Elmina's Kitchen Presents: A Tribute To Jah Youth

The evening will be dedicated to the life and musical works of Alan Rolle a founder member of Jah Youth sound who sadly passed on the 5th of October 2023. This will be the first public tribute to his musical legacy.

A pioneer in the sound system business, the sound has been noted for it’s distinctive appearance their customised red painted boxes standing tall and upright in the arena bellowing out the black experience sound of Rastafari roots and culture. The sound has toured intensively both national and internationally with famous artist such as AUGUSTUS PABLO, MISTY IN ROOTS, EARL SIXTEEN, DR ALIMANTADO, BURNING SPEAR to name a few as well as playing alongside other foundation Sound Systems such as JAH SHAKA, FATMAN, QUAKER CITY, ENTEBBE . Then more recently with the new generation of sounds systems such as ABA SHANTI, IRATION STEPPERS, CHANNEL ONE and ROOTS YOUTH.

However, having enjoyed considerable success in London during the 70’s and 80’s the sound had a calling to Africa in 1987. As they headed for Kenya it soon became evident that they would have to fly in the whole Sound System, and before long they were playing all over the continent including Zimbabwe, South Africa and Ghana, their popularity earned them the title ROOTS AMBASSADORS a distinction which the Sound carries to this day.

They returned to Africa again in 1990 and in 1992 more notably touring with Misty in Roots and Luciano in Tanzania in 2004.

Jah Youth Sound System works spans many areas of the globe on their return to the UK many European promotors sought them to enhance their shows as the popularity of roots reggae music on the continent was growing rapidly amongst the younger generation. Back in the UK Jah Youth hosted a series of shows from 2009 to 2013 in the famous Dingwalls Camden including such acts as THE CONGOS, DUB JUDAH, MACKA B as well as headlining the yearly GENNA celebrations a extremely popular event celebrating Ethiopia Christmas

December 7th will be the first official tribute to the works and legacy of Allan Rolle featuring some of the artist and musicians he has worked with during his illustrious journey