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- Rootfire: Progressive Roots
A couple of weeks ago, Rootfire published an Artist Spotlight article about international producer/engineer/recording artist extraordinaire, Victor Rice, who has enhanced the work of hundreds of reggae acts from around the world during his multi-decade career. One such artist is Alex Tea, a veteran New York City area based musician known as the front man for the regionally loved but now defunct Jersey City roots reggae act, Kiwi (originally Kiwi the Child).… Read More
Q: What do you get when you mix three parts roots reggae, two parts electronic/drum and bass, one part hip-hop and one part indie pop?
A: An audible elixir that increases heart rates, induces bodily movement and elicits elation.
Emerging from the diverse and deep pool of musical talent along the shores of Lake Ontario, The Medicinals, an aptly-named roots collective out of Rochester, NY, sprung forth from informal jam sessions to conjure a healing blend of reggae, Afrobeat, funk and “island vibes” at a time when people need it more than ever.… Read More
If you think no one is taking you as seriously as you are, you’re doing it right. – Victor Rice
The Elovaters. Easy Star All-Stars. The Skatalites. The Slackers. The Toasters, The Scofflaws and The Pietasters. The Loving Paupers.… Read More
In the long revered Jamaican style of multiple artists voicing over the same instrumental, the Cali Roots Riddim is an instrumental written by Collie Buddz and produced by Johnny Cosmic, featuring 21 different artists (“versions”) including Yellowman, Anthony B, The Movement, SOJA, Gentleman, Jesse Royal, Common Kings and more.… Read More
About five years ago, Jayson “Agent Jay” Nugent, guitarist of the internationally adored NYC-based ska/reggae band, The Slackers, had been cycling north on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. After hitting a patch of construction that was not barricaded, Nugent badly broke and dislocated his shoulder, paralyzing his whole right arm within minutes.… Read More
Reggae fans from the Southeast are likely familiar with Nashville’s Roots of a Rebellion, a well-respected band bursting with talent that has been putting out original music since 2012. From within the ranks of ROAR, guitarist Marco Martinez has been channeling some of his creative energies into a side project called Mellodose, a collaboration he shares with his girlfriend, photographer Katie Cameron, who lends her writing, singing and stunning visual design talents to their partnership.… Read More
San Diego Dub-Reggae group Boostive has just released the music video for their first single “Runnin” after signing with Slightly Stoopid’s label, Stoopid Records. This band’s heavyweight sound has earned them a tour with Lee “Scratch” Perry, collaborations with Matisyahu and performances at California’s most renown festivals.… Read More
Thursday, May 7, 2020, Rootfire will host Thomas Cussins, President of Ineffable Music Group, for a Music Business Club live Q&A on RootfireTV. SET A REMINDER
This article is an excerpt of an interview Jonathan Rabinovitz conducted with Thomas Cussins in December 2019.… Read More