The absence of master Lee Perry and everything about the major event "Dub Mamute" at Sesc Pompéia!

The festival that took place in São Paulo on August 30, 31 and September 1, 2002, at SESC POMPÉIA, was a mix of emotion and disappointment. Confirmed as the main attraction for all three days, LEE PERRY threw cold water on admirers of his art by canceling his trip to BRAZIL at the last minute. Scheduled to close the ECOLOGICAL RAVE in the Amazon, SCRATCH did not show up. His absence was not much noticed at the globally known party, since his participation was not as special as at the festival. Early in the week, his production contacted Sesc Pompéia, informing that the dub wizard would only travel on a direct flight from Switzerland (where he lives with his nurse wife) to São Paulo, without layovers. Lee Perry claims that when he picked up his plane ticket (already on Thursday, eve of the first show), the letters scrambled passing a message saying there was a curse waiting for him here in Brazil, and therefore his participation was canceled. It was also commented that Perry didn't know Brazil was in an election year, and as soon as he found out he considered not participating in the event. But the more realistic hypothesis is that the singer has some physical impediment, since he is now a 66-year-old man and no longer the man who shook stage structures around the world. Those who saw his latest shows with Mad Professor say his participation boils down to vocals, leaving all the musical part to his protégé and backing band The Robotics, formed only by bass, drums and keyboard. Some say Lee Scratch maintained his fame by not coming, that in a few years this will be a memorable story. In a way, there is logic in this line of reasoning. The myth continues, many of us didn't see and will never see the master in action. That is, the excitement of seeing him live and in color remains trapped in our minds, keeping the flame of the legend alive. And every time we hear some fruit of these magic hands, we'll keep thinking how it would be to witness such an ecstatic moment.

DUB MAMUTE

Friday, August 30, 2002, dub lovers head to SESC POMPÉIA with the finest hope of seeing one of the style's pioneers. With rumors of the possible absence of the night's star, many returned their tickets. But a good portion paid to see and didn't regret it. The festival's idea was to bring together some dub offshoots, which is already an offshoot itself. Reggae, Drum and Bass and elements of Funk and Rap coexisted in harmony this weekend. Now the spotlight turned to Mad Professor. With his greatest influence absent, the mad professor stole the show, making DUB with the LEE PERRY ORCHESTRA. His shows lasted practically two hours in each of the three presentations. Without showing fatigue at any moment, Mad Professor performed solo in the first hour on Friday, entering with the band in the second part. According to his production, the instrumentalist found the audience very cold during his solo presentation, and therefore on Saturday and Sunday he entered directly with the orchestra. It's clear his talents showed much more in his solo show, when he took advantage of just the raw sound to mix a lot trying to warm the audience. But the following shows didn't disappoint, since as he himself said, he came to show that DUB makes people happy. And that's what really happened. People loosened up more, dancing very close to the stage, which is low and practically in the audience area. This almost "intimacy" with the musicians relaxed the audience that had been intimidated by the opening bands, restraining themselves in chairs, limiting themselves to almost cadenced foot tapping. The audience that came to have fun found the first day weaker, but that's when MAD PROFESSOR showed himself most as an artist, impressing with his way-beyond-special effects. In the following shows, he proved helpful to the band, collaborating with bass and drums, which did very well. The keyboard and its conductor were an attraction in themselves. The other attractions were somewhat sidelined, despite presenting good work. DJ Yellow P showed great competence, spinning perfect bases and mixing dubs that twisted MC Black Alien's voice. The DJ was the festival's big highlight, after the big star. DRUMAGIC is truly gold class, excellent work. MAX B.O. showed he can rhyme with anything. He asked for the crowd's ID and rhymed on names, dates and even locations. Brazilian Academy of Rhymes. B-NEGÃO with his new band, delivering funk à la FCLG. I found it very interesting, but couldn't fit them into the festival. Sorry. To close the party on Sunday, the band and master conductor entered quietly. They arranged the whole stage as if they were roadies. Everyone pretended not to see, only applauding when MAD PROFESSOR grabbed the microphone and sent a GOOD NIGHT. It was contagious. They were looser and showed themselves happy. The crowd reacted positively, responding to all inquiries. Saturday and Sunday were much more interactive. Songs like SOUL FIRE (in new arrangement), CURLY LOCKS, WAR INNA BABYLON, OPEN DOORS, JAH RASTAFARI (powerful) and several others made the crowd sing in a beautiful, moving chorus. Those who got their money back can cry now. The consolation, a Perry-only section, even made the lighting guy smile. And I'll sleep for a good while with my feet pulsing to the Professor-Student's desk.