Coronation is the first in a series of Nyahbinghi acoustic tracks by Ras P from the Ancient Sounds collection.

"In the late eighties/early nineties I was confronted with the fact that the music recording world had gone digital. The interior of the control room in recording studios were reduced to a table, a computer, a sample machine, a cheap plastic keyboard and maybe if you’re lucky a booth with one mic for voicing.

Many musicians went jobless because they were no longer needed. All the ‘sounds’ of the instruments came from the computer through that same plastic keyboard, which could be played by one finger - enter the one finger producers. Music became cold, stiff and straight, minimal and static.

These artificial sounds, which are no more than computed ones and zeros just hurt my ears and they still do so. Gone was the musicianship, spontaneous inspiration, live, feelings and emotions, ingredients which are essential for good music, are unknown to a computer! The human factor was taken out of the creative process.

As to put some counter weight in the balance I formed a group of like minded souls that went back, or rather forward to the roots using strictly acoustic instruments over the rhythm of all music - the human heartbeat- Nyahbinghi. We even skipped electricity all together!

All these natural sounds brought back vibes of peace and rest, balance and harmony and the deep inspiration within the musicians. The music that we created became like a meditation and found its true purpose, not made for entertainment but for spiritual healing, praise and harmony. The true Rasta Reggae - Roots Music.

Some thirty odd years ago, we recorded about ten tunes in an eight track recording studio, but sadly the tapes are no longer around. I only have a cassette tape with a reference mix. Through the years though, I always had good reactions from fellow musicians about the music like: ‘Oh man, thats deep. You should do something with it.’

And so I decided to re-record a selection of them at the Earthworks Studio to finally get these sounds out there for all you music lovers!"

With nuff love and respect
Ras P