08-06-2017, 03:21 PM
Sunday August 6
10 pm California time
Sly & Robbie with Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt & Cherine Anderson 10:00
Sly & Robbie in a showcase with Bob Marley’s I-Threes harmony singers Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt who along with next generation artist Cherine Anderson will perform some of the classics from the Bob Marley and the Wailers catalog as well as individually on tracks that established each of them as solo artists. This showcase represents one of a select moments in ROTR history where we have had a female headliner, and this year its the best yet!
Sly & Robbie
Sly & Robbie
Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare have performed and recorded as a drum and bass duo on an estimated 200,000 tracks and are considered the most recorded musicians in all of music, regardless of genre. The duo are responsible for ushering in the digital era of Reggae with their production and live performances as part of the group Black Uhuru using computer assisted instruments and programming in the mid-80s. Their sound would emerge in mainstream Pop on recordings by Grace Jones (Nightclubbing) and other artists would then seek out the “Riddim Twins” over the years to produce tracks like The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, No Doubt, Herbie Hancock and more. In 1976 they introduced a new rhythmic pattern known as “Rockers” that took the “one drop” pattern a step further and prompted a cult classic film released in 1978 by the same name that both musicians appear in as players. Robbie Shakespeare performs a supporting role in the Rockers music industry storyline. Peter Tosh enlisted the duo to tour with him in 1978 after their studio session contributions on the Legalize It album. This marks the period when their partnership solidified and they began releasing music on their own Taxi record label. As 1990’s Dancehall rhythms emerge the song “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers exemplifies the trendsetting Riddim Twins work. They’ve worked with nearly every Jamaican Reggae artist in history and as Melody Maker magazine stated back in 1987 “working with Sly and Robbie has become the accepted seal of approval on any artist’s career.”
Marcia Griffiths w/ Sly & Robbie
Marcia Griffiths
Gaining international recognition as part of the harmony trio the I-Threes that performed and recorded with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Marcia had her first hit single on the UK charts in 1970 as part of a duo with Bob Andy, it was Bob and Marcia’s early Reggae cover of the Nina Simone song “To Be Young Gifted and Black”. Ms. Griffiths toured with Bob Marley from 1974 until his untimely passing in 1981. She has released several singles as a solo artist including “Electric Boogie,” originally written and recorded by Bunny Wailer, which was remixed in 1989 and made the line dance the Electric Slide an international craze that continues today on dance floors globally. Expect our own dance party on the ROTR 2017 stage during her set as in addition to her I-Threes tribute performance.
Judy Mowatt w/ Sly & Robbie
Judy Mowatt
A harmony vocalist with the I-Threes working alongside Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt is also credited as a writer on two songs from the Wailers’ album Burnin, “Hallelujah Time” and “Pass It On”. As a solo artist, she has released seven albums and created one of Reggae music’s all time classics, the 1979 release Black Woman. It represents the first Reggae album recorded by a woman acting as her own producer with six of her originals including the morality tale “Many Are Called”. She was the first female singer nominated in the Reggae Grammy category for her 1985 Working Wonders album. The gospel tradition deeply informs Ms. Mowatt’s lyrical style combined with phrasing that has a distinct Reggae influence. In 1999 she was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for her service to music.
Cherine Anderson w/ Sly & Robbie
Cherine Anderson
Singing at the 2017 Reggae on the River as part of the harmony trio the I-Threes, Cherine represents the next generation of female Reggae artists. As a singer, songwriter and producer of her original material, she creates music categorized as Dancehall-Soul. In late 2007, she collaborated with Michael Franti and Spearhead for three songs on the All Rebel Rockers album. As a featured vocalist on the single "Say Hey (I Love You)” Ms. Anderson is the first Jamaican female artist to hit the Billboard Rock charts. In 2008-2009, she toured extensively with Franti and Spearhead as their opening act and as a featured artist during the band’s set. She got her start in entertainment as an actress in the films Dancehall Queen (1997) and One Love (2003).
Lutan Fyah and the Riddim Rebels 8:00
Lutan Fyah & The Riddim Rebels
With appearances on festival and club stages in over 30 countries, this artist hailing from Spanish Town, Saint Catherine, Jamaica first got his start in 1997 recording for Buju Banton’s Gargamel label. Since that time his vocal strength is called upon for collaborations with other roots Reggae artists who seek his own particular dose of reality through his songwriting. A part of the Bobo Shanti Rastafarian community, his lyrics address the injustices of the system and present solutions in the form of positive thought, word and deed. Lutan Fyah released his 16th album Music Never Dies in April. Produced by I Grade Records, it landed on the Billboard top 10 chart in its first week out. As for the title’s origins, the artist explains “When I do music, I do it from my core. I evoke feelings and emotions, so that when my fans hear my songs, they are touched by my words and understand the place where it is coming from. Music is everything to me; music never dies.” The artist makes a rare festival appearance at ROTR 2017 after an absence from the U.S. for the past several years. He’s joined by the Riddem Rebels a set of seasoned players from Jamaica that will bring the fyah with his extensive catalog of tunes.
Dezarie 4:15
Dezarie
Hailing from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands this vocalist and songwriter returns to the 2017 ROTR festival stage in a rare tour appearance. Her set is highly anticipated as one of roots Reggae’s female pioneers. Her 2001 debut album Fya exemplifies original Reggae from the perspective of a female artist from outside of Jamaica and was revered by fans and radio DJ’s who continue to play this epic album in regular rotation. She received Atlanta's "Best New Female Reggae Artist" award in 2001 before returning to St. Croix where she currently resides. She’s released a total of 5 albums and maintains a devoted following who resonate with her vocal style and lyrics that uplift women, address iniquity amongst class and race, and portray the African-Caribbean experience. Her band includes Ron Benjamin of Midnite on bass as part of an ensemble providing a heavy roots vibe for her complex vocal chants.
Marla Brown 2:30
Marla Brown
As with any child of an icon, a great deal of responsibility comes with the creation and delivery of your own ideas. London-based vocalist Marla Brown comes from the foundation of UK-style Reggae as the daughter of the late “Crown Prince of Reggae” Dennis Brown. She’s released a 7-song EP Deliverance that represents her first foray into the music business. A touring dancer and performer, she also has been a semi-finalist on the TV program Britain’s Got Talent. Continuing her father’s legacy, she sings in a honey-rich tone and deep resonance that reflects his own. By naming the EP Deliverance, Marla aims to represent her own “deliverance” into the world of the music business whilst giving a nod to her father.
Sensimilla Dub 12:45
Sensimilla Dub
On what is their first trip to the United States, the band is very excited to play on the ROTR stage and represent Brazil (a rarity in the festival’s history). Formed there in 2000, this six piece deep roots Reggae band sing in Brazilian Portuguese and play “heavy reggae” influenced by 1970’s Reggae and Acid Rock. Songs are performed and recorded with elements of Dub with instruments coming in and out of the mix, “dubwise" style. In 2016 the band released the album Unity, it was a first in Brazil, featuring 10 tracks performed by two bands, Sensimilla Dub and Bambu Station from the Virgin Islands.
Mystic Roots Band 11:00
10 pm California time
Sly & Robbie with Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt & Cherine Anderson 10:00
Sly & Robbie in a showcase with Bob Marley’s I-Threes harmony singers Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt who along with next generation artist Cherine Anderson will perform some of the classics from the Bob Marley and the Wailers catalog as well as individually on tracks that established each of them as solo artists. This showcase represents one of a select moments in ROTR history where we have had a female headliner, and this year its the best yet!
Sly & Robbie
Sly & Robbie
Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare have performed and recorded as a drum and bass duo on an estimated 200,000 tracks and are considered the most recorded musicians in all of music, regardless of genre. The duo are responsible for ushering in the digital era of Reggae with their production and live performances as part of the group Black Uhuru using computer assisted instruments and programming in the mid-80s. Their sound would emerge in mainstream Pop on recordings by Grace Jones (Nightclubbing) and other artists would then seek out the “Riddim Twins” over the years to produce tracks like The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, No Doubt, Herbie Hancock and more. In 1976 they introduced a new rhythmic pattern known as “Rockers” that took the “one drop” pattern a step further and prompted a cult classic film released in 1978 by the same name that both musicians appear in as players. Robbie Shakespeare performs a supporting role in the Rockers music industry storyline. Peter Tosh enlisted the duo to tour with him in 1978 after their studio session contributions on the Legalize It album. This marks the period when their partnership solidified and they began releasing music on their own Taxi record label. As 1990’s Dancehall rhythms emerge the song “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers exemplifies the trendsetting Riddim Twins work. They’ve worked with nearly every Jamaican Reggae artist in history and as Melody Maker magazine stated back in 1987 “working with Sly and Robbie has become the accepted seal of approval on any artist’s career.”
Marcia Griffiths w/ Sly & Robbie
Marcia Griffiths
Gaining international recognition as part of the harmony trio the I-Threes that performed and recorded with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Marcia had her first hit single on the UK charts in 1970 as part of a duo with Bob Andy, it was Bob and Marcia’s early Reggae cover of the Nina Simone song “To Be Young Gifted and Black”. Ms. Griffiths toured with Bob Marley from 1974 until his untimely passing in 1981. She has released several singles as a solo artist including “Electric Boogie,” originally written and recorded by Bunny Wailer, which was remixed in 1989 and made the line dance the Electric Slide an international craze that continues today on dance floors globally. Expect our own dance party on the ROTR 2017 stage during her set as in addition to her I-Threes tribute performance.
Judy Mowatt w/ Sly & Robbie
Judy Mowatt
A harmony vocalist with the I-Threes working alongside Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt is also credited as a writer on two songs from the Wailers’ album Burnin, “Hallelujah Time” and “Pass It On”. As a solo artist, she has released seven albums and created one of Reggae music’s all time classics, the 1979 release Black Woman. It represents the first Reggae album recorded by a woman acting as her own producer with six of her originals including the morality tale “Many Are Called”. She was the first female singer nominated in the Reggae Grammy category for her 1985 Working Wonders album. The gospel tradition deeply informs Ms. Mowatt’s lyrical style combined with phrasing that has a distinct Reggae influence. In 1999 she was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for her service to music.
Cherine Anderson w/ Sly & Robbie
Cherine Anderson
Singing at the 2017 Reggae on the River as part of the harmony trio the I-Threes, Cherine represents the next generation of female Reggae artists. As a singer, songwriter and producer of her original material, she creates music categorized as Dancehall-Soul. In late 2007, she collaborated with Michael Franti and Spearhead for three songs on the All Rebel Rockers album. As a featured vocalist on the single "Say Hey (I Love You)” Ms. Anderson is the first Jamaican female artist to hit the Billboard Rock charts. In 2008-2009, she toured extensively with Franti and Spearhead as their opening act and as a featured artist during the band’s set. She got her start in entertainment as an actress in the films Dancehall Queen (1997) and One Love (2003).
Lutan Fyah and the Riddim Rebels 8:00
Lutan Fyah & The Riddim Rebels
With appearances on festival and club stages in over 30 countries, this artist hailing from Spanish Town, Saint Catherine, Jamaica first got his start in 1997 recording for Buju Banton’s Gargamel label. Since that time his vocal strength is called upon for collaborations with other roots Reggae artists who seek his own particular dose of reality through his songwriting. A part of the Bobo Shanti Rastafarian community, his lyrics address the injustices of the system and present solutions in the form of positive thought, word and deed. Lutan Fyah released his 16th album Music Never Dies in April. Produced by I Grade Records, it landed on the Billboard top 10 chart in its first week out. As for the title’s origins, the artist explains “When I do music, I do it from my core. I evoke feelings and emotions, so that when my fans hear my songs, they are touched by my words and understand the place where it is coming from. Music is everything to me; music never dies.” The artist makes a rare festival appearance at ROTR 2017 after an absence from the U.S. for the past several years. He’s joined by the Riddem Rebels a set of seasoned players from Jamaica that will bring the fyah with his extensive catalog of tunes.
Dezarie 4:15
Dezarie
Hailing from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands this vocalist and songwriter returns to the 2017 ROTR festival stage in a rare tour appearance. Her set is highly anticipated as one of roots Reggae’s female pioneers. Her 2001 debut album Fya exemplifies original Reggae from the perspective of a female artist from outside of Jamaica and was revered by fans and radio DJ’s who continue to play this epic album in regular rotation. She received Atlanta's "Best New Female Reggae Artist" award in 2001 before returning to St. Croix where she currently resides. She’s released a total of 5 albums and maintains a devoted following who resonate with her vocal style and lyrics that uplift women, address iniquity amongst class and race, and portray the African-Caribbean experience. Her band includes Ron Benjamin of Midnite on bass as part of an ensemble providing a heavy roots vibe for her complex vocal chants.
Marla Brown 2:30
Marla Brown
As with any child of an icon, a great deal of responsibility comes with the creation and delivery of your own ideas. London-based vocalist Marla Brown comes from the foundation of UK-style Reggae as the daughter of the late “Crown Prince of Reggae” Dennis Brown. She’s released a 7-song EP Deliverance that represents her first foray into the music business. A touring dancer and performer, she also has been a semi-finalist on the TV program Britain’s Got Talent. Continuing her father’s legacy, she sings in a honey-rich tone and deep resonance that reflects his own. By naming the EP Deliverance, Marla aims to represent her own “deliverance” into the world of the music business whilst giving a nod to her father.
Sensimilla Dub 12:45
Sensimilla Dub
On what is their first trip to the United States, the band is very excited to play on the ROTR stage and represent Brazil (a rarity in the festival’s history). Formed there in 2000, this six piece deep roots Reggae band sing in Brazilian Portuguese and play “heavy reggae” influenced by 1970’s Reggae and Acid Rock. Songs are performed and recorded with elements of Dub with instruments coming in and out of the mix, “dubwise" style. In 2016 the band released the album Unity, it was a first in Brazil, featuring 10 tracks performed by two bands, Sensimilla Dub and Bambu Station from the Virgin Islands.
Mystic Roots Band 11:00