Reggae | Chapter XVIII

Irie™ Magazine | Reggae - Chapter XVIII

Chapter XVIII

With the release of ‘Crime,’ the first single from their new album ‘Chapter XVIII,’ the Pentateuch Movement hope to shed light on poverty and injustice in their homeland. Drawn from the headlines, “Crime” is a response to the British government’s proposal to provide millions of dollars to construct a prison complex in Jamaica. “Crime” is pretty much straight forward.

“You can’t solve crime if the poor man still can’t find a dime. Instead of building more prisons for our youths, we’d rather have more opportunities to provide basic food, clothes, and shelter. We need to focus on the issue of unemployment, instead of preparing to build a prison for our children here in Jamaica now.”

Produced by the Pentateuch Movement on Pentateuch label, ‘Chapter XVIII’ features stellar musicians such as Nambo Robinson (trombone), Dean Fraser (saxophone), Wade Johnson (keyboards), Kevon Webster (keyboards), Kino Newby (bass), Garth Forrester (guitar), Jason Welsh (bass), Ranoy Gordon (guitar), Shackair McQueen (guitar), Adrian Henry (bass).

‘Chapter XVIII’ reflects our experiences within this time, spirituality and politically, our (personal) relationships and struggles we endure. “We see it as the next part of our journey. We are a part of a generation of singers and players of instruments who have a positive vibration; a movement that includes everyone who was before us and who is soon to come. Reggae music will live for eternity.”

Irie Magazine had the chance to catch up with ‘Var’ & ‘Jah Bradez’ to reflect on the past, present and future of the band as they prepare for their upcoming album release of ‘Chapter XVIII’. Without further ado, Irie Magazine presents the Roots Rock Reggae Movement known as Pentateuch Movement.

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The Interview

IRIE. We first saw you perform live at SNWMF 2015 in Booneville, a performance that was truly spiritual and uplifting. Your name, Pentateuch, refers to the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy. Why did you choose this name for your band?

Pentateuch Movement: We came up with that name back in our days attending the Edna Manley College of The Visual And Performing Arts. At that time it was five of us that started Pentateuch, five young men that came from different parishes outside of Kingston that had similar Christian Background and believed strongly in the WORDS of the Bible. After our first rehearsal in the famous room 13 that weekend, we went home to think about a name. the following Monday Kevar came back with the name ‘Pentateuch’, because it was it the same frequency of what we were about. Was a word he remembered from doing Religious Education in High School. So that was the begin of our journey.

IRIE. You now refer to yourself as the Pentateuch Movement. Explain the reason for the change in the bands name?

Pentateuch Movement: We went through some changes internally within the unit, but for us its more than just music. Its also about the different Art forms within our journey, for eg: Dance, Photography, Art, farming and building something with our  friends that went to college with. While supporting each other and building up our community.

IRIE. In the beginning, you were five students studying at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts. Take us back to that day when you guys decided to start the band.

Pentateuch Movement: It was about 2008 when we were on block 3 of the top floor kitchen balcony. We were chilling and reasoning after cooking and eating some food. The idea came at that time to start a reggae band. Then we started thinking about which of our School mates and friends we would approach. Suddenly the names came to mind, and immediately we went downstairs and found them one by one to share our idea and to ask them to be apart of it.

IRIE. As you learn to play together as growing musicians, who were your some of your influences that helped you in your progression into the true roots reggae band you are today?

Pentateuch Movement: First would have to say the Most High, because that’s the beginning. Then  would have say our parents cause most of us grew up hearing them playing Jamaican Golden music like, Ska, Rock Steady, Roots Rock reggae and Gospel. While in College playing music, Roots Rock Reggae music is what we gravitated to very easily, its like it came natural. While rehearsing back in College days in room 13, tutors like Mr. Ibo Cooper, Derick Stewart. Maurice Garden all Lecturers and elder musicians we looked up to. They would usually give some pointers and told us stories from back in there time playing and creating music, Not just tutors but also our pairs in College that we looked up to. in terms of musicians and singers that influenced us, its really a lot if we should name them all…haha. To name a few” Third World, Black Uhuru, Leroy Horsemouth Wallace, Carlton Barrett, Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson, Shirley Caesar, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer” just name a few.

IRIE. In my opinion, your debut album, ‘Genesis’, is the closest thing to a perfect album release from a new band. It is truly reminiscent of reggae’s golden era. Tracks like ‘Going Home’, ‘Cancer Survivor’ and ‘Blackface’ are a pure mixes of spiritual and militant messages. Were these the messages you wanted to present with the debut release of Genesis?

Pentateuch Movement: Yea man most definitely that was the message that we wanted to bring forth. That’s what we’re about, we Know it might have been a bit hard doing that kind of music from Jamaica at that time, but the message was needed then and now. The music that we do is timeless music, cause a lot of things was going on and we felt that our message and sound was necessary and we believed without a doubt that our music can change lives and evoke thoughts of our brothers and sisters out there.

IRIE. When you listen to Blackface, you can’t help but feel the pride of being Blackface… African. Was this track written as a response to the growing trend of individuals trying to bleach their skin to make them self brown or was it just a coincidence?

Pentateuch Movement: Lets say it’s a mixture of both, or it was just to happen that way. This song is really special to us and all that can understand it. Those words came to Kevor while he was in one of the piano room at Edna Manley one day, as if it was gifted to bring the message to the people at that time and for every Generation to come.

IRIE. Genesis was produced by legendary Producer Paul ‘Computer Paul’ Henton. What was it like to work with Computer Paul as you embarked on your musical journey?

Pentateuch Movement: Working with a legendary producer like Paul ‘Computer Paul’ Henton, was really a joy and privilege. We learnt a lot of things from him in many different ways. Its like he was polishing down some of our rough edges. Yea we went to a Music College, but it was way different now being in the real world and a different environment as we Started our journey with our first studio album ‘The Genesis’ and for that we are very grateful.

IRIE. We’re you all involved in the song-writing process for Genesis or did each member have a specific role in the making of the album?

Pentateuch Movement: Each individual had there roll to play, but would always be willing to help make the Moving forward lighter. When it comes on to the writing it’s always a collective effort.

IRIE. What has been some of the response from your audience regarding your music?

Pentateuch Movement: For some its really different. Things people say to us when they hear our music, “they need to start living there lives better, more positive. For some its like there souls are being ministered to in music and message as if they are in a church service”. When we hear such heart warming words, it motivates us to work harder and stay focus at a mission that in way bigger than all of us.

IRIE. On May 5th, 2015, you released the EP, ‘Chapter V’, which features an incredible track entitled Africa. It’s a different track which makes it extra special. Tell me the meaning behind the song and how you came about in creating the music for this beautiful track.

Pentateuch Movement: The Song ‘Africa’ from our ‘Chapter V’ EP was a remake version from the song ‘Struggles of Africa’ that was on our debut album ‘The Genesis’ that we released October 2012. So we decided to do it over in a different style, As you listen you can hear musical elements that we pull from our Jamaican and African background, meaning the different instrumentation like the Nyabinghi drumming.

The song Africa really speaks about whats been going on in and around Africa, because unification is necessary for the better of the human race, because the rest of the world needs to see it starting from there in order for it to take place. The world as we know it was Africa.

IRIE. You are currently working on your second album, ‘Chapter XVIII’. Can you tell us the meaning behind the title?

Pentateuch Movement: Yes we are currently working on our 2nd Studio Album, that will be titled ‘Chapter XVIII’. We started of our journey within ‘The Genesis’ and decided that we would continue our journey, but with a new chapter that will show growth of our mission.

IRIE. What can we expect from this album release? Will you continue in the footsteps of Genesis, writing songs that express the issues that concern you.

Pentateuch Movement: With this album you can expect growth, more positive vibration. We most definitley continue to write about what concerns us as people, because we are the people and for the people.

IRIE. Will there be any collaborations with other bands or artist?

Pentateuch Movement: Yea man there will be a collaboration with a good friend and brother of the Movement Kevin “Zuggu” Patterson on a special track on our ‘Chapter XVIII’ Album.

IRIE. When can we expect the official release for Chapter XVIII?

Pentateuch Movement: As it right now, we are looking to release some single from the ‘Chapter XVIII’ album from this summer until the end of 2016. So the release of ‘Chapter XVIII’ album, will be Some time very early 2017.

IRIE. What do you hope your listeners to take with them when they hear your music or watch you perform live?

Pentateuch Movement: We hope each time they listen our music or see us perform, they will always  leave with a positive and life changing message that will live on for Generations.

IRIE. Where do you see the Pentateuch Movement in five, ten years from now?

Pentateuch Movement: Next five to ten years we see ourselves remaining focus on this musical journey, as we continue to grow spiritually and physically. For sure there will be positive and uplifting music still coming from the movement of jah people.

IRIE. We are living in Serious Times right now… where Equal Rights and Justice is not prevalent across the board for all races. Is there a message that you would like to share with the world?

Pentateuch Movement: Lets live up and start living better with our brothers and sister. Continue to build ourselves as people, and African communities while we strive to live as one.

IRIE. What do you say to the ill-informed who prefer to divide us instead of unite us?

Pentateuch Movement: That the race is not for the swift, but for those who can endure it. Might can’t beat Right and  to know Good always prevail over evil.

IRIE. Is there anything you would like to say to the IRIE audience?

Pentateuch Movement: We really appreciate sharing time and space with you all, and thanks to each one you for taking the time out to give our music a listening ear. Bless up to our irie mag family also, nuff respect Nico.

IRIE. Give thanks for the time to reason with you! Much Love & Respect!

Official Website: PentateuchMovement.com


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