Six years ago, drummer DeLeon “Jubba” White revisited one of roots-reggae’s enduring rhythms for a project involving his band, the Dubtonic Kru. That never materialized but this year it came to fruition in Freedom: The Declaration of Rights EP.
White recorded established and upcoming artists for the eight-song set which he produced for his White Stone Productions. It was released on June 19 by Tuff Gong International.
The Mighty Diamonds and Aaron Nigel Smith cover Declaration of Rights, the classic song originally done at Studio One in 1969 by The Abyssinians.
The Mighty Diamonds (Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson, Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson and Donald “Tabby” Shaw) formed that year in Trench Town. Ferguson and Shaw are still with the group; Simpson, who suffered a debilitating stroke five years ago, was subsequently replaced by Joseph “Capo” Williamson.
“My very first tour as a teenager was in 1997 to Europe, and The Mighty Diamonds was one of the groups featured on that tour. We did several tours subsequent to that, and it has always been great,” said White. “I was on tour with them in the summer of 2019. The project was already underway, with intentions to have it released the early part of 2020. I figured it was divine timing, given the fact that Mighty Diamonds had also done a version of this song in the 1980’s and here I am preparing to release this new version. Why not invite them to be a part of it? They agreed and the rest is there to experience by way of listening to the project.”
White brought in the Michigan-born Smith to join the venerable roots trio who are best known for reggae standards like Africa and I Need A Roof. He produced Smith’s album, In Our America, which was released in 2019.
Singjay Frassman Brilliant, who White has previously collaborated with, is also featured on ‘Freedom’. His song is Concrete Jungle.
Kristine Alicia (This Is A Sign), Jahricio featuring Jah Guidance (Rise Up) and
Katteye with African Kings and Queens, also contributed to the eight-song EP.
Declaration of Rights was one of two songs The Abyssinians cut at Studio One 51 years. The other was the seminal Sata Massa Gana.
White, who lives in Portland, Oregon, admits most of the acts on Freedom: The Declaration of Rights, are familiar with the song.
“However, I discussed the theme that the project should represent, so as to narrow the overall lyrical content, to make it suitable for its marketing,” he said.
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