Wednesday, November 5, 2008

J-Ska and the Pussycats

C M introduced me to J-Ska and ever since then, I've been blown away. Who would have known that big band ska and punk ska were big hits in Japan? Not me. At least, before.

Now, I know better. The heavies in Japan's ska scene include Ore Ska, Ryo the Skywalker, Natsumen, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. Listening to their music is pure and utter ska heaven -- Or is it nirvana? Does anyone know what's Shinto for "I'm in heaven right now and all I really need a frosty bottle of SMB Pilsen?"

Then, he drops Island Joe, Crown Royale, Skunky Muggles, and Skankin' Brews, and a virtual who's who of local ska bands on my lap.

It just makes the heart grow fonder to know that ska -- in all its wonderful pussycat flavors -- is alive in the Lokal Reggae scene.



I miss Who's Next? ... *Sigh*






Penumbra:
Big, Bad Bassman Joe --- Thanks for introducing me to 311 and Mighty Mighty Bosstones in high school. I love you, man.
C M --- No matter how much you'll hate me, I'm giving you a bearhug.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Tracing the Land Bridges of Lokal Reggae


Public perception of Lokal Reggae (Cebuano reggae music), identifies it as the poor man's imitation to Bob Marley. Because of this, local audiences are rife with misconceived notions and perceptions. To the consternation of musicians, they often get the flack. They've been called one-dimensional and even ludicrous for their freaky aping of the Jamaican patois.

In defense of the Cebuano reggae musician, my dear listening public -- you could not be closer to the truth.

Ian Z. and I were discussing the merits of the local music scene and its multitude of talent, yet no industry. We drifted, into why Lokal Reggae is often so misunderstood. "It's because, a musician, by virtue of his art, would find clarifying or educating audiences too difficult," says Ian. There's that stigma of being branded self-serving and vain, the Z-Man adds. And it's true; it's easier to open a bottle of San Mig Pilsen, than ask a musician to open up.

But there was no shyness when Raw Belief and Last Leaf started the stirrings of Lokal Reggae. They were not bashful about picking up Yellow Man (now King Yellowman), Steel Pulse and Shabba Ranks, much like how Jamaicans picked up bebop, blues, and jazz music drifting in from Miami radio stations and taking those influences and giving rise to ska and rocksteady, and later, reggae and dancehall. More importantly, these forerunnners of Lokal Reggae, were not shamefaced or reluctant about their roots in Jamaican music. They dared to move away from doing covers to making original compositions. Around these bands grew the erstwhile Jah People Society, which was on the right track when they embraced and educated neophytes and appreciative audiences about reggae music. Lokal reggae was the subculture in the 1990s, when grunge and punk were on a roll. Now, it's one of the most progressive in the local music scene.



Incidentally, did you know that dancehall reggae, developed and adapted in the late '60s and early '70s by pioneers like Sugar Minott, Henry Lawes, and Tristan Palmer, as well as Gregory Isaacs and Bunny Wailer, was the most popular genre of reggae in Cebu in the early 2000s? Dancehall has developed since the '60s much like metal music has changed, adapted and grown over the years. It later on gave way to ragga (digital dancehall reggae music), and to the more modern bashment, and dubbing.

Dub, or Dubbing, a sub-genre of dancehall that's acknowledged as one of the roots of rap and hip-hop, is rising as a local favorite. With Lokal Reggae stalwarts Jr Kilat and CDMC at the forefront, dubbing has become readily accepted not only in our island-cosmopolitan, but recognized across the major cities in the country, as well.

I am often at odds when friends ask what music I like, and then they start humming to Bob Marley. But there's no denying it -- without him reggae would've been a Caribbean curiosity. It was this breakout of massive proportions that brought reggae to the world stage. But rocksteady is just one sub-genre of reggae. It's like that old Filipino joke: Once of these days, you just have start learning to order more than just egg sandwiches.

Tracing the land bridges of Lokal Reggae is an exciting adventure. It would be inspiring to trace the history of how Raw belief and Last Leaf gave way to Bajuyo's Shrub, and then on to Urbal, to the Herbs, to Jr. Kilat, to CDMC, to Enchi, Pasakanin, and Skunky Muggles, and to a far-reaching and growing scene of Lokal Reggae musicians and bands that continue to give life to that connection established in the last two decades, and making it their own.

And maybe then, we can dispel the public misconception that Lokal Reggae is a pathetic imitation of the real thing. IT IS reggae -- it's Lokal Reggae.









penumbra: thanks to Jr Kilat, CDMC, Skunky Muggles and Enchi for the use of their photos! :)