Jammin' in Japan
A snapshot of Barry Micron,
Roots Reggae song writer, performer, and a modern buffalo soldier.
here I was, watching this dreadlock rastaman singing
No Woman No Cry at the Mukogawa festival. Shivers ran down my spine
as cool tunes sometimes do! His stage presence was outstanding and
he had an aura one doesn't see very often. After the show we were
introduced by Gabby, a friend who owns Club Zion. I thanked Barry
for the show and noticed his exhaustion from the energy he puts
into his show. He said to me “Ya man, good vibes man”.
A week later I met Barry at Gabby's club and we
talked in more length. He told me he was born in Jamaica, son of
a Baptist preacher. He grew an interest in Reggae as a teenager.
By the time he was a 20, he was selling and distributing albums
to local stores for top Reggae artists like Bob Marley, Natty Dread,
Burning Spears and more. He soon after formed a Reggae band will
his brothers called the Garwood Brothers which had success in the
70s with singles making the top ten. He went solo in the 80s and
worked with famous Reggae stars like Gregory Isaacs and Sugar Minot
In 1996 he recorded his first album Praise Jah. In 1999 he came
to Japan and soon after recorded his second album Free Marijuana
and was writing songs for number three.
I was impressed and indicated to him I do International
business in Japan. We both agreed about the difficulties of working
in a foreign country. I was looking for a new business venture,
and Barry was looking for someone to run the business end of his
music. I agreed to co-produce his third album and soon after sent
Barry to Jamaica to record, where the roots of Reggae began. After
returning to Japan we spent time in studio's overdubbing and mixing.
Finally early this year we mastered at Studio U and titled it We
Are One.
Barry's songs all have a positive message that
reflects the times we live in now. Songs like Terrorist and We Are
One remind us of the importance of global unity and love of mankind
and earth we all share as one. It hasn't been easy to get this message
out there. We've run into many walls trying to get a distribution
deal in Japan. For example: we talked to a record company that only
handles Reggae and also puts out a monthly magazine that is popular
in Japan. They told us that they will not distribute for a Jamaican
artist living in Japan, they said they only will handle Japanese
Reggae artists. I told Barry and he said, “Bombo clad! Where
do they think Reggae came from?” Since that day he has not
picked up that magazine. Other big labels are just scared to deal
with foreigners, especially ones who have been in the business before.
The percentage they give the artists here is very low compared outside
Japan. We have now set up distribution for international sales of
CDs and online downloading, but we still want to sell locally in
Japan as we have a fan base here, and we live here. But persistence
will prevail. With the help of friends like Cisco Records, who already
sell our CDs, Kansai Scene, and many clubs in Osaka, and this summer
playing live shows like Larks In The Park and Suma Beach Party festivals
and club shows at Free Town, Club Zion, Sam & Dave, Tin's Hall,
Bar Eros and more, we should achieve our goal. WE'LL SHOW 'EM!
Looking back, one would never of thought the hurdles
one must jump in this business. I love a challenge, and I sure got
one with this project. But I would do it all over again, as I strongly
believe in Barry's message, and feel an obligation to the world
to help get this message out there. It makes me feel good when Barry
tells me “Me no worry, Jah knows everything.”
Chris Pedersen
Manager/Producer • Jah Craft Productions
• For upcoming shows of Berry, please check
the commercials in bar pages of this issue
• For more info please visit: www.jahcraft.com
• For any query please email to Chris:
cpedersen@starlinewindows.com
Text: Chris Pedersen
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