Ras Midas

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 Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica). 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), 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 continues to receive excellent rotation on radio stations around the world. 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 Chris Blackwell’s suggestion - in Swahili on Island Records (1976); the single quickly sold 500,000 copies worldwide. 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 early 2019. According to the label owner, the release was 75% sold out on pre-release sales. Two (vinyl) releases are expected on Roots Vibration Records in mid-April, 2020. Additionally, Ras Midas will release his first “live in concert” performance on 15 January 2020; the song “No Bread” will be available for digital download and streaming only. 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 four decades. Always recording with top-notch, respected musicians and vocalists, Ras Midas’s albums feature background vocals from Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, Pamela Hall, Annesa Banks, Keble Drummond, Carlton Smith, Junior Moore, and The Tamlins. Musicians who have recorded with Ras Midas include, but are not limited to: Drums - Sly Dunbar, Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, Mikey Richards, Carlton “Santa” Davis Bass - Robbie Shakespeare, Val Douglas, Ian Lewis (Inner Circle), Bertram "Ranchie" McLean Guitars – Ernest Ranglin, Andy Bassford, Dwight Pickney, Lloyd “Gitsy” Willis, Eric “Bingi Bunny” Lamont, Winston “Bo Pee” Bowan, Earl “Chinna” Smith Keyboards - Gladstone “Gladdy” Anderson, Ansell Collins, Winston Wright, Franklin “Bubbler” Waul, Earl “Wire” Lindo, Peter Ashbourne, Robert Lynn Harmonica – Jimmy Becker Horns - Dean Frazer, Ronald “Nambo” Anderson, Junior “Chico” Chin, Glen De Costa Percussion – Uzziah “Sticky” Thompson, Noel “Skully” Simms, Sylvan Morris, Herman “Bongo Herman” Davis, Leroy “Mabrak” Mattis, Ras Midas Sylvan Morris, one of the most acclaimed Reggae music engineers and arrangers in Jamaica, worked with Ras Midas on all recordings except Reaching Out and Fire Up. # # # # # Discography 7” Singles “Kude-A-Bamba” (1976) for Harry Johnson on Mango Records/Island Music (USA) “Kude-A-Bamba” (1976) for Harry Johnson on Cancer Records (JA, WI) “Trouble Town” (1977) for Harry Johnson on Harry J’s Records (JA, WI) “Good Old Days” / “Dub Universal” (1978) for Harry Johnson’s Jay Wax Records (JA, WI) “Jah Jah Same Love” (1979) for Harry Johnson’s Harry J Records (JA, WI) “Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” (1979) for Harry Johnson’s Jay Wax Records (JA, WI) and Warrior Records (CA, USA) “Let The People Go” / “Version” (1979) for Harry Johnson’s Jay Wax Records (JA, WI) “Let The People Go” / “People’s Dub” (1980) for Harry Johnson’s Jay Wax Records (JA, WI) “Let’s Go Dancing In The Rain” (1980) Portland Records (JA, WI) “Exile Skank” (1980) for Harry Johnson’s Roosevelt Records (JA, WI) “Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” (1982) on Disc AZ International (France) 12” Disco Mixes “Kude-A-Bamba” with I-Roy (1979) for Harry Johnson’s Jay Wax Records (JA, WI) “Kude-A’Bamba” with I-Roy (1979) for Harry Johnson on Black Swan Records and Island Records (UK) “Trouble Town” with I-Roy (1976) for Harry Johnson’s Harry J Records (JA, WI) “Trouble Town” with I-Roy (1977) for Harry Johnson’s Harry J Records and Virgin Records (UK) “Good Old Days” with I-Roy (1979) for Harry Johnson’s Jay Wax Records (JA, WI) "Good Old Days" with I-Roy (1979) Tribes Man Records (UK) UNLICENSED RELEASE* “Natty Dread Surprise” (1979) Tribes Man Records (UK) UNLICENSED RELEASE* “Rain And Fire” (1979) for Harry Johnson on Warrior Records “Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” (1979) for Harry Johnson’s Harry J Records (JA, WI) and Warrior Records (CA, USA) “Let The People Go” / “People’s Dub” (1980) for Harry Johnson’s Jay Wax Records (JA, WI) “Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” (1980) Nocedicoco: A Goody Music Reggae Line (Italy) “Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” / “Burning Revelation” (1982) Disc International AZ (France) “Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” (1984) Celluloid (France) “Good Old Days” / “DJ Version,” “Good Old Dub” (Jan. 2019) Tribes Man Records (UK) UNLICENSED RELEASE* "Good Old Days" / "Melchizedek" (Feb. 2019) Roots Vibration Records (Belgium) Songs on Compilations “Trouble Town” (Disco Mix) on REGGAY ROOTS (1977) Harry J Records (JA, WI) “Rastaman In Exile” on REGGAE PARTY FROM JAMAICA (1983) Disc AZ International (France) “Good Old Days” on 12 THE HARD WAY (1988) Tribes Man Records (UK) UNLICENSED RELEASE* “Good Old Days” on 12 THE HARD WAY (198-) Tribes Man Records (UK) UNLICENSED RELEASE* Albums “Cover Me” (1974) for Harry Johnson’s Harry J Records (JA, WI) and Trojan Records (UK) “Reflections” (1975) for Harry Johnson’s Harry J Records (JA, WI) and Island Records (UK) “Kude-A-Bamba” (1978) for Harry Johnson on Island Records (UK) “Rain & Fire” (1978) for Harry Johnson’s Harry J Records (JA, WI) “Rastaman In Exile” (1980) Disc AZ International (France) “Stand Up Wise Up” (1984) Celluloid Records (France) “Stand Up Wise Up” (1988) JML Records (U.S. release) “Loving Vibration” (1998) JML Records (CD) “Confirmation” (2000) JML Records (CD) “Reaching Out” (2006) JML Records (CD) “Fire Up” (2010) JML Records (CD) "Rastaman In Exile" (2016) JML Records (CD; remixed and remastered with bonus track) Digital Download & Streaming Only “No Bread” Live In Concert (15 January 2020) JML Records *UNLICENSED RELEASE: These releases were not authorized by or licensed from Harry Johnson or Ras Midas. These releases, all from Tribes Man Records (U.K.), are undisputed infringements of International Copyright Laws by Lloyd Coxsone, owner of Tribes Man Records. Legal action is pending. January 2020. CONTACT: Nan Lewis, Entertainment Works™ Tel: +1 904 249 2523 Eastern Cell: Nan.Lewis@Entertainment-Works.biz Site: https://www.Entertainment-Works.biz