Ragga Muffins Festival 2010 Review

The 29th Annual Ragga Muffins Festival formerly known as the Bob Marley Festival was held at the usual location, the Long beach Arena, in Long beach, on the weekend of February 20th and 21st. And although the name of the festival has been radically and dramatically changed, there has been no betrayal of the original concept, which is to honor The Rasta Philosopher Bob Marley, who died of cancer 29 years ago. Bob’s untimely demise has certainly made the world a far less desirable place in to live in. Nevertheless, his songs of resistance against tyranny and oppression, still inspires people all over the world to fighter for equality and justice.

To list Bob’s accomplishments and why he deserves to be honored, it would literally take an entire book. However, here are some of the most outstanding ones:
The United Nations honored him with a Peace Medal in 1978.
A month before died he was given the Order Of Merit by the Government of in Jamaica 1981
The highly recognized Bill Broad magazine named him Artist of the Century
Diamond Award for Legend Album released in 1984 and has sold well in excess of 20 million copies globally
Time Magazine named Exodus Best album 1999
“One Love”, chosen anthem of the Millennium by BBC.
Lifetime Achievement Award by National Academy of Recording Artists
A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
An introduction in National Black Voice and Entertainment Hall of Fame and Museum.
His song “No Woman No Cry” was named a reggae classic and went into the Grammy Hall OF Fame.

The line up for Saturday featured a fantastic array of reggae artists such as Mr. Bombastic Shaggy, a name very familiar to millions of reggae fans, and why not, he has had two multi-platinum albums, five number one hits, and eleven top ten singles worldwide and a Grammy in 1996. He invited several guest singers to collaborate with him on a good few of his duets, and that surely enhanced his lovely set. Other co headliners for the event were Dirty Heads; a Los Angeles based pop reggae outfit and Don Carlos, who has never known to be a doctrinaire or even to be ostentatious for that matter. The onetime founding member of the internationally famous Black Uhuru, added an abundance of true roots and culture to the afternoon. And the crowd felt good about him.

The extremely interesting Frankie Paul came on stage fully dressed in his African attire. He presented himself as a man of great compassion and merciful nature. He pulled tracks from his incredibly vast catalog all evening long. The hilarious and high energy King Yellowman, never deviated from his mission. There were times when i thought he had literally mistaken the stage for a track and field. He ran from one end of the stage to another relentlessly, delivering 80’s titanic hits such as Mr.Chin, Operation Radication, I’m Getting Married and much more. The chemistry that has kept him and his Sagittarius band together for decades is very admirable. Big Youth, one of the marvels of the early dance hall era and whose endurance has been tested by time, was in tip top shape. Impeccably dressed in a red outfit, he had everyone rocking to his big songs of the by gone years.

There was a tremendous sense of urgency to see Mikey Spice, known for his sentimental and gospel flavored songs, being born and rise in the church. This was his first time in Long beach, and he certainly made up for lost time. Perspiration ran of him like a broken fire hydrant as he worked the stage like a firefly. The maestro, very stern and righteous, showed his love for the audience and expressed sorrow at not being invited here before. Well I am not used to seeing Gramps Morgan without his siblings and I had no idea what to expect. A fine vocalist, indeed who found his earliest singing and keyboards inspiration while growing up between New York and Massachusetts. He truly has a sensational taste for R & B, thus I found his set too R & B orientated. Even when he did my absolute favorite, Is She Still Loving, which was done by Morgan Heritage, it didn’t have that reggae feel to it. Thus, I was totally unable to join him in chorus at any given moment in his performance. One of London’s most distinguished reggae performers, Lloyd Brown, certainly worthy of the highest praise, made his second appearance at the fest. However, from the look of things, he was not extremely at home with the band. But with his voice, you just can’t go wrong.

Much to the regret of everyone, the attendance on Saturday was at a fatally all time low. However, upon my arrival on Sunday, I knew the event was a definite sellout. The first indicator there was literally no parking anywhere in the general vicinity of the arena.
The spectacularly awesome lineup for Sunday and the generally poor state of the overall US economy, forced reggae fans expressly picked that day as their choice favorite. Ultimately and unfortunately, those who missed Sunday, missed out monumentally. Missing in action for the show was Capleton. The Gay Rights activists were hell bent on protesting his presence in Long beach for his anti gay lyrics, thus the promoters Moss Jacob Presents In Association With Ragga Muffins Productions scratched him from the roster. In his place though was the much-respected Eddy Fitroy.

Sunday was truly rocking! The morning sun was in its full glory although the weather person promised afternoon showers. The Lions band which consists of highly decorated musicians from Los Angeles, are one of the best homegrown roots reggae groups on circuit at the moment and they performed brilliantly as usual. The Aggrolites delivered their blistering aggro reggae tunes with unmatched energy, fear or dread. The timing was just right for the internationally recognized veterans of the reggae stage Mighty Diamonds. They delivered multiple templates from the glorious 70’s when masterpieces were still being chiseled at Channel One studio in Kingston, Jamaica. This news should spark the interests of The Mighty Diamonds fans, they were given Life Time Achievement Awards for their longevity by the festival co promoter Barbara Barbeno . Point of fact, they are the oldest continuously performing reggae group that has not changed any personnel since their formation in 1969.

The utterly gallant Rasta with dreadlocks a mile long, Alborosie the Italian expatriate, who decided to pursue the music that fascinated him as a child, now lives in Kingston, Jamaica, the reggae Mecca, made his virgin appearance in Southern California. Much to my delight, he was extremely well received by the fans. He brought everyone warm greetings from Jamaica and Italy. Tarsus Riley, The son of the famous Jimmy Riley, has cemented his reputation as on of reggae’s best new comers. Backed by the extraordinarily brilliant and relentlessly creative Dean Frazer, the sax wizard, they brought the house down with “She’s Royal” one of the biggest reggae anthems of the past few years and a treasure favorite of all the ladies.

From incomparable and dynamic Calvin George Scott a.k.a. Cocoa Tea ascended the stage, it was none stop memory juggling until Barrington Levy brought the curtain down! Burning with anxiety especially since he hadn’t been in the area for quite sometime, Cocoa Tea started off with “Holy Mount Zion” and from then on he could do no wrong. Though a proverbial name in reggae, and ever so self confident, he did a number of songs by the likes on Bob Marley and Dennis Brown among others.

To prove that wisdom doesn’t come over night, one would be hard press to hear the veteran of the stage Gregory Isaacs sing any of his songs that were not a reggae anthem. No wonder he had the entirely packed arena singing along with him like a church choir to such tunes as Mr. Brown, Top Ten, and Night Nurse. Detour Posse posse backed Gregory, which I thought, was a bit odd since they have historically backed Barrington Levy, but being the master musicians they are, they can back any reggae musician. After an extended break they were back on stage for the final onslaught along with Barrington. Very few artists can capture the Southern California audience in the same manner in which Levy can. Indeed, its been proven that if you want to sell out a show, just put his name on the marquee and every Hispanic reggae fan in California will turn up. He is without comparison, this is his territory. And he doesn’t disappoint whenever he takes the stage. Signature numbers such as Broader Than Broadway, Under Mi Sensi, Too Experience, Here I Come and Black Black Roses were received with deafening, staggering and mind blowing response.

Though not a part of the original lineup, Kombit Creole a dance group Haiti, drew massive applause from all for their lovely performance. Even those who were in safe keeping in the backstage area responded with warmth and love. The festival provided a majesty setting for the group to spotlight Haitian music and dance. Much to their delight they performed both days. Humbled by the warmth and love they received from the audience, they thanked everyone for coming to the rescue of Haiti after it was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 13.

Festival MCS: Amlax Tafari and Richie B were in their usual elements of keeping the audience highly entertained. Richie B who said great excitement and fascination, on Sunday evening, “reggae fans, I think we have capacity crowd here today”. Down To Earth one Los Angeles top sound system did a superb job excited the audience especially on Sunday when they played an extended set of some crucial and meaningful selections by Marley. As is customary, food and arts and craft were in abundance both days.

Southern California reggae fans are extremely fortunate to have so many major festivals throughout the year. The next major festival in the UCLA Jazz Reggae Fest at the end of May.

Written by: Junior Francis, Radio D.J. for KPFR Radio Clairmont California

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