To the novice listener, any mention of the reggae genre will probably evoke images of tropical sun, sand and sea, and perhaps sipping a Malibu in the shade of a palm tree. But for Thierry Cuvillier from Martinique, reggae isn’t something to be objectified and neither is it merely lyrics and a beat. “If you ask me what I love about reggae it is like saying that reggae is something out there that I love at and love. Like a woman or a kind of food, or a place. But reggae is inside I. It is I and I is it. There is no separation.”
With its chill bass lines and accents distinctly placed on the offbeat, reggae’s “words and sounds evoke a power and a vibe that can transform people, can move them in ways that some people have never felt before,” says Cuvillier (stage name Taili), one of the coordinators of Islandjam, a promotion group under the Taipei-based O-Brothaz record label.
It’s no wonder, then, that over the last year the reggae scene in Taiwan has been budding slowly but steadily, and you can get a taste of where it’s at tomorrow at Reggae Beachfest 2010, co-organized by Islandjam and Dean Zavolta and Chu Chien-hui (朱劍輝) of China Blue at WaLiLei (哇哩咧), an Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating areas on Cianshui Bay (淺水灣).
At this year’s festival, listen out for some acts that are becoming firmly established in Taiwan, such as Skaraoke, which has been leading a charge in reggae and ska and received positive reviews after performances in Japan.
Working under the O-Brothaz record label is Sunny Smalls, a Paiwan artist from Tainan whose reggae tunes and lyrics in Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese), Mandarin and English have attracted audiences from Japan and Jamaica. Ice, from Taoyuan, is an up-and-coming reggae singer who has joined forces with O-Brothaz to produce his own tracks.
From out of the country, Islandjam has brought in Jeck Pilpil and Peace Pipe from the Philippines, whose songs epitomize the message of the reggae vibe — a social, political and spiritual awakening. Ras Junior Alpha from Guinea will make his first visit to Taiwan since his memorable performance at last year’s Reggae Beachfest, where his rough and versatile style and upbeat stage presence established him as a crowd favorite. Popular singer Miffer from Tokyo’s reggae scene will also be joining in the party.
The lineup also includes Splendor, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, Matzka, Carib Rocks, Black Reign International, Selctha Zion of France, Open Crew from Japan and DJ Marcus Aurelius.
Since last year’s debut Beachfest festival, the hunt has continued for fresh reggae talent. This growing genre might not attract as much notice as rock or techno, but Cuvillier has noticed that “a lot of younger people are trying to find out more about Jamaican culture and reggae and not only going after the style but really trying to understand and look deeper into the music.”
Unlike some music genres that have been diluted for the mainstream, “real” reggae, according to Islandjam coordinator Oliver Harley (stage name Lion) “doesn’t need to adapt to its environment, it can just add to it. People here deserve to have exposure to the real culture, not some watered-down version of the truth. Reggae is never about that.”
Islandjam Reggae Beachfest is tomorrow from 2pm to 4am at WaLiLei restaurant on Cianshui Bay, 12-1, Beishhizi, Sanjhih Township, Taipei County (台北縣三芝鄉北勢子12之1號). The restaurant is about 15 minutes away by car from Danshui (Tamsui) MRT Station (淡水捷運站). Admission: NT$700, including round-trip shuttle fare and a drink. For more information, including directions and the shuttle bus schedule, go to reggaebeachfest.blogspot.com
If you’re in the mood for something more electronic, Victor Cheng, is back in town, but only for a couple of weeks. He will be playing at the following venues:
■Tonight from 10pm at Luxy, 5F, 201, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段201號). Admission is NT$600. On the Net: www.luxy-taipei.com
■Tomorrow from 11pm at Jump, B1, 8, Keelung Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市基隆路一段8號B1). Admission is NT$400. On the Net: www.club-jump.com
■June 12 from 10pm at Space, 101, Minsiang St, Kaohsiung City (高雄市民享街101號). Admission is NT$600. On the Net: glow01.blogspot.com
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