REGGAE

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Comment by Saint on April 9, 2009 at 12:42pm

Think I'll get some Gregory Isaacs myself....thanks

Comment by Saint on March 9, 2009 at 3:05pm

Thanks Edie..this is the I Jahman I was asking about..did not know much about them...I do have one old LP...thanks Much.

Comment by Edie Antoinette on March 8, 2009 at 11:11am

Saint..Is this the "I Jahman" you refer to?

Ijahman Levi (born: Trevor Sutherland) has been on the cutting edge of Jamaica's music for more than four decades. While his 1985 duet with his second wife, Madge, "I Do," remains his best known tune, reaching the top position on the British music charts, Levi has continued to influence reggae and ska vocalists with his eclectic approach and songs of spirituality, love and humanity. Educated to the high school level in Kingston, Levi was mentored by vocal teacher Joe Higgs. Recorded his first single, "Red Eyes People," under the guidance of Stranjah Cole for Duke Reid Productions, at the age of thirteen. Shortly after moving with his with his band, Vibrations, which he formed in 1965, Levi became a regular performer at the Q club.

After the group's disbanding, he formed Youth And Rudie And The Shell Shock, with which he performed until launching his solo career, as Youth, in 1966. Courted by several record companies, Levi recorded singles for Polydor in 1967 in 1967 and Decca in 1968. Levi's career was temporarily stilled when he was arrested in 1970 a sent to prison for three years. While imprisoned, he assumed the name of Ijahman Levi and wrote the classic tune, "Jah Heavy Lord." Released from prison in 1974, Levi found refuge at the house of Rastafari at the St. Agnes Place headquarters of the Twelve Tribes.

Much of his time was spent studying the Bible. In 1975, Levi recorded "Jah Heavy Lord" for the Concrete Jungle subsidiary of Dip Records. Singing on Rico Rodrigues' album, Man From Warika, for the Island label, Levi was signed to a recording contract by the label's owner Chris Blackwell. His two albums on Island -- Haile I Hymn, released in 1978, and, Are We A Warrior, released in 1979 -- were produced by late Jamaican producer Geoffrey Chung. Following the success of the two albums, Levi left Island and formed his own label, Tres Roots Records International", in 1980.

The following year, he married his second wife, Madge. Ijahman remained active in the 1990s. In 1991, he performed at the Zimbabwe Sunspalsh. Five years later, he was invited to the Gambia state house as a special guest of President Jammeh. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide

REVIEW
"A We a Warrior" is truly an overlooked gem for the waning years of roots reggae's Golden Era. With only five tracks on the entire album, Ijahman takes the opportunity to languidly suss out each tune to the fullest. Every song is at least five minutes long. Several of the cuts are nearly 8 minutes long and not a moment is wasted. The result is a mystical, lush, yearning, spiritual (The Church), and, yes, sexy (check Ms. Beverly) soundscape that is still phophetic and futuristic sounding nearly three decades after is original release. Ijahman sings as though he is truly possessed by a mystical muse.

The backing band on this album could easily be an allstar list of Jamaica's finest studio musicians of the era: They are nothing less than precise as they construct deep grooves that build upon and transcend the classic one-drop sound that was so (rightfully) pervasive at the time. There is a dark edge to Ijahman's spirituality and that's what makes this record exceptional.

This is not tourist Jamaican music, nor is it poppy or hippy-dippy reggae and there are no touchy, feelly, "everything is irie" (although the grooves are indeed deep) anthems here. The style, rythm and lyrics are unapologetically revolutionary, African and Rastafarian. This not to say that those who simply enjoy great music will be put off: Above all else, the music here is sublime and richly melodic. This ones for those who seek a deeper roots sound. "Are We a Warrior" is simply rare find, a unique record that takes the willing listener on a sonic quest in search of mystic revelations.

Comment by Edie Antoinette on March 7, 2009 at 9:57am

Stephanie, this comment was previously posted January 8:

FREE DOWNLOAD

Courtesy of Tone (sweet self)..Look in the "HELP" topic above. He left the whole album, as heard here. ♥

Comment by Saint on March 2, 2009 at 12:21pm

Has anyone ever heard of a old group called ...I Jahman....?

Comment by Edie Antoinette on February 18, 2009 at 4:59pm

Welcome to our newest member..Lydell!!!

Comment by Edie Antoinette on January 20, 2009 at 1:33pm

I love his music too! Puts me there in the Islands...Mmmm

Comment by J'thani on January 14, 2009 at 12:26am

Comment by Edie Antoinette on January 13, 2009 at 12:50pm

Makes sense J'thani...I always feel like Reggae and other Island music is a part of me..though I've never been there. Ultimately--we are all woven though. It's in our bones.

I was surprised to see that Reggae is a relatively young genre too.

Comment by J'thani on January 13, 2009 at 10:57am

Edie and OSC, I have seen Toots and the Maytals several times. Back in the late 70's they would open for groups like the Bob Marley and the Wailers, Third World, Jimmy Cliff, and Steel Pulse. I just say that to say back during that first
"wave"of Reggae Popularity,I think all who were into it in a consciuos way did recognize Toots and the Maytals and had heard about the Heptones even if they hadn't heard them. And Edie in reference to what you saidabout the isley Brothers, remember that alot of these Artist had spent time in the states the UK, and Canada, so they apart from Soca, Ska,etc. were hearing what we were hearing, for example, it is known that Bob Marley lived in Baltimore for a short period and worked as a welder.

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