If you’ve ever been to a reggae show, then you’re well aware of the atmosphere it cultures. Smoke hangs low, the vibes are free and open, and there’s an energy that these artists bring to the venue that bodes no real comparison. Michael Rose has been making the trip from his home island of Jamaica for a long time, and his WOW Hall performance tomorrow won’t be any less anticipated.
Most of Rose’s talent is retained in his vocal ability. His range extends multiple octaves, and Rose has developed different “scats” through a technique called the “tu tu tweng,” a jazz technique he implemented in reggae music. The technique makes use of nonsensical syllables that are uttered improvisationally to the key of the song.
The most easily recollected example of the technique might be from the classic Disney movie “The Jungle Book,” when King Louie is performing his “I Wanna Be Like You” song. Throughout the song, Louie is constantly singing these measure-long ditties.
When speaking about his own personal achievements and the musical genre he’s helped shape, Rose is pithy with his words.
“My sound is just the sound that’s in me, and a lot of people feel the way I feel and idolize the sound,” Rose said. “That’s life.”
Another aspect of Rose’s music that translates more to his personal life is his religion. As most reggae artists do, Rose associates himself with Rastafari. However, his devotion is something more than an attempt at a persona. It’s something that infiltrates his lifestyle and consequently his musical work.
“My religion is my way of life, and the music speaks for itself,” Rose said. “And if you listen to the music you will understand between the lines that it’s a natural way of living and everything.”
Rose’s music also embodies an aspect of reggae culture that separates him from many other artists.
In the reggae and hip-hop industries people refer to this as “consciousness,” but in layman’s terms it points to Rose’s lyrical and thematic content, which tends to focus on social issues in his home country of Jamaica. But, the themes also extend to an international level with his urge to be reunited with his home continent of Africa.
Consider some of Rose’s lyrics from his 2007 release “Warrior,” where he laments Jamaica’s violent youth saying, “Warrior, Warrior, Warrior put your guns down / Warrior, Warrior, Warrior lay your guns down.” But Rose’s consciousness extends past his national boundaries.
“Well you know the system is Babylon, and Babylon will always be who they are and we just have to keep hoping and praying that a change will come for the people,” Rose said. “Everything is all about the people, because the people are the ones that really feel the pressure. Whether at home in Jamaica or abroad, the music is no more only in Jamaica; it’s international now.”
Cannabis is central to Rose’s message of Rastafari. Many sects of the religion hold the plant so sacred that they refuse to smoke the sacrament in public and reserve it for exclusive “reasoning sessions” of worship and meditative purposes. However, although Rose doesn’t smoke while on stage, he doesn’t seem to mind if fans spark one up during the show. In fact he’s in favor of it.
“I love it,” Rose said. “I have no problem with (smoking during shows). I don’t care if they want to smoke. I just want free vibes.”
As he ages — he’ll be 54 this July — some wonder how the reggae icon has the ability to sustain himself and continue with such high-energy shows. And it’s actually something that’s a little farfetched for the artist himself to grasp.
“I don’t know, man,” Rose said. “I just pray, man. I pray a lot man, I’m not far from brier. But the shows that we started, they’re all sold out.”
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Michael Rose wants free vibes and a little reefer from audience
Daily Emerald
February 2, 2011
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