The pioneer, Ras Alvim!

He started a movement in the 1970s, more precisely in 1977, when Ras Alvim gathered at his home with friends Ras Margalho, Jorge Motora, Manassoude and Fernando Ripi. Fernando, notably, was the first to found a reggae house in Belém do Pará called "TOCA do REGGAE", located on Passagem Secundino Portela, in Marquês de Herval — Bairro da Pedreira. The best DJs of the era passed through there, such as Ras Margalho, Maestro Bernard, Dj Lídio and many others. Ras Alvim has a firm view on reggae's transformation, saying that nowadays many people go to reggae venues out of pure excitement without knowing where it comes from, what the songs convey, the difference between Rastafari philosophy and the music, and that consciousness is the key piece of true reggae growth. Regarding Rastafarianism, Alvim stresses that today there are people who characterize themselves as rastas wearing dreads and singing reggae, but do not follow the Rasta philosophy. His favorite vocalist is the king Bob Marley. "Bob managed to be irreplaceable. He did not die... he is merely asleep" — he says. Alvim would like people who frequent reggae venues to go with the certainty that the rhythm preaches peace, unity and humility, and above all to be aware that the rhythm is not just a dance, but a very rich culture, easy to learn and hard to forget.

EVEN IN MARANHÃO

Ras Alvim introduced reggae to sound-system owner Riba Macedo, who began playing reggae among the forró and merengue that filled São Luís do Maranhão. The sound soon won over the people of Maranhão; the first record Riba Macedo brought to Maranhão was "Reggae Frontline". Recently, Alvim was honored by Tribo de Jah with the song "Pioneiros do Reggae", released on the CD "Guerreiros da Tribo". On the track, the band names pioneers Rasta Alvim, Ras Margalho, Riba Macedo, Zé Roxinho, Viegas, Natty Nayfson, Chico do reggae and Serralheiro. This national legend can be found every day at his record stall in Praça das Mercês in Belém do Pará. If you want to talk reggae and buy CDs or LPs, just stop by and speak with Alvim or his son, Max Alvim.

MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about the reggae movement in the state of Pará, check out Enilson Nonato's blog: reggaeamor.blogspot.com