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“Do you like this toy?” I would ask my friends.. “Yes! Yes” was a common response. That is my lifelong trend of giving away my favourite toys to my friends.
My mother and brother did not understand my actions. They thought my friends were taking advantage of my good nature, but I would insist that I truly enjoyed giving the things I liked the most, unlike many who prefer to give away things they like the least.
I always choose to demonstrate love by sharing and giving without reservations.
Amongst many activities and Projects that I have enjoyed. I find the pleasures of Fine art studies and exhibitions long lasting.
I Co-Ordinated Craft Projects. I Booked Bands to do various high profile shows.
I also Showcased a huge variety of Acts. From Performance Poetry to Acapella. Rap and Hip Hop to Rock, Grung and Funk.
I was also a Booking Agent, Road and Tour Manager. I travelled all over England, Scotland and Wales. I also Co-ordinated and drove Big Bands on Tours of Continental Europe. Visiting: France, Belgium, Holland and Denmark. I drove through all manner of weather with the most beautiful musicians and Dancers. I refer to these special people as Archangels.
I have not only visited many beautiful countries. I have also met many beautiful people. I have witnessed pure joy on the faces of revellers who truly love Mystical, Rhythymic renditions. Especially when the melodies flow from the Guitars while accompanied by Lingala vocal melodies.
Lingala, The language that is spoken in Congo Zaire is regarded as one of the sweetest sounding languages of Sub Saharian Africa. While Rhumba and Soukous Music from the same Congo Zaire, is recognised to be the most romantic and passionate music of all Africa.
In the case of real World Music. It took some time for me to find the sound that could bring emotional tears to my eyes. When I discover Fela Kuti and his Afro Beat Music from Nigeria It was a mind blowing beginning.
When I explored further and discovered the sweet Rhythms of Sub-Saharan Africa, there was no turning back. The vocal harmony and guitar melodies in Congo Zairian Soukous music held me spellbound and mesmerized.
Nsimba Foguis and Taxi Pata Pata, Abdul TJ and his band Rokoto, Diblo Dibala, Pamelo Mounka, Zaiko Langa Langa, Franco T.P. O.K. Jazz, Papa Wemba, Kofi Olimide, Sam Mangwana, Tabeau Ley, Mbilia Belle, Orchestra Super Makassy, Kanda Bongo Man. Thomas Mpfumo and his Chimurenga. All of these Artists and many more completely captivated my attention.
I was impressed with Johnny Clegg who moved to South Africa and learnt the Zulu language, Zulu dance and music, then proceed to perform all over South Africa with his band Savouka in the midst of the Apartheid era.
I respect Paul Simon and regard his Album Gracelands as one of the greatest cross Culture Productions ever assembled.
I fell under the spell of Fela Kuti’s Afro beat rhythms from Nigeria. Also Jamaica's Black Uhuru, Burning Spear, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, Lee Scratch Perry, Third World, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Delroy Wilson, Dennis Bovell, Beres Hammond, Alton Ellis, Culture, Errol Dunkley, Shabba, Busy Signal, Capleton, Anthony B, Sizzler, I Jah Man Levi,Jacob Miller, Ken Booth, Ken Parker, Slim Smith and many more.
Latin music and musicians such as Mongo Santa Maria, Pablo Santana, Joe Arroyo, Sonora Dinamita, Tito Puente and Compay Segundo - Guantanamera. All add to my wide field of Interest in World Music
I did not fully appreciate the power of the written word until I read the closing chapter of THE BLACK JACOBINS by C.L.R. James.
The unjust deception that was used to capture the Frail Old Revolutionary, Toussaint L’Ouverture moved me to tears. Toussaint was a genius commander who liberated the People of The Island of Haiti from the grip of French Colonialism and Slavery
The threathened culture of reading a book or telling a story after Dinner is blessed and treasured. It keeps warmth within relationships and brings people together. It appears to be a occurrence that is in decline today.
Many of the younger generation are slowly but surely bred to believe that potential Isolation and alienation in a cyber space, “Log On” or “Switch On” and “Tune In”culture is the modern alternative to good old story telling. Perhaps some believe this is the way it will always be.
The pace and demands of modern living keeps career minded individuals busy and unable to maintain a consistently close Family structure. This invariably boost the proliferation of old people’s homes. Laptops threathen to present too much Information while TVs appear to be stuck in a loop.
Social network sites have taking precedence over random face-to-face meetings. This is inevitably tightening or widening the cyberspace grip on the younger generation.
I wrote Jamaica Spirit World to create a small heaven for my children, my grandchildren and all those who care about Nature and Natural Living. I hope to contribute and direct earth citizens towards a clear and peaceful state of being.
I would like those who feel Insecure to realise there is life beyond cyber space and computer games. I would like them to feel and know that there are Multiple layers of Heaven upon this earth…“The earth is the lord and the fullness thereof“.
That Biblical quote is lost on many urban, inner city Children. Many struggle to experience pleasures, Joy and the Wonders and beauty of this Earth day in and day. I feel deeply for the generations to come because all the signs suggest many will be completely at the mercy of Servers and Internet Providers. Many young souls are literally being prepared and groomed to exist in a virtual reality, cyber space.
Jamaica Spirit World is written in a humble manner. It is a personal and intimate attempt to share some of the heavenly peace that I felt as a young child growing up in the fresh hills and valleys of Jamaica.
I was born in Hanover, Jamaica. I moved to London at the age of eleven with my Mother and Brother.
After completing a Fine Art foundation course at Byam Shaw School of Art, Notting Hill Gate, London. I went on to achieve a degree in Fine Art & Sculpture from The City and Guild of London Art School, Kennington.
I exhibited my Sculptures in a tour entitled 'Caribbean Focus'. It was a joint UK tour of museums and galleries. I enjoyed exhibiting alongside highly rated and reknowned Artists such as Keith Piper and Eddie Chambers. I also exhibited at the OBAALA Black Art Gallery, Finsbury Park with established sculptor Fowokan and George Kelly. The exhibition was entitled 'In Three Dimensions'. I also exhibited at The Caribbean Gallery, Baker Street. I did a Workshop at The Simba Project, Shepherd's Bush. And exhibited in a Joint exhibition at The Emerald Center, Hammersmith. I also did a Solo exhibition at The Jamaican Consulate in St James St, Piccadilly, on the invite of Ms Marie Cunningham of the JIS, Jamaica Information Service.
I went on to establish the I D.r.u.m Project Co-Op Ltd. It was supported by the now defunct GLC (Greater London Council). I had the great pleasure of meeting GLC leader Ken Livingstone and his assistants, Herman Ouseley, who went on to run The Commission for Racial Equality and Paul Boateng, who became a MP and UK representative to South Africa.
Camden Council’s EDU (Economic Development Unit) assisted the project by funding a feasability study. The project was well received and The London Borough of Camden rewarded me with the title of 'Key Worker' in the borough for my initiative to create training and jobs.
I.D.R.U.M Project Co-op Ltd was a craft based workshop, set up and run as a workers’ Co-Operative. The Co-op assembled, repaired and utilise imported African and Caribbean musical instruments.
I Drum appeared on Thames at 6 prime time TV news. I was also interviewed by The C.O.I (Central office of information). They were keen to record my breakdown of the Aims and Objectives of the I Drum project.
I went on to launch DRUM Presentations to promote World music in Southampton because I had little choice but to close The I Drum Project due to the behaviour of certain Individuals.
Drum Presentations receive much welcomed and appreciated support from Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and the Southern Arts Association.
DRUM Presentations organised fund raising shows on behalf of UNICEF at Thorpe Park with Abdul TJ and his African Connection band now known as Rokoto. DRUM Presentations also fund raised for OXFAM with performances at St Martins in the fields with Otis Thompson and his Sierra-Leonean band Sayinoh.
DRUM Presentation also engaged in unique functions when the band Sweet N Bitter was co-opted to perform at a private birthday function for Reggae music lover, very respected and noble, Lord Petersham, at his country estate in Wiltshire.
Drum Presentation also booked Sweet n Bitter to perform at prestigious, New College Oxford ball. I was Proud and pleased to find myself in the 1985/86 New College Ball "Survivors Photograph". I also booked Rap act H.E.L with Agzi Gold (DJ heaven) and Colin Joseph H.E.L (highly explosive lyrics) to perform at the Brent Festival in North London before embarking as road manager and promoter on UK and European tours with Nsimba Foguis and Taxi Pata Pata.
I subsequently established The Pan African Roadshow, which performed with Taxi Pata Pata at The Bath International Festival. The PAR also staged performances at The Salisbury Water Festival and also performances with The LCYSB (London Community Youth Steel Band) at The St Albans Rose Show.
PAR booked Jose Ibata and his Latin music band Bolivar to perform at Magdalen College, Oxford and Corpus Christi, Cambridge. PAR also organised summer shows with Bolivar in Waterlow Park, Camden, London.
PAR also promoted secondary school music education workshops with Jose Ibata and his band Bolivar at Darlington Arts centre and acted as road manager on Nsimba Foguis and Taxi Pata Pata's Education workshop at Darlington Arts Centre in Northeast England.
I appeared twice with PAR on Children's No.73. Saturday TV programme with Adzido Pan African dance troupe and also with PAR artists: limbo dancer Janet, Don Deans, Francis Johnson and fire eater, Captain Fish.
The PAR staged shows at the Commonwealth Institute, Kensington Gore, as part of Marcus Garvey's centenary and Jamaica Independence celebrations on behalf of Ms Vida Menzies organisation, the Association of Jamaicans UK.
I went on to work as a Stage Manager for Europe's biggest Pan African dance troupe 'Adzido' as stage manager.
I returned to Jamaica after twenty seven years and taught A-level Arts at Ruseas High School in Lucea, Hanover, preparing students for their A level Cambridge exams.
I gained a ‘Teaching Teachers How to Teach’ certificate from the Jamaican Ministry of Education the following year and appeared on Jamaican National TV to debate the issue of how to keep pupils engaged in learning.
I returned to London after two years and established Club Jammin which initially showcased a wide variety of events including performance poets and comedy artists such as Rudy Lickwood, as well as Acapella, Rap, Ballads, RnB, folk, Rock and Indie acts.
Club Jammin launched the first shows at The Old Farmhouse, Kentish Town Rd, Camden, then moved to The Assembly House further up the Kentish Town Rd before relocating south across the River Thames at Charlie Chaplin’s, Elephant and Castle.
Club Jammin eventually returned to a resident venue back in Camden at WKD. The new venue staged Live Roots Reggae bands with renowned artists such as founding member of iconic Reggae band Steel Pulse; Basil Gabidon and his highly rated futuristic Reggae Band Bass Dance; also: Steven Marley Wright and his Wright Vibes band; Sanu and his extraordinary band Ambush; Asher and his band Nomadix Roots; One Style MDV; Dr Dean I and Lethal Weapon cross section band; Devan from Bristol, Sound Rebellion, Black Survivors, Private Collection and many more.
I also hosted Global Fusion (world and alternative musical acts) on Wednesdays at WXD in Camden Town. Also D-Spot (Discovery Spot) Jazz Funk and Soul, Sunday nights at WKD. I consequently found myself running three separate live music nights each week. The Reggae nights lasted several years.
I ventured into lyrical compositions, recording library music with Agzilla Productions for EMI music over the past few years before concentrating on writing ‘Jamaica Spirit World’.
I am now working on a second book revolving around my experiences as a young man in 1980s London.
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