Reggae Hits and New Releases in August 2021

Reggae Gold

The annual Reggae Gold series returns in 2021 with a collection of hits. Reggae Gold 2021 features “Go Down Deh” by Spice, featuring Shaggy and Sean Paul and Tarrus Riley with his rendition of “Heartbreak Anniversary,” the massive R&B streaming hit. Recent hits “Nice Up The Dance” by Kabaka Pyramid, Jahvillani “Smooth (feat. Skillibeng),” and “Ginal (feat. Collie Buddz)” from international star Alborosie add to the set. “Welcome To Jamaica” by reggae star Jah Cure is a Reggae Gold 2021 exclusive.

Kenya Eugene

St. Croix reggae vocalist, actress and model Kenya Eugene has released “Bun It”. Kenya Eugene provides details, “This story is really special to me as it depicts the strength of Virgin Islanders, but more specifically a special set of women who played leadership roles in the fire burn. In this instance they were titled Queens. Like many, they were tired of the unfair labor laws imposed by the then ruling Danish government in the Virgin Islands and did something about it.”

“It embodies and celebrates the strength of women throughout history. This overall message is representative of so many things including a level of reflection and consciousness. It has various meanings and speaks to each listener differently based on their experiences.”

The new single is the first release from her upcoming LP “Color Me Reggae,” a collaboration between Kenya Eugene and HouseOfBambu (Bambu Station).

JonQuan

Songwriter and keyboardist JonQuan has constructed an album filled with new songs that evoke the majesty of the golden age of reggae. These tracks will be released as singles over the course of the late summer and fall, concluding in an album release in early December 2021. The first single is a collaboration with Jamaican veteran Carlton Livingston, called “Accidental Badman,” which is inspired by a real-life tale of someone Livingston knows who followed a path of crime due to circumstances beyond his control.

JonQuan says he was inspired over the pandemic to create his own original riddims “to cure the boredom and woes of being off stage and locked down.” JonQuan has been the frontman, songwriter, and keyboard player for reggae band Buddha Council, based out of Virginia Beach, for the past few years. Once he had an album’s worth of riddims, he set about finding great vocalists to collaborate with. He knew he wanted the right musicians and vocalists. “This is my first project where I produced the riddims myself. I wanted to leave the door open for the players of all other instruments for maximum creative input, but within certain parameters. I personally chose who I wanted to play what instrument on what song. I’m most accustomed to live writing with a band while feeling for a groove.” For the first single, he invited Carlton Livingston, who John had backed in the past.

Roots of Creation

Roots of Creation has released a cover of the Allman Brothers song “Soulshine”. The new music comes out ahead of Roots of Creation’s fan funded new album Dub Free or Die Vol. 1! Digging deep into the character of the original song with an epic guitar solo, Roots of Creation seamlessly transforms the track into a roots reggae song. The track features Jesse Wagner (The Aggrolites) on vocals; Brett Wilson on guitars and backing vocals; Chris Regan on bass; Andrew Riodan playing horns; Paul Wolstencraft (Slightly Stoopid) on Hammond organ; DELA (Slightly Stoopid) playing the saxophone solo; Nick Asta (The Elovaters) on percussion’ Morgan Keating and Kaylea Verville on background vocals; and Green Lion Crew provided the drum sample.

Kingston Express

Kingston Express has a new EP titled “City Lock.” The EP includes six brand new roots reggae tracks with vocals from Horace Andy, Macka B, Ranking Joe, Earl 16, YT, Cheshire Cat and Longfingah.

The ‘City Lock EP’ was co-written with Kingston Express keyboards player Mat Kedracki based in his studio in Poland. It was mastered by Ed Rome based in his studio in Spain and features the horn section from fellow Birmingham band Kioko. Drums were provided by the late great Style Scott (Roots Radics) and the London based percussionist and regular Kingston Express vocalist Horseman.

Jah Sun & The Rising Tide

Jah Sun & The Rising Tide recently released their new album Running Through Walls. The Rising Tide features lead vocalist/singer songwriter Jah Sun, Tony Thompson on guitar, Beau “Arrow” Sheppard on bass/harmonies, Nick “Kirbz” Kirby on drums/harmonies, and producer/multi-instrumentalist Omar “Jallanzo” Johnson.

Jah Sun said, “Music represents a journey. Our music can help you relive it and maybe even revive it with your loved one. Life is short. Enjoy the good vibes and focus on positivity. Our music helps us through life and we hope it does the same for our fans.”

Medisun

Reggae and R&B singer Medisun has new single “Speak Love” and “Speak Love Dub”. “The entire world was in the midst of the traumatic events of 2020 and I was facing a very tense period in my personal life,” says Medisun. “In spite of the discomfort I was experiencing, I felt inspired to send a healing wave of sound into Iration and uplift the collective psyche of the planet. The therapeutic use of sound is the driving force behind all of the works, or bodies of work, on the horizon. Words can harm, deceive, divide, and destroy. They can also heal, enlighten, unite, and create. I aim to encourage people to choose the latter when speaking to self or others.”

Fortunate Youth

Southern California Reggae rockers Fortunate Youth have released the single “Sunlight” from their upcoming album Good Times on Roll On.

The band includes long time friends Dan Kelly on vocals; Travis “Travi Bongo” Walpole on percussion; Jered Draskovich on keys/bass; Greg Gelb on bass, guitar; Corey Draskovich on bass, guitar, keys; Revelation Kalauli on drums. Since its creation in 2009, Fortunate Youth remains devoted to its roots and a simple mission: Spread peace, love, and unity with music.

Arky Starch

Belgian multi-instrumentalist Arky Starch recently released Stigmata (Roar Like A Bass). Arky fuses Roots Reggae with various other genres. Arky Starch’s discography includes two EPs, ‘Dub Faith’ and ‘Give it a Walk’ featuring Ragga Yves, the album, ‘Soul Sensi,’ and 6 singles with Micky B. + 1 single with Ragga Yves.