Arawak Jah

Arawak Jah is a Cuban-American reggae group based in Orlando, Florida. The group was founded in 1994 by Cuban expatriate Ras Juan Perez (born 8 February 1960 in La Habana), who left Havana in 1980 during the Mariel boatlift, living first in Wisconsin, then moving to Orlando in 2000.

In 1995, while based in Madison, Wisconsin, the band released its self-titled debut. [cite news| last =Thompson| first =Stephen| title =Chicago blues, Arawak Jah reggae hold center stage| page =9| publisher ="Wisconsin State Journal"| date =1996-01-11| ] The band was the last reggae band to play the music venue Club de Wash before it was destroyed in a 1996 fire. [cite news| last =Kassulke| first =Natasha| title =Gone: a lively mix of music, drinks, eats| page =3A| publisher ="Wisconsin State Journal"| date =1996-02-19| ]

Members of the band, in addition to singer-songwriter and keyboardist Ras Juan Perez, have included drummer Pete Johnson & Vincent Davis; bassist Phil Meier & Demetruis Wainright; guitarist Mark Xavier & Steve Caddle to mention some of over a dozen of hired musician and guess through the 14 years of the band life. [cite news| last =Kassulke| first =Natasha| title =Memories of the Club de Wash won't die: Many local bands, touring groups depended on the Madison bar| page =4B| publisher ="Wisconsin State Journal"| date =1996-02-20| ]

Further membership changes resulted in a 1997 lineup of Perez, singer-guitarist Bobby Aleman, drummer Willie Wilson and dance hall specialist Super Irie. They were one of the headlining acts of the 1997 Bob Marley Festival Tour. [cite news| last =Kassulke| first =Natasha| title =Arawak going on Marley tour| page =5| publisher ="Wisconsin State Journal"| date =1997-02-20| ] [cite news| last =Mitchell| first =Rick| title =Peace, love: Reggae| page =1| publisher ="Houston Chronicle"| date =1997-02-28| ]

On the 1996 release "King of Salem", the band recorded six songs twice, with each song having one Cuban reggae interpretation and one Jamaican reggae interpretation. [cite news| last =Thompson| first =Stephen| title =3 CDs represent city's diversified music scene| page =9| publisher ="Wisconsin State Journal"| date =1997-04-17| ] The band is on a self journey to greatness even without being sign to any major record company or record deal. They are on the pursue of making music, not money.

Arawak Jah has ten self-released CDs under the Rasta Rumba Record and theirs latest is "Rasta King". In 2008 they will also release "No Mercy" and "No Me Digan Feo" (don't call me ugly) their third cd in Spanish.

Discography

* 1995: "It Is Original" (cassette)
* 1996: "Arawak Jah"
* 1996: "King of Salem"
* 1997: "De Cuba con Amor"
* 1997: "It Is Original" (CD re-release)
* 1998: "Yo Soy Latino (Version Larga)"
* 1999: "Arawak Live!"
* 2002: "Mi Cincerro"
* 2002: "Yo Soy Latino (Version Corta)"
* 2004: "Duele"
* 2004: "Arawak Jah Classics Live!"
* 2008: "Rasta King"
* 2008: "No Mercy " (out by late summer)
* 2008: "No Me Digan Feo " (will be out by X-mas)

References

External links

* [http://www.arawakjahreggae.com/ Arawak Jah] official site