Many of you may not be familiar with RELIX Magazine. It got started in the early 70’s with a focus on The Grateful Dead and other bands like New Riders of the Purple Sage and Quick Silver Messenger Service. It was an underground magazine of sorts, chronicling the exploits of the bands and their fans. A whole community grew around this music and RELIX was a primary source of this community’s news. The whole Grateful Dead tape trading network that archived virtually every concert the band performed was pretty much a RELIX creation. As Reggae began to emerge onto the world scene, the soothing, vibrant sounds of Roots Reggae with clouds of Jah Righteous Herb billowing around turntables as discs spun these new riddums, had an immediate appeal for the RELIX audience. The 80’s saw RELIX try to be more of everything to everybody, even having a brief fling with Heavy Metal but while most of the core fans hung in there and a few new ones may have been attracted to the magazine, the base was with the complex riddums of the Dead-style jam bands. From early on in the 70's, RELIX was one of the first magazines to bring word of Reggae Music to the primarily white audience of The Dead and other bands that expanded the genre like Phish. Thanks in no small degree to RELIX, Reggae Music has gotten legions of new fans from this audience and it is not unusual for a Reggae beat to be mixed into the sounds of the genres main artists. The influence has come full circle with releases like the two excellent Reggae Celebrates The Grateful Dead discs and the upcoming Reggae tribute to Bob Dylan “Is It Rolling Bob?”.
It’s a VITAL Reggae issue of RELIX – it hits news stands on August 3, so don’t miss it! If you can’t find it, go to RELIX.com . Here are some highlights of what you’ll find in the issue:
The August reggae issue is about to hit the newsstands on the 3rd. There is an article by Stephen Davis about Bob Marley that has never been published in America, or in English. It is about Bob and his relationship to women throughout his life. The seven page feature offers an insightful look into the reggae legend from a different angle.
There is also a three page article that demonstrates the lasting effects Bob Marley has had on the world. His music has inspired the plight of Australia’s original inhabitants against their oppressive Government; France’s booming reggae industry, and the continual library of music that is being produced by his children.
There is a lot more inside the issue that relates to the reggae world. Here is a link for you to check out the full interview with Rita Marley online, relix.com/ritamarley.
RELIX caught up with legend Frederick "Toots" Hibbert-the man whose song "Do the Reggay" gave the genre its name-to get the full story on his latest, star-studded retrospective effort, True Love
RELIX most comprehensive reggae coverage ever, this guide packs as much info as a typical Jamaican joint does weed. Reggae historian Roger Steffens waxes about Marley’s legacy (p. 58) while longtime contributor John Adamian sounds off about dub’s resounding influence and history (p. 62). Elsewhere, Damon C. Williams compares the young lions of today’s roots reggae movement while reggae authority and radioman Postman Roger Gillies delivers two Top 25 lists which we guarantee you’ve never read before.
There’s more plus lot’s of great photos… BIG UP to RELIX for the Vital REGGAE issue!
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