Roots Reggae Festival: Disorganization almost took over the event, but Roots Reggae prevailed!

On September 27, Clube Atlético Nacional hosted major Reggae Roots bands and a good number of reggae fans looking for something good to enjoy. There was certainly no better place to be than at an event that managed to bring together Dagô & Radical Roots (SP), Filosofia Reggae (SP), Mystical Roots (MA), Red Meditation (BA), Leões de Israel (SP), Reggae Style (SP) and Vibrações de Jah (SP). The long-awaited show by Ponto de Equilíbrio (RJ) did not happen, which would lead to a major uproar at the end of the show. Papoula & Ed Vox (BA) and Jah Live (DF) also did not perform. The reasons for the absences are not known for certain, but the show had to go on, and the other bands simply took responsibility upon themselves, performing in extravagant ways and dropping heavy tunes without mercy for all that crowd that packed, and WELL packed, Clube Atlético Nacional.

DAGÔ & RADICAL ROOTS

Scheduled to start at 5 PM, Dagô Miranda and the Radical Roots band from São Paulo kicked off one of the best shows of the event. Pure national Reggae, engaging, with attitude, Dagô Miranda (photo) has an excellent stage presence, knows how to hold the crowd with his friendliness, and his demonstrations of respect and love for great artists like Luiz Melodia. The backing vocals work of Radical Roots is another strong point of the band (photo). For those who enjoyed Dagô's work, the great Jamaica (photo) had his pearl stall selling CDs of the bands performing and other rarities from world Reggae Roots. After Dagô's great performance, who would be at SESC Interlagos the next day with Tribo de Jah, it was time to show another band whose backing vocals were practically perfect, Filosofia Reggae, also from São Paulo.

FILOSOFIA REGGAE

Expecting first-class reggae and some beautiful covers, Filosofia put on another great show, making it clear that what lay ahead was heavy stuff. Helmets on, Bob Marley covers on "Rat Race" and the song that blew up on the Fugees' voices, but originally by Roberta Flack, "Killing me Sofly". They even featured a rapper on some songs (photo). After Filosofia Reggae's reggae session, the stage was taken by the folks from Mystical Roots.

MYSTICAL ROOTS

A band from Maranhão with a good vibe and contagious energy. The beauty of vocalist Luciana Simões (photo) raised the testosterone level of the guys present. Would anyone know why? (photo) The vocalist took it all in stride and played her show with great professionalism. As for the sound, those who know Mystical know its power on stage, in the studio or on CD — first-class roots. Consacrated heavy tunes from the band and a strong point in the Steel Pulse cover of "Steppin' Out". A passage worth highlighting was the sensation of hearing on the keyboards the characteristic sound of the DUBs of Augustus Pablo, one of the great names of world Roots Rock Reggae and godfather of a great artist who died prematurely, Hugh Mundell. Two great artists to look up. After Mystical Roots' show, the long-awaited São Paulo band took the stage. Leões de Israel.

LEÕES DE ISRAEL

With extravagant clothes (photo) and irreverent Rockers-style behavior, the energy they put into the show was moving (video). Those near the stage could feel their hearts surrender to the strong and relentless groove of Edu SattaJah's bass (photo). When Carlos Solano Rasta (photo) enters the scene, anything related to reason goes out the window. The drum groove is for any Jamaican to hear and scratch their dreads in admiration. With Leões de Israel's great performance and the audience's excellent response to their songs or to Bob Marley's "Fussing and Fighting", there would barely be time to recover, as Reggae Style was ready to go.

REGGAE STYLE

The São Paulo band is now on the Central Reggae label, which will bring even more visibility to the band's Reggae Roots. No words needed for the group's performance. Heavy roots and audience response made the band shine on stage (photo). Great compositions from the album "Em Meio ao Caos" were the main highlights. Now it was the turn of the revelation of national Roots Rock Reggae, Red Meditation.

RED MEDITATION

The group is from Bahia and features the beauty and friendliness of Californian vocalist Molly Rose, who did not shy away from photo requests from her admirers (photo). Without exaggeration, the group conveys hope, not only amid the chaos of mainstream culture, but also amid world chaos. Popó (photo) takes the vocals at the start of the show. What a start, Jah... Rastari! See this sequence of dimly lit photos where percussion took over the stage with rhythm and praises to Haile Selassie: (photo01) (photo02). Those who were there were sure we have another powerful addition to our roster of bands engaged in Reggae Roots and the word of the great Haile Selassie (search). Red Meditation's performance was strong (photo), with well-crafted bass lines by Ricardo Cruz and perfect drum groove by Vicente de Jesus, the band set the pace of the party. Songs like "Jah Children" and "Roots" lifted the crowd with Molly's beautiful voice (photo). It was an incredible show, for stage presence (photo), for the message, for the sound — in short, find out more about the band that has already established itself as one of the best in Brazil in the genre. Around 2:30 AM, rumors were already heard that Ponto de Equilíbrio from Rio de Janeiro and Jah Live from Brasília would not perform. People preferred to keep enjoying themselves, but when Vibrações de Jah, scheduled as the last band, took the stage, some were sure and tempers began to shift. So far so good, the São Paulo band put on a great show (photo), also featuring members of Jahcareggae such as Dudu (photo) and Vera "Mam" Nehring (photo). We, from the Surforeggae Team, who were at the foot of the stage, began to notice that the show security had simply withdrawn from the venue. And a group began to, literally, loot the bar (photo). When it was officially announced that Ponto de Equilíbrio, Jah Live and Papoula & Ed Vox would not perform for reasons not truly disclosed, the mood turned dark. The great reggae tunes gave way to full beer cans flying through Clube Atlético Nacional's gym. Once again, due to lack of details, a major event was compromised. Then they complain about lack of audience at some shows. We believe that spreading the word about good bands requires essential intermediaries: organization and security. Even with this sad ending, it would be unfair to overlook the excellent performances that took place. They were magical. Let's hope that the consistency of those who organize these major events prevails, and that the safety of those who attend is the main concern.

EVENT IMAGES

 Click here and check out the event photos.