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Press
Costa Rican-bred MC Supa Ranks and his band feint and jab their way through an excellent set of hybridized dub, dancehall and conscious roots reggae that benefits from inventive production and Supa Ranks' own relentless style of toasting. On his Web site, Supa Ranks tips his hat to Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, Buju Banton and Black Uhuru, and you can certainly hear the influence of all four on potent, throbbing tracks like "Young Youth," "Pretty Gal" and "Be a Be (Baby)." But he's not held captive by his heroes, and his own rhymes stand up to much of what comes out of the Caribbean and the U.K.
Local hip-hop veterans the Crest and the appealing crooner Dubwise add some dimension to a couple songs, and that should please younger fans who've been trained by Sean Paul and others to expect a measure of pop feel with their reggae. The guest spots are welcome, but it's the tunes that feature Supa Ranks' chomping down on the dictionary with his deep voice that make this album special.
Reviewed by Tom Laskin - Isthmus Publishing Company, Inc.
Transplanted for love to the cold climes of Madison from the tropical paradise of Costa Rica, MC Supa Ranks and His Rock Stone High Power have been bringing dancehall reggae to the Midwest for the past two years. A style developed in the '80s through influential acts like Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton, MCs “toast” (rhyme and rap, often risque) over faster reggae beats. While acts like International Connection and Natty Nation have been pushing roots-reggae, and after, himself, fronting the dub sounds of Infantry Rockers, Supa is working for a different definition of his style: “Dancehall is what I want to express with my own kind of beat.”
The formidable power trio of The Rock Stone High Power consists of the wild rock guitar of Fred “Wiz” Moseley, bassist Mike Pollay (one of Yid Vicious' founders), and the experienced reggae drumming of Peter “Ras Kikit” Johnston d(one of Natty Nation's founders). Their debut CD The 4:20 Sessions is a mix of some electronics, Supa's toasts and vocal ad-libs (often competing with each other in the same tune), all over non-stop beats and constant movement.
According to Supa, opening track “Glorify” is one of the album's telling songs: “I fulfill myself. I bow down and live up to that song and speak my mind and my heart,” he says. Of “Say me no know about dem,” he adds, “I don't really want to be too political, but I will speak about what politicians are doing and speak what I see to my eyes.”
As for his hopes for the band in five years, Supa says, “I would like to be taking a plane to Tokyo, Germany, the UK, but I would love to tour the U.S., express my style of music and go home and see my entire family.” With the strong support of WORT and a string of summer shows including July 29th headlining the Atwood Summerfest in Madison, Supa and his Rock Stone boys are bringing dancehall to the Midwest, along with an endless stream of optimism and positivity. - Maximum Ink
Discography
4:20 Sessions
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
"4:20 Sessions vol. 1" is an introduction to a whole new style where Supa Ranks unleashes his vision over a musical creation by the producer, Fred "Wiz" Mosley and Mr. Floss. Currently working on the second volume of this project, Supa Ranks will bring the best upcoming local artists into the dancehall scene. Continued promotion by Madison community radio WORT's "Tropical Riddims", brought to you by DJ FRP and company, are sure to keep the Rock Stone High Power atop the Midwest.
Costa Rican born Supa Ranks began his singing career at the age of twelve influenced by Supa Cat, Buju Banton, Shabba Ranks, and Black Uhuru. Upon his arrival to America he continued his ascension performing with Natty Nation, Proverb Sound System, International Connection, The Crest and fronting Infantry Rockers with his distinguished Dancehall vocal style. He went on to recruit the power trio backup of The Rock Stone High Power.
Fred "Wiz" Mosley, hailing from New Orleans, LA, showed his lead guitar prowess early in his life playing with James Brown, Ernie Kato, Rosco Mitchell, King Floyd, Albert King, and many more of the greats of our time. Further developing his impeccable lead vocal/guitar Reggae, Rock, and R&B style with the likes of YellowMan, Toots and the Maytals, Shinehead, and Tony Brown and the Landing Crew, he found himself as the lead soul expression of The Rock Stone High Power.
Mikey "the yid" Pollay grew up on the road with his parents and their Las Vegas style singing review, The Pollays. Based in Milwaukee, he found his voice with many instruments and many styles while traveling the world. On his return to USA he helped form the Klezmer greats Yid Vicious as the singer and guitarist, and then was introduced to the Reggae vibe as a bass man for International Connection. Exploring his talent, on the bass and backing vocals with Infantry Rockers, he has become the heart beat and the foundation of Supa Ranks and his Rock Stone High Power.
Peter "Ras Kikit" Johnston born out of Loredo, Texas. He began playing drums and percussion at a early age. He went on to play in the Drum & Bugle Corps and with other prestigious marching bands. In 1993 he began playing drums professionally. Peter has shared stages with Ziggy Marley, Abisinians, Damian Marley, Wailing Souls, and Sonia Dada. But since 1996 he has been kicking roots reggae drums and playing with Natty Nation. Uniting with Supa Ranks and helping form The Rock Stone High Power has allowed him to help bring the sounds of Dancehall Reggae to the United States and the world.
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