VP Records.

A fine performance came from the Trinidad and Tobago Rapso group 3Canal. Band members Wendell Manwarren, Roger Roberts and Stanton Kewley brought the lively sounds of Carnival to the Reggae On The River® stage as they performed their most loved Jouvay and Carnival songs from their 2001 CD release, The Heroes of Wha? on Ritual Records. Also performing on Saturday was Mystic, Katt & the Revolutionary Dream Band, Sudden Rush and Luna Angel.

Cool breezes and cool music kept the Reggae On The River® stage in full swing beginning early on Sunday, August 4 with opening performances by Dub FX, Youth Exodus and Non-Prophets. Forwarding the Rasta vibe was a beautiful performance by Prezident Brown backed by the Orchestra of Judah band with back up vocalist, Sisters of Encouragement.

Later on Sunday afternoon, a fine performance came from the Mali couple Amadou Doumbia and Mariam Bagayoko know as Le Couple Aveugle du Mail or Amadou et Mariam. Once on stage, after being escorted to their microphones, it is difficult to believe that Amadou and Mariam are both blind.

As I positioned myself to photograph the couple as they performed, they turned and seemed to look directly at me and then both smiled. It was a mind-expanding experience, not only because I was aware they are both blind, but because I felt sure that in spite of their physical blindness they were quite aware of my presence in front of the stage and they seem to gain momentum from the flow of spiritual energy surrounding them. Amadou et Mariam brought an insightful blend of African-American Jazz and Blues, Cuban son and Indian rhythms to the stage. I found Amadou et Mariam’s performance to be, quite frankly, magical as Mariam's lilting voice wafted over the audience and gently settled in with the rhythm of Amadou’s guitar, reminiscent of the Blues style of the great B.B. King. Singing in Dogon and French, I could not tell you what words their songs actually spoke of, but each song touched me with an unseen and mystical sensation that felt somehow familiar and comfortable. Amadou Et Mariam were definitely one of the highlights of this year's show. To hear more of Amadou Et Mariam listen to their current CD release, Tje Ni Mousso on the Circular Moves Label (2000) and Sou Ni Tile on Tinder Records.

Always constructing a "Reggae Roadblock" the family-based Reggae group Morgan Heritage performed with their father, the great Denroy Morgan. The Heritage family jammed on songs "Troddin’ Jah Road", and the call to work anthem, "Ready To Work" all from their ground-breaking CD release, Don’t Have to Dread to be Rasta on VP Records (1999).

Morgan Heritage also kept the Rasta vibes strong as they performed songs from their latest release, More Teachings (VP 2002) including the songs, "Down by the River" and from One Calling (1998) they kept the audience high when they performed "Trodding to Zion" and "Give We A License." The pressure point was put under maximum stress when the next generation of Morgan Heritage hit the stage as Hip-Hop driven Rasta youths, LMS performed the title track from their 2001 VP Record release Zion Gates and the song, "Free As A Bird."

Giving another fine performance on the Reggae On The River® stage was South Africa’s Lucky Dube who sang songs from his latest CD release on Shanachie Records, Soul Taker including the songs, "Sleeping Dogs" and "Money, Money, Money." Lucky Dube also beautifully performed songs from his previous releases including the song "Feelin’ Irie" from his 1966 album, Serious Reggae Business.

Coming to conduct a "Reggae School to test your Reggae skills and obtain a higher level of Reggae Education" was the African Teacher, The Professor of Percussion, Dean of Dub and Chancellor of Culture, the great Burning Spear backed by the power of the Burning Band.

Burning Spear opened his show with his livity song, "Creation" and was in fine form when he performed the song "Burning Reggae' as he displayed his skillful percussion talents. Believe it or not, Burning Spear is said to be retiring this year and his performance at this year’s Reggae On The River® could be one of his last. Spiraling through time, Burning Spear performed a cornucopia of his songs including, "Are You Ready", "People of the World" and a seamless performance of the glorious "Jah No Dead" which can be heard on the soundtrack of the 1978 film, Rockers. Burning Spear also performed his new song "Free Man" (don’t trod on Rasta man, Rasta man don’t trouble no one) soon to be released on the Burning Spear Label. Commemorating the spirit of the Messiah of The Message, Burning Spear sang the emotionally charged "Marcus Garvey" in honor of The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey born on August 17, 1887 in Jamaica’s St. Ann’s Bay. It’s interesting to note that during Burning Spear’s performance you may find yourself mesmerized by the mystical elements of The Spear’s compelling vocals and the heartbeat of his Nyahbingi driven percussion. His well-know shout of "TALK TO ME PEOPLE, TALK TO ME" has become a necessary stimulant that spiritually takes hold of the people and safely returns them to earth.

A deafening round of applause ushered Burning Spear back on stage for an encore. The African teacher’s final set included the powerful song "Days of Slavery" and the Rasta revivalist chant, "African Postman," which not only stirred up the crowd but also animated a once meditative Spear into a wicked yard man skank during the instrumental set by the Burning Band. A cheering crowd was quieted when Burning Spear humbly offered the following farewell and closing words for this year’s Reggae On The River®:

"You see this music, Reggae Music? Reggae music is a big, big, big, big sound ‘ting you know, a deep music. I know dat. I an I and I been playing this music from an earlier time, for a long, long, long, long time. I know dat. I also know dat the people identify the culture and the roots of ‘dis music. The people fully identify with the strength of ‘dis music. I know dat. You see ‘dis music? ‘Dis music couldn’t play and play and play and play and go places and places. I know dat. ‘Dis is how I see it! It’s one big, big house of Reggae. One big house of Reggae, regardless. I also know dat I am the one in ‘dis time who been carrying the torch for ‘dis music. So, you want some more original Reggae music? Reggae music is the people music, is the world music, is Jah music, is Roots & Culture music…I know so many things about the music. I always want to be music…As Jah wish. So we thank you for your presence…your support…your time…your oneness…your togetherness. So, hopefully some other future we can do this again, together. Rastafari! --Burning Spear

Big up and give thanks to all the singers and players of instruments, to the staff and volunteers from People’s Production and the Mateel Community Center, Inc. Also BIG UP to the crucial sounds of Jah Love Universal Sound System, Midnight Dread and Massive Sound International and this year’s Reggae On The River® MCs, the actor Leon and Rocky Allen Bailey.