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Basiks History
The BASIKS reggae band has its roots in the forming of an earlier band, the Roots Renegades, in the mid-1980s.
The group met at the home of Kamau Bashiri, former keyboardist for the Samaritans band. Joining Kamau were Ron Rutherford
and Tony Martin (guitars), Earl King Mellowman Clark (keyboards, vocals), big Dave Alves (bass), and Glen Washington (drums,
vocals). After Dave departed the group, a chance encounter with Glen brought Ben Peeples into the mix on bass and the ingredients
for BASIKS were now prepared and waiting.
After a short, potent production
period, the group disbanded, but re-formed in 1990 at the instigation of Mellowman as the BASIKS. This time Lateef Kareem
replaced Glen Washington on drums with Kamau and Mellowman on keyboards, Ron on guitar and Ben on bass. Then was born the
band as it has evolved to todays version, which has blended ska music- both originals and popular covers of known songs- with
the flavor of its Motown environment.
These musicians has backed many
Jamaican entertainers such as Katt, Sugar Minott, Leroy Sibbles, Tiger, Uroy, Leroy Gibbons, Horace Andy, Sister Carol, Admiral
Bailey, Jose Wales, Glen Washington, Pinchers, Frankie Paul, Sanchez as well as many local singers and rappers.
The BASIKS currently include Ron, Kamau, Keith Gamble (saxophone, flute), Kamal Amen Ra
(drums), Shirley Hayden (vocals), Al Armstrong (trumpet), Billy (bass).
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