Reviews
Authentic Heart, Resilient Riddims: F.Y.A.H.'s Debut Weaves Hope Through Reggae's Roots
F.Y.A.H.'s debut, Free Your Authentic Heart, makes a mighty statement. Blending reggae with a variety of diverse influences. The album is enriched, of course, by guest artists Steel Pulse, Hollie Cook, Glen Browne and Alborosie, who all bring a unique vibe to each track. Free Your Authentic Heart is an honest exploration of emotions, with messages of hope and resilience that firmly establish F.Y.A.H. within the reggae scene.
Black Woman & Child Reissue: Sizzla’s Revolutionary Sound Revived in Vibrant Vinyl
Sizzla’s Black Woman & Child is a timeless message of resilience, spirituality, and defiance against oppression. The reissue, with its remastered sound and vibrant green vinyl, revitalises this cultural cornerstone for a new generation.
Find your happy place and put all the BS behind with Artikal Sound System’s “Are You Smiling Yet?”
Ras Fraser Jr. showcases crucial voice in “I Am Conscious”
The son of reggae royalty Phillip Fraser, Ras released unto the masses this holiday season his sophomore effort, I Am Conscious. Perfectly succinct and potent at 10 tracks in total, Fraser does a splendid job over the solid production. Kicking off the proceedings with the up-tempo “In This Time”, he showcases a voice worthy of the Rasta leanings implied by the album’s title.
Find a sense of peace through “Peaks & Valleys” with Brendan Clemente
Find a sense of peace through “Peaks & Valleys” with Brendan Clemente. The talented singer-songwriter teamed up with Stick Figure’s Johnny Cosmic to bring his debut album to life. The 13 track LP shares a fresh and honest perspective over calming reggae rock meets pop influenced tunes with thoughtful lyrics and inspiring messages to dream big.
Channelling Change, Lacksley Castell’s Lasting Impact with Dub-Driven Morning Glory
Lacksley Castell’s masterful dub delivery of his poetic lyrics compliments the tempo of the album’s riddims flawlessly. This vibe naturally cascades throughout “Morning Glory”, creating an unmistakably dubby flow. I find “Morning Glory” invoking a dub trance within me, channelling Castell’s energy as he utters his verses taking me on a musical exploration.
Add Imeru Tafari to your list of talented reggae artists to watch for years to come
Tafari with his debut album, The Essential, confidently delivers one of the most solid premieres I’ve heard in a minute. With a powerful, yet melodious delivery the Kingston native delivers a 12 piece of heat worthy of sharing shelf space with some of your favorites in the game.
The innovative intersection of reggae, rock and electronic music
Super duo Unified Highway, made of Rebelution frontman Eric Rachmany and top tier producer Amp Live, continue their incredible run and collaboration bringing us the innovative intersection of reggae, rock and electronic music in the album, “Invisible Route”.
Make your soul feel good with Bobby Alu’s “Keep It Tropical”
Gold Coast, Australia native Bobby Alu is here to offer an assist in extending summer with his 5th studio long player, Keep It Tropical. Setting things off in fine style, B.A. knew the assignment and nailed from the onset with the uptempo opener,
Soulful Expressions and Deep Reflections: Mortimer shares From Within showing Vulnerability and Strength
"From Within" is a personal and introspective album, where Mortimer blends vulnerability and strength. Memorable collaborations with Damian Marley, Kabaka Pyramid, and Lila Iké adding depth, combined with Winta James' production, enhances its reggae roots with modern flair. Mortimer explores themes of injustice, love, faith, and growth, the album is both emotionally resonant and musically dynamic and a must listen.
Joe Samba aims to make you feel something with latest release, Lifeline
The soulful reggae rocker from the east coast has recently added a new set of tunes (ten, to be exact) to his already successful musical repertoire. Lifeline is Joe Samba’s third full-length studio album via LAW Records, and it’s quickly becoming a staple in my daily routine (this album has a song for every occasion…).
Rhythms of Change, The Wailers bestow a Powerful Evolutionary Message in Their New Album: Evolution
‘Evolution’ is a rich rhythmic tapestry of riddims and lyrics that encourage the essence of livity. The integration of the flawlessly impressive features, Mykal Rose, Marcia Griffiths, Emily Estefan and Gramps Morgan, who all add their own flair contributing to a diverse and enhanced audio experience. And of course the gifted Aston Barrett Jr. with his resonant vocals, who continues to carry the torch leading the iconic band.
Tropidelic’s Royal Grove kicked up the summer heat!
The six-piece powerhouse from Cleveland may be responsible for the higher temps this year after dropping a smokin’ hot, ten-track mid-summer album that actually comes with a free block party inside. Shut the streets down, it’s time to groove. Tropidelic’s eighth studio album, Royal Grove (via Ineffable Records), is stacked with perfectly paired appearances by Rittz, The Elovaters, Iration and many more!
Uplifting Landscape Meets Zen Serenity with Aaron Wolf’s New Album “Running On Hope”
Aaron Wolf's new album, “Running On Hope” presents the listener a 39-minute mix of vibrantly upbeat, uplifting and soothingly chilled atmospheric riddims, with positive lyrics throughout. Listening to the album, chills me out and helps me reflect on the eventful summer that is coming to an end, as I hurtle through the air back to the land of sun that I call home.
The exceptionally talented Yemi Alade stars in “Rebel Queen”
With a voice befitting of the most beautiful songbird, Nigerian Afro-Pop torch bearer, Yemi Alade has blessed the masses with her latest offering Rebel Queen. A prolific, singer/songwriter, she has in a span of 9 albums and 2 EP’s garnered a fanatic and loyal fanbase. Even a casual listen to any of the multitude of her hits will show you exactly why.
Triumphant Trio Top the League with “Rockin’ Like a Champion”
“Rockin’ Like a Champion” captures the essence of dub and reggae with its deep, resonant bass, celestial vocals, and thought-provoking lyrics. The innovative album takes you on a memorable dub session. Mykal Rose, Subatomic Sound System, and Hollie Cook have flawlessly combined to create a must-listen album. “Rockin’ Like a Champion” leaves me hopeful for more collaborations from this extraordinary trio in the future.
Govana’s “Legacy” proves he is as talented as they come in today’s dancehall scene
The Vybz Kartels, Alkalines, and Shenseeas have replaced the Beenies, Bountys and Lady Saws in the dances and have no design on giving way to the legends they supplanted. Govana, one of the leaders of the new school has blessed the masses with his sophomore effort Legacy.
Unlocking the Dub Dimension, Groundation's “Dub Rock”, Revives the DubVersion Tradition
Groundation’s new album is a reimagined true dubby counterpart to their 2022 album. With Groundations trademark mixture of reggae, dub and jazzy beats, “Dub Rock” showcases their flair.
Add Etana’s “Nectar of the Gods” to your list of top 2024 reggae albums
Blessed with a caramel-sweet, yet potent delivery, Etana has consistently delivered what the game needs while becoming a headliner in her own right, capable of carrying a show or fest, with her sizeable catalog of fan favorites. Her new effort Nectar of the Gods looks to further entrench her as a top songstress and sets things in motion seamlessly with the opener, Jah Never Fails.
Lot 49 display catchy reggae meets pop sound in “Liquor & Coffee”
Lot 49 display their catchy reggae meets pop sound in the new 12 track album, “Liquor & Coffee”. The San Francisco-based band highlight their smooth and inviting style of music across the LP, and I love the album’s creative songwriting, production, and heart.