Music
Press
UTribe featured few, if any, big name acts. Local artists dominated the lineup … supremely catchy reggae stylin’ of Fyah Walk that provided the greatest stimulation.
rocknrolleddie (6 October, 2009, fasterlouder.com) - FasterLouder.com
… I don’t want to miss a minute of Byron Bay’s incendiary Fyah Walk and hurry us back to the Jandaiwal. Northern NSW’s roots reggae represent, the natty dreads’ patented three-part harmonies bring to mind The Abyssinians on smokin’ staples Blazing Fire, Once Again and call-and-response Outta Fire, generating prime rastaman vibration and a loud ovation at the end.
Denis Semchenko (Ravemagazine.com.au on Island Vibe, 31 Oct 09) - Ravemagazine.com.au
Review:
Byron Bay’s roots hues ablaze
Fyah Walk-‘Sunrise Red’.
Byron Bay must be a constant inspiration for reggae bands as this outfit of northern NSW & S.E. QLD musicians convey. Led by former Melbournian singer/songwriter and guitarist Simon Jerrems, this hot outfit serves out Dub, Reggae, and Dancehall with music acknowlegments to Afro-Beat and the ubiquitous World grooves. Fyah Walk is arguably one of the best Oz roots and reggae groups in their neck of the proverbial musical woods. Comprising of members from Freakylou, Lion I Band and Dubshack, the title track of their CD ‘Sunrise Red’ just makes me want to experience for myself (with sounds to the ears) one of Byron’s fiery red sunrises for myself
From the surf guitar nod on the King Charlie remix of the title to the ska-jerk of ‘You got the time’ and the rub-a-dub organ stylee of ‘Theives in the night’, Simon Jerrems catchy but simple vocals colour this group’s palette with very appealing hues. The live version of ‘Zion Await’ and the hidden track ‘Equal Rights’ are a further indicator that this roots laden and heated stroll through the musical miasma of this part of Australia is well serviced
Rick Heritage, host of World Beat, Radio 4ZzZFM, Brisbane
- World Beat Radio 4ZZZ Brisbane
“Sunrise Red” – Fyah Walk
Based on a foundation of classic roots reggae but still very much influenced by the modern sounds of Jamaica and other Caribbean nations such as the Virgin Islands comes this gem from Byron Bay’s Fyah Walk
A collection of eight tunes of positive vibes and strong lyrical content with first rate production values. This set draws you in and sweeps you away with a combination of top quality roots riddims, melodies and messages delivered with positivity
Yes, Fyah Walk are roots reggae with a conscious message! I love this album and it’s one of the best produced by an Australian reggae band
Basmati, producer/presenter of The Yard, Radio 4ZzZFM, Brisbane
- The Yard 4ZZZ
Fyah Walk burns a conscious and soulful path along the roots road toward Mount Zion heights.
Royal music adding heat to babylon's destruction and the fullfillment of righteousness covering the earth as water cover the sea manifests from Austrailia.
Jah music blazing equal rights and justice.
Haile I Selassie I The First,
Ras Liontree - Ras Liontree
Jesse I PBS Radio Melbourne - Chant Down Sound - "one of the best Australian reggae releases I've ever heard"
Sista Itations / Natty Sistren - I highly rate Fyah Walk. "One of my highlights from Island Time last year.
This band has hit the nail on the head reggae wise, and I look forward to seeing how they flourish in the near future."
- Quotes
Discography
>> FYAH WALK�s highly anticipated second release, �Ocean Sounds� continues to show the depth and uniqueness of Australia�s most authentic roots reggae outfit.
�Ocean Sounds� is an epic 14-track album to stand the test of time: mixed under the expertise of Melbourne engineer �King Charlie� of the Red Eyes and mastered by Daniel Fournier on a 1959 Fairchild Compressor Limiter (a legendary and extremely rare piece of sound equipment), the album is powerful and addictive, touching on a panorama of moods and lyrical messages, with heavy bass lines balanced by beautiful three-part harmonies and eclectic jazz infusions. Rhythmic variations take you from the hard-edged scatting rap and dancehall style of Long Road to the deep roots reggae grooves and lyrics of Hold On, the driving �steppers� rhythms of love song Tell You What and the epic, anthem-like track Are You.
>> Debut release 'Sunrise Red'
'Sunrise Red' was the successful debut release for FYAH WALK, hitting the streets in May 2008. The LP had a significant effect on the Australian music scene, being one of the first reggae/dancehall albums released in the country. It truly amazed its audiences, exposing reggae as not only alive and well, but positively life-changing. The album is a reflection of the band's solid knowledge of traditional roots reggae and fuses a broad feel of reggae, dancehall and rap with fresh, contemporary energy. The album's heavy bass lines and solid beats were played on radio stations around the nation and boasted international exposure on Jamaican, east coast USA and New Zealand radio programs.
Photos
Bio
From the hills and valleys of Northern New South Wales, FYAH WALK has emerged onto the roots reggae circuit to become one of the nation's most authentic and respected live reggae acts. The band formed in March 2007 when frontman Simon Jerrems moved from Melbourne with the aim of establishing a uniquely Australian roots reggae group. And he succeeded: FYAH WALK breaks the boundaries of reggae in Australia, reaching out to all music lovers with a fusion of authentic Virgin Islands reggae and their own fresh, contemporary, high-energy style.
Lead singer Simon Jerrems delivers powerful and positive lyrical messages that reflect his spiritual nature and alignment with the values of the Rastarfari movement. Simon is joined by highly regarded local musicians Jesse Willaton (Imandan, Lion I) on lead guitar, bass guitarist Marky Power (Dubshack), Smurf on trumpet, Hugh Jones (Mystic Beats) on drumkit, Ben Ganly (Agency Dub Collective, Melbourne) on keys, Stuart Currie (The Witness, Red Bantoo) on trombone and vocals, and Sonia Leeson (Red Bantoo), vocals. Together they combine elements of Jamaican, African and Indigenous Australian cultures to create a truly memorable live music experience.
FYAH WALK has just returned home from headlining Melbourne's leading Reggae Festival, followed by two massive performances on the main stages of WOMADelaide 2010, and their premier tour of Western Australia. They are regular festival performers and have blazed the stages of such national festivals as Kuranda Roots Reggae Festival, Island Vibe, Utribe, Exodus, Earthfreq, Winter Solstice Festival and the Mullumbimby Music Festival. Plans are currently afoot for overseas touring.
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