The second guest act at The High Academy of Dub at the Dinamo Dvash Club in Tel Aviv was Aba Shanti I Sound System, from London.Consisting of Aba Shanti, Blood Shanti and Humble Lion they came to Israel on a mission: to bring us the message of Peace and love.
In those very troubled
times is it sounding to you utopical? Well it sounded very serious
for the 400 people in Haifa and the 600 in Tel-Aviv.Not only they
received the most astonishing musical shower, they were also deeply
touched in their hearts by the strong and sincere positive messages
that Aba is carrying within him everywhere he goes.
They were booked to perform first at the Tent Groove in Haifa.
Haifa is a big city with the biggest seaport in Israel and where
Jews and Arabs –secular and religious - has found a way to
live together in fraternity,tolerance and mutual respect. Not
only by necessity but also as being a blessed way of life. The
“ Holiday of Holidays “ Festival is unyfing the holidays
of the three religions (Christmas, Hanukah, Ramadan) and gives
faithful expression to these messages by means of culture, art
and music and
constitutes an inter-cultural and inter-religious encounter involving
many participants.
Beth Hagefen is a cultural center led by Arabs and Jews that is producing this Festival for already eight years.
Despite the turmoil
of violence in our region both communities, Arabs and Jews decided
not to
cancel the event. And so Aba Shanti I was scheduled for Thursday
21.12.00 under the Tent that was installed not far from the Wadi
Nisnas and the Bahai Temple and gardens.
We left Tel Aviv at around 19.00 and arrived to Haifa at 20.00
.We had plenty time for the Soundcheck. Aba chooses to set up
his equipment on the ground in front of the stage. It created
a very friendly vibes and the crowd was soon enveloping him while
dancing. People sat on the stage behind him, danced all over,
and it was very uplifting to see Arabs and Jews dancing and repeating
in total togetherness Aba words: peace, no war, love.
This night will be remembered!
Aba played 3.5 hours and it was pure joy ina the place.
Blood came to sing on the mike adding his talents and inspiration
to this event. Humble Lion, the label manager, was speaking to
the many people that came to the stall to tell him their joy and
their feelings. Everywhere you looked it was just happy people
with smiles and it wasn’t just a Reggae crowd.
Not at all! It was a
unique mixture of people that suddenly are so close to each other
in this celebration of Roots and Cultural music.
Journalists and officials that were present told me that they
couldn’t remember such a musical presentation and such a
party in Haifa for years!
Me a tell you brothers and sisters this evening under the tent
was acting like a miracle of unity and friendship fe the city.
On Friday (22.12.00) the session was in Tel Aviv at the Dinamo
Dvash. We reached the venue at 16.00 for the Sound Check and stayed
there until the end, 06.20 in the morning!!!
A short break fe eat and Aba spent most of the time playing the
tunes and checking the Sound, fixing the delay, the pre amp, the
connections, the effects box, everyt’ing.
At already 23.30 they were 100 people outside waiting for the
opening at midnight. At One O'clock the place was already full.
People didn’t want to loose time in standing and speaking
with dem friends outside the venue as usual. It was a rush to
get inside and immediately to get into this meditation with Aba.The
place was packed.
Here in Tel Aviv me
could recognize lots of people. The Reggae hardcore crew, all
members of
Shabak –the # 1 Hip Hop – Dance Hall band in Israel,
members of Roots Africa and Ras Daniel, both the leading Reggae
Bands in Israel, all members of Malka Baya, a great new Reggae
band, members of Kamal Djamal, one of the best Israeli rock-reggae
group, many well known DJ’. Also nuff respect to the Ethiopians
Jews big possee that came with Dr Reggae, from as far as Beer
Sheva in the Neguev desert. Dj Ras Kultcha from Jerusalem was
there too with his crew, and well even record companies executives,
journalists and Radio people were there.
At the merchandising
stall it was a sell out. Not’ing left. And Aba was there
on the stage playing, dancing, singing and manipulating the sounds.
Bwoy me a tell you, Aba just great.
Hear the Music and Feel the Vibes.
At 04.30, Aba announced
on the mike, with a laugh, that the session is really beginning
now. And then he took from the floor a carton box full of dub
plates, and with a big smile, played them. Even those that felt
the pain in their legs, knees and back after 4 hours of dancing,
continued to move.
Then Aba said that there is no need for special Club lights effects
and darkness and asks to light the place: The vibe is strong enough
so the people can dance and see themselves happy. And like this
the session runs until 06.20 in the morning.
Aba way of playing the
tunes again and again everytime with a different sound and a different
mix pon the pre amp and the effects, and then playing dem versions
with some ruff mix, is unique.
You must check for Aba. Roots Reggae fe true. Very heavy Words,
Sounds and Power.
After the session we went to Jaffa to eat sometin’g and we
departed for Jerusalem straight.
It was an inspired drive. I wasn’t tired cause I was so full
of vibes and energy.
At 09.00 in the morning
we were at the entrance of the Old City. We walked in the deserted
streets, no tourists, shops still closed. Fresh morning, dry and
pure air, ancient inspiration, history …
We circled the Old City, went trought the valley of Jeosaphat,
the Lions Gate, the Ethiopian churches, and walked like 2-3 miles.
Aba and the crew were inspired. We drove back to Tel Aviv just
in time for them to rest before the Airport.
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