JAH N' I REVIEW - 10.30.05
EVENT: Jah N' I CD Release Show
VENUE: Bill's Bar, 5.5 Lansdowne Street, Boston
DATE: 10.30.05
PRICE: $10
SHOW RATING: $ $ $ $ (3 out of 4)
After navigating through cross dressing Halloween revelers, I finally stepped into Bill's Bar at around 11:00, ready to take in Jah N' I's CD release show. For ten years straight, Bill's has hosted a Sunday reggae night and on most occasions the place is rammed soon after midnight. Jah N I, locally based roots band, had their work cut out for them at that time as I was one of only 15 people in the place. The opening act, LE Men, was finishing their last few tunes as I saddled up to my first margarita on the rocks. They're a tough group, and LE Men's passionate lead vocal Chris is a veteran artist who can both sing and spit lyrics in a DJ style. Bosotn, look out for LE Men.
Tadiyaas Sound and DJ Kbruff provided the selections for the night and his first set was a little rocky. Nothing serious, but too many CD wheel ups and constant skips, which was an issue all night. One interesting incident that I did notice was that Kbruff, an intelligent selector, played three straight Jah N I tunes in a row before the (Jah N' I) show. This is a fauxpas among DJs and selectors.
Just shy of midnight, Jah N I, an 8 pice band, took the stage to perform. Bassist Horace sang the first few tunes and from the get-go it was clear that Jah N' I is a skilled, hard hitting roots and culture band. Their riddims are heavy and the band boils like pot pon fire when Jahriffe, Jah N I's talented lead, starts belting out conscious lyrics in his distinctive voice! Band leader Jahriffe sang a slew of conscious, Rastafari inspired tunes before Dinquinesh blessed the mic for a number of wicked tracks. Empress Dinquinesh is Jah N I's secret weapon. Her beautiful voice touches a range of sounds, touching on roots reggae, R&B, and Soul. Watching Jahriffe and Empress Dinquinesh sing and groove together on stage was a true highlight last night.
Soon enough Jah N I busted out their anthems such as "Time or the Hour," "One Way," and "Rastafari Love," which has recieved steady airplay on 88.9 WERS. In fact, they played most of the new 10 track CD, Rastafari Love. I highly recommend this rootical album. These Rastas played other fresh, top notch tunes, but I knew little about them. Still, I joyfully absorbed their conscious music all night! Although this vibe was comically interrupted when more dressed up trick or treaters (two cows and a flashing/glowing farm) danced around the floor. Actually, Jah N I bun out Halloween in their last song of the night, "JAH-N-I," which was a conscious boomshot!
Although there was no set break, the second half of the show was mellower. However, Jahriffe continually carried positive vibes, dancing on stage and smiling a bunch of the time! I hadn't seen this before. The Sunday massive did respond and although Bill's was half full, the feeling was positive, but heavy. And's that Jah N I massive. They are Rastas who truly stand firm in their belief of Selassie and the downfall of babylon. This seriousness showed itself when my friend Taz attempted to take their picture while performing, and both Jahriffe and Dinquinesh turned away from the camera.
Jah N I finished at 1:15am but the musical vibes remained strong as Tadiyaas Sound and DJ Kbruff unleashed an awesome post show set! He kicked it off with a set of exclusive hits from Beres Hammond and then showcased the sweet, passionate voice of Jah Cure. The ladies loved it! Staying up to the time, Kbruff next dropped a handful of popular current riddims like Drop Leaf, Seasons, and that slower riddim where Ele sings, "as far as my eyes can see..." Kbruff was killing it and that 25 minutes or so was another real highlight of the night!
Boy, Boston reggae bands are tough right now! This is the second great show I've recently seen from a locally based band. I give thanks...
www.jahiroots.com
BUY RASTAFARI LOVE at www.highhopesstudio.com
VENUE: Bill's Bar, 5.5 Lansdowne Street, Boston
DATE: 10.30.05
PRICE: $10
SHOW RATING: $ $ $ $ (3 out of 4)
After navigating through cross dressing Halloween revelers, I finally stepped into Bill's Bar at around 11:00, ready to take in Jah N' I's CD release show. For ten years straight, Bill's has hosted a Sunday reggae night and on most occasions the place is rammed soon after midnight. Jah N I, locally based roots band, had their work cut out for them at that time as I was one of only 15 people in the place. The opening act, LE Men, was finishing their last few tunes as I saddled up to my first margarita on the rocks. They're a tough group, and LE Men's passionate lead vocal Chris is a veteran artist who can both sing and spit lyrics in a DJ style. Bosotn, look out for LE Men.
Tadiyaas Sound and DJ Kbruff provided the selections for the night and his first set was a little rocky. Nothing serious, but too many CD wheel ups and constant skips, which was an issue all night. One interesting incident that I did notice was that Kbruff, an intelligent selector, played three straight Jah N I tunes in a row before the (Jah N' I) show. This is a fauxpas among DJs and selectors.
Just shy of midnight, Jah N I, an 8 pice band, took the stage to perform. Bassist Horace sang the first few tunes and from the get-go it was clear that Jah N' I is a skilled, hard hitting roots and culture band. Their riddims are heavy and the band boils like pot pon fire when Jahriffe, Jah N I's talented lead, starts belting out conscious lyrics in his distinctive voice! Band leader Jahriffe sang a slew of conscious, Rastafari inspired tunes before Dinquinesh blessed the mic for a number of wicked tracks. Empress Dinquinesh is Jah N I's secret weapon. Her beautiful voice touches a range of sounds, touching on roots reggae, R&B, and Soul. Watching Jahriffe and Empress Dinquinesh sing and groove together on stage was a true highlight last night.
Soon enough Jah N I busted out their anthems such as "Time or the Hour," "One Way," and "Rastafari Love," which has recieved steady airplay on 88.9 WERS. In fact, they played most of the new 10 track CD, Rastafari Love. I highly recommend this rootical album. These Rastas played other fresh, top notch tunes, but I knew little about them. Still, I joyfully absorbed their conscious music all night! Although this vibe was comically interrupted when more dressed up trick or treaters (two cows and a flashing/glowing farm) danced around the floor. Actually, Jah N I bun out Halloween in their last song of the night, "JAH-N-I," which was a conscious boomshot!
Although there was no set break, the second half of the show was mellower. However, Jahriffe continually carried positive vibes, dancing on stage and smiling a bunch of the time! I hadn't seen this before. The Sunday massive did respond and although Bill's was half full, the feeling was positive, but heavy. And's that Jah N I massive. They are Rastas who truly stand firm in their belief of Selassie and the downfall of babylon. This seriousness showed itself when my friend Taz attempted to take their picture while performing, and both Jahriffe and Dinquinesh turned away from the camera.
Jah N I finished at 1:15am but the musical vibes remained strong as Tadiyaas Sound and DJ Kbruff unleashed an awesome post show set! He kicked it off with a set of exclusive hits from Beres Hammond and then showcased the sweet, passionate voice of Jah Cure. The ladies loved it! Staying up to the time, Kbruff next dropped a handful of popular current riddims like Drop Leaf, Seasons, and that slower riddim where Ele sings, "as far as my eyes can see..." Kbruff was killing it and that 25 minutes or so was another real highlight of the night!
Boy, Boston reggae bands are tough right now! This is the second great show I've recently seen from a locally based band. I give thanks...
www.jahiroots.com
BUY RASTAFARI LOVE at www.highhopesstudio.com
posted by Jah Rich at 9:33 PM
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