Lucky Dube
ROB9575
Greetings fellow RMR's..i guess around 93,I was able to see Lucky dube on the
Sunsplah tour.I thought he was great,but for some reason or another,never went
and bought any of his albums..So tonight i pick up his latest
"Taxman'.Incredible!!
I'm surprised I dont hear his name mentioned more often..the whole album is
pretty much top- notch..So,my question is...are any of his other albums worth
picking up?Peace,
-Rob
Jesse Nonneman
My Cultural Studies class at university today included a description of
"post-modern" music, which included certain things like intertextuality,
pastiche, and sampling from past musical works, as well as certian "drone"
qualities in music such as Phillip Glass (where parts a repeated
constantly throughout).
This made me think that reggae would have to be one of the best examples
of "post-modern" (stupid term, I know) music. The way that riddims are
recycled is unique to reggae music (as far as I know - feel free to
correct me on this). Also, artists are continually quoting and refering
to prior artists, (again, more so than in any music I know) or using
phrases and imagery which have come before.
Now, with the advent of the digital reggae age, we are seeing samples from
the 70's included in modern reggae songs (Correct me if I'm wrong, but
doesn't Fatis Burrell's Xterminator cut of the "Mean Girl" riddim (as
worked on Sizzla's "Babylon A Listen" and Capleton's "Stand Tall") use a
direct sample from the Channel One production of the Mighty Diamonds "I
Need A Roof"?)
Furthermore, there is a definate self-consciousness which is not present
in a lot of music (rap being a key competitor in this field). As opposed
to most pop music, which I would class as "escapist", good reggae deals
with reality, and the here and now. Reggae artists have often sung about
the recording process (and about being ripped off by producers) or they
have sung/chanted/toasted about the dance. This acknowledgement of the
means of production is a key idea in post-modern theory, and to me it
seems to be clearly exhibited in reggae.
I hope this hasn't been too boring (post-modernism is NOT one of my
favourite topics!), but I'd really be interested to hear what others
think. Why has Jamaica given birth to a music industry so unique? Is it
simply because of the role of the sound systems and the fact that most of
the music exists only in recorded form and is rarely played live? Or is
there more to it than that?
Any thoughts on the topic would be welcomed.
- Jesse I -
currently enjoying:
Sizzla Singles Mix Tape (thanks Paulie!)
Barrington Levy - Bounty Hunter Wanted
Yabby You - Jesus Dread
Mike Pawka
They are *all* worth picking up!
--
_
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Omar McRoberts
Jesse, I'd agree. Reggae might be called "postmodern" in that it is
decidedly self-conscious, and frequently incorporates references to
culture and politics. It also incorporates direct references to
previous performances (and, as such, their references too) in the form
of riddim recycling. I would argue that hip hop music is at least as
postmodern, though, if not more. But that could be splitting hairs.
Both musics also have that "decentered" quality that postmodernists talk
about. That is, there are numerous sub-genres that are engaged in a
kind of ongoing dialogue, rather than one dominant script determining
how the art progresses.
Having said all this, and having disgusted myself with my own
post-modern rambling, I must ask - who cares? Alsmost every art form
displays elements of "postmodernism" when you look at it. Postmodernism
is one of those weird concepts that explains everything and nothing.
Peace and love everytime
ark
I think it's Jamaica's unique history is such that its music has many
different strands and influences woven into it. A unique combination
of msucial ancestors. And there was a lot that happened even before
there were sound systems.
>>
>> Any thoughts on the topic would be welcomed.
>>
>> - Jesse I -
>>
>> currently enjoying:
>> Sizzla Singles Mix Tape (thanks Paulie!)
>> Barrington Levy - Bounty Hunter Wanted
>> Yabby You - Jesus Dread
>
>
>Jesse, I'd agree. Reggae might be called "postmodern" in that it is
>decidedly self-conscious, and frequently incorporates references to
>culture and politics. It also incorporates direct references to
>previous performances (and, as such, their references too) in the form
>of riddim recycling. I would argue that hip hop music is at least as
>postmodern, though, if not more. But that could be splitting hairs.
>Both musics also have that "decentered" quality that postmodernists talk
>about. That is, there are numerous sub-genres that are engaged in a
>kind of ongoing dialogue, rather than one dominant script determining
>how the art progresses.
>
If this is defining "post modern" (which IMO is a very dubious
term/idea in the first place) then calypso is also post modern, and so
is the blues, all which "sample" from older tunes, deal with reality,
and have topical lyrics. This is also somewhat of a pan-african
tradition I think.
>Having said all this, and having disgusted myself with my own
>post-modern rambling, I must ask - who cares? Alsmost every art form
>displays elements of "postmodernism" when you look at it. Postmodernism
>is one of those weird concepts that explains everything and nothing.
Amen to that.
Al
Guitzy
rather than look at it from a modern/postmodern point of view, i tend to
look at it as a third world versus "developed" world view point(or man from
the hills versus man from the city) , with the third world fostering the
sense of immediacy (and honesty) you might be suggesting is found in reggae.
Jesse Nonneman
On Fri, 5 Jun 1998, Omar McRoberts wrote:
> Jesse, I'd agree. Reggae might be called "postmodern" in that it is
> decidedly self-conscious, and frequently incorporates references to
> culture and politics. It also incorporates direct references to
> previous performances (and, as such, their references too) in the form
> of riddim recycling. I would argue that hip hop music is at least as
> postmodern, though, if not more. But that could be splitting hairs.
> Both musics also have that "decentered" quality that postmodernists talk
> about. That is, there are numerous sub-genres that are engaged in a
> kind of ongoing dialogue, rather than one dominant script determining
> how the art progresses.
>
> Having said all this, and having disgusted myself with my own
> post-modern rambling, I must ask - who cares? Alsmost every art form
> displays elements of "postmodernism" when you look at it. Postmodernism
> is one of those weird concepts that explains everything and nothing.
>
> Peace and love everytime
Thanks for the reply, and some good points there. Also, I have to agree
with the "who cares" part (hence my apology for the "boring" topic).
Postmodernism is one of those weird concepts which seems to exist only to
allow discussion of itself (?).
But reggae rocks no matter what ideology you're looking at it with...
and it looks like I'll be able to write an essay on reggae for yet another
of my classes!
Respect!
- Jesse I -
Filthy Rich
>Any thoughts on the topic would be welcomed.
>
Here are my thoughts on what makes Reggae totally unique and separates
it from almost every other modern musical form.
Reggae is built on a strong oral tradition. That is to say the music
is like a newspaper. It deals with everyday life and the topics which
affect the daily existence of its listeners.
It is music with a strong moral and spiritual awareness - check Joseph
Hill (Culture), Justin Hinds and also the Ethiopians etc.
It is well documented that these groups and others carry on the
traditional 'Call and Response' harmonies which originate and have
their counterparts on the African continent.
It has the most versatile, absorbing and interesting rhythm structures
compared to the monotonous 'bif baf bif baf bif baf' basic beats of
most other modern dance music.
There is still a strong Church influence on the music so it is also
often very melodious and harmonic.
It is the music of the 'Sufferah' and all people with a conscience and
an empathy for their fellow man can identify with it. This explains
its universal popularity.
It is truly the music of the soul. When you listen to some Reggae
music, its power often means you do not need to understand the
lyrics to know how the artist is feeling and what he/she is singing
about.
I hope you can develop these thoughts further!
--
Filthy Rich,
Music House.
Frederick McKenzie
All Lucky's albums are great. You won't be disappointed.
ROB9575 wrote in message
<199806050145...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
pe...@my-dejanews.com
everything seems post modern and
self referential to me after a fat
number..............
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