jamarchOn the back of their Bluesfest 2011 appearances, two of Reggae’s most famous and enduring acts will play sideshow performances in Sydney and Melbourne.
Toots and the Maytals, one of the Greatest Jamaican Reggae artists EVER, will be joined by one of the most important reggae singers in decades Luciano and the Jah Messenjah Band together with rising stars, Warrior King and Bonnie Casey.
First formed in Jamaica in the early 1960s, Grammy Award winners Toots and the Maytals have been spreading their unique combination of gospel, ska, soul and reggae around the world for more than 40 years. Toots and the Maytals were credited with coining the term ‘reggae’ when they released their hit single Do the Reggay in 1968. International recognition followed in the early 1970s with Monkey Man, Funky Kingston and Reggae Got Soul. The band’s iconic track Pressure Drop featured on the soundtrack to the 1972 film The Harder They Come, which introduced reggae to much of the world.
With the release of his 1995 breakthrough album Where There Is Life, through to his 2010 release United States of Africa, Jamaica’s Luciano is regarded as one of the most important reggae singers in decades. The combination of accessible, positive lyrical themes and contemporary rhythms as well as his commitment to the true spirit of Jamaican reggae, has seen his followers dub him “The Messenger”. Having toured Australia twice before and with 16 studio albums already to his name it is clear that irrespective of which genre the baritone sings, his message remains spiritual and cultural.
Rising reggae artist Warrior King, burst onto the Jamaican music scene in 2001 with his debut album Virtuous Woman. With his vibrant and uplifting lyrics and addictive roots rhythms Warrior King now comes to Australia for the first time.
Bonnie Casey has recently been nominated for Most Promising New Reggae Artist and Best Female Vocalist in the 2011 Canadian Reggae Music Achievement Awards.
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