Jamaican culture with a uniquely Australian melting pot
Mad Professor, the pioneering British producer credited with leading dub into the digital age will headline Australia’s fiercely independent celebration of Jamaican cross-culture.
Along with reggae maestro Richie Stephens, both giants of the reggae scene will spearhead Australia’s most bonafide festival, JAMAICAN MUSIC & FOOD FESTIVAL, in Melbourne and Sydney, completing the unmissable International line up of reggae, dancehall and dub.
Both Mad Professor(UK), whose statement remix of Massive Attack’s album Protection was described by Rolling Stone Magazine a s going ‘back to the source’, and ex Soul II Soul dancehall singer and producer Richie Stephens (Jamaica) will flex their iron-style at the festival of music, food and culture of Jamaican origin.
Global demand for Mad Prof’s trademark robust sound has come from popular artists outside the reggae genre including S ade, M assive Attack, and Grace Jones. In a fitting tribute to the origins of elite dub and electronic production, Mad Prof lends his mastery to two Jamaican Music & Food Festivals with two crowning sets (WATCH, LEARN Mad Prof’s masterclass on the History of Dub). Reggae fans can expect him to draw on a phenomenal filofax of reggae, roots and Lovers’ Rock, accumulated from a lifetime’s career at the world-renowned Ariwa Studios.
MELBOURNE: At the PBS/Hobsons Bay-sponsored festival at Seaworks, MadProf’s superior skills will be on full show for audiences of all ages. This marriage of music and technology has led to pioneering collaborations with reggae and dub artists like Lee “Scratch” Perry, Sly and Robbie and Horace Andy.
The original collector-selectors Deadly Dragon Sound System ft Jonny Go Figure (UK) and Richie Stephens will also be in swing, plus JMFF stalwarts Heartical High Powa and Byron’s bad ass The 4’20 Sound complete the dub movement on the festival’s uncompromising Beast Of A Sound System. PBS trailblazers ska anorak Mohair Slim and Babylon Burning’s Jesse I (Aus), the “Real Housewives of Melbourne”, female reggae selectors Housewife’s Choice join the teflon-dons of dancehall, Burn-City Queenz and many more across four stages.
SYDNEY: It’s a “big people ting” at Greenwood Hotel, Sydney, as the man behind the riddim for Rihanna’s “Work”, Richie Stephens (Jamaica, W ATCH Foundation Sound) rolls out crowdpleasers from his dancehall and soul repertoire for 18+. Live with the Souljah Band, and Mad Prof of course. Plus “Melbourne meets Kingston” and “Warn The Nation” producer Mista Savona whose collaborations with Capleton, Sizzla, Horace Andy and Alton Ellis have paved the way across Australia-Jamaica recording. Vendors of street ska King Tide, gospel-soul from Steph“Jewels”Lartey, Rasta-roots tidings from Iha Jah(KooriRadio) and an appearance by UsainBolt’s cousin Melbourne-based D J Lady Erica which is once more bound to put the rumour mill in overdrive, complete Sydney’s newest festival.
No Jamaican Music & Food Festival is complete without icy Red Stripe on tap and seasoned street food traders serving mouthwatering real Jerk Wings straight from smoking barrel BBQs, rich curries like Curry Goat a nd Ital ( Rastafarian vegetarian food) Stew, and refreshing Cane Juice and Coconuts.
Tickets: Jamaican Music & Food Festival 2019 – Sydney
In Melbourne, the traditions of family-friendly folklore and traditional kids’ storytelling continue with Miss Jackie, plus CaribVic’s stunning steelpan band, and the latest braids,
clothes, street wear and jewelry, celebrating black-style with the festival’s trademark unique Australian congeniality.
You’d be MAD to miss out as Jamaican Music & Food Festival presents not one but two glorious one-day summertime celebrations; a family -friendly festival at jaw-dropping Seaworks and an 18+ festival at grand Sydney institution Greenwood Hotel; each with anthem-after-anthem of reggae, guaranteed positive vibes, and authentic , delicious food. Lively up yourself, Australia.