Misty In Roots, The Entebbe Sound System.
Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. Friday 4th July 2014.
Rather like the proverbial buses, you wait many years for a fantastic reggae gig at Esquires and then two pop up in a mere matter of months. Following on from the marvellous Macka B appearance back in April, tonight we witness the first ever show from the legendary MISTY IN ROOTS. Formed some forty odd years ago, this is a most exhilarating gig, but unfortunately it is not well attended. It attracted about seventy people who get into the spirit of the evening by dancing constantly throughout the ninety minute set. Misty In Roots certainly take rhythm to the dancefloor.
Three radio DJ's, namely Tony Williams (Radio London), David Rodigan (Capital) and John Peel (Radio One) first introduced me to the rich delights of reggae. That and the cricketing prowess of Messrs Richards, Greenidge, Holding and Roberts; true masters of the Caribbean. The long hot summer of 1976 was a most pivotal year for this review's young musical education. Punk was well and truly alight and Clapton was making his infamous and ill-timed racist comment. Punk and reggae were united together both musically and socially. They were outcasts but united to form Rock Against Racism, especially the National Front. As someone who recalls those rallies and concerts, the spirit and the union of the genres was total.
Leading lights were undoubtedly Misty In Roots, who are still fronted by the redoubtable Walford (better known as Poko) Tyson. This respected gentleman is warm and friendly and makes many observations. Looking sprightly, he walks on stage and directs the other seven band members into positions. The number of instruments involved is vast and includes tenor sax, trumpet, trombone, percussion as well as keyboards. The stage is filled to capacity, so much so that the two stage monitors are placed on beer crates in the mosh pit area. It's now that the fun begins, this is "music from the highest region". Their large playing personnel may have changed over the years but their sweet music has certainly not. We are now in the revered company of quite simply the greatest UK reggae band of all time. Fact! Their mantra has always declared that they will sing praises to Jah and chant down Babylon, "Dancehall Babylon" in fact. The combination of spiritual and militant roots reggae is riveting and their strong Rastafarian beliefs are heavily emphasised throughout.
Although based in London, Poko still retains his strong organic St. Kitts accent. A peace loving man, he has a tough message for agitators. "If you go on de demonstrations you will get beaten up" and adds "you demonstrate you get yer arse bust"! This is definitely "Misery". Misty In Roots reconvene for a much requested encore and, once again, Poko holds court with his followers. He explains that this is "ancestorial music", "Africa is the beginning". Central to everything, our feathered friends are a connection, ah "the bird people". "The cock is a bird and where would the Africans be without cock?" he wisely says. The 'erb may be the natural and organic stimulant of choice for the Rastas, although I prefer some good old fashioned rice and peas. Reflectively "Sunshine" is the key. Just "let sun shine, let rain fall, let milk flow". "Rise again" demonstrates the full range of Misty in Roots. In fact, this song has faint echoes of "Me and Mrs Jones". These reggae warriors also know the importance of soul and this composition could be best described as Philadelphia International meets Trojan as the band strum to the end. The grey bearded Poko has had his mic wrapped in the Ethiopian flag all night and now he triumphantly unfurls it before a final "Goodnight people".
Many years ago, circa 1985-1995, Bedford was blessed with a proper non-profit or tax payers free music festival. It was called Lazy Sunday. Held by the river, it was a chance for people young and old to enjoy live bands and also some good old fashioned sound systems which relentlessly pumped out de reggae sounds. It's nasty obnoxious cousins called hip-hop and grime had not yet taken a foothold. Those sunkissed afternoons drinking cans of Red Stripe held some good memories and they came flooding back when THE ENTEBBE SOUND SYSTEM opened up tonight. As well as unleashing their Rasta chanters, this London based collective spin the vinyl while adding their varied vocal slant. The mighty sound is provided by a 12' high bank of speakers. It is truly deafening as the bass heavy waves reverberate and vibrate constantly. The impact is ferocious, like being encased in a bubble of sound. The vibrations start at my toes before travelling up through my body. In fact, a member of the bar staff triumphantly holds up a piece of ceiling tile that had been dislodged by the pounding bass riddims. This combination of roots sounds is awesome. A top night of entertainment provided by Dennis Mixman and Blakamix Entertainments. Just a shame that not more of this culturally diverse town's population came to join in. It is certainly their loss.
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk