review by Tafa
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 The Annual Raggamuffins Bob Marley Festival, one of the World's leading reggae festivals took on an international flavor for its 24th installment in Los Angeles, California this past February 19& 20th. In addition to Jamaican reggae legends such as Jimmy Cliff, Barrington Levy and Israel Vibration, there were performances from artists and groups from Germany (Gentleman), Brazil (Tribo De Jah), the Virgin Islands (Midnite), the U.K. (Misty in Roots and Steel Pulse), Ivory Coast, Africa (Alpha Blondy) and elsewhere throughout the globe.
 In addition to reggae and dancehall, soca music was represented by its two most popular artists on the international stage; Rupee of Barbados (by ways of Germany) and Kevin Lyttle of St. Vincent. Both of these artists enjoyed immense crossover success in 2004 and were given warm reception as newcomers to the Raggamuffins’ stage. It was delightful to see the few West Indian flags scattered amongst the capacity crowd on Sunday waving passionately during the “anybody from…?” roll call.
Rupee, performing for the first time in California with his Dot Com band had everyone singing along with his hit “Tempted to Touch” while only the West Indians and a few of the brave (American) reggae fans dared “Jump” to his breakout carnival tune “Jump.” Kevin Lyttle’s fans sang along to many of the songs from his debut album including his ubiquitous “Turn Me On.” Calibe, one of two solo female artists on the lineup performed her first solo-set in California, formerly a background vocalist for Beenie Man and Kevin Lyttle she stepped out into the spotlight and held her own introducing the crowd to her unique neo-soul reggae.
 Tanya Stephens and Vegas represented the new generation of Jamaican artists on the obviously dancehall-less lineup. The festival which has a history of embracing dancehall (Sean Paul, Beenie Man and Elephant Man appeared on last year’s lineup) seemed to steer clear of the controversy surrounding the gay activists and dancehall artists. The show was booked way in advance prior to the truce between both sides of the debate. During Sunday’s press conference the promoters announced that the Gay and Lesbian Center of Los Angeles had given them an award for being “Hate-Free.”
 Controversy and Ray-Ray aside, both Tanya Stephens and Vegas put on excellent performances on Saturday. Tanya opened with “Way Back” from her critically acclaimed CD “Gangsta Blues” before taking fans back to her earlier songs such as “Ready Fi Dis.” She performed several of her new songs, but limited time prevented her from performing “It’s a Pity.” Vegas had the mostly roots crowd on their feet chanting “pull-up” proving his reign as king of dancehall hooks. They sung along with his many other hooks to dancehall classics like “Heads High.”
Jimmy Cliff, perhaps the only artist on the lineup who could be considered a peer of Bob Marley, closed Saturday’s show. It took two MC’s (Richie B and Amlak Tafari) to introduce the living legend and Cliff drew from his extensive catalogue of reggae music spanning nearly 4 decades of hits with classics such as “the Harder they Come” and “Many Rivers to Cross.” Bursting with youthful energy Cliff performed on par with his contemporaries complete with pull-ups and all. He was rightfully given a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the promoters.
 On Sunday the Long Beach Convention Center Arena’s 13,500 seats were filled to capacity with fans who braved rainstorms to witness a show that would make history. It was the first American performance of the British group Misty in Roots. Some fans professed to have waited 20 years for the moment and they were not disappointed. While the German rootsy-dancehall artist Gentleman performed at last year’s Sierra-Nevada Festival, it was his first time in America with his Far East Band also from Germany. A strong performer who once toured Europe for 18 months non-stop Gentleman’s energetic set impressed the crowd who were mostly unfamiliar with his songs with the exception of his breakthrough hit “Intoxication” on the drop leaf riddim.
  Brazil’s Tribo De Jah added some South American Reggae flavor to the day. Other genre-deying acts on the lineup included Ozomati and Easy All Star’s Dub Side of the Moon, which featured a reggae version of the classic Pink Floyd album, Dark Side of the Moon. Veteran culture group Isreal Vibration momentarily broke the show’s momentum and some thought they were placed incorrectly in the line up. Barrington Levy then increased the pace with his many hits like “Under Mi Sleng Teng” proving that he is in-fact “Broader than Broadway.” With his awesome stage presence and unique yodeling style it is easy to see why he is so loved by California fans.
 David Dread led Birmingham, England’s Steel Pulse through their classics closing the show inna true raggamuffin-style. For a festival filled with so many highs (no pun intended), my highlight was seeing so many people of different races and nationalities celebrating Bob Marley in true one-love style without incident. Congrats are most definitely due to the promoters for their excellent treatment of the press, musicians, fans and vendors and for presenting two days of great music and irie vibes.
Special Thanks: to our sponsor uprizeclothing.com
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The Annual Raggamuffins Bob Marley Festival, one of the World's leading reggae festivals took on an international flavor for its 24th installment in Los Angeles, California this past February 19& 20th. In addition to Jamaican reggae legends such as Jimmy Cliff, Barrington Levy and Israel Vibration, there were performances from artists and groups from Germany (Gentleman), Brazil (Tribo De Jah), the Virgin Islands (Midnite), the U.K. (Misty in Roots and Steel Pulse), Ivory Coast, Africa (Alpha Blondy) and elsewhere throughout the globe.
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