Congo Natty and guests in Kostrzyn: revolutionary jungle and the ragga-jungle of “UK All Stars”

He has been called a visionary, a revolutionary and, above all, a jungle legend: Michael West, better known as Congo Natty. He will appear with Congo Dubz, Tenor Fly and Nanci & Phoebe on the Main Stage of the XXI edition of Przystanek Woodstock!

Congo Natty is the alias of a one-man institution, but also the name of a movement and a family. Mikail Tafari, aka Rebel MC, not only leads it but, as “Jungle Revolution” shows, acts as a lens bringing everything together into a coherent whole.

The album reveals how Tafari views jungle: as a reboot of roots reggae for the new century. Releases so full of sub-bass, broken percussion breaks and a message of justice expressed through angry, passionate lyrics do not appear often. “Reggae’s message is Rastafari, and Rastafari is love,” explains Mikail. “They, the reggae artists, sang about love, but also prophesied about the system that would come, speaking of things that would happen in the world. I see jungle as music with the same power to convey that message.”

A diverse line-up carries this message on “Jungle Revolution”, mixed by legendary British dubmaster Adrian Sherwood of On-U Sound and Skip McDonald, who also played guitar and melodica filling deep dub spaces. Production support came from Benny Page on ragga-jungle “UK All Stars”, Vital Elements on “Jah Warriors” and “Jungle Is I And I”, Serial Killaz on hit “Get Ready”, and Boyson & Crooks on psychedelic “London Dungeons”.

Vocally, the album features the cream of the British reggae/jungle scene. “UK All Stars” brings together leading vocalists associated with the island’s sound-system culture, including Daddy Freddy, Tenor Fly, Top Cat, General Levy and Tippa Irie. Congo Natty family members Nanci & Phoebe and La La & The Boo Yaa, on “Jungle Souljah”, also fill the album with their warm voices. There are also artists known for working with other producers, but whose message and outlook align with Congo Natty’s ideology: Lady Chann and Ras Buggsy.

Mikail Tafari’s vision of bringing the messages of roots reggae and jungle together in a contemporary way produced a coherent and extraordinary work. On an album where love of music intertwines with angry lyrics and the joy of creation is audible from the opening sounds, Congo Natty proves he is far more than a legend. He is an institution in his own right, a fighter in a revolution that has only just begun.

At Przystanek Woodstock, the artist will be accompanied by legendary singer Tenor Fly, as well as Congo Dubz and Nanci & Phoebe.

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