London Based DJ AYITO schools the Reggae Lover team on the Roots, Dub, and Steppas scene in the U.K. plus her journey as a rising female selector in a male-dominated industry.
“No matter what I go through, no matter how bad my day… as soon as I play [Reggae] music it just takes away all of the pain. It doesn’t only take the pain away, it just replaces it with pure joy and bliss. It’s a spiritual thing for me. I know it may sound a bit extreme, but I think this is the closest I can get to meeting God. It’s that feeling that [Reggae] injects in me.” ~ AYITO
I had the privilege of interviewing one of the most talented musicians from the United States, E.N Young, for Reggae Lover podcast episode 153 – dedicated to you, the #REGGAELOVER.
The California reggae scene has been thriving for some time now and vocalist/producer, E.N. Young, formerly of Tribal Seeds, has played a significant role in this success. This classically trained pianist who now plays several instruments including the Melodica fell in love with Jamaican music as a youth in San Diego. He talks candidly about his journey as I sought to learn more about the movement he is pushing in the name of reggae. By the end of our conversation, I definitely saw E.N as an authentic reggae ambassador.
Topics covered In this episode:
1:35 – 2019 Summer Daze Endless Nights Tour
2:21 – 4th studio album, Forest Wilderness released in 2018
3:57 – Working with Kelissa from Jamaica
5:45 – Collabs on the latest album (Half Pint, Peetah Morgan, Inna Vision, Meta and the Cornerstones)
6:56 – Love for playing the Melodica and linking with Addis Pablo
9:33 – Production and instrumentation from Imperial Sound Studios in San Diego
15:25 – Gaining inspiration as a teen (especially spiritual influence) from 70’s reggae
20:10 – Resistance from family members and society in general for embracing reggae culture
As we approach the date that commemorates Bob Marley’s birthday, February 6, we take some time to talk about his amazing legacy. This episode is all about Robert Nesta Marley a.k.a The Legend a.k.a the king of Reggae.
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We list some artists that have been compared to Bob or seen as the next Bob Marley at some point. Then we explore why there hasn’t ever been another artist quite like him. No recording artist has been as revered and respected. We also touch on conspiracy theories circulating around his assassination attempt, and death.
Jamaican reggae artist and Rastafari musician, nicknamed Jacob “Killa” Miller. Inner Circle lead singer, Jacob was a legendary Reggae singer with an exciting stage presence and memorable voice.
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Listen to songs from Jacob Miller like Tenement Yard, Healing of the Nation & more.
I had the chance to interview Ras Fraser Jr. on episode 98 of my podcast and I’m thrilled to be following up now with a mixtape project. Episode 109 features Ras Fraser Jr. in the mix for over 40 minutes. If you have listened, What are your thoughts? How were you feeling after hearing the mix?
Click to download Reggae Lover Podcast Episode 109
Fraser’s music puts me in the mood to show love. That’s really the vibe I want to share. As such, I want to make sure I do my part to spread the message. Ras Fraser Jr. is a serious songwriter, singer, DJ, musician, and artist. Look for his upcoming mixtape. The selection includes exclusive songs that only can be played by me along with tracks from the new album “Journey to Greatness.”
Journey to Greatness, released on the Rebel Sound Records imprint, is available everywhere that music can be purchased. Don’t sleep on this talent. Go buy some songs. Buy the album, Journey to Greatness.
This mix features reggae’s vocal harmony groups from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
I took it back to the roots on this one. I focused on songs with an impressive vocal arrangement. This is a specific selection of songs with male singers harmonizing together.
I featured The Wailers, mostly from the “Catch A Fire” album. That album has that very dry, grassroots sound. This was before instrumentation such as horn sections and electric guitars were added. Before the female energy of the I-Threes was added.
The mix also featured some of The Heptones‘ Studio One era hits. I dropped in some original Israel Vibration before they split. Other groups featured are The Techniques, The Abyssinians, The Gladiators, The Sensations, The Mighty Diamonds, and The Silvertones. You also hear songs from Lloyd Parks and We the People, The Sharks, The Royals, The Cables, and The Flames.
Listen to those names and you know these brothers were from a different time. These vocal groups created some of the most beautiful music and the most powerful songs. You feel their passion because of the emphasis conveyed within the harmonies. There was something special about those days.
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Its the sweet soulful sound of great reggae music! If you enjoy this, check out episode 74. It’s entitled “The Greatest Reggae Bands of All Time (not including the Wailers).” That show features Aswad, Steel Pulse, Third World, Israel Vibration, Black Uhuru, and Inner Circle. Similar material is on The Studio One tribute episodes: 55 and 56.
It’s a new season of the podcast! I am back in full effect with new shows coming out every week until the end of the year. Thank you so much for listening. If it’s your first time, this is a livication to you, the reggae lover.
Whether you know the songs you hear on this show or not, my goal is that you feel uplifted after listening. I want you to feel joyous and happy. The music should help you to transmute any negative energy into positive. You should enter a different frame of mind via the therapeutic mixes and level up.
For booking information or to sponsor this podcast, email reggaeloverpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you to everybody listening from around the world. I love that you get to tune in and listen to me doing what I love most. We are sharing a vibe and keeping this music alive. Until next time, have a great week. One love!!
This episode highlights revolutionary lyrics and spiritual songs from Bounty Killer’s catalog.
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Included here are tunes offering chastisement of government officials and petty thieves alike. Rodney charges both the murderers in the community and the policymakers who allow guns to prevail on the ghetto streets.
Bounty pens exclamations on behalf of the Jamaican lower class, giving them a global voice. The so-called ‘Warlord’ praises our Heavenly Father and encourages youth to seek education.
The ‘5-Star General’ was instrumental in boosting the careers of dancehall stars like Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Aidonia, Baby Cham, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall, Angel Doolas, Nitty Kutchie and Elephant Man, among others. He continues to give young artists a platform.
Rodney Price’s contributions to the culture have been immense. His legacy is one for the ages.
We salute our dancehall trailblazer, king of digital reggae, sound system owner/producer Lloyd James aka KING JAMMY. This is the first half of a megamix featuring some big tunes and riddims from the Jammys catalog.
For more King Jammys vibes check out episode 4 (Sanchez, L.U.S.T and Friends – 80s Lovers Rock), episode 5 (Superstars Hit Parade 1987-1989 Tunes/Riddims), episode 10 (Dancehall Time Traveling Back to the 80s and 90s), episode 36 (Stalag meets Sleng Teng), episode 39 (A Late Eighties Reggae Dream 1979-1991).
Also see our tribute episodes featuring Cocoa Tea, Sanchez, Johnny Osbourne, Frankie Paul, and Josey Wales – artists who all recorded hits released on the Jammy’s label. Lots more to come… all dedicated to you, #reggaelover.
Cocoa Tea’s voice is smooth and easy-going, yet very powerful. He was one of the most popular artists in Jamaica during the 1980s and went on to international stardom in the 1990s.
77 – Reggae Lover Podcast – The Very Best of Cocoa Tea (1984 – 1994)
This episode focuses mostly on selections from his early catalog – songs released on the Volcano, Jammy’s and VP record labels from 1984 to 1994. This is sweet sweet Cocoa Tea!
76 – Reggae Lover Podcast – Tribute to Fatis Burrell
Blessed love and respect massive! This is Kahlil Wonda of Highlanda Sound welcoming you to episode 76 of the Reggae Lover Podcast featuring songs produced by the late, great Phillip ‘Fatis’ Burrell, Jamaican reggae music producer and icon – the CEO of the Exterminator (Xterminator) record label. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
The Reggae Lover Podcast returns with a new episode. This one is some curated live audio from a session in ATL recorded 10-14-17. There are many more mixes coming so stay tuned. Thanks to all my subscribers, listeners, and supporters around the world! #reggaelover
Take a listen. The Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Emmanuel Brown kicks off the mix and closes it out with the same song in a different style. The Real Rock Riddim is the most versioned reggae Riddim and the most sampled reggae instrumental in history.
The original was played in 1967 by one of Coxsone Dodd’s session bands at Studio One, the Sound Dimension band. Ever since then it’s been a foundation instrumental for dancehall and reggae. The real rock is just a part of Reggae music that is never going to stop. You are going to hear that beat in movies, on your radio, on your mix tapes, and in your parties. I kept the mix short and spicy so it doesn’t get boring.
If you love reggae music and have been listening from back in the days, then this should be nostalgic for you. This is a dedication to you, REGGAE LOVER,
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The Shank I Sheck originally was a 1964/1965 Ska instrumental by Baba Brooks with production by King Edward on the Rio Records label. Rio is a subsidiary of Direct Records Ltd. and later Doctor Bird which like the other top Jamaican labels of the 1960’s had most of their releases distributed by Trojan Records. There have been hundreds of songs released on various versions of this instrumental over the decades with many top rated hits peaking in the 1980s and 1990s. The riddim track was a favorite for deejays and singers to perform over and a huge dub plate riddim for sound system selectors to record dub plates on as well.
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There’s a time and place for everything. For every mood, there is a fitting reggae song. I believe in setting the right vibe using the right music. In that same vein, though Beres Hammond is known mostly for excellence in lovers rock, he is not a one-dimensional singer. Beres has many hits in the category of roots, reality, and culture. He has voiced songs simply championing dancehall and sound system culture. He has made political statements and showed his spiritual and philosophical sides on many records.
Highlanda Sound 