Posts Tagged ‘riddims’

I’ve always been fascinated by reggae dancing. It’s a beautiful sight to behold.

A lot of people, when they are dancing to rasta music, are dancing for religious or spiritual purposes.

Practicing Rastafarians will often refer to this verse in the Old Testament about dancing:

“David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.” – 2 Samuel 6:14

Some people just wanna get down and grind to reggae. Some simply want to have fun.

Whatever the case may be, you can be rest assured that reggae music is something to make you move your waist. Or as they say, “The drum and the bass make ya move ya waist!”

Some prefer to dance alone like my uncle here:

Some people like to dance in pairs, like my future wife dancing with some jerkhole:

…we don’t talk about that night anymore…

And, of course, people love to dance in large groups:

Whatever the case, reggae music is good for the soul!

Whether you are by yourself, with someone or in a large group, make sure you get out there this summer and DANCE!

Nuff Said.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word skank? We all know the answer to that one.

Believe it or not, “skank” has an entirely different meaning in reggae music.

It is the signature upbeat sound that defines reggae and gives it it’s UP feeling!. Listen to the guitar in this video:

The skank defines reggae. It’s an element that gives reggae music an energetic and “happy” feeling.

Those “up” rhythms can be played in unison by the guitar, hi-hat and keyboards in order to give it an even more powerful and uplifting sound.

For some reason, I can listen to a good groove with skank for HOURS on end.

Skank is also a form of dance common to reggae, ska, dub, and many other types of music.

For all you guitarists out there, check out my Matisyahu. See if you can pick out the skank in this cut.

Skank it up, y’all!

Besides having a sweet name, the Roots Radics band is a talented unit that not many people know about.

In 1997, I was playing a gig in San Diego with Jah Soldiers. We were opening for Israel Vibration, and took the stage before the main show. After we played our set, we went backstage, then went out into the audience.

A roots band came out and blew me away with this song.

They then proceeded to rule the night with some great riddims.

Although you may have never heard of them, the Roots Radics are well known in the reggae community. Take some time to check them out!

You can learn more about the Roots Radics:

• Roots Radics Wiki
• Roots Radics on Myspace
• Many Roots Radics Videos
• Roots Radics Roots Archive
• Roots Radics Discography
  

Israel Vibration Looks up at JAH

There is something powerful about the Stepper riddim. It really gets the blood pumping and your feet moving.

The Stepper is unique to reggae and is driven by the heavy four “steps” that the drummer plays on the kick drum. The right hand can play either cross sticks on the snare or hit the drum itself. no biggie, but you gotta keep those “steps” on the kick drum steady, and of course your hi-hat rockin’ on the upbeats.

As seen by this cool Black Uhuru video, the Stepper really gets people up and moving.

Now THIS is what live reggae should sound like.

Also, as mentioned in my post “Does the World Love Reggae?”, take notice that they are in Germany! And they are grooving hard, son!

What’s cool about dis riddim is that it can sound really modern and less “islandy”, because just because you are playing reggae, you don’t have to sound like Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Band.

You can hit with some balls.

In a little bit, I will post some more stepper beats for ya!

-Peace

Update:
I found a near perfectly played stepper by this gentlemman. Notice the four beats on the floor

This will be the first post in a series designed to help you learn about reggae rhythms ( from now on we’ll call them “riddims” ) and how they are used in reggae music.

Listen to this tune by Bob Marley, appropriately named, One Drop.

The one drop is the most recognizable beat in reggae. It is the beat that Bob made popular and is most likely the riddim that runs through your mind when you think of reggae music.

The key component on this groove is the ONE BIG DROP that the drummer plays. The whole flow is based around the drop. The drummer plays the drop with the bass drum and cross stick.  Boomf!

It should sound ( and feel ) like a 50lb sandbag hitting you in the chest.

Watch crazy gorilla play some variations of the one drop.

If you take notice to my man, Gorilla, you will see that his left drum stick and bass drum fall of the same beat. That, my friends, is the drop!

Take a listen to these other great examples of one drop riddims!

In our next lesson, we’ll take a look at the skank and how it applies to reggae riddims.