Born from an idea of Paolo Baldini, on the 14th October the first full-length album from the DubFilesproject was released. Baldini, bassist of Africa Unite and BR Stylers, in the last few years has made a name for himself as one of the most interesting Italian music producers.

I Grade Dub presents DUB IN THE RAINFOREST 6 at Mount Victory Camp in St. Croix, VI. DITRF6 took place on 3/9/14 and featured I Grade Dub 'longside Vaughn Benjmain, Ancient King, Pressure Buss Pipe, Ras Batch, Niyorah, Jahman, X-Kaliba and others. DITRF6 was the album launch for Beauty for Ashes, produced by Zion I Kings and released by I Grade Records. Buy album here: http://goo.gl/VqG87i

Film shot by: Rashad Martinez, Josiah Winans, Sean David & Paul Cusin
Video Editing by: Paul Cusin
Color Correction by: Josiah Winans & Paul Cusin
Audio Mix by: Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred

Super Producer Don Corleon does an exclusive Dub Mix of Inner Circle's "News Carrying Dread" on the Tenement Yard Riddim. It features Jamaica's rising star Chronixx & a sampled voice of Jacob Killer Miller THE LEGEND!

Having reformed in 2013, it hasn't taken Capital Letters long to get back into their stride and 2015 sees them embarking on a series of European live dates reminiscent of their heyday in the late seventies and early eighties when they were the unofficial UK reggae ambassadors to Europe, constantly touring throughout the Continent.

To coincide with the start of these dates, Sugar Shack Records will be releasing the first all new Capital Letters album in thirty years. The band have spent much of the summer in the studio of Noel Browne, Noel only recently relocated to the UK and built his new studio. He's a former Studio One Band, Taxi Gang and Maytals keyboard player who is perhaps better known as the man behind New Name Music, the studio he set up in 1987 where he was to achieve success with Luciano, Mikey Spice and Jack Radics amongst many, before building Big Ship Recording Studios in 1995 where he worked with Freddie McGregor, The Wailing Souls, Papa San and numerous others. Utilising Noel Browne's engineering skills, the band recorded 14 songs which were then passed into the safe hands of regular Sugar Shack collaborator Dave 'Oldwah' Sandford for final mixing.

The album kicks off with a trio of classic roots tracks, “Jah Music”, a highlight of their live shows, “Wolf” as recently released in a remix form on a Sugar Shack 12” and “Roots Music”. Just when you think the pattern is set, the band turn things around and with a novel approach they continue with a mainly roots themed set, but in a case of an iron fist inside a velvet glove, hard hitting roots messages are underpinned by often upbeat backing. The songs; “Place On Earth”, “Dat Nah Stop”, “False Natty”, “Tell Me What's Wrong” and “Opportunity” all contain strong messages that may be missed on casual listening with their deceptive, almost too upbeat backing tracks, an unusual approach that shows just how confident and skilled the band are.

It's not all politics and preaching. One of the songs is a heartfelt tribute to the band's home town, Wolverhampton in the British Midlands. It was obvious that with Capital Letters strong ties to the City, this was the perfect track to name the album after and so “Wolverhampton” is the album title and will no doubt have more than a few of the band's overseas fans checking their atlases. A perfect companion piece to “Wolverhampton” is the track “Jamaica” which paints a charming child's eye picture of the huge changes and culture shock encountered by the children who arrived in Britain to join the windrush generation during the fifties and sixties.

Co vocalist Lukas doesn't forget his past as a Lovers Rock artist and we are treated to a solitary love song with “Movie Star”. Lukas puts in such a consummate performance, it makes one hope the band will record more material along similar lines in future.
Capital letters are a band at the top of their game; they have maturity, confidence and musicianship to spare. This is a deceptive album, the more you listen the more it reveals the depth of quality within, good on first listen it grows in stature and really rewards repeated plays.

“Wolverhampton” is released by Sugar Shack records on 23rd March 2015 as a digital download and compact disc available from all leading sites and retailers, there will also be a limited edition vinyl album containing the first five tracks along with their accompanying dub mixes.

The first single from their impending album, The Conversation, is released by British Dependency Songs Ltd., and distributed by VPAL/VP. "Close Your Eyes" was written by band members Joyah Gumbs, Jaiden Fleming and Ishmael Keith along with Davon Carty and legendary producer Collin York. York, who has worked with Brittney Spears, Madonna, Rihanna, Michael Franti, Maxi Priest, Jimmy Cliff, Chaka Kahn, Cindy Lauper and Boy George, was one of the Band's frontrunners to produce the album along with Dwayne Anglin, lead singer for the Wailers. Of the project he remarks, "The dynamics of the band is very different, unusual. They remind me of The Fugees or Black Uhuru - very talented." Mr. Anglin adds, "The project has great potential. It has surpassed our expectations."

The Reggae/R&B tinged single is new member, Ishmael Keith's first introduction to the band's fan base since joining the group in June 2014. The natural chemistry that is evident in the delivery of the single makes it a crossover contender. Victor E. Lewis adds, "With this single, we are looking forward to embarking on another touring season. It's exciting to know that the appeal of the single will broaden our market thus exposing the band to a wider range of not only fans but also venues and festivals." Recently named LIME Anguilla Brand Ambassadors, British Dependency will perform "Close Your Eyes" for the first time at the launch of Caribbean Dreamers Live concert series on May 12, 2015 in New York City at Le Poison Rouge.

Hailing from the British Isle of Anguilla, British Dependency brings Root, Heart and Soul to Reggae music by fusing various genres with their three piece ensemble, drum, guitar and bass. Their unique and eclectic sound appeals not only to those with a discerning musical palate but also those who are avid reggae fans.

Adding to their vintage sound is a fresh take on the overall feel and look of the band which consists of Anguilla's first female bass player, Joyah along with drummer, Jaiden and lead vocalist and guitar player, Ishmael. On November 20, 2013 the band released their debut album, Finding Wisdom. The 10 track album, currently in rotation on Sirius XM Radio, showcases the group's eclectic sound with a diverse playlist, that is a perfect mix of love ballads, "Fly Away," "Do You This," "Look Into My Eyes," empowerment singles, "One," "Change," "Wisdom," "Casket Closed," and life lesson single "Small Minded People." The band delivers each track with an ease that is sure to transport listeners to a state nirvana.

The Band lives by the mantra, "Creating music that reflects originality, talent, togetherness, bravery and wisdom. Our Music, Our Future, Our Independence." With that they continue to push the boundaries and open new roads of empowerment and forward-thinking.

Released by:
British Dependency Songs LTD/VPAL Music
Release date:
28 April 2015

Alpha Steppa Meets Don Fe featuring Reality SoulJahs. After the success of Steppas Records' previous collaboration with Don Fe it was inevitable a second instalment would surface. This time with musical and lyrical support from label head Alpha Steppa and long time UK Roots vocal duo Reality SoulJahs, respectively. A heavy steppers riddim from Don Fe featuring the conscious militant lyrics of Reality SoulJahs accompanied by an earth-shattering Alpha Steppa version and dub mixes from both camps. Mastered with maximum clarity and bass pressure and housed in the brand new reverse-board 300gsm Steppas Records house-bag.

The Reality duo initiated their musical kinship in 1990 with the launch of their Reality Sound System. From the early days of lifting boxes and recording dubplates, this North London duo have gone on to forge a powerful relationship and have established themselves as intelligent and instantly recognisable vocal and lyrical talents. An integral part of today's UK roots reggae scene.

UK born musician and producer based in Spain for over 20 years, Don Fe’s passion since the age of five has been music, classically trained in piano, flute and theory and as from sixteen reggae. From his humble beginnings in the 80s with a 4 track and a TDK D90 his riddims and productions are now being played by the world’s most respected sounds – Channel One, Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti, Iration Steppas and many more all over the world.

VP Records/Greensleeves is happy to announce the April 14th, 2015 worldwide release of Alborosie Meets King Jammy – Dub Of Thrones, a historic pairing of one of Jamaica’s most pivotal dub legends King Jammy with the modern day Italian-born dubmaster Alborosie. The album includes a fully-illustrated package by Tony McDermott, Greensleeves Records’ go-to artist for almost four decades known for his iconic cartoon imagery depicting Jamaican music. The mostly instrumental collection will be available on CD, limited edition vinyl and digitally.

Mixed by Alborosie at his Shengen studio and King Jammy at his studio in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, this old-school meets new-school clash delivers an authentic dub reggae listening experience. With speaker-shaking, neighbor-waking and no-prisoner taking bass, this is designed to be played at high volume for maximum effect.

Alborosie and King Jammy plan to tour in support of this release throughout the summer. Dates will be announced at another time.

Shengen Studio - Kingston Jamaica, from the album King Jammys & Alborosie "Dub of Thrones", Alborosie presents "Dub of Thrones live". Enjoy!

Tuesday 21st April is the release date of “Il Punto di Partenza”, Africa Unite's latest album, completely self penned and  produced. Both  the words and the music are a deep analysis of the bizarre times in which we live, full of contradictions confusion and major upsets. Consequently the band found the need  to state their personal point of view on the subject, as clearly and coherently as possible.

Legendary digital UK roots band interview by Reggae.Today staff after a unique session on Angel Dub Sound System in South Italy.
Christine explain very well her passion for this music. Influenced by Lee Perry's Super Ape Christine with John Sprosen founded this mystical dub music band. They have released several dub albums played by reggae roots dub fanatics and by legendary sound system as Jah Shaka and Aba Shanti I.
Today the Italian dub singer Dan I and the percussionist/producer Jonah Dan are very important part of this band during their live set.

Interview by Gigi Piccolo and Angelo Tarantino.

Copyright © 2014 Reggae.Today.
All rights Reserved

Copyright © 2014 Reggae.Today.
All rights reserved.