By Ingrid Brown,
Staff Reporter
Morgan Heritage, accompanied by their backing band which includes two members of LMS, giving the audience a taste of what to expect on their latest album. - Carlington Wilmot
REGGAE AMBASSADORS, Morgan Heritage, are adamant that reggae is not dying. The group stated this recently in an interview with The Gleaner after the release of their latest album More Teachings.
"Reggae is not dying and this is evident when we go out and perform and you see the crowd's reaction and the support that reggae music get all over the world. How could it be dying?" asked Peter Morgan, lead vocalist for the five member group.
The singer also said he does not believe dancehall music may be stifling Reggae. "Reggae and dancehall is like brothers and sisters. Dancehall is exposing the culture of modern Jamaica while Reggae music is looking at the other side of Jamaica," he said.
During a short, spicy yet well organised event, the group launched the 18-track album at the Asylum Night Club in Kingston on Tuesday. Members of the media, specially invited guests and numerous members of the Rastafarian community were treated to snitches of More Teachings during a performance by the group.
The group LMS ( Laza, Miriam, Shy-Poo), younger siblings of Morgan Heritage, who have already carved a niche of their own in the music arena also launched their second album Zion's Gate. The guests at the event also had an opportunity to hear how well harmonised and melodious their voices were.
Father Denroy Morgan was noticeably absent and was said to be at the Tamika Awards representing the group. Their mother as well as numerous other Morgan siblings were however in attendance.
Morgan Heritage's single Yu Don't Haffi Dread To Be Rasta had caused some amount of controversy and apparently the group tries to address this issue on their new album. The ninth track Question which Peter said is dedicated to the life of elders who had played their part in the whole rastafarian reggae music, seemingly speaks to this. "Today a lot of people say dem a tun Rasta but me say you can't tun Rasta because Rasta is from creation," announced Peter before the group delved into an awesome performance of the song.
The audience endorsed their words with wolf whistles and cat calls. A performance of Down By The River was excellent but it was Don't Haffi Dread which pulled the best response from the guests.
Peter Morgan also told The Gleaner they will be doing a lot of promotion and marketing for this new album. "It is not about our expectations but what we will be doing to promote this album. We will be touring from Summer to Fall to various audience," he said adding that they will be touring places like Africa and Europe.
The album took two years to be completed and the group says they have not yet made a decision on which song is to be released as a single. "We will watch and see what the people like and then whichever one they gravitate more towards then we will release that as a single." Already they say they are working on another album.
The Jamaica Music Federation took the opportunity at the launch to present the group with 1999 and 2000 trophies for Best Local group.
