Ras Alan: Home
RAS ALAN, the I-fficial Appalachian Reggae Master, celebrates 2012 with the new Red Pepper Records release, ORGANIC!
ORGANIC full length CDs, T Shirts and stickers in stock! Official CD drop date FEBRUARY 22, 2012!
ORGANIC, "livicated to the people of Appalachia and Jamaica," inspires us to appreciate Life and embrace change. "Reggabilly" will keep you dancin to the high steppin sounds of flatpickin and 70's Stratocaster guitar. Get your skankin feet in "Sandbox." Ras Alan's positive vibes will soothe your mind and feed your soul. "Organic" and "Spoonful" revel in the pleasures of reaping Earth's bounty in de yard. Hungry for a pickle? "WhiteHouse" reflects the current state of affairs in US national politricks. "Beauty & Love" is delightfully uplifting as the honest songwriter expresses his life philosophy.
Multi-talented Ras Alan plays every instrument on the album: guitars, bass, drums, keys, and percussion. Mystical frog music is recorded with "Days Gone By." Says Ras Alan, "The ORGANIC album grew with the garden. I'm just a roots guy. I made the record in a beautiful hand-built wood and bamboo room lookin at the garden in the Cherokee Forest, along with the crickets. Give Thanks."
A prolific songwriter and musical genius, Ras Alan has consistently produced top notch Appalachian Reggae music. Previous recordings on Red Pepper Records, his own label, were honored by being permanently archived in the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC, USA. Those albums include:
NATIVE,
STONE INNA HURRICANE,
LETTER FROM APPALACHIA,
FOLKLIFE - LIVE AT THE SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
BUY RAS ALAN'S ORGANIC & other CDs by hitting the BUY button at the top of the page
Ras Alan's own Appalachian Reggae is "DOC WATSON meets BOB MARLEY at the CARTER FAMILY picnic, with THE ABYSSINIANS and NORMAN BLAKE tradin' recipes with BURNIN' SPEAR, THE ITALS and JOHNNY CASH."
The Smithsonian Institution, Country Music Television, the Archives of Appalachia, PBS, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, NPR stations and internet radio worldwide have all featured Ras Alan and his music in their programming...
Help us CELEBRATE 19 years of this unique, entertaining music by booking or sponsoring a performance, showcase, house concert or event in your home, business, barn or town. Have vibes, will travel!
CDs are available through the "BUY" button at the top of this page. Or check http://www.cdbaby.com/all/rasalan for original Appalachian reggae music. It makes a positive present any time of year.
Ras Alan's "One HeartBeat- Appalachia to Zimbabwe" program for children is a wonderful way for K-5 students to learn RESPECT- for percussion instruments from around the world, the individuals who made the instruments and ultimately, ourselves.
Ras Alan's blend of traditional mountain music, original lyrics, and reggae heartbeat is fun, emotional, and socially responsible. Influenced by classic reggae, bluegrass, old time, Southern gospel, jazz, African drumming, and a respectful portion of Rastafari spirituality, Ras Alan's music is full of life, and the reggae rhythm is extremely danceable. Establishing the term "Reggabilly" in 1991, Ras Alan's songs are true stories inspired locally and applicable worldwide, rooted in Southern Appalachian and Jamaican reggae vibrations. Bunny Wailer and Ras Alan are seen below conversing on the way to the stage at RALAK in Black Mountain, North Carolina. (Photo by Gray Whiley)
