By: Pat White
FT. LAUDERDALE – I don’t know about you, but I don’t know any other country, let alone any other small Island with as many singers / musicians as Jamaica.
Seriously, If they are not making someone’s rhythm their own, they are making someone else’s songs their own. We just have to put our own stamp on things.
As we celebrate Jamaica’s independence, I think this is an opportune time to blog about Jamaica and our music. I have mused over this phenomenon a lot. Jamaicans just have to make a song about anything and everything – from the candidates in the Presidential Race, to the Economy to Obama.
Apart from that though, we do have some very, very talented musicians and I am surprised and baffled at times that many more of our artist have not gained international acclaim that so few of them have.
Musical Treasures like Beres Hammond, Sanchez, Marcia Griffiths, Cynthia Schloss, Freddie McGregor and many more have great voices and a colorful vocal range. When I hear some of the music that we produce, I wonder why they are not at the top of the bill board charts. Is it that their managers don’t think on a more international scale or maybe don’t have the connections to push them to the next level? Because, anyone can fall in love with Beres Hammond’s sweet romantic melodies, or better yet with the one they are listening to his music with. He is not hard core dance hall. Its quiet easy to understand the lyrics even if you are not Jamaican. In other words, I think he would make a great cross over artist. Many of our dance-hall hard core artists have become cross over artist and they are way harder to understand. If Artist like Shabba, Shawn Paul (has a multicultural background,) Beenie Man and more recently Movado can appeal to the listeners on a global level then why aren’t more artists doing this.
When you think about the arrangement and production of the music, its really enough to make one marvel. You can’t tell us anything about the Bass (Guitar). As Buju Banton so rightly puts it in one of his songs, “the bass pass the flesh and touch the bone” – or is it “pass the bone and touch the soul?” [Don’t laugh] I think its the former, but could very well mean the latter. And, even though we might use one rythm and ride one hundred songs, they are each as unique as they are sweet. I guess some of the rhythms are just so good, you can’t just use it for one song anyway. You want to hear more and more. Why do we put everything to music. When one sings, it is an indication of happiness, I believe. Are we just a positive, optimistic people?
I know ambitious certainly describes us, especially when you think about the former bob sledge Olympic team. Speaking of Olympics, I have to make mention of our two stars that will be performing in this year’s Olympics. I am not sure when they are scheduled to race, but whatever the outcome, just having those two (Bolt and Powell) and all the other athletes on the Jamaican Olympic team, is one of the many reasons to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence.
To other islanders, please indulge us for a moment as we boast about our accomplishments. Please do not see this as gloating, but rather, celebrate with us. The more I think about it, Jamaicans are really special and they bring such flavorful array of talent to the global frontier; From music to food, to athletics, to academics, to professionals, to dance, design and fashion…. as far as our little island goes – we really let others know we “lickle but we talawah.” Happy Independence Jamaica.
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Pat White
Pat’s Pet Peeves Daily Blog.
Sometimes Controversial – Sometimes Humorous – Always Thought Provoking.
