Aba Shanti biography, Aba Shanti discography
WHO'S WHO' page, Aba used to deejay 'Jah Tubby's' sound system and at
that time he was known as 'Jasmine Joe'.Those of you that were around the sound system scene in the eighties will remember the slightly
extrovert mic man that 'Jah Tubby's' had;that was Aba.I' is not just the name of the sound system, it is the name of the
person that is playing the sound.The vibe that Aba generates has brought him to the attention of the media on a worldwide basis and
he has been the subject of numerous articles in domestic and foreign magazines.German 'Deep in Dub',1 French 'Aba at Carnival' and 1 domestic 'Urban Rites' Big Issue Film
Unit Series.Ites' live and direct and in their
own backyard.Also it will have enhanced content as I get round to finishing off the large number of outstanding
pages that are still left to do, (and believe there are a lot) and yes people that includes MP3 samples
of our tunes and small video segments.It will be updated with the
text based material but no more images as they take up an awful amount of web space.Both sites will be run in tandem and the imagery that is on this site will stay.This site will not just be about self promotion for our record company and products.Just a word in your ears to alleviate any concerns that you may have regarding this website
and ourselves.Political Party or amassing an
army to overthrow the elected governments of any country.All links are in red and underlined.The site works properly in IE4.This video has been added to your favorites.Thank you for sharing your concerns.Thank you for flagging this video.Please refer to our Help Center for more information and the form to submit.Thank you for sharing this video!Change this to see only comments above a certain value.Change the value of a comment by clicking on a thumb.Chase The Devil song produced by Lee Scratch Perry.Why does Aba Shanti say no sing this song?RUB A DUB REBELS 1, COULU YOU SEND A LINK OR SUMTIN.SERIOUS VIBES INNA DE VIDEO FROM DE MIGHTY MIGHTY SOUNDS OF JAH LIGHTNING JAH THUNDER ABA SHANTI I EARTH ROCKERRRJAH RASTAFARIII!!!!Would you like to comment?The code changes based on your selection.ABA SHANTI I IN SESSION...ABA SHANTI I IN SESSION...This video has been added to your favorites.This video will appear on your blog shortly.Thank you for flagging this video.Thank you for sharing your concerns.Please refer to our Help Center for more information and the complete instructions.In order to process a privacy complaint we need more information from you.Thank you for sharing this video!Change this to see only comments above a certain value.After making your selection, copy and paste the embed code above.The code changes based on your selection.ABA SHANTI I IN SESSION...Aba shanti i playing hi...This site will expand as time goes on and will be updated as regularly as possible, time allowing.This site will not just be about self promotion for our record company and products.Just a word in your ears to alleviate any concerns that you may have regarding this website
and ourselves.We are just people, and we believe in justice for all the people'.All links are in red and underlined.So if you see a red underlined word or phase, click on it and it will take you the appropriate
page, pages or image.No matter what you're looking for, EarthLink's Starter Site has what you need to launch your own Web site.FREE set up, first month FREE.Ultimately, people who are like us, who hold similar attitudes, will gravitate towards us, because we are aiming for the same virtues that they are, and this creates a something a lot better than what society stands for.Right now, it's obvious that our societies are controlled by money, polarised, xenophobic.For example, we can watch Buddhist monks set themselves alight: People watch this on a screen and it means nothing.For Aba Shanti sound system, on the other hand, we are unified by our goals and aims, and we intend to achieve them in a way we consider to be moral and upright.It was a dark and rainy winter evening.It seemed fitting somehow, and matched the intensity and seriousness of sound that Aba Shanti made.Anyone who has witnessed Aba Shanti and full crew will testify to the gut rearranging force of the sound.Standing near the speaker stacks, it is like a wind, moving towards you.Some Dreads were coolly talking, and playing dominos in the corner.Vibes were good, and uplifting.Two main characters emerged from the Shanti family, with quite different perspectives.Humble Lion was a thoughtful figure: sharp, erudite, a quick thinker.African Head Charge, Sugar Minnot, Johnny Clarke, I Jahman Levi, was concerned more specifically with the "sound mechanics" and musical vibes.Samari, the percussionist, a polite man, with a qualification from the Royal College of Music, was also present but remained silent for most of the interview.We drank and ate in the calm darkness of the studio, which became misty with spirals of heady smoke as time passed.Shanti fold and in the world, and on the other hand "darkness" to those manipulative holders of power, who represent corrupt and violent governments and ideologies everywhere.It all depends on how the spirit moves the speaker.This is the way things run with Aba Shanti Sound System.AM: What kind of people check out Aba Shanti sound system, and how do you view the "moral motivation" behind what Aba Shanti do?Ultimately, people who are like us, who hold similar attitudes, will gravitate towards us, because we are aiming for the same virtues that they are, and this creates a something a lot better than what society stands for.America backs its puppet leaders and the media sanitises, separates "spectators" from reality.We can extend the same principle further, to children being destroyed by weapons.Still, reality doesn't hit home; it means nothing.For Aba Shanti sound system, on the other hand, we are unified by our goals and aims, and we intend to achieve them in a way we consider to be moral and upright.Through our meditations and reasonings, we have come to terms with ourselves, have come to know ourselves.AM: How do you go about putting together a song, lyrically and musically?This is what song writing is about: the essence of being able to capture your emotions, and put them into words.Actually, the process is beyond words alone.It's not always strictly a logical process.Another important aspect for me is this: Mentally, and in actions, how does one focus on the good and diminish the bad?Well, we know where we have come from, we know where we are today, and we know where we want to go.Music can make someone cry; move them to tears of joy or sadness.This is what is happening right here now in the U.AM: In what way do you think the UK roots sound system culture and dub plates is different from what is happening in JA?BS: I was born in England, with inner city vibes.So many artists strive for a Jamaican sound, or an American sound, but I feel that is the wrong road for UK artists to take.Actually, when we create music we reflect and echo what we see all around us, from the point at which we wake up every morning and look around us: When I go outside, I see city smoke everywhere, traffic, darkness, no birds, no trees, no nature.HL: As I see it, reggae music here in UK is progressing out of that heavy drum and bass steppers rhythm, into very sophisticated and futuristic sound collages.BS: Well, these points we make are true, but we still come from a powerful Jamaican root and tradition, even though we have diversified to reflect our condition.HL: Delroy Wilson, Dennis Brown, ET, the mighty 2 at Joe Gibbs.On some of those tunes you can hear the mistakes!Fredlocks and Aswad were wicked too, I have to name check "Love and Only Love", and "Warrior Charge".Rastafari was looked upon as a black element, and there was a strong unity between the youths in this area, this area where I was born and raised.AM: So what has changed?HL: Well, I have to say that now it is not only the black youths who are suffering in this land, so to me, increasingly, the true inner meaning of Rasta is not concerned with colour.And to me, this is an appropriate outlook.As we trod along through our musical journey, we want to draw people together, regardless of colour, because it's so simple that it's a universal strength that we should be dealing with, a coming together.Our music has a meditative, reflective, and moving towards a spiritually higher concept.I'm a man from the 70's you know, and at that time, we could clearly see what was wrong with society and it was this consciousness that led us to unity.HL: Aba Shanti work closely with the youth, trying to offer them guidance: we try to speak with them, find out where they're coming from, how they're living and try to advise them.We run bass and drum music workshops here in the community you know?The scope of Falasha and Aba Shanti is much wider than people know.AM: Your record label is called Falasha: What does the word mean to Aba Shanti?HL: Well, yes Falasha has deep significance for us.As you know, at the time of the diaspora, 12 tribes were exiled out of Israel.In 1973, theologians and rabbinical scholars solved a problem that had been plaguing scholars and academics for years: Where was the lost tribe of Israel?They were in fact, located in Ethiopia; the elders could read Semitic texts, and practised ancient sacred ritual.This tribe knew their history and knew where they were coming from.Falasha means outsider, or outcast.Many of the Falasha tribe have been wiped out over the centuries, but they survive, they live on.One of our mottoes is, "hear the music, feel the vibe!"In a lot of other royal dynasties, the world over, you'll find that in a large majority of cases their lineage is not based on a historical lineage which emphasises spiritual truth, no, on the contrary: A closer study often reveals a heritage based on robbery, domination and corrupt exploitation.They have an ancient copy of it here in London in the British Museum.Certain academics and "authorities" though, have restricted access to it, only allowing so called "serious scholars" to view it.So, I would say this, don't read an abridged or selective translation of The Bible, read it as it is.Only a few words mistranslated or edited can lead you astray.AM: What is your view on this Blood, where do you derive spiritual inspiration from?BS: Well, as for me, I'm a man who has experienced everything through my livity, what I have experienced and lived through, and it is that over and above everything else which gives me knowledge of right and wrong.So my insight comes from reality.Besides that, great figures such as Malcolm X influenced me: he had no choice but to educate himself, and through that he gained a conscious perspective and spiritual wisdom.Think about it: the time when you most feel the presence of the most high is when you are down, on the floor, when there is no other turning place.So that's my perspective, where I'm coming from spiritually.His music encourages togetherness and strength, so that is a musical vibe that brings people together, encouraging people to think of one power, instead of ego obsession.Jamaica and in England with regards to the whole music scene, whether it's funk , or r n' b, soul or reggae, is an endless dividing and categorising into lots of separate boxes, which ultimately, divides people too!So leave these things alone, let people enjoy the music.AM: What mental processes go into deciding how a heavy dub should sound and what state of mind produces their surreal sound when you go about working on a dub plate?Listen to distinctive, original artists from any genre, including reggae, Jimi Hendrix, Charlie Parker, or reggae drummers like Sly or Santa, what you hear immediately is their signature, so you know it's them in an instant.Same way with us: When we cut our dubs, what you hear is something captured in time, there is no absolute theoretical "right or wrong" in terms of the sound.It depends a lot on our emotion at the time of working on the dub, whether we are happy or sad, thoughtful or positive, in a mood of upliftment.The sound and vibe goes beyond that.AM: I understand that you operate as a sound system and a band, so there are two major projects within the Aba Shanti fold.Can you tell me more about how you view the role of sound system, and the heritage you are continuing?HL: Yes, we do have at least two major projects within Aba Shanti, and numerous smaller projects we are running.Sound system informs and educates the listener.Check out tunes like "Niney the Observer" and Dennis Brown's "Tenement Yard"!We are directing ourselves in the same way; good music, good education, which means enlightenment, politically, socially, culturally and historically through sound system.Besides that, we are always open to those who would wish to contribute artworks to Aba Shanti sound system, so we encourage people to contribute artwork, poetry or lyrics to us.There are so many who are disenfranchised or tribeless in this society, but we are hoping to achieve the opposite, to show people who have similar aspirations to us, they are not alone.AM: I know that "King of The Zulu Tribe" Jah Shaka donates a lot of his money from sound system towards projects in Africa such as hospitals, schools and I believe aid towards disabled people in Ghana and the such like.HL: African people were free labour for the building of Britain's empire.It wasn't only African people who suffered.Similar things, to a lesser degree of course, are happening in other places in the world even today, for example in South America where the people's natural way of life is being methodically eroded.So the true depth of African culture and its contribution to what is now the "greatness" and wealth of America and Europe has been largely considered as insignificant, as if it didn't really matter.So the bottom line is this: any culture that doesn't give due respect to somebody else's culture or way of life is never going to see that anything they do, or have done, to those people, is wrong.Power and violence based on illusion, and the weakest have always suffered.So what happens when the exploited fight back against the exploiter?Events are presented to the public in the way the dominant powers desire them to be viewed.Truth is constantly obscured by clever manipulation.People have to see this game taking place!Please, educate yourselves to get to the roots; to read between the lines when you are bombarded by the media.Reason within, and see the truth for yourselves.ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER
Greg Whitfield has spent most of the last twelve years living in London and the Far East, specifically Korea, where his wife is a Korean classical musician.Each time
a new issue is posted, we'll let you know.Aba used to deejay Jah Tubby's sound system and at that time he was known as Jasmine Joe.Over the last 10 years Aba has been playing his sound, and the music created by his brother Blood Shanti on that sound, in small and large halls throughout this country and in the process has developed a following covering the widest spectrum of Jah's humanity.People come to discard their worries and to lose themselves in the music and by doing so cast off the mental shackles from their mind and the yolk from around their shoulders, find themselves, be at peace and be free.The vibe that Aba generates has brought him to the attention of the media on a worldwide basis and he has been the subject of numerous articles in domestic and foreign magazines.Europe on a number of occasions to bring the vibe to a larger audience.Ites live and direct and in their own backyard.It was a dark and rainy winter evening.Cold war era, pre Capitalist Eastern Europe.It seemed fitting somehow, and matched the intensity and seriousness of sound that Aba Shanti made.Anyone who has witnessed Aba Shanti and full crew will testify to the gut rearranging force of the sound.Vibes were good, and uplifting.Quotes from Revelation adorn the walls; one particular reference caught my attention, chapter and verse implying that Jesus had died in Egypt (Revelations Chapter 11, verse 8).This quote intrigued me, and I made a mental note to check this quote out carefully when I returned home.He spoke a lot, largely about media critique and spirituality in the Shanti sound fold.Samari, the percussionist, a polite man, with a qualification from the Royal College of Music, was also present but remained silent for most of the interview.We drank and ate in the calm darkness of the studio, which became misty with spirals of heady smoke as time passed.London in the black community against oppressive police tactics.This is the way things run with Aba Shanti Sound System.For example, we can watch Buddhist monks set themselves alight: People watch this on a screen and it means nothing.We can extend the same principle further, to children being destroyed by weapons.For Aba Shanti sound system, on the other hand, we are unified by our goals and aims, and we intend to achieve them in a way we consider to be moral and upright.Through our meditations and reasonings, we have come to terms with ourselves, have come to know ourselves.This is what song writing is about: the essence of being able to capture your emotions, and put them into words.Well, we know where we have come from, we know where we are today, and we know where we want to go.In reggae music now, you have a oneness of expression, dark and light unified, black and white working together.This is what is happening right here now in the U.Q: In what way do you think the UK roots sound system culture and dub plates is different from what is happening in JA?So many artists strive for a Jamaican sound, or an American sound, but I feel that is the wrong road for UK artists to take.Well, these points we make are true, but we still come from a powerful Jamaican root and tradition, even though we have diversified to reflect our condition.Do you know some of those artists were only paid about 60 dollars per session?Aswad, and tunes like this changed the whole reggae scene here in England, it was so far ahead of its time, it stood out from ALL the other roots music going on.Aswad were outstanding at that time, and those sophisticated rhythms left everyone else behind.So, that was music from my time, tunes and vibes from my era which left their mark on me and many others.So what has changed I asked?Music has a natural vibe of goodness.The scope of Falasha and Aba Shanti is much wider than people know.Q: Your record label is called Falasha: What does the word mean to Aba Shanti?Well, yes Falasha has deep significance for us.Biblical reading tells us this.In 1973, theologians and rabbinical scholars solved a problem that had been plaguing scholars and academics for years: Where was the lost tribe of Israel?They were in fact, located in Ethiopia; the elders could read Semitic texts, and practiced ancient sacred ritual.This tribe knew their history and knew where they were coming from.Falasha means outsider, or outcast.Many of the Falasha tribe have been wiped out over the centuries, but they survive, they live on.And this vibe is actually an ancient thing: Check the Biblical Psalms, which are the original blues, these are supplications for guidance, and a deep meditation.Sellassie I comes from the throne of the conquering Lion Of TheTribe of Judah, descended from King David and Solomon.What is your view on this Blood, where do you derive spiritual inspiration from?So my insight comes from reality.From the Jamaican side, Luciano runs things, no doubt.His music encourages togetherness and strength, so that is a musical vibe that brings people together, encouraging people to think of one power, instead of ego obsession.Jungle is from the same roots and culture source..Blood and Humble Lion about what mental process went into deciding how a heavy dub would sound, what state of mind produced their surreal sound when they went about working on a dub plate?Yes, we do have at least two major projects within Aba Shanti, and numerous smaller projects we are running.Right from its roots in Jamaica, it has always been this way, communicating stories of experience, from the heart.We are directing ourselves in the same way; good music, good education, which means enlightenment, politically, socially, culturally and historically through sound system.Besides that, we are always open to those who would wish to contribute artworks to Aba Shanti sound system, so we encourage people to contribute art work, poetry or lyrics to us.If we can include them in what we are doing, we will do so.There are so many who are disenfranchised or tribeless in this society, but we are hoping to achieve the opposite, to show people who have similar aspirations to us, they are not alone.Jah Shaka donates a lot of his money from sound system towards projects in Africa such as hospitals, schools and I believe aid towards disabled people in Ghana and the such like.When I last attended one of your sound system session dances, I believe the money was being contributed to protection of the rain forests: Can you tell me more about this?In America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, genocide was implemented.Same old story : What was theirs has been taken, and they are being herded out whilst their place of origination and beauty is being destroyed.These are actions and attitudes which reveal a root of deep ignorance.If people had bothered to educate themselves and striven to enlighten themselves humanely, politically, spiritually, these vampire like activities might never have taken place on such a scale on this earth.You might find a limited account in a reference book or encyclopaedia, but even these were typically euro centric and condescending.Many nationalities, peoples of all colour and background, all over this planet choose to exploit others brutally and cover up their violent acts.Violent acts carried out on others can be justified by the doers if they consider themselves to be of a superior race or ideology.Power and violence based on illusion, and the weakest have always suffered.So what happens when the exploited fight back against the exploiter?Please, educate yourselves to get to the roots; to read between the lines when you are bombarded by the media.Reason within, and see the truth for yourselves.It was a dark and rainy winter evening.Aba Shanti dub plates I thought.It seemed fitting somehow, and matched
the intensity and seriousness of sound that Aba Shanti made.Anyone who has witnessed Aba Shanti and full crew will testify to the
gut rearranging force of the sound.Standing near the speaker stacks, it is like a wind,
moving towards you.Vibes were good, and uplifting.This quote intrigued me, and I made a mental note
to check this quote out carefully when I returned home.Two main characters emerged from the Shanti family, with
quite different perspectives.He spoke a lot, largely about media critique
and spirituality in the Shanti sound fold.African Head Charge, Sugar Minnot, Johnny Clarke, I Jahman Levi,
was concerned more specifically with the sound mechanics and musical vibes.Music, was also present but remained silent for most of the interview.All Shanti sound members exuded a calm and optimistic
atmosphere, leaving no doubt that they walk it as they talk it.Blood makes brief reference
to this, and then we formally start the interview.An alert thinker, Humble Lion speaks quickly, his thought
jumping from subject to subject.It all depends on how the spirit moves the speaker.This is the way things run with Aba Shanti Sound System.What kind of people check out Aba Shanti sound system, and how do you
view the moral motivation behind what Aba Shanti do?Right now, it's obvious that our societies are controlled
by money, polarised, xenophobic.Still, reality doesnt hit home; it means nothing.Through our meditations and reasonings, we have
come to terms with ourselves, have come to know ourselves.How do you go about putting together a song, lyrically
and musically?Actually, the process is beyond words
alone.Mentally, and in actions, how does one focus on the good
and diminish the bad?Well, we know where we have come from, we know where
we are today, and we know where we want to go.If a man can't visualise
his goals, internally and externally, then it's like walking in the desert.To us, music is music you know: the heart of music touches you, makes
a person feel something deeply, beyond words, internally and externally.Music can make someone cry; move them to tears of joy or sadness.This is what is happening right here now in the U.One, classic vibes, straight to the heart.So, which artists influenced you as you were growing up?The mighty 2 at Joe Gibbs.Do you know some of those artists were
only paid about 60 dollars per session?So, that was music from my time, tunes
and vibes from my era which left their mark on me and many others.Zulu Warrior Jah Shaka has said, you know THE TRUTH doesn't have any colour,
we play for all nations of people) And to me, this is an appropriate outlook.Music has a natural vibe of goodness.The scope of Falasha and Aba Shanti is much wider than people know.This tribe knew their
history and knew where they were coming from.So by that we mean you're welcome, come and check the feeling!Of The Tribe of Judah, descended from King David
and Solomon.Remember though, that they, in their wisdom have defined and
decided what a serious scholar actually is!Only a few words mistranslated or edited can lead you astray.So my insight comes from reality.So that's my perspective, where I'm coming from spiritually.Judah has range, flow and ability: He is a great producer and
songwriter.From the Jamaican side, Luciano
runs things, no doubt.Let's just look at a lot of today's music
for a minute, look at it closely.Lion: Roots music is protest music which spiritualises people,
awakens the consciousness of the listener.Santa, what you hear immediately is their signature, so you
know it's them in an instant.Can you tell me more about
how you view the role of sound system, and the heritage you are continuing?Aba Shanti, and numerous smaller projects
we are running.Sound system informs and
educates the listener.Sound system aims to achieve these two goals.Check out tunes like Niney
the Observer and Dennis Browns Tenement Yard!Aba Shanti sound system, so we encourage people to contribute
art work, poetry or lyrics to us.Ghana and the such
like.Can you tell me more about this?Here, in Europe and in America.Lion: African people were free labour for the building of Britain's
empire.It wasn't only African people who suffered.South America where the people's natural way of life is being methodically
eroded.Until recently, you couldn't even find a truthful account of black history
in library books!America and Europe has been largely
considered as insignificant, as if it didnt really matter.At the root of this is a deep seated conviction of
superiority.Power and violence based on illusion, and the weakest have
always suffered.The true reason why the fight back is taking place is whitewashed,
avoided, twisted by the powers that control the media.Truth is constantly obscured by clever manipulation.People have to see
this game taking place!Interview copyright 2002 Gregory Mario
Whitfield.Rock, who passed away recently.
|
