The Sattalites are back

Toronto famed reggae veterans deliver a strong sixth album

The title of biggest Canadian reggae band is definitely in the 'large fish in a small pond' category. Still, Toronto veterans The Sattalites can take deserved pride in their long reign with that status.
They have stayed together for 20 years, with just a few changes in personnel. Along the way, they have released six albums, scored two Juno Awards and a number of radio hits, and toured extensively through Canada, the U.S. and Jamaica. Their role in keeping the reggae flag flying in this city and country has been a significant one.
In recent years, The Sattalites have slipped off the radar screen somewhat. Their 1995 album, Now And Forever, won a Juno award the following year, but the group has only now released a follow-up CD, Reggaefication.
To catch up on things Sattalites, Tandem sat down with the group's two founders, singer/songwriter/saxophonist Fergus Hambleton and singer/flugelhorn player Jo Jo Bennett, over coffee at Cafe Diplomatico recently. Given the sunny vibe of the group's sound, it was fitting that we chose the hottest day of the fall.
So why the gap between records, guys? "We weren't officially on hiatus but we were definitely in a more laid-back, low-profile situation," explains Hambleton. "We still had a few regular gigs, we played in Buffalo [where they have a loyal fan base], but we didn't really search out other things. Then we started working on the album about two years ago, got a bit of money, did some tracks, got a little more, did some more."
Reggaefication was co-produced, engineered and mixed by Doug Romanow at Fire Escape Studios in Toronto. "Doug contributed a lot," says Fergus. "When we took a break from recording for eight months, he bought some superduper Pro Tools system, so the album sounds really good. One of the programmes takes the digital stuff and runs it through something that makes it sound like analog. That does make a difference to the sound."
There is certainly a warm and fresh feel to the album. It sticks to The Sattalites formula of mixing group originals (most by Hambleton, with assists from saxman Rick Morrison, keyboardist David Fowler and pianist Bruce Robinson) and covers (the Rascals' classic "Groovin'" and Craig David's "Rendezvous"). It is even more varied than earlier Sattalites albums. The band has always added a strong melodic pop element to reggae and ska rhythms, and this album virtually covers the spectrum of Jamaican styles.
"That wasn't conscious at first, but when it started to look like that was happening, we decided to really go for that," says Fergus. "We like to feature everybody - the horns and 'Preacher' [Robinson] doing his DJ thing." Bennett chimes in that "this is educational. A lot of younger folks love it because it is a mixture, and they love the live horns."
The Sattalites reputation (and most of its income) has always relied on its reputation as an excellent band in performance. The official lineup of seven members is often augmented by extra horn players and female backing vocals (as at their recent Bambu CD release party).
Their performing prowess made them the most popular local act at The BamBoo, (circa 1985-95) and they also fared well at such festivals as Jamaica's famed Reggae Sunplash and the Reggae on the River fest in California. "Live is the Sattalites strength," says Bennett. Fergus explains that "we never have a set list, we just play. Jo calls it, but I can't tell you the number of times I've thought, 'we should play this song now,' and he calls it. It is nice to have that flexibility, so you can feel out a room, and make an evening unique. We never do the same show twice."
JoJo admits that "it does surprise us to have lasted this long, especially as a reggae band in Canada. Over the years, if we had made big money we likely would have broken up. But the love of the music and of each other has kept us together."
Reggaefication has been released by Solid Gold Records, a label that is simultaneously reissuing four earlier Sattalites albums, Sattalites, Miracles, All Over The World, and Now and Forever. "There is lots of good music there that never got noticed," notes JoJo Bennett. "I'm really happy for the old stuff."
Reggaefication is now out on Solid Gold/EMI. Local dates for The Sattalites will be announced shortly.

Publication Date: 2003-10-19
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3267