Here is Volume I of a multi-volume mix highlighting reggae recorded in and around Washington, DC.  Serious, serious tunes here…

My tribute to DC reggae. A tuff reggae roots mix featuring tracks recorded in and around Washington, DC. Also features some of the best reggae artists and collectives from DC/MD/VA. Volume 2 soon come!

IT A GO DREAD INNA D.C. (A MIDNIGHT RAVER MIX)

Midnight Raver – Intro
Hail Up Go-Go – Rare Essence
Midnite – Banking In The Pig
Don Carlos – Knock Knock
Don Carlos – Knock Knock Version
Peter Broggs – No Ism Pon De Riddim
Peter Broggs – Jah Jah Voice Is Calling
SOJA – Freedom Time
SOJA – Makonnen Dub
Bad Brains – Sacred Love (Cut)
Bad Brains – The Prophet’s Eye
Awareness Art Ensemble – Hunger
Awareness Art Ensemble – Coming Home
Junior Marvin – It’s Alright Dub
Junior Marvin – Love Dub Today
Jah Works – True Independence (Cut)
Jah Works – Tension (Cut)
Jah Works – Here We Go
Israel Vibration – Cool and Calm
Israel Vibration – Cool and Calm (Version)
Israel Vibration – Jailhouse Rocking
Israel Vibration – Jailhouse Rocking (Version)
The Archives – Sensibility
Israel Vibration – Live and Give
Israel Vibration – Gimme Dub
The Archives – More To Life
Israel Vibration – Middle East
Israel Vibration – Dub The Middle East
The Archives – Melodica Funk
Stryker’s Posse – Crazy Baldheads (Live at Carter Baron)

Midnite moved from the Virgin Islands to Washington, DC in 1994.  They ruled the DC reggae scene from 1995-1999.  “Banking In The Pig” is a tuff cut from their second album Ras Mek Peace, which was recorded at Mapleshade in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Upon signing with RAS Records in 1983, Don Carlos moved to Washington, DC to work with Doctor Dread and Jim Fox at Lion and Fox.  His landmark album Just A Passing Glance was recorded at Lion and Fox and the legendary album cover was shot in Georgetown.

Although the album was not recorded in Washington, DC, Peter Broggs was the first artist signed to RAS Records.  The dread heavy Rastafari Liveth was produced by Doctor Dread and engineered by Scientist.  Broggs would go on to release several stunning albums with RAS, even moving to DC to keep a steady recording schedule.

Arlington, VA’s SOJA are by far the most notable roots outfit to emerge from the DC/MD/VA region.  Discovered and mentored by Jim Fox at Lion and Fox, these high school friends are currently selling out arenas in South America.  No worries though, staying true to their DC roots, you can still catch these ‘international reggae stars’ at the State Theater or 930 Club from time to time.

These Rasta punks were banned in DC for their brutal live performances.  They are single-handedly responsible for the careers of DC’s own Henry Rollins of Black Flag, Minor Threat, Rites of Spring, Fugazi.  HR, Darryl Jenifer, Doctor Know, and Earl Hudson made it all possible.

Awareness Art Ensemble made the run from Richmond to DC up I-95 countless times to bless DC’s reggae massive with a live show.  Maybe the most musically inclined and talented reggae outfit to emerge from the DC/MD/VA region, former drummer Zebulon now tours with the Wailers when he’s not destroying the drums behind country music hotshot and Jimmy Buffet protoje Kenny Chesney.  Big respect for drummie Zeb!

Hand-selected by Bob Marley to play lead guitar in the greatest reggae band the world has ever known, Junior Marvin made his name composing searing guitar solos for albums like Babylon by Bus, Exodus, Kaya, Survival, and Uprising.  Junior Marvin has called DC home since 2000 when he took a job at the upstart XM Radio.  When he’s not on tour or visiting family in Brasil, you can find him at Lion and Fox or any number of premier music clubs.

This Baltimore Bomb Squad is the realest roots outfit to emerge from the region.  JUST PLAY…that is their motto.  And Jah Works does just that every weekend of every year for more than 15 years.  They’ve played with every legendary reggae figure who passed through DC. 

Doctor Dread pulled off the impossible when he re-united Israel Vibration in 1987 and signed them to RAS.  Strength of My Life soon followed, the best and most legendary reggae album ever recorded in DC.

The Archives represent roots reggae to the fullest.  With the inspiration and support of DC’s Eric Hilton and Thievery Corporation, Ras Puma and Sleepy Wonder are putting conscious and heavy roots reggae back on the map for DC.  Their self-titled debut still gets mad play on my Ipod.

Stryker’s Posse brings a hard, heavy, DC asphalt sound.  All the real heads know this band and they are as real as it gets.  Strykers’ Posse, a.k.a. We & Dem have graced the stage as an opening band for The Wailers, Burning Spear, Culture, Yellow Man, Tony Rebel, Kymani Marley, Yami Bolo, Judy Mowatt, Sister Carol, Sanchez, Sugar Minott, Abyssinians, Jr. Marvin of the Wailers, Toots & the Maytals, Third World, Maxi Priest and many others.  Sisters Ichelle Cole and Yvonne Deane-Hibbert are proven soldiers in this male-dominated business.