Black Uhuru sings it proud! I’ve got a stalk of sensimilla growing in my back yard!

This year’s SNWMF lineup features some of music’s greats in world, roots, vintage, dancehall, modern reggae and ska artists and sound system DJ’s. Bands are scheduled in tandem on the two stages, and conclude with a fire dance performance on what is known as the Valley stage, a site that is built from the ground up in the Grandstand area of the fairgrounds. The show’s varied offerings for children including music performers a parade, and opportunities for participation in free drum, dance, and yoga sessions throughout the weekend make it possible for cultural exploration on many levels.

The Village stage and Kidz Zone host Children’s educational and multi-cultural entertainment. Sageman Drums workshops take place throughout the weekend and are open to all ages in the Drum Temple. There is a full program of activities designated for the younger generation with kid performers, Arts & Crafts projects are underway throughout the weekend and a daily Kids Parade that will be led by the wonderful Samba Stilt Circus, a troupe of stilt performers.

The festival hosts several non-profit organizations and a diverse of ethnic food vendors from Indian to Ethiopian as well as vegetarian and sustainable raw food vendors. Crafts in the international bazaar in the village area are curated to present a unique array of items from around the world and a zero waste initiative is vigorously pursued to manage the impact of the festival on the environment.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Baaba Maal, the great Senegalese World music superstar will make a rare West Coast appearance on SNWMF ‘10 as the Friday night headliner. Baaba Maal has had a long and varied career and his latest recording is entitled Television. In December 2009, Baaba attended the Climate Change summit in Copenhagen as the climate change ambassador for the Africa Talks Climate initiative.

Don Carlos is a reggae artist whose uplifting reggae music and countenance have inspired crowds for over a quarter century. Don was born and raised in one of the most deprived regions of Western Kingston, Jamaica, in a district notoriously known as Waterhouse, launching his singing career back in 1973 as one of the original members of the roots vocal group Black Uhuru. Since that time, he has been in demand as a solo artist on stages around the world. Don’s latest release is entitled, Changes.

Barrington Levy is a driving force in reggae music and remains a perennial favorite and one of the most recognizable vocalists in reggae music history. His latest single, “Watch Dem” is a collaboration with rap legend Snoop Dogg and recent rap sensation Mims and it is a version of his song “Murderer” a classic tune with a strong warning against violence.

Alborosie, born Alberto D’Ascola is a reggae artist from Italy, who has resided in Kingston, Jamaica for the past decade. He moved to Jamaica to be close to reggae music’s roots and Rastafari culture. There, he started working as a sound engineer and producer and collaborating with the legendary Specialist. Sierra Nevada marks his first summer reggae U.S. festival appearance. Alborosie is touring in celebration of his current release - Escape from Babylon to the Kingdom of Zion.
Presenting world music in its varied forms from bands that span the globe is a tradition the festival upholds each year, distinguishing it from any other outdoor festival in North America. As drummer and musical director of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s band, Africa 70 from 1968 to 1979, Tony Allen was one of the primary co-founders of the genre of Afrobeat music. Fela once stated that, “without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat.”

From New Zealand come Fat Freddy’s Drop, a seven-piece band whose musical style has been characterized as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and techno. Also on the bill are Toubab Krewe, an American instrumental band which fuses the music of Mali with American musical styles (particularly those of the Southern United States). Their new album is entitled: Live at the Orange Peel. From Northern California come Sambadá who preserve the authentic flavor of Brazil’s samba tradition, mixing it with funk music, and from Senegal is Youssoupha Sidibe, a master kora player and mystic Sufi chanter.
And of Rubblebucket, someone once said that if “Brooklyn and New Orleans had a love child it would be conceived while listening to Rubblebucket.” With female lead vocals and hard hitting grooves, festival-goers will hear why this group received the 2009 Boston Music Award for Live Act of the Year.

Adding to the hybrid mix are Rey Fresco, a group from Ventura, California that performs an eclectic mix of rock, reggae, world, soul and Latin music and features a 36 string arpa jarocha Veracruz harp as one of their lead instruments.
Each year the vintage reggae portion of the Sierra Nevada lineup is like another chapter in a “reggae hall of fame” presentation. This year the Soul Syndicate reunites as a group who were one of the ’70’s most in demand touring and recording groups. The festival will feature original members renowned bassist George “Fully” Fullwood, Tony Chin, original “flyers” style rhythm guitarist and Santa Davis, one of the world’s most remarkable drummers.

The Skatalites, the original ska band come to SNWMF with close to forty years of instrumental firepower, along with Ken Boothe, an artist whose energy and evokes the soul singers of the ’60’s and Big Youth whose MC-style over classic rhythms set the stage for what is modern hip-hop.

Roots reggae’s reigning queen Marcia Griffiths was part of the I-Threes, the harmony trio that supported Bob Marley. She has had an extensive career in her own right with the standard “Electric Slide” as part of her repertoire as well as several other reggae chart-toppers.

Johnny Clarke was the new life-blood of the Rockers reggae era, becoming one of Jamaica’s biggest artists, inspiring his contemporaries and promoting the message of Rasta both with cultural messages and lovers refrains. His music fortified what is possibly the most crucial era of reggae, bringing songs like “Move out of Babylon,” “Roots Natty Congo,” “Rock With Me Baby,” & “Get Up And Fight For Your Rights” to the massive.

As part of his group The Maytones, Vernon Maytone had his biggest hit with “Money Worries” that was featured on the film soundtrack: Rockers.
Prince Alla has had a career that spans over forty years, and has continued to be in demand in the digital era with roots reggae producers eager to record his unique melancholy singing tone and Rasta messaging.

A consistent principle of Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is the emphasis on the promotion of positive messages. This year the festival presents Playing For Change who’ve engaged audiences on screen via a PBS special and in the live setting in promotion of their non-profit foundation’s release that features global matchings of street musicians and their mainstream counterparts. Playing For Change traveled around the world to places such as New Orleans, Barcelona, South Africa, India, Nepal, the Middle East and Ireland, and, using a mobile recording studio, had local musicians perform the same song, interpreted into their own style that and included contributions from artists such as Keb’ Mo’, Bono & Manu Chao.

Making their second appearance on the SNWMF stage are Rootz Underground, Jamaica’s next generation of musicians whose star continues to rise and are on tour in celebration of their second studio album, Gravity. The group released a full length live recording as a free download that over 60,000 fans have received to date. The group employ a dynamic combination of a contemporary roots/rock sound, universal messages and energetic, compelling stage shows to go beyond a niche definition - reaching across reggae boundaries into pop music realms.

Also appearing are Ooklah the Moc from Hawaii, an American band with a huge following that play quality roots-reggae originals. And from Kansas City, comes Queen Makedah whose smoky vocals and roots stylings represent the healing properties of reggae music.

The culture of the soundsystem and the vibrant, prolific nature of Jamaica’s reggae industry and music movement are explored each year at the festival through a wide array of recordings. This year when the sun goes down and the music on the two stages concludes, the fairgrounds’ exhibition hall will be filled with the sounds of two of the world’s greatest DJ sound systems including perennial SNWMF selector, Rory Gilligan of Kingston’s Stone Love Movement and David Rodigan (SKY FM, BBC Radio) of the United Kingdom. Also mixing in the dancehall will be DJ Ras Kush representing the New York City soundsystem scene and Comanche High Power representing the Northern California reggae DJ community.

For sound samples, additions to the artist line up, schedule by day and other information please visit www.snwmf.com

FESTIVAL DETAILS:
The event takes place at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds, 14480 Highway 128, Boonville, California, 95415, just 35 minutes West of Ukiah. A 3-day music ticket is $145 available for purchase through Mail Order and via Paypal. Camping is for 3 day music ticket holders only and is not included in the 3 day ticket price. SNWMF offers Family Camp and Alter-abled camp areas located close to the venue gates. Single day tickets are also available online and via Mail Order.

The event takes place at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds, 14480 Highway 128, Boonville, California, 95415, just 35 minutes West of Ukiah. An advance 3 day music ticket is $145 and may be purchased Online, via Mail Order, and out numerous Independent Ticket Outlets throughout the West Coast. Single-Day Tickets are $55.00 for Friday or Sunday and $65.00 for Saturday.

Camping is for 3 day music ticket holders only and is not included in the 3 day ticket price. SNWMF offers Family Camp and Alter-abled camp areas located close to the venue gates. 
 
The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is dedicated to nurturing a world family peacefully united in celebration of the universal spirit of music. Come celebrate with us!!

Lyrics, with some improvisation of Bob Marley, paying homage to Empire Solassie of Ethiopa

jah live
Children yeah
Jah Jah live children yeah
Jah Live
Children yeah
jah Jah Live children yeah
The truth is an offence
But not a sin
Is he who laugh last,children
Is he who win
Is a foolish dog
Bark at the flying bird
One sheep herd must learn,children
To respect the shepherd
Jah live
Children yeah
Jah Jah Live children yeah
Jah Live
Children yeah
Jah Jah Live children yeah
Fool say in their heart
Rasta your God is dead
But I and I know,Jah Jah
Dread it shall be Dreader Dread
Jah Live children yeah
Jah Jah Live children yeah
Jah Live children yeah
jah Jah Live children yeah
Let jah arise
Now that the enemies are scattered
Let Jah arise
The enemies,the enemies are scattered
Jah Live children yeah
Jah Jah Live children yeah
Jah live Children yeah
Jah Jah Live children yeah

“So Much Trouble in the World” performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Soul Rebel lyrics

I’m a rebel, soul rebel
I’m a capturer, soul adventurer

See the morning sun,
On the hillside
not living good, travel wide

Said I’m a living man
I’ve got work to do
If you’re not happy, children
Then you must be blue
Must be blue, people say

I’m a rebel, let them talk,
Soul rebel, talk won’t bother me
I’m a capturer, that’s what they say
Soul adventurer, night and day
I’m a rebel, soul rebel
Do you hear them lippy
I’m a capturer, gossip around the corner
Soul adventurer. How they adventure on me

But, see the morning sun,
On the hillside
not living good, travel wide

Said I’m a living man
I’ve got work to do
If you’re not happy, then you must be blue

I’m a rebel, soul rebel
I’m a capturer, soul adventurer
Do you hear me
I’m a rebel, rebel in the morning
Soul rebel, rebel at midday time

The song was the first reggae single to have widespread popularity outside of Jamaica.

Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals teamed up with Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule on New Years Eve 2006, at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Gov’t Mule is a blues influenced band, led by Warren Haynes, that has performed numerous different covers from Prince to the Allman Brothers and even playing Reggae Music. Blues and Reggae music have deep meaning and history behind its lyrics.

VERSE:
If it’s love that you’re running from
There is no hiding place
(You can’t run, you can’t hide, you can’t run)
Just your problems no one elses problems
You just have to face
(You can’t run, you can’t hide, you can’t run)

CHORUS:
So if you just put your hand in mine
We’re gonna leave all our troubles behind

We gonna walk
And don’t look back (Don’t look back)

We gonna walk
And don’t look back (Don’t look back)

VERSE:
Now if your first lover let you down
There’s something that can be done
(You can’t run, you can’t hide, you can’t run)
Don’t heal your faith in love
Remembering what’s become

CHORUS:
So if you just put your hand in mine
We’re gonna leave all our troubles behind
We gonna walk
And don’t look back (Don’t look back)
We gonna walk
And don’t look back (Don’t look back)

INSTRUMENTAL

CHORUS:

BREAK:
Places behind you
There to remind you

VERSE:
If your first lover broke your heart
Something can be done
(You can’t run, you can’t hide, you can’t run)
Don’t heal your faith in love
Remembering whats been lost
(You can’t run, you can’t hide, you can’t run)

CHORUS:

OUTRO

MICK JAGGER and PETER TOSH hold this conversation while background singers continue singing back-up

(P.T.) How far you been walking man?
(M.J.) About a hundred miles
(P.T.) You still got some more to walk man
(M.J.) I know, don’t remind me about it
(P.T.) I’m getting tired, but I still got to keep on walking
(M.J.) I’m walking barefoot
(P.T.) You know, keep on walking
(M.J.) You got to walk and don’t look back
(P.T.) Keep on a walking
You got to walk and don’t look back
Keep on a walking
You got to walk and don’t look back

FADE OUT:

Chuck Foster has written the Reggae Update column for Beat Magazine for over two decades and hosts Reggae Central on KPFK in LA. He also writes the Readings and Reasoning column for Reggae Festival Guide. His first book, ‘Roots Rock Reggae: An Oral History of Reggae Music From Ska To Dancehall,’ was published by Billboard Books in 1999. He has written about Jamaican music for over twenty-five years.

‘Small Axe Guide To Rock Steady’ is filled with photos and information about the artists, musicians and producers who created the music that laid the foundation for reggae and puts the focus on one of the best-loved periods of Jamaican music.