01_Groundation – Building an Ark – Building An Ark (pre-release) 2012 SoulBeats Records
02_Grant Phabao & Carlton Livingston – Bridge of Life – Bridge Of Life (mp3 promo) 2010 Colored-Inc.
03_Bronco Knowledge – Great Prophets – More Knowledge for the People 2011 Mosaic
04_Winston Reedy – Boderation – Lips & Chalis 2011 Cherry & Ree Prods,Room in the Sky
05_Kingsley Wray – Rockers – Boomarang 2011 Room in the Sky
06_Kingsley Wray & SkyCru – Happy Birthday Jamaica – single (mp3 promo) 2012 Room in the Sky
07_SkyCru – instrumental ska version
08_Freddy Loco & His Gordos Ska Band – Return of Django – Round 4 (mp3 promo) 2011 Rocking Records
09_New York City AllStars Ska – Leave it Alone – Kevin Bachelor’s Grand Concourse (mp3 promo) 2011 Rocking Records
10_New York City AllStars Ska – The Singer (dedicated to Laurel Aitkens)
11_Keyser Soze – Arti Bella – But Not For You (mp3 promo) 2011 Rocking Records
12_Keyser Soze – Tonight
13_The Devastators – Make Them Fall – Better Days 2007 Peaks&Valleys Productions
14_The Devastators – Make Them Dub
15_Emeterians – Not Always Easy – Power of Unity (mp3 promo) 2012 Emeterians
Groundation – Building An Ark (pre-release) 2012 SoulBeats Records
16_Groundation – Payaka Way
17_Groundation – Merry Go Round
18_Groundation – Daniel
19_Groundation – Sunlight Reflextion
20_Groundation feat.The Congos – Time Come – Here I Am 2009 Groundation Music
21_Professor feat.Roy ‘Ashanti’ Johnson – See Them Come – Madness (CD-R promo) 2011 Soul Beat Records
22_Legend Live – I love Music – Fighting For Survival 2011 LLMusic
23_Green And Brown feat.Uri Green – Living Your Life – The Zeller Sessions (2009-11) 2012 Dubstoned Records free download @ dubstonedrecords.net
24_Green And Brown – Green Dub
25_Pura Vida (B. De Boever) – Row Your Boat Ashore – mp3 single 2011 free download @ http://lostarkmusic.org/
01_Emeterians – Give Thanks – Power of Unity (mp3 promo) 2012 Emeterians
02_Stika Meets Delmighty Sounds – Jah Love – Plant The Seed 2012 Free Download @ http://soundcloud.com/delmightysounds/
03_Stika Meets Delmighty Sounds – No Pretty & No Pretty Dub
04_WebCam Hi-Fi feat.Lyrical Benjie – Jeruzalem Calling – single promo unreleased 2010 Tube Dub Sound Records
05_Uniteam meets Shades of Black & Paul Fox – Vibin’ – single Dubplate (unreleased) 2012 Uniteam Music
06_Kenny Knots – Love Light – 12inch (mp3 promo) 2012 Reggae Roast Records
Manasseh – Love Dub
07_Twilight Circus feat Fred Locks – Won’t Give Up The Fight – Vocal Anthology Vol.1 (mp3 promo) 2008 M Records
08_Twilight Circus feat Jah Stitch – Universal Ruler
Alpheus – From Creation 2011 A-Lone, FAK Records
12_Alpheus – Far Away
NR’s 08-
V.A. – Cultural Vibes Vol.1 2010 Not Easy At All,Jah Solid Rock
13_Chezidek – In My Heart (Paradise riddim)
Mungo’s Hi Fi – Forward Ever 2011 Scotch Bonnet Records
14_Mungo’s Hi Fi feat.Sugar Minott – Scrubadub style
-NR 07- Luciano – Rub-A-Dub Market 2011 Irievibrations Records
15_Luciano – Living My Life
-NR’s 06- 10 Ft. Ganja Plant – Shake Up The Place 2011 ROIR Records
16_10 Ft. Ganja Plant – Strength
V.A.-Dub Zealand 2011 Green Queen Music
17_Rhombus in Dub – Dem Only Know
V.A. – Heartical Story vol.1 2011 Heartical
18_Little Roy – Only Jah
-NR 05- Vernon Maytone – Words of Wisdom 2011 Not Easy At All,Music Life Movement
19_Vernon Maytone – More Love
–NR 04- Diaspora – A Jamaican in Cairo 2010 GreenQueenMusic
20_Diaspora feat.Bob Andy – Running for Cover
-NR 03- Earl Sixteen – The Fittest 2011 NotEasy At All/JahSolidRock
21_Earl Sixteen – This Yah Bussiness
22_Earl Sixteen feat.U-Roy – 12inch rockers version
-NR 02- The Mighty Lions – In This Time 2011 KA Records
24_The Mighty Lions – Free Us On Time
-NR 01- Clinark – Tribute to Michael Jackson’A Legend & A Warrior’ 2010 Nurture Projects Music
25_Clinark – I´ll Be There
26_Clinark – We´re Almost There
If there’s one aspect proven in this new millennium reggae music, it’s that teaming up longtime Jamaican veterans alongside upcoming worldwide producers is the best way to push forward the Roots of Reggae back into nowadays.
Dread Camel Records’ brand new LP ‘Happy and Free’ rounds up 2011 with one of the most exciting co-works of the year, bringing together London producer/multi-instrumentalist Dub Caravan with Jamaican accomplished musician Ronald ‘Nambo’ Robinson.
After vocal works alongside Haji Mike, Ras Zacharri or Bulgarian crew Roots Souljah, Dub Caravan presents the voice and trombone skills of Nambo Robinson, member of legendary Jamaican groups like: Mystic Revelations of Rastafari, We The People Band, Jamaican most recorded horn section The Ras Brass or more recently Sly & Robbie and The Taxi Gang.
Active in the music business for over 40 years, Nambo Robinson is not just a much requested studio and recording musician, but one of the supreme Jamaican trombone players with a successful solo career. ‘Happy and Free’ will be a pleasant introduction of Nambo as a singer, with 4 tracks where his energetic, sweet and authentic voice, brimful with words of happiness and consciousness as only a true veteran in reggae music can do!
Since the opening title track Nambo makes a statement of his own to the simple, yet most meaningful things in life: experiences, happiness, friendship and Love!
On the A side, The Roots Reggae in modern manners will get you grooving in the title track ‘Happy and Free’; as fans of lovers rock will also be marveled by the love livications in ‘Thank You’ with Leiba Hibbert’s special appearance in some sweet harmonies.
Two stand-outs for ‘Letter to LKJ’, with Nambo in the finest dub poetry style praising Linton Kwesi Johnson stand to the test of times, and the Ska/rocksteady flavored ‘Praises’.
While flipping to the B-side, 4 dub instrumental tunes, plus 2 bonus tracks will impress you with Dub Caravan production quality (enhanced by famous Lion and Fox Recording Studios mastering work) and Nambo Robinson’s magnificent horn arrangements.
Both ‘Dub to LKJ’ and ‘Mountainside’ (featuring Nnamdi Robinson additional guitars) are two of the most outstanding Dubs yet listened from Dub Caravan, and the uplifting ‘Praises’ gets extended with ‘Praise the Horn’ and ‘Praise the guitar’ in a…praising version galore style! ‘Happy and Free’ gets the same special treatment with Nambo’s ‘Happy Trombone’ shining all over, and ‘Happy Melodica’ featuring the always beautiful melodica playing of Shaky Norman.
With some quite amazing well-crafted musical arrangement details in organ, guitar and horns, Dub Caravan keeps his well-known tuff bassline trademark in this new production, and still his simple and pure approach to reggae music, really sparkle that organic Roots originality, providing the space for Nambo Robinson’s voice and trombone to glow all over the LP.
A marvelous and genuine Roots Revival production certified to put a smile on your face and a swing on your hips!
:::::::::::::::: ‘Happy and Free’ available from the 1st December (LP/digital) from Dub Caravan’s independent label Dread Camel Records.
Nambo Robinson Meets Dub Caravan – Happy and Free (LP/Digital)
Release date: 01st December 2011
Label: Dread Camel Records
Tracklist: 1-Happy and Free 2-Letter to LKJ 3-Praises 4-Thank You 5-Happy Trombone 6-Dub to LKJ 7-Praise the Horn 8-Mountainside 9-Praise the Guitar 10-Happy Melodica
Music Mixing and Production by Dub Caravan.
Vocal and Trombone by Nambo Robinson
Backup vocals on ‘Thanks You’ by Leiba Hibberts.
Additional guitars on ‘Mountainside’ by Nnamdi Robinson.
Melodica on ‘Happy Melodica’ by Shaky Norman.
Mastered at Lion and Fox Recording Studios Washington USA
Art design by: sr-calavera.com
More info @ http://www.dubcaravan.com
ORIGINAL ELECTRO GROOVE– Acredita se Quiseres!!!2011OEG
A sugestão de download gratuito deste mês apresenta mais um colectivo nacional, com o álbum de estreia dos farenses Original Electro Groove!
Um dos poucos grupos algarvios que dedicam espaço na sua sonoridade à música reggae, os Original Electro Groove espalham a sua mensagem e música de fusão desde o ano de 2003.
A muita experiência de palco um pouco por todo o Sul de Portugal, e diversas formações aos longo dos anos, tem ampliado o leque musical do colectivo, onde a base Roots Reggae é complementada por tendências funk, rock e pop, sempre com o groove e a boa vibração como palavras de ordem.
Disponibilizado gratuitamente em Novembro (2011), ‘Acredita Se Quiseres’ é o registo de estreia dos OEG, 10 temas que representam a viagem do colectivo nos últimos 8 anos e introduzem a renovada formação e nova energia do colectivo.
Os clássicos das actuações ao vivo dos OEG, como ‘Sente Liberta’, ‘Não é Dificil’ ou ‘Original Style’ surgem neste trabalho produzido e gravado no WKB Studio, com nova roupagem musical a acompanhar as habituais afirmações positivas do grupo, e temas como ‘Rivolução’, ‘O Mundo é um Dub’ ou ‘Agora Diz-me’ transportam para o estúdio toda a energia e boa disposição a que os OEG habituaram o público ao longo dos tempos.
‘Acredita se Quiseres!!! ‘surge como uma apresentação de um novo capítulo dos OEG, prontos para apresentar a sua música reggae urbana com um novo toque original, eléctrico e repleto de groove!
Recuperação da iniciativa ZonaReGGae de promoção e distribuição da revista Irie Up em Portugal, com as últimas duas edições, referentes aos meses Maio/Junho (nº9) e Julho/Agosto (nº10) já disponíveis!
A equipa da Irie Up produz e imprime noticias do mundo da música reggae e da cultura rasta; com destaque para a cultura soundsystem, e os dois últimos números continuam a elevar o nível jornalístico e demonstram o porque dos especialistas na música reggae, artistas, soundsystems, rádios e imprensa continuam a destacar a publicação!
Os destaques do número 9 vão para o artigo dedicado aos 40 anos de actividade do lendário soundsystem britânico Jah Tubbys! A história do sound vem acompanhada das conversas com os elementos da crew: Dixie Peach, Errol Bellot e Gregory Fabulous.
A rubrica Reggaetown leva-nos até à tradição roots reggae da cidade costeira de Bristol.
As raízes, as míticas bandas dos anos 70 e a actualidade, em mais um capitulo fundamental da história da musica reggae no Reino Unido!
From Wwoofers to Woofers: Growing anItal Sound é outro dos destaques do número 9, com uma visita até Granada para conhecer a Huerta Lechuza Ital Farm, onde a crew do Qedamawe Fyah, junta a cultura soundystem ao modo de vida e consciência da Permacultura!
Lugar ainda para a extraordinário história de vida de Shemelis Desta, etíope que durante 25 anos serviu o imperador Haile Selassie como o fotógrafo oficial da corte. Actualmente a viver em Inglaterra, a Irie Up visitou a sua casa ‘Little Ethiopia’, onde Shemelis recorda as viagens pelo mundo a fotografar o imperador, e guarda uma preciosa colecção que escapou consigo, à opressão do regime Derg.
O mais recente número da Irie Up destaca a interessante e importante, viagem a Israel, no espaço ReggaeTown Tel Aviv-The Twelve Tribes of Sound! Desde a conversa com o pioneiro Guil Bonstein; o Twelve Tribes Sound; passando pelo restaurante/loja de discos/editora! Abu Dubi Húmus Shop, e pela artista Hanouneh, até ao encontro com Harrison Stafford e a sua viagem à Palestina como centro do seu álbum a solo Madness!
A nova geração do Live Dub britânico é apresentada com uma entrevista a I-Mitri da Counteraction Soundz. Direito ainda a link exclusivo através da Irie Up, para o novo single gratuito de I-mitri com Jah Marnyah: Sick of Babylon!
As habituais breves noticias, revisões a novos livros, e aos lançamentosCD/LP/10” & 12” e singles dos últimos meses (onde pela 1ª vez um lançamento nacional é apresentado na Irie Up, com Seek Your Truth de Freddy Locks!); completam as histórias principais, deste dois novos números, da Irie Up, como sempre repleta de imagens e fotos a cores de alta qualidade que nos transportam para os ambientes e sensações descritas.
The Real Revolutionary é, cada vez mais, um subtítulo que se aplica na perfeição a esta publicação que respira e inspira Cultura, consciência e boa música!
Visita o website da IRIE UP , para todos os avanços!
A ZonaReGGae distribui desde Novembro de 2010 a Irie Up em Portugal! Basta contactarem via email: zonareggae@gmail.com para mais informações!
09_Danny I feat.Army – Never Lay Down – mp3 single promo from’To Your Majesty’ 2011 I-Grade Records/Soul of the Lion promotions
10_Midnite & I-Grade – Born in the Time – Rule the Time 2007 I Grade Records
11_Batch – Dutty Babylon – Crucial Rasta from Jamaica & Beyond Vol.1 2008 Skank Records
12_Sheriff Ghale – Election Time – Crucial Reggae from Outside Jamaica Vol. 2 2005 Skank Records
13_Zion – My Roots – Strictly Roots (mp3 promo) 2010 Skank Records
Zion – Crying for Freedom 2011 Skank Records
14_Zion – Man from Galille
15_Zion – Crying to World Leaders
16_Zion – Children of Zion
17_Takana Zion – Stolen Family – Rasta Government (promo CD) 2011 SoulBeats Records
18_African Bush Doctor – Better Days Are Coming – Better Days Are Coming 2011 Streets Records,Room in the Sky
19_Winston Reedy – Bawling for Love – Lips & Chalis 2011 Cherry & Ree Prods,Room in the Sky
20_Vernon Maytone feat.Linval Thompson – On Jah Mission – Words of Wisdom (mp3 promo) 2011 Not Easy At All,Music Life Movement
21_Vernon Maytone – Never get Away
Depois da bem sucedida edição de estreia em 2010, a Associação Cultural Minho Reggae, apresenta a 2ª edição do Minho Reggae Splash, um dos mais recentes festivais em terras portuguesas, inteiramente dedicado às sonoridades do Reggae de raiz!
Sediada em Vigo na Galiza, a Associação Cultural Minho Reggae é um colectivo sócio cultural com a missão de promover e apoiar a música, as artes e estilos de vida conscientes e respeitosos através de actividades educativas e culturais, sendo o Minho Reggae Splash uma dessas actividades.
Dias 8 e 9 Julho, o município da bonita e natural Vila Nova da Cerveira acolhe dois dias de festival, onde o convívio, respeito e cuidado pela natureza encontram a sua expressão através de actividades desportivas e culturais e claro, muita música reggae!
O line-up para os concertos de dia 09 no Auditório já está confirmado e conta com a presença de grandes nomes da actual cena Roots Reggae portuguesa, espanhola e brasileira!
Os bem nossos conhecidos One Love Family; uma das bandas revelação dos últimos anos na Europa, os madrilenos Emeterians; e um dos novos valores do grande movimento roots brasileiro, Rutera Reggae. A vibração Dubwise estará presente pelas selecções e produções do Londrino Bhámbule Sound!
O dia 8 apresenta no palco da Praia, projectos da Galiza como Sauko B & One, Menino Carentes e So-Matutos, o mesmo espaço onde ao longo do festival não irão faltar muitos selectors, Djs e soundsystems como: Selassie Sound (Galiza), Little Cobra(Galiza), I-Rick DJ (Portugal), Vinyl Bullet Sound (Galiza)+ singers.
Para além da forte componente musical, os 2 dias do Minho Reggae Splash proporcionam ainda workshops (Malabarismo,Dança Africana, Percussão…), actividades desportivas (Escalada,Trilho,Kayak,Mini-Golf…), espectáculos artísticos de rua, circo, dança e percussão africana, e muitas outras surpresas, tudo num bonito ambiente natural com acesso a campismo gratuito e praia.
[CLICKA NO FLYER PARA TODAS AS INFOS!!!]
[Promo Video EDIÇÃO 2010]
Fiquem atentos às emissões e ao weblogZonaReGGae para os destaques sonoros e visita os links para mais informações sobre o festival e bandas. Apoia esta iniciativa da Associação Cultural Minho Reggae!
Próximos dias 1 e 2 de Julho a Praia de Carcavelos acolhe mais uma edição do Festival Musa Cascais!
A iniciativa da Criativa, já na sua 13ª edição junta música e natureza sob o mote ‘Preocupas-te?’.As temáticas são: Ambiente, cidadania e estilos de vida sustentável, suportadas na música e criatividade como meios de ampliar a consciência global.
Ao longo dos anos o Festival MUSA tem apoiado e lançado, novos talentos da cena musical portuguesa e a edição 2011 não será excepção com a presença das bandas Micro, Cabace, T3KA, Urbanvibsz, Skills & The Bunny Crew e Imidiwan.
Paralelamente a música Reggae e Dub ganham amplo espaço de promoção de ano para ano, e nos próximos dias 1 e 2 Julho o MUSA apresenta um dos mais fortes alinhamentos de música reggae neste ano em Portugal!
Dia 01 de Julho as sonoridades do New Roots e Dancehall Jamaicano estarão representadas por 3 estreias absolutas no nosso país, com as actuações de Chezidek, Romain Virgo & Gappy Ranks.
Dia 02 de Julho, o Roots Reggae faz-se representar por nomes lendários da música jamaicana com a presença de Barrington Levy, e a estreia de John Holt em Portugal, que se faz acompanhar de Andrew Tosh na sua actual tour europeia.
Os 2 dias do MUSA serão ainda potenciados pela presença do 1º hand-made soundsystem nacional, Roots Dimension, que dinamiza a área soundsystem com vários sounds nacionais convidados.
Consciência, energia, boas vibrações e muita música de qualidade, a não perder na mais promissora edição de sempre do Festival MUSA CASCAIS!
+ INFOS Local: Junto à Praia de Carcavelos, Carcavelos Horário: Abertura de Portas: 18h | Início do espectáculo: 20h Bilheteira: 1 dia: € 10 | 2 dias: € 12 Bilhetes à venda: No local do evento e nos locais habituais
Professor – Madness2011 Groundation Music/SoulBeats Records
After six Groundation highly acclaimed albums, two Dub versions adventures, and one groundbreaking experimental side-project release – Rockamovya – the Roots Reggae-Jazz fusion group front man Harrison Stafford, presents is first ever solo album, MADNESS.
Madness, out since April/May in Groundation Music(US) and SoulBeats Records(Europe), is also a long awaited studio connection with top veteran Jamaican musicians, recorded, mixed and mastered at renowned Harry J Studio in Kingston, the perfect combination to bring one of the best, produced in Jamaica, Roots Reggae albums in the latest years!
The Professor, familiarized with lecturing Reggae Music history at university in California, chooses this time, to give his insights and more inner teachings in the subject of the West-Bank, Israeli/Palestinian conflict; an in-ground understanding, resulting from a recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land, hoping to connect with his own family history and perceiving the links between the two sides of the conflict, by experiencing the Palestine perspective.
The reflects of daytime experiences were sung, by nightly walks, into his I-phone, bringing into existence the basis for what became an exquisite philosophical conceptual album!
Half across the world, in the hills on St Ann’s Bay in Jamaica, Professor picked up the guitar and arranged the West Banks lyrics and experiences into 8 tracks totally focused in words and thoughts of Unity, Destiny, History and most important the direction of Oneness as a kind of answer for the so many times, politically and culturally, discussed questions blocking the conflict resolution.
Intentionally different from Groundation’s Jazz enhanced musical production, Madness dwells more into the Roots Reggae old fashion ways, featuring Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace on drums, Earl ‘Flabba Holt’ on Bass, Lloyd ‘Obeah’ Denton on piano/organ and Dalton Browne on Lead/Rhythm guitar, as the core group of musicians to bring just about the perfect musical (and surely atmospheric!) vibe for that purpose.
Altough the music has an obvious modern production touch, key elements of original Roots Reggae music feature all over the tracks with hearthical horns, guitar and organ arrangements in strong tracks like Jah Sending Out, Roller Coaster, Intafada or East Jerusalem.
Musical elements in the form of funky grooves(Right On), dancehall styled beats (Madness) or nyabhingi drums (Intifada; See Them Come), bring some variety into the music in Madness, where some credits have to go to the featuring of top session musicians like ‘Sticky’ Thompson, Andrew ‘Bassie’ Campbell, Little David or Steven Steward.
Another worth of praising aspect in Madness are the 8 dub versions presented. Chilled, spatial and dynamic versions mixed by Californian producer and Professor’s childhood friend, Rob Cross; aiming to complete the original tunes and showing that the showcase style albums are definitely back!
As usually on Groundation albums, Madness also presents featuring voices. Alongside Harrison Stafford original vocalizations and compelling, emotive and hopeful voice, we find the Elders vocals, this time with ‘Daddy’ U-Roy, Winston ‘Electric Dread’ McAnuff , Bernard‘Satta’Collins (Abyssinians) and Roydel‘Ashanti’Johnson (The Congos).
All the Elders bring perfect contributions to Professor’s words, calling out for Justice, Equality, Understanding and Togetherness as the key paths pointed, to promote the desired changed and awaited shift on the ways of fear that seem to be ruling but also coming to an end…
What’s going on with, and in the World? That seems to be a answer given by the title of this work, Madness…bringing a lack of awareness and little sense of existence all around as also on the troubled areas of the West Bank. With so many war, politics, crisis and discussions going on for so long now, Professor’s solo work seems to me, like another artistic musical statement, that Evolution seems to be the only revolution, not yet tried, capable of erasing this Madness.
A expected amazing solo debut from the Professor, Madness is surely one of the best Roots Reggae albums lately listened, and surely one of those that will last over time, as musically and lyrically it stands in the Now, with knowledge from Past and intentions for the Future!
More good things to come in this 2011 from the Professor musical missions, once not just his long time producing documentaryHolding on to Jah is finally screening; a brand new studio album from Groundation is announced for later this year, and already 17th July, the first ever compilation from Groundation is coming out!
A gathering of 10 tunes from 2002-2009 featuring the Elders from Jamaica, as also never before released reasonings from Pablo Moses, Apple Gabriel, Don Carlos, The Congos and Ijahman Levi! Look out for the soon come blessings in the Gathering of the Elders!
04_Ossie Dellimore – How Come? – Reggae Music (mp3 promo) 2010 Skank Productions
05_Chezidek feat.Dean Fraser– On the Move – Judgment Time 2010 Not Easy At All/Jah Solid Rock
06_Earl Sixteen – Changing Times extended dub – The Fittest (mp3 promo) 2011 NotEasy At All/JahSolidRock
07_Little Roy – No Guns No Bombs – Heat 2011 Pharaos Records Little Roy ID
08_Little Roy – Only Jah – Heartical Story (pre-release mp3 promo) 2011 Heartical
09_Prince Fatty feat.Little Roy – Dont Give Up – Survival of the Fattest 2007 Mr Bongo Records
10_Hollie Cook – Cry (Vocal Mix) – single mp3 promo from ‘Hollie Cook’ 2011 Mr Bongo Records (free download @ http://www.holliecook.com/)
11_Prince Fatty feat.Natty – Bedroom Eyes Dub – mp3 single advance from ‘Supersize’ 2010 Mr Bong Records free download @ http://princefatty.bandcamp.com/
E.N. Young –Luck and Chance no More (mp3 promo) 2010 Roots Musician Records
12_E.N. Young – Imagine Peace
13_E.N. Young – Give Me What
14_E.N. Young – Warriors
E.N. Young – Warriors Dub
15_ Earlyworm – Inhale The Lion – Natty Droid (mp3 promo) 2011 Renegade Media
16_Alambic Conspiracy – Hemp Dub (B.R. Stylers) – The Missing Dub Versions 2011 ODG net label free download @ http://odgprod.com/
17_Don Fe meets Lorenzo Barbero – One Dog Field of Sheep – Revolutionary Dub Vibrations: Chapter 3 2011 Free CC License download @ http://dubvibrations.com
18_Abassi All Stars – Dub Army – Dub Conference series 9 7inch (mp3 promo) 2011 Universal Egg/Deep Root
Novo espaço ZonaReGGae dedicado a divulgar novas editoras independentes, que cativam a atenção, não só pela nova e boa música que estão actualmente a disponibilizar no mercado, mas também pela atitude independente e direccionada para levar os artistas um pouco mais longe do que apenas a tops de vendas e canais de televisão.
Para este primeiro destaque, apresentamos a editora Francesa SoulBeats Records, com base de operações na zona da Aquitânia, e a promover desde 2006 projectos de Soul, Funk e Reggae um pouco por toda a França e Europa.
Com o objectivo principal de encorajar e auxiliar bandas e artistas independentes a promoverem a sua música, a SoulBeats Records tem desempenhado um papel importante em proporcionar uma boa exposição aos trabalhos de estúdio de bandas com habitual presença em palcos ao vivo, mas com pouca mostra dos seus trabalhos discográficos
Autenticidade, originalidade e envolvimento planetário são as directivas que motivaram a equipa da SoulBeats Records a desenvolver este trabalho, sempre perto da cultura dos estilos musicais que destacam e dos artistas com quem trabalham.
São já mais de uma dezena os nomes que a SoulBeats tem apresentado ao mundo da música, onde encontramos artistas e bandas bem conhecidas como Rootz Underground, Sebastian Sturm, Moonraisers, Shaolin Temple Defenders, Soul Revolution ou Rebelution.
A dimensão planetária da label e a constante busca por espalhar as vibrações artísticas da música reggae, levaram-nos ao encontro neste ano 2011 de 3 grandes artistas dos tempos modernos e ao lançamento/distribuição dos seus novos álbuns:
Professor – Madness
Disponível desde 19 Abril na Europa, Madness é o álbum de estreia a solo do vocalista dos Groundation, Harrison Stafford a.k.a. Reggae Professor. Um álbum de conceito, idealizado em 2010 durante uma viagem de Stafford a Terra Santa, para se ligar à história da sua própria família e encontrar um entendimento comum entre os dois lados do conflito Israel / Palestina.
Gravado em Kingston, e acompanhado de nomes como Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, Earl “Flabba Holt” Carter. Lloyd “Obeah” Denton, Dalton Browne; Madness é já um dos grandes discos de Roots Reggae do ano.
A acompanhar Professor na mensagem de Paz e União reflectida ao longo de Madness, encontramos ainda as vozes de U-Roy, Bernard “Satta” Collins (Abyssinians), Winston “Electric Dread” McAnuff, Roydel “Ashanti” Johnson (Congos), Steve Tulloch, George Henry “Baldhead” e Melvin Trusty “the Jeweler”.
Takana Zion– Rasta Government
Em Maio a SoulBeats Records apresentou o 3º trabalho do singjay da Guiné Conakry, Takana Zion. Rasta Government é um álbum que fala sobre as raízes com um toque de Reggae moderno bem presente e assente pela sua gravação no lendário Harry J Studio em Kingston, Jamaica. Sly Dunbar, Sticky Thompson, Robbie Linn ou Capleton são alguns dos nomes jamaicanos que participam em Rasta Government, registo que se destaca pela afirmação de Takana Zion como um dos grandes embaixadores do Roots Reggae Africano.
Mista Savona – Warn The Nation ‘Reggae Heavyweights Sound the Alarm’
O próximo lançamento da SoulBeats agendado para dia 10 de Junho 2011, apresenta na Europa o álbum 2010 de um dos nomes emergentes da cena reggae australiana, o produtor Mista Savona. Warn The Nation é o 4º registo desde conhecido produtor de riddims dancehall, que no novo disco expande a sua criação até ao Roots Reggae e ao Dub.
Para além de alguns nomes da cena local, Warn The Nation, surpreende com as participações vocais de Sizzla, Burru Banton, Capleton, Anthony B, Horace Andy, Prince Alla ou Alton Ellis, numa das suas últimas gravações de sempre, Chant Rasta Sound, e um dos temas mais espectaculares de um álbum que surpreende pelo excelence nível de produção e qualidade instrumental.
Três lançamentos disponibilizados pela SoulBeats Records, empenhados em espalharem o talento da nova música reggae inspirada nas suas origens. Uma label com dimensão humana que demonstrou até agora não apenas promover um produto, mas sim trabalhos com verdadeira dimensão artística, valores e paixão pela música! Visita os Links para saberes e ouvires mais!
Earl Zero –Marketplace (mp3 promo) 2011 ForeignKeyRecords
21_Earl Zero – Blackman Time (rude interlude 1936)
22_Earl Zero – Changes
Earl Zero – The Lion Dubs Again
23_Earl Zero – Roll Call
24_Earl Zero – None Shall Escape the Judgement – And God Said to Man Showcase (mp3 promo) 2010 A-Lone Records
25_Earl Zero – Please Officer – Life Goes in Circles ‘sounds of the talent corporation 1974-1979′ 2006 Pressure Sounds
26_Talent Crew – King Tubby’s Version
27_Jimmy Riley & The Upsetters – Darkness in the City – The Return of Sound System Scratch ‘More Lee Perry Dubplate Mixes & Rarities 73-79’ (mp3 promo) 2011 Pressure Sounds
28_Keith Poppin – Hard time –Get Together ‘Original Recordings 1970-79’ 2007 KP Productions
29_Joshua Moses – Africa Is Our Land – The Bristol Reggae Explosion ‘1978-1983’ (mp3 promo) 2011 Bristol Archive Records
Earl 16 ID
30_Earl Sixteen – Rise Up – The Fittest (pre-release mp3 promo) 2011 NotEasy At All/JahSolidRock
If I would to highlight a roots reggae newcomer into this Millennium’s first decade, it would have to be Hawaiian born, Joshua Alo.
With a raw and uncut, 2007, debut release album, Answer your Calling; Joshua, alongside Italian tribal roots band Zion Love, brought out one of the best independent releases of that year. Produced in only two weeks, Answer Your calling was certainly a powerful moment. Answer Your Calling also revealed one of the most original younger voices in worldwide Reggae Music, as Joshua Alo’s sweet and original vocals genuinely delivering his humble, conscious and devoted messages.
After many praises for the album, both from his home island, and worldwide places like Brazil, Unites States, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and West Africa, Joshua returned to Hawaii in 2008 for some heavy performances throughout the islands. He then made a move to Europe where he teamed up with hard hitting musicians from Burkina Faso, Congo and Belgium, to record the new album, Orchid Unknown (Coming out next 25th February, 2011 on his independent label World SoulJah Music).
Joshua says “Orchid Unknown is an album that was a long time in the making. Many trials were endured in the 2 1/2 year long process it took to write, record and produce this album”.
Unlike his debut release, Orchid Unknown, displays a more vibrant and updated Roots Reggae feel; filled with Jazzy grooves, hard drumming, beautiful harmonies and exquisite horn arrangements, as Joshua says, ‘the music is marinated through time contrary to my first album which took only 2 weeks produce. The effects on the album are minimal and hardly any editing was done by the engineers as they adopted an old school recording method of ,”If the take is not right, do it again”, as editing the music will only minimize it’s true essence and vibe. ‘
The result is a work that truly brings joy and insight! Since the opening tune, Feel it in the Air, Joshua delivers strong messages throughout warnings and signs towards empowerment, faith, feelings, dreams and Love.
Highlights forward for his warnings about a New World Order in the amazing Senses; calls for freedom from the system and its deception in Be Free, Be True; the rockers skanking to a Rhythm So Divine, with appeals for love & strength to give all to the Lord and the single release, Keep, where Joshua moves away from the distress and sadness of life’s path, over a powerful roots rock reggae beat. (go towww.joshuaalo.com to get this free single.)
Joshua’s life and experiences are often shared in his lyrics, and one of the most beautiful of the feelings expressed comes from his past military experience: “I still render much due respect to the plight of the service members and their families as told in the track “Hold On”. A message for service members and families to persevere, amidst extremely long durations of separations and trials.”
Other highlight tune is the title track Orchid Unknown. A beautiful Roots Reggae tune where we listen to Joshua calling for the holy guidance to hold on to humanity, ‘The song resembles the holy place of the father deep down that is so buried within us, but calls out and guides us amidst all struggles, trials and tribulations in life.’
A true devotion to the Creator and Christ as stated in Psalms 146. The powers where Joshua gets his motivation are a constant presence in his words, ‘All songs in Orchid Unknown were written out of what I was experiencing. Some songs took minutes and others took 3 years to complete. But all songs were written out of inspiration’.
Finishing this all strong, 12 track intimate album, the acoustic Essence, shows us where he draws the inspiration from…The heart.
Music for open minded people and a chance for enlightenment is what Orchid Unknown offers, bringing an amazing musical effort all over great Roots Reggae influenced tunes, uplifted by Joshua Alo insights, warnings and callings for a change.
Word, Sound and Power! And no matter in what time, part of the world or language spoken, that´s what Reggae music should be all about.
Joshua´s words…. “You got to know what you’re searching for, you won’t find it, should you refuse to open your door so step out come out, see what life is all about, your hopes and your dreams are blocked by fear and doubt. Don’t let that new world order control your mind.” Senses
STARTING THE 1st MARCH UNTIL 31st – SUPPORT JOSHUA ALO MUSIC AND VOTE IN THIS YEARS ROTOTON REGGAE CONTEST EUROPE!
