The vision of Micah Shemaiah
NOT one for the limelight, roots singer Micah Shemaiah enjoyed another fulfilling year under the radar in 2017. He expects more progress in 2018, using the same low-key method that has earned him a following throughout Europe.
“The music seems to be breaking ground all over the world, more and more my sound is being accepted in different countries. And I am thankful,” the 36-year-old singer/songwriter told the Jamaica Observer recently.
In this Land and Keeping On Keeping On, two of his latest songs, are expected to be part of Roots I Vision, his fourth album, which Shemaiah expects to release by April. It will be distributed by Evidence Music, an independent company based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Like his previous albums Rastaman Meditation, Shalalak and Original Dread, the set will be released on vinyl, a medium Shemaiah favours. He was an advocate for mass production of reggae on vinyl long before the format’s current global resurgence.
“It’s just life to me. Some things have to be preserved,” he said of his passion for vinyl.
Shemaiah has been a student of roots-reggae since his youth. Born Micah Shemaiah Abrahams, his parents were members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel which had a massive musical membership that included Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Sangie Davis, Freddie McGregor and Still Cool.
While he began his recording career shortly after leaving high school, it has not been until the past five years that Shemaiah’s songs have impacted Europe, a fruitful roots-reggae reggae for over four decades.
Songs like Dread At The Control, Black Black and Reggae Rockit have won him appearances on major festivals like Rototom Sunsplash in Spain. Last year, that progression continued with dates in The Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary and Poland.
With the pending release of Roots I Vision, Shemaiah plans to introduce another aspect to his arsenal.
“We want to embark on a spring tour of Europe with my own band called Dread Ites. There are five members — Icah Wilmot on bass; Matthias Reulecke, percussion; Ashir Plummer, guitar; Pau Dangla Valls, keyboards; and Nicholas Brown on drums.”
