"Shiosai RADIO" is a playlist curated by musicians and DJs, featuring songs related to the ocean.

Volume 12 features DJ Naggie. He plays at venues trusted by many music fans, such as Shinjuku OPEN and Higashi-Koenji GRASSROOTS, and also supports various locations in Tokyo as a sound engineer. This time, he has selected music focused on "reggae," which originated in Jamaica, an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. Reggae has a strong association with the sea, with tropical motifs incorporated into its artwork and festivals held on the beach. But what is the reality behind this?

The sea, the earth, the roots that reggae evokes

—Naggie, have you always been familiar with the ocean and reggae music?

I'm from Odawara City in Kanagawa Prefecture. The sea was always a familiar presence to me; there was Hayakawa Fishing Port not far from my house, and I went to a junior high school very close to Sakawa Beach. I remember there being a lot of anglers in Odawara. It wasn't a sandy beach like Shonan, but rather a sea with pebbles and round stones scattered around.

I started listening to reggae after I enrolled in high school in Ofuna (Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture). I used to frequent vintage clothing stores run by reggae enthusiasts and go to Oppara, a long-established club in Enoshima. After moving to Tokyo, I was told that there were local reggae artists in Odawara as well, so I started listening to them again.

This time, in order to explore the connection between the sea and reggae, we asked you to select only reggae music.

When I received the order, the first song that came to mind was Eddie Lovette's "Mr. Sea." I was already familiar with DA'VILLE's "Mr. Sea," which I selected for the second half of the album, but after doing some research, I came across what seemed to be the original version, the first track, and thought, "I like this one too," and listened to it.

The first track is a relaxed tune that personifies the sea as "Mr." and sings in a questioning tone. The second track is "Sitting and Watching" by Dennis Brown, a legendary singer who continues to be loved by many. The swaying guitar sound is reminiscent of waves crashing against the shore.

It's a laid-back reggae song, but the lyrics are serious. It sings about how "as long as life goes on, everyone has to stand strong" and "you need to find yourself," and the object of the "sitting and watching" mentioned in the title is "fools."

The next song, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by The Tamlins, also has an upbeat melody, but it sings about serious things. When translated, the lyrics include lines like "Smiles sometimes lie," "A smile is just a frowning face turned inside out," and "Jealousy, anguish, envy." I think this kind of contrast is a common trope in reggae. It might be interesting if you listen carefully to the lyrics.

The next track, "Baltimore," is set in Baltimore, a port city on the East Coast of the United States, and sings about the difficulties of life. Tracks 2, "Sitting and Watching," through 5, "Africa," were produced by Sly & Robbie, a legendary drum and bass duo that represents the history of reggae.

I chose this song as a tribute to drummer Sly Dunbar, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 73. Bassist Robbie Shakespeare also passed away in 2021 at the age of 68. Both of them were active in numerous sessions from the 1970s, using acoustic drums and bass, and later incorporating electronic drums and synth bass from the 1980s onward. It is said that they recorded over 200,000 songs.

—Next up after "Baltimore" is Lutan Fyah's "Africa." The rhythm of the backing music in these two songs sounds the same, aside from the vocals.

Reggae has a unique culture where a single backing track (riddim) is shared, but each singer releases it as a different song. They change their approach depending on the content of the lyrics and their singing style.

The backing track used here is called the "Baltimore" riddim. The next three songs, up to Lila Iké's "Thy Will," also use the "Baltimore" riddim.

The original "Baltimore" was written by American singer-songwriter Randy Newman and released in 1977. It has been passed down through time and place, undergoing transformations, and 2020 release Lila Iké's "Thy Will" is a continuation of that legacy.

As the title suggests, this song is about "willpower" and a way of life that involves rising up even in difficult situations, roots rock reggae (*1) It has a strong that kind of feel.

*1 Roots Rock Reggae: Reggae music that has been listened to for over half a century, mainly dealing with themes of Black liberation and social issues. It is also known to have Rastafarianism as its ideological foundation, which reveres Haile Selassie I, who ascended to the throne of Ethiopia in 1930, as a symbol of Black liberation and desires a return to Africa (their roots).

—A consciousness of standing up against oppression and returning to one's African roots. Behind this is the deeply ingrained history of those who were brought from Africa to Jamaica on slave ships, and this is believed to have had a significant influence.

The next track, Alborosie's "Faith (feat. Jaz Elise)," is also a roots-oriented song that speaks of the importance of life and faith. Although I myself am not a Christian, there are commonalities in my life, and I listen to it out of empathy.

Next up, Skip Marley, who sings "In Our Sight," is the grandson of Bob Marley, one of the most iconic reggae artists.

Skip Marley was born in 1996, grew up in Miami, USA, and debuted as a singer-songwriter. Bob Marley officially has 11 children with women other than his wife Rita, and it's said that he has over 100 grandchildren.

Next, I chose "Ame to Kaze" (Rain and Wind) by the Japanese punk-reggae band, SUPER DUMB.

DJ MESSY T organized an event in Tokyo where Fujimura from SUPER DUMB performed under his solo name, "Electro Charge." That's how I first learned about SUPER DUMB, so it's a memorable experience for me. Also, considering that Jamaica was hit by a major hurricane last year, I chose "Rain and Wind."

Gacha Medz & TRIGA FINGA's "Likkle but Tallawah" is a song that expresses support in Japanese, saying "Hang in there, Jamaica," in response to the current situation.

The compilation album "Ja Connection Riddim," which includes this song, features different Japanese reggae MCs singing over a common backing track. It's like a mic relay.

—By the way, what is a "mic relay"?

It's like having multiple singers, passing the microphone around, and continuing the song...is that the right way to describe it? Even at outdoor events, local MCs gather and everyone takes turns singing, passing the microphone around. In older footage, you often see MCs crammed into a small studio, passing a single microphone around as they record their respective verses (parts).

—This "Likkle but Tallawah" is a good example, but the playlist as a whole includes not only older songs, but also many new releases.

Given the damage caused by the hurricane, I thought it would be best to let people listen to songs by the latest artists, as this could potentially provide some support. So I played several songs with the message, "Things are tough right now, but we'll somehow manage to get through it."

—After hearing all this, I get the impression that reggae has a taste of both the "sea" and the grounded "earth."

“I've chosen songs that directly deal with the sea, such as "Mr. Sea," Samory I's "Ocean," and ARARE's "Fune," but reggae also has a strong earthy feel to it. Nyabinghi, the ritual music of Rastafari, has been performed in mountain communities, and if we consider "roots" to be rooted in thought and way of life, then I think the earth is also an important element.

—Towards the end of the album, there are selections of organic, acoustic reggae tracks that evoke a sense of connection with the earth.

TRAPANEUR's "WORLD PEACE (feat. Sustane)" is a song about world peace, love, and unity. I chose it because I resonated with the lyrics, which encourage spreading universal love regardless of religion or social standing.

—Finally, a message to our listeners.

You can listen to them in order, or you can choose and listen to only the songs that interest you, in the style of a reggae selector. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you so much for today!

TRACKLIST

Eddie Whitte – Mr. Sea
Dennis Brown – Sitting and Watching
The Tamlins – Smiling Faces Sometimes
The Tamlins – Baltimore
Lutan Fyah – Africa
Lila Iké – Thy Will
Alborosie – Faith (feat. Jaz Elise)
Skip Marley – In Our Sight
SUPER DUMB – Rain and Wind
Gacha Medz & TRIGA FINGA – Likkle but Tallawah
Najeeriii & MXSSIVH – Still Standing
TRAPANEUR – Mek it inna Life
Alicia Keys – Underdog (feat. Chronixx & Protoje)
Jesse Royal – Ignite
Samory I – Ocean
DA'VILLE – Mr. Sea
Hush – Wishes (Letters from the Music) 
Jamelody – My King (Acoustic)
TRAPANEUR – WORLD PEACE (feat. Sustane)
Lila Iké – Love in a Lovely Way
ARARE – boat

Profile

Naggie Nagi

Originally from Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. He holds the event "Toa" at Grassroots in Higashi-Koenji every other month.

IG: naggieeee

Interview and text by Hanazawa Ou
Illustration by Oki Masahide