Bambu Station

"The West Coast reggae music scene has been bombarded by artists from the Virgin Islands, such as Midnite, whose truth-seeking lyrics, though strikingly profound, can often be elusive to the uninitiated listener. This is not true of the more mature and polished sound of St. Croix's Bambu Station, who offer an intense and thoroughly penetrating delivery of compelling, intelligent and crystal clear lyrics that are further beautified by a powerful reggae rhythm. They eloquently expound on the inhuman agony endured by African people by the hands of the unjust. During their performance on Sunday, September 5 at the Monterey Bay Reggaefest, Bambu Station's lead singer/songwriter/producer Jalani Horton's soulful, emotional vocals cut through the air and landed with pitch perfect perfection for all to hear.

"We come to expose them who deceive the people and hurt the people," Horton said.

Blazed across his shirt was the image of the belly of a slave ship and scattered human shackle. Intensifying this image were words that immediately grabbed your attention: "The African Hellacaust." These words are more than a simple reggae slogan or catchy cliche telling the world that everything is "irie." The words touch on a subject that begs to be remembered by the world and most importantly by the descendents of the victims of slavery who still cry out of the past to never forget.

"Over 100 million innocent, peaceful African men, women and children packed like sardines in slave ship holes died during the Middle Passage, victims of the white man's unprovoked barbaric aggression. The survivors arrived on the shores of the Americas and the West Indies, only to be sold into inhuman system of chattel slavery."

Diane "Livon" Adams - City Flight Magazine

"Outta the Virgin Islands comes yet another incredible group of modern rootsmen- Bambu Station. Singer-songwriter Jalani Horton, bassist Andy Llanos and guitarist Tuff Lion form the core the band, who feature a subdued yet hard-driving modern roots sound. This is their third release, and although I haven't listened to the first two, I'd be surprised if they topped this effort. This is highly conscious music- in Jalani's words meant "to inform and spread the livity and spirit of Jah." At approximately 70 minutes long you definitely get your money's worth too, starting off with the poignant "Humanity Bawlin" and cruising through 13 tracks of some of the best in modern roots. "Fire" and "One Day" are two of my favorite uptempo tracks; "Gunsmoke" speaks to the youth about the dead-end of the gun culture; "Pass It" and "Man In Exile" are also tremendous, but my personal top pick is "Even Man Cry," another song with heart-gripping lyrics. From the tight riddims laid down by the players of instruments to the purposeful lyrics and singing of Jalani, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better release this year. My first 4 and-a-half star review! It goes without saying that this release is most highly recommended." Copyright © 2003, Creation Steppin' Radio.

DJ Bahilman - Creation Steppin' Radio

(Washington, D.C.) July 4, 2005 / The highly anticipated and
ever-popular Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF) took place June 17-19, 2005 in Angels Camp,
CA, it's 12th year. This year's lineup included Toots and the Maytals, Steel
Pulse, Queen Omega, Luciano, The Abyssinians, Shaggy and Morgan Heritage, as well as an impressive showcase of 7 reggae artists from St. Croix and St. Thomas, V.I. On Sunday, June 19th, TheVillage Stage was electrified with 6 hours of truly inspiring and substantive music from V.I. artists Army, Bambu Station, Batch, Iba, Pressure, Ras Attitude, and the Zioniers band.

Mt. Nebo Recording artist Iba opened the showcase and quickly set the pace with 30 minutes of uptempo and poignant songs such as "Jah Lion", "What's It Gonna Take", "Save the World" and several more tunes from Jah Lion (Children of the
Nile) and his unreleased sophomore album that had the crowd grooving. Pressure followed with a much anticipated set that rocked the overflowing crowd with songs from his debut "The Pressure Is On" (Tsuni Records) and "Talkin' RootsII"
(Mt. Nebo Records) as well as his track from Bambu Station's unreleased "Chant of the Lions I" compilation. St. Croix singer Army followed with his smooth voice and belted out popular and hard-driving tunes like "Sleep," "Yesterday's
News," and "Who Is Gonna Pay" from his new album "Rasta Awake" (IGrade Records). The crowd energetically shouted approval onto these first three performers who
were all backed by the Bambu Station Reggae Band.

Backed by the legendary Zioniers band from St. Croix, Batch & RasAttitude of SOUND V.I. ZION Records shared the stage and sang huge tunes from recent albums,
including Batch's "Who You Are" and "Keep the Faith" and Ras Attitude's "Love Life" and "Happiness." The overall set was very fluid, energetic, mystical and kept the crowd bouncing and singing along. St. Croix's Bobo Ites made a cameo
appearance and rocked the crowd with his unique voice and expressive lyrics.

After an impressive performance backing the first three artists, Bambu Station returned to close out the festivities on the Village Stage. Drummer Andy Llanos opened with two of his original songs, including the beloved "Only Jah Jah Know," Tuff Lion followed with his journeyman anthem, "Good Works" and Jalani Horton then finished the set, commencing with "Humanity Bawlin'" and a host of popular and unreleased material that had the loving audience rocking, skanking
and keenly silent at times. As one fan asserted, "The message Jalani brings forth in concert is truly thought provoking and inspiring. I've walked away from each show with a life-changing experience." Their encore included all the other V.I. artists who artfully crafted their own lyrics to the Bambu Station rhythm
the band played. Not an eye remained clear as the natural energy and love flowed from artist to artist, musician to musician. A festival attendee commented, "Bambu's closing set was one for the history books in my mind, and when they
pulled everyone back up on stage for the encore, well I'm just speechless."

According to West Coast Promoter Mike Kelly, "With the exception of the Abyssinians, The V.I. Crew was the saving grace for Cultural Roots at this festival." On a web post, Rasta Cruz wrote, "Not to take anything away from Steel Pulse, but I truly believe that Bambu Station and [all of the V.I. artists] belonged on the Main Stage as the last act of the weekend [so] everyone could have experienced the true roots message these artists delivered." - Lizette Llanos

(Washington, D.C.) May 2006 - Two prominent recording artists from the Virgin Islands, Bambu Station, the dynamic roots reggae band from St. Croix and St. Thomas, and Iba of St. Croix, returned on June 1st from their first tour of the "Holy Land," Israel.

Bambu Station and Iba were prominently featured at the New World Passover Festival in Dimona, Israel where they were overwhelmingly greeted with throngs of concert goers from the African Hebrew Israelite Community. Their spiritual leader, Ben Ammi, took time to greet each performing artist and band member. Bambu Station also packed the house at the Kibbutz Ze Elim, as well as the Barbi Club and Om Beach, both located in Israel's thriving metropolis, Tel Aviv.

The band played songs from their 2002 smash compilation "Talkin' Roots I," their award-winning 2003 release "One Day," their 2005 release, "Talkin' Roots II" and their forthcoming band album, "Bird's I View." The band functioned on the highest of vibes and energy and the crowds reacted feverishly, many times individually trying to express their love and appreciation for the band. Several times the band had to respond to not one, but three encores, and the crowd still could not get enough. St. Croix's Iba, who opened each show, set the pace with spirited and engaging songs from his forthcoming release "Many Lives" and his 2003 debut album, "Jah Lion (Children of the Nile)." Crowd favorites were "Save the World," "World Crisis," "Afrika" and "Jah Lion!"

According to promoter Rasta Guil, c INTELLIGENT lyrics fe real, MESSAGE AS STRONG AS A ROCK, beautiful, milk and honey, revolutionary, different, highest music, sweet Reggae music, deep roots, deep reasoning... I can go on for hours... The crowd enjoyed them to the max. More than 3 hours per show!"

Bambu Station's lead singer, Jalani Horton, reflected on the shows and journey. "The shows were very intense and spirited, but the land of Israel was equally so. We were graciously blessed by the expressions of love and support extended by the African Hebrew Israelite Community, the Kibbutz Ze Elim Community, and the massive reggae lovers in Tel Aviv. We would like to thank them from our hearts' depths."

Bambu Station will commence its Summer tour on June 17th at the world famous Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in Angels Camp, California, along with fellow Virgin Islanders Iba, Army, Pressure, Batch, Ras Attitude, & the Zioneers Band. The tour will include the entire U.S. west coast, Mexico, and the Hawaiian Islands, and it will conclude with two weeks in Western Europe in August.
- Lizette Llanos

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Bambú Station, the dynamic roots reggae production team hailing from the Virgin Islands, won the following awards from the DC 7th Annual Reggae Music Awards (DC ARMA):

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
by Bambu' Station
ALBUM OF THE YEAR "One Day"
by Bambu' Station
SONG OF THE YEAR "One Day"
by Bambu' Station

"A tremendous amount of gratitude to the artists that are committed to vibrant and conscious reggae music," said E.z.waz Benjamin, President of Mt. Nebo Records. "We are truly grateful for the support and recognition of Bambu Station. We feel they are really special and now it seems the reggae world is taking notice too."

Founded in 1997, The DC Annual Reggae Music Awards honor Reggae Entertainers, Businesses and Promoters within the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. The 7th Annual Awards for 2003 took place on March 5, 2004 in Washington, D.C. at the King Solomon Lodge, 2245 Rhode Island Ave., NE. For more information visit dcreggaeawards.com.

"One Day" (selected as the "#1 Album of 2003" by Creation Steppin' Radio) captures the stimulating, conscious and critically-acclaimed vibes of Bambu' Station, one of the most groundbreaking roots reggae groups on the international scene. Tracks from this album are rotated on Top 10 playlists and radio stations worldwide.
- C.D. Ellison

(Washington, D.C.) - JahWorks.org, a web-based project featuring Caribbean and African-based music and culture, recently released the following review by contributor Ted Boothroyd found at http://www.jahworks.org/TalkinRoots.htm:

"Occasional small bits of good news are necessary for a balanced lifestyle. One such tidbit that gladdened my heart recently was a brief note on Mt. Nebo’s web site, to the effect that there will soon be a second various artists compilation, "Talkin’ Roots II." To me that’s splendid news because it will likely be as entertaining and uplifting as "Talkin’ Roots I.". And in the meantime, there are other current albums from Bambu Station Studio to sample.

"This reggae from the Virgin Islands demonstrates that Midnite is by no means the only huge talent emerging from those tiny spots on the map. This is as competent, rootsy and varied as any reggae fanatic could want: an hour’s worth of memorable tunes, socially aware lyrics and solid musicianship. It starts off with one of the strongest vocals, by the singly-named “Iba,” who urges us over a complex but never overpowering arrangement to “Chant a psalm a day, read a proverb a day, and you won’t go astray;" he comes back later with a second potent, sensitive delivery of thoughtful lyrics on “Tell Me Why." The deep heartbeat rhythm of “Works of the Wise” anchors an impulsive, gruff, dancehall-flavoured verbal tongue-twister by Yah Shiloh I. The distinctive sound of Dezarie—the only one of the assemblage I was familiar with before—is a welcome addition, given her usual heartfelt handling of dread lyrics; the title of this one is “Woe!”

"The strong song writing continues as the album carries us from one confident performance to another. What helps the musical flow immensely is that the same core of talented musicians plays behind the “various artists” who are doing the singing. Besides those mentioned above, those singers include Ankh Watep, Natty Empress and Jalani Horton; and I simply have to mention the stunning vocal by André Llanos that concludes the album on an appropriately subdued, prayerful, beautiful note.

"Anyone who has heard Midnite may not have to be persuaded of the vibrancy of Virgin Islands reggae, but this compilation readily confirms for me the creative spirit of the people at Bambu Station Studio, and the power of their music. I’d suggest you learn that lesson for yourself."

TED BOOTHROYD - JAHWORKS.ORG

A Critical Review of Bambu Station's "One Day"

by Jo-Ann Greene - All Music.com / April 2007 (www.allmusic.com)

One-drop rhythms are flooding back into fashion in the dancehalls, while consciousness continues its inexorable rise, so few bands should be better placed to be swept up in the cultural wave's crest than Bambu Station. Unfortunately, the group hail from the wrong Caribbean island, the Virgin ones, not Jamaica, otherwise they'd already be hailed as the new Wailers.

So Station may have their work cut out for them, but there's no doubt they're up to the challenge, brimming as they are with self-confidence and a determination to deliver their message and music to the world. Working out of their own studio, this self- contained unit writes, records, mixes, produces and releases their own exceptional material; and in that respect Bambu are actually closer in spirit to the early British roots reggae scene, than the Jamaican.

They too have been inspired by the originators, even as other influences have left their mark, giving the group a unique roots style. If one needs a comparison, very early Steel Pulse springs to mind, there's the same laid-back atmospheres and bubbly rhythms, counter-pointed by tough themes and extremely sharp, resonating lyrics.

Opening with a sobering look at the divided and diseased state of the world and closing with a lesson in righteous life that emphasizes the importance of the individual, One Day offers critiques on virtually every subject worthy of attention. Violence, war, the divisions the drive them both, man's responsibilities, forgiveness and correspondingly lack of mercy, religion and politics all inform Jalani Horton's astute and insightful lyrics, which continually give new impetus to these much discussed issues.

Along the way, there's a lovely homage to Malcolm X's widow Betty Shazbazz that doubles as a call for female dignity, and a powerful, heartfelt tribute to Amadou Diallo, the innocent immigrant who died in a hail of police bullets in New York City.

It's easy to lose one's self In Horton's impassioned performance and words, but his bandmates are just as worthy of note, creating blissful backings that effortlessly bubble along behind him. The heavy-hitting "Gunsmoke" evokes all the power of Steel Pulse's classic "Handsworth Revolution", "Pass It" captures all the incendiary fire of the roots rockers age, while the haunting "One Day" hints at The Specials at their moodiest. But these are merely points of reference, numbers like the anthemic "Fire" and the mesmerizing "Move On" confound any easy comparisons, bringing the glory of the roots age into modern times. This is a fabulous album that demands a place of pride in every cultural fan's collection. - All Music.com

Break The Soil Gets 4.5 Stars

by Jo-Ann Greene - All Music.com / February 2007

Who doesn't adore this band? For a decade now the Virgin Island based Bambu Station has been pumping out uplifting reggae music for the massive, garnering a world wide following in the process. Break the Soil is the group's fifth full-length, and a splendid one at that, book-ended by a pair of superb unity numbers, "Brotherhood", which opens the set in prime Bambu fashion and "Injoy", which closes it in classic roots reggae style. Both showcase Jalani Horton, the band's lead singer/lyricist, who is not just one of the best composers on today's scene, but one of the most literate, thoughtful, and thought-provoking period. His messages are clear, concise, extremely well reasoned, and inevitably persuasive.Horton's incredibly fresh takes on the well-worn unity theme is impressive, but "New World Order" is awesome, an absolutely inspired dissection of the war on terror and the terrorism that provoked it. Equally heavy hitting is "Who (Litany of Liars)" revolving around colonialism past and present, while "Sing Upright" makes it personal, chiding those reggae stars who would sell their mothers to get on MTV. "Chance to Grow" connects the two, bemoaning the loss of indigenous culture and the rise of ignorance that helps lead the youth astray, whilst counseling a better way, the latter further expostulated on "Sense Enemy".Babies having babies, women who need to learn self-respect, those who talk a good game, but whose actions consistently defy their words, all receive lessons from Bambu's life coach. Of course, Jah is praised many times over, His munificence noted with thanks, and the path He wishes us to walk beautifully illuminated. On "I Remembah", Horton recalls his happy childhood and the life lessons imparted by his much adored Granny, who so obviously laid the foundation for the man he has become. This lovely number, moves Bambu into new, jazz-flecked territory, just one of a number of excursions into new musical lands the band undertakes. An airy flute haunts the intro to "Beloved People", "Enemy" is stripped to the musical bone, guesting Reemah stamps her imprimatur on "Grow," sweet harmonies echo across "Liars," classic brass-splashed roots send "Bird's I View" flying, soul licks round I Sing Prayses", a hint of funk flickers round "Brotherhood", while Tuff Lion's fabulously versatile guitar is evident across the set. Break the Soil? surely the band did that long ago, the musical seed, too, was already planted, and with this album the group has now flowered into full magnificence. - All Music.com

Brookins A.M.E Hosts Roots Reggae

by Monica Espiritu - Jahworks.org / May 2006

Ive been a fan of Bambu Station since I first met its members at the Monterrey Bay Reggae Festival in 2004. Since then, I have had the privilege of watching them perform at popular Bay Area venues such as Club Dread at Studio Z in San Francisco, Berkeleys Ashkenaz, Moes Alley in Santa Cruz, at Dreadstock in Vallejo, and even amidst the ironic setting of North Lake Tahoes Biltmore Casino with its drone of slot machine noises and card shuffling.

The greater irony seemed to be their booking at a Christian church, Brookins African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oakland, California.

I distinctly recall feeling confused about the venue. I checked the Mt. Nebo Records website. I contacted people to confirm that this was not some sort of mistake. I scoured discussion forums and found a post on the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival boards bemoaning the possibility that sitting in the pews would prevent dancing. I felt confused even as I was sitting in the church waiting for the band to perform.

When guitarist Tuff Lion was a boy he had a life changing revelation that started him on his path toward Rastafari. As he sat in church with his mother and brothers, he was aghast by the irony of the large stylized blonde haired, blue-eyed depiction of Christ displayed at the altar in a room full of black people. This is God. Man was created in Gods image. What does that make me? Where is MY god? At eleven, he found himself estranged from the church. He gradually made his way to the Twelve Tribes sect.

Fast forward to April 29, 2006: Tuff Lion and his band mates posted up before the pulpit in a room of mostly black people.

Given the history of abuse and persecution founding sects of Rastafarians experienced in Jamaicas predominantly Christian atmosphere and the ongoing cultural tug-of-war between baldheads and natty dreads in many lands, it seemed an oxymoron to posit a roots band singing Jah's praises in a Christian house of worship. But as the evening progressed, lead singer Jalani Horton illuminated the dovetailing of different planks in the shared house of the African Diaspora and the crossing of two seemingly divergent paths leading to a common Spirit.

The band is adept at feeling the pulse of an audience. Their wonderful musicianship is one thing but their ability to find that pulse and use it to pump life and meaning into their performance is overwhelming.

Belinda Osbourne, or Sister Belinda as the band members address her, knows this very well. She is arguably Bambu Stations most ardent fan on the West Coast. It was her effort that brought this communion into fruition. She introduced Bambu Stations music to fellow congregation members and many fell in love with the bands message and delivery. They rallied to bring the band to their spiritual home although with mild consternation from their pastor, Reverend Clinton Stancil. The core of the audience consisted of Brookins congregates. They displayed excitement and great fervor for the music and the message. I felt privy to a family reunion, a homecoming of sorts.

Jalani set the tone of fellowship in his introduction of Pass It. He made parallels between the African Methodist Episcopal churchs ways of passing down knowledge from generation to generation to writer Alex Haleys familial roots. Tuff Lion alluded to his hair coiled up in his tam as a Rastafarians crown of thorns. With the nod of his head, his tam dropped, his woolen locks cascaded down his back, and he sang a touch of Good Works.

One Day tunes were performed along with selections from their new release Break The Soil. However, it seems trite to make an attempt to list them all because it was the overwhelming spirit that captured my attention. The churchs sound system may have been lacking but the vibrations beyond the aural were amazing. I felt an intense oscillation of energy in that space.

After the set ended, Jalani, drenched in sweat and his chest still heaving a little, struggled to find fitting words to encapsulate his experience in that particular instance. For someone usually so eloquent with his words, he was silent and awestruck. No human utterance can fully articulate wonder.

A couple of nights later, I found myself at Bambu Stations next gig at Club Dread, a place reggae fans are accustomed to catching reggae artists perform. The band settled on stage, began playing, and I felt transported. I was back in church.

By the way, you can dance in the pews at Brookins AME. - Jahworks Magazine