SHOK WAVE is your weekly new REGGAE music blog. 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!
Instead of not doing a blog this week we decided to list a bunch of good songs that released. I did not find anything great just good. Maybe this should be the start of an additional playlist? What do you think?
REGGAE
Various Artists "Remembering Bob Andy"
The songs are great because they are from one of Jamaica's best songwriters and being sung by Jamaica's best artists of today. So, the equation looks to be an A+. The album starts with one of my favorite Bob Andy tunes 'Desperate Lover' sung by one of my favorite reggae artists of today Tarrus Riley and prematurely, I will say this is the album's best tune. Let me tell you all of Bob Anndy's best & most popular songs are all here. The sad part we do not feel the songs are done justice. The other exception is Olaf Blackwood does a great job on 'You Don't Know.' Olaf makes the song his and that is the difference. Everyone else is trying to sing Bob Andy's tunes not make them theirs. Maybe it's my fault as I know the songs and that do not meet the integrity of Bob Andy, not even Beres Hammond. Sanchez comes close on 'Too Experienced.' There is a void here. Barrington Levy has done the best renditions of Bob Andy's tunes and he is not here at all, definitely a void. The best part comes unexpected and its the instrumentals of the tracks that showcase a musician on each of the tracks to give it a jazzy feel over the reggae beat & backdrop.These are the highlight of the album. Robert 'Dub Wise' Browne adds a great touch to the track 'You Don't Know' with his jazzy guitar licks and added organ notes. Okiel McIntyre adds his trumpet with a jazzy feel that is nice and relaxing. The traditional piano on 'Honey' is a nice touch by Jon Williams. 'Fire Burning' was a big tune for Mr. Anderson and with the jazzy reggae vibe it blends makes for a new choice of lover's rock & Bob Andy tunes done by Dean Fraser. Lastly, its more of the strings work...enjoy
Gang Jah Mind '46664'
An interesting collective based in France since 1993 called Gang Jah Mind. They have a new album out called "Refugees." The '46664' track is the only one that stood out. The album is definitely worth a listen. It's different and integrates India & Arabic sounds and lyrics. They call it Reggae Rai. This is the best song we found and a standout. 3 lead singers and a group of musicians combining the different vibes.
SKA
Some Ska Band 'Keep On Movin'
Loving the new ska movement called New Tone. Some Ska Band is out of Rochester, Ny and have a new album coming out and here's one of the singles 'Keep On Movin.' It's in line with modern day ska with a 2 tone vibe and the newest and best ska bands or at least most have a female vocalists and this band is no exception. So we just keep on movin'.
DANCEHALL
Don Tolliver feat Kali Uchis '4 Me'
This is a new version of Beenie Man's 'Girls Dem Sugar' with Mya done by Don Tolliver & Kali Uchis from his album "Lovesick." The difference is this track is more about winning over the girl not just admiration. It works well and was a favorite of Don's in high school. The song has been sampled several times in other rap songs.
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