By Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Members of the Aluta Continua reggae band.
JAMAICA HAS seen the emergence of some phenomenal reggae bands, including Chalice and Third World. Now, one band seeks to match these greats; 'Aluta Continua' is stepping up to the plate.
The phrase 'Aluta Continua', is Portuguese and means 'the struggle continues". It was adapted by the band to highlight the need for a shift to a struggle for progress, rooted in community love and family, based on Rastafari principles.
The eight-man reggae group comprises four songwriters/lead vocalists in Maurice Francis, Marlon McPherson, Leighton Brown (also guitarist) and Gary Lynch. Other musicians include Lloyd Stewart on drums, Ossie Cocking on bass, Richard Wight on keyboards and Loui Christie on lead guitar.
Prior to Aluta Continua's formation the members of the band were just acquaintances, only knowing that they were all musically inclined from as early as their teenage years. The band found its genesis when Marlon McPherson, Leighton Brown and Gary Lynch first got together to sing and play the guitar.
"We would often link in Mona and at the Bob Marley museum to just experiment with our musical talent and interests," said Marcus Goffe, one-time band member, now manager of the group.
The band has just completed their self-produced debut album entitled Revolution, which features 14 tracks of soul soothing roots, rock, reggae, and has released their first single, called Gun Ting.
The single is commentary on how gun culture has taken over various communities in Jamaica. In the song, the lyricist calls for all to put down the guns, because "it's only gonna cause weeping and moaning".
Prior to this release, the band has played at places like Harry's Bar (now Weekenz), the Village Cafe', the Gap Cafe and Rainbow Skateland in Half-Way Tree.
"At present, we are organising some local shows and international tours to promote the album and we are currently negotiating with some promoters in Europe, particularly in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands," Goffe said.
The group describes their music as roots, rock, reggae, with a touch of youthful expression. According to Goffe, "the youths in the band are more the songwriters, but the older members of the band maintain the authentic reggae sound and flavour".
The band's most recent performance was at 'Catch A Fire', the 14th annual Bob Marley Day show, held at MXIII in Negril on February 6 of this year. The group's new sound was widely acclaimed and now they are hoping to be involved in a series of other shows in Negril over the Spring Break season.
Also, in the latter part of 2003, the band was involved in providing music on a soundtrack for a film entitled 'The Rasta Story', produced by Argentinean Sylvester Jacobi, which is slated to be viewed at film festivals throughout the Spanish speaking Caribbean and Latin America.
In the meantime, the band is currently working on producing its first music video for Gun Ting, which is expected out next month.
