Macka B, The Kayanites, Jah Youth Sound System.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Friday 4th April 2014.

Bedford Esquires plays host to such a wide range of eclectic live sounds. Rock, indie, blues and metal feature regularly, but unfortunately roots reggae is seldom seen. This oversight was corrected tonight as MACKA B arrived on the main stage. Acclaimed as one of Britain's most influential dancehall toasters, he is by definition 'the lyrics teacher': a man that speaks volumes with his pinpoint accurate social commentary and observant words. A respected elder statesman of the reggae world, he has been very prolific in his thirty year career. He has crated some twenty plus albums since his debut "Sign of the times" which hit the streets back in 1986. It was initially with his early Wolverhampton sound system days, where Exodus flexed their muscle, that he made his name. His career tie ups read like a who's who of the reggae world as he has worked with U-Roy, Gregory Issacs, Capeltown, Culture and Lee Perry to name just a few.

He walks on stage and it is very very late (for bands at Esquires). This is one of the latest finishing shows I have witnessed here. Macka B is tall, strongly built with long dreads. His colourful attire is also worthy of note. He greets everyone as his backing band finish playing a couple of short introductory songs. He pays due homage to the late imperial majesty Haile Selassie. The mood in the room is chilled as "Rastafari rise again" is performed. Sensing that he is together and joined with his people, he shouts out "The Roots Ragga Band" and indeed "The roots is in town". With the strong natural aroma that a reggae gig always produces, Macka B announces that "Ganja is medicine". As stated by Dub Syndicate well over twenty years ago, the venue's attendees are now "Stoned immaculate". Macka B reflectively informs us that "it's a natural 'erb". The leaf is unisex commodity as it's not just for the blokes, but also "The ganja ladies". With the females being lovingly highlighted, the band perform a reggae love song entitled "She more than a sex machine"! After all, "the woman is a human being".

With so many collaborations in his long career, Macka B can be very humble with a nod to the memory of the true global legend that was Peter Tosh RIP. With strong Rastafarian beliefs, this big man is also a strict vegan. "Fast food is no good" and he declares that he "don't want no Big Mac". His anti-meat tirade is continued in "What I eat" which is a vegan's reggae anthem. Although Macka B is supported by a tight band, a couple of minor complaints spring to mind. It is simply thus; a trumpet and melodica are heard (via keyboard wizardry), but not seen. In saluting the returning messiah at the start of his set, Macka B is quick to acknowledge his 'second in command', namely Nelson Mandela. He tells of performing "Proud of Mandela" in front of the late statesman. Of course Bedford remembers well when so many flocked to the town centre when the South African president visited here. Vocals are enhanced on this one by the guitarist.

Macka B then educates, firstly with "Rasta soldier". Then he denounces modern downloaded music as "vinyl rules". "The 45" is his riposte. He then asks "Do you like dubstep? Drum and bass?". Our learned teacher tells us "it all originated from reggae" and it is "the daddy". His compassionate side shines through in "It could have been I" as down and outs of both luck and money are treated with humanity by this warm-hearted Midlander. With the night coming to the late close, we are given one last story. It revolves arond the Cameroon football team who captured everyone's hearts at the World Cup Italia 1990. Even roots ragga love de football!

Opening the gig are Northampton's THE KAYANITES, a band whose name has been derived from a Bob Marley album. This six piece have recently undergone a line up change and this "is about our third gig" they inform us. It's all very old skool reggae and mundanely predictable. The emphasis of style is very 'Marleyish'. A long set only stirs the crowd occasionally and together with the usual reggae references make for a rather stodgy hour, plagued with lyrical cliches.

Between band entertainment is provided by the mighty JAH YOUTH SOUND SYTEM, The Roots Ambassadors. They mixed around the riddims to provide the crowd some extra special atmosphere. The setting up of the massive speakers was quite a sight to behold, I can tell you. The evening of live roots reggae and sound system was presented by Blakamix Entertainment.