Malaysian reggae...? You’re ‘aving a laff or sum-tin’ antcha maa-aan?!

Awful Jamaican accents aside, it does seem quite an unlikely discovery. Anyone familiar with the underground music scene here in Malaysia will know that there are several experimental acts and it is refreshing to see Malaysians pushing the boundaries to try different beats and styles. However, more often than not it just doesn’t work.

So, however surprised I was to hear about local reggae act, Pure Vibracion, it was nothing when compared to the shock of discovering that they are actually very good indeed.

Having changed my perception of roots reggae, I just had to catch up with the six boys that make up the band to find out how they have channelled this quintessentially Caribbean genre so successfully.

The band took root in 2002 after Joe, Sudin, the band’s vocalist/guitarist, and Seir, the drummer, had a jam session together. Realising their shared passion for reggae music and their immediate chemistry, Pure Vibracion scored their first gig, performing at the once great Emporium to an appreciative crowd. Ever since, the band has developed a cult following and performed at various venues and events in Malaysia, Jakarta, and Singapore. The name Pure Vibracion was down to Nasir, one of the first band members. It defines the band’s mission; to spread pure beats and messages of love, peace and unity, rooted in original reggae sounds.

Since releasing two singles in 2004, the band has always wanted to release a full, ‘proper’ album. Not for self-gratification but as an expression of their passion for the music and even more importantly, a representation of reggae in Malaysia. Love & Peace, Pure Vibracion’s debut album was seen by the group as a showcase for reggae at its finest, and while it would be insulting to world renowned acts such as Bob Marley to endorse such a claim, there is little doubt that Love & Peace is most accomplished and far exceeds anything of its kind in this country. They have eschewed spin-offs such as reggaeton, reggae rock, and dancehall to stay close to their stated ambition of ‘keeping it pure’.

The band has gone through their own purification process down the years as members came and went but Joe, the band’s head honcho, sees that as a good thing as ‘It weeds out who is zealous about the band and who is not.’

Love & Peace took several years to complete as various hurdles delayed its birth. But this was a blessing in disguise for the group as, according to Joe, it now much more closely matches their initial vision for the project. Making the record was an enlightening journey. The band members have chalked up years of knowledge and experience, so they were each able to give plenty of individual creative input, which only helped improve the album.

The band currently consists of Joe, Bai on drums and percussion, Mie on bass, Mian on guitar, Joy on keyboard, and Jeff on percussions. Most of the band members play a role in creating original English and Malay numbers to give dynamics and diversity to each track. ‘The difficult part is to get the rhythm right.’ explains Joe.

But why start a reggae band in Malaysia, of all places? ‘It’s (because of) our passion for reggae. It is in each of the band members. We don’t expect to become superstars or earn big bucks, we just want to make pure roots reggae that people can connect with.’

A further symbol of their commitment and dedication to peace, in 2007 Pure Vibracion were appointed as ambassadors for Malaysia for Peace, under the directive of Peace Malaysia. The non-governmental organisation’s agenda is very much in line with the Pure Vibracion philosophy to promote love, peace and harmony. The band took the flag of peace to Jakarta during a recent gig to demonstrate their hope to bring unity through the relaxed vibes of reggae music.

Pure Vibracion also designs apparels. Initially to be worn by band members during performances, they have created something of a buzz because there is little reggae paraphernalia available in Malaysia. The band’s MySpace page, where they display the clothes and accessories, has received numerous requests, some from as far away as Germany, to purchase the apparels. Each creation is designed by the band themselves and is genuinely intended for stage wear.

With the release of Love & Peace, Pure Vibracion has laid down a marker as the premier Asian reggae outfit. With further trips to Jakarta and Singapore on the cards and invitations to perform in Germany, Holland, Bangkok, Australia and Japan in the near future, even if Malaysia isn’t quite ready for our own reggae sound yet, it is warming to know that Pure Vibracion has a positive-looking future ahead of them.

But it does raise the question of why other countries are into a Malaysian reggae band when they are still struggling to breakthrough and get proper recognition in their own country.

Love & Peace is scheduled to be released at the end of April. The exact date will be confirmed on the bands official website. www.purevibracion.com