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!
REGGAE
Rootz Underground "Red, Gold & Green"
The latest production from Rootz Underground is an unprecedented triple album of Roots Rock Reggae which also coincides with the band’s 20th anniversary. This music collection explores the bands willingness and ability to set themselves apart from the terrain of the modern industry and transcend into the heart and souls of fans and listeners as originally intended. Note the name Rootz Underground. The intention is to remain underground and not adapt, convert and conform in the universal quest for popularity or social media fame. Instead this music is intended to bring good courage and faith and determination for all people and not only musically elite, which this band has done over the years. The project is aptly titled RED, GOLD, GREEN and seeks to musically interpret the feelings of these Rastafari colors and their significance. The band has always remained true to what they believe and their music.
The RED represents the Fierceness and the realness of rebel determination and it is produced with the grittiness combined with love and the desire to see a universal solidarity beginning with introspection. The best part is it all previously unreleased material! 'Reggae Soul' was a live performance standard until now and is released for the first time ever. The next 3 songs are the 'Strength Of Days,' because they are 'determined by your ways' and the strong of this album. It feels like 'Judgement Day.' A sign of the times and you ready? 'Herb Green' is the teachings of the rasta herb elders manifested in music and returned to the youths. '007' is the opposite of James Bond, it is the fall of Babylon. "Across The Binghiverse' is, as it says, a binghi version of the Beatles tune. Lastly, 'Rise Up' is a compilation of HIS Majesty's speeches done in collaboration with the great Ansel Collins.
The GOLD is a tribute to the Sisters, Mothers and Daughters and celebrating the feminine balance which is needed in modernity! All songs handpicked to contain a powerful message with 3 original songs. The first actual song is the best place to start. It is 'Where Do I Begin' with Vern Hill, originally of a band called Blueprint and is an instrumental. This is what reggae would sound like if Beethoven were still around. The first vocal is with Nattali Rize called 'No Fairytales' and a reminder love is real. Brina X does 'One Common Need' with lead singer Stevie Lightning and was originally by Prince Lincoln & the Rasses. A classic from a favorite, Nina Simone, is 'Young, Gifted & Black.' Also a tribute to the late Bob Andy and sung with Canada's Desiree Dawson. She also sings Crowded Houses' 'Don't Dream It's Over' as well as 'Far Away' and 'Lonely Stars.' 'Valerie' a Amy Winehouse classic.
There are 3 unreleased tracks on this segment as well: 'Dubline' from Dr Hook, Sherita Lewis' 'Rain' and the nyabinghi style 'Always.'
The GREEN is putting a spin on a “Best of Rootz Underground” release concept, this is a 13-song compilation remixed and remastered of the bands classics. The Green Album also includes 5 previously unreleased songs and delivered in parts 1 and 2. The Green Album embodies the bands studio recordings. from 2000-2020 and includes guest performances by Vaughn Benjamin (Akae Beka & Midnite) on 'Frontline,' Junior “One Blood" Reid with 'One Thing,' and Naya – Toots Hibbert (Toots & the Maytals). A reminder of why quality and content matter. 'Time Is An Illusion' is an Underground strength and one of the better here. 'Fret Not Thyself' is hands down the best song of all 3 parts and is another reminder of what comes around, goes around. You will reap what you sow. Classic Rootz with great instrumentation from the Lucky Dube styled guitars and Burning Spear styled horns. This is what makes this band. Other standouts include: 'Kingston Town,' 'Potholes' with Dubtonic Kru, 'Slow Motion' and 'Corners Of My Mind.' There are also three good unreleased tracks on here: the only dub in 'Dubline' from Dr Hook, Sherita Lewis' 'Rain' and the nyabinghi style of 'Always' known as 'Hold On' on this album.
It has been way too long since we have had any Rootz Underground. This 3 part album makes it all worth it. More than enough music to hold you over.
The album will be publicly available on Soundcloud. We will update the link once we get it this week.
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