Page 91 - Reggae Festival Guide Magazine 2017

to Jamaica in 1966, one of the three most to be a part of Chronixx’s Chronology North

important occasions on the Rastafari calendar! America Tour, to lend my energy and to witness

Gabre Selassie was dragged out of his home firsthand the best representation thus far of the

where this musical church (of sorts) is operated, Reggae Revival movement in the U.S. Chronixx
and reportedly like a wild animal at that. Only brought with him not only his peers in music

days before, a representative of the Jamaican – Kelissa, Jah9 and Jesse Royal – but he went

government issued an official apology for “Bad further to have different key players from the

Friday,” when Rastafari people were brutally non-musical side of the movement contribute
beaten and mistreated – some were slain – in to his successful run. It was priceless to see the

1963 at Coral Gardens. So, to this day, we have a involvement of ones such as Sherece Cowan, the

situation inside the borders of Jamaica where an vegan chef who operates Sippin’ Live in Jamaica,

official attitude toward Rastafari is superficially and someone like me who is the movement’s

diplomatic at best. Even Jamaica itself lacks most passionate writer and impresario (if I am
respect for the culture that essentially gave it allowed to say so).

global adoration.
While there are still enough people in the world

Moreover, it makes no sense complaining about who have sufficient interest in the Reggae

disrespect for our culture when even those Revival, and still so many yet to have their initial

who have come to represent the movement’s encounter with it, I hope in my heart of hearts

musical charge have not shown much interest that we can truly begin to use the movement’s
in championing it themselves. I understand the extended honeymoon to highlight the essence

factors though. The initial confusion of seeing of the culture and allow it to play a stronger

an alliterative phrase take on a life of its own, role in enlightening the human family. This

claiming to embody the work that they had has always been the intended purpose of the
been doing independently. Then, knowing that movement. It has always been more than just

many elders who helped pave the way for them the music, more than sprinkles of entertaining

and who often mentored them personally felt moments. For it to have maximum influence, we

disrespected by the term. Nobody really asked all have to focus more on respecting the culture.

for it to happen the way it did. Most of them had Only then will we really begin to see what the
no desire to be anyone’s savior. Needless to say, Reggae Revival can achieve. Otherwise, we are

I have felt some degree of remorse for my role going to require another exciting resurgence

in pushing this situation upon them because I in another decade or so and, with all that is

love and respect them all so much. Whether or happening in the world today, I’m not so certain

not they embrace the specific term, I do support that we have the time for that.
them and think they have done much to advance Dutty Bookman is a renowned author, book

our cause.
publisher, tour manager and roots reggae selector

On the other hand, I can never shake the who coined the name of the “Reggae Revival”

feeling that a little more courage and unity of movement out of Jamaica. He lives in Florida with

purpose regarding the use of the movement’s his wife and two sons.

most popular name will take us further than we Visit his Instagram @duttybookman and his website
can currently imagine. I was extremely proud www.duttyism.com to follow his movements.

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