FLIGHT FROM BABYLON: Reggae Novel a Unique Masterpiece

The reggae novel FLIGHT FROM BABYLON: The Legend And Quest of Draxie Dread, by author William E. Jackson, is at first view a story about the reggae music world -- the ONLY reggae novel in existence -- and it certainly is that, but it is SO much more. This is an epic tale of interracial passion of profound proportions.

The storyline: A young white artist goes to Jamaica for the first Bob Marley Memorial Concert in 1982 and falls head over heels for Jamaican culture; it resonates deep within him, on a karmic level. And so he changes his life completely -- music, girlfriends, lifestyle -- and relentlessly pursues a career in reggae music. When his band final "makes it," you feel as elated as they do . . . but still that dread wariness of crossing over haunts them. And the dangers lurking are very real.

From Draxton Welles' (aka Draxie Dread's) first encounters in JA -- his first ganja score; being the only white guy at a druglord's rural party; learning the runnings -- to his historic comeback after an assassination ambush in L.A. that kills his African American wife, this story of spiritual and artistic striving rings true and loud in your head over and over.

You will never forget Draxie Dread. And you will truly wonder how you ever missed hearing about him before. The book is that real.

The insights into racial views, feelings, and actions are remarkable, the reflections on humanity's inhumanity and inherent tenderness stunning. The characters are incredibly true-to-life -- especially the women, strong and determined. And the dialogue is top-class. This book is the very best in novel-writing. It is so well rendered you'll even feel empathy for the bad guys! And the Jamaican patois and site descriptions are spot-on, Rasta.

At over 600 pages, it is a daunting-looking tome; but you'll find it impossible to put down. The tale just keeps unfolding, deeper and deeper, the mystery, humor and tension dragging your into places you never dared to imagine but find thrilling and delicious, terrible, hilarious, profound.

Notice: In this story you will find a novelized version of the actual eye-witness account of the murder of Peter Tosh -- herein portrayed as reggae superstar Hagian Foss. What you will read are the unvarnished facts as related by one of the surviving victims, applied in novelistic tradition to a story that weaves the good, the bad, and the dread-glorious together in a classic tapestry of love, daring, death, devotion, and transcendence.

The author Mr. Jackson knows this world intimately. He led reggae bands himself in the 80's; was interviewer and program dj assistant to the legendary Mis Wire Waist of "Sounds Of Jamaica" on KPFK (L.A.); interviewed artists from Big Youth, Mutabaruka and Ras Michael to Steel Pulse and Burning Spear; and published his own reggae culture magazine JAH GUIDE in 1986. He is now married to a wonderful Jamaican lady and has a little yard home overlooking the sea outside Montego Bay, in the humble community of Barrettown, surrounded by wonderful family and friends.

His next novel -- ADASSA -- is due out in March 2007, and then a photo book of his island experiences titled NEW JAMAICA CENTURY, to appear later in 2007 -- all under the Infinity Publishing imprimatur.

Go to the infinitypublishing.com website and look up FLIGHT FROM BABYLON!

It has not been marketed in traditional fashion -- the "industry system" hasn't gotten its claws into this masterpiece yet. (Mr. Jackson is not in it for the money or fame, you see, he just loves to write good literature.)

So be among the first to uncover this treasure trove of human experience.

As everyone who reads it marvels -- Jamaican and American alike, "Man, this would make a FANTASTIC movie! . . . Imagine the soundtrack."

But don't just sit there imagining -- look it up!

Capt. Dreadnaut