Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
High Ceiling - Illusions
High CeilingIllusions
Label: Self Released
Easy flowing reggae escapades that ascend into effervescent jams and rootsy rock anthems. Fundamentally joyful this Washington act lyrically takes time to delve into socio/political topics of relevance while also managing to organize their own festival - Skok Valley Music Rally.
• High Ceiling WebsiteRupa And The April Fishes - Este Mundo
Rupa And The April FishesEste Mundo
Label: Cumbancha Records
Tossing an entrancing musical salad filled with Indian ragas, French chanson, Colombian cumbia and a wild Gypsy panache. Headed by the mega-talented Rupa Marya, the multilingual sophomore effort from these San Francisco natives explores the concept of timeless human migrations finding voice through a range of musical emotions.
• Rupa And The April Fishes Website • Rupa And The April Fishes WikiT.U.G.G. - Slow Chill
T.U.G.G.Slow Chill
Label: Last Call Records
Tropical feelings pervade when these warm reggae vibrations envelope the melodies and happily bounce along with the wise minded values expressed. Featuring guest musician Pato Banton their jams continue to expand. Hard to believe they are from Wisconsin.
• T.U.G.G. WebsitePrimitive Culture - Fantasy
Primitive CultureFantasy
Label: Hechtic Records
Seasoned musicians currently from Madison power up a full platter of spunky funky blues with happening horns and tasty guitar tribulations. The compositions are further cross pollinated with reggae grooves and multicultural vibrations.
• Primitive Culture WebsiteCAS HALEY - Connection
CAS HALEYConnection
Label: Easy Star Records
Perhaps you remember Cas from his second place finish on the second season of America’s Got Talent in 2007. If you do, then you will also remember his easy flowing reggae style with blues flavoring and his equally enticing vocal stylings. If not, you may want to examine what he has to offer, especially his revisioning of Alicia Keys’ song “No One.”
• CAS HALEY Website • CAS HALEY Facebook • CAS HALEY WikiJunior Toots - Reggae Got Soul
Junior TootsReggae Got Soul
Label: Crown Of Fire Records
If you are looking for a rising reggae artist that hasn’t gotten over the novelty of auto-tuning his voice, then look no further. Son of Toots Hibbert (Toots and the Maytals) and a Jamaican native, he forms his soulful, lyrical content around socially conscious issues and Jah. A lot of Jah.
• Junior Toots WebsiteToussaint - Black Gold
ToussaintBlack Gold
Label: I Grade Records
With smooth soul vibes with an Irie mindset, an all star band provides the flowing funk, rippling rock, and hip-swaying hip hop which. These are beautifully buffeted by the socially conscious, incredibly blissful, and heartfelt vocal offerings of this former Soulive singer.
• Toussaint Website • Toussaint FacebookFat Freddy's Drop - Live At Roundhouse London
Fat Freddy's DropLive At Roundhouse London
Label: The Drop
These slick party monsters have metered out a taste of what it is to see FFD live. They may be New Zealand natives but you would have no idea of that based on their collision of deep grooves gathered from a worldwide sound overflowing with funk, reggae, ska, dub, blues, soul and tons more. It’s easy to lose yourself in these 6 jammed out versions of their highly entertaining songs which all top 10 minutes each!
• Fat Freddy's Drop Website • Fat Freddy's Drop Facebook • Fat Freddy's Drop WikiKazyak - A Beautiful Brontosaurus
KazyakA Beautiful Brontosaurus
Label: Ground Up Productions
Bebobble-deeing between countrified jams and upstart funky rock may show off a classic jam rock band influence, but this friendly and flowing vision utilizes an ambitious combination of elements to create a memorable recording filled with harmony vocals, salient solos and delectable rhythms that are especially admirable for a trio to produce.
• Kazyak Website • Kazyak FacebookEugene Grey - Diversity
Eugene GreyDiversity
Label: Greyhound Records
Disc 1 shows off the instrumental side of this hard working and award winning Jamaican born guitarist and composer while disc 2 has all the vocal tracks thrown in. I can’t decide which is better. They are both flavorful in their own way, highlighting inflections and nuances of the buoyant horn section and funky subtly flowing rhythms that are based in Afro-pop, reggae, jazz and jam.
• Eugene Grey Website • Eugene Grey FacebookDub Is A Weapon - Vaporized
Dub Is A WeaponVaporized
Label: Harmonized Records
Dub is known for being the music of producers but not live performers. Antibalas’s guitarist and dub mastermind Dave Hahn has managed to create a fabulous dub release as well as forge a live unit capable of extracting the style from the studio and playing it live thanks to his masterful knob twirling techniques and ear for detail.
• Dub Is A Weapon Website • Dub Is A Weapon FacebookT.U.G.G. - Come Sunrise
T.U.G.G.Come Sunrise
Label: Last Call Records
Reggae is a state of mind for some and comes from the heart for others. This western Wisconsin group continues to find reggae rhythms emanating from both their mind and heart on Come Sunrise. While they may float into some skate as well as some surf rock gusto, this release reflects the struggles and glory that comes from being a touring band in 2010.
• T.U.G.G. Website • T.U.G.G. FacebookView More
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