Headfirst Editor's Pick
"The praise heaped on the unstoppable Cimarons is long overdue. Their legacy is now secured as the first reggae band in the UK, the original exporters of roots to Africa and Japan, Bob Marely’s go-to backing band and the muscle behind countless (uncredited) studio sessions with every major Trojan artist. Seeing Cimarons live is your chance to dance with history, seize it!"
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A gig held at The Jam Jar on Friday 3rd October. The event starts at 20:00.
The Jam Jar Presents
CIMARONS – The Pioneers of UK Reggae est. 1967
TALISMAN - The defining band of Bristol's golden era of roots rock Reggae
Friday 3rd October
7.30pm - 11pm
The Jam Jar, Bristol
CIMARONS
The legendary Cimarons are true pioneers of British reggae shaping the sound of the genre since the late 1960s. The band was the first reggae band in Europe and has been founded in London in 1967 by a group of Jamaican musicians including guitarist Locksley Gichie and bassist Franklyn Dunn.
As the first UK-based reggae band to gain international recognition, they recorded a countless number of songs for the iconic Trojan Records, laying the foundation for reggae’s rise in Europe.
Over the years, they’ve worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Toots Hibbert, and even Paul McCartney, who was a producer of the album "Reggaebility"(1981).
Their incredible journey is captured in the documentary “Harder Than The Rock”, a must-see film that tells the untold story of the band's impact on reggae and beyond. The documentary had over 100 screenings in UK Cinemas. The movie was presented on major docs festival in UK, Spain, France, Netherlands and Germany and it's now available to watch on popular digital platforms.
Today, Cimarons are still going strong, led by the band’s original members Franklyn Dunn (bass) and Locksley Gichie (guitar), alongside their powerful new singer Michael Arkk.
Cimarons have just released their brand-new album entitled "Harder Than The Rock"
The album has been produced, recorded and mixed by Roberto Sánchez at the renowned A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio in Spain. The album released on 30th May 2025 is a deep and authentic roots reggae experience.
Renowned for their uplifting live shows, Cimarons deliver the vibes that take audiences straight to the heart of reggae’s golden era.
TALISMAN
Talisman were one of the UK’s top Roots Reggae bands in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The band’s prowess earned them support slots with acts as diverse as Burning Spear, The Clash and The Rolling Stones.
They are the defining band of the golden era of Bristol roots rock reggae and a firm favourite of the St Paul’s Carnival live stage. Expect conscious lyrics of unity and skanking one-drops.
Entry requirements: 18+
CIMARONS – The Pioneers of UK Reggae est. 1967
TALISMAN - The defining band of Bristol's golden era of roots rock Reggae
Friday 3rd October
7.30pm - 11pm
The Jam Jar, Bristol
CIMARONS
The legendary Cimarons are true pioneers of British reggae shaping the sound of the genre since the late 1960s. The band was the first reggae band in Europe and has been founded in London in 1967 by a group of Jamaican musicians including guitarist Locksley Gichie and bassist Franklyn Dunn.
As the first UK-based reggae band to gain international recognition, they recorded a countless number of songs for the iconic Trojan Records, laying the foundation for reggae’s rise in Europe.
Over the years, they’ve worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Toots Hibbert, and even Paul McCartney, who was a producer of the album "Reggaebility"(1981).
Their incredible journey is captured in the documentary “Harder Than The Rock”, a must-see film that tells the untold story of the band's impact on reggae and beyond. The documentary had over 100 screenings in UK Cinemas. The movie was presented on major docs festival in UK, Spain, France, Netherlands and Germany and it's now available to watch on popular digital platforms.
Today, Cimarons are still going strong, led by the band’s original members Franklyn Dunn (bass) and Locksley Gichie (guitar), alongside their powerful new singer Michael Arkk.
Cimarons have just released their brand-new album entitled "Harder Than The Rock"
The album has been produced, recorded and mixed by Roberto Sánchez at the renowned A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio in Spain. The album released on 30th May 2025 is a deep and authentic roots reggae experience.
Renowned for their uplifting live shows, Cimarons deliver the vibes that take audiences straight to the heart of reggae’s golden era.
TALISMAN
Talisman were one of the UK’s top Roots Reggae bands in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The band’s prowess earned them support slots with acts as diverse as Burning Spear, The Clash and The Rolling Stones.
They are the defining band of the golden era of Bristol roots rock reggae and a firm favourite of the St Paul’s Carnival live stage. Expect conscious lyrics of unity and skanking one-drops.
Entry requirements: 18+
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