Reviews
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.
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.
Top Shelf’s “New Kind Of World” is one of 2024’s best reggae rock albums
Top Shelf’s “New Kind Of World” is one of 2024’s best reggae rock albums. The Northern California band uses its music, lyrics and vision to help inspire a better world.
Album Review: Stylie takes its smooth reggae for a cruise in “Smooth Sailin”
Colorado reggae rock band Stylie has released its new album, “Smooth Sailin”. You will absolutely love the relaxing 11 tracks and the band’s positive energy!
Sublime With Rome’s final LP is perfect and highlights Rome Ramirez’s extraordinary talent
Sublime With Rome kicks off its final LP with the super smooth track, “Cool & Collected” featuring Slightly Stoopid. I love how the song starts with a verse showcasing Rome Ramirez’s patented vocals followed by an irie bass line drop that will have you jamming along.
Experience the longevity and genius of UB40 through “UB45”
Celebrate and experience the longevity and genius of UB40 through “UB45”. The 14 track album takes you on a journey with the iconic UK reggae band that have spread the power and joy of reggae music to audiences worldwide. The album brings you beautiful versions of the band’s hits along with recent releases all showcasing their smooth and soulful sound.
Dukes Of Roots' self-titled debut album bridges continents and generations
Dukes Of Roots' debut album titled “Duke Of Roots”, bridges continents and generations. Dukes Of Roots has produced a reggae revival album, not just in sound but in spirit. With a global lineup, featuring the Congolese vocal maestro Mermans Mosengo and Jamaica's own legends George “Fully” Fullwood, Courtney Diedrick, and Sean Diedrick, this ensemble breathes new life into roots reggae.
EP Review: The Goodies hit all the right notes while connecting reggae and pop
The Goodies hit all the right notes while connecting reggae and pop in their debut self-titled EP, and wow does the new music sound good! Now you may have watched one of the San Diego duo’s jamming videos on social media, or be a long time fan of Jus Goodie (Justin Goodman), either way I love what The Goodies are doing and expect many big things ahead!
Tribal Seeds latest LP Ancient Blood has fans fired up
San Diego-based reggae rockers, known to the masses as Tribal Seeds, have served up some brand new music recently, putting out their first full length studio album since 2014. Ancient Blood is a big one; seventeen tracks chocked full of features from some heavy-hitters in the scene!
EP Review: Pepper’s Makai is making big waves
The three-piece band of Kona Town reggae-rockers known as Pepper has recently delivered a healthy new EP, Makai, via LAW Records for our listening pleasure (and a pleasure it is). Makai contains twenty-five minutes of new music and a couple remixes distributed across seven songs with features from Iration and Edley Shine.
Album Review: Passafire’s “Remember A Time” exhibits the band’s range with a medley of melodies and rhythmic grooves
Passafire’s eighth studio album “Remember A Time” flaunts their versatility with a variety of reggae infused beats spanning the nine song album. Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, Passafire brings a mix of sounds to my ears, living up to their reputation for their genre-defying approach to music.
Album Review: Rising Tide's "Pixel Prison" sets us on a journey to unify
Bopping around the chilly winter streets with Rising Tide’s new album, “Pixel Prison”, is warming my ears and putting a spring in my step. The album itself is a trippy reggae-dub, soul-jazz fusion, best listened to in order, one song after the other like the days of old.
Album Review: It’s time to go Daytrippin with Iration’s eighth studio album!
After months of being teased with top-notch singles, the highly anticipated new Iration album, Daytrippin, is officially here and it's just as good as you’d expect. I have to say, the vibe of Daytrippin is very reminiscent of a younger Iration, and I can’t get enough of it. Not to discount anything in their discography, but it sounds a lot more like the band I fell in love with almost 15 years ago. Read the review now!
idoljob shows us the sound of equality with “We Are One”
Placing a reggae pin on the map for Arlington, Texas, idoljob reminds us we are all just leaves of the same branch with their latest release “We Are One”. The tune is a much needed and robust message delivered by an adept collection of musicians, brought together by a passion for doing just that.
Album Review: Bumpin Uglies strips it all off with “Underdog: The Acoustic Sessions”
Underdog: The Acoustic Sessions is a carefully curated collection of BU past favorites plucked from albums across its discography, supplemented by a handful of new recordings to get lost in for the first time. The previous releases have been completely stripped of their former sounds and replaced by Hardesty’s full and unabated angst, joy and emotional outbursts; a soulful display of what seems to be overflowing from the locked box on top of his shoulders.
Album Review: The Elovaters showcase incredible talent and vision in “Endless Summer”
Every once in a while, there’s an album created that’s just full to the brim with tracks that could easily be top notch singles, every last one of them, as if it were a “greatest hits” compilation. The Elovaters have decided to drop an album that lives up to that exact description!
Album Review: “Look How Long” by Kava Jah and The Remedy is among the best roots reggae albums of 2023
“Look How Long” by Kava Jah and The Remedy is among the best roots reggae albums of 2023. Kava Jah is an extremely Jamaican talented singer-songwriter and musician and he puts his all into this absolutely beautiful album.
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: The Expendables’ newest album takes you to “Pleasure Point”!
No matter where you live, it's clear that summer is upon us and the music scene is in full swing. Santa Cruz’s, The Expendables, decided to participate in the sizzling “summer release” program with their newest addition, “Pleasure Point” via Ineffable Records.
Bootleg goes legit with Sublime’s $5 At The Door (Live at Tressel Tavern, 1994) from Surfdog Records
For those not lucky enough to catch a copy of one of the most bootlegged Sublime shows (known up until now as Memories), the good folks behind Surfdog Records decided to officially release the recording as $5 At The Door (Live at Tressel Tavern, 1994) on April 21, 2023.