Sunday, August 14, 2011

One Drop Vibein'

One-Drop Reggae: It's been a good summer for traditional roots reggae, often referred to as one-drop. Quality releases from labels like Maximum Sound UK and Juke Boxx, and artists like I-Wayne, Gappy Ranks, Alborosie and many others have been ringing in the clubs.

The always consistent Soul of the Lion label brings another excellent roots entry forward with Dread & Alive: The Lost Tapes Volume 7, which dropped on August 9.

In addition to solid reggae tunes by Ken Bob and Dub Down, you'll hear a surprising heavy rock 'n' roll number by Fear Nuttin featuring Bushman and reggae en español by Alerta Kamarada.

Below, enjoy a preview of Perfect Giddimani's tribute to Buju Banton, which is also a great introduction to his just released album Back For The First Time on Lustre Kings Productions too!

The Lost Tapes Volume 7:
Perfect – “Hold On (Buju)” (download)
Ken Bob – “Shot Poor Johnny”
Irie Love – “Freedom”
Dub Down – “Flatfoot Hustling”
Fear Nuttin Band ft Bushman – “Living Together ”
Alerta Kamarada – “Historias De Pueblo”

Hawaiian reggae band The Green has signed to New York's Easy Star Records. The Green's music has topped the iTunes reggae download charts and the band recently completed a well-received West Coast tour. As "Islander Reggae" catches steam with artists like J-Boog and Fiji, The Green is poised for big things. 

Their full-length album Ways & Means drops in October, while the Love & Affection EP, featuring four tracks from the upcoming record along with a bonus dub mix, is available digitally on August 9.

The Green also secured a slot on the just released high profile Greensleeves compilation The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2011. The comp includes strictly roots tracks from St. Croix's Midnite, Jamaica's I-Wayne, Gyptian, I-Wayne and even a one-drop tune ("Spend Time Dubb'n") from Vybz Katel.  Check this free download for a taste of The Green's song “Love & Affection” 

Our friends at Lafamillie Music in Spain have released another impressive, dubby roots EP from Neblina Sound

The release is titled Neblina Sound y Lafamille Music Presents: U-Rie and features a heady selection of digital-reggae and dub-infused roots tracks produced by Puppashan and performed live by Bass Culture Digital Posse. Its modern reggae with a retro-feel that never gets too nostalgic -- think On-U Sound meets Iration Steppas and your in the right direction. 

Best of all, ForwardEver is able to offer you the full preview for download. Make sure big up Neblina Sound and La Familia on your mixtapes, radio shows and Facebook pages when you're rocking these tracks!

And speaking of On-U Sound : the label celebrates it's 30th Anniversary in San Francisco when dubmaster Adrian Sherwood and MC  Brother Culture (Mungo's Hi-Fi) perform live at Dub Mission SF on Sunday September 4

ForwardEver spoke to Sherwood about his visit and we'll post a link to the article about the show and On-U's 30th year on this blog soon!