Post by I on May 8, 2013 11:13:42 GMT
Ras Michael And The Sons Of Negus
The Ark, Hackney
The relatively small congregation gathered for this grounation in the presence of one of the leading exponents of nyabinghi drum chant maybe perhaps explained by the impromptu nature of the show, because this was a night's performance to gladden the spirit of any and all who uphold the ethos of Ras Tafari. The suddenness of the proceedings was due to Ras Michael and his troupe of drummers, keyboards player, two guitarists and Cedric Brooks on saxophone who comprise the Sons Of Negus being on tour in Europe earlier in the month and a representative coming to the UK to arrange an appearance here on their stop off before flying back to Jamaica. The Ark, a small building on the Hackney and Clapton borders housing a recording studio, rehearsal space and upstairs hall with a raised dais, was apparently chosen for its positive, heartical vibe and in this respect the master drummer's people could not have made a worthier choice.
In the interval between midnight and 3am when Ras Michael And The Sons Of Negus took their place on the platform, we were entertained by a session of music featuring such as Desi Roots, Burning Spear and Dennis Brown interpreting the Bob Marley songbook, selected on the night by the original King Original from Forest Gate in the person of Waisir. Ras Michael sat centre stage with his repeater drum perched between his legs and greeted his audience in the Amharic tongue before leading the Sons into the Ethiopian national anthem, 'Ethiopia, The Land Of Our Fathers'. Following this, the band briefly and teasingly struck up the refrain of 'None A Jah Jah Children', before diverting into an instrumental medley played with gusto and featuring sturdy saxophone playing by Im. We heard the 'Rasta Man Chant' and the lyrically similar 'Fly Away Home' and another driving instrumental in 'Darker Shade Of Black', played Studio 1 style with the bongos to the fore.
Then it was a trawl through the Sons Of Negus songbook: 'Chemical Warfare', 'Ghetto' and the sufferers lyrics 'Never Get Weary' and 'Be What You Wanna Be'. The best reception of the night came with practiced renditions of titles from the 'Ras Tafari' LP on selections like 'Truths And Rights' 'Mr Brown' and best of all 'Jah Pretty Face'. There was a rendering of Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song' and a closing 'Wimoweh'. Called back for an encore, the band responded with 'New Name Jah Got', instrumental workouts on 'Drum Song' and 'East Of The River Nile', and finally...breathlessly, 'None A Jah Jah Children No Cry', to send all home happy.
Penny Reel
Originally published in Echoes, March 7, 1998
The Ark, Hackney
The relatively small congregation gathered for this grounation in the presence of one of the leading exponents of nyabinghi drum chant maybe perhaps explained by the impromptu nature of the show, because this was a night's performance to gladden the spirit of any and all who uphold the ethos of Ras Tafari. The suddenness of the proceedings was due to Ras Michael and his troupe of drummers, keyboards player, two guitarists and Cedric Brooks on saxophone who comprise the Sons Of Negus being on tour in Europe earlier in the month and a representative coming to the UK to arrange an appearance here on their stop off before flying back to Jamaica. The Ark, a small building on the Hackney and Clapton borders housing a recording studio, rehearsal space and upstairs hall with a raised dais, was apparently chosen for its positive, heartical vibe and in this respect the master drummer's people could not have made a worthier choice.
In the interval between midnight and 3am when Ras Michael And The Sons Of Negus took their place on the platform, we were entertained by a session of music featuring such as Desi Roots, Burning Spear and Dennis Brown interpreting the Bob Marley songbook, selected on the night by the original King Original from Forest Gate in the person of Waisir. Ras Michael sat centre stage with his repeater drum perched between his legs and greeted his audience in the Amharic tongue before leading the Sons into the Ethiopian national anthem, 'Ethiopia, The Land Of Our Fathers'. Following this, the band briefly and teasingly struck up the refrain of 'None A Jah Jah Children', before diverting into an instrumental medley played with gusto and featuring sturdy saxophone playing by Im. We heard the 'Rasta Man Chant' and the lyrically similar 'Fly Away Home' and another driving instrumental in 'Darker Shade Of Black', played Studio 1 style with the bongos to the fore.
Then it was a trawl through the Sons Of Negus songbook: 'Chemical Warfare', 'Ghetto' and the sufferers lyrics 'Never Get Weary' and 'Be What You Wanna Be'. The best reception of the night came with practiced renditions of titles from the 'Ras Tafari' LP on selections like 'Truths And Rights' 'Mr Brown' and best of all 'Jah Pretty Face'. There was a rendering of Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song' and a closing 'Wimoweh'. Called back for an encore, the band responded with 'New Name Jah Got', instrumental workouts on 'Drum Song' and 'East Of The River Nile', and finally...breathlessly, 'None A Jah Jah Children No Cry', to send all home happy.
Penny Reel
Originally published in Echoes, March 7, 1998