There is a great story in the Jamaica Observer today about a musical collaboration featuring 18 reggae and dancehall artists, some of them legends, to help aid recovery efforts in earthquake-ravaged Japan. The group -- Jamaica All-Stars -- was pulled together by two ex-pat Japanese women living in Jamaica, Jun Tochino and Yumiko 'Yumi' Gabe. The super group have recorded two ska songs -- 'Start Over' and 'Matsushima', a B-side instrumental. All the proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross.
The A-side 'Starting Over' is a classic early 60's style ska song written by Luciano and features several popular veteran reggae artists including Bunny Wailer, Coco Tea, John Holt, Josey Wales, Junior Reid, Half Pint, Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, U-Roy, Yellowman among others. Matsushima is a ska instrumental inspired by Saitara-Bushi, a famous fishermen's song that originated in the devastated area of northeastern Japan.
Japanese interest and love for reggae music started in 1985 when Reggae Sunsplash started touring Japan giving many Jamaican artists a foothold in that country which has also developed its own reggae and dancehall acts.
Watch the official video of 'Start Over' below:
The song will be available for sale on iTunes shortly.
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