RAMSHAKA
play latin & african influenced reggae music,
full
on dancehall style. Their dynamic show features guitar,
keyboards,
sax and percussion as well as drums and bass.
The
band have been together for three years playing at
Festivals
and on the club circuit both in the UK and europe.
They
have played for the last two years at the prestigious
'International
Samba Festival' in Coburg, Germany, and
in 1998
also at the famous 'Cologne Reggae Summer Jam'
alongside
such star acts as Dennis Brown, Alpha Blondy,
Third
World & Steel Pulse.
Members
of the band have been playing together since the
1980's
and have an impressive CV, including appearances
with
Lee Scratch Perry, Misty in Roots, Jah Warroirs and
The
Mighty Diamonds.
In 1999
they recorded the CD album, 'Fire in your Soul'.
Click:
RAM-Listen
to hear sound bites and how to obtain this
album,
as well as the 1998, CD album, 'Live up Your Life'.
Peripheral
activities include running percussion workshops
and
a reggae sound system with live digital dub
(Toxic
& The Young Lions)
They
are currently taking bookings for 1999/2000 and can
be available
in your area!
They
can travel with their own backline and professional
PA system,
so technical requirements are minimal.
Ramshaka: Preparing to live up your life (Press review)
.
One
band aiming high into the millennium is Falmouth's Ramshaka who have just
released a scorching new CD Fire In Your Soul. Fusing roots,
Latin, African, jazz, funk and ska has been a way of life for the six piece
band, well seven piece if you include ex-Pirate sound engineer Azy who
helps create their special live sound. The CD is possibly
one of the best sounding and produced reggae/world dance recordings Cornwall
has produced in a very long time. Where Ramshaka triumph is
that they obviously have their influences but when they record, they create
their own sound rather than trying to emulate the sound of established
artists. Capturing a live sound of percussion, brass, multivocals
on top of the usual back line instruments is hard but Fire In Your Soul
is a lovely textured album of mellow harmonies and lively melodies.
Even the most die hard world music-phoebe will be nodding and tapping at
the first play of Fire In Your Soul. The CD was recorded at
The Bunker Studio at the Lizard by Jess Carter. Ramshaka
at present are Al vocals,and guitar, his brother Mark Keyboards; Ian on
drums; Nick on bass; Dave Sax on saxophone and Cyrus on congas and percussion.
Dave Sax says: "There's quite a buzz around Ramshaka at the moment.
We are very enthusiastic about the future and would like to thank everyone
for their support; as the mystery of music unfolds - we are happy to be
part of it."
