Stamina Li

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Raggamuffin’Stamina Li – Artist-Musician (Singjay, MC, Sax Player)

(Wass’Muffin Sound/Togeda Inna Di Gideon/Temple Eye Hi Fi/Teshuvah Hi-Fi)

Greetings to one and all, Readers from, N, S, E, West!

Our Creator gave I&I the breath of life in the mid 70’s I-man came from a long way down a Azania aka Africa Grandson of a slave deported to Martinique (Arawak-FWI), my father met up with my mama (from North Africa) in Europe, and they bring forth I&I going back to Martinique.

The Powers of Music within the family hood and the cultural environment was and is still strong, and I&I give thanks fi dat; these powerful vibes out of my ‘musical tree’ when I was growing up (Bele (Martinique), Compas (Haiti), Reggae (Jamaica) and Jazz (New Orleans) mek mi feel rich today; and on this day I reckon the sounds and works of blessed persons like Eugene Mona, Charlie Parker, Stellio and the bands like Malavoi, Kassav, The Wailers, Tabou Combo as an indispensable strength given to me at the time, without me recognizing this as a troubled youth. A strong influence came from my father, great instrumentalist himself who taught me respect & discipline and provided me with the trumpet, my first musical instrument. Later I moved onto playing the sax - & so I am glad today to be able to blow the horns, to feel and play the music in a ‘Majestical’ way!

All these musicians taught me the way to express certain things; and because I was very observatory, I had many views to express regarding certain issues affecting me, and the down pressed people. Time was to come for me to really feel this motivation of fighting against injustice.

Later I&I took up vocal expression naturally by putting words over the melodies comin’ out of my inner soul. Also the beautiful island of Martinique (Madinina) influenced me a lot and particularly the countryside that is St Joseph (Long-Bois) where my base is.

When I was about 16 years old I was well inspired by local deejays (and their ‘Reality Lyrics’) like MC Janick, Daddy Yod, Typical Fefe, Doc Savage, Daddy Fusby and others like Sluggy Ranks, Buju Banton, Tony Rebel and Terry Ganzie. During the early 90’s our Creator set tings further for I&I: Influenced by the collectif ‘La T.D.A (Toujours Dans l’Action) from my own parish, I was involved in the Sound System environment and I then recorded my first tune for JM Harmony under the name Prince Master C featuring Stamina Junior, it is entitled ‘Little Sista’ from the album ‘Ragga Party’. This helped me to carry on, and being a sound system fanatic I was representin in our local youth dances. These times really ‘boosted’ me up as a youthman, giving I&I the opportunities to live, see and practice the good as well as the bad a man can do, for now I am aware; I then opened my eyes and my heart to the motives and purposes of my presence in this Iration, and my faith as a person started talking for me and that’s why I’ll always be thankful to Rastafari for making me part of His Creation.

In 1996, He made it possible for I&I to reach the sunny south of France (Montpellier) there I gathered together with Dicka, Tonikal Warny and Katan’ and we created the WASS’MUFFIN SOUND, now joined by Wassouri. Our persistence and determination brought us as the Raggamuffin sound not expected and well respected. As this experience continues to this day, I must tell you to look out for a Wass’muffin something in your ears soon. I also had the chance to work with other peoples, sounds and bands who helped me to build my vibes better, practicing, touring and recording in Europe, the West Indies and Africa. Mellow Sound, Rude Boy Syndicate, Artikal Band, Akyson K, KG Sound, Ras Tea, Selecta Donkad in France. Binghiman Sound, Watta Sound, Prophesy Sound, Stamina Junior in Martinique, Mystic ‘Terrific’ Messenjah, N.B. Jaad, The Mighty Tabot Sound, Jah Marcus High Grade Sound, Frontline International, I Eternal I Sound and Colin Blow in England… to name a few….also because I acknowledge the part played by all the masses and the fans met so far on the road.

Out of all this, I am a man of conscious lyrics, reaching for the people with the words of truth, love and reality, fighting for freedom, equal rights and justice, with the microphone or with my saxophone, I must let my soul sing!

And now I live with the Music well perceived as a Medicine, and Unity as a Strength, and Love as the Foundation (“The real medicine is the music, so I&I walk wid it and yu no Mi cyan left it, no….”)

Back in 2002 I set up a foundation named ‘TOGEDA INNA DE GIDEON’, Along with Selecta Ron, active member of the well known ‘Cultural Vibes’ Reggae Radio Show (www.culturalvibes.net), between Montpellier and London. This foundation focuses on showcasing unique new talents in order to promote love, justice and togetherness. At the early time of this Togetherness we linked up with the Roots Studio Promotion and this helped me getting further into the UK Roots scene. We also went on to produce a ‘first of its kind’ original Double CD set entitled ‘Reggae get Stronga-Word, Sound, Power’ which you are advised to look for.

I am also now on a partnership with TEMPLE EYE which is a new concept of musical teaching elaborated by N.B. Jaad, aiming towards spiritual upliftment. More recently I joined forces with Teshuvah Hi-Fi, and in moving forwards with the sound system have gone on to release the track entitled ‘Signs of the Times’ where I feature as Sta’Sax alongside Hornsman Coyote on the Warning Riddim released on the Repentance Music label. (see track listing above) This track, as well as a tribute to Dennis Brown (Promised Land) on My Space/track listing triggered a lot of interest for my sax playing. I have also recorded as Sta’Sax on the original work entitled ‘Un tour de monde’ (African flavoured dancing tune, reminding people of the works of Fela Kuti & Issac Hayes/on Demara Records, featuring Love & Salt, distributed by www.kudosrecords.co.uk). Also find the earlier works of Sta’Sax on recordings for Piano B - www.piano-b.com based in Italy.

Finally as long as the Most I Rastafari keeps I alive, you people must expect me and my Rub a Dub partners somewhere near you or straight into your ears on a musical mission. Thanks Giveth to Word, Thanks Giveth to Sound, All praises due unto the Most I Jah Rastafari who give I&I the strength and the powers……

Many thanks for reading .. and listening to my songs.. and supporting the whole works.

YOU ENJOY I&I Vibes, Be Wise and Take Care!

I cannot forget to mention Sista Lordjah, Rita and Janaina, three of my beloved sisters who are helping me going through, and I must pay tribute to the late great Wadikal Joe Nesta.

STRENGTH & PROTECTION TO ALL, ONE PERFECT LOVE!

RAGGAMUFFIN’ STAMINA LI