Formed in July 2010, RasTamils is a rising Winnipeg soul reggae band that projects themes of social justice, life, and revolution in its music that is at once sonically groovy and ambitiously international.

Like a coalescence of Slightly Stoopid, Sublime and The Wailers, RasTamils’ debut EP, released April 2011, exudes the revolutionary consciousness of early reggae while blending soul, ska, and jazz elements into its seven tracks.

Familiar to those who witnessed the group’s performance at last year’s Sherbrook Street Festival, Life Full of Grief, is an uplifting protest song punctuated by smooth guitar arpeggios and overlaying trumpet solos, reinforced with backup vocals and an ever-present lively harmonica.

But the eclecticism of RasTamils’ instrumentation is not the group’s only significant attribute. Atop its colourful musical stylings rests an emancipatory vision of the world fueled by the positivist songwriting of Fernando and his inclusive lyrics that acknowledge not a singular culture or movement, but human society as a whole.

On the EP’s closing track It’s a Dream, Fernando reminds listeners that on the quest for freedom, we must all work hard and fight passionately to achieve it - regardless of nationality, culture or skin colour.

While it is certainly early days for RasTamils, the band has proven on its first disc, and through its live performances, that, despite lo-fi budget production, powerful reggae can emerge from any setting.

Published in Volume 67, Number 16 of The Uniter (January 16, 2013)