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WEEKLYPRESS.COM · UCREVIEW.COM · JULY 11· 2012 9 House of Assembly House of Assembly. continued from page 8


justice from colonialism.” The music was a medium for their message. The primary instru- ments are the drum and bass, with syncopated rhythms of the guitar, piano, horns and organ that create a pulse, emulating the heart-beat. Roots reggae, one of the more popular genres of reggae, was performed by artist such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The lyrical content usually explored and addressed social injustices oc- curring in Jamaica and around the world. Roots Reggae music in essence was an act of protest that inspired unity and ignited awareness across gender, race and class lines.


The sound of Philadelphia is


not reggae. Thus, reggae bands from this region are few and far in between. However, I was able to connect with two Phila- delphian gems a Roots Reggae band titled Richard “Jah” Ace & Sons of Ace and House of Assembly. Ace, a Jamaican native, was trained on classical piano at a very young age. He was raised in the church until a teenager and was then adopted by distant relatives from a mid- dle class Nigerian family and it was there that he was given an opportunity to hone in on his craft as a pianist and organist. “In my time, the Rastafar- ians were involved heavily in the Back to Africa movement, so for us, it was an honor to be acculturated and social- ized with the Nigerians that were in Jamaica.” Ace reflects. Their cultural contributions expanded their knowledge of music that evolved from Clas- sical, African Rhythms to Jazz, Gospel and Rhythm and Blues. As he evolved musically, he formed Studio One along with a man named Clement Dodd. Ace functioned as the musical director, Scratch Perry as the lyricists, Clement Dodd was the producer and Chris Black- well served as the engineer (Island Records). Studio One


became the catalyst for legend- ary Jamaican bands such as Sata Massa Gana, Skalalites, and The Abyssinians to Bob Marley to perform, tour and produce good music. As an art- ist, Ace understood that he had to cultivate streams of income and began playing for all of the major hotels in Jamaica such as the Hilton Jamaica and Pegasus Hotel.


“I began to bring in my col- leagues, other Rastafarian mu- sicians, and that was a problem and I was eventually fired.” Ace recollects. He toured, hosted a television show titled “Where It’s at “, a Jamaican spin off of Americas Soul Train. Even still with all of his


entrepreneurial endeavors, he was not economically stable and he had to relocate to Phila- delphia. “ I love Philadelphia.” Ace states. I like it because un-


like other cities it is a small and even a melting pot of where many different cultures live together.” He and his sons played for all of the wealthy families on the Main Line where he eventually was able to settle and raise his family with comfort. Ace a very broad, intelligent and attractive man has many accolades behind his name. He was recently rec- ognized by the Recording In- dustry Association of America RIAA for his contribution to Bob Marley’s Island Records album “Songs of Freedom,“ which was certified double platinum, a member of LARM (London Academy of Royal Music), maintains a strong rela- tionship with the Philadelphia Settlement School. Coined and owns the name World Beat Music. He also served as the musical director for the 20TH Century Fox movie In Her Shoes starring Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Shirley Ma- cLaine which he recorded and produced a stellar production of covers with his band Sons of Ace. Sons of Ace his four male children who perform and record with him on most of his projects including one for Eagles owner, Jeffrey Lurie. In between hanging out with his good friend and pianist, Alfie Politt, and producing mu- sic, he is a family man and the love, playfulness and comrade is very apparent between him and his children. He is very proud of his children and their accomplishments and speaks very highly of them. In regards to his political position regard- ing race, culture and music; “I would like the world to stop promoting Black as a bad thing. Black is beautiful and the chil- dren must understand this.” House of Assembly- Mark Campbell is one of the found- ing fathers of this band. He along with all of the band


members migrated from Jamai- ca to West Philadelphia shortly after graduating from high school. Most of the members were sent by their parents to the U.S. in search of economic stability.


Mark Campbell also known as Negus Selassie recalls how each member used their income tax returns to purchase their equipment for the band. We were writing about the times, our music was a reflection of our resistance to the colonial- ism and poverty that took place in Jamaica and in the world,” Campbell explained. As the group evolved, Campbell a guitarist was fortunate to have received lessons from Calvin Harris, a member of the MFSB Orchestra (Mother Father Sister Brother). A group of thirty or more house musicians based out of Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound Studios assembled by record producers Gamble and Huff.


”Along with lessons on gui-


tar, Calvin taught me about the elements of sound and music,” Campbell said. The House of Assembly band did manage to sign a distribution agreement with Shanachie Records. They were able to perform through- out the city of Philadelphia and the United States via the col- lege circuit and festivals. ”We were a cross between rock and roots reggae, I believe that we had a crossover appeal which was why we were able to work for a long as we did,” com- mented Campbell. In listening


to the album titled CONFU- SION my favorite piece is titled Jah love. Jah love is an authen- tic Roots classic that explores peace, unity and Jah love over a slow tranquil melodic beat. House of Assembly eventually disbanded due to irreconcilable differences and lack of manage- ment.


Both bands have produced timeless classics that should be redistributed for past present and future generations to come.


Mark Campbell currently still resides in Philadelphia and will be releasing a C.D. titled Love and Light .


PHOTO: Sons of Ace. Richard Jah Ace and Sons of Ace, Dr. Ricardo Ace Richards Professor, Richard Ace, Richards Jr. Drummer, Craig “Gully” Ace Richards- Reggae D.J., engineer and producer Franz Ace Richards Ceo of BMR entertainment , Producer and Engineer


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