Dubtonic anticipates 'Bands Incorporated 3'

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

With a strong belief that music is the island's greatest export, the Dubtonic Kru are always on the road promoting positive reggae music outside of Jamaican borders.

A five-member band, Dubtonic Kru has been in the business for many years working behind reggae giants before making it on their own. Speaking with The Sunday Gleaner recently at Victoria House on Lindsey Crescent, the site of their upcoming show 'Bands Incorporated 3', Dubtonic Kru went in-depth about their journeys.

Consisting of Horace 'Kamau' Morgan on percussion and vocals, Deleon 'Jubba' White on drums and vocals, Luke Dixon on keyboards and vocals, Omar 'Jallanzo' Johnson on guitar and vocals and Strickland Stone on bass, Dubtonic Kru is more than music but a band of brothers.

The Kru has been together since 2006 working behind leading acts such as Burning Spear, Luciano, Richie Spice, Chuck Fenda, Junior Kelly, U Roy, Voicemail, The Mighty Diamonds - to name a few, before coming together in 2008.

Jubba explained, "Us coming together as a band really had to do with the vibe we brought to everything, and we wanted to bring a different development of music to represent our culture and stay true to the roots and the dub. We do feel-good music, fun, positive music and uplifting lyrics."

Since then, Dubtonic has released three albums, Jungle Fever, Dubtonic and Dubtonic Fever, and has travelled the world.

tour

Dubtonic recently completed a two-month tour of the United States, consisting of 32 shows in 30 cities called the 'Foundation Medicine Tour'.

"This tour was completely independent and we're happy to say it was a successful tour. We achieved everything we set out to achieve and it's not common for an artiste to leave Jamaica and do 32 shows in a two-month period. Even though we have a bigger fan base in Europe, it was mind-blowing to see how our American audience responded to Dubtonic Kru. It wasn't a normal reggae audience but they loved it," said Jubba.

The group sees Jamaican music as the biggest export that the country has to offer.

"The market for dub music is huge and we've known this for years from touring Europe. Dub music in Europe is the thing. It crosses all genres," Jubba added.

Dubtonic has spent six months out of this year on the road touring but is back in Jamaica until February.

full sets

In that time, the group will focus on the holiday but also on their show, 'Bands Incorporated 3' to be held on November 27.

The show focuses on highlighting live music and will feature Dubtonic, C Sharp and Indiggnation (which features Protojé and Jah 9) among others doing full sets for the people. While the support is growing in terms of patron attendance to events that the group plays at in Jamaica, the members think corporate support and sponsorship is lacking.

"We see ourselves as one of the vehicles keeping the flame of reggae music alive, a flame passed on by our elders but we need some support. A lot of kids nowadays don't even know what live music is. That's why shows like ours is important to keep it alive and to teach the youngsters," Kamau added.

Outside of the upcoming show, Dubtonic Kru will be working on another album set for release next year.