Wednesday night at the electric ballroom in Albisriederhaus in Zurich
I am with my bicycle. It’s a time, I’m crazy enough to ride the bike 40 km in an hour from Luzern to Zurich. Lucky Dube is the headliner, but I Jah Man Levy is too late and that’s why the show starts with the headliner Lucky Dube and band. What a fire, what an energy. I’m truly impressed, but because I’m really fit, I dance almost as much as the band on stage. But to see these group heavy dancing while singing and playing is impressive. This is not a reggae concert, but an african celebration. South african party time. I love it and enjoy it. I have no idea, it’s my first and last show with this wonderful singer. Lucky Dube.
But I Jah Man Levy and band is in the place. Much too late, but not too late to start another show. I feel it’s the better way round. First the fast and furious Lucky Dube with this amazing dance. I’m quite sweat after that show. Because I’m really fit, I’m not too tired, but to deep dive into roots reggae by now, it’s just the right thing. And in front, there is Scully on percussion. This man is amazing in his own right. I don’t remember any other member of the band.
As in the article is written. This is the first Swiss show with Lucky Dube. It is written by a reggae fan journalist Guido for the newspaper of the largest Swiss discounter. It’s about the new big reggae stars from Africa like Alpha Blondy and Lucky Dube. His eclectic stage show and his first appearance at the Reggae Sunsplash 1991 in Jamaica. His first album in reggae style is forbidden in South Africa. There is the hint on the next weeks show at Volkshaus. What mean, that it was first planned at the inner city club but I don’t know, why it was held outside in Albisrieden. However, I Jah Man Levy was planned to play the warm-up, but as they kept back at the border, it was the other way round. The day after this show, I Jah Man Levy is in the Mühle Hunziken for another Swiss show on stage.
Typical at that time in 1992, there was no information about the musicians. Large or small band. Old or young members. Original or session band. Less then no information. I remember that concert to be very rootsically. Enjoyed after that fitness program with Lucky Dube the slow down atmosphere.
After the show I had to drive back home with my bicycle. But when I was outside the Albisriederhaus, it was snowing. There were a few people standing there and talking. I can’t remember how, but I was talking with Scully. He wanted to cross the road to enter the van. He asked me to carry his hand drum to cross the street. He wasn’t blind at that time. I asked him to sign the poster for me. So he went into the bus, but didn’t come out. Then I Jah Man was beside me and I asked him to sign it. Funny fact, he signed it on the back. I told them goodbye and that I have to drive another 40 km to go back home with my bicycle. They couldn’t believe, because it was snowing quite heavy and the Albisriederhaus is a bit outside the town. It was already white… I drove into the darkness.
But as you can imagine, everything was well. I came back home early in the morning. Filled with music. Powered by great musicians and singers.
Years later, at the Festi Val-de-Roots with NoF-NoF I met Scully again. But that is another story.