The one set that simply had to be watched from start to end was a marathon of joy by rocksteady and early reggae harmony group The Tennors. The Tennors leave everyone bawling for more – Tallawah stage But even when he raised the tempo he saluted the foundation: following his Idiot Ting Dat with Capleton’s cut on the same Stepz rhythm, and later covering Chaka Demus and Pliers’ Murder She Wrote, Mr Vegas’ Heads High and - another artist due to play Saturday - Beenie Man, with Who Am I? Highlights were Stronger and the Mix Up (on the Heavenless rhythm) from 2016’s Theory of Reggaetivity album. Like Buju, the deejay is now equally comfortable over both uptempo and one drop reggae rhythms – and it was the latter that really stood out in a live band setting. Those eager to see Buju the following night could content themselves with the similarly granite voiced lyricist Agent Sasco on the Main Stage. “ That was a harsh one” he laughed, before taking it down a notch with the only slightly less militant Beggar Man’s Child.Īgent Sasco respects the Foundation – Main Stage Gad seemed to be in a trance as his delicate yet unflinching voice decried Bush era foreign policy – with lyrics that are just as relevant to the Trump age. ![]() So it was gratifying to hear him opening his set on Amsterdam’s hefty King Shiloh sound with one of his best early 2000s steppers, the Barry Isaac/Conscious Sounds collaboration, Don’t Push Jah. The elusive UK based roots singer Pablo Gad, on a welcome outbreak of touring this summer, is best known for his late 70s/early 80s sound system staples Hard Times and Bloodsuckers. Pablo Gad warns: Don’t Push Jah – 18 Inch Corner Afterwards, the deep calling bass baritone of Bushman was in fine form, both for his own material and a tribute to another Wailer, “one of my inspirations”, Peter Tosh with Bush Doctor and Igziabeher (as covered on 2011’s Bushman Sings The Bush Doctor album). “If brother Bob was here…” he teased, switching his Don’t Worry on the Waiting In Vain rhythm to a brief snatch of Marley’s original before wheeling into the next tune. ![]() Whatever you might think of his lyrics, the vegan-milk tones of I Wayne brought his music to life perfectly, and his sound system honed ability to work a crowd were impressive. Two contrasting Rasta reggae voices from the late 90s and early 2000s rang out loud and clear on the Main Stage. I Wayne and Bushman’s voices sound just like the record – Main Stage It was also nice to see Cedric’s Hey Youthman, elevated from connoisseurs’ favourite to the set closer, thanks to it featuring on the latest Inna De Yard album (although oddly, the group left without performing their biggest Heart of the Congos tracks – Row Fisherman Row or Ark Of The Covenant). The quartet sang Food For The Rainy Day from 1979’s Image of Africa album, before Burnett’s bass voice took the lead for his cover of Rainy Night In Georgia (changing the lyrics to “Belgium” and the often damp Jamaican location of “Portland”). Having shared Congoman, Open Up The Gate, Children Crying and La La Bam Bam from 1977’s Lee Perry produced classic LP Heart of the Congos, Cedric Myton, Ashanti Roy, Watty Burnett and Kenroy Fyffe had not one, but two rain songs in their repertoire for just such a purpose. The skies opened during the Main Stage’s introductory set by roots harmony veterans The Congos and their Belgian recording buddies, Pura Vida. ![]() The Congos and Pura Vida make the most of the rain – Main Stage As a result, on an initially rainy Friday night, it was rare to watch an entire set by any one artist – so most of these best moments were literally great moments rather than in depth reviews. With its Main Stage, woodland sheltered 18 Inch roots sound system area, dancehall tent and Tallawah stage all within easy reach, Reggae Geel is the perfect sized festival to wander in a circle and stop at what takes your fancy. Historic roots and rocksteady artists were well represented lower down the bill, with the overall headline flavour slanted towards vintage dancehall: topped by Buju Banton, on his ever-expanding post-incarceration tour, as the biggest draw on the Saturday night. ![]() Yet for their 41st, Europe’s oldest reggae festival returned bearing a line-up that stood out as one of 2019’s stronger offerings. By all accounts, the 40th anniversary of Reggae Geel last year was a contender for the most memorable event of summer 2018.
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