2 months ago
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Reggae music producer, Eisaku Yamaguchi, also known as Selector A, who was born in Kanagawa, Japan, known for its Jamaican music scene, has big plans for his soon-to-be-released project, titled Reggae Loves Africa Vol. 2.
Yamaguchi’s love affair with reggae music dates back to the early 1990s when he migrated to the USA.
“I was playing reggae music in night clubs in the New York area as far back as the 1990s which is how I got the name Selector A. I released my first commercial album, Reggae Loves Africa, in 2014. I have since released several conscious reggae albums,” Yamaguchi told The Gleaner.
“I believe in the power of reggae music to heal and unite the world. I truly believe that reggae is one of the greatest musical genres in the world. That’s why I want to fully convey my message through Jamaican reggae,” he added.
He said that he was drawn to reggae and the influence that Jamaican people have across the globe.
Yamaguchi is cognisant of the important role that reggae played in the 1980s and ‘90s when the music took aim at South Africa’s apartheid system. He is also aware of the pivotal work of Rastafarian reggae recorders like Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Black Uhuru, who released protests songs that hammered the Pretoria regime and the pivotal role the music played in securing the release of South African anti-apartheid activist and politician leader Nelson Mandela.
“Mandela’s unwavering belief in justice and equality continues to resonate with people around the world. Through this album, Reggae Loves Africa Vol. 2, I hope to carry on that message and inspire not just Africans in Africa, but people from all corners of the world to come together to build a stronger, better Africa,” Yamaguchi explained.
The album will feature 10 hard-hitting reggae songs, including Africa is Calling, by Frankie Paul; African Liberty (Luciano); Africa (The Mighty Diamonds); Black Gold (Duane Stephenson); Music is The Rod (Garnet Silk); Black Woman & Child (Sizzla) and Black Like a Tar (Richie Spice).
“The songs on this album were chosen to reflect Africa ... its beauty, rich history, and incredible people, as well as the challenges it continues to face. Some of the songs express the message that within Africa, there are issues we must address together to rebuild and heal. This reflects the need for a collective effort to overcome internal challenges. I focus on music that tells the story of Africa’s past, its culture, and the ongoing struggles it faces today,” he shared.
Yamaguchi hasn’t been to Africa as yet, but confessed that he would love to visit one day.
“I don’t want to experience Africa just as a tourist. I have a bigger mission. I believe all of humanity originally spread from the continent, and this connection is vital to understanding our shared future,” he stated.
The album will be released on July 18 on the VP Records label.
English (US) ·