Artist description A seven-piece cultural entourage led by "Rasta Chicano" Ras Patrick, a former pachuco turned Rastafarian. All it took what was supposed to be a party hard vacation to Jamaica. The adventure became a spiritual awakening and soon after,Patrick traded in his 48 Chevy for some music equipment. The band embraces reggae music as a way to spread its original music of love and war to the masses. While the foundation is rockers reggae, the music is strung together with afro beat, low rider oldies, heavy Latin percussion and a healthy serving of Spanish lyrics.

Music Style Latin-flavored rockers reggae

Musical Influences Morgan Heritage, Ziggy Marley, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pato Banton, Third World, Ozomatli

Similar Artists Big Mountain, Ziggy Marley, Morgan Heritage, Third World, Ozomatli

Artist History Ras Patrick and bassie, Keith Jennings, founded the group with Rob London (now of Unshakable Race)during the mid 1980s in Phoenix, AZ. They had barely began rehearsing when faced with a calendar of gigs to perform. What makes The Rastafarmers so unique is that each member was chosen to join not by their musical talent, but by the strength of their spirit. The fine tuning of the music came second, love for JAH RASTAFARI came first!

Group Members Ras Patrick, vocals, keyboards; Keith Jennings, Sr.: bass, vocals; Ben Molina, percussion; Richard Castillo: keys, percussion; Wendell Hercules, drums; Keith Jennings, Jr., keys.

Instruments keys, percussion, bass, drums, guitar

Albums King of Kings (1988), International Herb (1989), BlackOut (2000)

Press Reviews BOB MEHR, PHX NEW TIMES: Like many roots-oriented idioms, the parameters of what is considered "true" reggae music are often dictated by stringent dogma. It's a sort of musical fascism that frequently ostracizes bands that don't toe the strict ganja party line. Unfortunately, such narrow dictates usually result in groups that either come off like human jukeboxes, playing an endless stream of covers, or worse, offering up flaccid compositions that inevitably end up sounding like Marley-lite. Those types of concerns haven't seemed to affect Phoenix's Rasta Farmers. With a membership composed of mostly Chicanos, the group is already a sharp contrast to most of its peers. The band, one of the few Valley rasta combos with a predominately original set list, freely admits to taking traditional reggae and fusing it with elements of rock, low-rider oldies, dancehall, soca, afro-beat and Latin. All this ends up producing a sound that owes as much to P-Funk, War, and Earth, Wind and Fire as it does to St. Bob. Formed 12 years ago by Ras Patrick -- a self-described South Phoenix pachuco whose life was altered after a trip to Jamaica -- the group's unconventional muse has made it a favorite among a number of communities, especially the local Native American population. Despite their long run, this month marks the release of the group's first recording effort, a 10-song CD titled Black Out...KERRY LENGEL, ARIZONA REPUBLIC: For many, the feel-good vibes of reggae have opened their minds to the music's spiritual message.It was the other way around for Ras Patrick, whose religious wanderings led him to Rastafarianism. After an inspirational trip to Jamaica in the '80s, he became a "Rasta Chicano" and started a band."Since the music went along and helped to promote the spiritual message, that was perfect," Patrick says. "Instead of standing up there like a priest and then blabbing to everybody, here you are at a concert, people are dancing, and also you are feeding them positive messages."Patrick's band, the Rastafarmers, has been a mainstay of Arizona reggae for more than a decade. The faces have changed - bassist Keith Jennings is the only other founding member left - and so has the music."At first, I was real staunch on the religious aspect of it and what was roots or what was not," Patrick says. "Then I realized that you are who you are, and your influences are what they are."And since I grew up with Earth, Wind & Fire, since I grew up with Parliament, since I grew up with oldies, since I grew up with mariachi music, all that kind of stuff, it's all in there, and it's all wanting to come out."The results can be a lot of fun. Take Digame, from the band's recent Blackout album. It sets romantic Spanish lyrics to a reggae beat as backup singers croon "She-doo-be-doop!"Such fusions might not sit well with purists, but, as Ziggy Marley has said of the current state of reggae, "We need more artists who are willing to create, not just emulate."The Rastafarmers fit the bill, which may be one reason that they were chosen to open for Marley when he plays in Phoenix next week. Not bad for a bunch of guys who, in some cases, first picked up their instruments when they joined the band a few years back.Patrick says the players' inexperience doesn't hurt the music:"I don't care how good you are, I care about the vibe. If we're all together, then we can accomplish something."..ANDREW HAMILTON, ALL MUSIC GUIDE.COM:Classifying Rastafarmer's sound conjures adjectives like heavy, wicked, dope, and all the other buzz phrases. The title track "Blackout" has a rolling, groove beat that sets the stage for a CD of bombastic tracks by this talented Southwest-based, multiracial reggae band. You'll sing along in glee, without even understanding the words, to "Digame," a lilting, creamy concoction that connects the first spin with its "feel good" rhythms, yearning vocals, and a Morse code-ish guitar. The roll never ends, "New Experience"'s chugging beat and polyrhythms will have you bouncing. "Bubble" is even juicier, as a nasty harmonica plays a prominent role in yet another tune with a killer hook. It never stops; when you think they've run out of ideas, they cream you with "Yeah!!! Do You Love Him," "International Herb," "Live to Give," "Three Dread," "Celebrate Jah," and "Judgement Day." "Zouke Party" deviates and is more salsa than reggae, but it's prime salsa with spirited horns, a heavy finger bass, ecstatic shrieks, and precise drumming. An excellent band that's so tight it's scary, not fancy, just armed with top grade material, excellent musicianship, and a seemingly bottomless well of hooks. Rastafarmers have done with reggae what Motown did with soul music: they've made it accessible to every type of human being regardless of age, race, language, and nationality. Comes with an artsy CD booklet that include the lyrics.

Location Phoenix, Arizona - USA

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