It is going to be a great feast for fans of organic Jamaican reggae, as well as a stage confirmation for the fact that music has a power to deeply connect artists separated from each other by thousands of kilometers.
The Congos is the foundation of Jamaican roots music. The band was formed in the mid-70s of the last century to be wriiten register with golden letters fonts in the history of the world’s roots music with „Heart of the Congos”, the album produced by Lee Scratch Perry in 1977. One of the songs, „Fisherman”, became a classic known to all fans of the genre around the world. Despite of over 40 years, the group records and performs until today. They have almost 20 albums on their account. The Polish audience have already learned the beauty of The Congos’ vocal harmonies at several occasions, but this time they will perform first time here with the unique power of four original vocalists: Congo Ashanti Roy, Cedric Myton, Watty Burnett and Kenroy Ffyffe.
Pura Vida is a well-known group in love with vintage reggae sounds, enriched with elements of dub, ska, blues and soul. The Belgian equivalent of Black Ark (Lee Scratch Perry’s legendary studio) is called Lost Ark Studio. The concept of Pura Vida was born in mind of their leader, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Bregt de Boever in 2006. They recorded and performed with Lee Perry, Jah9, Sylford Walker, Leroy Sibblis, Earl Chinna Smith and Addis Pablo, among the others.
The extraordinary friendship between Pura Vida and The Congos has lasted for 10 years and began in Jamaica. Their first common production, „We Nah Give up” album, was released in 2011. A year later, Congo Ashanti Roy recorded another album with the Belgians, „Hard Road”. In 2014 they worked together again and the result was „Step by Step” release and a memorable concert in Ostróda. Last year saw the next fruit – the highly rated „Morning Star”, accompanied by sold-out shows. Another common songs are ready and the Ostróda audience will be able to hear them before the next release, planned for the end of the year.
It is much more than just vocalists from far and a local instrumental band accompanying them. Extremely fruitful and lasting friendship between Belgian artists and real Jamaican veterans shows its full beauty primary at live performances. We will witness it soon!
Ostróda Reggae Festival, Red Stage, 12.07.2019
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/congosInternational/
https://www.facebook.com/puravidareggaeband
Video:
The Congos – Fisherman, live Glastonbury 2013
The Congos & Pura Vida – We Nah Give Up!
Congo Ashanti Roy & Pura Vida – Nature is Life
The Congos – Chain Gang
The Congos & Pura Vida – Ark of the Covenant, live 2018
