07/11/2015

Reggae Revival

There is something stirring up in the Caribbean - the return of a popular and authentic roots reggae scene.  I love the reggae music that come out of Jamaica in the 1970s, before  the cheesy reggae of the 80’s and 90s in the search for world wide appeal and commercial success.

Protoje

After the 1970s in Jamaica, reggae had been influenced by dance and rap creating the genre known as Dancehall which became the dominant genre since the 1980s with sex, violence, materialism and dancing as key lyrical themes.  Dub Poet Mutabaruka explained, “If 1970s reggae was red, green and gold, then the next decade was gold chains”. Each to their own, but Dancehall left me cold.

Jah9 

Recently there has been resurgence in the roots reggae style that I loved from the 1970s.  These are young Jamaican talents using bands and real instruments.  Usually carrying a spiritual vibe of the Rastafarian religion and full of social comments, rebel stances, laidback grooves and plenty of ganga.  The new roots reggae scene has been dubbed the Reggae Revival.

Raging Fyah

Whilst returning to the themes and sounds of the 1970s, these new acts do not sound dated or function as tribute bands.  These are exciting artists who have become popular in their homeland by playing roots reggae and deserve wider attention.

Chronixx

This playlist includes some great selections from the leading lights including Chronixx, Raging Fyah, Jah9, Dre Island, Kelissa and Protoje, .  It’s a punky reggae party.


01/11/2015

Mixtape Nov '15

This is the first of my monthly roundups of (fairly) new music.

Twenty songs by artists old and new, a scattering of covers, two Kurts and a dollop of beats.





  • Kurt Vile - Pretty Pimpin.  "I'm talkin' bout the man in the mirror..." 
  • Mercury Rev - Are You Ready?  Yes!
  • Methyl Ethel are a local band from Fremantle and Rogues name checks my nearest bridge and the heat of a WA Summer.
  • The Libertines - Anthem For Doomed Youth.  Highlight of their depressingly poor third album.
  • Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - Look It Here.  Motown Junk from Colorado.
  • Mark Morriss - Souvenir. The Bluetones front man covering an old Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark song that I remember from a Chart Hits '81 cassette I used to own.
  • Warpaint - Ashes to Ashes.  Excellent David Bowie cover.
  • Swim Deep - To My Brother.  Brummie band channeling the spirit of Screamadelica.
  • Seasick Steve - Roy's Gang.  Bad Ass Blues.
  • Public Service Broadcasting - Gagarin.  Ode to a Spaceman from their space themed LP.
  •  The Chemical Brothers - Wide Open.  Best track they've recorded in years but very reminiscent of Sugar Ray's Spinning Away.
  • Helsinki featuring Albert Hammond Jr. - The Batteries Weren't Dead.  Cool instrumental.
  • Surfer Blood - I Can't Explain.  Christmas Has Come Early Again.
  • King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Trapdoor.  Single from their forthcoming album Paper Mache Dream Balloon.  This Aussie Band just don't stop recording albums, this will be their sixth in three years.
  • Broken Bells - It's that Talk Again.  The Shins and Danger Mouse.  Noice!
  • Johnny Marr - The Headmaster Ritual (live) - from the Great live album Adrenalin Baby which includes songs from his time in The Smiths, Electronic and his solo career.  
  • DMA's - Lay Down.  Sydney band which Oasis like swirling guitars.  
  • Yo La Tengo - Friday I'm In Love.  Great cover of The Cure's giddiest song. 
  • Kurt Cobain - And I Love Her.  Kurt covers the Beatles in his home recording.  Remains to be seen whether the new album justifies the sound of scraping the barrel (again).
  • Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - The Girl With X-Ray Eyes (David Holmes Rework).  I'm a sucker for kids choirs on rock songs so I stood no chance with this remix.