Reviews
Album Review: The Movement’s unique style of reggae rock shines in “Always With Me”
The Movement is such an incredible band! Hailing from Columbia, South Carolina, they’ve been steadily creating positive music since 2003, and it’s been inspiring seeing the band’s growth over the years. The band’s new album, “Always With Me” is their best work yet and showcases The Movement’s unique style of reggae rock. “Always With Me” spotlights The Movement’s creativity and drives home so many inspirational messages.
Album Review: Justice the Artiste highlights creativity, voice and genre blending sound in “The Color Wheel”
Justice the Artiste is a rising star blending reggae, dancehall, R&B, and hip hop. The Jamaican artist’s 2022 album, “The Color Wheel” is one of the most unique albums that we’ve listened to. For example, turn on “W.O.W.” and Artiste will amaze you by his creativity, song writing skills, and one of the best new voices we’ve heard in the global reggae scene.
Album Review: The Irie flawlessly connect reggae, rock and pop taking us on a trip to “Planet Paradise”
We’ve been waiting for a good opportunity to say this. We are officially calling out all the radio stations around the world to give reggae another listen! There is so much amazing reggae coming out and we feel like the genre isn’t getting the attention it deserves. When you turn on The Irie’s fantastic new album, “Planet Paradise” you will be astonished by the amount of talent the Phoenix-based band brings to the table. The Irie take you on a fun trip into their world flawlessly connecting reggae, rock, and pop with a hint of hip hop influence.
Album Review: Playing for Change Band unites the world through reggae music in the stunning debut album, “The Real Revolution”
Reggae is one of the most powerful musical genres around the world. As Clinton Fearon told us, “Reggae is about not giving up. Times are tough, things are rough. There is hate and crimes and war all over, but you know what, we are not giving up, because as people we can do better.” Playing for Change Band has released a stunning new album titled, “The Real Revolution” and we are absolutely loving the album’s sound, positive message, and fantastic music.
EP Review: Multi-Instrumentalist Justin Vidal impresses with his rocking new EP, “Love What You Have”
One of the things we love about the global reggae music scene and covering it at Daily Reggae is that we are constantly on the hunt to discover new music, and the amount of talent on the reggae scene is incredible! Last year, we connected with Southern California’s Justin Vidal, a talented multi-instrumentalist, who has released a rocking new EP titled, “Love What You Have”. We are absolutely loving this four track EP that has Vidal showing us a glimpse into his heart and a strong view into his talent as a musician.
Album Review: Jack Johnson speaks from the heart in the creative new record, "Meet The Moonlight"
Every once in a while we are blessed with a music artist that is able to bring us into their world in a way in which we all feel understood and welcomed by the same sense of home. It would be hard, if not impossible, to find an artist from the 21st century who has done this better than Jack Johnson. Since his first album “Brushfire Fairytales”, Jack has managed to infuse the calm and communal perspective of his Hawaiian home within his music without excluding those far from the water from feeling the warm ocean breeze when throwing on any of his tunes. Coming from the perspective of a musician who plays songs from all genres in venues of all types, there is no collection of tracks that seems to be as universally enjoyed as Jack's catalogue. In his new full length album "Meet the Moonlight", Johnson once again speaks from the heart and delivers an album with songwriting and tones that sound as if you're listening to him play in a friend's living room.
Album Review: Sensamotion helps us see “Life in True Color” with uplifting vibes
Sensamotion’s reggae rock sound is uplifting. The Atlantic City, New Jersey rockers’ new album, “Life in True Color” shines a light on the ups and downs of life. It reminds us of a colorful walk down the AC boardwalk taking in the emotions and celebrating the beauty around us. In the album, Sensamotion brilliantly infuses reggae, rock and dub. The band shows off their guitar chops, song writing, and on-point grooves.
Album Review: Joe Samba showcases signature reggae rock sound while celebrating the power of growth in “Far From Forever”
Joe Samba’s growth as an artist and unique reggae rock sound are showcased in his amazing new album, “Far From Forever”. We’ve been following Joe’s career and love his positive energy and commitment to making seriously inspiring music. The album released by LAW Records has 13 fantastic songs. Joe blends reggae, rock, and pop, and he challenges his listeners to think with a positive mind, to enjoy living in the present, and to look for opportunities to grow.
Album Review: Cydeways serves up something fresh and delicious with a new self-titled album
A great dish is often composed of a variety of flavors that would otherwise conflict if it weren't for the skill and creativity of a talented chef. Music shares this characteristic, especially in the modern age, as the genres that have developed over the past century are now being mixed to create wonderful new songs and releases. On their new full-length album, the American band Cydeways has accomplished exactly that. Blending reggae, pop-punk, hip hop, and alternative rock, Cydeways has created an album that has high energy, moments of calm, and stylistic flow from start to finish.
Album Review: JonQuan & Associates - Music you can trust to deliver the good vibe results you need
Often there is a certain feel in the music made by a musician with years of experience writing, jamming, and most importantly playing on stage in front of audiences. The groove is precise without losing feel, the songs are familiar with just the right amount of innovation, and the vibes are right. Enter JonQuan, a touring musician, DJ, songwriter, and keyboardist who is releasing his first solo project on Easy Star Records. Working closely with two-time Grammy winner Victor Rice of Easy-Star All Stars, the album JonQuan has created is fantastic and is a wonderful sign of his career as a solo artist to come!
Album Review: Over the Bridge deliver their wide-ranging sound to the masses on their first full-length release
A new wave is coming from the Northeastern ocean town of Gloucester, Massachusetts in the form of reggae rock band Over the Bridge. Having been steadily making a name for themselves over the past few years, the band has raised their self-described brand of "Feel Good Music" to a new level with their debut full-length release. The tracks on "Over the Bridge" are well crafted from both a songwriting and production perspective, with reggae being the primary ingredient that is then complemented by flavors of rock, folk, hip-hop, and New England spice. Members Mike Forgette and Dave Campbell have been hard at work since their first show in 2014, and their new album is proof that it is all paying off.
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: 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.