Not always do you have the blessing of getting a son as talented as his father. In the case of Kenyatta Hill, He's just as talented as his father. I never had the chance to meet Joseph Hill. I just admired him from afar. Loved his music, and respected him as being an elder of reggae. However, being that I am in between the old and the new reggae, I enjoy meeting the younger generation of reggae artist who stick to roots reggae. Coming from such a great musical background as the Hill familly and Culture, you would think that the son would just be as good as the dad, but it is not always the case. No disapointment here.

I would say Kenyatta will reach as high and possibly greater levels than his dad! Joseph knew when he named his son that he would be a great man, he named him after a great African leader Jomo Kenyatta who was Kenya's President from 1964 to1978) while I was in Gabon. Coming back to Kenyatta Hill, "young King" I call him, I feel that because it seems he has the right foundation with his family, the Culture band and elders supporting him, and because his personality is such. He's reserved like many Rasta Men, but he's warm as well and approachable, mostly he's got it! whatever is the "it" :).

There are great chances for the "young King" to emerge as one of the greatest new star of our reggae industry. His new songs like “Daddy” or “Mariwanna” are great tunes, catchy and smooth with heartfelt feelings and emotions of a true Rasta man. He will do better and better things like we all do, but this is a great start. The song sound a bit like Buju's newer stuff in their overall sound texture, but that is what is comin out of Jamaica these days, however Kenyata is unique in the fact that his voice is true and he could be this year's reggae revelation!

We (Anguile, Jahred, Dave and Andy from Anguile and the High Steppers band) arrived early around 4.30pm at the Woodstock Bearsville Theater to help Lea with whatever she needed done and meet the band. She had everything way under control, and we just helped around with small things and just hanged out there while they were doing their sound check. This was their first stop on a long summer tour. Culture vocalist had just arrived from Jamaica, while the back-up band came from DC. Kenyatta was seating around with Correy and the guys waiting for some food.

The Culture backing band, "Forces of Justice Band" from DC, is composed of Chris "Peanut" Whitley-Lead Keyboards, Steve "Big Yard" Samuels-Bass, Leslie "Blackseed" James-Drums, Desi Hyson-Keys , Ras Mel Glover-Guitar.
After the sound check, we went and got some food as the band went to the hotel to rest. We hanged out in this beautifull area of Woodstock, sunny, cool, breathy and beautifull things all around..Blessed.

The show started on time around 9.10 pm with blues legend Correy Harris opening. Correy performed as a solo guitarist/vocalist singing reggae blues and he was great. He showcased amazing skills of the like of Ali Farka Toure, who he said was his master in Mali, for African style reggae/blues guitar. We spoke in French a little as Correy is also well versed in that language as he lived in Africa many years. After his set a Sound System played some tunes and the ambiance was Irie and very classy all around. Jamaican food was caterred, the bar was busy and the night was still young.

Around 10.30pm Culture came on stage and everyone got into it even more. The show was just overall very nice, very professional, and the vibes were real Irie in this nice theater in Bearsville near Woodstock. The sound was real good and so every beats and ripple of the drums, keys or guitar rifts were crisp and beautiful.

The vocals were awesome, never thought you missed Joseph Hill, except when Kenyatta mentioned it several time, and also when he pointed to his mother who was handling the merchandise table.

The Show was fantastic overall, people were dancing, raising their hands and wanting more and more of that music and vocals who hit hard but makes you feel Irie...They played all my favorites like "Stop The Fussing And Fighting" and "Too Long In Slavery". It was a real blessing like Jah music should be.

After The show, we spent some time backstage reasoning with the band and some of the lead vocalist of the band like Telford Nelson - Kenyatta Hill and Albert Walker. Albert and Telford spent some time with me speaking about Africa, the world, Peace and culture and how conscious reggae needs to be supported vs. slackness reggae etc...True True, we had a great time; When we left Albert even had words of encouragement for me and the band, the vibes were high and mighty.

On the way back to our home, at around 1.30 am, we had time to ponder and enjoy even more this moment. We didn't play/performed with them that night, and we may never, but we had a great special moment in time, that was unique and worth living for. We remembered that Kenyatta's mom was the one at the merchandise table, and Jahred bought a CD (Dub) from her earlier not knowing, and she helped him nicely telling him her favorite CD's, and they exchanged ideas about their favorite’s album from Culture. Little did he know that he was talking to Kenyatta's mother and Joseph's widow. Wouah, we said later, what a cool memory. She pointed out to the Dub album, advising him to get it and he grabbed it real quick. Wanting more :) cd's (It's an addiction for him) we had to move him away form the table haha.

All in All, We were blessed to be there. We were blessed that Joseph Hill and Culture were the foundation for many young reggae artist like myself and Kenyatta who stand on their helders shoulder to continue the fight and preach the good news of Jah Rastafari out in the wilderness. We miss our elders (Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Alton Ellis for example and many others), our fathers (Joseph Hill for Kenyatta) and mothers (Coretha King, to name just one close to my heart) who all came before us, but we rejoice for they gave us life eternal and abondant with a blessed future.

Give thanks to the organisers, radio station WDST 100.1 FM, Upstate New York Reggae as well as Free Spirit of Woodstock (Queen Lea) who are dedicated to bringing great reggae music for years to Upstate NY. Stay tuned for their next show with Midnite on the 18th of July and The Woodstock Reggae Fest August 8th 2009.
For Tickets Contact LEA by calling the store @ (845) 679-0008 ,Nights: by calling UpState Reggae @ (845) 679-3382, Or by visiting the Reggae Store Free Spirit Of Woodstock, located at 69 Tinker Street (Route212), Woodstock, NY.

Until next time, Jah Bless,
Anguile