In a few days ForwardEver will be winging it to Seattle for the EMP Pop Conference whose panels and discussions will extensively cover the role of revolution, conflict and resistance in music.
During my writing process in preparation for this event FE has had the pleasure of reasoning for a second time with both Blood & Fire's Steve Barrow and Randy's/VP Records' Clive Chin. (Definitely check Red Bull music academy's CC video interviews) Incidentally, Mr. Chin kindly asked FE to check and see if the museum still had the organ from Randy's studio that he loaned them for an exhibit. Apparently return of the item is overdue!
Chin revealed that his father, Vincent "Randy" Chin, who opened a studio at 17 North Parade in downtown Kingston, recorded Lord Creator's "Independent Jamaica" in 1962 as the country gained full independence. This later became the first single to be issued on Chris Blackwell's Island imprint.
While FE has always been inspired by political reggae from Linton Kwesi Johnson, Yabba You, Bob Marley and Prince Far-I, this exploration of reggae's revolutionary spirit caused to more deeply appreciate some artists who still haven't got their full due or respect: Pablo Moses, Junior Delgado, Max Romeo, Big Youth, Delroy Wilson and Lee "Scratch" Perry among only a few.
Forward-Ever may posts some informal blogs from EMP summarizing a bit of the panel discussions and atmosphere. For now, some releases out now and soon to check:
Innocent Youths-- Earth, Roots, Water (Light In The Attic) OUT
Morgan Heritage -- Mission In Progress (VP) OUT APRIL 15
Augustus Pablo -- Rockers Story Box Set (Shanachie) OUT JUNE
