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
Gentleman's Dub Club "On A Mission"
Gentlemans Dub Club aka GDC has a mission: to become the world's best reggae & ska band. There are many that could out do them as one or the other. These guys are doing as a combination of the two: reggae and ska. GDC is doing it one album at a time, even though this album i less ska than normal. Their latest "On A Mission" adds to the goal. Their last album 'Down To Earth' earned the title of best reggae/ska band and album in 2022. The 'Mission' starts solid and goes into second gear with 'Gone.' A great tune speaking of 'I'm glad you're gone, it all went wrong, I wasn't happy, but now I'm happy that you're gone.' As one one of Europes best female reggae voices, Sara Lugo has a great vibe too and is a great addition to 'Long Time.' These days when GDC releases new music we get 'High Hopes.' Contrary to our excitement, the song is the opposite as in stop giving me high hopes and waste my time. The last stand out cut is 'Right Place, Wrong Time.' Lots of songs based on the bad side of love, including this last one. These guys are one of England's best bands and their strong accent adds to their music.
REGGAE ROCK
Rebel Souljahz "Move With Love"
Hawaii's Rebel Souljahz release the appropriately named "Move With Love." When you do everything with love things always work out better. The new album is full of love. A solid album from a staple in the Hawaiian music scene and well established in the Polynesian/Hawaiian reggae scene. Life starts with love so when there's 'More Life,' there's more love. So the duty is to 'spread love, make peace.... giving life giving herb, whiskey & reggae.' The Souljahz new theme song. This song is already taking over the island. 'This Time' it's 'Higher' because 'We Were in Love.' Moved past it and we are free. Past relationships can be hard and Souljahz are taking the blame for this one. In other words, they can do this 'Without You' and no more 'Prince Charming.' There's only 'One Way' so 'Don't Forget' the love we have. Our favorite love song is the 'Afternoon Delight.' 'I hate the feeling I'm feeling when you're not around, so don't you go missing for this afternoon delight.' We love afternoon delights so do not miss out on yours. It's about 'putting this love first.' 'Let me whisper in your ear, I don't want you to do what you don't want to, unless you want to... I just want to clear the air.' The 'Bad Girl' is different then all the rest especially musically. So now in life we "Move With Life." Remember love is 'Always and Forever.'
Kash'D Out "Butter"
A band that are still young are veterans of the road and studio. In fact, founding members Greg Shields lead singer, songwriter, producer & rhythm guitar and Jackson Hauserman lead guitar started in the studio and made a name by working with other bands like Tribal Seeds & Ballyhoo. Now with a new album the work comes like "Butter," they head back out on the road to support "Butter." The album starts with a reggae banger 'Highway Robbery.' The strongest reggae song they have done to date and one that speaks of the road as well. 'You and I should get together and make a little love.' The albums best melody hands down. Now that these guys are getting around that corner and turning towards success, there are draw backs. Coupled with being connoisseurs of the herb they have come to the point where they are 'Way Too High For This.' I know they would rather be in that position than where they were. They love what they do and it shows at the shows. Now these guys are more than 'Just Friends' because this is also their business. They spend alot of time together and have been around the block more than once. 'Back Deck' is that song that makes you realize that home is that special place they call the zone. "Everywhere they go they dream about coming home.' The song 'I Feel Your Vibe' is the one for that special person in your life as an 'Extrasensory' tune.The album's first single is next in 'Dirty Mind' with Kaleo Wassman of Pepper and about a good girl. You know this one as well as 'Whiskey and Weed.' We all go through things in life whether ups and downs, good or bad, you can sing 'I Got This.' The sax at the end is a nice and not common trait so enjoy it while you can. 'I Think You Like It' is a great way to cap off their best album. Kash'd Out are cashing in on their maturity and their music has grown while keeping their signature reggae rock sound. They are showing more variety and experience on this album. Their songwriting is stronger than ever and the melodies are on point. These guys work hard and their is on display here like a stick of "Butter."
SOCA
Alma Boy 'Old School Loving' Grenada
It is one of the busiest times of the year for soca & calypso music, especially outside of Trinidad carnival. This time of year there is Cropover in Barbados in the first week of August, Lucian Carnival in St Lucia July 1-19 and Spicemas in Grenada Aug 11-15. Here's a sample of the islands best tunes this week
WildxFire 'Loverz Pump' St Lucia
Trinity Clarke 'I Love Soca' Barbados
Jiggy 'Justice' St Lucia
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