SINGER / SONGWRITER / SOUND SYSTEM OPERATOR
| CURRENT ALBUMS | |
| INNA SANCTUARY | AVAILABLE NOW RELEASED SEPT 2011 |
| CURRENT SINGLES | |
| REVELATION | JAPANESE RELEASE ONLY |
| INNA SANCTUARY | AVAILABLE NOW RELEASED MAY 2008 |
| REVELATION TIME | AVAILABLE NOW RELEASED OCT 2008 |
In the
words of Shandi-I:
I was born in the city of Kyoto, Japan. I grew up with the ghetto
vibes instilled in me.
That sensibility was brought about by the various musical forms
that flowed from the juke box of the shop that my mother's work
place. There was a lot of music which
was Japanese music (Syouwa Kayou, Folk song, Songs for children)
and others which came from other parts of the 1970's era World.
I always helped to select the music line up for my mother.
At the age of 12, I won a local talent contest for under 12's
which was in conjunction with a national TV program. The experience
in my mother's shop of singing to the music of the big bands on
record became a big influence of my own music life.
In the 80's. I turned
up the heat during this time, and became interested in a variety
of underground music of the world that flowed through Japan.
I eventually found a calling in one type of music and thus began
my eternal love affair with 'Roots Music'.
Some friends and I formed my first band. We were called 'The
Town Boys'. I was the lead singer for the band.
We were playing Ska music. We did release a 7 inch single called
'Klub Zoot' which became a favourite of the Japanese underground
music scene.
After the band dissolved, I started to trace the music of the
good ole' days in Jamaica, The era of 'Studio One', 'Treasure
Isle'. It was then that I started to learn of the existence of
the sound system, both Studio One (Sir Coxsone Down Beat) and
Treasure Isle (Duke Reid The Trojan) had sound system associated
with their studios. I acquired as much information as I could
get about sound systems and the culture from that era in Jamaica.
I then became a dee jay called 'Samurai Man' centring on
the local reggae scene in the early 90's, Japan.
Around that time I got
the chance to come to England. I was very surprised at the reggae
music scene in England, 'Roots Rock Reggae' and sound system
that had gone out of use in Jamaica, to be replaced by 'Dance
Hall' and 'Juggling', but in England "Still Deh Deh",
with full proper sound systems!!
I became a devotee of the 'Roots and Culture' scene in the UK
that was represented by 'The Great Zulu Warrior, Jah Shaka'.
After that I was deeply touched by listening to 'Aba Shanti-I'
who was the resident sound in the 'House of Roots' held
every Sunday night at the 'Arches' in Vauxhall, London.
'Roots Reggae' and 'Dub Music' firmly defends the concept that
I have and I am still involved with, Jah Love!! Roots! Dub! Sound
system! inna Jah works!
This is my music!! I feel it and it makes me to do Jah works.
I returned to Japan with many cassette tapes of sound system live
sessions and with records.
I then formed the roots reggae band named 'Herb Vendor'.
I also became a sound system operator as 'Shandi-I'.
I and I will not give
up the works, though various difficulties were put in front of
I. Jah never fail I and I yet!
So I and I unity was certain. I give thanks and praise unto the
most high Iration Itinually, I man make a joyful noise unto the
universal
love with Almighty Father forever Iver more, JAH RASTAFARI!
In the
words of Blood Shanti:
We first link him in the autumn of 1996. He had come to a regular
dance we used to hold on Thursday nights in 'Trendz Nightespot'
Stoke Newington London. He came with some friends who together
ran an emporium in Japan called 'Vibes Collective' especially
to buy some of our products for their shop.
While we were talking, he sang my tune 'Tear Down Babylon',
which he had covered with his band. We immediately hit it off
and formed a bond that as got stronger as the time as passed.
In the
words of Humble Lion:
He has a deep feeling for roots music and it's not a gimmick,
for there are too many wolves out there and not many sheep and
Shandi-I is truly a lamb of the Father, "There are many among
my flock who are not like you" Nuh true!
It was through this
bond that Blood and Aba decided to do some recordings featuring
the true spirited voice of Shandi-I after hearing
some of the productions he had done for Mighty Massa in Japan.
We have produced English and Japanese versions of the tunes.Aba
has been rinsing out the tunes on his dubplate for some time now
and they caused a serious disturbance whenever they have been
played.
Shandi-I is a sound
system operator in Japan. He presides over 'Sound Of Wisdom'
and is playing out in various parts of Japan.
He has co-starred with a lot of artists, Jah Shaka, Lee
Perry, Mad Professor, Linton Kwesi Johnson,
and Dennis Bovell, etc, when they have come to Japan.
Shandi-I was the opening act when Jah Shaka first came
to Japan!
At that time, Rob Smith of Smith & Mighty had come to Japan
with Jah Shaka and became interested in him. He then participated
in some of their albums. This led Shandi-I to perform in England,
France, and Germany.
Falasha recordings released the singles 'Inna
Sanctuary' in August, 2005, and released 'Revelation Time'
in October, 2008.
'Inna Sanctuary' was broadcast by the radio station of
London such as 'Station FM' as pre- release. It was sensational,
and sold out the
first edition pressing in three days. This tune still resounds
in the mind of people all over the world.
Shandi-I is the proof that you should never judge a book by its cover as his collaborations with 'Falasha recordings' have shown.
So watch out for his new releases, for you are in for a pleasant surprise.What comes from the heart in any language, can't lie!
SHANDI-I 10th December 2010
Edit By Humble Lion 11th January 2011.
ALL IMAGES AND TEXT COPYRIGHT © Falasha recordings