ÖLAND ROOTS -08

Hoffmaestro & Chraa
During the past years there’s been a lot of talk about Hofmaestro & Chraa here in Sweden, even though the band only has released one EP. With their notorious live performances, the 11 men strong band has always played for full house and made people dance all around the country. Hoffmaestro & Chraa are most famous for their energy on stage and their multifaceted sound. The common denominator is party music with influences from all over the world. Everything from New Orleans funk to Dancehall, ska, soul and techno etc. The band themselves call their music “Karate Boogie”.

www.myspace.com/hoffmaestro

Faya Dub
Faya Dub was started in the year 1998 by musicians with diverse musical experiences and backgrounds. Like the title of Faya Dub’s latest album (World Wide Reggae) indicates, their musical core is roots reggea with worldwide influence from jazz, blues, soul, dub, calypso, funk, rock, ska, afrobeat and balkan music. Faya Dub have participated in several compilations and released 3 albums; Irie Feeling (2000), Sings and Plays (2001) and World Wide Reggae (2007). The group started out in small Parisian clubs that served as training grounds for the notoriety they have come to build as France's instrumental reggae band!

www.fayadub.com
www.myspace.com/fayadubreggaedubjazz

Navid Modiri och Gudarna
Navid started out as a solo artist. With a microphone and explosive lyrics he has made himself a name at the Swedish music scene. Since he was 16 years old he has made a hundred performances at for example the Hultsfred festival and the Arvika festival in Sweden.

Navid is also well known as a freelance journalist and as a host for different TV and radio shows.

In februari 2003 Navid met the drummer Povel for the first time and they decided to make music together. In mars 2004 the guitarist Conrad joined them and they became “Navid Modiri med band” (Navid Modiri with band). A couple of other musicians joined the band later on and they switched name to “Navid Modiri och Gudarna” (Navid Modiri and the gods).

Navid Modiri och Gudarna have together found a fresh sound that’s pending between swinging afro beats and “Gothenburg” reggae (Gothenburg is the city where the band is situated) to softer pop, always with the twinkle in their eyes and hard lyrics.

www.navidmodiri.com
www.myspace.com/navidochgudarna

Kalle Baah
Kalle Baah is a Swedish reggae band from a small town called Skärblacka. They have been playing music together for more then 20 years and have become one of the most famous reggae bands in Sweden.

The story of Kalle Baah starts back in the late 70’s when the band members still were kids. The band found their identity in the music and the lyrics of Bob Marley to begin with, but never copied the Jamaican style. Instead they formed an own style as reggae rebels in Skärblacka.

Kalle Baah is a unique reggae band who has their own sound and we are happy to present them at the Öland Roots festival this year. Don’t miss!

www.kallebaah.com
www.myspace.com/kallebaah

Black Prophet & Thunder Strike
Black Prophet was born in 1977 in Accra, Ghana, West Africa His real name is Kenneth Wilberforce Zonto Bossman. He was 7 Years old when he had his first performance with the band Ola Williams. Black Prophet started performing as a solo artist under the name Home Culture. Prophet feels that he has been blessed with the talent to perform and communicate through his music. He has a very strong social conscience and his songs and poetry speak of the most important issues of our time: peace, love, commitment, environment, AIDS, ect. He’s performing in reggae style singing in English and traditional African languages. In 1992 Prophet joint the Vibration Kings, releasing their first recording in 1996 called Captivity. Prophet made his debut solo release in 1998 with his album called Chains. In 2003, 2005 and 2006 Black Prophet toured Europe with shows in several clubs and festivals (Lowlands, Afrika festival Delft, Sundance). Prophet has toured extensively in Ghana and West Africa sharing programs with many international performers including: Rita Marley, Pliers, Don Carlos, Yellowman, Steel Pulse, Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, Buju Banton & Dean Fraser.

In the year 2005 Black Prophet was in The Netherlands to do some shows. In that time he met Otto (bass) and they performed together and became good friends. Otto went to Ghana to visit Black Prophet and they talked about playing music together, Black Prophet was trying to find a backing band to perform with whenever he would have gigs in The Netherlands. The band Thunder Strike was founded in 2006 when Black Prophet returned to the Netherlands to record his album called Legal Stranger. Thunder Strike came to Ghana in 2006 to do some shows with the Black Prophet.

Thunder Strike is a band existing of musicians with roots in various parts of the world, which gives the band the clear opportunity to send a message of unity. The musicians have a wide experience in both reggae and other kinds of music.

www.blackprophet.net
www.myspace.com/blackprophetghana

Seyni & Yeliba
It is not a secret for anybody. Violence, corruption and war are today the bases of an African democratic chaos. Seyni knows that. The Guinean who has to observe how his country Guinea is dealing with these troubles. The artist who describes his feelings with music. Resulting from the long tradition of the Kouyaté - griot from father to son - Alseyni Kouyaté aka Seyni sings in Malinké, French and sometimes English to denounce the sufferings of human beings all over the word.

At Öland Roots, Seyni will be backed up by the group “Yeliba”. The group come from the region of Bordeaux (France) and consists of 5 musicians who together create a new style of music - The “Reggae Yankadi” (crossroad of traditional guinean rythms and jamaican Reggae).

www.myspace.com/seyniyeliba

Nazarenes & The Roots Harmonics Band
Nazarenes consists of the two Ethiopian brothers Medhane and Noah Tewolde. Their sound is a fresh and vibrant blend of Roots-Reggae with an array of melodies and savvy arrangements that are complimented by haunting vocals. The music is both spiritual and inspirational and carries a much-needed message of love, hope, pride and respect for one another.

Since the release of their debut album, Nazarenes has built up a solid reputation throughout Europe and have consequently developed large and devoted followings of fans. The duo is especially well known in Europe and their unique talent has also gained them recognition in England, Canada, U.S.A. and the world wide reggae scene. Nazarenes have been touring and performing at many of the larger festivals in Europe, such as, Summer Jam (Germany), Roskilde festival (Denmark), Oslo world music festival (Norway), Rototom Sunsplash (Italy) and Uppsala reggae festival (Sweden), to name few. Their powerful stage presence and extraordinary musical arrangements has won them the title of being one of "The most excellent, hypnotic and unforgettable" live act of every festival and concert in which they perform.

The Roots Harmonics Band is the premier session band in Scandinavia and they have backed up artists like Tanya Stephens, Lutan Fyah and Earl Sixteen. The band comes from Denmark.

www.myspace.com/nazarenesmusic
www.myspace.com/rootsharmonics

Daniel Asher & Jah Covenant Band
Daniel Asher & Jah Covenant Band was formed in 2006 by the singer and producer Daniel Asher. Almost everyone in the band has played reggae since the beginning of the 80’s and they have performed with artists like Chilly & Leafy, Tony Ellis, Coffee n’Cream and Governor Andy. During spring 2007, the band was extended with the four women strong choir “4-Leaves” and they have been steady members of the band ever since.

With a 10-person strong band backing him, Daniel Asher promises you nice vibes and heavy rythms in combination of melodies with international class!