Jah Glory
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Jah Glory

Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica | SELF

Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica | SELF
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"Aluta Continua Keeps the Fire Blazing"

JAMAICA HAS seen the emergence of some phenomenal reggae bands, including Chalice and Third World. Now, one band seeks to match these greats; 'Aluta Continua' is stepping up to the plate.

The phrase 'Aluta Continua', is Portuguese and means 'the struggle continues". It was adapted by the band to highlight the need for a shift to a struggle for progress, rooted in community love and family, based on Rastafari principles.

The eight-man reggae group comprises four songwriters/lead vocalists in Maurice Francis, Marlon McPherson, Leighton Brown (also guitarist) and Gary Lynch. Other musicians include Lloyd Stewart on drums, Ossie Cocking on bass, Richard Wight on keyboards and Loui Christie on lead guitar.

Prior to Aluta Continua's formation the members of the band were just acquaintances, only knowing that they were all musically inclined from as early as their teenage years. The band found its genesis when Marlon McPherson, Leighton Brown and Gary Lynch first got together to sing and play the guitar.

"We would often link in Mona and at the Bob Marley museum to just experiment with our musical talent and interests," said Marcus Goffe, one-time band member, now manager of the group.

The band has just completed their self-produced debut album entitled Revolution, which features 14 tracks of soul soothing roots, rock, reggae, and has released their first single, called Gun Ting.

The single is commentary on how gun culture has taken over various communities in Jamaica. In the song, the lyricist calls for all to put down the guns, because "it's only gonna cause weeping and moaning".

Prior to this release, the band has played at places like Harry's Bar (now Weekenz), the Village Cafe', the Gap Cafe and Rainbow Skateland in Half-Way Tree.

"At present, we are organising some local shows and international tours to promote the album and we are currently negotiating with some promoters in Europe, particularly in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands," Goffe said.

The group describes their music as roots, rock, reggae, with a touch of youthful expression. According to Goffe, "the youths in the band are more the songwriters, but the older members of the band maintain the authentic reggae sound and flavour".

The band's most recent performance was at 'Catch A Fire', the 14th annual Bob Marley Day show, held at MXIII in Negril on February 6 of this year. The group's new sound was widely acclaimed and now they are hoping to be involved in a series of other shows in Negril over the Spring Break season.

Also, in the latter part of 2003, the band was involved in providing music on a soundtrack for a film entitled 'The Rasta Story', produced by Argentinean Sylvester Jacobi, which is slated to be viewed at film festivals throughout the Spanish speaking Caribbean and Latin America.

In the meantime, the band is currently working on producing its first music video for Gun Ting, which is expected out next month. - Teino Evans, Jamaica Gleaner


"Aluta Continua Happy with GermanTrip"

Aluta Continua means 'The struggle continues', but for a roots reggae band of the same name, a trip to Europe during the height of World Cup 2006 fever was, hopefully, the beginning of many journeys on the road.

The promotional tour to Germany and Italy involved all six members of the band - guitarist/ singer Leighton 'Lezimba' Brown, drummer Anthony Watson, keyboard player Demar Gayle, bass guitarist Delroy Hamilton, and lead singers, Marlon 'Amlak' McPherson and Gary 'Jah Glory' Lynch.

The video for their song, Revolution, has received substantial rotation locally.

Amlak and Jah Glory said Aluta Continua opened in Munich, Germany, for Alpha Blondy, on June 17, doing two shows by themselves on July 1 and 2. A week later, they were in Italy, at the Rotodam Festival, opening for Andrew Tosh, Luciano and Burning Spear to a crowd of 35,000. There were also opening stints for first, Damian Marley, and then, Ziggy Marley, the last closing off the trip on July 18.

The first and final shows were on the invitation of FIFA.

And, it was not all song and dance, as members of Aluta Continua were also involved in a panel discussion on the influence of football and music in societies. "It turned out to be a socio- political discussion on Italy," Amlak said, pointing out that Germany has a huge African population.

It is also a very good market for reggae and the visit, during the World Cup period, was at a good time. "We met so many people from across the world," Jah Glory said. "Summer is the right time for Rasta". As Amlak put it, "In Munich the police target Rasta, anybody with hair. Because of the World Cup they ease up - One of my biggest moments was when we just came and four of us pile up in one taxi. Somebody drove us down and said where are you from. We said Jamaica. They said you are musicians, we said yes, they asked where are you playing."

Lasting impact

The impact was not only immediate but lasting, as Amlak said they are still getting hits on their website from people who heard them on the trip.

Jah Glory said Aluta Continua hopes to go to America and Africa, next year. It is shaping up to be an important year for the band, as there are plans to release their second album, for which they have already started recording. Among the tracks to be included are Nutten Strange, Space and Time and Baby You Are The One For Me.

"Aluta just want to maintain that sound we start with, that live sound," Amlak said. And it seems their particular blend has caught on. "That's what we see in the industry now, some pop, some jazz. That's the way we see the music going now," he said. - Mel Cooke, Jamaica Gleaner


Discography


(2005) "Revolution" Aluta Continua

Photos

Bio


Gary ‘Jah Glory’ Lynch is a member of Aluta Productions. His musical career began as a young adolescent, in Kingston Jamaica, amongst the world-renowned band members of "Bob Marley & the Wailers". In their company, Jah Glory was tutored in both guitar and voice by the late Joe Higgs and Alvin “Seeco” Patterson. Since his inception as a musician in 2002, Jah Glory has recorded a debut album with the roots, rock, reggae, band “Aluta Continua”, as a lead singer and songwriter. Appearing on island-wide television and radio networks throughout Jamaica, in 2006, “Aluta Continua” toured Europe. On location in Germany, the band joined a list of prestigious artists, who were co-sponsored by FIFA World Cup organizers, as a part of a nation-wide event. As a lead singer of “Aluta Continua”, Jah Glory, has opened for internationally acclaimed acts such as: Alpha Blondy, Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley, and Ziggy Marley. “Aluta Continua” has also performed at the famed: Rototom Sunsplash in Italy, as opening acts for: Luciano, Andrew Tosh, and Burning Spear. Jah Glory is currently recording his debut solo album, which includes the collaborative single “Broad is the Road” with the lyrical-genius "Bay-C" from the famous jamaican-reggae quartet: T.O.K.