BIOGRAPHY
Ras Abubakar founded in 1996 the « Zion Gate Hi-Fi» in Nantes in a spirit of up keeping the Roots and Culture Sound System tradition around its basic symbol: Word, sound and power. With their own equipment and boxes, they play various type of Roots music going from Studio 1 originals to Classic & Rare Reggae cuts also including Rub-a-Dub, Early Digital and a lot of Rockers & early 80's Steppers… Orthodox Roots Music!
The crew has quickly enlarged when Miniman (operator, musician, producer of riddims and dubs) joined in 1998. He operated the sound and was playing melodica live until 2003 as he decided to focus on his solo artist career. In the meantime, he had produced couple riddims and dubs that have been the first Zion Gate music productions from 2001 on. The first Miniman 12" ("En marche pour Sion" 2001) was well received by the UK scene and played by sounds like Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti I or Channel One.
In 2002, Ras McBean came from Guyana to Nantes, establishing there and joining also the crew, followed the year after by Nassadjah (from Comoroes Islands). Ras McBean was a regular performer for few years until his first album and solo career made his appearance with Zion Gate more sparse but, like Miniman, u see him sometimes passing by to give some vibes again.
Nowadays, the crew is based around Ras Abubakar with Nassadjah & Prince on mic, Mark Skeete (Mostec pre-amp builder, a very skilled technician) operating the sound. The crew includes also a logistic team (driver, boxmen, merchandising, management): Emmanuel,Florian, Julen,David and Youp and can be adjusted to the event size. They already played in various stages and festivals all over France, but also in La Reunion (Indian Ocean), Sweden, Finland, Belgium and Switzerland.
Zion Gate loves to work also with other artists, proposing them along with their bookings. They work on a team basis with Anthony John (originally from Jamaica) and they are now glad to see him bussing the scene with numerous hits on various labels. Murry Man is another artist that they enjoy playing with in many occasions and is also part of our ZG family just like Anthony. They feature on Zion Gate productions with crucial vocals and are ready and willing to raise crowds live in session. Far East (melodica), Olivier Corre (Wurlitzer piano) and Charlotte Meas (saxophone, flute) are also very often featured in Zion Gate sessions as we love to bring back the live instruments into the sound system.
If there was still a need to define or portray their vision of Reggae music, they would simply reaffirm that Word and Sound is Power… Roots and Culture is about the message of Jah RastafarI in the music as Ras Abubakar & Nassadjah live it in their daily life with love and respect for each and everyone, giving thanks foremost to the Creator of all living beings on Earth. Their set was build and is played following the example of UK roots sound systems delivering deep bass frequencies and a clear sound. Selections are been played on a traditional way with one deck, a pre-amp, sirens and tape echo.
And when you hear the vibes and tunes you feel closer and closer to the gates of Zion. Once more Jah Bible tells us that… "Jah loveth the gates of Zion more than all dwelling places of Jacob… HIM foundation is to be found in the most holy and secret mountains of Zion".
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