The reggae scene in Trinidad and Tobago has always been quite prevalent, as Trinidadian music has evolved from simple calypso, to eclectic mixes of reggae, ska and a bit of soca and R&B.

Much like the multi-cultural population itself, the reggae music that emerges from this island is also quite hard to pinpoint.

Such up coming artists such as Isasha, Million Voice, Jamelody and Marlon Asher have all echoed their Rastafarian chant through the Caribbean and have all begun to spread their song throughout the US and UK.

On a global level, there are artists that hail from Trinidad and Tobago; and have been classified as performers on the reggae front. This includes Machel Montano, Kees and the Band and the Orange Sky.

Machel Montano, who has been a soca performer for just over twenty- five years, released his second to last album in time for the 2007 Carnival celebrations. Having revealed his “Book of Angels”, Mr. Montano has re-vamped his soca style for the reggae remix of his number one hit, “Higher than High”. Performing on stage with the internationally renound, Sizzla, Machel has proved that Trinidad can not only make a presence in the soca arena; but can represent for the reggae industry as well, with his kettle drum beats.

Kees and the Band has been performing (with a few name changes) since the 90’s, and front man Kees, has performed with his youth and vibrance throughout Trinidad and the Caribbean, Canada and the UK, has surged the good vibes of reggae music through his 2007 album, “Lion”.

The Orange Sky has also been emergent in Trinidad and Tobago, touring through various locations, and has been one of the first bands to put Trinidad and Tobago on the map for a more ska-type sound. This was most prevalent for the daunting sound of their soulful cover of “Peace Train”.

Just the beginning of the journey, Trinidad and Tobago is making its name on the reggae scene. With young talent and stellar ambitions, these men will carry this small Caribbean nation deep into the reggae jungle.

Written by Jamie Jaggernauth.

I am delighted to introduce to you all my friend and international reggae artist, Daddy Roots. Born a Rasta on April 23, 1977 in North Valley, Anguilla; the youngest of fifteen children. Roots left school at an early age and gained great education in life from the day-to day living in the streets of Anguilla. Roots elaborates:

Nothing comes to you on a platter unless you have a certain position in society. If you are the underdog, you don’t get anything and have to fight for everything.

Daddy Roots’ religion is love - his reaction to anger and hatred is to walk away with love in his heart and a smile on his face. Daddy Roots believes that around the corner of depression lies hope and his songs titles including “Love And Honor“, “I Am At Peace With Myself”, “Walk Away From War”, “ Happiness” and “Moving On” express his philosophy of peace and harmony for everyone.

Daddy Roots left Anguilla in 2002 to pursue his musical dreams and, early that same year, started his first ever tour in the States…..going from the west to the Midwest and hitting clubs like The Independent (San Fransisco), Malibu Inn (Malibu), Belly Up, OC Tavern, West Coast Festivals before heading out for some colleges in the Midwest and onwards to Chicago’s premier reggae club “Wild Hare”. He is also thankful the opportunity to perform in New Orleans before the world was rocked by Katrina.

Roots then got invited to perform at Ghana’s Panafest and Emancipation day in the summer of 2004 and spent a couple of months playing out there and expanded his musical repertoire.

In 2005 Daddy Roots’ song, “Magar Goat”, was in the movie “Broken Flowers” starring Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Sharon Stone and Jessica Lange. “ Magar Goat” was also used in a Canadian TV Lifetime Movie “Fugitive”. He also has a song, “It’s All Good” on the soundtrack of “Rastafarian Dreaming” documentary, an independent film produced in Toronto, Canada and shown around in Reggae Festivals in the United States.

Daddy Roots won BEST REGGAE VOCALIST 2006 at the 16th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards held at the Music Box, Hollywood, where Gwen Stefani and Black Eye Peas got one of their earlier awards from.

In Late 2007 Daddy Roots aka ZKing of Hearts completed a new cutting-edge album, Happiness, featuring the likes of Wailers/Steel Pulse producer Karl Pitterson, St. Maarten producer Connis Vanterpool and West Coast deejay/producer extraordinaire Peter “Peas” McEvilley.

Daddy Roots is now back in North America to promote his latest CD which, since its release, is spreading blessed love throughout the airwaves of North America and the Caribbean. The release was one of the most added CD to radio playlists nationwide according to CMJ’s New World Chart where it still remains a favourite among programmers. Over 60 stations are spinning Daddy Roots now, including non-commercial powerhouses such as WBAI in New York and KPFA in Berkeley where it received Top 10 status. Leading airplay tracks include the timely “Make Love Not War”, which peaked on Mediaguide’s top reggae songs, and the irresistible herbal anthem “Weedy Wop”. “Are You Willin’?” showcases Daddy Roots’ creative depth and many styles which have already shown great promise of crossover potential.

ALBUMS:
2001 “Two Sides of Love-Chapter One”
2002 “Love and Honor”
2003 “All Here Now”
2007 “Happiness (is in your heart)”

Often described as ‘Bob Marley meets Ben Harper’, Roots recently said to me of his own musical influences:

I am blesssed to have met so many positive people. I left my tiny island I have to admit a bit naively because I thought the rest of the world would be as warm as little Anguilla. I got the chance to work with Zion Trains genius Neil Perch in Germany/Croatia and with Tippa Irie in the UK and I tell you he is one of the best human beings…so kind, humble, considerate and professional on top of all that. Pato Banton is another great man who is also a great positive influence in my life. I am honored to call him a friend.

On that note, I am honoured to call Roots a friend and hope you have enjoyed reading about him. Watch out for more too come from this great reggae artist!

If you ever visit the island of Anguilla then you will be sure to cross paths with Bankie. Born on this beautiful island, Bankie Banx has been making reggae music for the past 30 years; with his trademark hat and unique blend of reggae music Bankie is one of Anguillas finest.

Making music was a childhood dream for Bankie and he made early success with his first number one hit in 1977 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. Bankie and his band ‘The Roots & Herbs’ spent time in Europe and the Caribbean before the band dispanded and Bankie set of to further his career in the US. His unique and somewhat chilling voice his often been compared to that of Bob Dylan and Bankie himself has taken much inspiration from Bob and added a little folk into his music. Bankies muscial journey was booming in the US before he got ‘Busted’ in Barbados for marijuana possesion and was subsequently banned for 10 years.

On his return to Anguilla, Bankie set about building something else to call his own…The Dune Preserve. The Dune, or Planet Dune as many would call it, has grown from a small one cabin beach hut to a full blown piece of history. A year round beach bar and nightlub you will hear the sounds of Bankie and friends before you arrive. It is also the home to another of Banks’ musical projects - Moonsplash.

Moonsplash has become one of the premier music festivals in the Eastern Caribbean and has featured internationally revered reggae artists such as Jimmy Buffett, Rita Marley, Black Uhuru, Freddie McGregor, Toots and the Maytals, Steel Pulse, Culture, Marcia Griffiths, Taurrus Riley, Roots & Herbs, Buju Banton, Anthony B, Burning Spear and The Wailers. The dune preserve was destroyed by Hurricanes in 1996 and 1999, but Banks rebuilt it and Moonsplash lives on.

I have had the pleasure of sitting in the Dune with Bankie and Friends and his rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ in the early hours of new years day is a moment I will treasure forever.