Honest Music & Tropicalia presents:
Roots Reggae Musicale
Christos set to perform his first show back in the US from his tour in Goa, India. Special guest Puma Ptah (Thievery Corporation) will perform a few tunes backed by Foundation Steppers band
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This is an EARLY SHOW and will end by 11pm.
Doors open 8pm 21 & over.
FREE ADMISSION
http://www.tropicaliadc.com
http://www.christosdc.com
http://www.honestmusicdc.com
Christos
(Washington DC) – Christos DC (aka Chris Vrenios) is a Greek-American artist, producer, and touring multi-instrumental musician based in Washington, DC. His multicultural sensibility and heart for roots music have been influential in shaping the reggae scene locally and around the world. His own recordings, paired with those released through his homegrown Honest Music label, highlight some of the most well-known names in reggae today including Sly & Robbie, Thievery Corporation, Akae Beka, and GRAMMY-nominated icon Don Carlos.
Christos DC’s fourth album release Tessera (the number four in Greek), mines the deepest wells of reggae’s talent pools, while highlighting a diverse range of styles. The heavyweight first single from the album, “Speak the Fire,” features up-and-coming Bulgarian artist Zafayah and the production powerhouse unit The Skankin Monks. It was released in April and the video, which premiered on Reggaeville, was filmed entirely in Goa, India. Christos also teams up with Akae Beka (Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite) on the impassioned tune “What is Happening,” and leads the powerful anthemic collaboration “Communion” with Harrison Stafford, the voice of Groundation, and Kenyatta Hill, son of the legendary Joseph Hill of Culture. Paying homage to musical inspirations and heritage beyond the reggae world, he offers an emotional cover of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold;” a rocksteady rendition of the obscure Nina Simone gem “The Desperate Ones;” and a roots reggae take on the classic Greek tune “Ρολόι κομπολόι (Watch Rosary)” embellished with epic horn and flute arrangements.
Other standout tracks include the lyrical, bass-rich “Say What You Want” and “Pressure” – both of which were mixed by dub mixologist Tippy I Alfred of I Grade Records and Zion I Kings collective. The last tune on the album and the only instrumental, “Boots and Tie,” features Christos playing talk box guitar over a rare Sly & Robbie / Taxi Gang track originally recorded at Channel One Studios in 1980.
An open mind, open heart, and broad talent have enabled Christos DC to connect with collaborators and audiences of all ages, colors, and creeds. “Love is the frequency in which the Creator works through one another,” Christos sings. It is in this spirit that he continues to offer Honest Music.
Puma Ptah
A fundamental sense of oneness of all life can be reached through music but there has to be a base consistent in compassion and empathy.”
Born Christopher Smith in St. Thomas US Virgin Islands, and formerly known as RasPuma, Puma Ptah remembers writing lyrics from as early as elementary school.
In 2006 he moved to Virginia where he joined several Local bands which eventually lead to joining the renowned DC-based Thievery Corporation and was featured on their 2011 “Culture of Fear” voicing songs “Overstand” and “False Flag Dub” and continues his international travels with the group today.
In 2012 he was featured on the “The Archives” debut album produced by Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation with tracks “Who’s Correct” “More to Life” “Sensibility” and more.
In 2014 after an official 8-year journey and commitment, Puma decided to take the Ras off his title and move forward from the faith. In 2015 he added the title “Ptah” which generally represented craftsmanship and the creativity of artisans in Kemetic society, but originated with the ability to transform raw scattered thoughts and ideas, and manifest a dynamic use of organized words and thoughts.
