Bassculture Islands No 5 | Page 82

Kamil Bednarek is one of the top reggae artists in Poland. Playing annually over 100 gigs in the most prominent festivals and venues, he has earned a legion of devoted fans, and his music resonates across ages. Kamil’s upcoming album was partially recorded in Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica, a country that has profoundly inspired him. It’s a story about a man, who dreamed of the distant land, free minded people, and, above all, its music. It’s a story about an artist and a great talent who has followed his dreams all the way to the top of the Polish music charts. Let’s talk about spectives in my country versely we can’t teach Jayour new album for the youth that follow maican musicians to play songs on “I’m breathing” their dreams are not the Polish highland the highI wantthe way (“Oddycham” in most promising. my joy- a violin do. The approach landers Polish). What is ed to collect all music is special about it? ful memories, record an to different… completebut these What does it rep- album and share them ly of disparity can be with people. kinds resent to you? prolifically educational. “I’m breathing” it is an Is there any dif- However, I think in many album which contains aspects these two styles all of my best memories ference between of reggae have a lot in of the past two years. It’s Polish reggae and common. reggae an emotionally charged Jamaican work. I don’t have a fa- music? vorite song; every tune One must consider the When you recordreminds me of a certain era when the music was ed in Jamaica in time in my life, some sort created to reflect on the Tuff Gong Studios of exceptional moments. differences. Jamaican reg- did you have time Certainly, the hardest gae music was born as a to experience Jaone to sing was the song prayer, but it has evolved maican culture? my father wrote for my mom. Our relationship over the years was not always perfect but lately he has been very supportive. I thought that recording this song would be a nice gesture of my appreciation. Nowadays, people need more joy, time seems to accelerate perpetually and the per- since then. I do not play pure reggae, I mix different genres to create my unique sound. There is a connecting element: in the 80s Polish and Jamaican reggae was a ‘fighting’ music. When it comes to playing reggae, we cannot perform like Jamaican musicians; the reggae is in their blood. Con- I loved it when we were out in town. We found some time to enjoy the culture and see the everyday Jamaica, not just the one from pictures and beautiful beaches. The nature is absolutely amazing, it’s green everywhere, full of fruits and fish…I love fruits…I definitely could live there.