Photo © Alexander Richter | Sevens Clash Record Shopping at Rockers International Today, Beat Street is a shadow of its former self. A long, slow rate of attrition initiated by the digital drift of the music industry, and assisted by governmental neglect, has gradually gutted what was once a vibrant scene. With a disappearing domestic market and unable to subsist solely on the occasional pilgrimage by fanatics from abroad, stores are being shuttered one by one. Pablo passed away in 1999 at the age of 44 due to complications from a rare nerve disorder, but the family maintains ownership, and Rockers International stands defiant in the face of the changing tide. They are truly one of the last of a dying breed. One more time for my latest piece at Sevens Clash
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Photo © Alexander Richter | Sevens Clash

Record Shopping at Rockers International

Today, Beat Street is a shadow of its former self. A long, slow rate of attrition initiated by the digital drift of the music industry, and assisted by governmental neglect, has gradually gutted what was once a vibrant scene. With a disappearing domestic market and unable to subsist solely on the occasional pilgrimage by fanatics from abroad, stores are being shuttered one by one. Pablo passed away in 1999 at the age of 44 due to complications from a rare nerve disorder, but the family maintains ownership, and Rockers International stands defiant in the face of the changing tide. They are truly one of the last of a dying breed.

One more time for my latest piece at Sevens Clash

This past January Roger Steffens gave us a full guided tour of all six rooms of his Reggae Archives. Comprised of collections within collections the ‘Ark-Hives’ represents a lifetime dedicated to Reggae music. Involved since the earliest days of Reggae music’s debut on the international scene Roger has not only been a collector but a participant and key player in the development and spread of the music and culture.

Affectionately known as the Reggae Ambassador to some, Steffens has left his mark on the music through his work as radio host at KCRW 89.9 in LA, a founding editor of The Beat magazine (1981-2009), as well as the various liner notes and books he has authored, the interviews he’s conducted, the lectures he’s given, the shows he’s emceed, his position as the chairman of the Reggae Grammy committee, and his open door policy at the ‘Ark-Hives’.

In this piece I’ve focused mostly on the Bob Marley & The Wailers related material and I hope it provides a glimpse into just how insanely important his collection is. This is 9 minutes of holy grail after holy grail and it only represents a portion of his collection. Hope you enjoy it.

I have to big up the homie Karim ‘DJ Karim’ Thompson who is responsible for the music you hear in the video. As head of Stainless Records Karim has worked with everyone from Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Sean Paul, Mavado, and Elephant Man all the way to rapper NORE. Check out more from DJ Karim at myspace.com/stainlessrecordsinc

As always respect to the homie James Porteous for generally making things happen.

Roger thanks so much for inviting us into your home and for taking the time to give us the tour. Not a day I’ll soon forget. Visit the Reggae Archives online at: hermosarecords.com/marley/introrss.html