Dateline: 28/09/02 Venue: Waterfront Cafe. Haverfordwest. Pembrokeshire Wales.

To say that the distance from London to the venue was far, was an understatement from the promoter Ras Charles! It wasn't the distance (256 miles) but the time it took. Journey time 5 and a half hours.
But have sound will travel.

Aba and Blood left at 0300 and arrived at 0830. The Lioness and I left at 0730 and arrived at 1210.

As the Lioness and I were driving to the venue I speculated on how many would come, and from where to attend this dance. Pembrokeshire is not noted as a 'Roots & Culture' centre.

Well it is now!!!!!!!

The dance was jammed, and the vibe of the people was just incredible. From Ras Charles and his lovely lady Gaynor,Vince, the bredrins from Cardiff, the staff of the venue and especially the people who rocked the place from start to finish. Beautiful vibes,seriously!

I have to make mention of one particular patron. She was a lady of mature years who arrived early with two friends. She was dressed like your favourite granny going out to a social gathering and could have been mistaked for the sleuth, Miss Marples (no offence intended).

She handed out a petition for us to sign on stopping the proposed attack on Iraq.
I thought that she would be leaving the club after getting all the people to sign that she could; but I was wrong.
This lady dressed in her finery was there till the end, and was skanking righteous throughout the dance.
I will post the pictures as soon as I get them sorted.
Maximum Raspect to that lady and to all who just made this dance rock. In an area noted for its slate and rock quarries add this session and venue to the list of places to visit.

Raspects going out to: Ras Charles, Gaynor and Bredrins, Sister Milly and the Travelling cru:Terry, Leroy and associates.The venue staff, The people of Wales and surrounding counties who made this dance. Uncle Alex's friend from Glastonbury, Julian 'Isis Arts & Crafts'. Nuff Dj's in the place.

This was a wicked session for true.

It is with great regret that I write to you with the sad news that JAH
SHAKA has been involved in a house fire on Monday Sept 23 and has been badly
injured. He has serious burns to many parts of his body - mainly his hands
and arms.
He is currently in hospitol and receiving special care and skin graft
operations.
He has lost his whole house and much of its contents and obviously it will
take a long time to recover both physically and spiritually, but he is a
Warrior and he is fighting.

We all pray for a speedy recovery but for now there can be no arrangements
made for any shows or touring.

Give thanks for your understanding.
Nicky
Culture Promotions
Our thoughts go out to the Zulu Warrior. Jah bless. From all at Falasha recordings.

We had arrived very early and were in the final stages of stringing up when Channal One,then Iration arrived.

All sets were up and running on time and the doors were opened at 2100.Our stall and Isis Arts & Crafts were laid out.

At 23:15 the place was like a.....how would you say this?.......Empty!
There were a few people in, but normally at this time the place would be packed. I went over to Aba and as we talked we both suryeyed the empty hall.
Napthali who had finished putting up the flags around the hall was also showing concern about the lack of patrons.

2345:There was still a distinct lack of people. It made me wonder if this was going to be the first Brixton to flop.

0010:From nothing to something. In a very short space of time not only was the hall full of patrons,but the outside corridors were jammed. I went out the fire exit and around to the entrance and saw the long line of people waiting to come in. I know it is fashionable to be late and it seems that the patrons were following this style tip.

The dance itself was nice. Channel One played some lovely melodic tunes. Some old,some new.
The 'Burning Spear'special stood out for me

Iration played his usual 'Year 3000' style rhythms very dirgy and edgy, interspersed with some more melodic material. He played a reworking of an old time tune from 'Johnny Clark' on special, that was cool.

The dance this time had a very high percentage of patrons I had never seen at any of the previous Brixtons, and not even at any of Aba dances. This was nice to see.
New converts to the fore as they say.
To look at the time and see to it was 0600 in the morning and the place was still rammed, was a surprise to me and to others.

If you didn't reach, you missed a masterful session by all the sounds involved, made even better by the patrons in the place.The sounds bring the music, but the vibe is created by the people.

Raspects going out to: Channal One / Mark, Rootical & The Iration Cru / Jah Youth / King Earthquake / William / Otis (Ras Ites) / Dj Stryder / June / Jackie / Jagu / Julian / Judah, Helen, Darren, Hezron, Napthali / Sister Millie & Cru / Marshall / Charles / Barry / Andrew, and all who came and made the vibe; One Love.

One Love The Humble Lion

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