Reviews
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.
Album Review: Samory I hits hard with powerful second album “Strength”
Poetically insightful lyrics, true to roots reggae music and authentic riddims aided by a rich ensemble of talent who have crafted an impactful piece of musical art. Samory I’s “Strength” uplifts me in every track, the impeccable beats in each song complimenting the soulful poetic lyrics.
Album Review: Johnny Osbourne’s “Right Right Time” is an instant classic
Reggae legend Johnny Osbourne’s latest album, “Right Right Time” is an instant classic. The talented singer songwriter teamed up with the French Connexion Band and the collaboration created a fresh sound that is amongst the best new reggae that I’ve heard in recent years.
Album Review: Gentleman’s Dub Club beautifully blend reggae, dub and hip hop in “On A Mission”
Gentleman’s Dub Club beautifully blend reggae, dub and hip hop in “On A Mission”. I love the UK-based band’s ability to cross between these genres. The album’s storytelling is on point and covers life’s ups and downs while emphasizing the importance only settling for positive vibes.
Album Review: Easy Star All-Stars deliver fresh reggae take on David Bowie classic in “Ziggy Stardub”
David Bowie is one of the greatest musicians of our lifetime and his 1972 album, “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars” is an all time classic. The incredible Easy Star All-Stars are now introducing a new generation to Bowie’s music while putting their unique reggae sound on the musical experience in “Ziggy Stardub”.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad release culture-rich, defining new album, “Love In Time”
The guys really showcase the band's full-bodied, wordly sound, embracing the full GPGDs experience more than ever, bringing in outside influence from all over the world with help from the musical camps of Alborosie, Zion I Kings and Danny Kalb.
Album Review: Feel true passion and love by taking in “Spirits Eat Music” by SunDub
SunDub proves they are one of reggae’s rising bands in the new album, “Spirits Eat Music”. Take the title track as an example. You’re immediately brought in by the horns, smooth reggae guitar and vocal star power of Joanna Teters. To me, the track is a reminder that we are surrounded by support systems and to keep an open mind and heart to the love that comes our way, especially in the form of music!
Album Review: The Black Seeds flex their creativity and talent in the new album "Love & Fire"
Since their formation in the late 90's, New Zealand's The Black Seeds have been key ambassadors for the reggae sounds of the South Pacific. Every one of their six albums have impacted audience's worldwide with a quality sound that is not afraid to blend a wide variety of genres with their reggae foundation. On their seventh full length release "Love & Fire", the band has truly outdone themselves. Sometimes musicians, especially those with long and successful careers, use more or less a formula to make new music. "Love & Fire" however lives, breathes, and bleeds creativity throughout every song on the album, making it a very pleasant, fun, and interesting run of music that we absolutely love.
Album Review: Reggae pro Kirsty Rock amazes with debut album "Slow Burn"
Kirsty Rock began her musical journey in the 1990's Brooklyn Music Scene. This led to her performing as a vocalist on the 2003 Easy Star All-Stars' "Dark Side of the Moon", an album that was a worldwide breakout hit for the then rising Easy Star Records. She began touring with the band, ultimately performing in over 30 countries. While on tour with the All Stars or her other band Trumystic, Kirsty allowed songs she was writing to grow organically and without pressure. With a collection of great songs, Rock began creating the debut record with some tracking at her Vermont home, then working with Grammy Nominated Matt Stein who helped produce them. Kirsty brought in her friends in the scene to collaborate on "Slow Burn", including members of Easy Star All-Stars, The Movement, and Burning Brass. This level of musicianship rings true on every song on the record both in the writing and the performances.
Album Review: Groundation plays from the heart with jazz-infused roots album "One Rock"
Since its inception in 1999, Groundation has brought to the reggae community an immense catalogue of quality recorded music that blends genuine and heartfelt roots reggae with jazz influenced compositions and instrumental performances. As is the case for many of the albums we have reviewed thus far, Groundation's wonderful new album "One Rock" was born from the fires of the pandemic.
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: 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: 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: 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