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I N T E N S I F Y A H, March 15, 2007
It's been a long, long ...long time since I saw a show at the Bar St.Laurent 2, and I have to say it has changed a lot. The last time I was there I think I inadvertantly agreed to smuggle some refugees out of Gahna (Chuck Norris style), in a drunken stuper...needless to say I missed the flight the next morning....which was probably a good thing..There is an actual stage now, go figure! I dragged myself and a handful of friends out to a Thursday night show. The 15th of March, aahh...the ides of March.
It takes something good to get me out on a weeknight, and I wasn't let down.The band ..." Intensifyah " was booked for 2 sets. One at 10:30p.m. and another at 12:00a.m.. I honestly wasn't going to stay around for a second set but sweet tittyf**kin' Christ were we in for it.
Ex-" Gruesomes " and " Stomp Allstars " bassist John Davis, whipped out another bunch of seasoned pros for this project: Melissa Pipe, ex-" Percy Farm " on baritone sax, Frank the Tranq-ex " Kobayashi ", " Gangsta Politics " on alto sax, John Williams ex-there's just too many to list on- lead guitar, Matt Lober-" Devil Eyes " on rythm guit., and Zen Nakamura-" Devil Eyes " on the skins.
It took this band about a minute to start smokin' through an awsome line-up of old reggae hits. Standards, dance hall and even some converted jazz tunes. It was so wacked to here a cover of a George Benson tune...played as reggae.
This cheaky band was full of surprises. Davis' bass sound flooded the stage from the floor up to our craniums like a monsta trucka on a rampage. Bbbrrrahhh rastafari. The lead guit. reminded me of Pat Metheny, (having a whack attack), the horns were a class act all the way through, I can't even get into it. The drummer was down right silly with his snare and kick, a treat to watch as well as hear.
Stand out songs included covers of the " Skatalites " ' Confusious ' and ' Freedom Sounds '. Rythm medleys including bands like " Inner Circle ", Horace Andy, an unbelievable rendition of ' Exodus '( Bob Marley, dummy). They played that song so heavily it was highly, highly Salassi.
" Intensifyah " are playing at the Be-Bop on April 7th 2007. I highly recommend you check these guys out if you like a de reggae mon. Do yourself a favor and go, you'll be happy you did. When musicians of this calibre collaborate on a reggae project you know it'll knock'a'rock tha' bummpas! Lord 'o' mercy.
- CJLO Radio 1690AM
Discography
3-track demo CD is available.
The band was interviewed and all tracks aired on the montreal radio show "Roots Rock Rebel," CKUT 90.3.
Photos
Bio
With heavy inspiration from artists such as Ernest Ranglin and Monty Alexander, Intensifyah is distinguished by their excellence in executing the beloved "standards" in the history of Jamaican music while delivering tasteful solos. They are equally at ease presenting innovative arrangements of jazz standards played within the idiom of reggae rhythms.
Featuring a highly eclectic personnel, the band draws members from The Gruesomes, The Feztones, Kobayashi, Percy Farm and Devil Eyes to mention a few. Not only does the current musical backdrop of this band include garage rock, funk, indie rock and speed-core blues, all of the members in the band share a life-long development in music. Their diverse backgrounds -- ranging from jazz to Indian classical music -- results in a high level of musicality and a professional ease with performance.
The essence of the band's energy comes from a long history of friendship and musical experience. As the brainchild of bassist John Davis and drummer Zen Nakamura, Intensifyah has exerted a gravitational pull, gathering some of Montreal's most devoted and creative musicians to complete the band's rich sound.
What's with the name? Following a typical occurrence in the word-play of Jamaican patois, it is a mash-up of "intensity" and "fyah" (fire.) The double meaning of "the act of increased emphasis" and playing music "as intense as burning fire" sums up Intensifyah's scorching reggae-jazz style.
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