Artist description A native of Kingston, Jamaica, singer, song-writer, author, and accomplished painter, Ras Jahmark Dan, formed Jahmark & the Soulshakers in late 1987 while residing in Japan. Now based in Southern California, this hard working ten member band features brass, percussion and backing vocal harmonies designed to "shake peoples souls" through high energy roots reggae. Jahmark Dan and company pride themselves on playing top quality, original music drawing from a wide range of styles including roots, dancehall, ska, R&B, rock steady, mento and soca. They have performed alongside Third World, Pato Banton, Jimmy Cliff, Sly & Robbie, The Tamlins, Wailing Souls, The Skatalites, Lucky Dube, Burning Spear, The Wailers, Mighty Diamonds, Eek-A-Mouse and many others. Jahmark and the Soulshakers return full force with their newest album "Love Power". A high energy blend of traditional roots reggae and dancehall flash. The CD showcases a band that has drawn worldwide attention for live performances with bubblin reggae music! The "Love Power" CD includes the song 'Toy Gun' one of their most memorable live songs as well as 'I Want To Know What Love Is' previously anthologized on the compilation Thumpin Reggae Jamz

Music Style Reggae

Artist History Around the mid 70's throughout the 80's there was a mass exodus from the Caribbean Island of Jamaica to the four corners of the earth due to intense political turmoil on that island state. Out of this turmoil arose the singer, artist, songwriter and performer we know today as Jahmark, whose craft began to emerge around the legendary Marley family. As fate would have it, Jahmark's path crossed with Bob Marleyís sister, Pearl, in Miami, Florida around 1979 and they became very good friends, even dating on and off for a couple years.He was around Mother Bís home (Bobís mom) one day and remembers Bob writing one of his songs, Music got you dancing on the floor, begging for more of which Ziggy later recorded with the Melody Makers.  He witnessed various impromptu sessions with the Wailers at this time. In 1980 he wrote his first song with Pearl entitled ìMisconception. At the end of that same year he witnessed the tragic return of Bob to Miami after his Central Park collapse in New York.  According to Jahmark, "That is the only time I had ever seen brother Bob look even the least bit unsettled.  He had always maintained an air of confidence and was always so full of life.  Give thanks to the Most High that he was able to leave traces of his positive attitude and vibrance on his recordings for the rest of us to enjoy for-I-ver". In 1981 Jahmark painted "The First Supper" in Mother Bís Miami home (the house that Bob built) as a prayer for Bob's recovery.  It was done in acrylic on a 20 ft. x 4 ft. brick wall which rests beneath the kitchen counter still to be seen there to this very day. After Bob departed to Zion, Jahmark became more determined than ever to "Keep Rasta Music Alive".  In 1983 he moved from Miami to New York where he formed the Redemption Posse band with his good friend from St. Mary, Jamaica, Emanuel Walsh.  The other founding member was Anthony Patrick Ross of Coconut Grove, Florida. The group was managed by Gilly Gilbert (a.k.a. "Gilly Dread") ital chef and sometimes road manager for Bob Marley & The Wailers in their heyday. In 1986 the Redemption Posse performed at the Jamaica Sunsplash (where they also backed up the then up and coming DJÖ Tiger, on his first public outing).  They also performed on the annual Festival competition making it all the way to the finals of the National Arena in Kingston where they won the prizes for best performer and songwriter.   In 1987 a Japanese promoter Katsuya Abe, saw the Posse perform at S.O.B.ís in New York City (where they also backed up Leroy Sibbles that night) and he was so impressed that he invited them to perform in Tokyo, Japan.  They performed there on and off for around six months at which time they gained and appreciation for Japanese culture. After their Japanese adventure the members of the Redemption Posse embarked on their own individual solo careers, and at that time Jahmark & The Soulshakers were born at first consisting of all Japanese musicians.  This unit performed throughout Japan until around the end of 1990. Around this time Jahmark relocated to Los Angeles, California and by the beginning of 1991 Jahmark & The Soulshakers ("West Coast Massive") were in the rehearsal studio.  They made their debut performance in 1992 at the Palomino in North Hollywood as the support act for the Itals. Since then they have played alongside the likes of Pato Banton, the Wailers, Third World, Eek-a-Mouse, Lucky Dube, Wailing Souls, etc. and have toured throughout Colorado and parts of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Nevada, Washington State, etc. Jahmarkís journeys have taken him from Jamaica to Tampa and Miami, Florida to New York, back to Jamaica (ten years after the initial exodus), to Japan, Guam and Korea, then to Los Angeles. All of these experiences are reflected in his music.  You can definitely feel American pop/rock/R&B influences, slight Asian nuances, and yet through it all you can feel a fierce tenacity of never letting go of his roots background he acquired from growing up in Jamaica, little Africa. Throughout the years the artistís songwriting and vocal abilities only continue to grow that much closer and closer to perfection, and you can witness for yourself firsthand the progress and growth from his earlier CD's "Stop The War", then "Save The Earth" to his latest release, "Love Power". Let the journey continue for we have only just begunÖ Jah Live!

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

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