Musical Journey Part Four: Dominica

We're leaving from China and I have already homesick for the summer so that's why we're heading back towards the Caribbean Islands. In Dominica – not to be confused with the Dominican Republic- we meet the reggae artist Nasio Fontaine. In the 80’s Nasio Fontaine moved to the small island Sint-Maarten where he got absorbed by the Rastafarian culture and got highly influenced by reggae artists such as Burning Spear and especially Bob Marley. Later on in 1986 he released his first single “Born To Be Free” which sold over 5000 copies in Sint-Maarten. “Born To Be Free” is nowadays still the best selling record ever in Sint-Maarten. In the 90’s Nasio Fontaine recorded 3 albums – “Reggae Power”, “Wolf Catcher”, “Revolution that were a success in the Carribean Islands”- but he gained international recognition with “Living in the Positive” that was released by Ras Records –eg Black Uhuru and The Wailers were other signed artists- in 2004. The success of “Living in the Positive” and his next release “Universal Cry” spread his popularity enormously with a performance at Glastonbury Festival in 2007 as the icing on the cake.

“Living in the Positive” is a modern roots reggae album with unfortunately little originality noticing song titles such as “African Spirit”, “Herb and Loving”, “Ithiopia” and “Rise Up”. Besides “Living in the Positive” is nowadays the closest you can come to the sound of hearing Bob Marley. First of all his voice is very similar to Bob Marley and then there’s also the use of female backing vocals. In short Nasio Fontaine’s music is an uninspired continuation of the roots reggae sound. “Living in the Positive” kicks off with the title track which creates immediately a positive vibe due to the regal horn intro. The opening track can be seen as “the Jah-is-on-my-side-song” because the lyrics in the chorus don’t need any further explanation. Nevertheless is “Living in the Positive” a highly enjoyable track which sets the rest of the album.

"We living in the positive

and I know good will conquer evil

Jah is here amidst the battle

and I know love will conquer hatred.

Oh children let not your hearts be troubled

wipe away your tears and fears

Cause I know love will conquer evil, yeah!"

The album continues with “African Spirit” which is probably together with “Living in the Positive” the greatest song on this record. “African Spirit” is a lovely song with a slow and choppy tune where Nasio Fontaine’s powerful and soulful voice emerges. In this song Nasio Fontaine sings about his proud African roots which is despite a cliché topic in reggae music. In the song “Herb and Loving” Nasio Fontaine sings about his love for ‘ganja’ and women which are even worse cliché reggae topics. On “Dangerous” the positive vibe of this album vanishes due to the message. 

"Making promises, yeah!

That they can't keep and them never will I see so much innocent paying for the guilty

But the blind is a victim In the land of the evil-sighted

Yeah! Where there is no vision.”

On “Black and Comely” Nasio Fontaine stays in the same mood as in “Dangerous” and sings about racism and the hatred of black people. “New Song” deals about how tough life but it’s nonetheless encouragingly due to the title and the uplifting tune. The album continues with “Where We Belong” Nasio Fontaine calls for a repatriate to Africa because of the lack of justice and peace. On the next three tracks “No Love”, “Ithiopia” and “Riding on” continues in the same mood, vibes and the lyrics of all the other songs on the album. “Living in the Positive” ends up with the powerful, rock-tinged “Rise Up”. Similar to “Black and Comely”, “Dangerous” and “Where We Belong” is “Rise Up” a call for all the oppressed people over the world. The song ends with Nasio Fontaine saying “Yeah, and the people rebel. Rastafari live”, which is a perfect ending for this modern roots reggae album.

On “Living in the Positive” Nasio Fontaine presents himself as yet another Bob Marley copycat who gets bogged down in the old reggae clichés. It’s yet another uninspired reggae album with predictable rhythms, the female backing vocals and the classic reggae topics. On top Nasio Fontaine is often trying too hard to reach Bob Marley’s voice. The fact is that we all know that there’s just only one Bob. Nevertheless is the music highly enjoyable and offers it you instantly a summer mood. For all those who are comfortable with reggae clichés, fans of roots reggae music, everyone who misses Bob Marley and those with homesick towards the summer – I add myself to the last two groups- is “Living in the Positive” a must have.

Score: 3/5

Toptracks: Living in the Positive and African Spirit

Musical Journey Part 3: China

After our immersive voodoo trip held by the charismatic ‘medicine man’ called Exuma we’re heading towards China! There we meet He Yong a rock musician who held court over Chinese rock during the nineties. He’s one of the pioneers of Chinese rock music along with Cui Jian and Tang Dynasty. Unfortunately He Yong couldn't maintain his musical influence and status so he did fall from grace while Cui Jian and Tang Dynasty became musical icons. He Yong describes his music as punk but in fact it’s a mix of folk, rock, punk, jazz and blues. His only recorded album ‘Garbage Dump’ was released in 1994 and was highly influenced by ‘The grandfather of Chinese rock’ Cui Jian –who released in 1989 the first ever Chinese rock album called ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll on the New Long March’ –and the Tiananmen protests. He Yong is very controversial in China because of his fatalistic view towards (Chinese) life. His music is in fact a protest towards the corrupt Chinese policy. Because of his negative lyrics towards the Chinese Communist Party his music has been blocked. Garbage Dump is an album full of rage made by a troubled Chinese rock musician.

The album starts with the title track which is really a sting into flesh and blood. ‘Garbage Dump’ is a frantic ride on a wild rollercoaster that is anchored on a repetitive bassline over which random piano smashing, a evil electric guitar riff and explosive drums. All of this combined with the furious vocals of He Yong make this a very powerful song that really smashes your brain out. The song ends with shouting several times the closing chorus “Is there any hope?” recalling ‘The Sex Pistols’ with ‘God Save the Queen’.

After the title track it seems that He Yong lost some of his anger because ‘Garbage Dump’ is by far the most powerful and hatred song of the album. The second track ‘Girl, Oh Girl’ is a disco rock song with a dark sided ebullient refrain which explodes gender issues. ‘Girl, Oh Girl’ is followed by ‘Bumps On My Head’. It’s the longest track of the album –nearly 8 minutes- that begins with a slightly boring ballad but ends up in a strong anthem. On the song ‘Gossip’ He Yong has his anger totally under control and this inspires him to create a nostalgic atmosphere due to the brass band music. ‘Gossip’ has a nursery rhyme melody and ends up cheery singing everybody together “la la la la la”. On the loungey ‘Walking Without Moving’ He Yong stays in the same positive mood and even sings about love. ‘Walking Without Moving’ is followed by the nostalgic ballad ‘Drum and Bell Tower’. On this song He Yong criticizes the materialism due to his strong desire for Chinese past and traditions. This becomes clear in the chorus:

“The bell and drum towers inhale the dust and smoke

And allow you to draw their face

I can’t hear your voice

It’s too noisy and to chaotic now”

The link to the past is also articulated into the music through the use of traditional Chinese instruments such as the sanxian and the dizi. On ‘African Dream’ He Yong imagines that he escapes from the chaotic and corrupt Beijing. He has a longing for a faraway paradise living without any worries. The album ends with the impressive apocalyptic instrumental song ‘Souls of the Dead’ which is a externalization of He Yong’s outrage and pain.

The album is not easy listenable due to the range of styles and He Yong’s nihilism. Nevertheless, ‘Garbage Dump’ is a prodigious Chinese rock album due to the intensity, the raw creativity and his bold political lyrics. His isolated performances and the death of his good friend Zhang Ju –bass guitarist of Tang Dynasty- affected him in a terrible way and after that he would never release music again. Despite his long absence, He Yong is and stays a pioneer in Chinese rock music.

Score: 4/5

Top Track: Garbage Dump