When: Friday 27 April, 9pm till late
Where: Medusa – 154 Vivian Street, Wellington
All Tribes Welcome, Royal Behaviour, One Love
Redemption Sound & NiceUp present Harmonic Culture – a night of heavy roots reggae and dub inna sound system style.
Featuring:
Tomo (Redemption Sound/Shiloh Ites) From Japan
Conviction Roots
Hawk i & MC Ras Stone – live act
Rootsman Pat
Tomo
Born and raised in Buraku district (a segregated area), Japan, Tomo’s first exposure to Reggae was seeing Bob Marley’s video ‘Time Will Tell’ as a teenager. Inspired by the message, he started playing Roots Reggae in so-called King David style in early 2000, playing under the name ‘Redemption Sound’, choosing this name to clarify the concept of his music and to differentiate Roots Reggae (Rastafarian music) from Dancehall and other related genres.
In 2001 Tomo started his own session in Kyoto, Japan, ‘Harmonic Culture’. It featured legendary local guests as well as prominent international artists, including Al Campbell (JA), and in 2008 he ran a Japanese tour with the Shiloh-Ites and Lion Youths Sound System (Sweden). He has also played alongside artists such as Twilight Circus (The Netherlands), Zion Train, Russ Disciples and Jonah Dan, and Aba Shanti (UK).
In 2005 Tomo relocated to Melbourne, where he worked with top crews such as Chant Down, Heartical Hi Fi, Agency Dub Collective and The Red Eyes. He has played across Australia, including Sydney and Canberra, and also in Canada and Sweden. In Sweden he played sessions with Lion Youths and Rootsteppaz Sound Systems. He is also a worldwide representative of the Swedish label, Shiloh-Ites.
Taking inspiration from Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti – I (UK) and Shandi – I (Japan), in his own high-energy sets, expect to hear heavy Roots Reggae and Dub as well as exclusive dubplates from Shiloh-Ites (SE), Lion Youths (SE) and Roots Tribe (NL). You will also hear Tomo’s unique chanting and dub-mixing!
Tomo has a goal to educate people about the meaning and message behind deep Roots Reggae music, a universal message, promoting equality and justice that can be shared by all, regardless of race, cultural background or creed. No ‘ism and ‘skism! Tomo wants to get people off the couch, increasing involvement, promoting shows and supporting the Roots movement.
Tomo says, ‘Rise up people. As it was in the beginning so shall it be in the end – One love, Rastafari.’
