Montreal, Quebec, Canada

by Gregory 'Bassie' Jackson

Back in Trommy Micah's crib… this time its Montreal, Canada… after a few days in Toronto… kicking up some heavy reggae… Montreal… nice place… a pleasant ride on the tour bus… when we arrived… a great town that reminded many of us of France… the bistro's… and the language… fireworks at night… folks taking it easy… strolling down the streets… nice vibes… everywhere we go… there is something you can take from the experience… its a give and take… vibes… chemistry…

I'm here with Micah Robinson… using his lap top… man… there are some interesting cats in this crew… let me share a bit… I'm sure many are curious, huh? And I gotta hail up everyone… these brothers are great to travel with…

Mr. Rodney… working with him and traveling these great lands… what can I say about a true soldier… its an amazing experience…

Micah is the Trombone man… lives in Jersey when not on tour with Spear… been with the band now for about three tours… got a great knowledge of music… major chops… and some massive groove too… check out his solo's… wicked…!! Professor!!!

Steven Stewart is the keys man… and music director… part of the St. Anne posse… and a great musician… I'm in awe of this guy… he is one of the best producers around today… can play anything he hears… and has a deep soul… this guy is so good… I learn every time we share a few minutes about theory… or new gear… or reggae history… I can go on an on about this cat… Stewie!!!

James Smith… Trumpet… this cat is called big bro… and he is… for all of us… James lives in the big apple when not on tour with Mr. Rodney… and he is brilliant… a brilliant musician… and one of the warmest guys you can ever meet… And man… talk about knowledge of music… and feel… this guy has it… in abundance… I learn so much from this cat too… Big Bro'!!! More than a decade with Mr. Rodney…

Next I will mention is Clyde… Sax… this cat can blow… man… have you heard him on Spears live version of Tumble Down…? Or Rocking Time? if not… where have you been… smile… cause you gotta check this cat out… Clydie… wicked horn man… and a great guy too…

Lead Guits is Cecil… this guy has such a great blues edge to his sound… bringing some bite into the mix… and man… this cat has it in abundance… if you meet Cecil though… he is one of the greatest guys you can meet… he always has me laughing… on the bus… in airports… Cecil plays a fender strat… make his home in Miami… Cecil!!!

Mikey Ramsey is the drummer… and this man is wicked with those drums… foundation man… I feel it when he is hitting them… and man this guy has energy… a great man too… positive minded… and focused… great timing… Mikey is the main man!!! nuff energy

And Riddim Guits is Gene… this guy cuts some riddim too… a Trewlany youth… living up in Jersey now…

Virgo on the Mix… is another person I see as a big big talent… and who i am just in awe of… truly… cause the guy puts some wicked mix on everything… solves any problem we may need to deal with… electronic wise… and in other ways too… And this youth has vibes…!!! big up Virgo… Miami Posse…

Can't forget Chris either… he handles the monitor mix… a youth who makes sure we all can hear ourselves… from small venues… to huge ones… this guy takes care of us real good…

All of you know Tedo, I'm sure… This man takes care of us… let me tell you… Singer Johnny!!! He introduces Mr. Rodney… and gets everything started right… if you need something… c.d.'s… or other good things… check for Tedo… he will take care of you… 17 years with the mighty Spear… yeah!!! St. Anne, Jamaica…

Sylvan… taking care of things too… if you need something… check for the big dread… he won't let you down… we are all a family… I'm telling you… and we all play a role within the Burning Experience…

Me… I'm Gregory… Bassie… I rest up in Jersey when I'm not on the road… in the New York area…

On the road with Spear… is a big honor… which comes with responsibilities… musically… and therwise… both go hand in hand…

Its getting late… going head up to my room… Peace and love from Montreal, Canada… but before I go… I have to big up Mrs. Rodney… she may not be on the stage with us… but her presence is felt… making sure everything is running smooth… Big up Mrs. Rodney…!!!!

There are others involved in the burning experience… many others… this is simply a sip… yunno… to share with you a bit… the stars are out… the city is lit up with lights… a cool breeze from the window…

Till next time then…

Bassie, out…

Poughkeepsie, NY

by Gregory 'Bassie' Jackson

Greetings… I'm touching base from the Holiday Inn Express out here in Poughkeepsie NY… sound check was wicked… we worked out some tunes from Calling Rastafari… and got our sound levels… spending great care and attention that we had a good mix… with a nice balance…

I'm in Micah's room… the Trombone man… logging in with his Mac…

So far we have had a great start to the tour… and I only expect it to get much much better…

Spear picked some great selections from his massive catalog for this tour… and we are all having a lot of fun digging into them… it is just a pleasure… especially during sound check…

Mr. Rodney is in great form… I witnessed so much energy… and power… it truly is amazing… and inspiring too… I give my best effort every night… as does the rest of the band… to support this vibe… this flow… like a massive river… mighty and powerful…

I create my part… I introduce it… the bass… the foundation…

I'm excited about tonight… why? hummm… I suppose being in this old town… it has a vibe about it… the old homes… with the big verandahs… that I passed… in the taxi… to the sound check…

So many stories huh…

anyway… gotta go… I think Micah is finished in the shower… and its time for me to take mine…

one love from the road…