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Wednesday night ^[2] was all roots reggae at the Belly Up.

Headlining were The Abyssinians ^[3], legends of Rastafarian reggae, born from Jamaica’s troubled trenchtowns.

The show was part of their Summer Roots Reggae Tour featuring up and coming young acts Etana ^[4] and Roots Revealers ^[5].

The crowd slowly trickled in, filling up the dance floor by the time The Abyssinians went on — a good showing for a Wednesday night. Many of the usual reggae faces were in the crowd, including a few members of Kush and Bloodfiyah Angels, one of the best local reggae acts around.

The Abyssinians’ backing band acted as a house band throughout the night, providing solid sounds for various vocalists.

The Roots Revealers opened the show: Imagine two Texas-bred, stark white MC’s singing with a Jamaican accent. Not that skin color dictates one’s ability to play reggae music. The accent and mannerisms just seemed forced, and I heard nothing new or interesting from them. They emulated the dancehall style well, but it simply came off as emulation of Barrington Levy. It was hard to take them seriously, especially when they left the stage after about four songs, thankfully allowing the backing band to show their strength with a few instrumental dubs.

Etana woke up the crowd. She and her backup singers radiated a beautiful island harmony that I felt lucky to hear; fine female vocals are really a rare treat in San Diego’s reggae scene. She is a vocalist we will hear much more from.

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The Abyssinians took the stage with the enchanting charisma of a religious ritual, an odd sight on the Belly Up stage. The songs they sing praise the Rastafarian god, Jah; in fact many of their songs are used as church hymns in Jamaica. They maintain a respectful and humble presence, as if every song was a prayer. Donald Manning held a brass cross in his hand during the entire show and their dress and dreadlocks suggest that they are part of some sort of monastic order.

The scene is ironic because most of the crowd is young, part of the nightlife and reggae scene — not overtly religious. But the people like the music and the culture enough for them to overlook it. Or, maybe we secretly crave it for some reason.

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(Photo by Ewket Assefa)

The roots rhythms and hypnotizing bass lines put the crowd in an open state of mind, and as with most reggae shows, a cloud of smoke soon rose over the crowd and mingled with the musicians like incense in a church.

Hearing the legendry Abyssinians harmonize the reggae classic “Satta Massaganna” was almost a holy experience, so I guess I don’t mind the religious implications.

You might not expect it, but you can have one hell of a musical religious experience at the Belly Up… especially with smoke in the air and a shot of Patrón.

Steven Bartholow is SDNN’s multimedia editor and lover of San Diego’s music scene.