Usually held on the 7th or 8th night of Passover (that would be this coming weekend!), The Reggae Seder is an annual gathering of jews, rastas and anyone in between, started by music producer/film director Jesse Lauter and reggae expert/punk rocker/former publicist for Bob Marley Vivien Goldman. The mission of The Reggae Seder is to bring new life to the Passover holiday and show the significance of Jewish & Rasta relations, highlighted by the liberating messages of Reggae music.
“By highlighting our similarities, we hope to ignite those sparks into a steady flame that illuminates this connection and ultimately use it as a tool to further inter-group relations and understanding” (says Jesse and Vivien).
And yes. Instead of drinking four cups of wine (a Seder mandate), they smoke joints.
So whether you’re a member of the tribe or just down for rootsy Old Testament jams, we think you’ll enjoy sparking up your springtime rituals with this Passover-themed playlist.
(We've listed the tracks and Jesse/Vivien's notes below in case you don't use Spotify)
Israelites | Desmond Dekker | The first song at every Reggae Seder since the very first one in 2013. Raise your first spliff and chant "G-d Bless Me Israelites"
Six and Seven Books Of Moses | Toots & The Maytals | RIP Toots. A quick primer on the books of Old Testament.
Slavery Days | Burning Spear | We are commanded to remember "the days of slavery" every year at the Passover table. We play this Burning Spear classic as we discuss Jewish bondage at the hands of Egypt and Nazi Germany, black slavery and contemporary forms of slavery.
Exodus | Bob Marley & The Wailers | The centerpiece of the Seder, courtesy of Reb Robert Nesta Marley
Moses | Niney The Observer, Jacob Miller | What would a Seder be without honoring our deliverer? Enjoy this rare one from the great vocalist Jacob Miller.
Satta Massagna | The Abyssinians | A gorgeous Rasta hymn by the vocal group The Abyssians...There is a land far, far away...
Rivers Of Bablyon | The Melodians | Did you know these lyrics were derived from Psalsm 19 and 137? Did the Bible ever sound so irie?
Corner Stone | Bob Marley & The Wailers | "The stone that the builder refused will always be the head cornerstone." Also from Psalms... Moses, Jews, Rastas, Marley... this about sums it up.
Ten Commandments | Prince Buster | Not actually in the Seder but a unique take on the tablets you might say. Maybe it will wind up in the 2021 edition.