Reviews
Album Review: Dive into the magic of Rebelution through “Reflections”
Rebelution has released the gorgeous new acoustic album, “Reflections” and it immediately brings you into the magic and healing power of the band’s music.
Album Review: Having roots deep in Santa Cruz soil, Pacific Roots is "Still Standing" taller than ever with their brand new album!
On the coast of California south of San Francisco and north of Cali Roots location Monterey lies the beach town of Santa Cruz. The community has become well known for both its surf and stoner culture, both of which heavily influence the music coming out of the city. The legendary band The Expendables have been the global ambassadors for Santa Cruz's reggae/ska sound for the past couple of decades, finding a home in speakers of reggae fans around the world with their unique blend of reggae, ska, punk, and heavy Iron Maiden inspired guitar riffs. As we move into the year 2022 it is the talented and creative band Pacific Roots that is now making a name for themselves as the next Santa Cruz group to bring this brand of music to the reggae masses. The band has grown over the past few years from roots planted deep in the Northern California soil, and with their brand new album have made it known they are "Still Standing" taller than ever.
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: 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: 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".