Reggae & Dancehall 413 Items

Nubiyan Twist return with their brand new album "Freedom Fables" on Strut on 5th February, the follow-up to the acclaimed "Jungle Run" from Spring 2019. Woven around soul searching, cautionary tales and parables for modern life, the new album is the most accomplished yet by the Leeds / London collective, effortlessly fusing different soul, jazz and global styles with great musicianship and lyrics. "Freedom Fables reflects on the power of narratives. Each vocalist on this record explores their own memoirs, a freedom of expression underpinning our belief that music is the ultimate narrative for unity," explains Tom Excell. "The record references a lot of music that we all loved during our formative years; you can hear touches of broken beat, blunted hip hop, highlife, Latin, jazz and UK soul running through the tracks." The album is also packed full with illustrious guest appearances: regular collaborator Cherise features on the brilliant "Tittle Tattle", calling out gossip through acerbic nursery rhyming, the loping "Flow" dealing with the ebb and flow of anxiety and the epic Brazilian jazz workout, "Keeper"; UK jazz saxman Soweto Kinch brings a burning alto solo and rhymes to the determined "Buckle Up" alongside the band"s own vocalist Nick Richards as the track aims to "find the door to peace" among life"s challenges. "Soweto is a trailblazer of the UK scene both as an alto player and as a rapper with a unique flow and important lyricism," reflects Tom Excell. "It was really important for us to invite him to contribute to the album." Richards continues the "dust yourself off and find hope" theme on the rousing "Wipe Away Tears"; Ghanaian great Pat Thomas voices a gorgeous Accra meets London highlife jam; massive new vocal talent Ria Moran (a contemporary from the band"s time at Leeds College Of Music) steps up on the sensual "Morning Light" tackling delicate complexities of the heart and long time friend of the band, KOG, brings his trademark full strength Afro dancefloor energy.

Greatest dub album ever. Combination between the "Far East" style of Augustus Pablo playing Melodica, Clavinet & Organ and Dub's master Osbourne Ruddock aka "King Tubby's". Featuring the finest Jamaican musicians, Aston & Carlton Barret, China Smith, Vin Gordon, Bobby Ellis...Mixed at King Tubby's Studio in 1976. Produced by Augustus Pablo. A must have !

Fat Freddy's Drop present the ‘lock-in’ album, a sonic moment in time as the band jam conscious songs of freedom and hope for a generation. The studio session was captured at the iconic Michael Fowler Centre in the band’s hometown of Wellington, New Zealand during the pandemic lockdown. Devoid of audience, it’s a reflection of the surreal times that’s halted tour life 2020. The band re-located their Bays studio to the MFC and set up in a circle on the MFC stage for the recording, providing a unique space to jam slow burn classics such as ‘Soldier’, ‘Hope’ and ‘This Room’ as well as test drive ‘Avengers’ a brand new track in the making. The other tracks recorded are 'Special Edition', ‘Six-Eight', ‘OneFourteen’ and 'Trickle Down’ from ‘Special Edition Part 1’ the band’s most recent album. The crisp multi-track production was recorded by Western Audio, monster mix back at Bays studio by DJ Fitchie, Freddys beat master and producer. Mastering at Calyx studio in Berlin. The ‘lock-in’ session melds Freddys fastidious studio chops and love of freewheeling jams with a tautness that comes from 21 years in the business and a reputation as one of the finest live draws in the world.