CD Reviews
The following reviews are of solid reggae albums that will complement any record collection. Every month we review current releases and what we consider reggae classics to produce a comprehensive catalog of reggae recordings.

Buju Banton
The Early Years 		Capelton
Still Blazin		 Cocoa Tea
Feel the Power		 Various
Simply the Best

More CD Reviews
Feature Story
Jah Shaka In Session
A look at the legend by Judy S. Hecker

When legendary UK soundman Jah Shaka came to NY for two Sunday sessions in late June, Friday’s NY Times highlighted the Central Park Summerstage afternoon session, mentioning the two International bands performing, and adding, as almost an afterthought, “with Jah Shaka, a reggae DJ.” Calling Shaka a reggae DJ is like calling the Beatles a British pop group.

Though celebrated in the UK, Europe and beyond, Shaka’s still not widely known in the US. But if his name isn’t familiar, his musical influence is, especially if you check for dub or drum ‘n bass. Even if you believe Lee Perry invented reggae and Mad Professor dub, and their joint albums rule, check out Shaka (he’s done an album with Professor too).

Jah Shaka––Rastaman, Selector, Producer, Musician––has inspired legions: transplanted West Indians, Rastas seeking spiritual food, disaffected white kids, and dub’s leading creators. They rammed Shaka sessions because he played the deepest roots music imaginable, including his famous dubplates. Unless Shaka was introducing a tune or D. Brown intoned “Shaka the Warrior,” people didn’t know who or what, but went crazy trying to find out anyway.

Shaka came to England from JA as a youth. He aka’d himself after mighty warrior king Shaka Zulu, and by the late 70’s had become one of the UK’s top sounds. MORE>> 		Concert Review
Sanchez
Feb 24, 2004
SOBs
New York, NY
By Matthew Anthony a.k.a. DJ Teflon

NEW YORK CITY- It was a distinct pleasure to cover this show, as I had never seen Sanchez before. His voice sounded just as good live, if not better, and that's a rarity among artists in general. Sanchez' voice is unique, versatile, and powerful yet silky. He captivated the people from his first song to the very last.

I arrived at S.O.B's early and the famed establishment housed a very scanty crowd. They sipped drinks while head-bopping in unison to the early juggling of the Majestic King sound system. A dimly lit S.O.B's saw staffers expeditiously setting up the stage for the official onset of the evening. As more heads occupied the place, the One Vibration band took the stage and began to fill the air with nice and easy rhythms. The body count inevitably grew and so did the level of restlessness as they eagerly anticipated Sanchez' performance. He would not be up next however as Majestic King then selected more tunes, allowing Sanchez' band, The Chronic Band, to set up and replace One Vibration on stage. MORE>>





REVIEWS & FEATURES

:: More CD Reviews
:: More Features
:: More Concert Reviews