RFUK LEGACY SHOW - NOVEMBER 2017

By Coral Consciouslee

On Sunday 26th November the day of the Legacy show had finally arrived after months of planning and promotion.

Before the doors opened at 6pm, a small queue of people eagerly awaited entry to the Legacy show. RFUK volunteers were in place and ready to greet and check in attendees as they arrived. It was great to see a steady stream of people arriving early to see the start of the show; what was also impressive was the effort people made to look good for the evening.
Everyone seemed to be genuinely excited to be there. The ground floor was set out cabaret style with tables and chairs; the tables had a lovely centre piece decoration of white bottles illuminated by some small lights. The table centrepieces were the brainchild of T’Nia Miller who recruited Michaela Styles to help her. The two foraged things from nature, which they begged, borrowed and stole! With sheer ingenuity and a lot of elbow grease they were able to present something magical.

The comperes of the evening Donna Spence and Curtis Walker, kept the audience alight with laughter and anticipation; this added to the ambience of the venue which was enthralling.

What followed was a captivating evening, with an array of talent who entertained the audience from start to finish. Clapham Grand was on fire with fine reggae music! Each artist sang as if they were appearing at Wembley Arena!  We are sure there wouldn't have been a difference! We must give mention also to Nairobi Thompson, spoken word extra-ordinaire, adding a certain lyrical content to the proceedings. The band – headed by Ivan Christie as MD – was tight and professional, having learned 30 songs in total. True Identity, who are singers in their own right, also learnt the backing vocals for all those songs, giving the artists an extra lift, with a bright and melodic sound. Even now a week later, they are being praised for their harmonies, stamina and professionalism!

One of the highlights of the show was seeing our young adults getting involved and performing Live Reggae. Legacy in truth! However, we cannot write without mentioning the likes of Kofi, Sylvia Tella and Dennis Bovell, who showed why they will always be true legends in every sense of the word.

In keeping with the Legacy theme, we felt it only fitting for Cassandra London (a very current and rising reggae star) to present an award to Janet Kay in celebration of her 40 years in music and for PD Coolie (a DJ who strongly supports UK Reggae – Venture fm) to present to Tony Williams, for his contribution to music.

 
The feedback has been phenomenal and the aim is to have this as an annual event.

These types of events are never without its glitches but we have learnt tremendously about what we will and will not do for the next time around. There are several Reggae shows in London, but the RFUK Legacy show presented something a little different.


Thank you to all that attended, the audience, the band, the backing vocalists, the artists, the volunteers and security.

#BRITISH LEGACY
#Promoting UK Reggae Excellence

Photographs courtesy of Courtney Anglin
Video recording : Olu Kuforiji - Clearview Presentations

From Lovers Rock, To The Rock – Shezekiel’s Journey

By Coral Consciouslee

Songs and lyrics Shezekiel style!

The album launch of Pauline Caitlin-Reid a.k.a Shezekiel was as unique as the artist herself.  Held at the Chalk Hills Academy, Luton, we were treated not only to a trip down memory lane, but taken through song down the path to how Shezekiel came to her moment of self-realisation.

For those from the Lover’s Rock era, Shezekiel stepped back in time to when Brown Sugar sang songs like “I’m In Love With A Dreadlocks” and “Black Pride”; I saw many people swaying in their seats and holding their hands up in the air in appreciation.  I thought of the legacy that Shezekiel had createdthat she could have her daughter, niece and best friend as backing vocalists.  It was also plain to see that her ability, gift and talent had been passed down.

On the screen behind the performance were newspaper clippings, pictures and writings from that era too.  An informative touch I thought.

Interspersed between the songs were snippets of an “interview” with Shezekiel conducted by Ray Patrick and Louise Clarke.  The audience learned about the history of Pauline/Shezekiel, the artistes that influenced her music and how she came to be producing the music that culminated in her album.

Being interviewed by Ray Patrick

Shezekiel also shared her personal testimony of revelation and self-discovery with the audience; it was touching and enlightening. 

After the interval, Lover’s Rock was replaced with Reggae, carrying a specific God-given message.  The lyrics revealed Shezekiel’s own thoughts and conviction of her belief in God. The performance was backed by a live band of young, but very talented musicians called the Gem Stones.  Definitely a pleasure seeing young people playing and appreciating reggae!  The music itself had a contemporary feel with tones of the east.  Some of the songs also had a negro-spiritual feel to it with the harmonies sung to a high standard. I must admit, I sat in anticipation that Shezekiel would sing my favourite “Beams From Heaven” and jumped up ready to dance when she started the song!

Eastern influences!

My only disappointment was that there wasn’t enough time to hear more of her songs. With songs  entitled “Catch The Boat” and “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”, you will understand why this was not just an evening out, but an education.

An enjoyable evening with the recommendation that one goes out and purchases the CD as soon as possible.  Well done to Shezekiel, Alan Charles who co-produced the event, alongside Kelvin Jarrett the musical director.  Look out for news of the tour!!

#PromotingUKReggaeExcellence

#PromotingUKReggaeMusic

RFUK ATTENDS YOLANDA BROWN'S LISTENING PARTY!

By Audrey Scott

15th July 2017

 On 13th June 2017, RFUK was invited to YolanDa Brown's listening party.  We were represented by our very own Audrey Scott who gladly gave us her review of the evening.  Have a read below!

It's MY Party! YolanDa Brown with Audrey Scott at the listening party.

YolanDa Brown chose Melomania Cambridge Audio - which is an audio testing office – as the venue for her listening party.  A modern looking place, intimate, with cushions laid out on benches. People chatted before the event started. A very friendly atmosphere. Like a front room filled with friends.

We were all greeted warmly by YolanDa, who made us all feel very welcome and at home. There were 2 sofas placed on the stage.

We were then treated to a few tracks where she explained to the audience the inspiration behind each one and the people that contributed on the tracks.  A few of the guest artists who were featured on her album were in the audience.  Singer Raheem Devaughn rang from USA and her young daughter is also included on one of her tracks.

Yolanda Brown talks about her album on stage.

YolanDa explained what she wanted and felt for each track. So some tracks were played softly, depicting love for example.  The heavy Reggae tracks were greeted with pull ups and YolanDa getting up and dancing, encouraging us to get up with her. I don’t think she could have done anything better.

Unfortunately Floetry couldn’t attend, but she sang on Love & War – beautifully sung (it had quite an impact on me) and you just know the audience felt that song by the response.

As we listened to her songs, we were encouraged to dance if we wanted to. This is a girl that loves her Reggae and is very down to earth. Her tracks consisted of Reggae, Jazz, RnB and Nyabinghi. Great fusions of music. (Click on the link below and listen to ‘Million Billion Love’

https://youtu.be/K7FkRE0qHlQ  Single ‘Million Billion Love’ is no.1 in the Jazz charts. Smooth Reggae/Jazz feel.)

Her music was entitled ""Posh Reggae, which is also happens to be the name of her tour.

The audience proved very receptive to the songs played.  At the end, we were invited to check out her merchandise, which were her album, Posh Reggae logo T-Shirts and bags.

Singer Donna Michael shows off some of the merchandise

RFUK felt honoured to have been invited and we look forward to hearing her songs.  I was particularly impressed with the venue and the way she came around to all her guests and greeted us with big hugs. She also took photos with those that asked.

We wish her all the best for the Album.

Promoting UK Reggae Excellence

http://www.yolandabrown.co.uk/

Love Politics War – Yolanda Brown

Posh Reggae