Hawaii band beats Bob Marley with new album

BY STEVEN JACKSON

Sunday, March 21, 2010

IRATION, the Hawaii-based reggae-rock band has outsold reggae icon Bob Marley to top the US iTunes reggae charts for a week, but the band argued that its success would not marginalise Jamaican artistes.

"We are a reggae band (but) we don't feel we are competing with Jamaican artistes. If anything, it is our hope and our feeling that our success in the reggae genre will only promote other "Reggae" musicians," the band said in a joint response to Observer's queries.

Time Bomb (Law Records), the band's first number-one album, topped the US iTunes Reggae Albums chart last week, relegating Legend by Marley -- the defacto chart-topper -- to second place.

This week, however, the album reversed positions with Legend, which reclaimed the top spot. Digital music accounts for one-third of the music sales and iTunes is the dominant online music retailer. Topping iTunes hints that the album -- pre-released March 9 -- could do well on Billboard Reggae Album charts.

"When I visited Jamaica I didn't feel like the musical interest there was with roots reggae. It was more dancehall and hip hop driven, which is in a different world from our style," Michael Burnett, management spokesperson, told the Observer.

The sextet are seasoned performers who have played some 50 shows this year alone, previously sharing the stage with Kings of Leon, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Sean Kingston, Pepper, Steel Pulse, Rebelution, and others.

Music stakeholders, including culture minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and music entrepreneur Charles Campbell, have lamented the waning influence Jamaican artistes are having within international reggae markets, especially Europe and Japan. Up to Thursday, less than 10 per cent of the reggae charts on iTunes were occupied by living Jamaicans -- including Damian Marley, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Sean Paul, TOK, Lutan Fyah and Marcia Griffiths who, combined, had 17 slots out of the 220 chart positions within the 22 listed countries on iTunes. However, the late Bob Marley dominates the charts and currently tops 20 of the 22 iTunes markets.

"There is no beating Bob," Iration stated, adding that Marley's iconic status is reflected in the charts.

Time Bomb was released digitally on March 9 in the US/Canada and internationally on March 16. The album, although charting in the

US, has yet to chart in

other territories.

"It feels great to have something we've worked so long and hard on to be recognised and reach this level of success. As far as beating out Bob Marley, it's an honour and a testament to how great his music is, that it's still the top-selling reggae music in the world," the Hawaiian bread boys stated. "(But) really there's no beating Bob."

Iration responds to Observer queries below.

OBSERVER: Does this album vindicate the Hawaii reggae movement?

IRATION: Hawaii has been producing great reggae for years with groups like Pepper, Ooklah the Moc and Natural Vibrations who have led the way for groups like Iration. I only hope that our album's success shows that there is great original music being produced by Hawaiian musicians.

OBSERVER: Why release an album during a US recession?

IRATION: In the past, music has helped our nation through very troubling times. Because the style of music we are making is very positive and carefree, we feel that it is appropriate. People are looking for ways to ease their minds and that's why music does well even in hard times.

OBSERVER: What chart position on Billboard Reggae Albums would satisfy the band?

IRATION: Well, obviously we're shooting for number one, but anywhere in the top 10 would be a first for us. We're just thankful for the success that we have received -- we've worked extremely hard for every bit of it. We've been playing shows and touring for years now, as well as recording. To finally have success in what we are doing is a great feeling.

OBSERVER: How has this album changed relative to your previous release?

IRATION: The recording process has changed quite a bit, over the years, as we've all grown as musicians. When we started we barely knew how to play our instruments; we've kind of just learned as we've gone. The album itself is not traditional roots reggae. There are those elements rhythmically but the music is very modern and the subject matters are universal. More rock and electronic feelings were added.

OBSERVER: Is Hawaii reggae different from Jamaican reggae?

IRATION: Growing up in Hawaii, we listened to many Jamaican artistes on the radio. Reggae is very much a part of the musical culture in Hawaii but, yes, the music varies. Hawaii has not undergone the political strife that Jamaica has so the subject matters aren't as political. Hawaii loves the spiritual side of reggae. Island-style music has similarities everywhere it is created. Reggae is very popular in Hawaii, probably the most popular style of music there.

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