– Dean Kabeli (Reggae Times Israel)
It was a cold Friday night in Tel Aviv. As I was going down the club’s stairs I could hear the music getting louder, the smells are getting stronger and the energy about to explode. I finally arrived in Levontin 7’s roots and culture reggae party. In a small, underground room people from all over the city has gathered together in order to share their passion to reggae music.
Photographed by Kobi Amiel
The roots and culture party was produced by YA! Productions and the music played through 100% vinyl records. The first artist that went on stage was Afficoman, one of the early fathers of the Israeli reggae scene. Other than being an energetic DJ, Afficoman is also an agent and a brilliant producer. A warm feeling began to tickle when the live set opened with great roots reggae music that reminded all of us why we love this music so much. The arms and legs couldn’t be controlled and Jamaican style dances were seen all over the floor. Only three days has gone by since the Israeli election day and the crowd went crazy while a new political dancehall song was playing. The majority of the Israeli people are fed up by the system and there is no better way to escape than to shed some light with qualitative reggae music.
Photographed by Kobi Amiel
After a mind-blowing set by Afficoman, it was My-Lord Sound’s turn to rip a hole in the ceiling. Ranking Levi and Sister Allen formed My-Lord Sound after spending some time in Jamaica and made their dream come true by becoming the first couple that is playing reggae on the Israeli stages. Just when I thought that the night can’t get any better, the music got even louder, the smell got even stronger and the energy has definitely exploded already. With Levi’s perfect Patwa dialect and Allen’s mastering performance on the vinyls, My-Lord Sound turned a cold winter night in Tel Aviv into a sunny day at beach of St. Elizabeth.
Caption: Photographed by Kobi Amiel
The grand finale of the night was commanded by Rudeboy Sound which left a long lasting taste of epic dancehall music. By the end of the night I realized that the reggae music has done it again, it united us all and created a beautiful long bridge from Kingston to Tel Aviv.
Photographed by Kobi Amiel
Photographed by Kobi Amiel