Guitars : Robbert Brownie, Ian Coleman, Wayne Armond
Bass : Robbie Shakespear, Michael Fletcher, Strickland Stone
Drums : Sly Dunbar, Deleon \"Jubba\" White, Mark Dawson
Percussion : Sticky Thompson
Background vocals : Earl & Maria Smith, Connie Campbell, Althea Hamilton
Mixing Engineers : Errol Brown, Shane Brown, Roland McDermott
Tuff Gong International Limited : 220 Marcs Garver Drive, Kingston 11
Picture on the cover : Joanna Sapkowska
RASTASIZE
(Poland / Jamaica)
Reggae music in Poland started at the end of 70's. Since then hundreds of homegrown acts inspired by Jamaican vibrations appeared in the music market, some of them becoming widely known stars.
However, so far there was no artistic project like Rastasize.
Dreams are to come true. Even if they appear not really realistic, like recording an album in the major reggae place in the world - Bob Marley's Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston.
The idea of Rastasize was born in minds of Polish producer and multi-instrumentalist from Wroclaw - Krystian \"K-Jah\" Walczak and David Portasz - the singer of long-existing Polish reggae band Jafia Namuel.
In May and June 2008 they recorded an album called \"Day By Day\", based on the concept, compositions and lyrics of above mentioned artists, co-produced and co-arranged by Mateusz Pospieszalski - well known Polish jazz & world composer, multi-instrumentalist and the producer.
Tuff Gong provided the best musicians for the session - Rastasize worked with Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Dean Fraser, Glen Browne, Phillip James, Michael Fletcher, Mark Dawson to name a few.
The musicians said that they enjoyed working with the Polish artists. \"It was great, they are very creative. It just confirmed that our music reach everywhere\" Phillip James said.
\"They basically had their thing together already but we just added our own interpretation and enhanced the work.\"
Mixes were done by top local producers: Roland McDermott, Shane and Errol Brown.
Their album, taking fruits of Jamaican rhythms and being open for various inspirations opened a new door in history of reggae in Poland. It was released by the Polish label Luna Music in August 2009. The album is highly acclaimed by fans and medias in Poland.
The launch party took place at the major Polish event - Ostroda Reggae Festival 2009. The live show consisted of Polish members of the project and Dubtonic Kru - excellent Jamaican band who took part in the album sessions.
A documentary movie of the sessions and the video clip is being produced in Poland as well.
Dub remix of \"Day by Day\" was produced by great German dubmaster Umberto Echo and featured in his album \"Dub the World\" (Echo Beach 2010).
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David Portasz - one of the most charismatic representatives of reggae music in Poland, the singer and guitarist for legendary Polish reggae band Jafia Namuel. The band released album \"Roots & Culture\"', highly acclaimed by the critics and audience.
Out of all Polish reggae bands, Jafia Namuel was always the closest to Jamaican roots.
Krystian \"K-Jah\" Walczak - roots/raggae/dub producer. He plays reggae in Polish clubs since 2002 as K-Jah Positive Sound System. He produces riddims and also remixes.
