THE historic Liberty Hall (founded by Marcus Garvey) in downtown Kingston, was last Thursday the venue for a panel discussion on the global impact of reggae music—Basil Walters reports for Jamaica’s Observer.

Inspired by Noël Dernesch and Moritz Springer’s feature documentary Journey to Jah, the forum was held under the theme, ‘Cultural Cross-Currents: European and Jamaican Artistes, Escaping Roots or Extending Consciousness.’

Three artistes — two Europeans, one Jamaican — featured in an engaging discussion guided by Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of West Indies (Mona), Carolyn Cooper.

Alborosie from Italy, Gentleman from Germany and Jamaican Terry Lynn (not to be confused with Terry Linen) were the participants.

The symposium focused on how Alborosie and Gentleman journeyed to Jamaica to experience the country’s culture, and how the Waterhouse-born Terry Lynn, is influenced by European techno music.

Gentleman was born Tilmann Otto in Osnabrück, Germany. His…