Ras Lidj at Zigs
Zig's, 4531 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304

I went to see Ras Lidj's performance of Reggae-GoGo at Zig's. I arrived at about 9:15 PM and the early act, John Stone Band with DC Reggae was still performing. They were a four person Reggae act - African American singer/guitar player, the rest Caucasian: bass player, keyboard player, and drummer. To be honest, they were pretty bland. I ate while waiting for Ras Lidj and his band. They came on a little after 10 PM with a sound check to start.

I used to just be the type of Reggae fan who had a copy of Bob Marley's "Legend" and was satisfied with that. That all changed when I attended a Reggae Sunsplash concert at the Universal Amphitheatre in LA in 2000. That's when I saw Toots & the Maytals perform - Toots is essentially a Stax Funk artist set within Reggae. I became an instant fan. I also realized that Reggae and GoGo could mix.

Ras Lidj's band is reflective of that. His band (which is all male) is set up like other GoGo bands: Ras Lidj is the lead talker, there is a lead singer, a guitar/flute player (Caucasian dude), a bass player, a keyboard player, a drummer, and a conga/cowbell player. The percussionist's cowbell was fixed to the conga kit, not hand held. The first two songs were sung and Ras Lidj was not on stage, they he came on and took over lead vocals. The first song was about Washington DC as a place to live. He also performed the title song of his album, Son of a One Night Stand. He had a guest singer come up as well. He said the next set would be even better, but there was no second set as they had to finish (per Zig's) by Midnight. I wasn't surprised (given that the act on at 8 PM only had two hours to perform as well), but was a little disappointed. The place was pretty full, but not everyone was focused on the music. However, they had a camera focus on the stage with the image projected onto at least seven TVs that I saw. It would be a good venue for a band to video record a performance. I did talk a little with Ras Lidj, asked him how he picked up Patois. He said one side of his family is Trinidadian. I also copped a copy of his album. I definitely enjoyed his set and will see them again...

Also: Per Ras Lidj:
the band which i would have introduced in the second set is Joe Strauss of bass-original bass player from midnite band currently plays with DKGB reggae band as well as Ras Lidj
Mataeo Monk on lead guitar and flute (he has a website I'll get it to you funkmasterj)
Sean "Izreal" Wright on keyboards he's the co song writer and normally on guitar. since we are still putting permanent personnel in place he had to play keyboards
Paul was on drums - freelance drummer
Julien - singer sing with DKGB band originally
Marvo- Guest appearance singer sang in my band back in the day
Craig Clipper "clip" on congos not only is he my friend for more than 20 years now we played in PHYSICAL WUNDORS together (along with Doc from Familiar Faces) "Clip" currently plays with EXQUISITE BAND

I got a live Cd and video from the show. I had a lot of fun although I didn't get to get off like I really wanted to. kinda like having sex but not getting to cum. Funkmasterj will attest to the fact that my music is for everyone no matter what nationality or color you are. but just let me put it out there Zig's is a racist ass place expecially the management. I don't care if I never play there again. he got my people in there sitting down eating his food and drinking then he abruptly stops the show. he's lucky that as a Rasta I'm humble now cause if I was anything i us to be when I played GoGo expecially in the Cherries days, he and the sound man would have got beat down and their equiptment would have been mine.