HE IS WAY CUTER THAN COMMON

HE IS WAY CUTER THAN COMMON ISN'T HE?

So you see this picture and think for sure it is the American rapper Common. Or conversely, you don’t see a picture but only hear the poetic stream flowing atop some sick backing music and automatically assume it is a matured Saul Williams–after a long vacation in the Caribbean. As such, you would both be sadly mistaken.

Hailing from Trinidad, Anthony Joseph has honed his word crafting artistry in the UK since 1989. He has published volumes of poetry, novels and numerous academic essays, and is now working towards a Ph.D. This guy seriously has something to say. Taking to the stage, he is likened to Gil Scott Heron or the Last Poets in his methods, conveying dense searing commentary and thought-provoking dialogue about diaspora and native ways alongside free jazz, funk, calypso, etc.

Lucky for us, Birkbeck College where he lectures will be out on summer vacation when Fuji Rock ensues! That means a special appearance by this fresh and invigorating collaboration of Anthony Joseph rhyming betwixt the diverse musical styling of The Spasm Band (not to be confused with these guys from Wales).

Listen intently and you might find your psyche attached desperately to his hard spoken truths. Other times you may let the funky jazz concoction sweep you away into musical reverie, akin to the infectious impact of Sun Ra or a driving African dance force like last year’s revered Orange Court headliner Congotronics.

Anthony Joseph and The Spasm Band debuted in 2007, releasing an album titled “Leggo de Lion” on the Kindred Spirits label. Then came their “Bird Head Son” album drop in 2009. Last but not least, “Rubber Orchestras” came out in 2011 with a book by the same name.

Best of luck to all the Japanese speakers in the crowd trying to decipher Anthony’s rich use of metaphor and other literary devices, incantations further mystified by his enticing accent—a blend of Trinidadian British English and sporadic use of rhythmic Caribbean speech. Nonetheless, it will breathe a worldly air and eclectic atmosphere into the Orange Court; a vibe which the stage is increasingly infamous for.

Ten-minute jams will undoubtedly coerce the crowd into what with the ubiquitous rain could be a mud-fest freak-out by Saturday night; something like these Woodstock ‘69 muddy hippies would be totally into. Keep in mind this is Japan though, so there will be less drugs than Woodstock and quite possibly even MORE dancing. Just think of the high you get off fresh air and too much green tea!

Anthony is not the best singer in the world, a statement to which he would probably attest. However, he belts with real passion in between spoken word verse. And as if “shattering the body with corrosive teat…all of a sudden the drum speaks, ‘kill him, kill him, kill him…’” Anthony, possessed by some mysterious voodoo magic, transforms himself into a screaming prophet, reaching deep and beating on your ear drums with raw musical emotion that pricks and penetrates an already shivering mind.

The Spasm Band members: a clean-shaven Will Fry on percussion, Christian Arcucci on guitar sporting dreadlocks that reach the floor, the bearded flautist Colin Webster (also adept on sax), cool walking bassman Andrew John, and Marijus Alexsa completely reinventing a simple set of drums. Six fellows coming from 6 very different ethnic histories, lends a refreshing mix of worldly talent. Their chemistry is clearly evident as the guys go on two hour musical explorations, solid as if rehearsed a hundred times yet freeform as the hair on Ornette Coleman’s back.

Personally, I hope they play something off their debut album “Leggo de Lion.” It already has a heavy Asian slant, although the rhythmic patterns are island-like. Themes such as bamboo, Buddha and other brave stanzas grace the lyrical stage. Taking notes straight from a track called “The Bamboo Saxophone,” I will leave all you Fuji Rockers with this bit of advice. If you find yourself “Roaming through country/seeking sacred bamboo,” bust out that “ox-bone trombone” baby, “We in the jungle now!”

Orange Court, Saturday evening, Anthony Joseph and The Spasm Band take the stage.