Freddie McGregor "Bag A Hype"

The captain of Big Ship Records, and father to artists Chino and Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor sails strong again with this great new song and video.

Watch "Bag A Hype" from Freddie McGregor's latest album, Di Captain (VP Records).

Perfect Says "Reggae Music Make You Move Again"

Versatile reggae sing-jay Perfect Giddimani is back with an energetic new song, that you can download right here or preview below.

The new track, titled "Ribbi Dubang Skeng," features crisp live "roots rocking" instrumentation and solid engineering from Austrian producer Sam Gilly of House of Riddim. A new album is soon to follow. Perfect's previous album, Back For The First Time dropped in 2011 and was produced by Lustre Kings. Find out more at Perfect's official Facebook page.

New Dubmatix Video: Pull Up Selector

Canadian producer Dubmatix just dropped his latest album Rebel Massive (Renegade Media), and one bonus is this incredible video, which, in the span of 4 minutes manages to give the viewer a 360 view of all things reggae.

From sound systems, to dubplate cutting to the clubs and parties, sit back and watch this great intro to Dubmatix's sound, and the things that influenced it.

Dub Gabriel Roars With New Album

San Francisco by-way-of New York reggae-electronic fusionist Dub Gabriel has released his most ambitious album to date. 

Raggabass Resistance, which dropped April 15, features a huge guest artist line-up: Jamaica's DJ godfather U-Roy and veterans Warrior Queen (Kode9, The Bug) and Brother Culture (Mungo's Hi Fi), plus new school talents Jahdan Blakkamore, Dr. Israel,  MC Zulu, Juakali – even alternative/goth legend David J of Bauhaus/Love & Rockets.

The album and a bonus remix EP were made possibly partially through a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Preview the album on Soundcloud or Bandcamp. 

Protoje Tours West Coast

Reggae talent Protoje will tour California, Oregon and Washington June 14-30. The rising Jamaican artist, who is the son of 1970s reggae singer Lorna Bennett and counts producer Donovan "Don Corleon" Bennett as a cousin, released his second album this year titled The 8 Year Affair.

The album, which features guest slots from Romain Virgo and Tessanne Chin has been receiving favorable reviews, and features the single "Kingston be Wise. " (see video).

Hear more Protoje music on his Soundcloud page.

Riddims Galore: One Drop Collections Impress

March and April have been good months for quality one-drop-style reggae riddims. New producers, labels and camps from Jamaica to Spain have stepped up with impressive collections. Some of the best include:

Harp Riddim: This one from the Red Boyz crew is primarily a lover-rock affair, with solid ballads from UK veteran Maxi Priest, strong-voiced newcomers Herzon and Buggy Nhakente, plus a perfectly delivered cultural sing-jay track from Anthony B. The live band instrumentation includes string guitar and melodious backing vocals. The production reminiscent of Shane "Jukeboxx" Brown's work with Romain Virgo. Check it here.



Tallawah Riddim:  A melodically complex creation from the Larger Than Life Records crew, the riddim's chord changes and instrumentation prove that this crew know their way around a studio. Care was also put in to the artist line-up, which includes some of roots music's most important veterans (Luciano, Pressure Buss-Pipe), as well as talented and outspoken developing artists (Esco Levi, Droop Lion and Bobby Hustle). Levi's fiery delivery and insightful word never disappoint, nor do Droop Lion's weary observations; he's a true roots warrior. Put this one at the front of your Serato crate or 7" box.

Contagious Riddim: The Star recently reported about producer Troyton Hinds' dabblings in R&B production, and you can hear a taste of it in this richly melodic production. More importantly this set includes Mavado's "Always On My Mind," one of his strongest recordings in a while. Vado's sings a guilty gangsta's ballad of forgiveness to the woman he's wronged, and his pitch and delivery are perfect. I-Octane, Alaine, Chino and Voicemail also turn in extremely strong takes. The other standout track on this collection is Jah Vinchi's "Ghetto Youths," in which he admits he can't bare to watch the news due to all the suffering of the 'youts. Heavy. Check the YouTube  preview mix

 Insecurity Riddim: Markus Records, which has released solid dancehall and one-drop productions in recent months steps up with a lovers riddim. The track listing includes songs by Khago, Romain Virgo, Da'Ville, Nicky B, Christopher Martin and a nice appearance from innovative '90s singer Ghost–a master of the falsetto, and he's still got it. Da'Ville talks about being "Joe Grine," gruff-voiced Khago sings about being "Hurt So Bad," while Romain is in pursuit of a much desired female. PR has enabled blogs like us to spread the word, so you can grab this one right here.



Re-Birth Riddim: This set is lead by Chronixx's ode to locks'ing up, "Dread," in which he chants, "Grow your natty, grow your dread my youth!" If the riddim sounds a touch like Eek-A-Mouse's "Ganja Smuggling," you're not imagining it. The minor chords and bass riffs is very similar.  Lutan Fyah comes in with a strong track, "Pressure," while Spectacular riffs on a similar theme with "Ease The Pressure," – that's a lot of pressure! But ah so Babylon a go. Production on this collection is notably by one of reggae's all-time best session bands, the Firehouse Crew, whose legacy stretches back into the '80s with producer King Tubby. Buy it here.

Dreamland Riddim: Boasting big names like Capleton, Lutan Fyah, Frankie Paul and Sizzla this riddim compilation is a showcase of the vibe that Jamaica is on at the moment: reflective, spiritual and back to the roots. Mr. FP sounds just as criss as he did in the 80s, while up-and-coming artist Tyrical sounds strong and convincing on "Life Over Death." Hear a great preview mix too, just  follow this link. Or download here.

Bunny Striker Lee Movie A Soon Come

First off, if you haven't read Reggae Going International: The Bunny Striker Lee Story, you should. It's the prolific producer's story in his own words, taking us from ska to roots and beyond, with (as the Paragons famously sang) "memories by the score."

Order the hardcover book (includes CD) from Amazon, Ernie B's or Jamaican Recordings; it lists for around US$22, so don't pay more than that. And check the preview for the forthcoming documentary below.