Find out Ras Midas in this far reaching chat with SRR's very own Don Pablo. Singer, songwriter, performing and recording artist, composer and producer, Ras Midas has produced critically acclaimed roots rock Reggae music since 1974 when he began recording unique and innovative songs for legendary Jamaican producer, the late Harry Johnson (Harry J). With over 40 years in the recording studio and on the stage, and with countless singles and 11 albums to his credit, roots rock Reggae foundation artist Ras Midas has been featured on several compilations including Reggay Roots (“Trouble Town,” 1977 Harry J Records, Jamaica) and Reggae Party From Jamaica (“Rastaman In Exile,” 1983 Disc AZ International, France). The 2016 re-release of Rastaman In Exile (JML Records) has again put the spotlight on this talented and humble Rastaman from Jamaica; the album received excellent attention and Ras Midas was the featured artist in the April 2017 Worldwide Edition of IRIE Magazine. Ras Midas’s first album, Cover Me (1974), was released on Harry J Records and Trojan Records, and was followed by Reflections in 1975. His first international hit, “Kude-A-Bamba,” was recorded in 1974 in English and - at Island Records’ Chris Blackwell’s suggestion - in Swahili (Island Records 1976); the single quickly sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide. The albums Kude-A-Bamba (1978) and Rain And Fire (1978) were released on Harry J Records and Island Records. Rastaman In Exile was recorded at Harry J’s and released on Disc AZ International (France) in 1980; the record was voted Reggae Album Of The Year in France. In 1984 Stand Up Wise Up, recorded at Harry J’s, was released on Celluloid (France). In 1979, Ras Midas collaborated with the late Jamaican DJ I-Roy (Roy Samuel Reid), on 12” disco mixes of “Kude-A-Bamba,” “Trouble Town”, and “Good Old Days” (Harry J Records/Virgin Records). The disco mixes of “Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” and “Rain And Fire” were released on Warrior Records, a subsidiary of Universal Records, in 1980. Stand Up Wise Up was re-released on vinyl in the U.S. on Ras Midas’s label, JML Records, in 1988, followed by Loving Vibration (1998), Confirmation (2000), Reaching Out (2006), and Fire Up (2010) on CD. Loving Vibration was rated No. 3 by music critics in the 1998 Top Ten independently produced World Music albums category and, two years later, Confirmation was a Top Ten contender for consideration for a Grammy Award. Rastaman In Exile - remixed and remastered - was released on CD in October, 2016 on JML Records. A 12” vinyl record featuring “Good Old Days” (with I-Roy) and “Melchizedek” was released on Roots Vibration Records (Belgium) in 2019, quickly selling out. Two releases came out on Roots Vibration Records in Spring, 2021. Additionally, Ras Midas released his first “live in concert” performances in 2020, “No Bread Live” and “Trouble Town Live”. Ras Midas released “World Block Party,” on 20 January 2021; with the dub version, “World Dub Party.” Roots Vibration Records (Belgium) will be released “Let The People Go” (12”) on 21 May 2021; “Rain And Fire” (lp) wa released by Roots Vibration Records on 18 June 2021. Ras Midas continues to push traditional Reggae music into a new and contemporary dimension while retaining its roots; his performances showcase positive lyrics with original Reggae rhythms. A Rastaman with a distinctive style and a silky smooth voice, Ras Midas sings with the mission of a musical revolutionary; his powerful messages of social justice, love, unity, and spiritual consciousness have remained unchanged over 4 decades. Always recording with top-notch, respected musicians and vocalists, Ras Midas’s albums feature background vocals from Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley – The I-Threes, Pamela Hall, Annesa Banks, Keble Drudes (The Cables), Carlton Smith, Junior Moore, and The Tamlins.
