About KIDDUS IOriginal Rockers...Green For LifeKiddus I is a reggae singer and musician, best known for his appearance in the film Rockers. Dowding was a member of Ras Michael's Sons Of Negus from 1971 to 1978, singing and playing funde drums. Rockers director Theodoros Bafaloukos had seen Kiddus recording "Graduation In Zion" two years before the film was made and together with Rockers producer Patrick Hulsey decided to film Kiddus recording the track as part of the movie. Kiddus had by then released a few singles on his own Shepherd label, including "Security In The Streets" which was recorded with Lee Perry at his Black Ark studio. After a handful of further singles, little was heard of Kiddus I until label Makasound issued "Inna De Yard" in 2005, one of a series of albums recorded acoustically by Earl "Chinna" Smith and vintage reggae artists in Jamaica. Japanese label Dub Store Records then reissued some of the 1970's singles, followed by the anthology "Graduation In Zion: 1978-1980" in 2007. Kiddus I himself is a mysterious figure. Kiddus (which) means "Blessed One " in Amharic) operated a Rasta commune and crafts center (Zap Pow, the band who brought us non other than Beres Hammond and whose horn section included David Madden and Nambo who went on to play with Bob Marley, Sly and Robbie and more) at 1C Oxford Road (Kingston, JA) : it's location at the juncture of Uptown and Downtown meant persons of all social strata could meet in a harmonious atmosphere. Kiddus I was also a very prominant member of the 1978 Peace Movement, praising the efforts of "brother Claudie, brother Buckie, Tony" on record with "Security In The Streets" issued on his Shepherd label. Dowding is now in his 60s. His voice remains eternal

Membre du groupe Ras Michael & The Sons of Negus de 1971 à 1978, il y opère en tant que chanteur et percussionniste. Dès 1972 il enregistre de nombreuses auto-productions en compagnie d’Aston Familyman Barrett (bassiste des Wailers) chez Joe Gibbs, productions qui ne sortiront jamais faute de financement. En 1976, Theodoros Bafaloukos le réalisateur du film Rockers assiste à la session d’enregistrement du titre « Graduation in Zion » et décide de la filmer pour l’incorporer au film deux ans plus tard. A la même période, Kiddus I sort plusieurs 45 tours sur son propre label Sheperd, dont le célèbre « Security in the streets » enregistré au légendaire studio Black Ark de Lee Perry.

En 2005 Kiddus I enregistre son premier album dans la collection Inna de Yard d'Earl Chinna Smith. En 2007, le label japonais Dubstore édite une anthologie des 45 tours de Kiddus I “Graduation in Zion: 1978-1980”. L’album "Green Fa Life" s’enregistre progressivement en Jamaïque entre 2006 et 2008 en compagnie d’Earl "Chinna" Smith et s'accompagne jusqu'en 2010 de la mythique tournée Inna de Yard all stars (avec des temps forts : Printemps de Bourges 2009, Reggae Sun Ska 2009, Uppsala Reggae Festival 2009, Dour Festival 2010). C'est le retour de Kiddus I qui s'annonce avec un message précis : "Green Fa Life" (du Vert pour la Vie)...

A propos de KIDDUS IOriginal Rockers... Green For LifeFrank Dowding est né au mois de décembre 1944 en Jamaïque. Son intérêt pour la musique s’est développé dès sa tendre enfance et quand on lui demande à quel âge il a commencé à chanter, Kiddus I aime répondre « en poussant mon premier cri à la naissance ». C’est dans les chorales d’école qu’il se met au chant alors que la Jamaïque n’a pas encore acquis son indépendance. Jeune, il forme des groupes qui se fabriquent leurs propres instruments à partir de bambou ou d’autres matériaux de récupération.

Après être devenu Rastafarien, Dowding adopte le surnom de Kiddus I, qui signifie « le béni » en amharique. Kiddus I devient alors une figure importante de la communauté rasta. En 1971 il fonde un centre Rasta à Kingston, entre uptown et downtown, chose unique à une période où la ville est divisée par des conflits sociaux et politiques.

GREEN FA LIFE (2009 - Label : Naya Records)

Over thirty years separate the registration of Graduation in Zion, immortalized in the film Rockers, from this powerful album entitled "Fa Green Life". This new album is produced by his friend, Earl "Chinna" Smith.

TRACKLIST1. Different Strokes2. Green Fa Life3. When We Get Together4. War5. Chattiin6. Tune In7. Fighter8. Love Of The Father9. Money10. Rock, Rock, Rock11. The Line12. Hard Core13. Her Own Woman

ROCKING REBEL (2009 - Label : MVD Audio)

TRACKLIST VOLUME 101 - Graduation In Zion [Original]02 - Time03 - Harder04 - Saying A Prayer05 - Rocking Rebel06 - Little Ones07 - Cross Over08 - Come Give Yourself Over09 - Sweet Lady10 - Flying At KnotsTRACKLIST VOLUME 201 - To Toil02 - Jah Jah Love03 - Love Child04 - To Survive05 - There's A Way06 - Love Child Dub07 - Harder [Pure Version]08 - Balance09 - Harder Dub 210 - Time Dub11 - Harder Dub 1

GRADUATION IN ZION (2007 - Label : Dub Store Records)

TRACKLIST1. Crying Wolf 2. Too Fat 3. Security In The Streets 4. Love Child 5. Love Child Dub 6. Graduation In Zion 7. Give I Strenght 8. Fire Burn 9. Salvation 10. Harder 11. Harder Dub 12. Time 13. Time Dub 14. Crying Wolf (Nyabinghi Take)

INNA DE YARD (2005 -Label : Makasound)

This album has been recorded in Chinna's yard, Kingston 10, August 2004, by Jah "Dub King" Clive at Bunny Lee Mastered by Serial P at Dubwise Factory. TRACKLIST1. A Prayer2. Where Are You Going3. No Salvation Until4. Economical Woes5. The World Should Be A Better Place (for Children To Play)6. Reached Their Peaks7. Better Equity8. Troubled Time9. Take Good Care Of Me10. Troubled Time

More infos / Booking : info@greenfalife.com