Energy and nostalgia in the VK

As a warm-up Irie Nation played a set brimming with new roots, interspersed with classics, the perfect supporting act for the big names to come. Next up were the guys of the Dub Akom band, but this time, and to my surprise, they'd brought a female bassist: rather small in stature but big in sound! My suspicions turned out to be right, a big sound outta France! They kicked off with a rather strange intro: soundscapes on synthesizer, backed up with latin samples.

Luckily this didn't last too long and before we realized it, there he was: the one and only Lutan Fyah! He immediately got down to it with a hellraiser of a song, 'Never Stop Hail Rastafari', on the celebrated 'Street Swing' riddim. What a way to open a set. The audience was lapping it up, and standing still was simply not an option. The killer tunes then came thick and fast. 'Bits And Pieces', released on the German Pow Pow label (still a hot riddim today, and played at many a party) and a bit later 'Life Of A King', his latest release, off  the album of the same name. We also heard a collaboration with his old Jamaican buddy Khabs 'Grillaras' Bonner (for who Lutan sang 'Rasta Better Off' in 2004, on the steppers-inspired Good Times riddim). It was clear for all to see and hear that Lutan was groomed back in the day by Buju Banton in his Gargamel studio. Such passion and fire on stage, it was a long time since I had experienced something likewise.

After that he introduced the overfamiliar 'Be Careful' on the 'Still Dre' riddim, not exactly my favourite, but clearly  popular with the crowd. This tune perfectly matched the current interpretation of reggae. Other songs that caught our ear were 'Unfaithful' on the 'Cardiac Bass' riddim' and 'Blood Stain' with its characteristic steppers beat. He rounded off this first-rate gig with 'When Me Rise It', a lovely song on the 'Crystal Woman' riddim from 2004.

I was sad to see his set finished, but no worries, it was time for another hero from  the reggae scene: Jah Mason aka Farmer Man. After telling us about his love of cannabis, he opened with 'High Grade', a very appropriate choice, this time played on the 'Love/Fire' riddim, rather than on the more common 'Promised Land' riddim (which we know from Dennis Brown, Johnny Osbourne, et al). He also performed 'My Princess Gone', one of his greatest hits and a tune that the crowd in the VK sang along to at the top of their voices. This was followed by the appealing 'Some Day', a heartwarming tale about freedom and going back to the promised land. The energy this man shows on stage is unparalleled, quite simply an experience to savour. Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the afterparty, but I'm sure Irie Nation did an adequate job. I think Lutan Fyah was the better artist on the night. He gave his musicians the opportunity to play the entire riddim from time to time, whereas Jah Ma son did the exact opposite in launching one ragga break after another. And this was something that, together with his frequent use of the term 'cool down' (each time proclaiming his love of marihuana) started to get on my nerves after a while. Respect for the Dub Akom band from France, who proved themselves worthy by playing all these riddims very tightly. The communication between musicians and singers was also quite smooth in that the band followed all the signals of both singers very strictly. Nuff respect! In short, the combination of these two terrific artists made for an unforgettable night, although I had secretly hoped that they would have taken the stage together. I can't wait to welcome them again on Belgian soil, hopefully with a bunch of new tunes. More love, more fyah! Pics: Joeri Charlé

I was sad to see his set finished, but no worries, it was time for another hero from  the reggae scene: Jah Mason aka Farmer Man. After telling us about his love of cannabis, he opened with 'High Grade', a very appropriate choice, this time played on the 'Love/Fire' riddim, rather than on the more common 'Promised Land' riddim (which we know from Dennis Brown, Johnny Osbourne, et al). He also performed 'My Princess Gone', one of his greatest hits and a tune that the crowd in the VK sang along to at the top of their voices. This was followed by the appealing 'Some Day', a heartwarming tale about freedom and going back to the promised land. The energy this man shows on stage is unparalleled, quite simply an experience to savour.

Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the afterparty, but I'm sure Irie Nation did an adequate job.I think Lutan Fyah was the better artist on the night. He gave his musicians the opportunity to play the entire riddim from time to time, whereas Jah Mason did the exact opposite in launching one ragga break after another.

And this was something that, together with his frequent use of the term 'cool down' (each time proclaiming his love of marihuana) started to get on my nerves after a while. Respect for the Dub Akom band from France, who proved themselves worthy by playing all these riddims very tightly. The communication between musicians and singers was also quite smooth in that the band followed all the signals of both singers very strictly. Nuff respect! In short, the combination of these two terrific artists made for an unforgettable night, although I had secretly hoped that they would have taken the stage together. I can't wait to welcome them again on Belgian soil, hopefully with a bunch of new tunes. More love, more fyah!

Pic: Joeri Charlé