Click photo to enlarge
This Friday, March 2 is time to deck yourself out in your finest and funkiest black and red threads for the annual Black & Red Ball at the Mateel Community Center in Redway. Featuring international reggae sensation, J Boog; Hawiian dub/R&B/reggae band, Hot Rain; and the Bay Area’s Bayonics with their hot mix of Latin/funk/hip hop/reggae, this year the Black and Red will be celebrated as a Polynesian and Latin reggae odyssey, complete with Hawaiian food, drinks and dancing.

Fresh off a European tour to support their latest album, “Backyard Boogie,” which topped the Billboard Reggae Music charts when it came out last fall, the Samoan-American performer, who grew up in Compton, California, says the strong sense of tradition and culture he absorbed from his family was instrumental in the success of his music career.

J Boog’s career took off in 2005 when he caught the ear of George “Fiji” Veikoso. The two began working together immediately and J ended up moving to Hawaii in 2006 to continue developing his craft. After releasing his debut album, “Hear Me Roar” in 2007, he joined the Hawaiian/San Francisco based record label, Wash House Music, Inc.

A year later J Boog met Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage and there was an instant chemistry. Gramps, J Boog and other Wash House artists recorded in such legendary places as Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Studio in Jamaica, Don Corleone’s “Hit Maker,” Bobby Digital’s “Digital B,” Shaggy’s Big Yard, Sugar Minott’s “Youth Man Promotion” and more. The results are a sound that combines authentic island music and Jamaican reggae in a new and exciting way. The natural theme of Boog’s writing is love. Listening makes one feel he truly knows matters of the heart. A highlight of last summer’s Reggae on the River, fans are looking forward to hearing the music of his new album, “Backyard Boogie.”

Mateel is also welcoming back Bayonics who rocked the hall last November at Hemp Fest and will no doubt start Black & Red with a bang. Also highly anticipated is Hot Rain, with a reputation of being one of the hottest Hawiian bands on the rise.

Be sure to get your tickets for the Black & Red Ball early in case this show sells out. Tickets are on sale now at the usual local outlets and online at www.mateel.org for an advance price of $27. Tickets at the door will be $30, if available. Current 2012 Mateel members receive a $2 discount.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with a gourmet Hawaiian dinner, and beer, wine, gourmet snacks, desserts, and refreshments will also be available. For more information, visit www.mateel.org or call 923-3368.

photo caption:

Bayonics