Roots
Vibration
The
debut of Roots Vibration was as the opening act for Buju Banton
at the 2000 African World Festival on the Detroit waterfront.
The hard-core roots audience was literally scortched that
hot summer day by the new reggae band that rocked a versatile
blend of covers and originals, fast reggae, slow reggae, lovers
rock, some of what's happening now, culture, soca, zouk, dancehall,
and of course roots.
What they saw was a show that was crafted to move that particular
audience. "Obviously, what you see is rootiful, because
it is a representation of us," said Roots Vibration leader
Winfred Julien. "We don't have to come roots, we are
roots." For another show, a suburban teen party, the
set was different—more o f the popular jams like "Who
Let the Dogs Out." and "It wasn't Me," along
with classics like "Hot, Hot, Hot" and "One
Love."
"You
are in the business of meeting your customer somewhere in
a place that can give them satisfaction," Julien said.
Roots
Vibration isn't really a new reggae band at all, but a posse
of seasoned reggae masters, each with a good ten or twenty
years experience on the reggae bandstand.
Julien
hails from Dominica, West Indies, the likkle but talawah island
that is becoming known as the Mecca of zouk music. Artists
like Exile One and Nasio Fontaine also represent the Dominican
sound. Julien, also known as Stunna Ranks, was in a band called
Otra Vez back in his homeland.
"We
played a style called 'cadance'," Julien said. "But
the reggae has always been there." Stateside, Julien
played in the bands Sirius Roots, Bandulu, Spectrum, and fifteen
years with Universal Expression, the leading soca/reggae band
in Michigan and beyond. After eight CD's and countless gigs
from New York to Chicago, Julien split off to form his own
band, Roots Vibration. The focus of the group is to provide
education while entertaining, hence the term, "Edutainment."
Roots
Vibration is a musical force that provides authentic Caribbean
music. Made up of members from the Caribbean and America,
this band will stimulate your senses with positive roots music.
Roots Vibration's sound is conscious and positive and features
creative and seasoned musicians who have a multigenerational
and multinational appeal. They bring decades of experience
and authenticity to the Reggae scene.
Winfred
Julien Guitar/Lead & Background Vocals
Hailing
from Dominica, W.I., Winfred has been the driving force in
the regional Caribbean scene for two decades. The founder
and mentor of Detroit's Universal Xpression, he produced and
performed on eight original CD's and has worked with dozens
of international, national, and local artists, including Calypso
Rose and opened for superstars like Burning Spear and Sanchez.
Anoor
Ra-din Keyboards/Lead & Background Vocals
Anoor
Ra-din was born in raised in the heart of Motown. However,
his love for Caribbean music spans over 20 years of performing
and recording in local and regional bands JoNab, Ras Kente,
Makah Rhythm Tribe, Akoben, Samaritans, Bandulu, Nomads, Heritage,
Nazarites, and Jah-Far-I.
Nigel
John Steel Drums
Born
and raised in Grenada, W.I., Nigel has mastered the sound
of the steel drums. He has won countless accolades for his
work and continues to be an international educator on the
steel drums. Nigel is the son of an original steel pan maker
and master and says he came out playing pan.
Lateef
Karam Kareem Drums/Background Vocals
Lateef
has performed on stage and in the studio with such national
acts as Stevie Wonder, Five Special, Johnny Griffith, and
many others. He rocks with sweetness
Ufuoma
D. Wallace Bass Guitar/Background Vocals
Ufuoma
is a multi-talented musician and songwriter. He has a broad
range of musical training and has played with nationally known
groups like the Temptations and Four Tops. He grooves with
niceness.
