	
Somewhere on or about October 31, 1989, two members of the local Norfolk Band "Treefort" set out to start their own band. A new band that would be different than any band on the scene that encompassed their original music and fused the styles of their favorites: The Rolling Stones, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin, Parliament Funkadelic, Bad Brains, Fishbone, 24/7 Spyz
And many more...

They recruited some of the best raw local talent and began writing with singer Roy Boykins(Aka-The Original Astro Pirate). By the end of the year they had written 15 or more songs that laid down the foundation for what the band became. Some of those songs were: Ball & Chain, Why Can't We Try Again, Can't Stop It, Tough All Over, Mr. Cupid, Grey Government, Divided, Antamorphosis Orifice, Instant Gratification,
Ho's In Space, Girl Turned Lady & Unite.

By the top of 1990 they recruited the final members that rounded and completed the sound, vocally and added the variety of horns. New songs emerged and Ant Man Bee debuted as a local unique powerhouse band. Known as one of Tidewaters best; a force to be reckoned with.

They often could be found rehearsing in a room behind "The Corner" yet managed to perform on the road sometimes four nights a week. They went on to develop a performance fan base that took them on a stretch of the east coast opening for many greats that include "Bootsy Collins", "Black Uhuru" and as a regular headlining act.

In 1991 they released "Ant Man Bee" the self-titled album. And soon disappeared to reunite again in 1993-4 and as recently as 2011 with Rick Skatore of 24-7 Spyz, Enrique Coley of Follow 4 Now and the great; Gary US Bonds.

In 2011 Ant Man Bee was featured in the film, "Hardcore Norfolk". A live version of Antamorphosis Orifice can be found on the movie soundtrack.

Shaka Man-Jubilee Palace Productions, Los Angeles, Ca
Shaka Man- born Patrick Houchen, July 20, 1953, Cambridge, St. James Jamaica

Shaka Mans lifelong purity, grace and heart passion for the musical arts has earned him many descriptions and titles: Master Drummer, Master Instrumentalist, The Scientist, The Original and The Grandfather of Reggae.  He is the creator of endless diverse, reggae vibes who, decades later, remains our flagship reggae drummer…he is our most long-standing and legendary California-based island-originals, and continues to be hired by the best of the best in to produce and perform with his amazing energy. A musician’s musician, Shaka Man remains loyal to his fellow players and fans with his experimental stage of creativity and attracts some of the most exciting musical minds to collaborate with him.  On behalf of his fan base, the frontline artists he’s mentored in his career, for the students he donates his expertise to at his studio and the many artists who he has produced albums for at Jubilee Palace, Shaka Man’s career has been devoted to supporting the reggae culture by continuing to deliver us musical perfection and unique reggae sounds.  As a long time treasured and esteemed musician and producer, his musical repertoire continues to be internationally recognized, while most admirably, Shaka Man remains humble both on and off the stage. With new releases anticipated for 2014, Shaka Man continues to share with us his distinguished reggae tracks and will most appropriately and most affectionately always be known as “The Teacher.” 

Shaka Man began playing drum at age 2 in his Pocomania church in the hills of Cambridge, Jamaica, and today, now 60 years old, is still playing a packed schedule professionally. During his early career in the US in the early eighties, it would be those music lovers in Santa Cruz, CA, who were the first to experience reggae music in California, thanks to the arrival of his band The Rastafarians, now an internationally and historically recognized group that Shaka Man, known as Wholde Manfesskiddus at that time, was drummer, vocalist and co-founder of.  Gaining quick popularity, The Rastafarians soon were filling venues all over the US and recording their historical album “Orthodox”, today, critically regarded as one of the best reggae albums ever made…and having multiple releases over the decades.  Shortly after the massive success of The Rastafarians “Orthodox”, Shaka Man began Jubilee Palace Studios as sole-proprietor, working often between Jamaica and California and is still in business today, hosting a realm of artists, Jubilee Palace is undeniably the center of reggae music in Southern California.  


Shaka has released 8 albums with hits such as Pray, Pray, Pray, One God, Cozy Girl, Don’t Cry to Me, Nuclear Bomb, Tell Me Some Word, Free Mandela, Jah Send I, Hour to Sundown, Jah Jah Work, Fire Fire, Let Us Go, 2030 AD, Jah’s Greatest Blessing, Occupation, Rastaman Brief, Read My Lips and Cozy Girl.  He has produced, backed and/or recorded with long list of like-artist friends like Dennis Brown, Carlton Livingston, Aston Barrett, Tinga Stewart, The Wailing Souls, Everton Blender, The Skatelites, Supercat, Alton Ellis, The Melodians, Dawn Penn, Dobby Dobson, Marcia Griffins, Capleton, Papa Roy, Big Youth, Ken Boothe, Phyllis Dillon, Frankie Paul, The Congos, Sister Carol, Sister Nancy, Delroy Wilson, Junior Byles, Shanchez, Roman Stewart, Empress Akua, Michigan and Smiley, Dean Fraser, Lady Dread, Lesterfari and Kings Music, Incient Rootsman and Redemption Sevenfold.  

No doubt if you are in the business, you have worked with Shaka Man at some point and if you are a fan, you have likely seen Shaka Man singing behind the drums, on base or percussion on any one of the stages throughout California. If local, he can often be spotted performing in Southern California at the Dub Club Echoplex, The Joint, Mozambique, House of Blues, The White House, Simply Wholesome and can be found behind the drums at any of our world renowned reggae festivals in northern cal. Shaka Man currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and children and when off-stage enjoys teaching his own children the drums, keyboard, tennis and soccer. You can find his young son, Shaka Man Jr., who has inherited his fathers clock-work timing, training on-stage with his Dad at many of the daylight shows. 
 
Shaka Man is currently sifting though years of previously unreleased tracks that he has recorded with various artists over the years at Jubilee Palace for a 2014 release as well as his long-awaited Dub and Lovers Rock album.  These new releases and previously released music can be found on any of the online stores.

One Love and Bless. 


Followers of Beth Fraley