Ok now we gonna get waaaay back in da cut with some easy skankin’ sloooow reggae. Nice trippy sorta romantic chill lyrix and oh so sweet dub moves all up in the drummies and horns. Aussie roots lovers Vindan & The Zion Band takes the day’s lemons and makes some fresh musical lemonade. Me likes it.

Vindan & The Zion Band
“Lemon Tree” (mp3)
from “Vindan & The Zion Band”
(Per Capita Records)

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JBB inna house! With a smashin’ remix by the gr8 Dubmatix crew. I love the horn section work on this – classic dub reggae stylings, with a blend so tight it almost sounds like a melodica or accordion. I first discovered John Brown’s Body last year and posted their gorgeous “Give Yourself Over” which I am revisiting now as I put these mptrees together with some other dubby treats for a rockin’ midsummer trail mix. Go deh!

John Brown’s Body
“The Gold (Dubmatix Runnin’ Remix)” (mp3)
from “Re-Amplify”
(Easy Star Records)

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Instrumentally rockin’ the jazzy reggae partay for this 4th o’ jewel eye, we haz thee Jive Ass Sleepers, str8 outta Sacramento. Actually it’s just one dude, but I dig the way single artist/producers who create whole band-loads of musical bandwidth have taken to giving themselves band names lately. This is one exceedingly well produced sexy groovy instrumental. Play it at your BBQ and yer friends will be ever so happeh.

Jive Ass Sleepers
“Jamaican Street Jazz” (mp3)
from “Scratch”
(Magnatune)

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Rude sounds inna dojo, Black Seeds presiding. Roots rock reggae meets groove rock outta Wellington, New Zealand. A reggae band thru and true, but not without considerable originality and focused passion, this is a live band with a growing rep. They more than hold their own in the studio as well, capturing a well oiled live combo while maximizing the hi-fidelity of a good clean old school recording. Plus — and I never mention bands’ web sites, cos I mean mostly who gives a shite — but, these guys have a really nice flash site! Check it, animal lovers =) Reggae international on yr Superfan 2010 interradiowebnet.hizzle. All killa, no filla. Supafan, out.

The Black Seeds
“Sometimes Enough” (mp3)
from “Into the Dojo”
(LOOP)

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Pure dancehall fun from Sleepy Wonder, outta Virginia Beach, VA. Well known for his work with the wonderful and overtly political Thievery Corporation, here we find our Sleepy in a decidedly club partyin’ mood. I’ve been digging this record since I posted the hit “Bounce” last year. Here’s another dose of that hip-hop-reggae hybrid that fills dance floors around the world.

Sleepy Wonder
“Ass On Her” (mp3)
from “Injustice”
(No Choice Music Group)

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‘Tis a dubbin rubbadubber for this fine day in Cali. We have been having the best spring rains this year, the land is ever so green, and if I hear anyone utter the word “drought” I will hit them with a water balloon. The Versionaries with DJ Kina and Rayja45 bust a tight riddim that borrows as much from roots reggae and early Jamaican dancehall as it does from urban American hip-hop. All with positive lyrics and generous helpings of dub.

The Versionaries, DJ Kina, Rayjah45
“Bhutee Skank” (mp3)
from “We Come Again”
(LOOP)

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New Zealand’s Coast draws heavily from reggae and herb-soaked rock, hip-hop and my goodness, U2, Eno and even the Beach Boys.  It’s sunny and fair in Northern Cali this fine Sunday morning, and the strangely joyous bit of melancholy “Running Out Of Time” is pumpin’ out the speaker boxen. Hippie jam band beach-bum lovers rock in the best way. More fun from this lovely trio on their bandcamp page. Superfan out.

Coast
“Running Out Of Time” (mp3)
from “Coast – EP”
(LOOP)

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Marvelous. This collection of ganja-soaked reggae versions of Phish songs is a crazy little treasure box, and Rootz Underground dishing up “Makisupa Policeman” is one of the highlights. Dubby, bubbly goodness, with some tasty instrumental work, and cheerfully insubordinate lyrics that remain faithful to the original while expanding on its theme. A fine toasty blend.

Rootz Underground
“Makisupa Policeman” (mp3)
from “Dub Like An Antelope – Legends of Reggae Celebrate Phish”
(Red Hillz Music)
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Best known for their Berkeley ska power pop material, The Uptones also have an affection for big-beat rock-reggae sounds. With apocalyptic horns recalling early UB40, and a bass line that sounds like bubbling hot lava, “Outback” is a round the world epic stuffed into a 4 minute track. Sung by Uptones alum and founding member Charles Stella, penned by bassist Ben Eastwood, the song is on the Uptones Live @ Gilman CD, but this studio version is only available as a free mp3 from the band’s own media page. There’s a free Outback ringtone, too. Rock it.

Here’s a faithful yet modernized version of the classic Dennis Brown hit, Revolution, as performed by young Jamaican star, E-Dee. This cover was itself a hit in Jamaica in 2007, and E-Dee‘s career continues to skyrocket. Based in LA now, this dancehall celebrity is taking Jamaican music into American contemporary R&B in big ways. This track is sweet, and as a long time Dennis Brown fan, I give it the big thumbs up! Check it.

E-Dee
“Revolution” (mp3)
from “Revolution”
(Unseen Lab Recordings, Inc)

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