Sunday, March 04, 2012

Music Nice! A Reggae Update

Saturday April 28, San Francisco's venerable Club Dread, one of the city's oldest continually running reggae events series, present their annual sound clash. This installment features the clash's '05 winner, Jamaica and Florida-based Killaface Sound Station, plus locals Guerrilla Takeover and Seven Star sound from LA. Plan for a big night of dubplates and crowd participation -- but please, no bias! The event takes place at the Rock-It Room, 406 Clement Street in San Francisco.


Canadian bassist, producer and esteemed dubologist Ryan Moore brings his Twilight Circus Dub Sound System to San Francisco on Sunday April 15 at Dub Mission @ the Elbo Room, 647 Valencia, San Francisco. Moore has recorded with Luciano, Michael Rose, Ranking Joe and Lutan Fyah to name just a few, and has pioneered his own unique, psychedelic roots-dub sound. Low frequencies will be well represented as day turns to twlight, and dub rules them all.


The good bredrin at Soul of the Lion brought a new I-Grade Records release to our attention. African music act Nazarenes new single "Food" features great brass and a rich, melodic compositional style that recalls greats like Aswad or Morgan Heritage. According to the press site, the track “Food” features production by the Zion I Kings collective, along with guitar work from Ras Abijah and an expert mix by Leroy “Phatta” Pollinger at Anchor Studio in KingstonJamaicaHear a preview on Soundcloud. The album Meditation drops April 10.


Romain's rises again: 22 year-old Jamaican singer and Rising Stars talent show winner Romain Virgo is living up to his potential with another solid single. "I Know Better" is a message tune about the perils of the gun and gang lifestyle. Check the track out here, and for bookings or more information, hail up Rude Gal promotions for more info.


Big up to Kabaka for the link on an excellent new roots band, Pentateuch from Kingston, Jamaica. Like Rootz Underground, Ras Ites or Groundation, they represent the next generation of reggae acts that keep the traditional sound fresh and meaningful. Check their video for "Black Face" below and get more info at their Reverb Nation page.