It all started in 1979, when Java Immanuel-I launched the first reggae Caribbean radio program in the city of Philadelphia on 90.1 FM, owned and operated by Temple University. His radio program was aired for fifteen years.
Not even Java knew it was the start of an end-less trail of promoting his roots and culture. Out of his radio programme came his nonprofit organization Caribbe, Inc. Next, it was Caribbe newspaper, then Reggae Calendar, and now the book, Reggae Sunsplash 1978-1979
At Temple University, fifteen years on WRTI-FM, he held several positions including production director, news reporter, Jazz presenter, and Caribbean music presenter. He also hosted an interview show titled Information Exchange.The latter provided challenges as he discussed topics with renowned Temple University professors and doctors who were publishing papers in their respective fields. In addition, he has interviewed some of the greatest reggae artistes, such as Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Sly & Robbie, Judy Mowatt, Jimmy Cliff, Marley's mother, Cedella Booker, Third World lead singer, Bunny Rugs, Jackie Mitto, and many others.
One of Java's most exciting interview was the one with Bob Marley and Betty Wright. According to Java, It is hard to walk away from interviewing Bob and not finding one self on a natural high. Another remarkable artiste that he had the opportunity to interview was Peter Tosh. I could easily ask one question and his reply could turn into a chapter. It was very easy to interview Bob and Peter. They had so much to say, said Java. They were not only excellent musicians, but they were seen as philosophers, and teachers.
Java was also instrumental in organizing a Welcome Party for Bob Marley at the Impulse nightclub, in Philadelphia. For Java, this was also another high point in his thirty years of promoting reggae music. That night, the usually only half-filled club had standing room only as patrons eagerly anticipated Bob's arrival. Though he was long in arriving, they were not disappointed.
At 1:am, Bob and the wailers showed up. He stepped through the entrance of the club like a proud and mighty lion. He came to a complete stop (he and the wailers). He made a quick surveillance of the club and immediately began to skank away on the dance floor. That was it, The entire club went crazy, says Java.The ladies were taking turn, with him on the dance floor. He remained on the floor for the next twenty minutes. It was a moment in time for those who were there and they will never forget such an occasion.
Meanwhile, one of Java's outstanding entrepreneurial project was his Caribbe newspaper, which he was able to publish for a year. The newspaper was able to reach 10,000 copies in its monthly circulation. However, Caribbe newspaper had a short life. Java concluded the launching of such a newspaper was more for the adventure than it was for profit. He said, Our aim in starting the paper was to really and truly strengthen the Philadelphia Caribbean community. I felt that we, people from the Caribbean need to have a voice in how our city government affected our lives. It was a way of saying to our city legislatures that the Caribbean community of Philadelphia was rapidly growing in numbers, and that we were making significant contributions to the enrichment of Philadelphia.
In 1982, Java published the first Reggae Calendar. The calendar was well received. It was more than just a calendar. It provided readers with important dates in reggae music; artistes birth dates, and African history. It was informative, unique, and attractive.
Interestingly, it was an issue of Reggae Calendar with Bob Marley gracing the front cover that gave Rita Marley the idea of publishing a Bob Marley Calendar.
During the early years of Reggae Calendar, Java faced major challenges. He had to publish the calendar in black and white, as the cost of publishing such a calendar in colour was financially out of his reach. He eventually decided to put the calendar on pause. Several years after, he decided to make another go at it. This time around he was able to launch Reggae Calendar in colour. Things were now looking great for the calendar. Reggae music was also attracting a lot of international attention from major recording labels, promoters, and fans from all over the world.
Consequently, Reggae Calendar's circulation increases each year. However, according to Java, after the suicide attacks on the New York Trade Centre,September 11, 2001, the US economy took a nose dive and so did Reggae Calendars. Instead of Reggae Calendars circulation increases it was decreasing each year. Consequently, Java could no longer secure the necessary capital to keep publishing Reggae Calendar, and he was only able to publish a few more issues.
Unfortunately, Reggae Calendar has been out of circulation for five years. Yet, people are still asking Java for Reggae Calendar. According to Java, he feels a great sense of loss when his Reggae Calendar Supporters ask him,Why did you stop from publishing Reggae Calendar? He feels that there is still a very strong need in the reggae industry for Reggae Calendar. It just never received the proper financial backing it ultimately deserved.
Hence, Java has not missed a beat in promoting reggae music and Jamaican culture at-large; he has been consistent for the past 30 years, and as such, he has now put forward a book covering the history of Reggae Sunsplash. According to Java, this book is long over due. I have been working on this book for at least six to eight years on and off. I felt it was important that we as Jamaican should document our music and present it to the world.
So this is why I have chosen to pen this book. Our music has not gotten the proper respect it deserve or the full recognition for its contribution to Jamaican culture and its economy.
Recently, Java was interviewed by Ras Charles on the program Yard Music, on KSM 1320 AM, located in San Marcos, California. Here is an excerpt from Java's interview, as he describe his book and articulate the state of reggae music as it is today
...Looking at the numbers of artistes that Jamaica has produced, I found it truly fascinating that such a small island could produce so many artistes. Again, it's a very comprehensive book that gives you a lot of details about the festival (Reggae Sunsplash), and I think it is important that we document our self, the greatness in our music.... For the I and I will never sell out to.... We are going to maintain our roots, and that's what's it is all about. Give the people the right music, the right sound, the right vibration. Stimulate the mind. Get the gather ness together. Get the one love together. and unite the people. That's what reggae music is about: Uniting the people. One heart, one love.
Java's commitment to his roots and culture will not fade away as long as he has the will power and strength to keep on working for a brighter and better tomorrow for reggae music.
Java is one of the most respected Jamaican personalities in the Philadelphia Caribbean community at large. He has produce several Caribbean festivals, and symposiums, He has presented various forms of music: Reggae, jazz, R&B, and soul, at several venues, and special events. Also, he has worked on three major radio stations in Philadelphia: WRTI-90.1FM. WHAT-1340AM, WURD-900 AM.
After graduating with an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Community College of Philadelphia, he went on to obtain his Bachelor of Arts in Radio Television and Film from Temple University, Philadelphia
In 1990, he was nominated the Sunlight Production Man of the Year, in recognition of his dedication in the development and promotion of Caribbean music and culture in Philadelphia. Also, he was the 105th Penn Relays Team Jamaica Bickle 1999 Honoree, and in 2009, he received from the Soca Festival Family day, the 2009 Appreciation Award.
In retrospect, Reggae Sunsplash 1978-1998 is number one on Java's list of achievements. He has given his readers an inside view of the evolution of Reggae Sunsplash, the most successful reggae festival, its struggles and its failure.
Mutabaruka, who wrote the foreward in Reggae Sunsplash 1978-1998, stated:Java has put together a book that, without doubt, has the most comprehensive insight into any reggae festival. His details on artistes participation,
