Jinja Jamboo Showcase

Jinja Jamboo Showcase, Saturday 25 April @ The Yot Club, RAGLAN. With selectors Grizzly Smooth, Ambush and guest emcees KZ, Jamin-I, Dom & Whetu Silver.

Gig Review from Raglan / Whaingaroa  - the Roots n Culture hub of the Waikato 

Another explosive night of reggae, hip hop and dancehall inna di Raglan Massive. The Yot Club once again proving to be the place for the people of Whaingaroa and beyond to get down.

The night was warmed up na-na-na-nicely by selector Ambush, spinning roots reggae to set the heartical vibe. Big ups Bushy!!!

Grizzly Smooth then stepped up to the wheels of steel taking the well-formed crowd into a fresh dancehall set that was well received. The educated Raglan crew filled the room as Grizzly started running through some classic riddims. Some particularly flavorsome surprise selections brought the hype for the soldiers (yes literally, the military servicemen), that had congregated in the town for the Anzac commemorations and obviously were out on 'parole' for a bender, who broke out in a spectacular show of text book krump. First time that's gone down at the Yot Club and first time I've seen krump to reggae. (Nice work souljahs).

Before the star of the night Jinja Jamboo stepped up, Grizzly pulled out some nice hip-hop instrumentals for an open mic session. Local emcee and freestyle enthusiast KZ stepped on up, working the crowd with the smooth kind of steez that he does so well, and was joined by poetical lyricist Dom with his strategy track and myself for a quick session informing the people with what was going on and where we were at.

As 11pm rolled around, the lyrical dynamite known as Jinja Jamboo hit the stage with Whetu on backing vocals and Grizzly holding it down on the beats department. The club was packed and fizzing with a united energy despite the wide diversity of locals, world travellers, dreads, comb-heads, and soldiers who had begun to give away parts of their uniform amongst all the excitement. The soundsistas gave the crowd what they had been waiting for, performing an amazing set of hip-hop and dancehall in a fine style. Jinja's lyrical talent and vivacious presence was undeniable as she led us all into her web of finely spun rhyme, booming chant, soulful singing and jive-talk, keeping minds alive with storytelling, political and social commentary, conscious planting and affirmative jubilation. Body-rockin riddims as always. There seemed to be a little trouble with the sound quality as the dancehall queens hit the heavyweight section of their set, but that didn't stop the peaceful warriors from having it on the dancefloor. Testament to the sista's magnetic appeal.  This was Jinja Jamboo's best performance yet on stage, bringing an Aotearoa sound to the dancehall scene, fresh, live and direct. The performance was also a live recording so keep your ear out for the mix CD drop.

Grizzly Smooth then finished the night with a mash up of reggae, hip hop and krunk. As usual in Raglan, no one wanted to leave when the houselights came up.

Jinja Jamboo and Grizzly Smooth - keeping the reggae, hip-hop, dancehall scene real live in Whaingaroa. Stay dialled in on that.  
 

One Love, from Jamin-I   

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