Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Aluta Continua - Contributed

Aluta Continua means 'The struggle continues', but for a roots reggae band of the same name, a trip to Europe during the height of World Cup 2006 fever was, hopefully, the beginning of many journeys on the road.

The promotional tour to Germany and Italy involved all six members of the band - guitarist/ singer Leighton 'Lezimba' Brown, drummer Anthony Watson, keyboard player Demar Gayle, bass guitarist Delroy Hamilton, and lead singers, Marlon 'Amlak' McPherson and Gary 'Jah Glory' Lynch.

The video for their song, Revolution, has received substantial rotation locally.

Amlak and Jah Glory said Aluta Continua opened in Munich, Germany, for Alpha Blondy, on June 17, doing two shows by themselves on July 1 and 2. A week later, they were in Italy, at the Rotodam Festival, opening for Andrew Tosh, Luciano and Burning Spear to a crowd of 35,000. There were also opening stints for first, Damian Marley, and then, Ziggy Marley, the last closing off the trip on July 18.

The first and final shows were on the invitation of FIFA.

And, it was not all song and dance, as members of Aluta Continua were also involved in a panel discussion on the influence of football and music in societies. "It turned out to be a socio- political discussion on Italy," Amlak said, pointing out that Germany has a huge African population.

It is also a very good market for reggae and the visit, during the World Cup period, was at a good time. "We met so many people from across the world," Jah Glory said. "Summer is the right time for Rasta". As Amlak put it, "In Munich the police target Rasta, anybody with hair. Because of the World Cup they ease up - One of my biggest moments was when we just came and four of us pile up in one taxi. Somebody drove us down and said where are you from. We said Jamaica. They said you are musicians, we said yes, they asked where are you playing."

Lasting impact

The impact was not only immediate but lasting, as Amlak said they are still getting hits on their website from people who heard them on the trip.

Jah Glory said Aluta Continua hopes to go to America and Africa, next year. It is shaping up to be an important year for the band, as there are plans to release their second album, for which they have already started recording. Among the tracks to be included are Nutten Strange, Space and Time and Baby You Are The One For Me.

"Aluta just want to maintain that sound we start with, that live sound," Amlak said. And it seems their particular blend has caught on. "That's what we see in the industry now, some pop, some jazz. That's the way we see the music going now," he said.