A San Lorenzo Valley-based reggae group is on the up-and-up, with several appearances scheduled this month and an album that features an internationally known reggae artist.
“Reggae is spiritual music, and the message is Jesus Christ in the universal sense,” Emmanuel Selassie said from his Bonny Doon studio, where he and Jeff Allgrove are mixing their latest jam.
Selassie, an accomplished reggae artist, has joined with Allgrove, a Ben Lomond native, to form a production team and work as band-mates. Selassie has been mastering and mixing albums since 1996, while he and Allgrove have worked together since 2007. The duo is putting out a new album with guest appearances by many reggae performers, including the internationally acclaimed Junior Reid on one track.
“We have a different philosophy than the music industry,” Selassie said. “We let it accommodate us.
“When I let the pressure off, I found the music became even became more sweet.”
The two spend hours in Selassie’s studio laying down reggae tracks for the soon-to-be released album, and they will play at Don Quixote’s in Felton at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 7, with their band, Emmanuel Selassie and The Singers and Players of Instruments. Selassie will play again at Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz on Oct. 26, along with reggae great Glen Washington.
Originally from Charlotte, N.C., Selassie now calls Santa Cruz his home.
“I find it accommodating to who I am as a human being,” he said of the area. “It has a nice vortex of energy. We all kind of flow together.”
Selassie and Allgrove spent the summer playing at venues including the Felton Memorial Day Festival, Moe’s Alley, Monterey Bay ReggaeFest and the community television show “Spilly Chile’s Bowl of Rocks,” as well as headlining at The Catalyst.
Allgrove hopes that the coming year, and the upcoming album, will push the band to international heights.
For information: www.myspace.com/emmanuelselassiei.
