event details

Jamaican Burns Night with Sly & Robbie, Edward II and Orange Juice Dub Arkestra

Sunday 25th January 2009, 8.30pm

Old Fruitmarket :

Robert Burns never went to Jamaica – but he would have done, if the 1786 Kilmarnock Edition of his poems, published to pay for his one-way passage, hadn’t become a bestseller. In tribute to this turning-point in his career, and the many themes his work shares with Jamaican music, we celebrate this 250th Burns Night with a unique mini-carnival of Scottish and reggae sounds, sights and tastes.

Arriving direct from Kingston are Sly & Robbie, the legendary rhythm/production team who’ve presided over Jamaican music since 1975, and their Taxi Gang band. Alongside lovers-rock artist Bitty McLean the Riddim Twins’ guests include Sharon Shannon, Edwyn Collins and Karine Polwart, performing specially-created versions of classic Burns songs.

The night’s musical curator, Sushil K Dade, will host with his all-star Future Pilot Dub Arkestra and will perform ‘dub’ versions of music by Edwyn Collins’ iconic Glasgow group Orange Juice.

Newly-reformed folk/reggae pioneers Edward II and the Calypso Steel Band complete the bill, with Jamaican food also included.