NiceUp Mix Series 2021

Empress Naima’s strictly vinyl selections are solid and bass-heavy, yet sweet and conscious.

Empress started on Kfm radio back in 2004, and has been involved with several local radio stations since. She has played at festivals such as Prana, Sundaise and Splore as well as many sound system dances and community events.

Empress is passionate about supporting artists and is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the music scene.

You can catch her every second Wednesday on Base FM’s Peace & Dub show and on the Jafa Mafia Sound System.

Empress says 'Big up the NiceUp crew for keeping Aotearoa Reggae whanau untied and massive thanks for the invitation. I have selected a mix of some of my fave artists that I have enjoyed sharing and promoting in the last few years. Blessings!'

More info: https://www.facebook.com/Empress-Naima-1588915888006630

Empress Naima Mix for NiceUp

[From Selector Warric] Since I discovered sound system I have been hooked. I began collecting and building speakers and audio equipment in the hopes of building my own sound system and studio.

After some time, along side my crew and with guidance from other sound systems around the country, we launched Roots Fire Sound in 2017 with the goal to create a vibe and share music with people.

Since then we run a radio show showcasing all aspects of bass music - Roots Fire Radio, every Monday, 8pm to 9.30pm on RDU out of Christchurch. We also aim to run sessions on the first weekend of every month, as well as playing shows across the country.

At the end of the day we are just a bunch of people with big speakers who love music and like to have a good time, but we also try to educate people, on the music, the history and the culture that we are so lucky to be a part of.

Music is a universal language, gather and join us in conversation.

More info: www.facebook.com/Rootsfiresound

1. Scientist - Blood on His Lips

2. King Tubby & Roots Radics - Dub Organiser

3. Bunny Wailer - Rise and Shine + Dub

4. Horace Andy / King Tubby - Dub in Heaven 

5. King Tubby - Natty Dread Dub

6. Scientist - Chariot Dub

7. Black Roots - Tribal War 

8. The Chosen Brothers - Mango Walk

9. Ini Kamoze - General 

10. Freddie McKay / King Tubby - Inna mi Yard

11. Wayne Jarrett / Scientist - Love in a mi Heart + dub

12. Earl 16 meets Manasseh - Walls of the City + Dub

13. Johnny Clark - Jah Jah in Dub

14. Martin Campbell - Give me the Money

15. Purpleman - Go Boom it Up

16. Tristan Palmer - Joker Smoker

17. Billy Boyo - One Spliff a Day

18. The Twinkle Brothers meet Jah Shaka - New Day

19. Dennis Bovell - Rowing

20. African Head Charge - Full Charge

Roots Fire Mix for NiceUp

Jamin-I comes through with a vinyl selection for NiceUp Aotearoa. 

Starting out collecting 7" records from Jamaica after living in the Caribbean for work, Jamin-I's passion  for bass culture and conscious messages has extended to many genres over the years.

Residing in Raglan, Jamin-I is the brains behind the notorious Raglan Sunday Sessions, which has been running for over a decade. He has hosted many reggae legends like Mungos Hi Fi, Mad Professor, DJ Vadim, YT, Charlie P, Soom T and Jstar to name a few.

Vinyl Culture - Raglan is his latest project, providing a platform for vinyl collectors to play their music, share passion and connect. In honour of this, he was more than happy to put together a selection of vinyl for the occasion.

From vintage to present, classics to rare, Jamin-I's selections are about the message and good vibes.

More info:
www.facebook.com/raglanmassive
https://soundcloud.com/jamin-i
https://www.instagram.com/vinylculture.raglan

Jamin-I Vinyl Mix for NiceUp

Explosion Sound System, Northern Ireland’s heavyweight Dub Kings, are a Belfast-based collective who have been promoting reggae and dub alongside sound system culture for nearly 20 years.

The crew represent a mix of both classic and upfront modern reggae, roots and dub in a conscious style.

'This mix was recorded in our studio in Belfast on a cold afternoon.
A few of the crew got together and selected some of our favourite songs that we have been listening to lately. We set up the sirens and FX, locked the door, lit the fire and ran the tape...'

Positive sounds, heavyweight bass pressure and upfull vibrations guaranteed.

More info:
www.explosionsoundsystem.com/
www.facebook.com/Explosion.Soundsystem/

Explosion Sound System Mix for NiceUp

This ‘Love Rockers’ mix offers up a blend of Lovers Rock, Reggae Soul, covers and general Reggae Love songs, giving the listener an all round warm summer loving vibe.

Throughout 2020 I opened my ear to more of the sub-genres and off shoots of reggae. Adam Prescott dropped his ‘Soul Adventures Mixtape’ in late-2019 and I had that on steady rotation through 2020. I’ve been really digging the U.K. Lovers Rock sound pioneered by Dennis Bovell.

Athens of The North and Emotional Rescue have been reissuing some gems that have helped me explore the Lovers Rock sound more, along with a taste of Disco Reggae.

The last track of the ‘Love Rockers’ mix is a contemporary cover of a disco track which will lead this mix into a part 2 ‘Disco Rockers’ mix at some stage.

If you dig this mix be sure to watch Steve McQueens ‘Small Axe: Lovers Rock’ on the BBC along with the rest of the ‘Small Axe’ movie series.

STIX aka 6FtSTIX of Rise and Shine Rockers and Majestic Roots Sound System.

Tracklist
1. Gregory Isaacs - Rock On (Murder Observer Style)
2. Errol Dunkley - Darling Ohh!
3. Alton Ellis - I’m Still In Love
4. Marcia Aitken - I’m Still In Love / Trinity - Three Piece Suit
5. Hollie Cook - Postman
6. Chronixx - Majesty
7. Christine Lewin - Juicy Fruit
8. Misses Misty - Mellow Mellow, Ride On
9. Devon Russell - Give Me Your Love
10. Johnny Osbourne - Ice Cream Love
11. Creation Rebel - Love I Can Feel
12. Charmaine Burnette -  (Am I The) Same Girl
13. Jennifer Lara - Big Surprise
14. Crucial Rockers - Teardrops (Womack & Womack)
15. Pama International - Man Next Door
16. Dennis Brown - Love Has Found Its Way
17. Hard Rock - Feel No Way
18. Al Charles - Outstanding 
19. Jean & Trevor - Back Together Again
20. Janet Kay - Silly Games
21. Lord Echo ft. Lisa Tomlins - Thinking Of You

Recorded live from vinyl in ‘The Soul Room’ studio January 2021.

More info:
www.facebook.com/riseandshinerockers
www.facebook.com/majesticsoundsystem.nz

Rise and Shine Rockers - Love Rockers

NiceUp promotes reggae and bass culture in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We run the crucial Kiwi reggae portal NiceUp.org.nz and promote loads of gigs and events.

NiceUp Mix Series 2021

NiceUp Crew