Macka Ruffin looks for his place in history

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

His name may not pop up among the trailblazers when reggae's genesis in Japan is discussed, but David McAnuff has had a solid presence in that country as an artiste and promoter for 25 years.

Known to fans as Macka Ruffin, the drummer/singer is planning to produce a documentary in celebration of his silver anniversary in the Land of the Rising Sun.

"I feel it's appropriate to do something on mi life history an' most a dat history is in Japan," McAnuff said in a recent Sunday Gleaner interview.

"I have done a lot of things for reggae music in Japan and have also seen the changes the music has gone through there."

Early this year, the Manchester-born McAnuff released Dear Jah, his sixth solo album since he lay down roots in the Japanese capital, Tokyo. It was mainly recorded in Jamaica with local musicians including his nephew Rashaun 'Kush' McAnuff of the Uprising Band.

First album

McAnuff's first album was Roppongi Station, a tribute to the city where reggae first made waves in Japan over 30 years ago. It was where he hung out when he first went there with the Black Kush band in the mid-1980s.

"We were touring Canada, an' after we came back to Jamaica we met some Japanese promoters who were looking for a reggae band, an' after checking roun' they chose us," McAnuff explained.

Solid Earth actually went to Japan as Black Kush, a band that had done the rounds on the north coast hotel circuit. They also backed McAnuff's older brother, singer Winston McAnuff, on his recording sessions and live dates.

Their initial stint in Japan lasted three months as resident band at the Hot Croquette club in Tokyo. Accor-ding to McAnuff, it was the best of times for reggae in the Far East.

"We played the club for six nights an' it was packed every night. Wi talking 'bout all kinda reggae fans - from diplomats to the average man," he recalled.

In addition to McAnuff on drums, Black Kush included vocalist Calman Scott (younger brother of deejay Scotty); guitarist Rudolph Bonitto, who went on to tour with Bunny Wailer; and bassist Trevor McKenzie who would later work with Beres Hammond.

Roots-reggae was the rage in Japan with Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and Augustus Pablo, the most popular performers. Dancehall was also picking up steam through Sugar Minott and protégés from his Youthman Promotions camp, such as Tenor Saw.

Competition

With independent Jamaican producers flooding the Japanese market, reggae competed with pop music from North America and the United Kingdom as the sound of choice in Japan. In 1985, it inspired the Tachyon Record Company to launch JapanSplash, a massive festival that featured the biggest reggae acts.

McAnuff returned to Japan for good in 1986 after Black Kush disbanded and he re-cast himself as Macka Ruffin the singer. He maintains a busy recording and performing schedule, but says the Japanese reggae scene is not as vibrant as when he first went there.

"The amount of reggae acts coming there is not like before, it's not that the people don't like the music, they want to take it!" he exclaimed.

"Yuh have countless Japanese reggae bands, especially in Osaka."

David McAnuff expects to release his Japanese reggae documentary in 2011.