Album Notes

Ras Michael is a unique figure amongst world class and internationally commercially popular reggae artists. His music is based on roots rhythms, African drum and bass and is referred to as the Nyabinghi sound.

Imagine going way up into the hills, miles from the nearest civilized townships in Jamaica, and confronting percussionists sitting in a large circle and playing their different hand built style drums for hours on end and chanting to African rhythms centuries old. Often, these hypnotic ceremonies go on for several days and nights at a time without stopping, new drummers filling in when a drummer falls out from fatigue.

Ras Michael's special style bordering on religious frenzy, occultism, voodoo, black magic and mysticism is related to the energy of drum and bass, which frequently causes the dancers to achieve states of exaltation and go into ritualistic convulsions.

Ras Michael, since the early '60's, has released over twenty records on Shananchie, VP, SST, Trojan and Live & Learn. Perhaps the most sought after and difficult for the collector to find is "Rastafari Dub", which was first released in 1972 as a private white label LP pressing in a limited edition, timed to coincide with the release of the full "Rastafari".

"Rastafari Dub" has found popularity with the same audience that gives props to Lee "Scratch" Perry, Niney the Observer, Mikey Dread, Yellowman, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Burning Spear and the Bad Brains.

In addition to the Sons of Negus Rastafari percussionists, this CD features Peter Tosh, Tommy McCook, Robbie Shakespeare, Geoffrey Chung and Earl "Chinna" Smith.

Lead Vocals and Repeater: Ras Michael Bass: Robbie Shakespeare Guitars: Peter Tosh, Earl "Chinna" Smith Pianos and Organ: Robert Lyn Clavinet: Peter Tosh Trap Drums: Santa Akete Bass Drum: Michael "Junior" Jacob 1st Funde: Joshua Henry
2nd Funde: Keith Halstead "Dreadlock" 3rd Funde: Icy B Flute: Tommy McCook Backing Vocals: Phillipa Smart, Dawn Forrester, Joy Lindsay, Sons of Negus Synthesizer, Organ, Piano: Geoffrey Chung Overdub Productions: Geoffrey Chung

What The Press Had To Say About Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus

"A balm for the psyche." - Puncture
"An excellent collection of material." - Guinness Who's Who of Reggae
"At long last the 1972 dub version of the classic Rastafari LP with lots of Nyabinghi drums and Peter Tosh on 'wah wah' guitar. Deep roots indeed." - The Reggae Beat
"It's sexy, skanky and earthier than more modern dub. It will move you, soothe you and titillate you - gently massaging." - Amy Watchel, CMJ Reggae Routes
"Be prepared for some heavy dub style reggae that evokes history." - Alternative Press
"Every groove of this exceptional cassette has been etched into my soul." - J. Poet, Propaganda
"Excellent dub set. Uncompromisingly Rasta, committed and powerful." - Steve Barrow, World Beat
"ROIR now unearths another amazingly obscure oldie. Slinky, old style funk - laid back hypnotic spaciness." - John Strausbaugh, City Paper
"Prime material." - Jared Rutter, Player
"It teases with an almost sexual tension. The organic rhythms of the burra drums anchor the dub groove where it belongs." - Elena Oumano from the liner notes