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
Koffee "Gifted"
The debut album from Koffee is done. Breaking it down right from the start "Gifted" has 3 urban songs with reggae influence, reggae is here in 2 tracks just on the lighter side, one feels straight African, while 3 are urban and 2 of the familar tracks are dancehall with a pop and urban feel and one of those has an Afrobeat track. The album starts with Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song' as '10x' and it's basically about giving thanks for another day. A strength of Koffee lies in her gracefulness of being so grateful. The weird part is the song does not feel like a reggae song from a musical stand point. 'Defend' sounds like a modern day urban styled kette vibe about the situation in Jamaica. The fourth official single is an extension of keeping it positive and finding a way for us all to 'Shine.' There are struggles to do so and the track is a lite pop acoustic reggae song. Is "Gifted" about Koffee herself? It is in a way of being blessed, guided & gifted over a stripped down African flavored beat. 'Lonely' feels like a love song based around meeting someone new. The question arises of trusting and getting to know the other person. The options are that or being 'Lonely.' It has a light reggae feel and touches of jazz while Koffee sings and raps at the end. Lyrically & sonically comes as the best track on the album. 'Run Away' starts light and then drops hard where it wakes you up, since the album has been musically mellow. Feels like a very modern light hip hop/pop track, kinda like a 'Run Away.' The guitar is utilised extremely well in 'Where I'm From' where Koffee delivers strong as a rapper. The rest of the album consists of the first three singles of the album 'West Indies,' 'Pull Up' and 'Lockdown.' Having these three songs at the end carries alot of weight since these are the best known songs on the album. Also there are no real guests singers, which I find interesting as well. Koffee is carrying all the weight and carrys it well. The album doesnt feel like a reggae or dancehall album. "Gifted" feels more like an urban album with reggae & dancehall on it. Ultimately it's what you think. What do YOU think? Take a listen it's all here.
Yankee 'Be The One'
Off of the new riddim called 'Moment In Time,' Yankee has the tune on the riddim called 'Be The One.' A tune about a man wanting to be the one for a woman.
Peter Spence 'Loving Actions'
Serious lover's rock reggae from England where it originated from Peter Spence. The name says it all 'Loving Actions,' because we all know, more than ever actions speak louder than words. The song is also on a standard reggae riddim.
Jah Bouks 'Africa I'll Never'
Jah Bouks is known for his tune 'Angola' which uses a Bob Marley melody. Bouks has musically been on the rise. His latest 'Africa I'll Never' has the best sound that will never turn its back on Africa. Tells us theres an album in the making.
Mykal Rose feat Propa & Diplomat 'No More'
Mykal Rose still sounds so good and it shows on his tune 'No More.' As a rastaman living in Babylon he's tired of dem as he sees them everywhere. We hear your cry Michael and we are tired of it too.
SKA
The Inevitables “Florida Moon” EP
The Inevitables are a new multimedia project that includes comics and a ska band with an all star cast of Vinnie Fiorello (former drummer Less Than Jake), Obi Hernandez (Westbound Train), Matt Appleton (Reel Big Fish), Billy Kottage, John DeDomenici (Jeff Rosenstock, Bob The Music Industry!), Alex Stern (Big D and the Kids Table) and Sean Paul, you know the dancehall reggae guy from Jamaica. Seriously he's from Nightmares For A Week & the dub of the title track was mixed Roger Rivas (The Aggrolites & Long Beach Dub All Stars). We like 'The Abyss' a reggae track that really should be called 'You & Me.'
KULCHA LATINO
Mixed Culture feat Fidel Nadal 'Good Vibes'
It's just 'Good Vibes' when Mixed Culture & Fidel Nadal link up. How can people comptete is sweet reggae music so it can only be..........
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