Reflecting on the 2003 reggae shows this past year, Alpha Blondy and Lucky Dube are definite standouts. However, the recent Meditations show at the FunkBox turned out to be one of the most exciting of the year. Starting out the night, and unfortunately to a very sparse crowd, Jabali Afrika, a US based band that originated around 1993 in Kenya, captivated with their unique fusion of African sounds. They have toured all over Africa, Europe and the US. The powerful percussion and sounds filled the room and inspired the crowd. It was an opportunity to showcase the roots of music. Check out their new website www.jabaliafrika.com for upcoming tours and music.

Following a brief intermission, Trumystic took the stage. This Brooklyn, NY based band is determined to be the next heavyweight reggae dub band. And that's a sound we can use a lot more of - a sound that you don't hear much of due to the great dancehall riddims that have been rocking the charts. But heavyweight dub music is a staple of roots reggae. This is certainly the new wave of dub. The band includes the powerful vocals of Krysti Rock, keyboard skills of Antoinette, bass and high-energy vocals from Reggie (aka Soothsayer), Jose on the percussions, guitar rhythms and vibes from CuEbrane and David. Never missing a beat, one song flowing from one solid, steady, conscious tune to the next. The energy just kept building and growing. The true climax of the performance was during the song "Stand Up" and members of Jabali Afrika as well as friends got on stage to extend out the dub version. Great vibes!!! Don't miss them at the FunkBox on March 17 with Legendary U.K. Dub producer the Mad Professor!

Finally on stage, the Meditations, with the surprise of only seeing Ansel Cridland and Danny Clarke, missing Winston. However, they did not miss a beat in bringing forward their powerful sound and their firm standing for Rastafari. The Meditations have proven the test of time, uncompromising of their stand on equal rights, justice and one love. That is the key to survival - never giving up the struggle and doing the work that you are here to do with no apologies. That is what makes great roots reggae endure beyond age, class, race, time. They did a great repertoire of classic and newer songs and lyrics like "Wake Up/ Open your eyes and move now/ Wake Up/ Face reality now/Walk in the name of Jah Love" or "Jungle Feeling", "Fly Your Natty Dreads", "Don't take Jah Music/Just for Dancing Pleasure" for true Rastafari inspiration. Their "love songs" deal with male/female relations in a serious way, like "A Woman is Like a Shadow" and "Nice Time". Together for 30 years, this is roots Jamaican reggae history. I felt truly loved by them - they told us they came to love us and give of themselves, not too many artists today willing to be true to I and I. Too bad folks didn't turn out for this stellar show. Especially the roots Rasta crowd. You definitely missed an uplifting higher heights experience. "The best live rhythm section I ever heard in any genre of music", was a quote from one of my musician friends. Next time Baltimore, don't miss it.

- Polly Riddims