Ricky Sai Sai launches latest single
The first time Ricky Sai Sai visited Jamaica, it was 1992. He was overwhelmed being in the country of his heroes which include Bob Marley and Yellowman, but the Frenchman also saw the open embrace of ganja.
Jamaican Collie is the title of his latest song, produced by Jamaican Maka Lox for the Congo General Riddim compilation album. Ricky Sai Sai told the Observer Online that it addresses the indifference towards ganja in countries like his homeland.
“I live in France and worldwide we know the prohibition of marijuana is nonsense, because it’s totally useless, a failure and wasting money. We just want to highlight the fact that people from every background in the society are using marijuana for medicinal reasons, therapeutic reasons or for meditation,” he said.
Ricky Sai Sai disclosed that Jamaican Collie is based on Cool Collie, a 1967 song by Hopeton Lewis that was produced by Winston Blake of Merritone sound system fame. He has always wanted to cover that track, so when the opportunity came to contribute to Congo General, the 55 year-old toaster revisited Cool Collie’s groove.
With Jamaican Collie, Ricky Sai Sai wanted to make a statement.
“This is also a tribute to all the farmers and a call to all the people to stop the stupid repression. We want to highlight the fact that it’s time to stop the war against weed, and we all need to get together and be easy on that topic,” he said.
Ten years ago, legislation was passed in Jamaica to decriminalise ganja. Under the new laws, persons held with small portions of the weed are exempt from prosecution.
Born Sylvain Benoist in London to French parents, Ricky Sai Sai has been recording music since 1984. He started his career on Paris’ small sound system circuit and was a seasoned artiste by the time of his visit to Kingston 33 years ago.
Jamaican Collie is his second song with Maka Lox. The first was Chaud On Revient Show which featured veteran musicians Flabba Holt on bass and drummer Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace.
The Congo General Riddim was released on November 28 by Maka Lox’ Ora Ora Ngaru label. It also has songs by Maka Lox, Takana Zion of Guinea and Little Robert.
