Reggae Spotlight: August 2022

Remastered Edition of “Return Of The Super Ape” by The Upsetters

VP Records is reissuing a remastered version of the 1978 album “Return Of The Super Ape”. This release came from Lee Perry’s iconic Black Ark Studio. The album is described as a psychedelicized dub voyage into unexplored sonic realms. This new edition includes original artwork. Available on CD, vinyl and digital.

Polynesian Reggae Artist Ha’angana releases “Wondering”

“Wondering” is the new single by Polynesian Reggae artist Ha’angana. He is currently based in New York and this is his second release following his debut single “What I Love About You” that featured The Cliftones.

Drawing inspiration from his Tongan background, Ha’angana means “Cheers to the Cheifs” and is the name of his upcoming album, to be released later this year.

Jamaican Conscious Roots Reggae Artist Osezua Releases ‘Fraud’ Single

“Fraud” is the title of a new single by Jamaican reggae artist Osezua. His roots reggae songs are about unity and human consciousness, with vision & purpose.

New Singles by Bencil Clickstar and Junior X

“She Feel Love” by Bencil Click Starr and “Mama Nature” by Junior X is another set of tracks from the upcoming “Solace Riddim”. Both artists hail from the island of Jamaica. These songs as well as the rest of the Solace Riddim were produced by Cally B of Small Axe.

Greensleeves Reggae Gold

The famed Greensleeves reggae label is celebrating its 45th anniversary with the anthology ‘Greensleeves Reggae Gold‘, a selection of its biggest hits.

Mortimer Reveals “Whole Heap” Single

Jamaican artist Mortimer is back with a new single titled “Whole Heap”. This song will appear on an upcoming album on Overstand Entertainment/Easy Star Records. “Whole Heap” combines reggae bassline and traditional Rastafarian Nyabinghi percussion with an R&B sensibility.

Mortimer says: “I write songs to express what’s in my heart and on my mind. I wanted to make this body of work – this single and the upcoming album – just as honest as my thoughts were in the moment. I’m aware that we all struggle from time to time, and I want people to know that they’re not alone.”

“If You Were Here Tonight”, the Latest from Anthony Cruz

Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer Anthony Cruz has released a melodious reggae version of Alexander O’Neal’s, ‘If You Were Here Tonight’. The single is taken from his upcoming album, ‘Under the Cover’ to be released on the Tad’s Record label.

“Coast to Coast”, New Music Video by Ghost.Wav

Ghost.wav has rolled out a new track titled “Coast to Coast“. Based out of Colorado, Ghost.Wav is known for its trancy, dubby reggae beats.

Ishmael I sings “Sweet Loraine,” a tribute to his cousin Justin Hinds

Singer-songwriter Ishmael I recorded his first cover song “Sweet Loraine” in tribute to Justin Hinds, Hinds originally performed and recorded the song in 1984. The cover was released on November 19, 2021, as a single from Ishmael I’s sophomore EP Taurean which was released on May 7th 2022, the birth date of both Ishmael & Justin Hinds.

Ishmael I was born and raised in the Waterhouse inner-city community of Kingston, Jamaica. He has musical roots that run all the way back to Jamaica’s ska and rocksteady era. His elder cousin, Justin Hinds of Justin Hinds & The Dominoes, was one of the biggest acts in Jamaican music during the 1960s and 70s. Another one of Ishmael’s elder cousins, Horace “Sleepy” Andy (Horace Hinds) is a renown roots reggae singer-songwriter and musician who has been recording since 1967.

Trojan Records to Release Lee “Scratch” Perry Collection

Trojan Records has announced the upcoming release of the new compilation album titled “King Scratch (Musical Masterpieces from the Upsetter Ark-ive)” on September 2, 2022. The anthology will be available on double CD, double vinyl and a deluxe boxed set.

“King Scratch” includes tracks from across the career of the legendary Jamaican record producer and artist Lee “Scratch” Perry. The collection marks the first anniversary of Perry’s passing, highlighting the very best of his work across his own releases and his productions for other artists.

Manu Chao & Chalart58 Release “Inna Reggae Style”

Manu Chao y Chalart58 have released a vinyl LP titled “Inna Reggae Style” with their collaborations recorded between 2017 and 2021. Guests include Sr. Wilson, Cedric Myton, Josep Blanes & High Paw. Vocals are in English and Spanish.

Reggae stars at the 2022 Bigga Bagga Riddim Tour

Late-Nite Productions will present “The 2022 Bigga Bagga Riddim Tour” featuring UB40, The Original Wailers, Maxi Priest and Big Mountain, live at Truckee River Regional Park Outdoor Amphitheater outdoors in Truckee, California. The event will take place on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 3pm.

UB40 is an English reggae and pop band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. UB40 have sold over 70 million records worldwide. Hits included “Red Red Wine” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You”.

The Wailers were Bob Marley’s band, and today under leader Al Anderson, they carry the flame of the past and light the way forward. Both The Wailers and UB40 are credited to the world-wide attention and success of the genre of reggae Music as a whole.

Maxi Priest scored huge hits like “Close to You” by bringing together the sounds of reggae with R&B, while Big Mountain’s cover of “Baby, I Love Your Way” brought their sun-soaked sound to the masses. Catch the Bigga Bagga Riddim Tour as is hits Truckee, Ca one night only on September 22, 2022!

Tickets at: https://www.ticketweb.com

Death by Dub Unveils ‘Abundance’

Death by Dub has released their debut record “Abundance“. The band draws from the long history of reggae music and sound system culture. They create instrumental music rooted in dub music, both in live performance and in the recording studio.

The project is led by Dan Africano and Scott Flynn, both of whom spent years involved in the world of dub and reggae music playing with influential American reggae band, John Brown’s Body. Around 2018, Dan and Scott both moved to Denver, Colorado.

Hawaii meets Jamaica on “Self Talk”

Inna Vision’s newest single “Self Talk” brings together singer-songwriter Kumar Fyah out of Kingston, Jamaica and legendary Hawaiian bass virtuoso Nathan Aweau. “Self Talk” is an eclectic, wind heavy, bass driven, song.

The Resolvers Roll Out ‘All The Lovin’

Florida-based reggae band The Resolvers have a new single coming out Friday, August 26, 2022. ‘All The Lovin’ is a modern Lovers Rock anthem with O’Jay Smith, son of Jamaican reggae legend Ernie Smith, on lead vocals.

Gambeat Davojah & Chalart58 “Love Over Evil”

Musical friends Gambeat (France) and Chalart58 (Spain) have released the song “Love Over Evil“, a combination of dub, rock, and reggae. Davojah (France) is the guest vocalist.