RAS MIDAS

Biography

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 Island Records Presents Roots: 37 Essential Roots Anthems (“Kude-A-Bamba,” 2013 Island Records), Reggay Roots (“Trouble Town,” 1977 Harry J Records, Jamaica), Reggae Party From Jamaica (“Rastaman In Exile,” 1983 Disc AZ International, France), and 12 The Hard Way (“Good Old Days,” 1988 Tribesman Records, U.K.). The 2016 re-release of Rastaman In Exile (JML Records) has again put the spotlight on this talented and humble Rastaman from Jamaica; he was the featured artist in the April 2017 Worldwide Edition of IRIE Magazine and the album is receiving excellent rotation on radio stations around the world.

Ras Midas’s first album, Cover Me (1974), was released on Harry J Records/ Trojan Records, and was followed by Reflections in 1976. His first international hit, “Kude-A-Bamba,” was recorded in English and - at Chris Blackwell’s suggestion - in Swahili on Harry J Records/ Island Records (1976); the single quickly sold half a million copies worldwide.

Kude-A-Bamba (1978) and Rain And Fire (1979) were released on Harry J Records/ Island Records; Rastaman In Exile was recorded at Harry J’s and released on Disc AZ International (France) in 1980, and 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), and “Good Old Days” were re-released in 1981 on Tribesman Records, U.K. 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. Rastaman In Exile - remixed and remastered - was released on CD in October, 2016 on JML Records. 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.

A Rastaman with a distinctive style and a silky smooth voice, Ras Midas sings with the mission of a musical revolutionary. Dubbed “The Musical Prophet” early in his career, Ras Midas’s powerful messages of social justice, love, unity, and spiritual consciousness have remained unchanged over four decades.

Consistently presenting electrifying performances which showcase positive lyrics sung over solid, original, and authentic roots rock Reggae rhythms, Ras Midas continues to push traditional Reggae music into a new and contemporary dimension while still retaining its roots.

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), 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 his recordings except Reaching Out and Fire Up.

Discography

Albums

Cover Me (1974) Harry J Records/Trojan Records

Reflections (1976) Harry J Records/Island Records

Kude-A-Bamba (1978) Harry J Records/Island Records

Rain & Fire (1979) Harry J Records/Island Records

Rastaman In Exile (1980) Disc AZ International (France)

Stand Up Wise Up (1984) Celluloid (France)

Stand Up Wise Up (1988) JML Records (U.S. release)

Loving Vibration (1998) JML Records

Confirmation (2000) JML Records

Reaching Out (2006) JML Records

Fire Up (2010) JML Records

Rastaman In Exile (2106) JML Records (remixed, remastered, extended version, on CD)

12” Disco Mixes

“Kude-A-Bamba” with I-Roy (1979) Harry J Records/Virgin Records (Jamaica/U.K.)

“Trouble Town” with I-Roy (1979) Harry J Records/Virgin Records (Jamaica/U.K.)

“Good Old Days” with I-Roy (1979) Harry J Records/Tribesman Records (U.K.)

“Rain And Fire” (1979) Harry J Records/Warrior Records (Jamaica/U.K.)

“Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” (1979) Harry J Records/Warrior Records (Jamaica/U.K.)

“Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” (1980) Nocedicoco: A Goody Music Reggae Line (Italy)

“Can’t Stop Rastaman Now” (1984) Celluloid (France)

Songs on Compilations

“Trouble Town” (Disco Mix) on Reggay Roots (1977) Harry J Records (Jamaica)

“Rastaman In Exile” on Reggae Party From Jamaica (1983) Disc AZ International (France)

“Good Old Days” on 12 The Hard Way (1988) Tribesman Records (U.K.)

“Kude-A-Bamba” on Island Records Presents: Roots – 37 Essential Roots Anthems

(2013) Island Records (U.K. and Europe)