Celebration of Life brings UK’s Top Reggae and Jungle Stars Together

One area of music that the UK can be particularly proud of is the reggae and jungle community. Tight-knit, hard-working and innovative, artists have inspired new artists from the artform’s beginnings through to today. Perhaps then, it’s no surprise that when word reached some of the biggest stars on the scene, they didn’t hesitate to become involved in a charity which has helped countless families through the darkest of times.

The particular case was that of a young boy called Jaden who is suffering with an incurable brain disease. Despite all expectations from the medical world, he recently celebrated his 11th birthday with the help of the Demelza Hospice and some of the top names in reggae and drum and bass. Names involved in the Celebration of Life project include:

Demolition Man

Jr. Dangerous

Navigator

Tippa Irie

General Levy

Alaska MC

Cowboy Ranger

Liondub

Even more impressively, there is no hint of ego on the track, with their respective skills equally shared (although some can claim to have better football skills on the accompanying video!). On 22nd December, the Celebration of Life guys will be uniting for a live appearance at London’s legendary Ministry of Sound, where they will headline Jungle Fever and be joined by yet more stars from the scene: Sweetie Irie; Ragga Twins; Joseph Lalibela & Johnny Dolla to perform the single’s flipside, produced by FLeCK

Behind the scenes at the video shoot:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-469116529/celebration-of-life/s-2wzva

Youtube: https://youtu.be/MkRHmucttLQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrationofLifeglobal/

Twitter: @celebratelifeuk

Instagram: celebrationoflifeglobal

Website: www.celebrationoflife.global

Souli Roots- World Peace Expression

After the success of her This is the Place drum and bass track, released on her own label in 2016, Souli now presents World Peace Expression.

The track is a hugely stirring and emotive call to arms aimed at all nations around the world. Featuring ethic percussive sounds, atmospheric electronic swirls of textured background and Souli’s powerful vocals, there are echoes of Miriam Makeba’s indigenous African delivery as well as the more mainstream sound of Bob Marley and the Wailers political statement songs.

Listen to World Peace Expression here: https://soundcloud.com/souliroots/world-peace-expression-available-now

Norell & the Dub Factory come through with summery single ‘Diggin it Deep Down’

edit

High energy uplifting single ‘Diggin’ it Deep Down’ is a brilliantly fresh and funky summer tune that everyone needs for the summer months of 2016. With the release set for the 15th of June you’ve got plenty of time to indulge in the lusciously smooth production of the track before the gloom of the winter. I for one will be keeping my eyes peeled for their live shows and if you like going to gigs or not, I think you should too, the recreation of their live energy in this single is just a glimpse into what they will be like in person.

Links:

https://soundcloud.com/norellandthedubfactory

https://www.facebook.com/norellandthedubfactory/

https://twitter.com/NorellTDF

http://www.norellandthedubfactory.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ4qvDeewZRD2kukHx2Tclg

Natty is back with new album ‘Release The Fear’

Following his Top 20 debut album, ‘Man Like I’, Natty is back with his highly anticipated second album ‘Release The Fear’, a future-roots, concept album that takes us on a journey through love, redemption, self-identity and unity.

Described by the Telegraph as a “soul-reggae crossover sensation” Natty is an artist who brings the revolutionary spirit of the 60s and 70s into current times. The Sunday Times praised his lyrics as “sharply focused” and his songs as “free from production trickery”. Seven years in the making, Release The Fear reflects Natty’s spiritual and sonic progression, bringing forward cosmic and mindful energies through his unmistakable delivery.

The first single of the album, ‘I’m Alive’, is a catchy proclamation of faith and a declaration of thanks for new times and new energies. It is accompanied by an evocative and visually stimulating animated video.

Other inspiring songs include ‘Street lights’, a fast paced, high energy beat that dares us to reconnect with each other and the space around us, as well as ‘Stand up in Love’ which calls for a truly unifying love that transcends conventional boundaries.

Sonically, ‘Release The Fear’ is genre straddling whilst retaining an authentic, roots/soul/ Afrocentric identity, amalgamating into what Natty describes as “future roots”. Recorded live, the album has a unique sound with tracks ranging from the delicate and hypnotic ‘Rainclouds’ to the militant and arousing ‘Change’ featuring Busy Signal and Albarosie.

Since parting with his major label, Natty has been hard at work building his own unique brand, independently releasing an award-winning EP, set up his record label Vibes & Pressure and a monthly club night by the same name.

Still very active on the live music circuit, the North Londoner has hit the stages of SWSW, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Reading & Leeds and the BBC Electric Proms. Natty has also toured the USA supporting Ziggy Marley and travelled to Zimbabwe, Brazil, Japan and Europe performing for local crowds.

Previously receiving the support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, ITV, MTV, Later with Jools Holland amongst others, Natty is excited to embark on his new project and share his message of love with the rest of the world.

The album ‘Release The Fear’ is out on 18^th March 2016.

Pre Order Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/release-the-fear/id1072390660

Tour Dates

Mon 07-Mar-16 Phoenix Exeter
http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/natty

Tue 08-Mar-16 The Haunt Brighton
www.loutpromotions.co.uk/natty

Thu 10-Mar-16 Night & Day Manchester
http://gigst.rs/natty

Sat 12-Mar-16 Norwich Arts Centre Norwich
http://norwichartscentre.co.uk/events/natty/

Sun 13-Mar-16 Thekla Bristol
http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk/natty-tickets

Mon 14-Mar-16 Bodega Nottingham
http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk/natty-tickets

Tue 15-Mar-16 Belgrave Leeds
http://www.seetickets.com/event/natty/belgrave-music-hall/940440

Wed 16-Mar-16 Academy 3 Birmingham
http://gigst.rs/natty

Thu 17-Mar-16 Islington Assembly Rooms London
http://www.gigsandtours.com/event/natty/islington-assembly-hall/940460/

Links

https://www.facebook.com/nattyofficial

https://twitter.com/NattyMusic

https://www.youtube.com/user/vibesandpressure

https://nattymusic.com/

https://soundcloud.com/nattymusic

https://www.instagram.com/nattymusic/

‘Creatures of Leisure’ – The Floating Bridges

Their debut album, ‘Chasing Sunsets’, made an impact on its release in 2012, and gained the band a dedicated following. Now, ‘Creatures of Leisure ’is set to bring further success for the dreadlock-wearing members of the band.

The album has been borne out of the band’s jammin’ sessions, and has been inspired by “good times” they have had together living on the Sunshine Coast. Lead single ‘Dreamcatcher’ allows the listener to get in to the same groove. The track features the traditional offbeat rhythms of reggae as well as the spiritual side of roots music, combined with Jimi Hendrix-style rock-n-roll guitar, which allows for an undeniably original yet authentic sound.

Now, the five-piece are making their way to this side of the world. Dale, Dan, Jimmy, Johnny and Cale say they have been “touring constantly” since the band formed in 2009, and, come July, they will be continuing their travels when they arrive on this side of the world. To coincide with the UK tour, The Floating Bridges are releasing their much anticipated LP ‘Creatures of Leisure’.

The Floating Bridges are touring the UK from 17^thJuly – not be to missed!

Dates:

July 23rd – Secret Garden Party – Cambridgeshire

July 24th – The Farmers Arms – St. Merryn, Cornwall

July 25th – The Ohana Bar – Newquay, Cornwall

July 26th – The Beach BBQ – Bude, Cornwall

July 29th – Treyarnon Bay YHA – Constantine, Cornwall

July 31st – The Marisco – Woolacombe, Devon

Aug 2nd – Pig and Fiddle – Buttcombe, Bath

Aug 7th – Gaunts House – Dorset

Aug 8th – The Prince Albert – Stroud, Glos

Aug 13th – Mr Wolfs – Bristol

Aug 16th – Boomtown Fair, Winchester

Aug 21st – Cult Cafe – Ipswich

Links:

Website: www.thefloatingbridges.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefloatingbridges?ref=hl

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-oGa1YXNlE

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thefloatingbridges

2Nice New Single – ‘Sunlight’

Summer single set for release June 22nd through QW-KEYMUSIC

new single ‘Sunlight’ release on QW-KEYMUSIC it’s set to show the world exactly how it sounds when pop, rap, reggae and EDM are drawn together, his star will continue to rise.

Gritty and raw while still having a polished sheen, ‘Sunlight’ is a single which could well see 2Nice break through from cult status to the mainstream. It’s truly impressive work from a brave and innovative artist not afraid to try new things.

Since winning the 2008 award for ’UK Unsigned Best Reggae/Dancehall Act’, 2Nice’s momentum and reputation has been growing thanks to his innate talent for bringing together and blending styles. His buzz is such that urban music royalty are sitting up and taking notice, with fans and collaborators including Congo Natty, Luciano, Tinie Tempah, Dizzie Rascal, Wiley, Mark Morrison and more.

All the more impressive, 2Nice does all this while suffering the debilitating effects of epilepsy. Using music in his everyday battle to overcome the condition, 2Nice finds the creative process soothing – allowing him to turn his thoughts away from an illness he has found it hard to come to terms with.

With his genuinely unique blend of genres, ‘Sunlight’ is just the first assault 2Nice is readying for the mainstream UK music industry this year. Hold on to your hats for 2015.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/2NiceOfficial?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/2nicemusic

https://soundcloud.com/2nice-2