This list is of the Extended Plays (EPs) or full studio albums that I enjoyed the most in 2015. They had the most impact on me throughout the year and brought me to write this 'Year in Review.'
10) Fortunate Youth - Don't Think Twice
Kicking off the Top 10 is this solid full length release from Fortunate Youth. When hearing "Don't Think Twice" there is a definite appeal to mainstream listeners with songs such as "For You," "My Love," and
"Wasting Away" from the 6
piece band based out of Los Angeles, CA. At the same time this album absolutely appeals to the
reggae community with ragers "All Night" featuring The Expanders along with the 'Ganja Farmer'
Marlon Asher and Caleb of The Green appearing on "Pass the Herb." Fortunate Youth also
released their video premiere, a claymation/animation by Johnny McHone (Robot Chicken, Mr. Pickles) for "Midnight Lover," one of the featured tracks on "Don't Think Twice." This is their 3rd full studio album after debuting in 2012 with the "Uplifted" EP. The band is currently on deck for The Return of the Red Eye Summer 2016 Tour with Slightly Stoopid and SOJA and just concluded the first leg of near sold out run with Stick Figure and Katastro on the Set in Stone Tour! They're more than ready for more major future touring so be sure to check cities near you!9) Collie Buddz - Blue Dreamz
8) Slightly Stoopid - Meanwhile... Back at the Lab
Landing at #8 on my list was Slightly Stoopid, oddly enough with their 8th studio release. The San Diego natives retreated "back to The Lab," at Stoopid Studios in southern California and dug deep to follow up their 2012 release, "Top of the World." Such as bringing in Marshall "Ras MG" Goodman (Sublime & Long Beach Dub All-Stars) to produce the remake of "Prophet" from the original 1996 "Slightly Stoopid" LP that featured Sublime's Bradley Nowell on bass. Sublime also released a cover of "Prophet" on their 2006 boxed set "Everything Under the Sun" where Nowell ends the song by saying, "that song needs to be re-f*ckin thought out," so Slightly Stoopid followed through in solid form years later. The band also worked with the immensely successful Jerry Wonda, producer behind The Fugees "The Score" and Santana's "Maria, Maria," to create one of the most amazing songs of the year in "Come Around." "Meanwhile... Back at the Lab" is a display of the band's diversity, from the punk/thrash "F*ck You" to Latin-inspired "One Fine Day," featuring Grammy-winning Angela Hunte. Slightly Stoopid is set for another Summer tour with the aforementioned, Return of the Red Eye Summer 2016 Tour alongside SOJA and Fortunate Youth.7) RDGLDGRN - EP 2
The trio RDGLDGRN hails from the east coast, specifically Washington D.C. They have been a sensation since their band captured the attention of such names as Angel Haze, Pharrell Williams, and Dave Grohl who all contributed on their 2013 self titled "RDGLDGRN" LP. The members are named "Red," "Green," and "Gold" - all yielding their favorite respective color in attire from their shoes, to shirts, to pants, etc... They commonly get associated with reggae because of their color scheme but they are more of a hip hop, go-go, indie, rock, reggae collaboration. EP 2 is their 3rd release overall. The group explains in a Consequence of Sound interview that each song is "a snap shot of where we happen to be creatively. Borrowing from more genres
and mixing it all up to make music we want to hear in this moment.” This group has a fresh new sound that people are excited to hear, especially when able to catch them live. This EP is the band's "official reintroduction." The greatest benefit to that is that they have 2 previous releases to sink into as well continuously streaming new music on their Soundcloud.
6) Inna Vision - Push EP
The island of Hawaii is home to many great musicians and no exception to the band Inna Vision. Their "Push" EP is a preview of highly anticipated 4th full length album titled, "Lifted," soon coming out of E.N Young's Imperial Sound Recording Studio. Inna Vision worked with E.N for the "Push" EP and their "Live at Imperial Sound" recording, as well as singer of Inna Vision, Koa Lopes, collaborating with Gonzo (also out of Imperial Sound Recording Studio) for some rhyme-slaying on the song "Roots It Up" off the "Red" album. "Push" has it's own appearances, the track "Orange Butterflies" has the sweet, serenading voice of the one and only HIRIE. Also what I believe to not only be one of the biggest reggae tracks of the year, but one of the biggest tracks to be released for the year in music overall, is the phenomenal "Reggae Lives" featuring Star of The Steppas. This anthem resonates deeply with the listener and leaves them hungry for more. Inna Vision fully intends to follow through when "Lifted" drops March 2016!
5) E.N Young - Live, Love, Stay Up
Not only does E.N Young own and operate his studio in the San Diego area (Imperial Sound Recording Studio) as well as a label (Roots Musician Records) he also is a full-time member of the band Tribal Seeds. Somewhere along the line he also found the time to write, record, and produce his very own music most recently with this inspiring 3 disc album "Live, Love, Stay Up." On the 3 disc set is a studio version, a dub mix version, and an acoustic version of each song inspired by Rebelution's "Peace of Mind" that included the same style 3 disc release. Tribal Seeds contributes collectively for "Overpowering Blessed Love," as well as individually: Maad T-Ray on "Inspiration" and Gonzo for "Never Leave Your Side." Ooklah the Moc, Kali Navales, and Father Psalms also make an appearance in the song "Live," to encourage light in our lives and those around us discouraging the struggling in society. Shortly after the release of "Live, Love, Stay Up" in January 2015, E.N assembled his very own Imperial Sound Band and started booking tours. The upcoming Spring Harvest Tour with Tribal Seeds features E.N Young and Imperial Sound scheduled through May.
4) Black Bottom Lighters - 2 or 2,000
Reigning from the Arizona desert, Black Bottom Lighters, want you to know whether a crowd of "2 or 2,000" they will rock out with everything they have just the same. The bass bumping, drum thumping,
steady rocking, smooth styling musical rhythms throughout the 14
all-original tracks set up a strong foundation for the band's very
bright future. The band released their self-titled debut EP in late 2013 and haven't let up. Releasing "2 or 2,000" in April 2015 and already well on their way with more. "Down For You," "Pipe Dream," and soon "Peace, Love & Smoke Rings" featuring Layzie Bone from the infamous Bone Thugs & Harmony. Newly acquired guitarist Mike Proctor and existing guitarist Phil Kaiser have a long-time musicianship together and the guitar work speaks for itself. The band's style stays the same; hard hitting beats, groove-filled bass, with their signature call and response as well as tremendous harmonizing. Be on the look out for more touring and more releases upcoming from these "Desert Reggae" rockers, you won't want to miss out!
3) Mat McHugh - Waves
Mat McHugh is the singer, songwriter, guitarist, mastermind behind popular Australian musical collective, The Beautiful Girls, as well as his solo alter egos; Ras Mateo, The Separatista Soundsystem, and The Blackbird. His solo effort "Waves" hits on first impact with "Good" and keeps rolling all the way through the entire 10 songs! Mat says, "There is no separation between the songs I write and the
life I live. They are my priority and my reason for living." And continues, "From the start I
chose to go down the path of letting the music speak for itself. In that
way, nobody was tricked into liking it but has formed an honest
connection. I think those kind of connections last longer and are far
more real." The "Waves" album was originally distributed as a free download on his Bandcamp, very similar to his previous release "Love Come Save Me," but soon changed it to "pay what you want" after being inundated with questions how people could pay for such a high quality product. Mat is concluding his Australian Summer Tour at the end of March with The Beautiful Girls and fully intends touring internationally in support of "Waves." Stay plugged in to Mat's Facebook he updates on a regular basis for any touring news on the horizon.
2) Stick Figure - Set in Stone
Scott Woodruff, aka Stick Figure, completely followed through with the high anticipation surrounding his newest musical endeavor, "Set In Stone." It debuted #1 on iTunes, Amazon, and Billboard Reggae charts and sold over 10,500 copies in it's first 12 weeks! Not only did they want to hear more of Scott's brainchild but there were some major guest appearances that intrigued the audience. Notably Kyle McDonald from Slightly Stoopid on "Choice Is Yours," Eric Rachmany from Rebelution for the song "Mind Block," Collie Buddz on "Smokin' Love," and even Stick Figure's own K Bong for "Smiles on Faces." Scott recently said in an exclusive interview with Live Music Daily, "The biggest inspiration for me in music is nature, the ocean, your friends." He wanted to really get across what the songs are all about in the music videos too. "The Santa Cruz mountains, the redwoods, the ocean, Cocoa [dog], my boys," he talks about the video for the album's first track "Fire on the Horizon." "Once it got finished I was like, this is spot on. This is what (the song) is all about." Stick Figure is taking a break between the previously mentioned first (Katastro/Fortunate Youth) and second (Raging Fiyah/Fortunate Youth) legs of the "Set in Stone" supporting tour and wrapping up at 4/20 Eve on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheater. More festivals like California Roots, California Roots: Carolina Sessions, Hang Out, and Backwoods are also "on the horizon" for Stick Figure. Catch them when you can, it's worth every second and every dime.
As a ten year commemoration of the original breakout "Live at Stubb's" Matisyahu released these 6 tracks in the new format he's been playing. After years of playing live in the company of the prominent Dub Trio, Matis has optioned to mix up the roll call. An improvisational, engaging approach that allows the band and the audience to revel in the moment shared. Each musician played with Matisyahu at some point in the past and yet each road led to them to the musical journey they are currently experiencing. This could be the last new music available to most digital music outlets for a while. Unless you happen to be a member of his Dreampatron - which is the only means of getting his new music.
1) Iya Terra - Full Circle
My number 1 right now is, hands down, Iya Terra! Based out of Los Angeles, CA they promote meditation, healthy living, and self-manifestion in their band name which means, "Higher Ground." First coming to fruition in 2013 and releasing their "Iya Terra" EP shortly after in 2014 they wanted to make a statement with their first complete album. Bringing heavy hitters in from all around the U.S. they have New Kingston appearing on "Real Sensi," Karim Israel from Arise Roots and Kennedy Peneueta-PeaPea from Ital Vibes for "Bless Up," Vince Villagomez from Beyond I Sight on "Stand Strong," Joey "The Hawaiiantist" Muraoka on "Iya Lovin' Dub," Dub Architect for "Stand Strong in Dub," and Corey Draskovich on "Nice It Dub." The heavy vibes shine from track to track and gives high sign of good things coming. Fresh off headlining The Constellation Room of the sold out One Love Fest in Orange, CA and were the act to see. They manifested themselves with crucial mantras and delivered an amazing performance, setting an impressive precedent going forward. New track, Loving Design, is available for pre-order and March 2nd release. They are heading out for a run with The Expanders and Gonzo in March as well as playing April 30th, Day 1 of the 13th Annual Summer Meltdown. Iya Terra coming in hot, live and direct, headed straight for those eager to hear some unbelievable positive music!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Expanders - Hustling Culture
Los Angeles, CA is the home of The Expanders and of flourishing reggae music stateside. Although "Hustling Culture" is technically the 3rd release, it's their first as a cohesive 5 piece unit. Crowds are grooving and catching on to the 1970s vintage sound. The Expanders toured with Tribal Seeds and L.A. peer, Arise Roots, nationwide for the 2015 Summer Smoke Out and are hitting the road again this year. Scheduled for 2016 thus far is the Top Shelf Spring Tour playing shows with Iya Terra and E.N Young across several states. Then join up with Hawaiian, reggae bands Iration and HIRIE for the Hotting Up Tour 2016. The Expanders also will be playing Florida's Reggae on the Block and California Roots festivals. Including a Expanders Soundsystem DJ set.
Maad T-Ray - Reach Out
T-Ray Jacobo, from Tribal Seeds, branches out behind keyboards and goes for the microphone with his solo debut full length album. "Reach Out" is solidly filled with rootsy flows and catchy hooks in addition to a genuinely positive message. Guest appearances by New Kingston, HIRIE, Wakane, Eric Rachmany from Rebelution, and Katherine Ramirez from Mystic Roots are highlighted throughout it's entirety. "Babylon Drugs" and "Don't Disrupt This Party" are key tracks the theme of the album embraces. Maad T-Ray has been able to squeeze in some live performances between Tribal Seeds tours and remix/produce but don't worry, it's only a matter of time before there's more of this fantastic solo material.
Matisyahu - Live at Stubb's III
As a ten year commemoration of the original breakout "Live at Stubb's" Matisyahu released these 6 tracks in the new format he's been playing. After years of playing live in the company of the prominent Dub Trio, Matis has optioned to mix up the roll call. An improvisational, engaging approach that allows the band and the audience to revel in the moment shared. Each musician played with Matisyahu at some point in the past and yet each road led to them to the musical journey they are currently experiencing. This could be the last new music available to most digital music outlets for a while. Unless you happen to be a member of his Dreampatron - which is the only means of getting his new music.Upcoming 2016!
So much good music to look forward to in the upcoming year! Some that I am looking forward to the most are Seedless "Orange LP," HIRIE Wandering Soul, Simpkin Project "Beam of Light," and new project consisting of Amp Live from Zion I Crew and Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, Unified Highway. Island, roots reggae from Las Vegas, NV Lady Reiko & The Sin City Prophets and strict roots from the Arizona Verde Valley, Kill Babylon Coalition, soon coming as well!
