Lee “Scratch” Perry: King Scratch – Musical Masterpieces From the Upsetter Ark-ive
One year after his passing, King Scratch fetes the reggae/dub shaman Lee “Scratch” Perry with a multiple-disc, multiple-format, career-spanning collection.
reggae
Luísa e os Alquimistas’ ‘Gang da Leoa (Vol. 1)’ Is a Brega Psychedelia Party
Inspired by hippie culture, psychedelic art, brega music, and Latin cultures, Luísa e os Alquimistas’ act is a complicated and brilliant promise of Brazilian pop.
How Catholicism Shaped Sting’s Creative Vision
In Sting and Religion, Evyatar Marienberg explores links between the rock icon’s Catholic upbringing and the religious themes in his lyrics.
Legendary Deejay U-Roy Created ‘Solid Gold U-Roy’ Before His Passing
With an all-star cast helping to perform his classics, Solid Gold U-Roy turns out to be an unexpected epitaph for the legendary Jamaican deejay.
Staring at the Rude Boys: The British Ska Revival 1979-1989
Cherry Red’s latest superb compilation highlights big hits and lost tracks from the British ska revival.
4 Mars’ ‘Super Somali Sounds from the Gulf of Tadjoura’ Highlights Djiboutian Popular Music
These are recordings prematurely aged, but their grit belies fresh sounds that speak to Djibouti's history as a port region connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to the Horn of Africa.
What Was So Great About the Clash?
How does someone go from anti-nuke activist to serious foreign policy maven, student protester to mid-life bourgeoisie, and feel the same way about the Clash, aka "The Only Band That Matters"?
When Punk Took on the National Front It Screamed, ‘White Riot’!
Rubika Shah's savvy documentary, White Riot, shows punk music's casual flirtation with fascism and the rise of anti-racist punks' hugely popular response headlined by the Clash, Rock Against Racism.
Johnny Nash Refused to Remember His Place
Johnny Nash, part rock era crooner, part Motown, and part reggae, was too polite for the more militant wing of the Civil Rights movement, but he also suffered at the hands of a racist music industry that wouldn't market him as a Black heartthrob. Through it all he was himself, as he continuously refused to "remember his place".
The Deep and Distant Roots of the Ska-Punk Hybrid
Many only recognize ska-punk as a fad of 1990s US pop music, but its emanation and roots run much deeper and spread far wider than one may think.
Kolohe Kai Is “Catching Lightning” with His Catchy New Love Song (premiere)
Pacific reggae artist Kolohe Kai fuses pop and R&B elements into "Catching Lightning", a breezy new love song that's perfect for summer.
Jason Mraz Emphasizes Reggae and Positivity on ‘Look for the Good’
There's nothing inherently off about his Jason Mraz's new album, but a glance at his past records makes Look for the Good feel a bit lackluster.
