Jah Band

Jah Band are Ashers' backing band and feature Roddy Perhaps from Speightstown on drums, Dre from Speightstown (originally from St Vincent) on guitar, Steve O from Speightstown on bass, Anthone A1 Music from Bridgetown on Keys/production and MX2000 on Production/Programming. Dub man Peddy D is one of the Caribbeans most original singers. Singing in a uniquely Bajan style his lyrics have a strongly positive and conscious message.
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He has performed with many international artists including Sizzla, Capleton, Culture, Fred Locks, and Bounty Killer. He is part of the conscious dancehall movement generation of dub men that includes Sizzla, Richie Spice, Capleton Chuck Fenda, Luciano and Jah Mason etc. He has performed and recorded in the UK twice. His latest studio work includes cuts produced by Grammy winner and fellow Bajan Jimmy 'Senyah' Haynes of Steel Pulse, Sade and Des Res and UK producer Max Weedon aka Max Justice. On this compilation of tracks Peddy D performs as a solo artist and with his group Jah Band. Stand out tracks include 'Old Fashioned' which examines the fashion for modern ways of behaviour including Bling. 'Mixed up moods' looks at some of the upset caused by thug life. Lovely feelings in the dancehall celebrates music and its healing force. 'Got things on my mind' is about lifting the spirit when things are going wrong. 'Mama' is a celebration of motherhood and the ties that bond us to our mothers. 'Moses and Aaron' uses a Biblical story as an allegory about current times. 'I will say to Pharoah; "let my people go" He has an ability to fuse passionate lyrical styling with deceptively simple rhythms that take in range of genres from staccato dancehall and gentle roots reggae to surprisingly commercial R&B and soul arrangements. Peddy D was born in Queens Street, Speightstown in the 1970s. He honed his vocal skill playing local sound systems with other Bajan artists including Shuga Shawn, Twinman, Shakey Ranks, Brownman and Simian. Peddy felt a High Calling and adopted the Rastafarian faith through the Twelve Tribes of Israel who have a strong reggae presence on Barbados. Plans are to go and record in Africa in 2008. Africa being the spiritual home of the Rasta. Peddy stands against all forms of oppression or modern day slavery, which have been forced on to black people by Babylon, the western world. Music is a vehicle for his message, Peddys combination of Rasta principles and up-to-the-minute dancehall rhythms makes his hard line approach more palatable. A brilliant and passionate performer, Peddy is breaking boundaries, appealing to those looking for something new, music with depth. he remains a mysterious figure, having little or no contact with the media. music is a vital means of delivering his message yet he doesn't support the music industry, believing it to be another corrupt and oppressing institution. Not wanting to be seen to endorse the industry, he is wary of any involvement with press and promotion - and has granted only a few interviews to date. His rare live appearances are always sold out. Peddy D has the courage to stand by his convictions, even at the risk of his career. Like Bob Marley and Sizzla before him and the Conscious hip hop artists of today, Peddy stands for truth through music. A principal figure in the Bajan roots and culture revolution, he is inspiring dispossessed Bajans and newcomers to reggae music alike. Peddy has come through the ranks and is on the verge of international acceptance despite the fact that The Bajan mujsic industry is focussed mainly on the calipso style. Opportunities for Reggae and dancehall artists are few and far between even for conscious lyricists like Peddy who preach understanding and tolerance. While Jamaica has had an incredibly strong international presence for decades, Barbados has never had the same acceptance of dancehall and reggae, and is focussed on catering for the hotel/tourist market. This has the subsequent knock on effect that strong original artists do not fare as well internationally. Peddy is hopeful that an industry manager with proven track record could come forward and handle his affairs and help propel him to the international stage he deserves.