If you haven’t taken a holiday to the Caribbean island off Cuba, then pack your bags and get to Porte de Pantin. The Philharmonie de Paris welcomes you to their exhibition which has the allures of the Jamaican island, a nurturing mother who laid the foundations to many modern compositions. From its colonised past, with the painful and vindictive rhythm of the Kumina, to care-free but rebellious sounds of reggae.
Heritage, sharing and remixing
When looking at Jamaica’s journey, we need to understand the evolution of the different styles that have come from the island. With vinyl records from Bob Marley, Daddy Shark, Chiney Man, and Baba, and the creation of their own local instruments, such as the nyabinghi and more recently saxophone. Curiosities have also emerged from this history, the iconic guitar shaped like a M16 rifle belonging to Peter Tosh from the Wailers. And of course Leasho Johnson’s ‘Back-a-road’, a tank of speakers pumping out bass.
Dash to the Tropics?
'Jamaica Jamaica!’ is not all about the emblematic figure of Bob Marley being the centre of attention. But rather to embrace everything that is less known about Jamaican culture which is not reduced to reggae. In a rudimentary immersion to the Rastafarian philosophy, embodied by the "black Christ" Hailé Sélassie and his disciple Marcus Garvey, meeting the first generations of dancehall DJs. ‘Jamaica Jamaica!’ is independent from all clichés of the genre.
One thing negative is that the venue is a little dark. For a festival that celebrates all that is Jamaica, and without wanting to fall into the stereotype of palm trees etc…Please turn on the lights!
Where? La Philarmonie, 221 avenue Jean Jaures, Paris 19th
When? April 4-August 24 2017
Often reduced to the legend of Bob Marley, Jamaican music – with its daring, creativity and innovation – has in fact led the way for contemporary urban sound. (Re)discover this current, important musical influence.