TRIBUTE TO THE JAMAICAN PIONEER OF REGGAE IN AUSTRALIA

30 years ago in 1979, BOB MARLEY visited this country for a series of ground-breaking concerts.

People who were born after the reggae legend passed on in 1981 might assume it was BOB who planted the seed for reggae in Australia, but they'd be wrong.

In 1972 a Jamaican Rastaman named JJ ROBERTS arrived in Sydney with his australian wife, Cheryl.

JJ was a "sound man", someone who had witnessed first hand the development of reggae in his home, Point Hill, St. Catherine in Jamaica, and in England via the unique institution of the sound system.

Massively powered mobile disco, sound systems provided the heavyweight bass presence to reggae that no ordinary hi fi could ever match.

It was this love for a deep listening experience by sound system patrons and operators that helped form the music of reggae, emerging as it did out of Jamaican jazz, R&B, ska and rocksteady.

JJ ROBERTS yeamed for the real sound system experience in his new home and by 1074 had established his own 'set', a genuine Jamaican sound system which he dubbed SOULMAKER.

At the time when rock ruled in Australia, SOULMAKER brought a real Caribbean alternative to ears unaccustomed to anything much beyond HARRY BELAFONTE singing "DAY O".

For 35 years., JJ and (in later years his son JONNO and DANNY) have maintained a true Jamaican presence in Australia, keeping pace with the changes in the island's music from its deep roots period through to the dancehall revolution that is now all the cutting edge of electronic music making. And just for the record, the reggae sound system is the direct ancestor of hip hop, techno and drum 'n' bass culture as well.

To pay tribute to SOULMAKER's 35 year tradition of bringing Jamaican sounds to Australian ears and acknowledge 30 years since BOB MARLEY's visit here, an authentic reggae celebration has been planned.

Saturday May 2, 2009 at a warehouse venue in the inner west, SOULMAKER will bring the finest floor-shaking cuts of jamaican music to the music-hungry people in Sydney.

With father JJ at the helm, alongside DANNY JARO and D'VARO, JAH BYA (SOUND REVOLUTION) and SENOR BAMBU (UNITY SOUNDS), this will be a history-making night of the highest order.

SALUTE THE JAMAICAN PIONEER !!