www.midniteband.com
Midnite weaves the cultural lyrics of "old school"
roots music with modern day experiences to create a unique listening encounter.
Roots Reggae - naked and raw is an apt description for Midnite's musical style,
in which they forgo the frills of extensive remixes, overdubbing and other
musical refinements. Midnite explodes in live performances with sets that
often exceed 3 hours. Their vigorous, weighty sound, driven by the punchy bass
lines creates a vibe that penetrates straight to the heart. These epic musical
communions have earned Midnite an enormous following throughout the roots
community. By breaking all the rules, Midnite is setting a new standard.
Armed with a firm foundation in Jah Rastafari, their natural talents, and a
strong and uncompromising musical vision,Midnite champions a unique sound that
is on the cutting edge of modern roots music.
Taj Weekes and Adowa
http://tajandadowa.com
Taj Weekes is an enigma… on the one hand deeply serious and
intensely passionate about his worldviews and on the other hand a gentle and
humble man with a quick and easy smile. Driven to inspire conscious thought and
provoke discussion through his poignant poetry and lyrics, Weekes says, "I
write from the heart and I speak about issues that move me. I believe that's
what really matters."Make no mistake, this man means business and he is
not afraid of telling it like he sees it. His unabashed views on the shared
concerns of the world at large are stated with the certainty of a man who has
seen and lived through much… a man with an acute awareness and empathy for
others' suffering. A sense of urgency underlies Weekes' poignant poetry and
lyrics as he appeals to both our intellects and our hearts to take heed, to
wake up before it's too late.
Skatalites
www.skatalites.com
The Skatalites are the premiere ska band from Jamaica.
Officially formed in 1964 after playing in studios together all over Kingston, these
musicians came together to perform live shows all over the island. In
addition to the live shows,these musicians were the backing band for every
vocalist including Bob Marley,Jimmy Cliff,Toots and The Maytals,to name just a
few. They are the roots to the tree whose branches include
rocksteady,reggae,rap.dub,punk,two-tone,3rd wave,ska-jazz,ska-core and ragga.
Now in their 46th anniversary they continue to please crowds while spanning the
globe year after year. The members now include: Lester Sterling, Lloyd Knibb, Doreen
Shaffer, Azemebo , Vim" Audu, Natty Frenchy, Kevin Batchelor, Val Douglas,
Andrae Murchison, and Cameron Greenlee.
Xande Cruz
www.xandecruz.com
Growing up in Sao Paulo,
Xande has been profounding influenced from the contrast of the urban and
traditional, social injustice, and diversity found in South
America’s largest city. His
early inspiration was from listening to the sounds of Popular Brazilian Music
(MPB) and later hip-hop and electronica in the late 80s when he relocated to New York. It was in New York that Xande commenced his project, the Batukis,
as an Afro-Brazilian percussive based group, bringing the rhythms of Brazil to the US. Xande has performed as a
percussionist with samba school, touring Japan
and South Korea,
as well as with Brazilian pop bands, African drum ensembles, dance troupes and
theatrical productions.
Kirk Joseph
www.kirkjoseph.com
Kirk Joseph has earned his seat at the table of New Orleans' greatest
musicians and will surely claim his place in music history as perhaps the
greatest innovator of his instrument, the sousaphone. For most, a mention of
the sousaphone conjures images of marching bands and drum cadences. But in the
hands of Joseph, the instrument comes to life in ways that its namesake, John
Phillip Sousa, could have hardly imagined. Kirk is now promoting his new album
"Sousafunk Ave",
which features many special guests such as: Dr. John, Skerik, Bonerama, Donald
Harrison, Charles Joseph and many others. KIRK JOSEPH "MASTER OF THE
SOUSAFUNK"
Welfare Poets
http://www.myspace.com/thewelfarepoets
King Chango
www.kingchango.com
You say you like it RAW? You think you know what the New
World Order is all about? Well you'll wanna grab a seat ringside when New York's Latin
alternative ambassadors, King Chango, spice up the rock 'n' wrestling
connection with The Return of El Santo! Led by irrepressible frontman Andrew
Blanco, King Chango step into the ring in tribute to Mexico's wrestling
superstar, the masked warrior known as El Santo, with their first album in
three years -- and a sound so energetic and fresh we don't need no little Chihuahua
dog to sell it.
Bullbuckers
http://bullbuckers.com
A fusion of soul-searing and foot-stomping music - ska like
you've never heard it (unless you were living in the Islands
in the 60s), soul and a tinge of hip-hop. It's an East Coast sound that has
roots - and fans - round the globe.
Spokey Speakey
Spokey Speaky is a four piece band out of Wilmington, DE
that aims to spread the positive vibe of reggae through its soulful,
high-energy performances. Playing a wide range of reggae classics from the old
school to the new, the goal of the members of Spokey Speaky is to satisfy and
entertain reggae fans, while enlightening those who may not have been exposed
to the genre otherwise. With an emphasis
on emotion and musicianship, Spokey Speaky delivers a live performance that
refuses to be ignored and simply cannot be replicated.
Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble
http://www.unitycommunity.com/Universal_African_Dance_Ensemble.htm
Many say this is the most spectacular performance of its kind they have ever seen in America. They are sensational, electrifying, exciting, amazing, powerful and educational. They are truly a representation of the the beauty of African culture and most of all Family.
