REFLECTION & REASON

I didn't want the story of the legendary reggae artist Joseph to end, and even though I knew it was loosely based on the life of Bob Marley and that the inevitable outcome was not going to be favourable, I still turned each and every page with anticipation that his fate wouldn't be as disappointing..."gone too soon". From the opening of the novel, the funeral of the fictional Rastafarian reggae superstar Joseph, the reader is introduced to just how significant this moment in Jamaican history is. His death is a loss to the music industry, and to the Jamaican community. His presence was necessary...and unfortunately lost. This is the introduction of the journey created by author and cultural communicator Barbara Makeda Blake Hannah. Through her character Joseph, his associates and peers, she takes us on a spiritual and musical expedition as spectators to the historical milestones in his life. From the first moments of the novel, we are taken back to 1970s Jamaica, t...

I am not a sound clash expert, but I am a true lover of reggae music. I love music in general, from soca to hip hop, R&B to pop/dance, but it is reggae music that speaks to my soul the most. Naturally. The lyrics, the riddims, the culture, the history, the origin, the personal/family nostalgia, and the originality are like no other genre. And for as long as I have known about reggae music...I have known about David Rodigan. I've only heard him play live once...in Oshawa, Ontario (of all places) probably over a decade ago. I knew about the legacy of the man, and truth be told...on the surface, it was more of an entertainment factor. An older white, British gentleman who could select and chat with the best of them. On the surface, my appreciation for him was almost novelty-based...with all due respect. News of his book's release was good news; I didn't even hesitate before ordering a copy. I love a biography. Coupled with a love for the music, I was more than happ...