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IBA

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Name: Charles "Chucky" Encarnacion
Birthplace: St. Croix, U.S.V.I.
Residence: Hartford, CT
Management: Mt. Nebo Records
PO Box 448
Cheltenham, MD  20623

(678) 887-1912

Iba (pronounced: 'Eye-bah') was born on the Virgin Island of St. Croix.  As the son of a musician, he was indoctrinated into music at a very young age.  His passion for knowledge led him to embrace the teachings of Rastafari in his formative years.  Iba's voice and delivery is very distinct and his phrasing belies the normal song-writing formats commonly used in music today.   His honesty and life-approach also comes out solid in his presentation and his songs are filled with harmonies and call-and-respond lyrics which are always engaging to the audience.  Distinct, interesting, harmonious!  

Music Biography Photos Reviews Interviews


The Music

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In 2001, Iba joined forces with Bambu Station to record two selections that were included on the outstanding Talkin' Roots Vol. I compilation.  The following year, Iba returned to record his debut album Jah Lion (Children Of The Nile) that was released by Mt. Nebo Records in 2003. Many Lives is Iba's second album, released in 2006

Ikahba toured California for the first time in the fall of 2004, along with Bambu Station.   He is currently working on his next album, which he hopes to have released in 2005.   For more information, click on one of the images below.  

Iba - Jah Lion (Children Of The Nile) Various Artists - Talkin' Roots
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Album Reviews
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Many Lives

Reggae-Vibes:
On July 1, 2003 Mt. Nebo Records launched Iba's full length debut album "Jah Lion (Children of the Nile)", and now there's the singer's highly anticipated sophomore album, "Many Lives". Backed by well arranged fresh original riddims played by Bambú Station, Iba -- whose voice and delivery is very distinct -- delivers his ever conscious lyrics in truly fine style. This thoroughly solid album contains a decent amount of songs very worth of hearing. Amongst them are the ode to his Mother and all mothers, "Strongest Woman", the spirited cultural combination tune with Ijah Menelik entitled "Afrika", the beautiful "Jah Teachings", the awesome collaboration with rough-voiced deejay Rafijah, "Babylon Don't Like", and "World Crisis", a song with real stinging lyrics. - More

Reggae Guide:
Many Lives’ is Iba’s (pronounced "Eye-bah") second album release. In 2003 Iba released his debut album ‘Jah Lion (Children of the Nile)’ which generated outstanding reviews and critical acclaim. Now he returns with ‘Many Lives’ which is fresh, original and full of positive vibes. The music is tight, well arranged with original riddims laid down by Bambu Station. Iba’s voice is unmistakable and complements the music extremely well. Lyrically the tunes are conscious and full of positive roots vibes. - More

VI Roots:
Iba returns with an excellent sophomore album very much in the vein of the first - classic Bambu station live roots production, powerful lyrics and soothing vocals & harmonies. The single, "Afrika", featuring Ijah Menelik, is one of the most powerful VI tunes released this year. Many Lives is a poignant expression of word, sound & power that displays Iba's status as a skilled and experienced VI roots music veteran. - More

BigUp Radio:
Iba’s Many Lives , released in 2006 on Mt. Nebo Records is definitely one of last years truly inspiring works out of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Produced by Bambu Station, this a well composed, collection of tracks with an uplifting, Rastafari driven, serious roots and culture message that is current to the times we livin’ in.
 - More

Jah Lion (Children Of The Nile)

Creation Steppin':
All I know is that the St. Croix roots scene must be something to behold, as the Cruzans keep pumping out one awesome release after another. The latest of this growing number of rootsmen is Iba, born Charles Encarnacion, with his debut album "Jah Lion- Children of the Nile." Iba isn't entirely a stranger to us, as his "Chant" led off the "Talkin Roots Vol. 1" compilation in fine style. Iba wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks on "Jah Lion," and continues the Virgin Islands' tradition of conscious lyrics and no slackness. - More

Suite 101:
Iba first caught my ear last year on when he appeared on Mt. Nebo Records' Talkin' Roots I compilation. His Ossie Dellimore-esque sound was full of heart and soul, much like many of the artists associated with Mt. Nebo. Iba's debut solo disc, Jah Lion (Children of the Nile), continues the stage set by "Chant," the opening track on Talkin' Roots I. Jah Lion's opener is "Rough Times," an old school roots bubbler that allows Iba to flex his vocal skills and lyrical talents. - More

World Music Central:
The up-and-coming Mt Nebo Records label has thus far been noteworthy for releasing quality reggae from outside of Jamaica, and let's hope they earn in respect what they may not get in monetary riches. One of Mt. Nebo's key artists is Iba, a Rasta from the island of St. Croix with an urgent, assertive vocal style that serves him well on his Jah Lion album. He cuts sharply through songs of love, unity, history, prophecy and the accountability of wrongdoers, all expertly backed by Mt. Nebo's house band Bambu Station. - More


Photos
Click on thumbnails for full-size photos

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Iba - Live at Asknenza - Berkeley, CA - November, 2004
Photo by Diane 'Livonn' Adam
Iba - Live at Asknenza - Berkeley, CA - November, 2004
Photo by Diane 'Livonn' Adam
Iba - Live at Asknenza - Berkeley, CA - November, 2004
Photo by H. Rosario
Ashkenaz (Berkeley, CA) - November 2004
Iba - Live in Maui, Hawaii - November 2004
Photo by H. Rosario
Iba - Live in Maui, Hawaii - November 2004
Photo by H. Rosario
Iba - Live in Oahu, Hawaii - November 2004
Photo by Brian Pestel
Iba - Live in Oahu, Hawaii - November 2004
Photo by Brian Pestel
Maui, HI - November 2004
Oahu - November 2004
Iba - Live at Monterey Bay Reggae Festival - Monterey, CA -2004
Photo by Diane 'Livonn' Adam
Iba - Live at Monterey Bay Reggae Festival - Monterey, CA -2004
Photo by Kevin Bayless
Monterey Bay Reggae Festival - November 2004
Iba - Live in Asheville, NC - August, 2004
Photo by April Steyert
Iba - Live in Asheville, NC - August, 2004
Photo by April Steyert
Iba - Live in Philladelphia, PA - August, 2004 Iba - Live in Philladelphia, PA - August, 2004
Asheville, NC - August 2004
Philadelphia - November 2004


Biography

Iba (pronounced: 'Eye-bah') was born Charles "Chucky" Encarnacion on the island of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.  As the son of a musician, Iba was indoctrinated into music at a very young age, and his passion for knowledge led him to embrace the teachings of Rastafari in his formative years.

Overtime and thru much diligence, Iba became lead singer of St. Croix's Front Line Reggae Band and quickly became one of St. Croix's celebrated singers.  In 1995, life and mother nature (hurricane Marilyn) intervened in this burgeoning career and Iba relocated to Connecticut, USA.  In Connecticut, Iba kept at his passion by fronting the Survivor's Reggae Band for the next 3 years.

In 2001, Iba recorded several songs with Bambu Station that were selected for their award-winning compilation "Talkin' Roots - Volume I".  Iba's song "Chant" was selected as the lead track and helped usher in a globally recognized talent pool of artists from the Virgin Islands.  Iba's song was heavily rotated throughout the United States and Caribbean helping to solidify "Talkin' Roots I" as a modern classic.  Mt. Nebo Records launched "Jah Lion (Children Of The Nile)", Iba's debut album on July 1, 2003 which has generated outstanding reviews and critical acclaim from industry experts, radio personalities and reggae fans alike. 

Iba's voice and delivery is very distinct and his phrasing belies the normal song-writing formats commonly used in music today.  Iba's honesty and life-approach also comes out solid in his presentation and his songs are filled with harmonies and call-and-respond lyrics which are always engaging to the audience.  Distinct, interesting, harmonious!  


Related Links

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Interviews

Pressure, Army & Iba at the
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival Press Conference
June 19, 2005

SNWMF Press Conference - Pressure, Army & Iba
Click image to hear Press Conference
Running Time:
39:46

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