Don Carlos and the Reggae Angels

Ashkenaz, 6-28-03

  I went there very early, not having much info, since I was told about the show the day before. So me and my friend were hanging out at Ashkenaz, giving our little information to inquisitive people who wanted to attend the show. After a few hours, (we got their at 7:30) the doors opened up. So then I got in line, got my tickets and went in, to hear the sounds of the Jah Light Sound system, playing mostly roots type music. for about an hour, the Jah Light sound was spinning quality Roots and Dancehall, including what seemed like a lot of Black Uhuru. During their opening set, nobody was dancing though, except one older looking guy who you could tell was really enjoying himself.

 Then, at around 10:00, the local band The Reggae Angels came up on stage. They put on a great, high energy set, consisting of all originals except for one cover. They really reminded me of the band that introduced me to reggae, Strictly Roots, back when Ras Jahson was their lead singer. They had a roots vibe, but could keep the crowd in a high energy vibe. Half way into their set Fenton's two daughters Angel and Trinity came up a performed a song.. They did a song called Ungrateful, off their album "A Heart With Love," which was a nice performance. After they finished,  they left the stage, and the lead singer Fenton took the mic again. the continued their set, and Ended with a Ska song called "Where is the Love" the crowd was totally digging it, and  I don't think at any of the shows I've been too since the Strictly Roots Jahson days have had such intense dancing among the crowd. When the last song ended, the agreement of everyone in the crowd was a great performance, and I saw maybe 3 people who weren't dancing by the end of the song.
When the song was over, The Jah Light sound went on again.

   Seeing that we were all way overheated, I went and got water for me and my friend. Apparently our corner of the room weren't the only ones, as it took me 15 minutes to get water at the bar. This time, when the sound played, everyone was out dancing. There were people dancing, talking, and generally spreading a good vibe, anticipating Don Carlos' entrance to the stage. At midnight, it was Don Carlos' birthday, so the announcer had us sing Happy Birthday to Don Carlos.

  We were treated to a surprise performance by Wadi Gad, who did two songs, and in between songs joked about how "The House says no cannabis smoke, but Vaporizers are ok" then, with only around a measure break between switching drummers, he went immediately to the drums, and we knew it was time for Don to come out to the stage. When he came out, he was in very good Spirits. His best performance of the night (that I saw) was "Living in The City". His set had a relaxed vibe,  kind of a 180 from the high energy of The Reggae Angels. . I stayed for a while longer, and at what seemed like half way through his set, at 1:15, my ride came and picked me and my friend up, and drove us back home. Overall it was a great show, and Don Carlos and the Reggae Angels are two shows that must be caught when they come to your area.
by,

 Ras James