Reggae Dub Poet Ras Glennie meets the Dub Prince Avante – A Showcase in Dubwise
Born Fhatuwani Fhedzisani Ravhuhali Negondeni in Lamvi village, Hamakuya, the man now known as Ras Glennie or simply the Dub Poet is not new to the reggae musical scene. His first album, Psalm Chant, recorded at Jesse Studios in HaMaphwe, Sibasa in 2001, was his entry to the field of music. Surprisingly but not by his own admission, it took him close to 2 decades before he could release the most epic showcase of 12-inch or extended mix album in December 2020.
Listening to this showcase album of six tracks is something of musical pleasure to discerning ears, with all tracks rooted in deep old school reggae reminiscent of Jamaican origins of deep roots. It is without doubt one of the best reggae album to have ever been produced in South Africa, with tracks longer than 10 minutes each, with an exception of track 5, Never Trust a Friend (galatshane) which is just below eight minutes.
An avid reggae lover and listener is quickly captured by the hard-hitting bass line and drum sections that have all the influences of the Roots Radics and the Revolutionaries. This is clearly heard in the bassline that replicates Flabba Holt and George Fully’ Fullhood and Leroy Sibles of the Heptones at Studio One, as well as Robbie Shakespeare. One unmistakably aspect of the album is the ever presence deep mellowing and forceful voice of the Dub Poet Ras Glennie at his best. It is this voice which one would associate better with the renowned reggae dub poets such as the late Michael James Williams aka Prince Far I or King Cry Cry, the ever present Oku Onuora, Linton Kwesi Johnson (LKJ) and perhaps Mutabaruka.
The showcase album is a far cry and step from the 1st album as it exhibits the Dub Poet Ras Glennie’s real talents and maturity. The opening track Psalm 24 (extended mix) provides and presents the man’s religious belief, God (Jahweh), as he would say “Jah Rastafar I (JaHweh or Yahweh) is the Almighty God. “My music is about God and the Son of the Most High God, Jesus Christ of Nazareth and nothing more and nothing less. I was heavily influenced by Vivian Jackson (14 August 1946 – 12 January 2010), better known as Yabby You. Him used to sing all him tunes to the Almighty Jah without a compromise’’ elucidates the Dub Poet.
One notable thing about the Showcase album is the distinct cutting-edge rhythm guitars and lead guitar or what is known as ‘talking guitar’ which was made famous by the likes of John Ogetti Kpiaye of the Dennis Bovell Dub Band, who normally tours with Linton Kwesi Johnson (LKJ), and Donald Kinsey who used to play lead guitar for Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and the Wailers band. “Yu see, our lead guitar, we call it ‘khwali’, notes the Dub Prince Avante, smiling.
The second track 144000 Sealed, is where the deep and forceful voice of the dub poet is heard making a clarion call for repentance as he recounts the revelation made by John the Elder in the Island of Patmos as it appears in the Book of Revelation.
The album, showcase album, would not have been completed without the genius of Roxley Avante Ramakuwela whose skills and understanding of reggae dub is undisputed. He worked wonders in the whole album. As Ras Glennie would always say “Avante is the main man, my Scientist, he is super, yeah, there’s no one like him, true true dat’’.
Beaming with a smile, Ras Glennie explains and credits the showcase album to Roxley Ramakuwela as he is the one who instigated the whole thing when he re-worked a track Terror Poem which was originally recorded at Bilham studios in 2001. “What he (Avante) did was to re-awaken a sleeping tune and that was a start of the whole thing about the showcase album”, adds Ras Glennie. It is the work of Jah yu no, seen, seen, yah, it’s JAHWEH man, trust me. After Terror Poem, everything started falling into place and the whole album is something else. We keep giving JAH all the praises. Selah!”
The Music
Artist: Ras Glennie Meets The Dub Prince Avante
Album: Showcase In Dubwise
All songs Composed by: Avante and Senior Uncle
All Instruments by: The Dub Prince and Dub Poet
Additional Vocals: Idren Tshililo ‘Niko’ Nemulalate
Genre:Dub Reggae
Release:2021
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Track List
- Psalm 24 (Extended Mix)
- 144000 Sealed (12 Inch Mix)
- Ungrateful Israelites (12 Inch Mix)
- Baga Wire (12 Inch Disco Mix)
- Never Trust A Friend (Galatshane Disco Mix)
- Terror Poem Dub (12 Inch Mix)