All Reggae/Neo-Reggae Episodes

It’s been 4 years between SOJA records, but with the release of Beauty in the Silence, fans can once again rejoice. It’s a superb record with lots of great guests, so we caught up with Jacob Hemphill to talk about the new record. First song: Press Rewind Second song: Jump ft. Slightly Stupid See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Moment is the seventh album from neo-reggae artists Rebelution. To proclaim this band simply a reggae outfit wouldn’t do their sound justice. This record was recorded over the pandemic and for the first time since the band’s inception it wasn’t recorded live with all the band members in attendance. When I sat down and chatted with guitarist, vocalist and frontman Eric Rachmany about the new record, our conversation started when I asked what the last year and a half has been like for the b...

Rebelution's latest album Dub Collection features 15 dub versions of the band's hits, and another five tracks, is absolutely a fun listen. I've been a fan of Rebelution's message, and their music, and so being reintroduced to some of their more popular tunes in a dub format is just great. More to the point, I've been listening to dub music since high school, and so this feels like home in many ways. We tracked down Eric Rachmany, Rebelution's lead singer, and guitar player to get a sense of why ...

The world could probably use a lot more positive energy in it right now so there is probably no better time for a new album from Iration, which typically exudes good vibes and good feelings. Such is certainly the case with Coastin', and though it's a little more introspective and collaborative then their past 6 albums, make no mistake about it, this album will uplift you with its rock reggae sound. Aside from Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, and Stick Figure, the album also boasts guest spots from Common Kings and Eli-Mac. We caught up with Micah Pueschel to talk about the record, and our conversation started when I asked what made making this record, their 7th record in 15 years, so special. You definitely should check out the video for Right Here Right Now on youtube and the entire record when its out in just a few weeks. For more on Iration visit irationmusic.com. 

For the uninitiated Chadwick or Chad Stokes is a member of neo-reggae folk band Dispatch but last week he released his third solo album with the Pintos, his backing band. Chad has always been a prolific writer, who is socially and political conscious. This album though is not only politically motivated, but many of the songs show a more tender side too. So it’s with that we got in touch with Chad for a really great conversation. You can learn about Chadwick and the Pistols upcoming tour dates and more at chadwickstokes.com.

We’ve been big fans of Dispatch, since 1997’s “The General”. Wow, it just hit me, that was over 20 years ago. Their sound blends folk and reggae, and this trio, who are back at it in earnest after a tumultuous break, have never sounded better. We caught up with Chad who has many different pseudonyms to talk about Location 13, their political and social discourse and much more.

While Rebelution’s sound is true to its reggae roots, they have expanded their sonics horizons even further on theri new record Free Rein, blending all kinds of styles. After 14 years of doing the rock/reggae thing its only natural that the sound becomes fuller as Eric Rachmany explores the music that inspires him. We caught up with Eric ahead of the band’s stop at the Bonnaroo to talk about Free Rein, specific songs on the record and a whole lot more.

If you aren’t familiar with Roots of Creation they are a reggae rock outfit in the vein of Sublime or Dirty Heads, so indeed a Grateful Dead tribute, while a reggae one is a touch far fetched for the genre, this one sounds really terrific. I recently caught up with Brett Wilson frontman of Roots of Creation to talk about the project and it’s inspiration. I mean you can’t ask for a more genuine discussion around the motivation to pay homage to the Grateful Dead than that. It’s clear that this project was born organically and carried out with with a ton of love, a love and authenticity that continues as Roots of Creation take the package on the road. For tour dates and more visit rootsofcreation.com.

I first came across SOJA, a reggae infused 8 piece outfit, back in 2009, when their third record Born in Babylon was released. Since that time, they have grown substantially and are a mainstay now on many festival dates, and continue to tour extensively. Poetry in Motion is actually their eighth record, and front man Jake Hemphill continues to deliver genuine, socially motivated lyrics in keeping with reggae’s tradition of thoughtful messaging. We caught up with Trevor Young, who has a unique story on how he became a full time member of the band.