The Italian Lion slouches towards Brixton
Italian reggae sensation Alborosie plays Brixton this Monday night.
by Jeff Vincent/DirtyHippieRadio.com
Sicilian born Alberto D’Ascola is the first and only Italian to take over the Jamaican charts! He’s known as Alborosie: “The Italian Lion”.
The multi-instrumentalist began his career in Italy as a teenager, playing various instruments in various reggae bands and making a name for himself before pursuing a solo direction. In 2001, he followed his hot pursuit of reggae roots to Jamaica, where he could submerge in Rastafari culture and be close to the music which burned in him.
Starting out on his new turf Alborosie worked as a sound engineer and producer. It was likely here, working with some of reggae’s finest artists, that he secured his ground and established himself as a Jamaican fixture. Rubbing elbows with the likes of Sly and Robbie, Ky-Mani Marley, Michael Rose, Sean Paul, UB40, and Toots Hibbert suggests that he was quickly recognized for his talent and commitment to the rasta culture. Alborosie’s not just an outsider representing reggae music, he’s living it as an insider.
Alborosie considers himself a new school guy, but concedes that his inspiration pulls from the old school.
“I have to mention the man himself, the legend: Toots. Toots is a real superstar, a real rocker. Without people like that, me wouldn’t ever exist,” says Alborosie.
After working closely with many of reggae’s modern and classic icons, Alborosie finally released his solo album. “Soul Pirate” came out only just in 2008, followed in 2009 by his second album titled “Escape from Babylon”. He’s produced several videos, performed in numerous reggae festivals and concerts throughout Jamaica, Europe, and around the world, and has recently launched his own record label.
It makes perfect sense that Alborosie has become a dual citizen of both Italy and Jamaica, and now resides in legendary (Funky) Kingston, Jamaica. However, he’ll be making an appearance in the South Bay for one local show. Alborosie performs June 14 at Brixton with a full on 10-piece band.
Sunsets, Suds, and Sounds
With a sunny Memorial Day weekend under their belts the South Bay will be anxiously ushering in the arrival of summer. This means more booze, less clothes, and some serious beach time. It also means super mugs and sunsets; which of course means Naja’s.
Naja’s is well known for the largest and most diverse beer selection in town, as well as one of the best spots to grab a sunset mug over some live music. House band The Landsharks have been rocking sud-suckers for generations, but there’s been an additional sound coming from Naja’s these days. While reggae and summer at the beach go together like snow and skis, it’s worth noting that Urban Dread has taken up a Saturday residency at Naja’s as well.
For over 20 years Urban Dread has been blending roots reggae, dub, rock, dance-hall, funk, soul, ska, hip-hop, and reggaeton. Mixing with a collage of original tunes, they also get the audience moving and shaking with reggae renditions of familiar classics, i.e., The Rolling Stones and Sublime. It’s a good one to remember when your hunger for reggae music overlaps with your thirst for beer; the sunset behind the sail boats is just the icing on the cake.
For Alborosie tickets go to www.BrixtonSouthbay.com or find them in the www.ResinMusic.com store. Urban Dread will be performing at Naja’s Place, on King Harbor’s International Boardwalk, Saturday June 19 and most Saturdays throughout the summer. For information on Urban Dread and a full calendar go to www.urbandread.com. Listen, learn, read on…
Praises above, criticisms below, all else to dirtyhippie@dirtyhippieradio.com.