RF World Premiere

On October 30th, General Hydroponics, a worldwide leader in the development of organic growing supplies, will release it's second compilation album Gen Hydro Vol. 2 - Music for your soul, nutrition for you plants. With a long tradition bringing together nature and technology, the company has recently begun putting resources into the progressive reggae scene. From paying fair wages to artist's performing at Gen Hydro events,  supporting producers who create music, or covering the costs of physical items (like Rootfire's merch tent), Gen Hydro continues to become viable sponsorship alternative to a scene often dominated by clothing or liquor companies.

With the release of Gen Hydro Vol. 2 the company has activated a nationwide network of grow shops who will physically distribute the album; spreading music for the likes of Collie Buddz, Stick Figure, Dizzy Wright, Amp Live, Brother Ali, The Movement, New Kingston, IAMSU & more.

Today Rootfire is premiering the album's second single "Stronger" - a collaboration between bay area producer https://soundcloud.com/amplive and Brooklyn's https://soundcloud.com/newkingston 

Gen Hydro Vol. 2 - Music for your soul, nutrition for you plants will be available on all digital outlets on Oct 30th, and at fine grow shops nationwide.

* “Stronger” is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere

http://www.newkingstonmusic.com/
http://amplivesworld.com/
http://generalhydroponics.com/
http://rootfire.net/


Stronger (Produced by Amp Live)

New Kingston - Stronger -  [Rootfire World Premiere]

On November 13, 2015, Easy Star Records will release The Big Smoke, the sophomore album from UK-based band Gentleman's Dub Club. The Big Smoke is one of the finest complete recordings that I have heard this year, with incredible moments on each track- from the darker dubbed out instrumental "Enter The Chamber" to the pop ladened chorus of "See Them."  The album's listening experience (in its entirety) is a pleasure and stands as a timely progression for reggae's melodic subgenre, future roots music, drawing favorable comparisons to New Zealand's The Black Seeds and Fat Freddy's Drop.

Release Date: November 13, 2015
Label: Easy Star Records

Pre-Order: Vinyl + CD http://www.gdc-thebigsmoke.com/
iTunes http://smarturl.it/TheBigSmoke-iTunes

Connect:
Rootfire Profile: http://rootfire.net/gentlemansdubclub/
Web: http://www.gentlemansdubclub.com/

Easy Star Records: http://easystar.com

* "See Them" is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.

The Big Smoke

Gentleman's Dub Club - See Them - [Rootfire World Premiere]

Stick Figure is the project of Santa Cruz, California-based producer Scott Woodruff. Lumped into a genre dominated by Reggae-Rock bands, Woodruff earned worldwide acclaim by incorporating lower tempo chillout music with elements of Jamaican dub and reggae.

Noted through his restrained vocals, multi-layered arrangements, and heavy riddims, Woodruff independently released four albums between 2006 – 2010 including The Sound Of My Addiction (2006), Burnin’ Ocean (2008), Smoke Stack (2009), and The Reprise Sessions (2010), each winning numerous year end awards and praise from the scene’s most influential blogs and tastemakers. Despite combined album sales topping 50,000, Woodruff veered away from touring in support of the recordings and settled into a reclusive lifestyle- traveling the world for over half a decade and living on the album royalties.

The release of 2012’s Burial Ground invoked a sea change in the producer, who began to embrace the demand to play live shows, establishing a touring band made up of Kevin Bong (KBong) on keyboards, Kevin Offitzer on drums, and bassist Tommy Suliman, fronted by Woodruff on guitar and lead vocals. The quartet headlined their first national tour in 2014, and on the back of multiple advance sell out shows, Stick Figure reached bona fide headliner status throughout North America and the Pacific Islands.

In 2014, Woodruff moved to a mountainside farm outside Santa Cruz, CA. As his housemates experimented in beekeeping and tincture making Woodruff found solace excavating a foundation and constructing a recording studio on the farm, all in preparation for his most ambitious recording to date, Set In Stone (to be released November 13, 2015).

The release of Set In Stone is a culmination of a journey that has seen the producer go from a mysterious figure to becoming a major player and virtually inventing a melodic subgenre of reggae that finds inspiration from midtempo electronic music.

Release Date: November 13, 2015
Label: Ruffwood Records

Pre-Order: 
Album Packages: https://www.districtlines.com/stick-figure
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/set-in-stone/id1045767173

Connect:
Rootfire Profile: http://rootfire.net/stickfigure
Web: http://www.stickfiguremusic.com/

* “In This Love” is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.


Set In Stone

Stick Figure - In This Love - [Rootfire World Premiere]

We are experiencing an artisan takeover. Whether it’s coffee, beer, weed, or reggae, more and more people are ditching the corporate goods of mass production and searching for authentic homegrown tastes. A hint of classic with a splash of real personality. Producer David O and veteran reggae singer Fred Locks have delivered a classic reggae sound that brings listeners directly to the dance they know and love, all while expressing a passionate love of reggae in a voice of originality and true character.

Sticking to classic methods of non-digital instruments and live takes, David and Fred bring the respect of the old school to the future present. Fresh out your speakers, Time to Shine drops November 20th worldwide. The record preaches to the crowd that wants more of what they know and love: pure unadulterated classic roots sounds for the reggae enthusiast.

Dig what I say. Rub a dub is here to stay. Check out the premiere single, "Reggae Addict," exclusively on Rootfire.

Release Date: November 20, 2015
Label: Duplex

Pre-Order Album: https://timetoshine.bandcamp.com/releases

Connect:
Web: http://fredlockstimetoshine.com/

Duplex Music: http://duplexmusic.com/

* "Reggae Addict" is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.
http://rootfire.net

Time To Shine

Fred Locks Meets David O - Reggae Addict - [Rootfire World Premiere]

I’ve always leaned into darker music….gritty, over-driven guitars, moody harmonies and deep rhythms. Those are the tracks I end up playing over and over and over again. Those are the songs that get my knees bending at a concert, my face scrunching up while my ears tune in. It’s a sound that appeals to my more instinctual tastes.

On December 4, Buddha Council will release their second studio album, Consider This, featuring the single “Sheep” which grips me in exactly that way.

From Virginia Beach, Buddha Council is in the trenches of today’s American reggae scene, grinding it out on the road and in the studio, as part of the groundswell we can all feel underfoot, right here and now.

And indeed their ethos is very similar to Rootfire’s:

“Buddha Council seek to make music not only as a band, but more precisely as a  musicians’ collective….to contribute to the music community at large by enhancing and encouraging the musical collaborative experience.“

It’s about creating communities and sharing the art that touches us along the way.

Pre-order Consider This here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/consider-this/id1059184739

Tour dates and more info at http://buddhacouncilband.com

-Reid

* "Sheep" is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.
http://rootfire.net

Consider This

Buddha Council – Sheep – [Rootfire World Premiere]

Love, love, love. It really is all you need. That’s what Taj Weekes believes. And love doesn’t know boundaries. It’s the heartbeat of life. It doesn’t matter who you love, just as long as you do love. That’s the message behind “Here I Stand,” the first single from Taj Weekes & Adowa’s fifth album, Love Herb & Reggae. 

“Love is a human rights issue,” Weekes states. “That’s the important thing. We shouldn’t be defining people by their sexuality. Who’s the one to decide what’s ‘normal,’ anyway? What we need is more love in this world, more diversity. The single is me: I’m stating my position and taking my stand.”

That’s something we can all support. Congratulations to Taj on the upcoming release of his new album, Love Herb & Reggae. Your lyrics and music have constantly had a warm presence in my life since I first heard “Janjaweed.”

Release Date: February 12, 2016
Label: Jatta Records
Distribution: VPAL Music

Connect: http://tajweekes.com
http://rootfire.net/

* “Here I Stand” is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.

Love Herb & Reggae

Here I Stand

Pre-order

Taj Weekes - Here I Stand - [Rootfire World Premiere]

Mantra Sessions: A Fractalization

Recorded sound is the first step to time travel. Recording technology is the time machine. Modern magic. We have a new opportunity as humans to experience this busy time in history as a sonic reflection. Recording artists have a new niche: the sonic curation of international expression.

Mantra Sessions is an experience into the fractalization of the sonically possible. Dive into this music, its story, and your mind will flash brightly.

A history of Swedish musicians. Their travels to India. An absorption of foreign simplicity. A new creation from ancient materials. The recycling of musical friendships over decades. The power of dub to forever recreate. It’s all here. The Mantra Sessions will be something to study. An aid to the ancient practice of finding focus through letting go.

Mantra Sessions was created by Bosse Skoglund and ZilverZurf. I knew nothing of these men and their project before I was asked by Rootfire to learn. What a beautiful education. They represent drum and bass of Sweden. Not the musical genre, but the actual players of the instruments. Mantra Sessions will be released in 2016 as Bosse Skoglund celebrates his 80th birthday. Everything about this story is intriguing. A global experience that, as a musician, I hope to have myself one day.

I put on my headphones. I know music, and now I know ZilverZurf and Bosse Skoglund. Strip away the particulars; Mantra Sessions is a jam. It took place over time. Possibly millennia. Yet it couldn’t exist in this way until today. Mantra Sessions will be remembered as a preservation of this beautiful synergy technology has granted artists access to.

I couldn’t think of a project more fitting to accompany one in the art of life. Be it yoga, drinking tea, smoking herbs, cooking breakfast, making babies, or letting your mind gently drift, Mantra Sessions will guide.

Now is the time for you to listen.

Release Date: January 29, 2016

Label: Diesel Music

* "Existence Dub" is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.
http://rootfire.net/

Mantra Sessions

Mantra Sessions - Existence Dub - [Rootfire World Premiere]

I took a step on the rebel ship. Danced like I knew how. I saw bonfires and stars and friends whose names I never knew. I love traveling without moving. Big thanks to the UK for bringing us to the dance for decades now. NATTY knows how to do it. NATTY is alive.

The NATTY generation is still growing. Always self actualizing. I hear reflection in this music from an artist whose discography is distinct, diverse, and elusive. Who is he and where is he going?

It makes me wonder about the press and the stress of being independent, and the triumph that comes when one truly creates in their own voice.

A song can be put together in so many ways, but at the heart of it, it’s about energy, isn’t it? Get moved. Dig deep. Stay light.

Photo by Elliot Jones
Photo by Elliot Jones
A familiar yet fresh four on the floor, afro-house appeal, and solid melodic bassline offers no resistance to a dance floor creation. You are the rebel ship and your mission is to project your livity.

What I love about this song is how everything structurally is reminiscent of electronic music, while the actual sounds presented bring to mind the cool water flow of a brimming organic ecosystem. The realness of the drum and bass, the dry acoustic loop, the Jon Frusciante-esque beauty of a clean electric guitar solo, these elements all contribute to a beautiful representation of what 2016 music can be. A summer classic for sure, released in the dead of winter.

It raises questions about Europe. Are they only 6 hours ahead? Months? Dimensions? Why they always gotta come so fresh?

Welcome to Natty and the Rebel Ship. Your ride is waiting. Step inside and watch the informational music video. It’s cool AF.

Release Date: February 29, 2016
Label: Vibes & Pressure
Title: Release The Fear

Connect:
Web: https://nattymusic.com
https://rootfire.net/

* “I'm Alive” is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.

Release The Fear

Natty - I'm Alive - [Rootfire World Premiere]

From the 2016 Divine Spark album by Natty Nation

▶ iTunes: geni.us/DivineSparkiTunes
▶ CD / Vinyl / HD: geni.us/DivineSparkCDVinylHD
▶ Amazon: geni.us/DivineSparkAmazon
▶ Google Play: geni.us/DivineSparkGooglePlay
▶ Spotify: geni.us/DivineSparkSpotify
▶ More: www.nattynation.com

Divine Spark

5th Dimension Dub

Cali reggae has taken the world by storm. It has re-energized what was once thought of as a tired and boxed-in genre into new mainstream classics of a generation. What is the draw? What are the elements that have granted groups like Tribal Seeds a top spot in modern roots reggae playlists worldwide?

There is a cool confidence pulsing through this group that draws the old roots heads along side the short shorts California girls we all grew up hearing about.

The heavy bubble, the hypnotic basslines, and crunk to the max beats certainly stir up an excitement that moves people closer to the stage, and sells out venues nationwide.

And really, that excitement? It’s the sex. That primal instinct we all know.  Whether young, old, single, married, gay or straight, we all connect to the electricity of sex in the air. It’s a classic draw. Roots reggae, with its political vitriol, ideological base, and rebel qualities, will always still have room for sexiness.

Down in Jamaica, you can almost feel it climax to a cliche. Sex sells. Sex can become cheap. The rugged realization of prostituting young men, women, and music, is everywhere in the modern world.

To the rescue, comes Tribal Seeds. They maintain the roots integrity while never losing the sex appeal. “Surrender” is a very sexy tune. A hard driving love song. A message that will never die. Music for dancing. Grinding. Loving. Love will always be revolutionary. As the music continues to inspire roots reggae lovers to multiply, the message of family, truth, and interdependence proliferates.

Tribal Seeds is here to inspire. Grow a family. Reggae-fy your bloodline.

Release Date: February 12, 2016

Produced by: Tony-Ray Jacobo (aka Maad T-Ray)
Lyrics and Music written by: Steven Rene Jacobo

* “Surrender” is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.

Connect:
Tribal Seeds: http://tribalseeds.net
Rootfire: https://rootfire.net/

Tribal Seeds - Surrender (Rootfire Premiere)

The Slackers

The Slackers - Working Overtime (Rootfire World Premiere)

Simple music is best. Timeless melodies are used to sooth.
But we still want that beat to drop, RIGGHT?! Busy Signal, possibly presently Jamaica’s finest, supplies hot fire to this cooling love anthem. Coming from the future of epic team ups, Eric Rachmany and Amp Live are dropping the new pop classics on their collaborative album Unified Highway. Eric is a folk singer. Make no doubt about it. His voice and musical demeanor would calmly collect hearts and souls past, present, and future. Back his melodies with any style and it’s insta-classic. He’s the man who wrote the chorus, “Feeling good, feeling alright, yeah,” and made it fresh. Eric is the Paul Simon of our generation, you heard it here first. This melody is so sweet, so simple, you could put a baby to sleep with it. But don’t rest easy. Amp Live drops beats and Busy Signal cuts through with his complex cadence, perfectly balancing the palate to evoke the steamy sensation of a dark and lustful evening descent. “My Only” is sure to be hitting the international airwaves and dancehalls worldwide.

Unified Highway is the first album release from the vision of the Audible Collision label. We look forward to a bright future of new music to come. Enjoy the premiere, here on Rootfire.

Release Date: March 4, 2016
Label: Audible Collision
Title: Unified Highway

Pre-Order: Physical (Vinyl, CD, Merch) | iTunes

Connect:
Web: http://unifiedhighway.com
https://rootfire.net/

* Unified Highway – My Only (feat. Busy Signal) is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.

Unified Highway

Unified Highway - My Only (Feat. Busy Signal)-(Rootfire World Premiere)

Enjoy this exclusive preview of the new album from Satsang "The Story Of You" due out March 25th, 2016.

01 Remember Jah

song written by: Carlo Santone, Julian Marley, Nattali Rize
production: One Rebel / Mista Savona
Mixed: James Bonzai Caruso

http://www.onerebelcreative.com
----
More info: 



Nattali Rize & Julian Marley - Natty Rides Again

"Rise" sees Tatanka pushing deeper into their home territory, a dubby wilderness that mixes electronic and percussive influences into the structure of reggae. 

I first met Ian, the front man for Tatanka in 2007 at The Gothic Theatre in Denver, Colorado. It did not take long for his band to become regulars opening for the majority of east coast reggae bands that passed through Denver. Ian always played the host, going the extra mile to promote the shows hard, arriving on time for load in, lending an extra hand. Behind his politeness and patience you could see the fire in his eyes; he wanted more and fully believed with an eerie confidence that his band's time would come.

In the following years, Tatanka implemented a tried and true recipe for breaking out... they hit the road, AND they hit the studio- pushing hard on both. They were always stepping up their game through various means: becoming adopters of in-ears, enlisting the services of talented graphic artists, mixing engineers (E.N Young), and one of the scenes fastest growing videographers (Garret Laver).

Tatanka's latest single "Rise" opens with the line "It starts right here." That's a promise the band made to themselves years ago, and it's great to see them coming correct with it all right now, in the present.

Release Date: April 1, 2016
Label: Roots Musician Records
Pre-Order: iTunes

Connect:
Tatanka: http://tatankadub.com/
Rootfire: https://rootfire.net/

* "Rise" is an exclusive Rootfire World Premiere.

Tour Dates

Mar 31 - Discovery Ventura - Ventura, CA
Apr 01 - 710 Beach Club - San Diego, CA
Apr 02 - LVCS - Las Vegas, NV
Apr 23 - Reggies Rock Club - Chicago, IL
Apr 24 - The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
Apr 26 - Pub Station - Billings, MT
Apr 27 - Top Hat - Missoula, MT
Apr 28 - Eagles Ballroom - Bozeman, MT
Apr 29 - Pink Garter Theatre - Jackson Hole, WY
Apr 30 - The State Room - Salt Lake City, UT
May 03 - Gryphon Theatre - Laramie, WY
May 04 - The Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO
May 05 - Knuckleheads Saloon - Kansas City, MO
May 06 - Duck Room @ Blueberry Hill - University City, MO
May 07 - Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant - Minneapolis, MN

Tatanka - Rise (Rootfire World Premiere)

The Movement "Habit 2016" (feat. Collie Buddz & Bobby Hustle) from new album GOLDEN out April 8 on Rootfire Cooperative!

BUY ALBUM:
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/8jm1pe
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/n2qc0d
Google Play: http://smarturl.it/apjtu4
CD: http://smarturl.it/xv2dfv

http://themovementvibe.com
http://rootfire.net/cooperative
#GoldenMvmt

Golden

Habit 2016 Habit 2016 (feat. Collie Buddz & Bobby Hustle)

Buy Album

The Movement - Habit 2016 (feat. Collie Buddz & Bobby Hustle)

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra - Love And Affection (Rootfire World Premiere)

Floralorix - Arise (Rootfire Premiere)

Release Date: May 27, 2016
Label: Dub Rockers
Album Title: Everlasting

Connect with band: http://ragingfyah.com/
Connect with rootfire: https://rootfire.net/

Raging Fyah - Live Your Life feat. J Boog & Busy Signal (Rootfire Premiere)

King Django at the controls of this infectious Pomps tune. The Pomps are your new favorite band and will be Releasing a 6 song EP on Rarebreed Recording Company on May 27th. 

05 - Halo Vs. King Django

A platform for Reggae music worldwide. Empowering Artists / Building Community.

𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙩:
rootfire@rootfire.net
𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://rootfire.net
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