SHOK WAVE is your weekly new REGGAE music. SHOK WAVE finds music that is out there in the form of Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Ska, Dub, Reggae Rock & anything else musical with a Caribbean origin and in any language.
Here is what we found this week.......Enjoy!
REGGAE
Chronixx "Exile"
The wait is over. Chronixx releases his second album "Exile." It starts with the title track. Feels like the title track is an expression of what Chronixx was on....an Exile. 8 years between albums. The album overall is sonically different. It is not all roots reggae. Feels a bit more soulful. Do not expect a 'Smile Jamaica' or 'Skanking Sweet' type of hit. It's much more stripped down and in a subtle way much more in your face with strong lyrics & melodies. There are even tracks that have subtle reminiscents of older classics. Listen closely. 'Sweet Argument' is the third track and the first track that gives the feel of this new album. Its just easy, mellow and comforting. We get funky on 'Survivor' with a reggae vibe for sure. One of our favorites is 'Family First.' The song has a wicked & dominant bass line that sets the tone. We all put family first. There is alot of love in this album. During the time off Chronixx found love, had a child and has had several major life events and it has been expressed in this album. There might even be maturity in the sound. 'I Know What You Feeling' is a song where we know what you are feeling. It has that dominant bass as well. Chronixx's 'Saviour' could only be Jah. This will help you to 'Keep On Rising To The Top' because Jah light is shining and gave us a heart of a lion. Stay focused my youth. The music takes a step back in it's vibe. It gets mellow and simple. Lyrically it gets deep in a simplistic way with 'Hurricane' & 'Genesis.' 'I N I' faith will be tested in 'Don't Be Afraid,' just remember your source of light. It goes back to 'Never Give Up,' which was remastered for this album. 'Resilient' has to be the toughest, stripped down song on the album. Love is our strength, we need it and together we are resilient. Musically it's alot of up and down and it's a great ride. There's no 'Scheming' here. It's all real strictly love & faith. At the end of it all, there's 'Love On The Mountain.' This album is a reminder of what is most important.
Christos DC & The Ligerians "Shadow of Perception"
Christos DC is a roots reggae singer who writes about meaningful topics that are introspective & deep. His delivery comes in strong yet subtle. His voice is clear yet he sounds as if he is whispering to you. With heavy influence from the great Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite & Akae Beka, Christos has that worldwide underground roots reggae following. His latest project has 'Sensibility,' (the single) and a "Shadow of Perception" (the album). It's a never ending question as it seems to be a sensibility to the highest degree. The first 3 songs of the album are the first 3 singles from the album. Life is 'A Lesson' and yesterday should never be today's mistake. In other words, when you stop learning, you stop living. In order to be an impactful human that contributes to the world, we have to 'Live Right' especially in the children's eyes. The latest single is with French's version of Eek-A-Mouse in Tomawok with 'Refrain. A man of words who you not only need to listen to, you will learn from. Is it about 'Destroy or Create?' Listen and it will make you think. Wrong never make a right yet as it comes back to 'Sensibility.' Serious lyrics in this song that makes more than just sense. Is it 'Circumstance or Fact.' Consciousness will affect how you perceive. In the end, keep your course 'It's Your Choice.' The 'Law of Creation' gives that opportunity as humans and also does not give us the right to take another's life. It goes back to 'Live Right' & to take 'Pride.' The message can go deep and may even weight you down at first. Listen again and learn. Let the music carry you while the lyric make you think. The sound of the album is backed & created musically by the French band The Ligerians.
Kolohe Kai "What Aloha Means"
Once a Hawaiian Always a Hawaiian. Kolohe Kai is one of it's million prodigal sons. He spreads the aloha of Hawaii through his island & reggae vibes. His appropriately named album "What Aloha Means," literally defines it musically & lyrically. Kolohe will take you to a place where they don't know your name and we all look the same. You will be lei'd and there is no hate. It's all about love. The album is not all reggae. It does have that special Hawiaain soul in every song as witnessed next. It is also a place where you become 'Addicted To Life' and 'Day By Day.' It is a place where they have the answers because they realize 'Love Is All We Need' which features SOJA. Life is not meant for 'Egg Shells' or 'Charades' but Kolohe's rendition of 'All My Life' fits perfectly. If you like or prefer the dancehall vibe, Fia joins Mr Kai on 'Calm My Nerves,' which feels like it will make you dance. 'Hope' asks the questions many will not ask. Give it to them Kolohe. Don't be fooled by 'Too Close To Home,' it may not start out like a reggae tune., give it a chance. This song is really about his people who lost everything during a wildfire that destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina in August 2023. The rub-a-dub style helps heal and brings the 'Vibez.' 'I Wanna Live' is a song that could not only give Lahaina alot of strength but those who need it when they are down. The album ends in true where the heavens cry and the Earth lives, a true Hawaiian saying. Making rain a good thing, a blessing. It is 'Ua Li'i.'
Mesh Marina 'Joke Dem A Joke'
Fronted & run by 19 year old Waterhouse based Shennell & produced by DJ Mario C, Mesh Marina is a serious young reggae band out of Jamaica. This is their first single 'Joke Dem A Joke.' A real life tune written & sung by Shennell, about the role in Jamaica a woman is not suppose to smoke. Simple tune yet catchy and straight. Much more to come. In fact, they have 32 songs written & recorded.
Soul Sugar & Dub Shepherds 'My God Has A Telephone'
A sweet tune that has that old sound. Sounds great even just the music by the Dub Shepherds then Soul Sugar drops the vocals. It is a cover of 'My God Has A Telephone' from Aaron Frazer. We do not know the song so we will listen to it.
Niko Rubio feat. Zuri Marley 'Ring Ring'
The Atlantic Records star gets the best endorsement she could get when she does her latest reggae tune 'Ring Ring.' It gets the remix with a Marley, not just any Marley. A Marley that matches Niko's sexiness and voice in Zuri Marley. If you wanna go for a little ride around Miami, check out the video too.
Grantie Asher 'Way Side'
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