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Australian reggae

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Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. Australia has several bands and sound systems that play reggae music in a style faithful to its expression in Jamaica. Australia has a relatively small Jamaican community, but reggae penetrated local consciousness via the popularity of reggae among the non-Jamaican population of England in the 1960s and 1970s. Many indigenous musicians have embraced reggae, both for its musical qualities and its ethos of resistance. Examples include Mantaka, No Fixed Address, Zennith and Coloured Stone.

History

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The first Reggae sound system in Australia was Soulmaker, established in 1972 by J.J. Roberts, a Jamaican from Saint Catherine Parish. Bob Marley & The Wailers toured Australia in 1979, playing Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. Reggae had success on the radio charts in Australia in the early 1980s when Toots and the Maytals, the first artist to use the term "reggae" in song, went to number one with their song "Beautiful Woman".[1][2] One of the first Australian reggae bands was Untabu. The original members of the band came from Trinidad & Tobago, Bruce Mc Clean - guitar and Errol H Renaud - steel pan, lead singer Ras Roni from Barbados, percussionist Jorge Morales from Puerto Rico and Fijians Rupeni Davui - bass, James Purmodh - drums and Joel Knight - keys. They had releases on Larrikin Records and were resident in a number of clubs in the Darlinghurst and Manly area of Sydney. They also toured the East coast regularly. They performed original music and reggae covers. The Aboriginal band No Fixed Address from Adelaide also had reggae songs in their repertoire.

In 1984, Australian label Corroboree Records had its first release with Dangerous Times.[3] This 7" single was recorded at Channel One Studios with the Roots Radics, voiced and mixed at King Tubby's with Bugs as engineer, and voiced by Dudley Green and General Justice. It Contains the song "Dangerous Dub" on the B side, which was mixed by King Tubby. It was released in Jamaica, the UK and Australia. In 1985 Larry Maluma arrived in Australia from Zambia with master tapes recorded in Zambia. He remixed a couple of tracks, Black or White and Chimutima Chako at AAV studios in Melbourne for a 45 single vinyl which was released in 1986 under his own newly formed independent (Safari Music) label. In 1987, two years after his arrival from Zambia Larry Maluma released his first album Confusion on his own Safari Music label. The video clip "Black and White" from the same album was aired on Countdown Revolution and Rock Arena on ABC. Larry Maluma went on to release his 14th album, Ndakondwa (I'm Happy), in 2014.

The first notable dub release in Australia was Ten Dubs That Shook The World by Sheriff Lindo and the Hammer, issued on the artist's own label, Endless Recordings, in 1988. The LP was reissued on the Creative Vibes label with five extra tracks in 1998, and again by EM Records of Japan in 2006, on CD (catalogue number EM1049CD) and LP (EM1049LP), limited to 500 copies. The CD version contains five extra tracks.

Melbourne-based band The Red Eyes released their first live CD in 2003 Live at the Evelyn, following it with two CD EPs, two full-length albums (Rudeworld in 2006 and Red Army in 2010) and the 2011 single Circles before disbanding.[4] Their catalog contains reggae, dub and occasional drum 'n' bass tracks. The band's lead singer El Witeri is Maori, and their work has been remixed by New Zealand dub producer, Deep Fried Dub.

In September 2006, Astronomy Class released Exit Strategy on the record label Elefant Traks. The record fused reggae and hip hop music. In February 2007, Melbourne-based producer Mista Savona released Melbourne Meets Kingston on Elefant Traks. It is a 21-track collaboration with Jamaican singers and deejays such as Anthony B, Determine and Big Youth. In September 2008, the Sydney-based band King Tide released their debut album To our Dearly Deported on the UK label Urban Sedated. The single "No Dog War" was used worldwide by the Sony corporation for their Wag the Dog campaign. The commercial shot in Brazil featured members from the cast of the feature film City of God. In December 2009, Australian artist Matty Woods released The Ras Gong Guerrilla EP, a 10-track recording that tackles Australian and international political issues such as Indigenous sovereignty, climate change and human rights.[5]

Desert Reggae is a developing contemporary style possibly originating in Central Australia and featuring lyrics often sung in Australian Aboriginal languages. As of 2015, many indigenous Australian artists from the Northern Territory represented by the Aboriginal owned and operated music label CAAMA Music identify as reggae or ska artists (often in combination with rock). Artists include Tjintu Desert Band (previously known as Sunshine Reggae) and Tjupi Band. Some also identify as Desert Reggae artists, with examples including Lajamanu Teenage Band, Rising Wind,[6] Irrunytju Band and Eastern Arrernte Band.[7] Annual music event Bush Bands Bash in Alice Springs features many Desert Reggae bands.[8]

Reggaeton, a music genre that blends reggae, hip hop, and traditional Latin American music, is also popular in Australia. The genre first came to prominence when Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee released his most notable single, "Gasolina," to Australian radio in 2006. Already a hit worldwide, it reached a peak of No. 12 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified Platinum,[9] making it one of the few Spanish-language songs to reach that position on the Australian charts.

Festivals

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See also: List of reggae festivals

A range of reggae festivals and festivals highlighting reggae music are held around Australia. Queensland hosts more than any other state, with Reggaetown and Kuranda Roots held near Cairns in far north Queensland, and Good Love (formerly One Love) held at the Gold Coast. Good Love Festival[10] is one of New Zealand's largest and most iconic music events, and made its Australian debut[11] in 2020 headlined by Shaggy and Sean Paul. In 2022, the festival changed its name to Good Love.[12]

In 2016, the first Jamaican Music & Food Festival was held in Melbourne, Victoria featuring reggae and other music of Jamaican origin. Sponsored by PBS and with live performances by Australian artists, bands and DJs, the festival has also featured many International artists including Jamaican reggae singer Bushman, British vocalist General Levy and soul singer Richie Stephens. In 2019 the festival also took place in Sydney, NSW and featured Mad Professor as its headline performer.[13]

Byron Bay Reggaefest[14] started at The Brewery[15] (28°38′42″S 153°36′17″E / 28.64507°S 153.604697°E / -28.64507; 153.604697; previously known as The Buddha Bar) on 4 December 2010 planned a 2-day festival at Missingham Park, Ballina NSW[16] on 17 & 18 September 2011.

Dub in the Park is an annual festival of dub, roots and world music first held in Adelaide, South Australia in 2016.[17] The festival was discontinued in 2019, but is expected to return in 2022.

South Beach annual Reggae Party Fremantle Western Australia started in 1998.

Former festivals

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Raggamuffin Music Festival was an annual reggae music festival that toured Australia and New Zealand. The festival postponed in 2017 and has not returned since.

Radio

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Notable Australian reggae radio programs of the past include Splashdown and The Pounding System. Australia's longest running reggae radio show is Jamdown Vershun which has been broadcasting on 92.1 FM in Perth with selector General Justice since July 1979.[18] The Jamaican singer, producer, and broadcaster Mikey Dread produced and presented a reggae radio special for 2JJJ in the mid to late 1980s.

In Melbourne, the PBS 106.7FM program "Babylon Burning" (formerly known as "Chant Down Babylon")[19] has been presented by Jesse I since the late 1990s.

Foreigndub ran a weekly radio show in Sydney on 94.5FM – FBI radio every Sunday from 5–7 pm called 'Foreigndub Airways'. They broadcast the show 2010-2019, now moved to 3-5pm Sunday slot on 2SER and stream worldwide.

Every Saturday afternoon, 4ZZZ presents The Yard, a Reggae show from 4-6pm with selecta Basmati (Rhythm Collision Sound)

Every Wednesday Morning 12 am −2am Fresh 92.7 a community station based in Adelaide has a reggae dancehall show called Dancehall & Ting which has aired since July 2012 and is hosted by DJ Ragz.

In 2013 An online radio station, Australia Reggae Radio (ARR) began broadcasting from Melbourne. ARR plays 24-hour Reggae and Dancehall music, 7 days a week.[20] Run by a former Jamaican music executive and current selector and MC, Zare Demus, ARR features a broad range of reggae and dancehall shows from both Australian and international DJs including, but not limited to, Robert Ragz – Dancehall and Ting from Adelaide, Australia; Basmati – The Yard from Brisbane, Australia; Zare Demus – The Zare Demus Show from Melbourne, Australia; Mumma Trees – Jamdown Vershun from Perth, Australia; DJ Septik – Slow Bounce from Brussels, Belgium and Young Lion – Young Lion Show from the UK.

Chart

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In 2017[21] The first-ever chart dedicated to reggae and dancehall music established in Australia by radio presenter DJ Ragz,[22] music producer DJ Wade[23] and Dancehall Reggae Australia.[24]

Notable artists

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Australian releases

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Singles
Artist Title Label Format Release Year
Pressure Drop Reggae Riot’ b/w ‘Jah EMI 7” 1979
Leon De Castro's Babylon Suspicious Minds' b/w 'Hindley Street Warner Brothers 7" 1979
Cassava 27 years' b/w 'Stir It Up EMI 1980
Un Tabu Open Your Eyes' b/w 'Dem Coming Down Larrikin EP 1980
Igniters Ignition' 'Rubby Dub' b/w 'More Flaming Dub' 'Kent Street Skank Larrikin EP 1981
Joe Dolce Reggae Matilda’ b/w ‘Stick It Out Ariola 103683 7” 1981
The Allniters She Made a Monkey Out of Me / Allniters Are Alrighters / She Drives Me Around the Bend Larrikin/Green 7” 1981
Us Mob/No Fixed Address Wrong Side of the Road Soundtrack 1981
Strange Tenants Something Like That / She Asked Me / Soldier Boy / Ground Point Zero Bluebeat 12” 1982
No Fixed Address From My Eyes Rough Diamond/Astor/PolyGram EP 1982
The Leftovers The Lemonade Song’ ‘Double Bay’ ‘Yay Al Method 7” 1983
The All Nighters D-D-D-Dance with the Allniters Powderworks LP 1983
Strange Tenants Take One Step/Two Steps Back / Grey Skies / Killer Zombies / Mr & Mrs Bluebeat 12” 1983
Strange Tenants I Work At My Machine’ b/w ‘The Firm Bluebeat LP 1984
Strange Tenants Movin' In Bluebeat LP 1984
Vegimite Reggae Trendy Ex-Hippies Confidential Records LP 1984
Vegimite Reggae Send it Out’ b/w ‘Faces Confidential Records 7” 1984
Club Ska Black ‘n’ White’ b/w ‘Club Dub Powderworks 7” 1986
Club Ska Cupid’ b/w ‘Bottom End Powderworks 7” 1986
Club Ska On The Road’ b/w ‘Beside Beat E Records/Creole Records 7” 1987
Sheriff Lindo and the Hammer 10 Dubs That Shook The World Endless Recordings ER001 LP 1988
Joe Geia Yil Lull Gammin Records LP 1988
Spy Vs Spy Working Week (Dub Mix WEA 12” 1988
Vegimite Reggae Too Many Years' b/w 'Love is Gone M.A.X. Records 7" 1989 7” 1989
The Latenotes Hallelujah Ska Unicorn Records CD 1990
Fraction Tribute to Bob and Peter' b/w 'Good Times Rainbow Wirl 12" 1991 12” 1991
Kate Ceberano and MC Kye Satisfied Regular Records 12" 1991 12” 1991
The Rockmelons feat. Kye Bubble & Squeak' from 'Form One Planet Mushroom CD 1992
Mixed Relations Love Polydor CD 1993
Christine Anu with Paul Kelly Last Train White Records CD 1993
Dub Congress + Starman Red Pepper Self-published CD 1993
Mixed Relations Love Polydor CD 1993
Bellydance One Blood Regular/Festival CD 1993
Kev Carmody & Tiddas Sorry Business Dub Mix CD 1993
The Natural Mystics Natural Creation Self-published CD 1994
Various Tribal Heart AIM CD 1994
Starman Wizzdom Wizzdom Productions CD 1995
Hoopsnake Outta My System rooArt CD 1995
Sacred Sound System feat. Kye Mantra Mix Mushroom CD 1996
Wicked Beat Sound System Music from the Core One Movement CD 1996
Sherrif Lindo and the Hammer Ten Dubs That Shook The World: Ten Dubs Ten Years On Creative Vibes CD 1998
Backy Skank Introducing Backy Skank MGM CD EP CD 1998
Bellydance Babylon Mixed Business Road Show CD 1998
Danny Rankin’ Zenith Self published CD 1998
Various Dub for the Masses Vol. 1 Creative Vibes CD 1999
Jeff Dread The Merchant of Dub Creative Vibes CD 1999
Dubble Dub Deadly Headly Head Records CD 2000
Various Dub for the Masses Vol. 2 Creative Vibes CD 2001
Backy Skank Suited and Booted Maximum CD 2003
George Rrurrambu Nerbu Message Skinnyfish CD 2004
Mista Savona Mr Savona Presents Invasion Day Mr Savona CD 2004
Secret Masters The Lost Dub Tapes Master Tunes CD 2004
King Tide To Our Dearly Deported Vitamin Records CD 2005
Budspells Inna Sense Ruffage Records CD 2005
Rastawookie Rastawookie Self-published CD 2005
Hot Rubber Glove Inna Rubba Dub Manor Rudekat Records CD 2005
King Tide Scared New World Vitamin Records CD 2006
Blue King Brown Stand Up Roots Level Records CD 2006
Resurrectors Healing Future Classic CD 2006
Various Island Time Rudekat Records CD 2006
Dubmarine Dub Deep Rudekat Records CD 2006
The Red Eyes Rude World ? CD 2006
Rastawookie Perfectly Ordinary Pollyannaism Polly CD 2007
Mista Savona Mista Savona Presents Melbourne Meets Kingston Elefant Traks CD 2007
Various Island Time 2 Rudekat Records CD 2007
Zennith I Like It Zennith CD 2007
Rumpunch Sucklin’ Rumpunch CD 2008
Errol H Renaud Live Eman music CD 2008
Fyah Walk Sunrise Red Roots and Stream Productions/Vitamin CD 2009
King Tide Roots Pop Reggae Vitamin records CD 2009
Various Champion Sound Sampler Vol. 1 Champion Sound CD 2009
Elephant Wise The Reasoning Dasvibes CD / Digital 2009
Raz Bin Sam Life is a Gift Dasvibes CD / Digital 2009
Raz Bin Sam Own This Life Dasvibes CD / Digital 2009
Sub-Tribe & The 4'20' Sound Dub Road Sub-Tribe Vinyl / Digital 2020
Errol H Renaud TBR Eman music CD 2011
The Strides The Strides Earshift Records CD 2009
Errol H Renaud Free Eman music CD 2017
Budspells Nomadik Souls Vitamin CD 2009
Fyah Walk Ocean Sounds Roots and Stream Productions/Vitamin CD 2009
Grace Barbé Kreol Daughter MGM CD 2008
Secret Masters Words Power CD 2009

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hardwicke, Al. Toots and the Maytals to Ignite UK Festival Circuit. African & Caribbean Music Circuit Ltd. Web. 2007-06-21 <https://pressdispensary.co.uk/releases/c991248/Toots-and-the-Maytals-to-Ignite-UK-Festival-Circuit-.html> Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  2. ^ "reggae". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 14 March 2017. <Dictionary.com http://www.dictionary.com/browse/reggae>.
  3. ^ "Dudley Green, Mr. General & Mr. Chemist – Dangerouse Times (Vinyl) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  4. ^ "The Red Eyes". Discogs. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  5. ^ [1][dead link]
  6. ^ "CAAMA Music catalog 2015" (PDF). CAAMA Music. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Reggae Dancer". CAAMA Music. 2021. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Bush Bands". www.commonground.org.au. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Daddy Yankee – Gasolina – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  10. ^ StClair, Monique (2 September 2019). "Shaggy and Sean Paul to headline Gold Coast's newest music festival". myGC.com.au.
  11. ^ Staff Writers. "Shaggy and Sean Paul Headline One Love Festival's Australian Debut In 2020". scenestr - Pop Culture & Entertainment.
  12. ^ "Home - Good Love". www.goodlove.com.au. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Jamaica | Jamaican Music & Food Festival | Australia". jmffestival. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  14. ^ [2] Archived 22 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Byron Bay Brewery". Byron Bay Brewery. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  16. ^ "Missingham Bridge Amphitheatre". Archived from the original on 22 April 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  17. ^ "Welcome". Dub in the Park. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Jamdown Vershun " RTRFM / The Sound Alternative". Rtrfm.com.au. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  19. ^ "Chant Down Babylon". Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  20. ^ "Australia Reggae Radio". radio. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  21. ^ "New interactive music chart for dancehall and reggae launched". Scoop. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  22. ^ "DJ Ragz charts destiny (Jamaica Observer)". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  23. ^ "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  24. ^ "New interactive music chart for dancehall and reggae launched". Scoop. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
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