Garcia’s, as anointed by Jerry’s daughter Trixie Garcia, is a strange trip. As the metro north train pulls up to the Portchester stop, the Capitol Theatre stands as a citadel. Garcia said it was his favorite east coast venue, and to this day it remains a bastion of the counterculture sound. Garcia’s is the Hole-in-the-wall version conveniently located next door. It is a long venue that digs into the block from the street, dimly lit like a speakeasy. It’s surrounded by Mexican and Peruvian joints, and it turns out enchiladas go quite well with folkadelic reggaetronica. Last Thursday, Hayley Jane and the Primates followed by Roots of Creation kept the train driving.
Hayley Jane and the Primates have a sound that is deeply human. When the songs swell in major keys, the whole group grins. There is a joy that carries in every beat. It ain’t gospel, but something like the Holy Spirit manifests itself in the music. The instrumental prowess of each player is front and center. When one walks throughout the door of the venue, a welcoming noise draws every listener closer and closer to the stage. Above the stage is a picture of Jerry’s right hand (middle finger-less) almost reaching out for a high five. It’s jammy quasi-calypso Americana.
Hayley Jane is the kind of young woman who rejuvenates everyone around her. There’s a roadshow-vibe to it all, and there is an authenticity to it all that cannot be faked. She sings deep and strong like a mountain river runs to lowlands. There’s not a single sour note. On the myriad photos of Jerry throughout the room, he seems to perk up his smile as they groove from song to song. Her shakes, laughs, and moves on stage show that she and the primates have found something ageless in art. Maybe that’s why it feels like although this is my first time seeing them live; there is a sense of return to something.
What Roots of Creation has that others don’t is bona fide roots reggae meets modern electronic sound. Imagine cyborg Haile Selassie. That’s their sound. The ensemble consists of One-drop drums, 5 string bass, dub guitar delay, thick tenor sax, keyboard/organ/synth rack, and Ableton on deck. As songs move on, it turns to less and less of individuals playing together and into one unified, powerful sound; inconspicuously wrought from the woods of southwest New Hampshire.
A great reggae band, of any sub genre, can formulate a rhythm that turns the eyes bloodshot and lulls the body into an easy bounce, just in case you run out of herb. For Roots of Creation this is second nature. This kind of reggae knows a cold winter and doesn’t freeze over easily. Luckily for the audience, its may, and they can afford to swat it out on the dance floor and not be frigid every time they need a smoke. They are seasoned; these are a group of people who have shared many, many stages together, it’s always great to watch such a crew do what they do like there ain’t nothing to it. Their guitarist and lead singer/songwriter, Brett Wilson, writes lyrics that mean something, he can work a crowd, and takes the time to talk to all who approach him before and after their set. He knows that reggae belongs to the working class hero, not the high and mighty rockstar or their wannabes.
A music fanatic makes a damn good musician. Two bands’ worth of such musicians makes for a damn good night.
Hayley Jane & the Primates Setlist:
Poo Jam>Daydream>Gasoline, Mama, Why Wait>More Interesting, Eliza, Madeline, To the Moon, Make it Alright, Creatures, Hey Mister
Roots of Creation’s Setlist:
Black Bear Dub > 6am, That’s How Strong My Love Is, Rise Up > Jam* > 3x a Lady, Oh Lord, Mammoth, Stay with Me, Death March > Jam > Death March D’yer Mak’er (Led Zeppelin)^, Pussy Marijuana (Brazilian Girls)^, Searchin’ > Jam% > Giraffe#, Different > You Don’t Know How It Feels (Tom Petty)
*China Cat Sunflower (Grateful Dead) tease
^Featuring Hayley Jane on lead vocals
% Star Wars (main theme) tease
#2nd half of song