I originally wrote this piece on October 15th, 2019, but I have to add that I’ve since received a few records in the mail, er, a lot, actually, haha! Most notably, Ras MacBean with Soulcraft’s “Reggae on a Mission” LP arrived, and it is amazing. It’s a classic, but somehow the world hasn’t caught on yet. The vinyl pressing I have is clean and quiet, it sounds fantastic, but it’s also available on CD and digitally for those of you who suffer from vinyl deficiency.
After listening to this album and the three 7″ singles that arrived with it, here’s what I want to know: how is Ras MacBean (you’ll also see him credited as Ras McBean, both are correct depending on the release) not better known? He does his own thing and does it really well, but he also feels like he’s channeling the spirit of reggae artists who came before him, in a very good way. His music touches soul-deep and has the most delicious irie vibe. This record needs to be heard by a LOT more people. Has anyone sent Chris Blackwell of Island Records a copy yet?
There are some wonderful pure reggae tracks (“Warriors”), some that are deeply spiritual and beautiful (“Give Thanks for Life” and “Hail Jah”), and some where Soulcraft channels heavy elements of Black Sabbath, the tempo changes in “Tomorrow’s Future” and “Miss My Yard”, and the Sabbath-esque guitar riff in “Be Respected”, all while maintaining a gorgeous roots reggae and dubby vibe. You’ve got to hear it to believe it. If you like reggae at all, even if Bob Marley’s “Legend” is the only reggae album you own, you ought to get yourself a copy. It’s a strong 5/5 stars, no hesitation. It isn’t available on Spotify, but it is available digitally and physically from Ammonite Records on Bandcamp.
OK, now that you’ve been introduced to Ras MacBean, let me explain how I stumbled across him in the first place…
Have you ever found yourself falling down an internet rabbit hole late at night, clicking from one thing to the next until you suddenly realise an hour has passed? It happens to me regularly when I’m browsing Discogs or YouTube. I click on something specific and get drawn in by the suggestions in the sidebar. I could get lost for hours if it weren’t for the advertisements, and as much as I hate them, I’m also oddly grateful, because an ad interruption is usually enough to break the spell and bring me back to reality. Not their intended purpose, I know, but a welcome side effect!
Anyway. RAS MACBEAN! I love this guy’s name. Before I’d even heard a single note of his music, his name made me smile. I’m a fan of roots reggae as you might have gathered from my Summer Reggae post, think Bob Marley, Black Uhuru, Steel Pulse. This week I was looking at buying a single by Michael Rose (aka Mykal Roze), formerly the lead singer of Black Uhuru, called “Never Run Away.” It turned out to be a split single, one side by Mykal Roze, the other by a different singer. That B-side was a track called “They Fall” by Ras MacBean.
His name made me smile, so I went looking for the song on Spotify. Short answer: no luck. He has very few tracks on Spotify, less than a dozen. I did find it on YouTube, though, and sat there with my jaw hanging open. I love his voice. It’s strong and natural, delivered with absolute conviction and sincerity. It sounds like singing brings him joy, and that feeling is infectious. After listening to “They Fall” a couple of times I was curious enough to check out his other work, and that’s how the YouTube spiral began.
What I discovered was an artist producing some of the most wonderful modern roots reggae. He occasionally drifts a little off-key (“Lambsbread” is a good example), but honestly I think it adds to the charm. Despite having been around for at least 15 years, he had never crossed my radar. I feel genuinely lucky to have found him.
There isn’t a lot of information about him online, though he does have an active Facebook page. What I can tell you is that he’s originally from Guyana and appears to be based in Le Mans, France. He has performed in South America, the Caribbean and the USA, and has been touring Europe most recently, his latest stop being Serbia! He has performed at France’s Jamaican Sunrise festival and collaborated with many other reggae musicians and producers, including Morgan Heritage, Lorenzo, Tricia Collymore, Mafia & Fluxy, Addis, Disciples, Bush Chemists and Jonah Dan. If none of those names mean anything to you, you’re in for a delightful discovery of your own, but that’s a journey you’ll have to take yourself. Tonight I’m focused on Ras MacBean.
He has appeared on numerous compilation albums and released a handful of singles on various labels. His first album, “Pack Up and Leave”, was issued in 2004 on a small independent French label called Irie Ites Records. All of the songs are available on YouTube via the label’s channel, and after listening I knew immediately it had to be in my collection. It collects tracks from various compilations and singles, so while it isn’t a traditional “album” in the strictest sense, it’s pretty damn good.
His second album is the one I mentioned at the top. “Reggae on a Mission”, a collaboration with Slavic outfit Soulcraft. This is some very international, intriguing reggae, and it has been a very long time since a new artist has excited me this much. THIS is reggae for the 21st century and I can’t wait for you to hear it.
One more thing worth mentioning. Ras MacBean seems to be involved in a style of recording that I find really interesting. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if this is a modern development or something that has always been done in reggae, but it’s fascinating. Essentially, a rhythm track, a “riddim”, is recorded by a band, a DJ, or whoever, and various different artists then write and record their own lyrics over it. Think: professional karaoke, haha! All the different versions are then released together on a collection, usually titled after the original instrumental track. Some of the riddim collections featuring Ras MacBean that are available on Spotify include: “Dubland Riddim” (2016), “Dub Pipe Riddim” (2016), “Shango Riddim” (2013), “Speaker Riddim” (2011), “Crisis Riddim” (2011), “Conqueror Riddim Selection” (2011) and “Street Riddim Sampler” (2007). Each collection features different artists, but they all share the same backing instrumental track as their starting point. It’s an insane and awesome concept.
If you’re already starting to feel the winter blues, bring some reggae sunshine into your life. You won’t be disappointed.
#MusicBoxTW
