http://www.newsrecord.org/sections/entertainment/reggae-at-southgate-house-1.1751443
Reggae at Southgate House
The News Record
5-17-09
By Sean Peters
Today’s reggae scene doesn’t rely solely on Bob Marley covers and misguided suburbanites acting like Jamaicans. Much of American reggae draws from a large pool of world music; be it Jamaica’s riddims, Motown’s soul, Mississippi’s Delta or even New York’s punk rock.
John Brown’s Body describes their sound as “new roots.” This essentially incorporates the original sound of Jamaica’s reggae forefathers along with all of the progress of the last 45 years of reggae’s upbringing. Synthesizers, hip-hop, trance-techno; these are all prevalently in the unique sound owned by John Brown’s Body, showcased at the historic Southgate House Wednesday, May 13.
The show started with local funkers Daughters and Sons. I came in halfway through their set, only to have my jaw drop hearing their wildly adventurous take on soul and classic R&B. The front man, Willy Morren, kills his guitar, leading the band with white-hot licks that would make James Brown dance in the grave.
Daughters and Sons played longer than their original slot was scheduled, but only at the bequest of the wildly receptive crowd.
“We got one more song for you,” Morren said, guitar in hand.
“Play for another hour!” begged a fan at the foot of the stage.
“Time goes by so fast,” Morren replied. “It’s like the difference between having your hand on a stove or a woman’s thigh … you know what I mean?”
Next came Passafire, from Savannah, Ga. Their take on reggae is more a contemporary reawakening, a fusion of traditional roots music with rock elements. Something like Bob Marley and Incubus squished together in a rhythmic, harmonious jelly.
One particular fan caught my eye as I watched from the balcony in the ballroom. An excited young man, he seemed to have a choreographed dance for each song in the band’s repertoire. Not that I’m poking fun at this enthusiastic music-lover, just appreciating what effect Passafire has made on the youth.
Headlining the show was John Brown’s Body. Their sound is a low-tempo, high-energy exploration into what it means to live vicariously through music.
“This is our music,” said vocalist Elliot Martin.
Their sound filled the ballroom like water in a basin, enveloping even the bartenders who danced as they served $2.50 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Without a doubt, Southgate House was host to a phenomenal night of dancing music. Inside that venue is a constant Saturday night, where you don’t have to worry about work the next morning. Much like the ideology of reggae music, the focus remains on a good time being had; there’s nothing so horrible that it should stop you from dancing when the music is right.
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