Reviews
Album Review: Jah Sun & The Rising Tide bring positivity and healing in their 2021 album "Running Through Walls"
Humanity has experienced an intensified series of obstacles during 2020 and 2021, and in turn, it has made most of us at some point feel like we're "Running Through Walls". This is why Daily Reggae is grateful for incredible musicians like Jah Sun & The Rising Tide for taking these times in stride and putting out fantastic music to brighten our spirits! The group's new album is filled with uplifting rhythms and exceptional songwriting and has brightened our days more than once.
Album Review: Florida's Joey Calderaio is Moving Mountains with an awesome deluxe album dropping December 17th
In 2021 we've had the pleasure of covering incredible new releases from the all stars of the reggae scene including Rebelution, SOJA, and Paul Fuga, as well as fantastic up-and-coming talent in the likes of Marcus Gad, The Late Ones, and Kyle Smith. On December 17th one of our favorite rising artists, Joey Calderaio is dropping a wonderful album titled "Moving Mountains (Deluxe)" just in time for the holidays. An accomplished musician in the Florida reggae scene, Joey quickly started growing a fanbase with the release of his 2019 EP "Moving Mountains". In the following two years, he released well-received singles, with his hard work and positivity culminating in the new "Moving Mountains (Deluxe)" album release.
Album Review: The Elovaters reach higher heights with new record “Castles”
Boston band The Elovaters have been the rising star of the American Reggae scene for the past couple of years, a status well deserved with their professional-grade musicianship, quality songwriting, and consistent touring opening for major acts such as Pepper and Ziggy Marley that led to headlining tours of their own for their ever-growing fanbase. With all this said, it's in their new album Castles that we see the band truly coming into their own and delivering an album showcasing a broad and unique sound that will surely lock in their place as major players in modern American Reggae music.
Album Review: Paula Fuga brings you into her world and heart with "Rain On Sunday"
Every once in a while an album comes along that instantly transports you into the artist's world, and Paula Fuga's new record "Rain On Sunday" does exactly that. For those yet unaware of Paula and her music, Fuga is a Hawaiian native from the small town Waimānalo on the island of Oahu who has become the leading female voice of the Hawaii music scene. Her debut 2006 album "Lilikoi" earned her the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for ‘Most Promising Artist', and ever since she has been garnering a global fanbase with major tours and a wonderful EP titled "Misery's End". All of this has led up to her beautiful sophomore LP "Rain On Sunday", for which she teamed up with Jack Johnson's record label Brushfire Records.
Album Review: Turning obstacles into opportunity, Rebelution release stellar seventh studio album "In the Moment"
As the pandemic hit, the benefit and versatility of the digital music era became apparent to everyone in the music industry, as well as fans of reggae music with the release of Rebelution's stellar seventh studio album "In the Moment". Written and created in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, this album would not exist if it weren't for the ability for the members of Rebelution, all residing in different locations, to record at home and send audio files back and forth to bring these songs to fruition.
Album Review: Vana Liya impresses on her first full length album "Little Kahuna"
New York native Vana Liya has released her debut album "Little Kahuna" on LAW Records! Vana began making a splash in the reggae scene by posting covers of songs by Pepper, Rebelution, and Stick Figure that subsequently went viral and were shared on the bands' social media accounts. Since then she's been putting out wonderful singles, opening up for major reggae acts and performing at the one and only Sugarshack Sessions.
Album Review: SOJA embodies the communal collaboration of reggae music with their new album "Beauty In The Silence"
What sets reggae apart from other musical genres is its deep sense of community embodied by both fans and artists alike. Instead of being fueled by competition, the extended reggae family wants to see one another succeed and become their best selves. Attend a reggae concert and you will find smiling faces and open arms from fellow fans. As a reggae artist one is more likely to find success by helping and collaborating with other artists than trying to outdo them. This methodology of positivity and collaboration is what brought renowned American reggae band SOJA together, and is entirely evident in their new album "Beauty In The Silence".
Album Review: Fortunate Youth reminds us of the good to be found in every day with the amazing new LP, Good Times (Roll On)
As we approach the end of 2021, we look back on a deeply tumultuous two years. Anger, fear, and anxiety are on the rise in all individuals across the board; and along with these feelings, a cloud of negative thoughts and emotions has slowly been forming over our collective well-being. This is precisely why the world needs a band like Southern California's Fortunate Youth (FY). In this time of strife and uncertainty, FY has created an album reminding us to look on the bright side, enjoy the company of those we care about, and put our worries aside when the medicine for our injured soul is partying it up with friends and having a kick-ass night. Having a bad day? Throw on Fortunate Youth's new LP "Good Times (Roll On)" and see how you feel.
Album Review: The Late Ones blend their love of reggae, hip hop, and spirituality in the band’s amazing debut album, The Fourth Quarter
Creating something great often requires hard work, diligence, and a lot of patience. Brothers Tui Avei and Tau Avei, along with cousin Josh Brunson, understand this, taking five years to complete their fantastic debut full-length album "The Fourth Quarter" released on October 8, 2021. The trio performs and records under the name "The Late Ones", which to them represents their respect for legendary artists and revolutionaries such as "Bob Marley, 2Pac, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Biko, and John Lennon", whom the trio honor through their music. Listen to any track by The Late Ones and it's easy to believe that they are related. The trio's three voices work wonderfully together to create beautiful vocal harmonies with a sound similar to pioneering roots groups such as The Mighty Diamonds. Combine this with 90's hip hop beats and flow reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest and The Late Ones are a force to be reckoned with.
Album Review: Punk, Reggae, and DIY attitude, Kyle Smith’s debut album is far from a “Lost Cause”
Reggae and punk rock music have long been intertwined. Both cultures embody a DIY attitude and a rejection of social norms that divide and oppress, and though the exact expression of this rebel mentality and promotion of a more equal and inclusive community differ between the two, the common ethos they share has led to amazing music combining the genres for decades. For many reggae fans their initial introduction to the genre came through punk; whether it be from classic punkers like The Clash, third wave ska bands like Reel Big Fish and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, or current artists blending reggae and punk such as Slightly Stoopid. Such a musical journey is shared by this reviewer as well, with my personal introduction to reggae starting with the punk band NOFX, which led me to bands like Sublime and The Expendables, further leading to Rebelution, and from there the whole genre opened up before me. I am far from alone in this experience, one which I especially share with my fellow West Coast Americans.
The combination of punk and reggae is far from over, and there are amazing new artists continuing this legacy that you should be aware of.The combination of punk and reggae is far from over, and there are amazing new artists continuing this legacy that you should be aware of. Enter the great Kyle Smith and his debut full-length album "Lost Cause".
Album Review: Passafire takes us on a musical journey with their new album "Strata"
In their seventh full-length release, the reggae-rock heavy hitters of Passafire show off their musical and songwriting expertise with songs that pull influence from a multitude of genres while still having the rhythms and vibes that fans of reggae music crave. The band has long been known for its eclectic blend of reggae and progressive rock, and it's wonderful to see a group that continually strives to grow as musicians and put out their best in both their recordings and live shows. They share the work ethic of other successful artists in the reggae community, producing and mixing most of their own music in addition to the music of other musicians in the scene (for more on this check out Passafarm Recording Studio). The band's creativity is highlighted in Strata, and they are not afraid to take a step off the beaten path with songs stretching from reggae to metal, and with song lengths varying between 3:09 and 7:41 minutes.
Album Review: Hawaii's The Green reflect and speak from the heart on their stellar new album "Brand New Eyes"
The creation of songs can originate from many places. Sometimes it's from an interaction an artist observes between strangers, and other times it's about a world the songwriter wishes would exist. Music is made with the intention of making people dance and enjoy a party, and albums have been written solely about breakups or falling in love. Perhaps the best songs are created when an artist reflects on the current state of their life and pours their heart out in the form of lyrics and music. On their sixth studio album "Brand New Eyes", Hawaii's The Green have done exactly that. A level of maturity and sober reflection rings throughout this album. The complexity of what the world can throw at our human hearts and how we handle them is not an easy thing to unpack, but throughout the songs on "Brand New Eyes" the band is able to accomplish this task as well as any honest person could. The multiple songwriters and four singers of The Green share their genuine perspective over fantastic instrumentals throughout "Brand New Eyes" and have created a record truly special.
Album Review: Marcus Gad and Tamal bring you into their "Brave New World" with their unique and wonderful new LP!
Prominent reggae label Easy Star Records has long been known for bringing great reggae music from all corners of the globe to their worldwide audience. One of the most exciting new artists on their roster is the creative and musically progressive Marcus Gad, who just dropped a fantastic full-length project titled "Brave New World". Gad hails from the island of New Caledonia in the South Pacific, a multicultural land deeply rooted in tribal tradition and nature that has had a lasting impact on both Marcus and his music. For this release, Gad teamed up with long-time collaborator Tamal, a distinguished French beatmaker and producer based in Paris