The lion doesn't sleep tonight

Two or three chords – a melody. This is, more or less, the description of music as a term. An art that survived through time and can be used even as a tool to lull the mass or as a hammer to break the chains of convention. Each of us can choose a different way to enjoy it. And of course, each choice will talk about the way of life of the one who did it.

But this definition doesn't conform at all with truth when one wants to define reggae. Its lyrics hide a message of peace, wisdom and amity that can turn into a creed more than being just a style. This was the reason why last Sunday La Gazette club could be considered more of a place of prayer – perhaps an unusual one, too – than of a simple concert hall. At half past eight it was Conquering Lion's time to gather every single Jamaican music lover in a small lounge and give them their dose of “faith”.

The Macedonian band will be on the road for almost the whole summertime and the capital of Transylvania was one of their stops. They didn't feel as newcomers in this area of the country, because it wasn’t the first time they had landed in Cluj. Maybe some of the citizens remembered the group's last time here and that's why, even if the date was not the best for a party evening, many of the spectators having had to go to work the day after, their convening power became clear 15 minutes before the beginning of the feast. It was quite full when the action started and more and more assistants came until about nine thirty.

From the first moment, Rootsman I (the main singer) showed that he’s really into music. Meaning he can accept the challenge of many of its disciplines. Apart from leading the vocals, he played his telecaster and his big trombone during more than an hour and a half. The way he was able to change every instrument between one song and the next was truly impressing.

The concert started in a quiet mood and just increased its level of “dance-ability” step by step. Classic roots reggae was mixed with rock, ragamuffin and kind of hard core rhythms. Even if Metal Zombe's distortion and hard rock guitars are not really the base of this old Jamaican sound, they fitted with Conquering Lion´s purpose – they call it “hard reggae” –. “We want to mix different styles”, explained the singer.

DJ session

Although there was no place for the late 60's music Toots and The Maytals called “reggay” – the original name comes from their song “Do the reggay” – the DJ session made the ska and dub lovers dance. The Wailers, Yellow Man, Mack a B... just an atmosphere of no mean and unity created by the Caribbean Island most well known artists.

Anyway, the Macedonian formation also presented some of their latest works during the recital, and this was the way “Holy Zion” or “Free the world” made the audience shake their dread locks from the beginning to the end. In the outside yard, a big screen gave the chance to every single viewer to enjoy the show and a pretty warm summer ending night all at once. Definitely a nice way to smoke a cigarette and chat while live music is happening.

Before and after reloading, Rootsman, Deki (guitar, back vocals) or Papak (bass guitar) had always a committed message to share with the listeners, that just seemed to agree with almost every topic – “free your mind, don't trust the politicians” – and repeatedly raised their fists. Just an aim of improving the world day by day was in the air while restless shoulders moved to the beat and the purpose of fighting for everyone's rights resonated with the audience.

Rootsman and their colleagues' next stop will be Vrbovec, in Croatia, and after Cerkno, in Slovenia.

After that, they will try to spread their ideas and they will attempt to make everyone's party become more than just a simple party.

La Gazette

This is just one of the offers for the comers to the pub in Turzii street. From hip hop to funk or to drum and bass, the local gives the spectators a different selection of music than other places in Cluj. Defined as an underground club, it also often becomes a nook where Balkan or gipsy music can be listened. An alternative way to spend the night in the capital of Transylvania. Next appointment will be on Monday, for another Dub Wizard session. Seems that Jah is still alive in some small corner of Romania. Seems that some Romanians won’t let him die.