Jah Free in Wrocław: British dub, Rainbow Studio and “Breaking Out”

JAH FREE has been involved in reggae for around 20 years. He first appeared on stage with Tallowah, later renamed Bushfire, known for festival appearances across Europe. During his 12 years as Jah Free, he established and continues running Rainbow Studio in Basildon, consistently working with artists from rock, punk, jazz, new wave and other styles. Yet no other music has moved him as deeply as his beloved reggae.

When Bushfire split up, he decided to follow his own path, and music under the name Jah Free began to emerge.

Creating new compositions and drawing on work from his time in the band, he began recording, designing, releasing and distributing his own records. The results were the singles “Wicked Can't Run”, “Rod Of Correction”, “Lightning Clap”, “Rydimm” and “Vampire”, all of which became electrifying sound system hits.

Both these releases and his distinctive, energetic live sessions brought Jah Free to the attention of Universal Egg, the record label run by Zion Train, where he had always been held in great esteem. Appearances on the compilations “All the World in an Egg” and “Lead with the Bass II”, followed by his full-length album “Breaking Out”, made him a firm favourite with Universal Egg fans. His reputation also grew on the dub scene in the UK and across Europe. His wonderful sets could also be heard during Zion Train’s memorable 1998 tour of Poland, while his debut album and its track “Wicked Cannot Run” became hits on the country’s sound systems.

Universal Egg also released Jah Free’s next album, “Outernational Dub Convention”, shared with another cult British dub producer, Vibronics. Promoting it in 2001, Jah Free returned to tour Poland with Vibronics and MC Richie Rootz. In 2003, he independently released “Unity”. Unlike the previous purely dub production, it features many singers and more frequent vocals from Jah Free himself.

He nevertheless continues his own vision of roots digital dub, so distinctive that even a newcomer will recognise his sound within a few bars. Old reggae melody and the steady, measured tempo of digital production lead the way: just right for dancing!

Jah Free has performed with Mad Professor, Iration Steppas, Conscious Sounds, Armagideon and Zion Train, among others. For a year, he handled live sound for The Revolutionary Dub Warriors. He worked with the founder of Jah Works and Roots Inspiration. As he says, Roots are the most important element in his life and music.

“All the work done and all the inspiration given are to magnify the glory of the creator JAH RASTAFARI — ONE LOVE FOR ALL NATIONS AND RIGHT-THINKING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE! UNITY IS STRENGTH!”

Although he is excellent with a microphone himself, at Polish events in 2005 he will appear for the first time with his MC, Gary James, who also sings with The Goldmaster All-Stars.