Brutal Jammers has conquered Guyana and is now on its way to dominating in the region as well after recently returning from a successful tour to Jamaica courtesy of its Jamaica-based star patron Natural Black.
Brutal Traxx executive Christian Duncan elaborated on the development at a press conference held at Swansea’s Waterloo Street headquarters on Wednesday.
Duncan related that Brutal Jammers and a number of artistes and media specialists attached to Brutal Traxx – a delegation of 17 – left Guyana’s shores on March 13 enroute to Jamrock for the March 16 concert.
In the land of ‘wood and water’ the touring party visited a number of Jamaican studios where they able to test their skills against members of the various studio bands at established organizations such as Tuff Gong and Caveman studios.
The concert, which was promoted by Natural Black, a 12-year resident of Jamaica, to celebrate his ‘earthday’ or birth anniversary was held at the Yallas Primary School, St Thomas.
The show featured some 20 performing artistes among them Lutan Fire, Fanton Mojah, Etana, Richie Spice and four sound systems including Atlanta and Black Kat.
The show got underway around midnight after the
sound systems entertained Brutal Jammers as headliners of the show got onstage at 5 am as the sun rose behind them. The band backed Ras I Son, Jory, Fire Clan and Natural Blacks as well as some of the Jamaicans.
“It is the first time in recent history a Guyanese band backed reggae artistes from Jamaica,” Christian said.
Marketing executive Duane Duncan added that Jamaica would readily accept a jazz musician or R&B crooner than anyone offering what they consider theirs: reggae. It was therefore considered a monumental achievement by the group.
Natural Black was contacted via telephone by Malcolm Ferreira of NCN Radio following the show. He gave the band, including the artistes, eight out of ten for their performance, since the team is less than a year old having got together last April.
Sponsorship was a sore point, Christian said since no one responded to requests for assistance. Brutal Jammers and Swansea were the sole benefactors, which the studio exec said was unfortunate since without corporate support the industry’s development would be stalled.
He however extended appreciation to Paul Giddings of Midas Entertainment, Jamrock Restaurant and Giddings Payday Pawnshop who travelled with the group to experience the band in that environment and also entertained them while there. Caribbean Airlines was also recognized for its contribution of reduced airfare for the group.
Having made an impact at Natural Black’s show the band was invited to perform at the Jamaican CWC 2007 Local Organising Committee’s ‘From Jamaica with Love Rock the World’ concert. It was a seven-night event arranged by the LOC to entertainment visitors during their stay on the rock. At that event, the group was exposed to international quality stage equipment.
The experience, Christian declared, opened the group’s eyes to the fact that Jamaican artistes are no different from them but that their level could be achieved with hard work and commitment.
Band leader Anthony ‘Bassy’ Johnson told the media the trip was a great experience that saw several Jamaican artistes expressing excitement over tracks built in Guyana and sung tunes on them. Requests were even made for them to send their tracks to Jamaica.
Additionally, artistes, Jory in particular, as well as Ras I-Son, Fire Clan and Ras Matta were able to move the crowds over there. So much so that persons questioned their Guyanese roots suggesting that they were based in one of Jamrock’s remote country areas.
basstone@lycos.com
