News from Easy Star

EASY STAR ALL-STARS TOURING THE UK

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:02:00 +0000

ESAS hit the UK for the 4th time!

RADIODREAD DOUBLE LP AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 13:07:00 +0000

Ever since Radiodread came out, fans keep asking for a vinyl version. The wait is over! The vinyl version of this landmark release is special. This collector's edition is a double LP, with each record a different color (one gold, one green). In addition,

EASY STAR ALL-STARS BRING LIVE DUB SIDE OF THE MOON TO EUROPE AND SOUTH AMERICA IN 2006

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 13:07:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars are heading to Europe and South America in 2006.

EASY STAR ALL-STARS NORTHEAST TOUR DATES IN NOVEMBER

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:57:00 +0000

After spending most of 2007 playing major festivals and club shows in countries as varied as Israel, Turkey, Italy, Ireland, Chile, Mexico, Antigua, Egypt, Poland and the UK, the Easy Star All-Stars are happily returning to action in the U.S. First up is

MICHAEL G PRODUCES ANOTHER HIT

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Easy Star co-founder and producer Michael G began collaborating with his wife, Ami, about nine months ago and the result has just been released: please welcome Tali Shoshanna Goldwasser to the world. She joins Simone Smith and Francesca Oppenheimer as the

HIGH PRAISE FOR TICKLAH FROM XLR8R

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The December issue of XLR8R features a great review (with picture) of Ticklah Vs. Axelrod. Here's what they have to say:

"In any musical movement, there’s bound to be a handful of individuals who act as an unseen driving force–-the navigators

EASY STAR ALL-STARS' NEW DIGITAL EP DUE FEB 26

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Easy Star Records is pleased to announce the release of a digital EP by the Easy Star All-Stars on February 26. UNTIL THAT DAY showcases five original songs from the band behind DUB SIDE OF THE MOON and RADIODREAD, two of the most successful reggae albums of the decade (the two records combined have sold 200,000 copies since release). It also includes a previously unreleased dub version of “Climbing Up The Walls” from the RADIODREAD sessions. It will be available exclusively through iTunes beginning February 26 and available everywhere else March 11. A limited number of physical copies will be printed, as well, to be sold at shows.

While many think the Easy Star All-Stars only pay tribute to classic rock albums, there has always been original music coming from the collective. Originally formed in 1997 for Easy Star Records’ first recordings (including the first ever Easy Star release, EASY STAR VOLUME ONE), the Easy Star All-Stars existed mostly as a studio entity until releasing DUB SIDE OF THE MOON in 2003. The success of that album — still sitting on Billboard’s Reggae Chart five years later — led to the formation of a touring version of the collective. In 2006, the ESAS released the follow-up to DUB SIDE, tackling Radiohead’s OK Computer (renamed RADIODREAD). This album has had similar success, solidifying the band’s reputation for experimentation, originality and incredible live shows.

As anyone who has seen any of the band’s 200+ shows in the past five years knows, besides playing cuts from both tribute albums, the Easy Star All-Stars also have a number of their own original songs that make it into their sets. Five of these fan favorites have found their way on to UNTIL THAT DAY, showcasing the diverse writing talents of many members of the band:

** The classic roots cut “Got To Get Away” features guitarist Junior Jazz on vocals and horns arranged by sax player Jennifer Hill.
** The music for “Bed Of Rose” was written by drummer Ive-09, while Menny More supplied the vocals for this dancehall track.
** “Like The Stars” was written by keyboardist Jeremy Mage, with lyrics by singer Tamar-kali.
** “Until That Day” was written by bassist Ras IRay (and was in the set at the first ever live show by the band in May 2003). It includes a chat by Menny More.
** “The Finest” was written by Jeremy Mage and Menny More, again with horn arrangements by Jennifer Hill.

The EP was produced by Easy Star All-Stars founder Michael Goldwasser along with the band. The tracks were recorded in between European tours last summer that brought the band to the UK, Ireland, Egypt, Poland, Italy and Turkey. The Easy Star All-Stars will continue their busy touring schedule in 2008, with shows announced for February 15-18 in three cities in Colorado (including two nights opening for Michael Franti and Spearhead) and two shows in Halifax and Moncton, Canada, March 21-22.

TICKLAH VS. AXELROD VOTED THIRD BEST ALBUM OF 2007 BY MP3.COM

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Ticklah's TICKLAH VS. AXELROD album grabbed more praise yesterday by being named the third best album of 2007 by MP3.com, with just under 7,000 votes by MP3.com users. While it lost to BUDOS BAND II, it had the distinction of beating Amy Winehouse's BACK TO BLACK, an album to which Ticklah contributed plenty of keyboard work. Thanks for voting if you did!

TICKLAH ON "BREAKING BAD"

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

"Nine Years" - the last track on TICKLAH VS. AXELROD - was used prominently in the second episode of AMC's critically-acclaimed new TV series "Breaking Bad." The song was the musical backdrop to a scene in which new meth lab operator Bryan Cranston attempts to roll himself a joint for the first time.

EASY STAR MEETS SPEARHEAD

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars opened two shows for Michael Franti and Spearhead this weekend in Vail, Colorado. The All-Stars got much love from the big crowds at Dobson Ice Arena, especially on the second night when word must have spread about the band's set the night before. On the second night, three different members of the band then stepped up to join Franti and Spearhead during their set: Menny More and Tamar-kali added their unique vocals, while Jeremy Mage played keys on a song. The band then left town after the show in a snowstorm so they could make it to Boulder for their near sell-out show the next night at the Fox Theatre in Boulder.

R.I.P. MIKEY DREAD

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We are very saddened to report the passing of reggae pioneer disc jockey and artist Mikey Dread, from a brain tumor. Basil Walters, of the Observer, wrote: "Radio disc jock Mikey Dread is dead. He succumbed to a brain tumour late yesterday afternoon at his family home in Connecticut, USA at the age of 54. Born Michael Campbell in Port Antonio, Jamaica, he distinguished himself as an extraordinary studio engineer and presenter at the now defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) where he came to prominence in the 1970s as "The Dread-at-the-Control Tower", the name of the late night show he presented at a time when reggae music was scoffed at by many. One of reggae's greatest innovators and original radio engineers/technicians, the past student of Titchfield High School, in 2006 celebrated the 30th anniversary of the night programme which he started at the JBC, and revolutionised the after midnight shift making it into the most popular slot on radio, by playing strictly dub music. This innovation is seen by many musicologists as the antecedence of dancehall as we now know it. Upon leaving the JBC, Mikey Dread ventured into recording and scored with a number of releases such as Weatherman Skanking in combination with Ray I, Barber Saloon, Love the Dread, as well as albums such as Dread at the Control, Evolutionary Rockers and World War III. Over time he attracted the attention of British punk rockers The Clash, who invited him to produce some of their music, the most famous of which is their single Bankrobber, and contributed to several songs on their 1980 album, Sandinista. Mikey Dread also toured with The Clash across Britain, wider Europe and the US. He also worked closely with producer Trevor Elliot to launch musical career of singer Edi Fitzroy, who was then an accountant at the JBC."

JBB BEGINS NEW TOUR

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

After a relatively short hiatus, while the band worked on a new record and singer Elliot Martin underwent minor surgery, John Brown's Body hits the road this weekend, beginning in New York City at Bowery Ballroom on Saturday. Their mini-tour will take them around upstate New York, to Colorado, and eventually out to sunny Southern California and Hawaii. We're only guessing, but we would imagine fans will get to see some of the new album's material getting some play. For a complete list of tour dates, either check our own tour page, or pop on by to their official website.

ESAS LIVE WEBCAST FROM PORTUGAL

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Next weekend will mark two exciting firsts for the Easy Star All-Stars: the band will play two shows in Portugal for the first time and one of them will be webcasted live, which means you won't need to book an expensive plane ticket to Lisbon to catch the action.

The first show is on Saturday, April 26, from Porto, and will begin at 10 PM, Portuguese time. The second show is the next night, same time, live from Lisbon (you'll have to do the math to figure out when that is in your time zone). . Check the details here.

R.I.P. JAMMYLAND NYC

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We at Easy Star are sad to report the closing of New York's venerable reggae emporium, JAMMYLAND. JAMMYLAND claims to have been Manhattan's first all reggae music store, though they may have arguments from some of the stores in the outer boroughs. Whatever the case, they made a big impact on the scene in New York in the '90s and '00s. Mostly selling re-press copies of impossible to find roots/dub classics, as well as new dancehall releases and a healthy dose of world music, it was more than just a record store. Through the years, JAMMYLAND played host to many in-store appearances and performances from such luminaries as MAD PROFESSOR, SAMMY DREAD, CONGO ROY ASHANTI, SISTER NANCY, BULLWACKIES, SISTER CAROL, MIKEY DREAD, DEREK HARRIOTT, JOHNNY OSBOURNE, CORNEL CAMPBELL, GLEN BROWN, LEROY SMART, RANKING JOE and many others.

JAMMYLAND also put out records over the years, mostly long out of print releases, like Augustus Pablo's JAVA JAVA. There was eventually a 24 track studio put into the basement, and JAMMYLAND's house band often accompanied artists in the tri-state area. Celebs including Steely Dan's Walter Becker, Matt Dillon, Jeru The Damaja, and ZZ TOP were all customers.

Easy Star tips its cap to Ira and the whole JAMMYLAND crew for many years of service to reggae in NYC. Hopefully everyone involved will move on to bigger and better things.

JBB'S NEW ALBUM COMING

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star team is very happy to announce the release of the new album from JOHN BROWN’S BODY. AMPLIFY will come out on Easy Star Records September 30, 2008, in North America and Japan (followed by an early 2009 release in all other territories).

AMPLIFY continues an evolution in the band’s sound that started with Spirits All Around Us and continued through the 2005 Easy Star release, Pressure Points. It is an explosive album, featuring twelve tracks of drum & bass-heavy, dub-inflected electro grooves that make up the sound JBB is known for, with a forward-thinking, fearless approach to tempos, feel, and beats that expands the genre of roots reggae as a whole. Songs that have become recent live showstoppers like “Give Yourself Over,” “Zion Triad,” and “Push Some Air” are included, as well as many new songs guaranteed to move both long time fans and new converts, such as “Speak Of The Devil,” which features a vocal collaboration with Midnite’s Vaughn Benjamin.

JBB’s last album, Pressure Points, represented one more step moving the band from its roots reggae beginnings towards a more envelope-pushing, futuristic sound. Since then, JBB has gone through significant changes—including the death of bassist Scott Palmer (which is addressed in the song “Ghost Notes,” a touching track that evokes his spirit over music Bon Iver and Steel Pulse might have written had they produced a song together), as well as throat surgery for lead singer Elliot Martin and the departure of several band members. Emerging out of these changes, the band’s new line-up is an astonishingly focused and more experimental outfit ready to rock their fans like never before.

AMPLIFY will be available for pre-order through Easy Star’s web store in mid-July. Look for more info on the pre-order and other JBB news soon. JBB has already scheduled a number of shows in July and August, with a full US tour planned from late September through the end of the year. Dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

ESAS IN BC

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars just got back from a fun trip to British Columbia in Canada. They played to a sold out audience in Whistler, a near sell out in the beautiful Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, and an enthusiastic crowd at the 9th Annual Victoria Ska Festival. Look for new photos from the trip soon. The band thanks the people of BC for an excellent trip and expects to return in the not-too-distant future.

PRE-ORDER AMPLIFY

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

You can now pre-order the brand new studio album from John Brown's Body! The progressive reggae band's sixth studio album comes out in the US, Canada and Japan on September 30 and features recent live favorites like "Give Yourself Over," "Zion Triad," and "Be At Peace," along with nine other groundbreaking tracks and a guest appearance by Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite. Place your pre-orders quickly because the first 200 copies will be signed by the band and they'll go fast. You can also pick up a new shirt or a tank top for women (offered for the first time ever in this pre-order) for only $12 more. Plus, if you pre-order, you will automatically be entered into a contest with a chance to win tickets to upcoming shows on the band's fall tour. One grand prize winner will get to pick the band's set list at the show they go to. Click here to pre-order.

ESAS TOUR UK & BEYOND IN OCTOBER

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars will be returning to the UK and Ireland and playing their first ever shows in Holland and Belgium this coming October. The band's tour kicks off October 15 at the legendary Melkweg in Amsterdam before moving on to Nijmegen, Holland and Brussels, Belgium. From there, the band will jet to the UK to play 13 more shows all around the Kingdom and 1 show in Dublin. This includes the band's first ever show at London's Shepherd Bush Empire, along with stops in Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds, Glasgow, Southampton and more. Opening all shows in the UK will be Ed Rome, who brings classic British songwriting to the classic sounds of Jamaica. Two of the shows (London and Bristol) will also feature a performance by PAMA INTL. The All-Stars will be playing material from Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread, Until That Day and perhaps debuting a song from the next tribute album that they have been secretly working on. All of the show dates and info can be found on the tour page.

EASYSTAR.COM RELAUNCHED

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We are very pleased to present the newly designed Easy Star website, which went live on August 24th. To kick off the new site, we have brought back our popular contest, so see if you can guess what will be the next classic album The Easy Star All-Stars are going to tackle and win prizes. Make sure you launch our Easy Star Radio so you can listen to our latest tracks while you check out our expanded Photos pages, our popular New York Reggae Scene page, as well as our new Media and Video sections. In the coming months, we will be adding lots of new content to the site so keep checking back. You also can utilize RSS feeds to keep current with what is happening.

NEW JBB TOUR DATES ADDED

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

More dates of the AMPLIFY FALL TOUR have been announced today, including shows in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. See the band's tour page to check the schedule for the entire tour, which includes 37 shows and begins Sept 26 in Crystal Bay, NV. The new dates bring the band back to Hawaii for three shows, as well as to Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Madison, Seattle and Portland. The band has also announced two dates in Canada: October 30th in Toronto and December 18th in Victoria, British Columbia.

EASY STAR ALL-STARS IN NEW ENGLAND

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars play in Boston tonight, aboard the boat Freedom in Boston Harbor. This should be a fun night, with a long set from the band. Check here for more info on tonight's show. The band then headlines the RedHookFest in Portsmouth, NH, tomorrow.

JBB WELCOMES A NEW "MEMBER"

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star Family would like to extend a congratulations to John Brown's Body keyboardist Matt Godwin and his wife Vanessa on the birth of their son Kofi. Kofi was born at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, at 9:35 PM on September 4, 2008. He weighed 8 lbs 10 oz and measured 21 inches long. He arrived to the sounds of Midnite's "Ras Mek Peace". No word yet on when he begins learning how to play piano and organ.

MIKE GORDON/JBB/EASY STAR

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Phish's Mike Gordon invited members of John Brown's Body and Easy Star All-Stars to play with him at his gig at the Paradise in Boston this past weekend. As reported in Relix:

"On Saturday Gordon reunited with Phish at Brad Sands' wedding and, last night, the bassist closed out his solo tour with an appearance at Boston’s Paradise. Gordon’s percussionist Craig Myers opened the evening with his other band Rubblebucket Orchestra and later brought out Rubblebucket bandleader/trumpeter (and John Brown's Body member) Alex Toth, Rubblebucket/John Browns Body’s saxophonist Kalmia Traver and Easy Star All-Stars saxophonist Jenny Hill for Gordon’s "Radar Blip." The improvisational vehicle finds Gordon teaching the audience a variety of hand signals which they can then use to decide which musician leads the band’s jams at any given moment."

RIP RICHARD WRIGHT

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Pink Floyd keyboardist and founding member Richard Wright died yesterday at the age of 65. The cause was cancer. There are only a few deaths of rock stars that we'd mention on the Easy Star news ticker, but obviously, thanks to DUB SIDE OF THE MOON, Easy Star owes a big debt to Wright's talent. His most important single contribution to the Pink Floyd songbook is "The Great Gig In The Sky," which is pretty ironic, considering that the subject of that song is death. He was a key songwriter in the band's early days, but over time was pushed to the side as Roger Waters took more control in the '70s. By THE FINAL CUT, Wright was out of the group. He returned for the band's albums without Waters in the late '80s and '90s and also played on all of David Gilmour's solo records. Rest in peace.

JBB ADDS MORE TOUR DATES

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

John Brown's Body has added three more dates to its already monumental fall tour in support of the release of AMPLIFY. The new shows are in Santa Fe, NM; Olympia, WA; and a special New Year's Eve show in Syracuse, NY. See the band's tour page for the latest updates and complete information.

AMPLIFY LISTENING PARTY IN LA

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

There will be a special listening party for AMPLIFY at the hip LA weekly dance party Afro-Funke. This will be at Zanzibar in Santa Monica on October 2. AMPLIFY will be played in full between 9 and 10 PM, while there will be cd and door prize give aways throughout the night. The DJs will also spin some b-sides from AMPLIFY later in the night. John Brown's Body will be in town, as they have two shows in the LA area the following two nights, so they will be stopping through and should be accessible for meeting with fans. DJ Rhettmatic will be the guest DJ, along with the regular spinner Jeremy Sole. African reggae artist Rocky Dawuni hosts as usual. This should be a fun event and a good chance to celebrate the new release, so come on out to support.

JBB TOUR KICKS OFF TODAY

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The AMPLIFY TOUR for John Brown's Body kicks off tonight at Tahoe Biltmore in Crystal Bay, NV. You can read a good preview (and review of AMPLIFY) from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here. Check out the band's tour page for the latest updates and complete information.

"LIKE THE STARS" ON LIPSTICK JUNGLE

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars song "Like The Stars," from the UNTIL THAT DAY EP, will be used this coming Wednesday, October 1, in an episode of "Lipstick Jungle" with Brooke Shields. The show airs at 10 PM on NBC.

AMPLIFY RELEASE DAY

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Today is the release day for the new John Brown's Body album, AMPLIFY. It's something all of us at Easy Star (and everyone in the band and their management) have been working towards for over a year. So far, AMPLIFY has gotten some great notices, with a 4 star review from Glide Magazine being the latest.

Like it or not, as a record label, Easy Star needs to sell records to survive; the more we sell, the more progressive reggae releases we can bring to the world. Just as importantly, if you are a fan of JBB, the more AMPLIFY they sell, the easier it becomes for them to tour, make a living and keep recording new music.

We're not naïve - we're music fans ourselves - and we know the extent to which music is shared now, how easy it is to get for free, etc. Hell, we get our fair share of free stuff sent to us and we certainly aren't shy about passing around something great. But we try to give back as well. For every free record we get, we buy another, putting money back in so that other labels can keep putting out new music.

Please go out and buy a copy of AMPLIFY or encourage your friends and family to do so. If you've gotten it for free and like it, buy a copy as a gift for a friend. The more copies move off shelves at retailers, the more they'll bring it in and support it. These first week sales are always important to help establish the record on the reggae chart at Billboard, which helps the release and the band long-term. It should be at most major music retailers. (And if you don't see it, don't be shy, ask someone to order it in!) If you live in Boston, go to Newbury Comics and you'll be able to get a free signed digipack to go with the album. If you live in LA, go to Amoeba. If you live in Austin, go to Waterloo. If you don't have a reliable record store near where you live, go to iTunes to download it (along with two free bonus tracks you can't get anywhere else: a Ticklah dub mix of "Give Yourself Over" and a version of "Ghost Notes" with Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite) or to Amazon to order it (or download it). Or just buy it at the Easy Star web store.

Oh, and by the way, you may have noticed that JBB's page at Myspace has been down for a week. Myspace screwed up and accidentally deleted the band's page, but hasn't been able to fix it yet. In the meantime, we've put up a temporary placeholder page (myspace.com/johnbrownsbodyamplify), but hope the regular page will be back any day.

AMPLIFY LYRICS

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We have posted lyrics for many of the songs on AMPLIFY here.

AMPLIFY IS #1

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

AMPLIFY, the new release by progressive reggae band John Brown’s Body, debuts at #1 on this week’s Top Reggae Albums chart in Billboard Magazine. The new album, which also climbs to #10 on the CMJ World Music chart, was just released by Easy Star Records. It presents the band with the highest chart position in its history and outsells its 2005 release PRESSURE POINTS by nearly 20% in its first week of release.

“We’re very happy with the number one chart position,” says Easy Star’s Eric Smith. “But we’re equally excited to see that we’ve not only kept pace with the last release, we’ve outsold it. In these challenging times, where declining sales are the norm, this is a real achievement for everyone involved. It’s also a credit to the tenacity of this band, which has been through a lot over the last several years. JBB’s playing the game their way, and it’s great to see them rewarded for it."

"AMPLIFY is a big stew of a lot of different influences and sounds and grooves,” says JBB drummer and co-founder Tommy Benedetti. “I think reggae applies to us in the way that we definitely draw from drum and bass. That's always the foundation of what we start with. We also tried to step outside of the normal reggae grooves‚ sounds‚ lyrics and topics on this one, and what goes on top wound up being very progressive and current.”

AMPLIFY “...fuses Kweli-like beats with Massive Attack funk” and “...invokes the tripped-up rhythms of Radiohead” - Boston’s Weekly Dig

“...the band’s energy is soaked up and spread out in all the right places, never allowing Amplify to slow down and catch its breath. A heck of an achievement...” - Glide

ESAS JOINS MATISYAHU ON XMAS

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Grammy-nominated artist Matisyahu announces his Third Annual Festival of Light shows in New York City this December. The eight-show series includes dates in Manhattan and Brooklyn for a total of four shows in each borough, featuring special guests each night, including Brett Dennen, Easy Star All-Stars, Assembly of Dust, Asher Roth, The Leevees, Little Jackie, U Melt and a special surprise DJ soon to be announced. The festival begins December 21, the first night of Chanukah, and concludes December 30. Festival of Light marks the final leg of Matisyahu’s extensive fall tour, which coincides with the release of his upcoming EP, Shattered (Epic Records, October 21). The four-song EP features tracks from his new full-length album, Light (due out in early 2009).

Previous Festival of Light shows have included special guests Tim Reynolds, Blues Traveler and The Wailers. This year Matisyahu will kick off the Third Annual Festival of Lights show at Webster Hall in Manhattan on December 21 with a very special guest DJ set. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Brett Dennen will open the final festival show on December 30 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, playing a solo set. The Levees (featuring Adam Gardner of Guster), U-Melt, Assembly of Dust and Easy Star All-Stars performing songs from “Radiodread” and “Dub Side of the Moon” will also join Matisyahu on stage during the holiday festival.

Tickets for Festival of Light shows will be available for pre-sale on October 15 and will go on sale to the general public on October 17. Tickets may be purchased either through no fee box offices at the Mercury Lounge in Manhattan and Williamsburg Music Hall in Brooklyn or at Ticketmaster.com.

SCHEDULE
December 21 Webster Hall w/ DJ set by TBA
December 22 Webster Hall w/ The Leevees
December 23 Webster Hall w/ U Melt
December 25 Webster Hall w/ Easy Star All-Stars
December 27 Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Asher Roth
December 28 Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Assembly of Dust
December 29 Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Little Jackie
December 30 Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Brett Dennen

LIVE VIDEO OF JBB

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

John Brown's Body's show at South Paw in Brooklyn this past August 14 was filmed and captured by Baeble.com. The folks at Baeble have completed their edits and posted the show at their site. You can download it or even order a DVD from them. Plus, they have a contest going that could win you some prize packs. Check the details for that here. You can see a song from the show on our video page. Just look one down on the page to see "Push Some Air."

EASY STAR NOMINATED FOR LABEL OF THE YEAR

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Easy Star Records has been nominated for Label of the Year by the Roots Music Association. The RMA is a membership organization dedicated to bringing "roots" artists, the professional entertainment community, and their audiences together on a global level. (We should point out that this is not "roots" as in only reggae; this organization covers blues, bluegrass, folk, country, jazz, zydeco, roots rock and more.) The winners of the Roots Music Awards will be announced during the RMA's annual conference/festival, which will be held in San Marcos, Texas, November 14-16. You can vote for Easy Star (and plenty of other nominees in other categories) here.

TICKLAH ON WKCR WITH CARTER VAN PELT

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Victor "Ticklah" Axelrod was the guest on the July 5, 2008 broadcast of the WKCR reggae program, hosted by reggae archivist/writer/DJ Carter Van Pelt. Ticklah selects the first hour of the program, then Carter features Ticklah's music during the second hour. You can check out a streaming broadcast of this excellent program here.

EASY STAR HOLIDAY SALE BEGINS

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Just in time for your holiday shopping needs, Easy Star has launched the 10/20/30/40 Sale at the Store. Here's what's going on:

10 Items at 20% off Regular Price
Free Domestic Shipping for Orders $30 or More
Free Easy Star Logo Tee for Orders $40 or More

The domestic shipping will be good until December 15, so get your shopping done early and take advantage. And the free tee shirt will be the perfect thing to reward yourself for buying gifts for all of your friends and family there. To get the free shirt, once you have $40 worth of products in your shopping cart, add the tee to it in the size you want and it will show up as a zero dollar item. You can see all of the details at the web store. Have a great holiday!

EASY STAR ON THESIXTYONE.COM

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Easy Star's music has been getting a lot of love lately at a cool website called thesixtyone.com. The site allows members to push songs they like with "bumps" and the more bumps a song receives the higher it climbs on the site until it shows up on the home page. Members earn points to make bumps by picking songs early on that other members like, so it has an addictive game aspect to it, as you try to predict what songs will become hits.

Both John Brown's Body and Easy Star All-Stars have had numerous songs hit the home page in the past few months; the Easy Star All-Stars were selected by the T61 audience to win their weekly Max Bumps Listener Award for "Karma Police" on November 24.

JBB'S TOMMY INTERVIEW ON WBAI

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

John Brown's Body's Tommy Benedetti was interviewed by the legendary Lister from the Clappers radio show early Thursday morning. Lister called AMPLIFY the best reggae record of the year during the interview. You can listen to the show here by clicking on the "Burn Baby Burn - Clappers" show on Thursday, December 11 at 4 AM. Tommy's interview begins in the second hour of the show, but of course, you can listen to the first hour to catch Lister's vibes and a lot of great reggae music.

Lister's new show, Lister!Live99Cinco, is the newest and most powerful and only political reggae show in the world and can be heard on WTBQ 1110AM/99.1FM Warwick, New York, WUSB 90.1FM Stony Brook, Long Island, New York, and Pacifica Radio. Burn Baby Burn/Clappers is on WBAI 99.5FM with 50,000 watts of Lister power.

EASY STAR ALL-STARS DOWN UNDER

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Australian fans of the Easy Star All-Stars have been waiting a long time to see the band in action on their own turf...and now they will finally get their chance. The All-Stars will be headed to the land down under for six shows in April 2009, including plays at the Byron Bay Bluesfest and the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival. Check out the tour page for more details on the shows and look for more updates on the Australian tour in 2009.

NEW EASY STAR ALL-STARS TRIBUTE ALBUM

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Greetings Easy Star crew, see below for the official press release making the rounds today. We at Easy Star Records are very excited to finally be revealing this info and release date. Stay tuned here and at easystar.com to get the latest updates, including when music will be posted, info on pre-orders, tour dates, contests and more.

EASY STAR RECORDS ANNOUNCES EASY STAR ALL-STARS’ REGGAE RE-IMAGINING OF SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

EASY STAR’S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND SET FOR RELEASE APRIL 14

ALBUM FOLLOWS THE TREMENDOUS SUCCESS OF DUB SIDE OF THE MOON (2003) AND RADIODREAD (2006)

“They made a smashing success out of their cover of Dark Side of the Moon…” — Pitchfork
“The All-Stars have tackled Radiohead’s OK Computer, and the result is again impressive.” — Rolling Stone

Following the widespread critical and commercial success of 2003’s Dub Side of the Moon and 2006’s Radiodread, Easy Star Records announces the Easy Star All-Stars’ complete reggae re-imagining of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The album, titled Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band, is set for release April 14 on Easy Star Records and features guest vocals from an impressive list of reggae, dancehall and dub greats including Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Luciano, U Roy, Bunny Rugs (Third World), Ranking Roger (English Beat), Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul, Max Romeo and The Mighty Diamonds. The first single, “With A Little Help From My Friends,” featuring Luciano, will be released as an iTunes exclusive February 10. It will be paired with a b-side dub version featuring the legendary U Roy.

Dub Side of the Moon, (Easy Star’s reggae tribute to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon) is one of the most successful reggae albums of the 21st century and spent over five years on Billboard’s Top Reggae Chart. Mojo selected the record as the second greatest cover album of all time. Radiodread, which tackled Radiohead’s OK Computer, spent over 18 months on Billboard’s Top Reggae Chart and earned praise from Radiohead themselves.

Of the decision to infuse reggae into the Beatles classic, producer Michael Goldwasser says “We’ve focused on re-envisioning concept albums as reggae and it’s really important that the source material works as a whole and is not just a collection of songs. So, what better to take on next than the mother of all concept albums?”

Goldwasser is once more the musical mastermind behind this album, having arranged and produced the music, assembled the musicians and guest artists and played guitar throughout. Goldwasser is joined by Victor Rice (bass), Victor “Ticklah” Axelrod (keyboards) and Patrick Dougher & Eddie Ocampo (drums, percussion). Members of the touring version of the Easy Star All-Stars also contribute, including Ras I Ray, Jenny Hill, Buford O’Sullivan, Ivan Katz, Kirsty Rock, Tamar-kali, Junior Jazz and Menny More. In addition to producing six albums for Easy Star, Goldwasser has produced albums for Corey Harris, Hatikva 6 and others, and has had compositions featured in the motion pictures Failure To Launch and Woody Allen’s Cassandra’s Dream.

For over a decade, Easy Star Records has been a trendsetting independent reggae label. Dub Side of the Moon and Radiodread form the backbone of a catalogue that includes progressive albums from John Brown’s Body and Easy Star All-Stars keyboardist Ticklah, reissues of classic material from Sugar Minott and Linval Thompson and new recordings from reggae legends The Meditations and Sister Carol.

FIRST SINGLE POSTED

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Now that we’ve announced the new album, EASY STAR’S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND, we figured we should let you all get a taste of what this amazing record will sound like. So check the release page, Easy Star Radio (on this site) or the band's myspace page for the first single, “With A Little Help From My Friends” featuring Luciano on vocals. This will be released exclusively at iTunes on February 10, along with a b-side dub version featuring U Roy. We will be posting more tracks from the album in the coming weeks. And remember the album drops April 14th! Look out for info on the PRE-ORDER coming soon.

TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars will be going somewhere they've never been this coming weekend, when the band makes its debut in Moscow in Russia, playing a Bob Marley Birthday Tribute alonside Max Romeo and Jah Shaka.

The band will play Friday night (February 6) at B1 Maximum Club. They are expected to debut a few more tracks from EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND for the Russian audience, as they prepare for the major Lonely Hearts World Tour coming up later this spring. It's also possible that perhaps Max Romeo, who sings "Fixing A Hole" on the upcoming release, may feel like joining the band on stage, but fans in Moscow will have to wait and see if that happens. For more information on this show and other upcoming Easy Star All-Stars shows, check here.

RE-AMPLIFY MARCH 3

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Following the success of John Brown’s Body’s last studio album, AMPLIFY, which debuted at number one on Billboard’s Reggae Chart last October, the band returns in March with RE-AMPLIFY. This new release features six remixes of songs from AMPLIFY along with a brand new, previously unreleased JBB song performed live at the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins, CO last fall. The record will have an exclusive digital release on iTunes March 3, then has a full physical and digital release March 17. Pre-order a CD or a digital download and get it on March 17 or soon after by clicking here. You can also order a brand new JBB shirt with it.

The producers involved with this release are a diverse group of top notch remixers, including Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo (guitarist from the Gold Record Certified Gym Class Heroes), Tommie Sunshine (American rave legend and remixer of songs by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Killers, Panic! At The Disco, Good Charlotte and others), GoldieLocks (up-and-coming artist/producer from the UK, recently nominated for DJ Mag Best British Breakthrough Producer and featured in a photo spread in Maxim), Dubmatix (one of Canada’s best known reggae producers, recently nominated for a Juno), Blue King Brown (Australian reggae/afro-beat masters, of whom Carlos Santana said, “…my favorite band right now”), and Wrongtom (London DJ who has remixed Hard-Fi, Lily Allen and Roots Manuva).

“RE-AMPLIFY takes the Future Roots sound we achieved on AMPLIFY even further into directions we might never have gone on our own,” says drummer Tommy Benedetti. “It’s been exciting hearing our songs in other producers’ hands. We enjoyed Dubmatix’s version of ‘The Gold’ so much, we are going to start playing it that way live. Then we bring it full circle to the early JBB sound by ending the record with a new roots track we’ve been having fun playing on the road.”

The band’s celebrated live show will be on display with dates already announced beginning in March. JBB teams up with Blue King Brown for 8 shows in Colorado and the West Coast, then joins SOJA for 7 dates in the East.

“AMPLIFY fuses Kweli-like beats with Massive Attack funk…invokes the tripped-up rhythms of Radiohead.” – Weekly Dig

ITUNES HAS 1ST SINGLE

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The first single from EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND is now officially available, exclusively through iTunes. Click here to buy it. We've released "With A Little Help From My Friends," featuring an amazing vocal by Luciano, with a b-side of "With A Little Dub From My Friends," which has the legendary U Roy adding his two cents. Enjoy!

SAN REMO FESTIVAL

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars are headed to Italy on tuesday night to take part in one of the highest profile events in their career: the 59th annual Festival Della Canzone Italiana in San Remo, Italy. This yearly happening has been likened to a combination of the Olympics and American Idol within Italy. It is broadcast on RAI (Italian National Television) for four consecutive nights; it is mainly a competition among singers and songwriters. Families and friends get together to watch every night. Throughout the festival, special guests are invited to perform a song, and this year, the Easy Star All-Stars, along with Queen, have been tapped as the guests. The group will be playing "Time" from Dub Side of the Moon on Thursday night, February 19.

In addition, once there, the band couldn't resist the chance to return to a favorite city, Torino (Turin), to play a full show friday, February 20, at Hiroshima Mon Amour. To see more details on these tour dates, or any of the other upcoming dates in the 2009 Lonely Hearts World Tour, check here.

PICK THE NEXT SINGLE

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

As most of you already know, the first single from EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND was released exclusively on iTunes on February 10. "With A Little Help From My Friends," featuring Luciano, along with the dub version b-side featuring U Roy, has been getting people excited for the full release for a few weeks now. Now's your chance to play record executive (or just dedicated fan) and help Easy Star decide what the next single should be before release. Click here to answer a couple quick questions and to tell us what the next single should be. Details on how you will be able to get it and which song won will be coming soon. As a thank you, when you do vote, you will be given a free download song ("Bed of Rose" from the Easy Star All-Stars' UNTIL THAT DAY).

RE-AMPLIFY ON ITUNES NOW

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

John Brown's Body's latest, RE-AMPLIFY, can now be bought at iTunes exclusively for the next two weeks. Click here to get it. If you have the time, please leave a review of the record, as well.

You can also still pre-order the physical CD or a digital download, along with an exclusive tee shirt, through the Easy Star webstore, until March 13. This album comes out March 17.

Lastly, check in to the Travel Channel on Friday, March 6, at 9 PM EST, to see the premier of 21 Sexiest Beach Bars. They filmed part of it at JBB's shows at the Beachcomber in Cape Cod last summer and clips from the JBB are featured in the broadcast. It is reshown on friday at 2 AM, Saturday at 7 PM, and other dates.

PRE-ORDER LONELY HEARTS

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The wait is almost over. You can now pre-order the latest reggae tribute from the Easy Star All-Stars! The band spent a year crafting this new reggae re-imagining of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's album and the results will blow you away. With the All-Stars' usual attention to fine detail and guest vocalists including Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Michael Rose, Ranking Roger, U Roy, Luciano, Max Romeo, The Mighty Diamonds, Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul and more, we think it's their finest album yet. It comes out April 14, but place your pre-order now and you can include an exclusive tee shirt featuring artwork from the album on front and the phrase "I Get High With A Little Help From Easy Star" on the back. Truer words have never been on the back of your shirt before! You can order the new record as a physical CD (with a bonus download card for more free music), an LP (which comes with a bonus 7" single featuring two dubs) or as a digital download. Or buy combos of the above formats and save money. Lastly, throw in an Easy Star green or brown ringer for only $10 more just for the heck of it.

RE-AMPLIFY RELEASE DATE

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Many of you probably thought everyone was wearing green today for St. Patrick's Day, but the truth is that most are wearing it in honor of the release of John Brown's Body's newest album, RE-AMPLIFY. The EP, which features remixes from Dubmatix, GoldieLocks, Blue King Brown, Tommie Sunshine, Disashi (from Gym Class Heroes) and Wrong Tom, along with a new JBB track, hits stores today. You can pick up a copy at our webstore if you don't feel like venturing outside or can't pull yourself away from drinking green beer at the bar.

There's a very cool animated video that was put together for Dubmatix's remix of "The Gold". Check it out here. Plus, there is a live video from the Aggie Theatre of the new song "Struggling," which you can see here. And in the spirit of remixing, the band has made their song "Zion Triad," from AMPLIFY, available for fans to take a stab at remixing themselves. Click here to have some fun with that.

SXSW

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars arrive to the legendary SXSW music conference in Austin, TX, today, set to make their first appearance there. They begin with a performance at IODA's opening party at Emo's Annex this afternoon at 5 PM. Check here for more details on that. That show is open to the public, no wristbands needed, but it is expected to be packed. The band's official SXSW showcase is Thursday night at Vice on 6th Street. The band plays at 1 AM, following Kraak & Smaak and Yarah Bravo.

JBB SPRING TOUR

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

John Brown's Body begins a new round of touring today in Colorado. Check out the band's tour date page for a complete listing. After 8 shows in Colorado, they head further west, stopping in Salt Lake City and Lake Tahoe before playing four shows in California. They will be joined by the amazing Australian band Blue King Brown on 8 of these shows. The final show, in Hermosa Beach, will be a very rare acoustic show. And the most exciting news of this trip is that the group will be joined on stage by founding member Kevin Kinsella at three shows in California (San Francisco, Los Angeles and Solana Beach). This will mark the first time Kevin has played with JBB in three years!

Next month, starting April 17, the band does an East Coast run with SOJA and in May, they play shows in the Midwest with Passafire.

RE-AMPLIFY HITS CHARTS

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

John Brown's Body's latest release, RE-AMPLIFY, debuted at #8 on the Billboard Reggae Chart today, while the band's last album, AMPLIFY, climbed back up to #25 at the same time. This marks the first time JBB has had two albums charting at once. Congratulations to them! The band will celebrate properly on the road, where they are in the middle of a west coast run.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The trailer for EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND debuted this week. You can see it on our video page or go to youtube, where you can give it a positive review. It was directed by Liam Kirtley. If you are suitably excited by what you see, you can pre-order the record as a CD, LP, download (and add in a tee shirt) here until April 10 at 3 PM EST.

UPDATED: SECOND SINGLE

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The fans have spoken. We ran a contest to pick the second single from EASY STAR’S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND and the overwhelming winner was “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds,” featuring vocals by Frankie Paul. This track is available for download exclusively at Rhapsody. We’ve also put the song up at the Easy Star All-Stars myspace page and on the Easy Star website, along with “She’s Leaving Home,” featuring Kirsty Rock. Hopefully, If you like what you hear, you can pre-order the album here.

AUSTRALIA

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars' first trip to Australia got off to a smashing success with a rousing performance at Melbourne's Chill City festival today. The trip continues tomorrow with a headlining show at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne on Saturday, April 11. On Monday, the band plays at the East Coast Blues & Roots Fest in Byron Bay, followed by club shows in Brisbane and Sydney on Wednesday and Thursday. The tour ends next saturday in Perth at the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival. If you are an Aussie fan of the band, don't miss this rare chance to see them live in action!

RELEASE DAY!

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

EASY STAR’S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND RELEASED TODAY!

The new Easy Star All-Stars album, EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND, comes out today, April 14th. You've already heard us go on about what a great record this is, so we'll let some other folks praise the record for a moment:

"Your oasis of surreality in a vast desert of indie-rockin' blandness." - Village Voice

"It's a safe bet that the modern 'Lonely Hearts' will not only be embraced by die-hard Beatles fans, but introduce The Beatles' magic to a whole new group of listeners." - Washington Examiner

"...soulful, spaced-out jams that feel weighty and weightless at the same time." - San Francisco Chronicle

"These reggaefied takes are so cleverly done - with arrangements that are aptly inventive, rather than reverential - that only the dullest musical snob could fail to be entertained by them. 4 stars." - The Independent (UK)

"...there can't be much more fun to be had in the world than listening to Bunny Rugs' brave take on 'Lovely Rita'" - Timeout London

"...the All-Stars have...created a strong contender for party record of the summer. 8 out of 10." - Press Association (UK)

The early buzz has been pretty incredible, with coverage in tons of major publications from the UK to Australia to Holland to the US. Help us out by buying the record this week, through our webstore or at any retail location, physical or digital. First week sales are very important! If you like the record, please write reviews on iTunes or Amazon. Each of these steps helps in spreading the word and keeping the buzz on the album growing.

AFRO-FUNKE LISTENING PARTY IN LA

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The celebrated AFRO-FUNKE weekly party in Los Angeles will be doing a special listening party for the new Easy Star All-Stars album tonight. That part of the evening will run from 9 - 10PM and will include giveaways of shirts, CDs and other goodies. The party is hosted by African reggae star Rocky Dawuni and the resident DJs are Jeremy Sole and Glenn Red. There is also a live performance by Fuzzbee Morse and a special guest DJ slot by WISEACRE.

The party happens at Zanzibar: 1301 5th Street @ Arizona in Santa Monica. 310-451-2221. 21 and up only. Runs from 9 PM to 2 AM. Check the Afro-Funke Website for more info.

NYC LISTENING PARTY

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star Crew would like to invite fans to join them at a listening party for EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND happening this coming thursday night at White Rabbit in Manhattan. Running from 7 PM - 10 PM, the evening will feature DJ Charlie Brown from Jamaica spinning the whole album along with other Easy Star cuts. You can meet members of the Easy Star All-Stars and have them sign copies of your album. This will be a celebration of the album's release after three years of hard work going into it. White Rabbit is at 145 Houston Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues). Phone number is 212-477-5005. No RSVP is needed. Just show up and help us celebrate.

WE'RE NUMBER ONE!

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We are extremely proud to announce that EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae Chart and broke the Top 200, coming in at #117. As far as we can tell, this is the first reggae album to crack the top 200 since Stephen Marley's MIND CONTROL in 2007. In addition, the album charted as follows:

#2 on the Top Heatseekers Chart
#9 on the Top Independent Label Releases Chart
#26 on the Top Current Digital Chart
#29 on the Top Internet Chart
#30 on the Top Overall Digital Chart

If you like the album, help spread the word to keep this record charting! Thanks to everyone who already purchased a copy.

CATCH 'EM LIVE!

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars bring the Lonely Hearts World Tour to the US this week, beginning with a show at the Higher Ground in Burlington, VT on Thursday, May 14. From there, they will hit Boston and Portland, ME. The following week, they'll play Philadelphia, New York City and the Hamptons. On May 24, they will play two sets at Summer Camp in Chillicothe, IL, including the first full play of Dub Side of the Moon in a few years. Rumor has it they'll be joined by members of Umphrey's McGee as well. In June, the band heads to the Southeast with Gregory Isaacs and Trumystic, and then to California with Blue King Brown. The US dates end with a performance at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival. Check the tour dates page for the complete up to date list.

Don't forget about John Brown's Body, either, who are in the midst of a midwest run with Passafire right now. Check their page for the latest as well.

STORE SALE

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We're giddy from the success of the new Easy Star All-Stars and John Brown's Body releases, so we've decided to give something back to our fans who've supported us and both groups...we're having a sale in our

$1.99 SATURDAY ONLY

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The new Easy Star All-Stars album, Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band, will be available as a download for only $1.99 for one day only, this Saturday, May 23, at Amazon.com's Daily Deal. If you've been holding off on picking up this record, now you have no excuse but to get it on Saturday. Which is perfect timing, considering that this weekend marks the official start to summer and this album is the official album of the summer.

GLASTONBURY 2009

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We can at last reveal the exciting news: Easy Star All-Stars are playing three different stages over three days at the UK's biggest festival, Glastonbury. Each set will focus on one of the band's tribute albums: Friday night at the East Dance stage, the band will focus on DUB SIDE OF THE MOON; Saturday afternoon at The Park stage, they will focus on RADIODREAD; Sunday, on the Pyramid stage, they will be presenting EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND. Look for other surprises to come soon in relation to this. Then in July, the band will be making its first trip to Japan to play the legendary Fuji Rock Festival on Saturday, July 25th. More details on that will be coming soon.

CORRECTION: $2.99

Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We are sorry if this caused problems for anyone, but there was a mess up and we found out after the fact that Amazon was offering the daily deal download for the album at $2.99, not $1.99. It's still a bargain, but we certainly didn't want anyone to feel misled.

NEW TICKLAH 7" SINGLE

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Look for the latest 7" single from Ticklah this coming Wednesday, June 24. The A-side is "Pork Eater," Ticklah's wicked and humorous collaboration with longtime Easy Star warrior Rob Symeonn, originally found on the TICKLAH VS. AXELROD album. The B-side features a brand new, never before released instrumental version of the song. It will first be on sale at the Easy Star All-Stars show at Stuyvesant Town in NYC, which Ticklah will be DJing at before the main set. Look for it online and in stores soon after.

ESAS CALI TOUR KICKS OFF

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars begin the next leg of the Lonely Hearts World Tour in Solana Beach at the Belly Up tonight. The rest of the week the band will be working their way up the California coast with shows in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, ending with an appearance at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival. Australian urban roots masters Blue King Brown will be opening all shows, so don't miss them! Check the tour dates page for the latest info.

JBB WELCOMES THE BLACK SEEDS TO NORTH AMERICA

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Touring in the US for the first time, The Black Seeds (from Wellington, New Zealand) fuses dub, funk, and soul, with a classic reggae base. After forming in 1997, The Black Seeds have put out a gold album, two double-platinum selling albums, and a masterful 8-piece live show regarded as one of the finest in New Zealand. Catch The Black Seeds on tour supporting John Brown’s Body from September 10th - 25th, 2009. Details will be announced shortly regarding the release of The Black Seeds' new album ‘Solid Ground’ in North America.

LA2DAY COVERS EASY STAR

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars have gotten some great coverage in the past few weeks from LA2DAY. We thought it was worth mentioning, as they give a great review to the band's show at the Key Club (which also features an interview with bassist/vocalist Ras I-Ray) and an in depth interview with Michael Goldwasser. The interview with Michael also features an exclusive downloadable mix of Easy Star tracks put together by Michael G himself. Check out the articles (and while you are at it, look around the site for plenty of good coverage LA2DAY has given to John Brown's Body as well).

TICKLAH SINGLE AVAILABLE NOW

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The new 7" single from Ticklah, "Pork Eater" featuring Rob Symeonn, is available now in the Easy Star store (and at other fine vinyl specialists throughout the land). You can order this limited edition vinyl here. We've also got restock of the "Rescue Me" single in the store as well.

EASY STAR MEETS REBELUTION

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Rebelution recently tapped Easy Star All-Stars guitarist/producer (and Easy Star Records co-founder) Michael Goldwasser to work on a remix for Rebelution. That track, "More Than Dub (Michael G Easy Star All-Stars Remix)," is available as part of the pre-order for Rebelution's upcoming release BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE, due out August 4. If you pre-order the album, you get one track ("Outta Control") right now and the rest on the release date. Click here to pre-order now.

VICTOR RICE DUBS LONELY HEARTS LIVE

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This tuesday (July 28), the residents of Sao Paulo, Brasil, get an exclusive chance to see something very cool. That's when Victor Rice (Easy Star All-Stars bassist and mixing engineer) takes the tracks from EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND and dubs them out live! He's done this once already (see footage here) with great success. If you live in SP or will be there next week, don't miss this!

Strikkly Vikkly versus Sgt P
Tuesday July 28
Tapas Bar - Rua Augusta 1256, Sao Paulo
9:30-11:30PM
R$10

LONELY HEARTS WORLD TOUR PART 2

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

After an extremely busy first half of the year, culminating in a performance at Japan’s Fuji Rock 2009, the Easy Star All-Stars are ready to begin the second part of the Lonely Hearts World Tour. They begin today with 14 shows in Europe, the UK and Ireland. At the end of August, they return to the New York area, with a great show at Governor's Island with Badfish, Collie Buddz and others. September finds the band in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. At the end of September, the band plays a free show in Irvine, California, finishing off the Saturday concert series at Orange County Great Park.

Things get even more interesting in October, when the band pairs up with fellow label mates John Brown's Body for a 17 date tour of the United Kingdom. This will be JBB’s UK debut and the first extensive touring the two bands have done together since the Pacific Jamdown in 2005. Then, in November, Easy Star All-Stars embarks on an extensive European tour which brings them to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and Greece for the first time (along with stops in old favorites like Italy, Poland and the Netherlands)!

Check the tour dates page for updates and more info. Here's a quick list:

July 31 Kostrzyn, Poland Woodstock Festival
August 1 Storas, Norway Storas Festival
August 2 Hertfordshire, UK Standon Calling
August 4 Gloucester, UK Guildhall
August 5 Brighton, UK Concorde 2
August 6 Filago, Italy Filagosto Festival
August 7 Firenze, Italy Fortessa di Basso
August 8 Orosei, Sardinia ZeroFest
August 11 Cork, Ireland Cyprus Avenue
August 12 Belfast, Northern Ireland Empire
August 13 Dublin, Ireland Academy
August 14 Sargres, Portugal Super Bock Surf Fest 2009
August 15 Isle Of Man, UK Mannifest 2009
August 16 Leicester, UK Summer Sundae Weekender
August 29 New York, NY Governor’s Island with Badfish, Collie Buddz
September 2 Amagansett, NY Stephen Talkhouse
September 4 Wellfleet, MA Beachcomber
September 5 Edgartown, MA Nectar’s on Martha’s Vineyard
September 9 Seattle, WA Neumo’s
September 10 Vancouver, BC The Plaza
September 11 Whistler, BC Garibaldi Lift Company
September 12 Tofino, BC The Tofino Legion
September 13 Victoria, BC Elements Nightclub
September 26 Irvine, CA Orange County Great Park
October 1 Leamington Spa, UK Assembly with John Brown’s Body
October 2 Kendal, UK Brewery Arts Centre with John Brown’s Body
October 3 Sheffield, UK Corporation with John Brown’s Body
October 4 Whitehaven, UK Civic Hall with John Brown’s Body
October 6 Bristol, UK Thekla with John Brown’s Body
October 7 Norwich, UK Waterfront with John Brown’s Body
October 8 Southampton, UK The Brook with John Brown’s Body
October 9 Poole, UK Mr. Kyps with John Brown’s Body
October 10 Folkestone, UK Quarterhouse with John Brown’s Body
October 11 Oxford, UK O2 Academy with John Brown’s Body
October 13 London, UK Scala with John Brown’s Body
October 14 Bath, UK Komedia with John Brown’s Body
October 15 Plymouth, UK Hippo with John Brown’s Body
October 16 Falmouth, UK Princess Pavilion with John Brown’s Body
October 17 Exeter, UK Phoenix with John Brown’s Body
October 18 Cardiff, UK The Globe with John Brown’s Body
November 4 Rotterdam, Netherlands Watt
November 5 Cologne, Germany Stadtgarden
November 6 Nuremberg, Germany Hirsch
November 7 Berlin, Germany Glaushaus
November 8 Hamburg, Germany Knust
November 10 Posnan, Poland TBA
November 11 Warsaw, Poland Proxima
November 13 Budapest, Hungary A38
November 14 Vienna, Austria Reigen
November 15 La Chaux de Fronds, Switzerland Bikini Test
November 16 Basel, Switzerland Kaserne
November 17 Innsbruck, Austria Treibhaus
November 18 Cesena, Italy Vidia Club
November 19 Conegliano Veneto, Italy Zion Rock Club
November 20 Athens, Greece Gagarin 205
November 21 Thessaloniki, Greece Block 33
November 22 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg

THE BLACK SEEDS' SOLID GROUND OUT IN SEPTEMBER ON EASY STAR

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Lord of the Rings films put New Zealand’s beauty and creative spirit on the pop culture map. Flight of the Conchords revealed New Zealand’s unique wit. Now reggae/funk sensations The Black Seeds — Conchord friends and former band mates — are ready to take listeners one step deeper into the Other Down Under, with infectious grooves, slamming brass, and booty shaking beats on the group’s first North American release, Solid Ground (Easy Star Records; Released exclusively on iTunes September 15; everywhere else September 29, 2009), and on their debut U.S. tour with John Brown’s Body this September.

Produced by the band’s guitarist Mike Fabulous, the album oozes with The Black Seeds’ distinctive flavor – from the heavy-hitting, Karma-inspired “Slingshot” and darker reggae/dub-infused tracks like “Send a Message” and “The Bubble,” to infectious reggae gems like “Take Your Chances,” “Love Is A Radiation” and “Come To Me,” and the funk/soul filled “Rotten Apple” and “Afrophone.” The North American release adds two previously unreleased bonus tracks: the funky soul instrumental “Year Of The Pig” and a dub version of “Strugglers.” The iTunes release will have two additional exclusive bonus tracks: an acoustic version of “One Step At A Time,” which lays bare the songwriting prowess of the band, as well as a dub version of “Bulletproof.”

Look for more info on pre-ordering this album through the Easy Star website in a few days.

PRE-ORDER SOLID GROUND

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

You can now pre-order Solid Ground by the Black Seeds through the Easy Star Store and get your copy right at the release date of September 29.* Pre-order soon because the first 100 copies of the physical CD will be signed by The Black Seeds, making it a collector's item. Plus, you can throw in a beautiful tour tee shirt (in a men's tee or women's cut) at a discounted price. Please note that this pre-order is only open to customers in the USA and Canada. Pre-order Solid Ground.

POSTPONED SHOW - GOVERNOR'S ISLAND

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We're sorry for the late notice, but we've just been informed that the Easy Star All-Stars show at Governor's Island on Saturday has been postponed due to bad weather. The new date will be October 4th. However, Easy Star All-Stars will not be on the bill then, as the band will be in the middle of its UK tour with John Brown's Body. So expect Badfish to still anchor a new line up on the postponed date.

HUFFINGTON POST MENTIONS THE BLACK SEEDS

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Black Seeds and their upcoming release Solid Ground got a great mention in the Huffington Post this past week:

If any band ever carried the spirit of Morphine in their blood, it has to be New Zealand reggae-inspired outfit The Black Seeds. Musically the connection is subtle; vocally, Barnaby Weir exhibits the easeful, country-tinged, downtrodden-but-hopeful tendencies of Mark Sandman. Had that man not passed on a decade prior, you'd think he just reappeared somewhere just south of the Shire. Sure, comparisons are awful when dealing with a group as talented as the Black Seeds. This one, however, is an honor--Morphine was a damn good band, and Solid Ground (Easy Star) is a damn fine record.

What I loved about Morphine was how much they did with so little. Much the same can be said for the Black Seeds, friends and former band mates of Flight of the Concords. Pulling from a basic selection of vintage ska, dub, and reggae, New Zealand must bump to this band live. The record is thick, bottom-heavy, and melodic. If not for Fat Freddy's Drop, I might claim this is the most inventive thing out of the South Pacific in decades. They might not be as diverse as Freddy's, though what they do--thoughtful, catchy songs rampant with horn lines and stomach shaking bass, not to mention Weir's excellent voice--they do very right. The guitar and skank they pull off on "Take Your Chances" would make Lee Perry proud. Hard to turn off, easy to repeat.

See the full article here. Pre-order Solid Ground here.

MAKE A MUSIC VIDEO

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Easy Star & Genero.tv are proud to announce the OFFICIAL music video contest for Easy Star All-Stars' “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”. Submissions will be accepted September 12 through October 23, 2009 and finalists will be announced November 3. If you make the winning video, you will be 1 of 16 finalists for a chance to win US$4,000 cash and lots of other prizes, including a visit to the studio during an Easy Star All-Stars recording session! Check out the details here.

TOMMY T COMING IN OCTOBER

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Gogol Bordello's Bass Player Explores Music Without Boundaries on His First Solo Album

Available exclusively via iTunes Oct 13 and traditional retail outlets November 10

LOS ANGELES, September 1, 2009 -- For the past three years, Tommy T (Thomas T Gobena) has been the bass player for gypsy punk powerhouse Gogol Bordello. Tommy was born and raised in Addis Abada (Ethiopia's capital city) and the knowledge of global rhythms he brings to Gogol's sound has become part of their unclassifiable approach to music making. With the encouragement of his Gogol Bordello band mates, Tommy has produced his first solo effort, The Prester John Sessions. An aural travelogue that ranges freely through the music and culture of Ethiopia, the album is a collection of 11 songs including a remix of the track "Oromo Dub (Cushitic Dub)," featuring fellow Gogol Bordello band mates Eugene Hutz and Pedro Erazo and mixed by Michael Goldwasser of the Easy Star All-Stars. The Prester John Sessions will be released exclusively via iTunes on October 13, 2009, with the wide release at traditional retail outlets everywhere on November 10, 2009 via Easy Star Records.

"In the 70s, funk, wah-wah pedals, and jazz had a huge impact on Ethiopian music," Tommy explains. "The Prester John Sessions will give people an idea about the musical diversity of Ethiopia, which includes influences and ideas borrowed from the sounds of the 70's with the added bonus of up-to-date production values."

Tommy discovered the story of Prester John in Graham Hancock's book The Sign and the Seal. "Hancock was looking for the Biblical Ark of the Covenant," Tommy says. "His quest led him around the world, from the Middle East to Europe and back to Ethiopia." In the 12th and 13th centuries, Prester John was an unknown Christian king with massive troops that got the attention of European kings. Prester John is the character I use to symbolize the man who will bring Ethiopian culture to the rest of the world."

To fulfill his vision, Tommy started digging through Ethiopian folk music, choosing melodies he could improvise on. He also wrote his own compositions based on traditional modes. "A lot of popular Ethiopian music is based on a 6/8 beat called chikchika, but there are also many other rhythms in Ethiopia that have their own unique characteristics," Tommy states. "I play with The Abyssinian Roots Collective on the album. They are sometimes known as The ARC, which coincidentally ties into the Ark of the Covenant and the Prester John story."

Tommy composed and produced the music, along with his brother Henock, contributing to the tunes "Brothers" and "East-West Express." The tracks were written at Tommy's home studio, cut live in studios around Washington, DC, and overdubs were laid down in real time with a final mix by Victor Van Vugt (Nick Cave, Gogol Bordello) giving it the feel of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters jamming with Ethiopian godfathers The Imperial Bodyguard Orchestra. The music blends Ethiopian modes with dub reggae, funk, and jazz, for a sound that's at once familiar and mysterious.

"We are extremely excited to be working with Tommy," says Easy Star co-founder Lem Oppenheimer. "He's made an incredible record. The way he integrates reggae and dub into Ethiopian music fits right into what we have been releasing for the past decade - music that expands on a reggae foundation, taking the genre in new directions."

"I believe in music without boundaries," Tommy says. "Music should be inclusive, not exclusive. People who love music know the best music is created without boundaries and limitations. The Prester John Sessions take that idea to the next level."

iTUNES - THE BLACK SEEDS

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Today is the exclusive release date on iTunes for Solid Ground by The Black Seeds. Please go and order it here this week. The iTunes version has an additional two bonus tracks beyond the two bonus tracks added to the regular release, including a very cool acoustic version of "One Step At A Time."

You can also still pre-order the physical CD or a download version from the Easy Star Web Store, along with a tour tee shirt for men or women.

You can keep up with both The Black Seeds and John Brown's Body on their current tour of the USA through the tour blog coming pretty much daily on The Pier website. It's what Wu Tang Clan might have called the Duel of the Iron Mikes, as the guitarist from each band (Mike Keenan from JBB and Mike Fabulous from TBS) is providing insightful and witty commentary from the road.

SO-CAL EASY STAR INVASION

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This saturday, September 26th, will see three different Easy Star bands playing within a few hundred miles from each other, each bringing the Easy Star love to Southern California. In Irvine, CA, at the Orange County Great Park, Easy Star All-Stars will be playing a free show. Doors open at 6 PM.

A little further north, in Los Angeles, John Brown's Body will be playing a show with SOJA at the Key Club. And just a bit further north, The Black Seeds will be ending their first ever US tour with a slot in the Heal The Ocean Festival in the Coral Casino Four Seasons Biltmore.

So to all residents of So-Cal, know that Easy Star brings you the love!

AOL SPINNER - SOLID GROUND LISTENING PARTY

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Listen to The Black Seeds' new album Solid Ground in full on AOL Spinner now! It's a week long listening party, so go there and check out the album if you haven't heard it yet. Click here to go there and hear the record.

UK FESTIVAL AWARD NOMINATION

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It's been a pretty incredible year of touring during the Easy Star All-Stars' Lonely Hearts World Tour (which continues in the UK starting October 1, with John Brown's Body as support), so it's nice to see some recognition for the band's hard work. Easy Star All-Stars are up for the Virtual Festival Critics' Choice Award at the 2009 UK Festival Awards. This award "is designed to celebrate those special acts who added something a little extra to their festival show. It could be comedy, nostalgia, crowd interaction or just that 'secret ingredient' - basically something that sets them apart from other performers as a real crowd pleaser." The nomination is specifically for the band's three sets at Glastonbury, which each focused on a different tribute album. Voting by the public (that means you!) is open through October 14th, so vote early and vote often! Go here to cast a vote. Thanks for supporting the band. And if you live in the UK, come see the band in the next three weeks!

TOMMY T - PRE-ORDER NOW

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The latest incredible Easy Star release is The Prester John Sessions by Tommy T. For the past few years, Tommy T has been touring the world as the bass player of gypsy punk powerhouse GOGOL BORDELLO. He was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before moving to Washington, DC, and becoming an integral part of the celebrated Ethiopian musical scene there. In between tours with Gogol, Tommy, along with some other great Ethiopian musicians, recorded The Prester John Sessions. The resulting record is a mesmerizing excursion into the music and culture of Ethiopia, touching on Ethiopian funk, dub, roots and jazz. Plus, it has bonus remix featuring Eugene Hutz and Pedro Erazo from Gogol Bordello and mixed by Michael G of the Easy Star All-Stars.

This record will be available exclusively on iTunes starting October 13, then released in full November 10, but you can pre-order your copy now.

** The first 100 CDs will be signed by Tommy T
** Don't wait until the release date to hear it! Downloads of the album will be available to all customers starting October 13, regardless of whether you order a physical CD or a digital download.
** Chance to hang backstage at a Gogol Bordello show with Tommy! Every order gets you a chance to win the following:

** 3 Grand Prizes: A pair of tickets to an upcoming Gogol Bordello show, along with a meet and greet by Tommy T and a chance to hang backstage. Winners also receive a complete set of Easy Star CDs (15 CDs total) and an Easy Star Records tee shirt.
** 3 Runners Up: 10 Easy Star Records CDs and an Easy Star Records tee shirt.

In addition, you can also pre-order a tee shirt designed around the striking cover art of this release. It's available in a men's tee or a women's tee, so pick your style, and wear it proudly. When bought with a CD, it's only $25 for the whole bundle.

TOMMY T ON ITUNES

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Tommy T's The Prester John Sessions album is now available exclusively at iTunes. Click here to order it there. If you like it, please rate it highly and post a review.

You can also pre-order the album through the Easy Star webstore, along with an exclusive tee shirt. If you pre-order, you will still be able to download the album shortly (within days) so you won't have to wait to hear it. Plus, you will be entered into a contest with a chance to win a backstage hang with Tommy at an upcoming Gogol Bordello show (along with other prizes).

NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH ESA

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars will be spending New Year's Eve in Baltimore, MD, and hope you can join them.

Walther Productions Presents...
A New Year’s Eve Celebration
Featuring SOJA
W/ Special Guests
The Easy Star All-Stars performing Dub Side of the Moon
Pasadena
86 the Effort
Three Legged Fox
Among Criminals

Plus more to be announced

Thursday, December 31st
5:00 PM Doors
$35 Early Bird Tickets
$75 VIP Tickets
Early Bird Tickets on sale now and include a champagne toast, party favors, 9 hours of music and more.

Buy Now and Save $30 off of the door price while supplies last.

Take your Experience to A Higher Level:
VIP Ticket includes: special merch, private bar, exclusive viewing area, munchies, party favors, champagne toast and more.

There are a very limited number of VIP Tickets available so get yours while supplies last.

Bourbon Street
316 Guilford Avenue- Baltimore, MD 21202
Info Line: 410.528.8377

SECOND TEL AVIV SHOW ADDED

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars show tomorrow night in Tel Aviv, Israel, at the Barby Club has sold so well (basically already sold out), they have added a second night on Wednesday. Same time and details as tuesday's show (though with a different set list, of course!). Come on out and see the band twice if you can!

DEADLINE PUSHED BACK FOR VIDEO CONTEST

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The deadline for submissions for the Genero.tv make a video contest (for "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" from Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band) has been pushed back until November 9. So if you want to have a chance to make the official video for that song, and maybe win $4000 along the way (plus some other great prizes), you now have more time to get it done. Go to Genero.tv for more info and to submit.

TAKE YOUR CHANCES VIDEO

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The brand new video for "Take Your Chances" is now live at Yahoo! Music's New Video Page. If you're too lazy to go there to watch it, check it here instead.

In other news regarding The Black Seeds, there were two very positive reviews of Solid Ground this past week on Jambase and Jambands.com. We at Easy Star are particularly proud of this quote: "Here’s where I’m at as of this point in 2009: Easy Star has two of the year’s best reggae releases to their credit – their in-house Lonely Hearts Dub Band project (by the Easy Star All-Stars) and The Black Seeds’ Solid Ground. The former will make you feel good; the latter will make you feel good...and make you feel."

THE BLACK SEEDS ON QUICKTIME

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The new video for "Take Your Chances" is now on the Apple Quicktime Media Guide. Please take a moment to go check it out there if you haven't seen it already (or watch it again!).

LAST DAY TO PRE-ORDER TOMMY T ALBUM

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Today (Friday) is the last day to officially pre-order Tommy T’s THE PRESTER JOHN SESSIONS CD from the Easy Star store. As we’ve mentioned before, it’s an amazing excursion into Ethiopian dub, funk and jazz, by the extremely talented bassist from Gogol Bordello. There are still a copy signed copies left in the pre-order, which will be collector’s items for sure. Plus, you can order a tee shirt with it at a discounted price. And by pre-ordering you will be entered into a contest with a chance to win tickets to a Gogol Bordello show and a chance to hang backstage with Tommy (along with some Easy Star CDs and shirts). Pre-order ends at 3 PM EST today (and the record comes out Tuesday in the USA, Canada, Australia and other territories). Buy it and support Easy Star, please!

TOMMY T RELEASE DAY

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Tommy T's The Prester John Sessions is now officially released! You can find the CD in stores in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, NZ, Belgium, Holland and other territories. You can find the record on itunes and other digital distributors all over the world. (The physical cd release in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and some other parts of Europe will be in January). Check out this excellent release and support Easy Star by buying it this week.

Click here to order at Amazon.

EASY STAR ALL-STARS SUPPORT ROTOTOM

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The news recently came across that the great Italian reggae festival Rototom Sunsplash, which the Easy Star All-Stars have played twice (including earlier this year), has come under attack by Italian police and judges and is being forced to cancel operations in Italy. The claim is that reggae fans are criminals because of their smoking of ganja; the police have put increasing pressure on the directors of the festival and now they have responded by moving the festival to Spain in 2010. The Easy Star All-Stars play two shows in Italy November 18-19 and have dedicated their shows to supporting Rototom. Ras I-Ray and Menny More of the group even recorded a message of support while on the road in Austria, which was shown on a big screen at a support rally for the festival in Ossoppo this past friday. Here is the video:

If you are near the shows in Italy (see here for details), come show your support for Rototom by being at a great reggae show. Reggae fans are not criminals!

THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS HONORED

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Mighty Diamonds were recently given a lifetime achievement award at the 5th Annual Reggae Culture Salute at Nazareth High School Performance Center, Brooklyn, New York on Sunday November 1. TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music sponsored the event. The Mighty Diamonds, besides being personal favorites of the entire Easy Star Records crew, also appeared this year on Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band, performing "Getting Better." Here is video of the award ceremony:

EASY STAR RECORDS HOLIDAY SALE KICKS OFF

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It's hard to believe the Holiday Season is just about upon us. It seems like just yesterday that the Easy Star All-Stars were playing a Chanukah show with Matisyahu and announcing the impending release of Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band. It's been an amazing year for the label, with that record cracking the Billboard Top 200, as well as releases by John Brown's Body (Re-Amplify), The Black Seeds (Solid Ground) and Tommy T (The Prester John Sessions). Add in over 100 shows each for the Easy Star All-Stars and John Brown's Body and you get some kind of idea why the year seemed to go by in a flash!

Now that holidays are here, it's time for some store specials to help all good Easy Star fans buy presents for themselves and their loved ones! To assist, we've put together some special offers:

* Spend $15 or more and get a 1-year subscription to Rolling Stone magazine (a $12.97 value), at no additional charge. If you're already subscribed, your subscription will be extended by one year.
* Free Shipping on orders over $30
* Save 15 - 30% on all CDs and Album Downloads (buy 1 get 15% off, buy 2 get 20% off, buy 3 get 25% off, buy 4 or more get 30% off)
* Save 25% on All T-Shirts

Now you have no excuse not to buy up all of these great releases from this past year (not to mention the many from the past decade we've released as well) while supporting a great indie label at the same time. These offers are all good through December 31, so if you find on December 26th that you didn't get everything you wanted, you can come back here and make it happen.

TOMMY T CELEBRATES ALBUM WITH DC PARTY

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000
GOGOL BORDELLO’S TOMMY T CELEBRATES ALBUM RELEASE WITH A PARTY IN DC ON NOV 27

“…his album grooves without compromise and glides by with beautiful melodies and glorious improvised jams…Prester John is an effusive statement of Ethiopian diversity to a previously ignorant world and a welcome addition to any music lover’s collection.”
The Aquarian Weekly

“The Prester John Sessions is an intoxicating blend of Ethiopian folk styles, heavy dub reggae rhythms, gut-punching funk grooves, and horn-heavy Afrobeat. The Abyssinia Roots Collective…sews everything into a seamless flow…Tommy T takes this opportunity to balance between playing musical ambassador and musical adventurer, freely mixing the sounds he's been carrying inside him all his life with those he's absorbed along his journey.”
All Music Guide

“Engaging and interesting.”
ChartAttack

TOMMY T of GOGOL BORDELLO celebrates debut album, THE PRESTER JOHN SESSIONS with a party and performance! Also, be sure to check out the listening party online at AOL SPINNER.

When: Friday, November 27, 2009
Doors at 9:00 PM

Where: Station 9 Restaurant
1438 U Street NW
Washington DC 20009

NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH EASY STAR ALL-STARS AND SOJA

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000
We are pleased to let you know about the ESA's first NYE show, happening at Bourbon Street in Baltimore. SOJA is hosting the event and headlining, with ESA playing a special complete Dub Side of the Moon in their set. Hometown reggae heroes Jah Works will also be on the bill. The night also includes performances by Pasadena, 86 The Effort, Three Legged Fox, Among Criminals and more. Buy Early Bird Tickets now and Save $30 off of the door price while supplies last. $35 Ticket includes 8 bands, 9 hours of live music, champagne toast, party favors, and more. Go to http://walthertix.musictoday.com/ to buy tickets. The $75 VIP Ticket includes all of the above + special merch, private bar, exclusive viewing areas, and munchies. With a line-up like that, we think you'll need the munchies!

MICHAEL G AT CARIBBEAN HOLIDAZE

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000
Easy Star producer Michael Goldwasser will be dj'ing two sets of Easy Star music at Caribbean Holidaze in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, from Dec. 10th - 14th. Other performers include Umphrey's McGee and The Disco Biscuits. For tickets and more information, go here: http://www.caribbeanholidaze.com/09/home.php

TOMMY T PRESS QUOTES

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000
Very positive reviews of Tommy T's The Prester John Sessions have been rolling in. We wanted to share some highlights with you:

“…his album grooves without compromise and glides by with beautiful melodies and glorious improvised jams…Prester John is an effusive statement of Ethiopian diversity to a previously ignorant world and a welcome addition to any music lover’s collection.”
The Aquarian Weekly

“The Prester John Sessions fizzes with energy and is a serious contender for African album of the year.”
World Music Central

“The Prester John Sessions is an intoxicating blend of Ethiopian folk styles, heavy dub reggae rhythms, gut-punching funk grooves, and horn-heavy Afrobeat. The Abyssinia Roots Collective…sews everything into a seamless flow…Tommy T takes this opportunity to balance between playing musical ambassador and musical adventurer, freely mixing the sounds he's been carrying inside him all his life with those he's absorbed along his journey.”
All Music Guide

“You can delve as deeply into the messages and the history of the music on The Prester John Sessions as you’d like, but you can also simply enjoy the album for what it is: a great mix of instrumentation, rhythms, and musical culture with its own voice – one that sounds ancient and fresh at the same time. If the goal was a “universal vibe,” then Tommy T and The Abyssinia Roots Collective have done what they set out to do.”
Jambands.com

“Bassist Tommy T. Gobena pulls together the funky rhythms and riffs of contemporary Ethiopian music, creating an enormously exciting, electrifying result.”
JazzWax.com

“The Prester John Sessions is an instrumental affair whose insinuating reggae grooves, tasty jazz licks, and churning slices of steamy Ethiopian funk combine for an international experience a lot more resonant and personal than anything you’ll find on some Putumayo mix CD.”
LimeWire Music Blog

“Engaging and interesting.”
ChartAttack

“A record full of [the] finest Ethiopian music.”
Examiner.com

VIDEO: TOMMY T DISCUSSES PRESTER JOHN

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000
Sound Roots, a great blog covering world music, has posted an exclusive first video of Tommy T discussing his Prester John Sessions album. It's a great way to get inside Tommy's head and hear about the album. See it here.

EASY STAR RECORDS 2009 IN REVIEW

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000
2009 was a great year for Easy Star Records. Here's a quick recap of some highlights.

We released four new albums, Easy Star All-Stars' Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band, John Brown's Body's Re-Amplify EP, and two albums from two new artists on our label, The Black Seeds' Solid Ground, and Tommy T's The Prester John Sessions.

Lonely Hearts hit number one on the Billboard Reggae Chart and reached the top 200 twice. It was the 8th best selling reggae release of the year in the US, followed at #23 by Dub Side of the Moon and #49 by Radiodread. John Brown's Body's Amplify also was a top 100 seller for the year.

The Easy Star All-Stars continued to bring their great music all over the globe, with the Lonely Hearts World Tour playing 125 shows in 25 countries on 6 different continents (the band still seems unable to find a place to play in Antartica!). Highlights included three shows on three different stages over three days at Glastonbury in June, which resulted in the band's first ever UK Festival Award nomination; an appearance on Italian national television during the San Remo Festival in February; plus first ever appearances in Japan, Australia, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, United Arab Emirates and more.

John Brown's Body was as active on the road; they played their first international shows in October and November, when they joined Easy Star All-Stars for a great 2 week tour of the UK and then teamed up with The Black Seeds in New Zealand for a few more weeks. The Black Seeds made their North American debut in September, opening for John Brown's Body on a US tour. Tommy T spent most of the year touring with his main job, as bassist of Gogol Bordello, and is looking forward to putting his band on the road to support his incredible release.

Michael G was also active, doing remixes for Rebelution, Umphrey's McGee and Tommy T.

We also launched two new apps for the Easy Star All-Stars with Mobbase and Zoozbeat in December (look out for official news on those in early January).

Thanks to all of Easy Star's great fans for making 2009 such a successful year for the label and its bands. We couldn't have done it without you and we can’t wait to get back to it in 2010.

TWO NEW IPHONE APPS FOR EASY STAR ALL-STARS

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Easy Star rings in 2010 with two brand new apps for iPhones.

The Easy Star All-Stars’ App from MobBase features music, bio, photos, links and more from the ESA. The App will be updated with tour dates, breaking news, and more, on a regular basis. You can download the App here.

ZOOZbeat is an App that lets users create remixes of songs on their iPhone. Easy Star All-Stars are one of the bands you can remix, with three beats available (Bed Of Rose, Thai Stick and Cool Down). Users can upload their remixes to the ZOOZbeat site. Check out a youtube demonstration on how to use ZOOZbeat here. ZOOZbeat is available in Apple’s iTunes App Store. Or you can check out the ZOOZbeat home page for more info.

EASY STAR CATALOG ON SALE AT ITUNES

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000
For a limited time, iTunes is running a spotlight sale on the Easy Star catalog on their reggae page. Almost every Easy Star title is on sale at $7.99 or less. Now is the time to download, stock up and/or explore the outer reaches of the Easy Star catalog. Go to iTunes to check it out and buy some great music.

VINYL SALE

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Check out the Easy Star Vinyl Sale, running through February 16 in our official store. Every LP 30% off. Singles on sale, too: Buy any 2, get 25% off, buy 3 or more, get 40% off!

VICTOR RICE SHOW IN SAO PAULO

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Victor Rice, one of the far flung members of the Easy Star All-Stars, who makes his home much of the year in Sao Paulo, Brazil, will be doing another of his Lonely Hearts Dub Shows this saturday. Victor brings an 8-track reel-to-reel tape machine, runs it with effects and a mixer, and does a live dub of the Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band album. It's an experience you don't want to miss. In between sides 1 and 2, he will be joined by Felipe Machado of the Brazilian reggae group Firebug. Together (Felipe on guitar and singing, Victor on melodica) they will perform two extra George Harrison songs. The show is at the Sao Paulo Cultural Center (CCSP) in Barrio Vergueiro. R$10 admission. Show is at 7PM. Don't miss it!

NEW VIDEOS ADDED TO THE VIDEO PAGE

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000
For your visual enjoyment, we have added some recent video creations to our video page. First up is the winner of the Genero.tv contest, a video for "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" from Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band, made by Marco Libretti from LaB8. Congrats Marco! Also, check out a series of video mash ups that pair together music from Lonely Hearts with imagery from the Beatles' Yellow Submarine as well as Radiodread songs with clips from 2001: A Space Odyssey. We've posted one from each, then go to youtube to see the rest. Plus, we've added a video a fan made for Tommy T's song "Beyond Fasiladas." The song draws inspiration from the Gondar region of Ethiopia and this video splices footage from the people and castles there. Worth checking out, especially if, like us, you can't make a quick trip to Ethiopia yourself!

HIGH TIMES FEATURES EASY STAR ALL-STARS

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Check out Easy Star All-Stars in High Times...it was only a matter of time before they covered the band, right? It's in the January 2010 issue.

TOMMY T UPCOMING TOUR DATES

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Tommy T is making the most of his break from Gogol Bordello tour by lining up some shows to showcase music from his solo debut The Prester John Sessions. He'll be touring with the Abyssinia Roots Collective (The ARC), the band that backs him on most of the album. First up is a show this saturday, January 30, in Cambridge, MA, followed by an appearance at a Haiti benefit in Washington, DC on Tuesday, Feb 2. Then he'll be doing a special show in Charlottesville, VA, following a Trey Anastasio concert in town. That one starts late, at 11:30 PM. See Tommy T's tour page for details on these shows and more as they get added.

JOHN BROWN'S BODY KICKS OFF MORE TOURING

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Tonight, John Brown's Body begins another stretch of the heavy touring that has defined this group for years now. First up is a 14 show outing with old friends Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, running along the East Coast from Boston down through Florida and back again. Then they begin a co-headlining run with Toubab Krewe March 11 which will bring both groups across the country, ending in Southern California in April. Check the JBB tour dates page on our website for the latest info and updates on the shows.

Here's the press release JBB and Toubab Krewe put out for their tour:

Progressive reggae band John Brown's Body and West African-influenced quintet Toubab Krewe kick off a 14-city co-headlining U.S. tour.

Each group has achieved mainstream success by performing their own forward-thinking approach to traditional roots styles, John Brown's Body with reggae and Toubab Krewe with West African music.

In recent years both groups' music has spread like a grassroots wildfire to the farthest corners of the world. While Toubab Krewe performed in Mali and Portugal, John Brown's Body completed first-ever tours of New Zealand and the UK in late 2009.

This month, the musicians were re-introduced aboard Jam Cruise -- the celebrated, floating music festival in the Caribbean. Returning from stops in Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island, the bands met up during an all-artist basketball tournament (neither advanced past the first round). Despite a disappointing showing on the court, they spent the night catching up and watching each other perform as the ship sailed out to sea.

The upcoming tour will build on the friendly vibe forged in far away places, where the bands found common ground.

EASY STAR ALL-STARS RETURN TO COLORADO

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000
The Easy Star All-Stars, the New York City-based collective who have steadily built themselves into one of the leading reggae acts worldwide, will return to play shows in Colorado this March for the third year in a row. The 2009 trip included four sold out shows and more are expected this time around as well.

In 2009, the band released the third in their reggae tribute album series, which began with Dub Side of the Moon (2003) and Radiodread (2006). Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band, which came out in April 2009. It became the first reggae album in over two years to crack the Billboard Top 200, something it managed twice in its first month of release. The Lonely Hearts World Tour saw the band play 125 shows in 25 countries on 6 different continents in 2009 alone.

Fans can expect to see material from all three tribute albums along with original songs from the band. Click here to see the band's announced tour dates.

JACK JOHNSON FLASHES HIS EASY STAR SHIRT

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Jack Johnson recently headed into his studio to lay down tracks for his new album...and he was obviously finding some inspiration in his shirt choice!

DESIGN A NEW SHIRT FOR DUB SIDE OF THE MOON

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000
We need your help designing a new tee shirt for Dub Side of the Moon. Anything is possible, so let your creative juices flow. You can submit a design entry by going here. The winning designer will receive a copy of the winning shirt, signed by members of the Easy Star All-Stars, along with a pair of tickets to an upcoming show and a meet and greet with the band. Five (5) runners up will win pairs of tickets to shows. This contest will run until March 31.

LISTEN TO THE TOMMY T PODCAST

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Check out a new podcast compiled by Tommy T with music from his recent solo release The Prester John Sessions, plus favorites from his personal collection. Music includes artists like Aster Aweke, once dubbed "the Aretha Franklin of Ethiopia," Aswad and Michael Rose of Black Uhuru. Tommy concludes with a track from The Prester John Sessions, "Tribute to a King," dedicating the mix to The King of Ethiopian music, Dr. Tilahun Gesesse.

EASY STAR ALL-STARS MEETS DISNEY

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000
The Easy Star All-Stars will have a song on an upcoming Disney compilation of reggae artists covering classic songs from the Disney songbook. Michael G and the Easy Star All-Stars have done a version of "Ev'rybody Wants to be a Cat" from the Aristocats. The All-Stars are in fine company with a lot of great artists on this record. Look for more news on it in coming weeks and months.

Here's the official press release from Disney:
REGGAE STARS PUT STAMP OF ISLAND MAGIC ON DISNEY CLASSICS WITH THE DISNEY REGGAE CLUB

Ziggy Marley, UB40, Toots, Sly & Robbie, Matisyahu, and More Contribute Newly Recorded Tracks

Set for release June 8

BURBANK, California, March 23, 2010: The magic of Disney meets the magical isle of Jamaica, as Walt Disney Records readies an album of classic Disney songs newly recorded by a cross-section of top reggae musicians. The Disney Reggae Club features songs from immortal Disney animated films – from "The Little Mermaid" to "Jungle Book" – recorded by such esteemed artists as Grammy winning reggae legend Toots (of Toots & the Maytals fame), five time Grammy winner Ziggy Marley, reggae's most prolific and long lasting production team Sly & Robbie, multiple Grammy winner Cedella Marley, Grammy winner Burning Spear, legendary British band UB40 and Hasidic rapper Matisyahu. The album is set to arrive in stores and at online retailers June 8. Artists and tracks included on the album are:
1. “Circle of Life” (from “The Lion King”) Performed by Matisyahu
2. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (from “The Lion King”) Performed by Cedella Marley
3. “The Bare Necessities” (from “The Jungle Book”) Performed by Steel Pulse
4. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (Desmond Dekker’s reggae classic also featured in “The Lion King”) Performed by Morgan Heritage
5. “What a Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong classic) Performed by Ziggy Marley
6. “True to Your Heart” (from “Mulan”) Performed by The Wailing Souls
7. You’ve Got a Friend in Me (from “Toy Story) Performed by Sly & Robbie
8. “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” (from “Song of the South”) Performed by Toots
9. “I Wan’na Be Like You” (from “The Jungle Book”) Performed by UB40
10. “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat” (from “The Aristocats”) Performed by Michael G & the Easy Star All-Stars
11. “Kiss The Girl” (from "The Little Mermaid") Performed by Burning Spear
12. “Under The Sea” (from "The Little Mermaid") Performed by Gregory Isaacs
13. “Find Yourself” (from "Cars") Performed by Yellowman

"The genius of Disney songs is that they are timeless and adaptable to every musical genre," said executive producer Brian Malouf. "Reggae is so joyous and spirited, we knew these songs would lend themselves perfectly. I’m happy to say the artists, many of them true legends of reggae, all jumped at the chance to participate."

VAPEWORLD SPRING TOUR VAPORIZER CONTEST

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000
You know what they say: April vapors bring May flowers...or something like that...however it goes, you will be happy to know that Easy Star is working with major tour sponsor VapeWorld.com to bring you an amazing contest: the Spring Tour Vaporizer Contest. We are giving away three packages of vaporizers and accessories totalling $1000 in goods and one of the three people who win should be you. So enter by going here or you can enter at any of the upcoming shows at the merch booth. This will run until May 15, 2010.

THE BLACK SEEDS NEWS: JULY TOUR & NEW VIDEO

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000
We are happy to report that the Black Seeds are coming back to the US of A in July, with three major festivals confirmed, and many more dates to be announced in the weeks to come. The three confirmed fests are High Sierra in Quincy, CA on July 3 & 4 (a show each night); the ever crazy Camp Bisco 9 on July 17 in Mariaville, NY; and the Grassroots Festival on July 23 in Trumansburg, NY. The Black Seeds are known for their amazing live sets, so don't miss out on these chances in July.

Meanwhile, the group has been keeping busy in New Zealand. They just completed a new video for the new single "Love Is A Radiation."

As they tell it in their latest email: our friends at Nektar Films here in Wellington have created an amazing video. The video combines images of historical and present day events from around NZ and the world, that have both shaken and inspired.

We at Easy Star are enjoying it and hoping it holds over our hunger until July and the return of the real thing to our shores. PS. check in next week for news on a new 7" single by the band...

WIN A COPY OF THE BLACK SEEDS 7" SINGLE

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000
You can win a copy of the limited edition 7" from the Black Seeds, which was just released. It features two of the funkiest songs on Solid Ground: "Afrophone" and "Rotten Apple." Giant Step is running a contest on their site. Check it out and maybe you'll win. And if you don't want to leave it to chance, go to the Easy Star store and order a copy of the single now.

JBB HEAD TO EUROPE AND GIVE AWAY FREE MUSIC

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000
We are excited to let fans know that John Brown's Body heads across the pond May 7 to play in Europe for the first time. Following successful runs in the UK and New Zealand at the end of 2009, JBB continues to expand their reach, bringing their amazing live show to new audiences. The tour includes 7 shows in France, Belgium and Germany, including shows with the Skatalites and the Aggrolites along the way. Check the JBB tour date page for more info or go directly to JBB's website. If you go to their website, be sure to check out the free sampler download albums the band is currently offering. The Spring Sampler has a bunch of great studio tracks, while the Live 2010 sampler showcases excellent recent live performances. Both are a perfect intro the band and are free.

EASY STAR ALL-STARS JOIN JAM CRUISE 9

Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000
The Easy Star All-Stars are very excited to announce that they will be on the boat for Jam Cruise 9 this coming January 4-9, 2011. The floating festival has the best reputation in the business for incredible live music and fun times. Here's the official release from them:

MSC POESIA SETS SAIL JANUARY 4-9, 2011 FROM FORT LAUDERDALE, FL WITH STOPS IN ROATAN, HONDURAS AND COSTA MAYA, MEXICO.

ON-SALE TO PUBLIC IS JUNE 2 AT 12 NOON ET ON WWW.JAMCRUISE.COM.

It’s been 7 years and 8 sold-out cruises since Jam Cruise first set sail as the “floating music festival“ that has become a fan favorite for thousands.

Tropical ports and luxury cruise ship amenities are only part of the Jam Cruise experience. Ultimately, Jam Cruise is about celebrating the MUSIC and incredible community that comes together each year to share in this special musical experience. Jam Cruise 9 returns with as strong and eclectic a lineup as ever.

Jam Cruise 9 Confirmed Lineup:
Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman, & Jay Lane are Scaring the Children
The Rhythm Devils feat. Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Galactic
The Greyboy Allstars
God Street Wine
Stockholm Syndrome
Lotus
JoJo's Mardi Gras Band
ALO
Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
Easy Star All-Stars
Lettuce
Garage A Trois
The New Mastersounds
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Anders Osborne featuring sets with Stanton Moore & Robert Walter and with George Porter, Jr & Johnny Vidacovich
Big Sam's Funky Nation
Cornmeal
Some Cat From Japan featuring Ron Johnson, Will Bernard, Scott Metzger, Eric Bolivar & Nigel Hall performing a tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Greensky Bluegrass
Big Gigantic
Zach Deputy
The Pimps Of Joytime
Maceo Parker Super Jam

Special Guests:
Leo Nocentelli
Fred Wesley
Col. Bruce Hampton
Jennifer Hartswick
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux

COLOMBIA CANCELLATION PRESS RELEASE

Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000
The promoters who were bringing the Easy Star All-Stars to Bogota, Colombia, this past weekend for the show that ended up being cancelled by the police at the last minute have issued a press release. The text of it (in Spanish and English) is below. We want to make sure our fans in Colombia know that the All-Stars had nothing to do with the cancellation and hoped to play. We are hoping the band can return later this year to play. We will say from our side that the promoters, Red Rock Interactive, treated the band well and were dealing with issues out of their control that cancelled the show. They are doing their best to make everything right with the fans now.

Los organizadores del concierto Easy Star All Stars se excusan frente a su público por la cancelación del evento este viernes 14 de Mayo de 2010.

Toda boleta comprada será restituida por medio de puntos Tu Boleta a partir del 20 de Mayo. Si la boleta fue comprada a uno de los socios, les pedimos nos informen para restituir el dinero.

Asumimos la responsabilidad completamente y nos comprometemos a solucionar cualquier daño hecho.

Lamentamos profundamente la pérdida de tiempo y recursos causada a los asistentes. El evento y el grupo en Facebook se mantendrán abiertos hasta que podamos darle atención a todas las personas perjudicadas.

Reafirmamos nuestro compromiso con este tipo de eventos y pronto tendremos una fecha alternativa para el concierto.

Agradecemos a los Easy Star All Stars, Pulenta, Voodoo Souljahs y a De Juepuchas por su gran apoyo y entendimiento durante este difícil momento.

The organizers of the Easy Star All-Stars concert would like to offer a public apology for the cancellation of the event on Friday, May 14, 2010. Every ticket bought will be returned in full through TuBoleta purchase points from May 20. If the ticket was bought directly from one of the promoters, we ask that the ticket holder contact us directly to return their money. We assume the responsibility completely and we commit to paying all of our vendors, returning all tickets in full and for covering any other damages that may have occurred. We regret deeply the waste of time and resources caused to all of the people involved with the event. The event and the group in Facebook will remain open as a forum for us to respond to all affected by this situation. We reaffirm our commitment to bringing these types of events to Colombia, and if possible and when appropriate we will reschedule the concert. We again would like to thank the Easy Star All-Stars, Pulenta, Voodoo Souljahs and De Juepuchas for their great support and understanding during this difficult moment.

WINNERS OF THE DESIGN THE DUB SIDE TEE CONTEST

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000
As many of you probably remember, in March we ran a contest that asked for fans to design a new shirt for Dub Side of the Moon. We had no idea what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised to find that many of our fans have real skill at design! Thanks to everyone who submitted entries.

The winner of the contest is Alex Sok from Nebraska. He did a smokey prism variation that we all loved here around the Easy Star office. The talented runners up are Mark Hopkins, Russell Horsfield, Debbie McDonald, Dan Horne and Yulian Stankulov. See their designs below.

The winning entry by Alex Sok:

The design by Mark Hopkins:

The design by Russell Horsfield:

The design by Debbie McDonald:

Dan Horne's design:

Yulian Stankulov's design:

REMIX THE BLACK SEEDS, THEN DJ AT CAMP BISCO

Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Of course, it may not be that easy, but that's the idea. Urb.com and MixMatchMusic are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Remix Contest for Camp Bisco 9, which gives fans the chance to remix songs by the Black Seeds, King Britt, Bassnectar and the festival's hosts the Disco Biscuits. One lucky winner will get their travel expenses covered to come to Camp Bisco and play a 60 minute DJ set (along with seeing the whole festival, of course). The contest runs from May 19 - June 21. Go here to see details and enter the contest.

Meanwhile, the North American tour by the Black Seeds in July has been fleshed out, with all of the dates listed on the band's tour dates page. Don’t miss this band when they are on this side of the world. We promise it is something you will regret for a long time, if you do.

CAS HALEY SIGNS TO EASY STAR

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Easy Star Records is pleased to announce the upcoming release from its newest signing, Cas Haley. Connection is a 13-song album featuring a bold mix of reggae, pop, rock, blues and soul, all with an emphasis on Cas’s powerful songwriting and versatile voice.

“I consider Connection my real debut album, because it is who I am from start to finish, every song, every note played, everything I sing,” says Cas. This is important coming from an artist who had previously walked away from a record deal because he was not allowed to be himself in his music.

Cas first came to national attention in 2007 as a contestant on the second season of the television show America’s Got Talent, where he finished in second place and, in the process, garnered a huge audience of fans. Cas’s debut album, which came out quickly to capitalize on the success of AGT, sold over 30,000 units in the US without a marketing campaign or extensive distribution. For Connection, Cas wanted to make a timeless album so he retreated to his home town of Paris, Texas, and took two years to create a record that honestly represented who he is as an artist. The process was long, but Cas has emerged with a strong musical statement.

The record was recorded in Texas and then mixed in Los Angeles by Danny Kalb (Ben Harper, Beck). Besides the heavy influence of reggae throughout the record (a hallmark of Cas’s style), you can also hear elements of soul, blues and pop spliced into the DNA of these songs. A stand out moment is a haunting cover of Alicia Keys’ “No One,” which is sure to please the AGT fans used to seeing Cas’s intense interpretations. They, along with everyone else, will be equally pleased by the depth and maturity of his original songs as well. Songs like “Better,” “Time And Truth,” and “I’m Free” all are rich with biographical lyrics that give deeper insight into this talented artist’s life, from childhood to the present.

For Easy Star, the leading U.S.-based independent reggae label, Connection continues an evolution of the company. “We have been stretching further from being strictly a roots-reggae-only label for a while, with progressive bands and artists like John Brown’s Body, Tommy T and The Black Seeds on the roster,” says Easy Star CEO Eric Smith. “Cas’s sound is unique, accessible, and a great way to keep expanding the Easy Star audience. And it’s not often we come across a singer-songwriter this talented, regardless of genre, so we had to work with Cas.” The label’s musical director, Michael Goldwasser, remixed a version of the single “Better” in a hardcore roots reggae style, which is being included as a bonus track.

Cas is currently on tour in Hawaii, playing shows on his own and with frequent collaborator Josh Heinrichs (of Jah Roots), who also sings on Connection. Look for much more news on Cas Haley and Connection throughout the summer.

DUB INC. BRINGS VIBES FROM FRANCE TO NYC

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Easy Star Records is proud to help spread the word about the French reggae act DUB INC, who are set to make their US debut this week in New York. The exciting band, which has played over 800 shows since forming in St. Etienne, France, in 1997, has been waiting for the chance to bring their unique reggae sound to the US for years. The time has come. The group's sound incorporates North African influences to make them unlike most of other reggae acts you might see. The band features two vocalists, with one doing a more typical deep throated ragga style and the other bringing North African eastern singjay vocalizations to the mix. Check out the NYC Reggae Events Page to see all of the dates lined up for their week in NY. For a taste of their live show, check out this clip from 2008.

The dates:
June 18: 92YTribeca with Meta and The Cornerstones and DJ Sirak (8 PM)
June 19: Coffee Cave in Newark, NJ (4 PM)
June 21: Make Music NY at City Winery (1PM Lunch Series)
June 21: Make Music NY at SOB’s (8 PM)
June 22: Littlefield, Brooklyn with JahDan and Noble Society and DJ Misbehaviour
June 23: “Vinyl Matters” at Santo’s Party House: Farewell party with Downbeat The Ruler, Ticklah and Misbehaviour (7 PM)

THE BLACK SEEDS ON NPR, PLUS FREE SAMPLER

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000
We are only a few short weeks away from the return of the Black Seeds to North America, and if you are getting as excited as we are, you probably are hoping for something to keep you occupied until then. One way to fix this jones is to check out the band's recent appearance on NPR's World Cafe Live. Click here to find the episode (scroll down the page and don't be fooled by the Black KEYS appearing there as well). Another way to get more of the Black Seeds into your life is to go to their website and download their new, free 5-song sampler, which includes tracks off of Solid Ground, along with some previously unreleased alternate mixes, acoustic tracks and remixes. Fun, fun, fun!

SUGAR MINOTT, R.I.P. 1956 - 2010

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000
The Easy Star family was shocked to learn today of the passing of one of the greatest reggae singers of all time. Sugar Minott, born Lincoln Minott in 1956 in Kingston, died yesterday of a heart attack, though information is sketchy at this point. We are in shock over here, as Sugar has played an enormous role both in the history of reggae and also in the development of Easy Star Records.

Sugar began his career in his early teens as a member of the African Brothers in the early 1970s. In the mid to late '70s, he was one of the first artists to began recording new songs over classic Studio One riddims, helping to create the concept of modern dancehall in the process. His early hits, like "Mr. DC" and "Vanity" and "River Jordan" are cornerstones of modern reggae, still heard in dancehalls throughout the world on a regular basis. He was also one of the first artists of that era to strike out on his own as a producer and sound system operator, forming the Black Roots record label and the Youth Promotion Sound System. He released the seminal album GHETTO-OLOGY in 1979, which spawned a number of hits and helped usher in the next phase of his career. As a singer, producer, teacher, and mentor, Sugar had a profound influence on reggae music over the past 35 years.

At the same time, he was a huge part of Easy Star Records. He was one of the first established reggae stars to record with the label, cutting "Born In The Ghetto (Have Mercy)" for EASY STAR VOLUME ONE. After that, Easy Star re-issued GHETTO-OLOGY + DUB, as well as two volumes of HIDDEN TREASURES, which were hand picked tracks from the Black Roots label, with many songs never having been released on CD before. We then released RARE GEMS, which featured some great hard to find Sugar tracks. Lastly, we put out a compilation of African Brothers recordings called WANT SOME FREEDOM (now out of print).

In addition to these releases, Sugar played a large role on the tribute albums by the Easy Star All-Stars. He sings a stunning version of "Exit Music (For A Film)" on RADIODREAD. He killed "When I'm 64" on LONELY HEARTS, which had an arrangement inspired heavily by Sugar's own hit "Herbman Hustling." And he surely would have been involved with the next album, as he had one of the greatest voices in reggae and we loved to hear him sing anything we put to him. The simplest way to put it is that Sugar knew how to sing; he brought soul to everything. He had never heard Radiohead when he came to cut "Exit Music," but he quickly caught on to the emotion of the lyric and made his version so powerful. It's one of those songs where it sounds like it was written with him in mind to sing!

Our love goes out to Sugar's family and all of his fans. We are stunned to have lost someone so talented and important to the genre at such a young age. As more info about Sugar and his death come through, we will update everyone.

CAS HALEY SINGLE OUT NOW, ALBUM PRE-ORDER

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000
The first single from the upcoming Easy Star debut album by singer/songwriter Cas Haley comes out today on iTunes and Amazon. The single features three tracks: the single itself, "Better," along with a reggae remix by our own Michael G and a non-album bonus track, a live version of Peter Tosh’s "Legalize It." Please support the release by picking this up! Order it at iTunes or Amazon. If you like it, add a review.

Meanwhile, if that whets your appetite, or if you have already been waiting to get your hands on the whole release, you can now pre-order the album (release date is Sept 14). If you are a futurist and like your music digital only, go to iTunes to order. That version comes with two bonus tracks. If you are still buying physical CDs, you can get it through the Easy Star store, along with a brand new tee shirt (navy for men, pink sporty v-neck for women). The first 100 CDs ordered will be signed by Cas himself! You can also pre-order the physical CD through Amazon

LIVE TRIBUTE TO SUGAR MINOTT IN NYC AUG 17

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Easy Star is proud to be involved with an upcoming tribute in honor of Lincoln "Sugar" Minott. The concert, presented by Ghetto Roots NYC, will be held at S.O.B.s in New York City on August 17.

The tribute includes an evening of early dancehall, reminiscing, and a live stageshow featuring performances by a host of Sugar's friends family, including Sammy Dread, Yami Bolo, Judah Eskinder Tafari, K-Vibes, Mikey Jarret, and more. The backing band will be the Easy Star Band, led by Easy Star's Michael Goldwasser. Music will be provided by NYC sound systems Majestic Twinsound, Downbeat the Ruler, and Culture Jam with Bobby Channel1 and Jeff Sarge.

Proceeds from the show will be given to Sugar Minott's family, so please come out to support, enjoy the music, and remember the amazing talent of Sugar Minott.

IPHONE SNEAK PEEK OF DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000
This one has been rumored for years, but it's finally about to drop: DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON by the Easy Star All-Stars! Dubber Side features bass heavy remixes and dub versions of the complete DUB SIDE OF THE MOON album by progressive and legendary producers, including GROOVE CORPORATION, MAD PROFESSOR, ADRIAN SHERWOOD, 10 FT GANJA PLANT, DUBPHONIC, DREADZONE, SCIENTIST, KALBATA, THE ALCHEMIST, DUBMATIX, LIQUID AGENTS, VICTOR RICE, BORDER CROSSING, J.VIEWZ and more. The record comes out October 26 in most territories (Oct 18 in the UK). There will be a colored vinyl LP version coming out at the same time as well.

We’ve just posted two sneak peek tracks (The Alchemist’s remix of “Money” and Dubphonic’s “The Great Gig In The Sky”) to the Easy Star All-Stars iPhone app. So if you have the app – check ‘em out! And if you don’t, download it to your iPhone. For everyone else, don’t worry – we’ll post them everywhere else soon.

Look to pre-order Dubber Side via ITunes starting the week of September 21, the same week the Easy Star All-Stars kick off a California tour with Cas Haley opening.

CAS HALEY'S CONNECTION OUT NOW

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000
The newest Easy Star release, Cas Haley's CONNECTION, is out today! Please support Cas and Easy Star by picking up a copy at your local record store, online, in our webstore or anywhere else.

Here's a message Cas sent directly to his fans today:

I just wanted to shoot a quick email out to let you know that my new album, "Connection" comes out today on iTunes, online, and in stores. I hope that you'll decide to give it a listen. I'm so proud of the songs that are on it, and I can't wait for you to hear them.

Early sales in an album release helps an artist to really spread the word about their music, and I'd be so grateful if you would buy the album or a few songs when you have a free moment, and please tell your friends! The social network mentions are not going unnoticed. I see them, and I appreciate them more than you know. The love and support that you have shown to myself and my family over the past few years is so amazing, and I truly appreciate it.

Oh, and feel free to rate the album and comment! I read everything that you guys say, and I love hearing your thoughts.

Again, thank you all for your support. I am so touched by it. It's a beautiful thing.

Love and respect,
Cas Haley

So you heard the man, go pick up the record! Get it at iTunes or Amazon or the Easy Star webstore or at your local record store (if you are lucky enough to still have one where you live).

FREE TRACK FROM DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Check a sneak peek of the upcoming DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON album by going here and downloading The Alchemist remix of "Money". The Alchemist, for those who don't know, is one half of the celebrated electronic group Liquid Agents, and is also the Easy Star All-Stars' live dub engineer in his other life. DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON features the complete Dub Side of the Moon remixed by a handpicked list of producers. It comes out Oct 26 (Oct 18 in the UK).

ESA FEATURED IN UK FEST DOC THIS SATURDAY

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Official release: Digital subscriber channel Sky Arts 1HD is to broadcast a 90 minute music documentary filmed at Fairport's Cropredy Convention 2010. The programme forms part of the Sky Arts 'Centre Stage: Summer Festivals' series which airs this autumn.

The Cropredy programme's UK premiere will be transmitted on Saturday 18 September at 9pm. Sky TV subscribers will find Sky Arts 1HD on channel 256 and the broadcast will also be available on Virgin Media and on Tiscali TV.

The Cropredy special will be presented by well-loved broadcaster Bob Harris who opened the festival and introduced several of the acts. The programme was also produced for Sky Arts 1HD by WBBC, Bob and Trudie Harris's broadcasting company.

Bob is no stranger to Cropredy; he and his family have been regular visitors for many years. "Cropredy is really special," he says, "and it is a real privilege to be able to bring this year's festival to Sky Arts 1HD. As always, I was blown away by the variety and quality of the performances at Cropredy. But, as the programme will show, it's more than just the music - Cropredy has a wonderfully friendly atmosphere."

The broadcast will include performances by Fairport Convention (including a selection from the band's stunning 'Excalibur' set featuring Johny Logan and Jacqui McShee), Status Quo, Little Feat, Thea Gilmore, the Dixie Bee Liners, Easy Star All Stars and surprise stars of the festival ahab, a London-based five-piece alt-country band.

So All-Stars fans, if you get this channel, check it out!

PRE-ORDER DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000
DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON is on the way! The record features bass heavy remixes of the entire Dub Side of the Moon album by Groove Corporation, Mad Professor, Adrian Sherwood, 10 Ft Ganja Plant, Dubphonic, Dreadzone, Victor Rice, Dubmatix and many more. It comes out October 26 (October 18 in the UK).

Pre-order the digital version from iTunes here. This has exclusive bonus remixes by Scientist and Liquid Agents.

For physical product, pre-order through our web store:

-- CD and/or colored vinyl LP (featuring a yellow/green haze effect)
-- Brand new men's tee or women's tee
-- First 100 copies will be signed by members of Easy Star All-Stars
-- Three lucky customers will win a limited edition, custom made Dubber Side of the Moon Vaporizer (and grinder) from our amazing friends at Silver Surfer Vaps. It features the album artwork wrapped around the vaporizer.

Check out the animated trailer for the album:

Don't forget that Easy Star All-Stars and Cas Haley kick off their California tour today in Los Angeles, followed by two weeks in the UK in late October.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE BLACK SEEDS' 'SPECIALS'

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000
The Black Seeds have put together the SPECIALS - A 14-track collection of SOLID GROUND B-sides, dub mixes, acoustic versions and remixes. It features songs from SOLID GROUND mashed up into all kinds of styles & genres - from funk to dubstep to acoustic to electronic and back again. Look for more info on it being available to the general public in North America via Easy Star in November, but in the meantime, take advantage of a bunch of special pre-order options the Black Seeds are making available. You can get the record as cheaply as $5.49 through next tuesday, October 5, along with some different packages, by going here.

ESA/ CAS BIRMINGHAM UK SHOW RESCHEDULED

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000
TO OUR BIRMINGHAM fans and ticket holders for tonight's show at HARE AND HOUND: We are very sad to say that last night half of our band (Elenna, Shelton, Buford, Menny and Matt) missed their flight from New York (due to a traffic accident near the airport). Because of this we have to reschedule the show for MONDAY 25th OCTOBER. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, but tonight's performance would be impossible without half of our band. All tickets will be valid for the rescheduled performance and full refunds will be made to anyone who is unable to make this date. Please contact the HARE AND HOUND for refunds or any other questions regarding our show on Monday. We REALLY hope you will all be able to make our show on Monday and we promise to make it a special one!

'SPECIALS' IS OUT AND SHOULD NOT BE MISSED

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000
If you were lucky enough to have caught the Black Seeds when they played live across North America this past July, you know what we mean when we say this is one of the most exciting reggae/soul groups on the planet. Easy Star is proud to continue their association with the Black Seeds, with the release of 'SPECIALS', the band's 14-track, digital only release of remixes, dubs, b-sides and acoustic versions from SOLID GROUND. You can buy it at iTunes or at Amazon now. Rumor is that the band is back in New Zealand plotting their return to our shores in 2011, as well as working on a new album.

DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON UPDATE

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000
We've been so busy lately between various tours, recording and multiple record releases, that we did not get to mention that Dubber Side of the Moon debuted on the Billboard reggae chart at number 2 (behind Damian Marley and Nas). The record, which put the original Dub Side tracks into the hands of a cadre of great producers, has had a great reception from fans and critics. A few choice quotes:

"Dubber Side is a welcome revisit, with bass-heavy remixes and versions from the likes of Adrian Sherwood and Groove Corporation that quite frankly manage to top the originals. Essential." – Clash (UK)

"...actually better than the original..." – Cyclic Defrost (Australia)

"...dubbed out remixes refresh the whole concept while demonstrating, like the originals, the universality of great music." – Crack Magazine (UK)

"This album redefines the genre by mixing the traditional elements with futuristic vision." - The Pier

"This album has it all – great songwriting (obviously), great arrangements and a fresh, interesting take on a classic album." – Delusions of Adequacy

"...a slo-mo head-spinner." - Philadelphia Daily News

Check out the record now and pick it up at iTunes, Amazon, your local store or our webstore. Look for more news on 2011 touring for Easy Star All-Stars and their upcoming releases in the next month or two.

CAS HALEY HITS ROAD WITH TOUBAB KREWE

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Cas Haley begins a series of December shows with jamband Toubab Krewe this evening in Boulder, Colorado, at the Fox Theatre. Cas will be playing solo acoustic sets for some shows, including the next two nights, but then will be joined by a bassist for duo settings. The tour includes stops in Denver, Phoenix, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Shreveport, Little Rock, Greenville (SC) and Savannah (GA).

This leads up to early January, when Cas will stowaway with the Easy Star All-Stars on Jam Cruise from January 4 - 9.

LISTEN TO "BREATHE" IN A NEW WAY

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Thanks to Reactify Music's RJDJ app for iPhone or iTouch, you can now experience the Dubber Side of the Moon track "Breathe" in a whole new way. Using their technology, you can remix the song and do other fun stuff to it. Check out the app here. Check out a demo of how to use RJDJ here. Then download and have some fun with it.

THE BLACK SEEDS IN NEW COMMERCIAL

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000
Check out this cool usage of a classic Black Seeds track ("Fire") in a TV commercial that's been running recently:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnY2hbc22Wo&feature=youtu.be

And don't forget you can pick up SOLID GROUND or SPECIALS to get more great Black Seeds music.

FIRST LIGHT ALBUM AND TOUR COMING IN APRIL

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000
On April 5th, The Easy Star All-Stars will release FIRST LIGHT, their first full-length album of original songs, which will coincide with the First Light Tour. Look for much more detail on the album itself to come in the next few weeks, including info on special pre-orders for the album.

The band worked on the album over the past six months in between the extensive touring schedule. The All-Stars are very excited to put out an album that features original songwriting and contributions by every member of the collective group. Fans at Jam Cruise and the Pai Festival in Thailand last month were treated to live sneak peeks of tracks from the album including "Don't Stop The Music," "Paid My Dues" and the title song, "First Light." The band can't wait to play more tracks from the album on the upcoming tour.

The First Light Tour officially begins March 31 in Baltimore (with one early show at Mt. Snow in Vermont a few days before as well). The tour runs the entire length of the Atlantic Coast, from Canada to Florida and back. The first 10 shows features support from the biggest up-and-coming band in reggae today, Hawaii's The Green, as well as from Easy Star artist Cas Haley, who just released his latest album, CONNECTION, last Fall.

After those first dates, Cas Haley will support all of the remaining shows, which makes sense considering he also is a guest artist on FIRST LIGHT, singing the song "Unbelievable." This leg of the tour runs through April 26 in Burlington, VT, with more shows to be added soon. One highlight comes April 20 in New York when the All-Stars will co-headline a show at the Highline Ballroom with label mates John Brown's Body.

TWO EASY STAR ALBUMS NOMINATED FOR AWARDS

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000
DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON, by the Easy Star All-Stars, and THE PRESTER JOHN SESSIONS, by Tommy T, were both nominated in the Best Dub Album of the Year category in the 2010 Web Reggae Awards in France. After fan voting, DUBBER SIDE came in third in the category, losing out to someone Easy Star fans know well: Canada's Dubmatix. Check out the rest of the results here, though you will need to read French.

JOIN THE EASY STAR ALL-STARS STREET TEAM

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000
Join the Easy Star All-Stars Street Team to help promote online and on the streets, and you can earn tickets to shows near you, official merchandise, the new album and more! Manage all of your promoting through your own home page, and all that you do earns you points to use in the Rewards Store where you can purchase all sorts of music goodies! Join at StreetShimon.com and add Easy Star All-Stars as the Band you want to promote, add the show campaign that is nearest to where you live, and don't forget to join the National Online Campaign to rack up points for the Reward Store. Support the music you love and earn music rewards along the way!

EASY STAR ALL-STARS LIVE STREAM SAT NIGHT

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000
For those of you who want to get a taste of the Easy Star All-Stars playing live, we are happy to let you know their show at the Snow Barn at Mt. Snow in Vermont will be streamed live on the web saturday night (March 26). Not sure what the exact timing will be, but we expect the band to start playing around 10:30 PM EST. Check it out here. Get prepped for the upcoming FIRST LIGHT tour kicking off on Thursday in Baltimore and running for the next month with the Green and Cas Haley.

FIRST LIGHT RELEASE DAY IN NORTH AMERICA

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000
Today is the day FIRST LIGHT by the Easy Star All-Stars is available in the USA and Canada. The first full-length original album by the band has been called "...from start to finish, a solid, well produced album..." by The Pier and "the first true recorded glimpse into the creativity that this band has to offer." by An Honest Tune. Help support Easy Star and the band by picking up a copy this week, by one of the following methods:

Order on iTunes here
Order on Amazon here
Order at the Easy Star Web Store here
Or, if you are in Europe, you can still pre-order via iTunes here

Please leave positive reviews at iTunes and Amazon. Don't forget you can get a free download of the song "Don't Stop The Music" here.

ESA JOINS UMPHREY'S MCGEE AT RED ROCKS

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000
Easy Star All-Stars will be joining old friends Umphrey's McGee at UM's Red Rocks And Blue II show at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on July 3. Umphrey's will be playing two sets, while the bill will be filled out by the New Mastersounds. This will be Easy Star All-Stars' second ever show at Red Rocks and the band is very excited to be playing there, along with supporting Umphrey's McGee (who joined ESA on stage for a playing of Dub Side of the Moon at Summer Camp Festival two years ago). For more info or tickets, check here.

MARLEY MANIA WITH THE EASY STAR ALL-STARS

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000
Marley: the name is synonymous with reggae and roots music legend. In the coming weeks, Easy Star All-Stars will team up with two Marleys. First, they stop at Reggae River Fest on July 17th in Philadelphia, featuring Stephen Marley, as well as label mates John Brown's Body. Then, it is on to Jerusalem for "Road to Zion" with Ziggy Marley. Be sure to get your tickets early for these fun and historical live shows!

Reggae River Fest with Stephen Marley and John Brown's Body:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/020046C6D1D88D55

Road to Zion with Ziggy Marley:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164750706921802

EASY STAR ALL-STARS TAKE GREECE!

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000
The Easy Star All-Stars are very excited to announce a show for July 25 in Halkidiki, Greece, while also saddened to report that their planned show in Athens the next day is not happening. With a fresh arsenal of classic covers and new cuts off of their original release "First Light," the Easy Star All-Stars are ready to bring their vibes to the Greek isles for the first time. The Athens show appears to be a victim of the recent rioting over austerity packages and economic crisis, but the band hopes to return to that great city again soon.

EASY STAR GOES TO CAMP

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000
With a swelling crowd and sunny skies, the Easy Star All-Stars took to the Mainstage Friday at the Camp Bisco X in Mariaville Lake, NY. The festival, which was started by and centered around seminal jam band The Disco Biscuits, featured a slew of big-name acts spanning various genres, from the new-school hip-hop of Wiz Khalifa, to the frenetic light-show dance parties of Pretty Lights and Bassnectar, to the trippy Shpongle. The All-Stars were the sole representatives at the festival of the reggae sound, but managed to attract a large audience that grew as the set went on. Busting out new classics, such as "Don't Stop the Music" off of the group's new LP, First Light, to cover favorites spanning all three previous releases, the set was one to remember. With a massive sing-a-long and smiling faces, the Easy Star All-Stars were the perfect way to kick off one heck of a weekend.

Be sure to catch the Easy Star All-Stars on tour this summer in Israel, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales!

Check here for dates: http://easystar.com/artists/events/3

THE GREEN SIGNS WITH EASY STAR RECORDS

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000
The Green burst on to the national scene last year with their self-titled debut album, which was named Best Reggae Album of 2010 by both iTunes and Hawaii’s Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Now, they are ready to pick up where they left off with their new release, Ways & Means. The full-length album comes out October 25th, while the Love & Affection EP, featuring four tracks from the upcoming record along with an exclusive bonus dub, is available digitally on August 9th. The band has teamed up with the trendsetting indie reggae label Easy Star Records, for both releases.

The Love & Affection EP is an excellent intro to the band’s maturing sound, featuring the three singles "Love & Affection," "She Was The Best," and "Got Me In Love," along with the roots-heavy album track "Travlah." The exclusive track is a dub version of "Travlah," mixed by Michael Goldwasser of the Easy Star All-Stars.

The song "Love & Affection" is also available for download as the lead track on the Pacific Island Sampler, which the website thepier.com just released.

In advance of an extensive North American fall tour to support the new album, The Green head to California to play the Monterey Bay ReggaeFest on July 29th, then return to Honolulu for KCCN FM100’s Birthday Bash at the Waikiki Shell the next day, before heading back to the West Coast for more select dates in August.

The Green joins an Easy Star family that includes the Easy Star All-Stars, John Brown’s Body, Cas Haley, The Black Seeds, Ticklah, Tommy T and The Meditations.

"There are so many new bands coming into the reggae scene these days, but The Green immediately caught our attention as something special. They have already accomplished so much in a short period of time, but we know they have just scratched the surface of their potential," says Easy Star Records co-founder Eric Smith.

"We remember listening to the first Easy Star release when we were just starting out," says singer-keyboardist Ikaika Antone. "My first band Herbin Riddim even covered the song 'Delilah' off Easy Star Volume 1. Easy Star has been a major part of my musical influence and journey, so it's very exciting to us to be putting out music on the label now."

THE ALL-STARS TAKE ON UK WITH SUMMER TOUR LEG

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000
The Easy Star All-Stars continue their annual summer UK run, with club shows in Colchester, Swansea, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Guildford over the next week. The band also will stop over for two shows in Ireland this coming weekend, plus they’ll be at the Belladrum Festival, Farmer Phil’s, and The Relentless Boardmasters. Come out and hang with the band for some great music.

Where will the All-Stars end up next? Stay tuned for more tour dates and news from the road!

Go see the Easy Star All-Stars LIVE!:
http://easystar.com/artists/events/3

MARLEY PARK PARTY W/ EASY STAR ALL-STARS!

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000
So you've just seen an awesome show with Easy Star All-Stars, Editors, and Bell X1 in Marley Park, but don't want the night to end just yet? Come hang out with the Easy Star All-Stars at the after-party with a DJ set by Cashier No. 9! The party goes from 10:30 PM til' very, very late at the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford.

For your FREE VIP entrance, just email liveinvite@gmail.com! We hope to see you there to keep the party rockin' with us until the wee hours!

LOVE & AFFECTION EP BY THE GREEN OUT NOW

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000
The first release by The Green on Easy Star is now available for purchase digitally. The Love & Affection EP features 4 songs from the upcoming Ways & Means full-length album plus an exclusive dub track mixed by Michael G (Easy Star All-Stars).

It's the perfect preview for the amazing new record. Pick it up at iTunes or Amazon.

CHRISTMAS EP, TOUR DATES FROM CAS HALEY

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000
Texas-based singer-songwriter Cas Haley will release a Christmas EP this coming November 8th on Easy Star Records. The release features four Holiday classics arranged by Cas, in some cases incorporating elements of Texas swing and reggae, but always focused on Cas’s incredible voice. The fifth song on the EP, the title track “Gifts To Give,” is an original song written by Cas. The EP comes out amidst a busy run of tour dates lasting from September 13th through November 23rd, where Cas will join Trevor Hall, The Green, Mike Pinto and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad on their tours throughout the country.

“I have wanted to make a Christmas album for a long, long time,” Cas says. “But, I always felt that if I was going to, I needed to write at least one original song to make my own mark and that’s where I have been stuck .What can I say about Christmas that hasn’t been said? It’s tough!”

Inspiration came to him last summer and resulted in a song that may one day be considered as classic as the other tracks he has tackled here: “Let It Snow,” “The Christmas Song,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Says Cas, “It [“Gifts To Give”] is certainly not as graceful as some of the all-time classics I have paired it with on this EP, but it comes from the heart and, I think, taps into that Spirit of Christmas that I love.”

Cas Haley will be playing mostly solo acoustic sets during this stretch of touring, bringing an intimate take on material from this upcoming EP and his first two albums, including the critically-acclaimed Connection (2010), to over 43 venues. He begins with shows supporting Mike Pinto September 13 through September 30; continues by supporting Trevor Hall (who he has toured with twice before) from October 7 through October 29; and finishes by joining the second half of the hot fall tour featuring Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and the fast-rising band (and label mates at Easy Star) from Hawaii, the Green. He also appears in Baltimore on October 6 as part of WTMD’s First Thursdays Concert Series and headlines an appearance at the College of the Albemarle on October 15. As usual, fans can expect collaborations with all of the artists Cas joins on tour.

Check here for more tour dates and updates.

CAS HALEY CANCELS SOME SHOWS

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Cas Haley will be unable to continue his tour dates with Mike Pinto. He is very sorry to disappoint any fans in the markets affected and hopes he’ll be able to schedule a return soon. Cas will resume touring in Baltimore on October 6th.

PRE-ORDER WAYS & MEANS BY THE GREEN

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000
The Green's highly anticipated new album Ways & Means is now available for pre-order. Be one of the first 200 people to pre-order and receive an autographed copy! Pre-order and you will automatically be entered into a contest with a chance to win a pair of tickets to see them live, hang out with the band during sound check, have dinner with the band, and then enjoy watching the show from backstage!

Plus, you can also order a brand new tee shirt, in men's and women's styles, for only $25 total with a CD or download (the shirt is normally $20 but discounted to $14 in this combo). AND, every CD order will be able to download the whole album on release day, so you can listen while you wait for your package to arrive.

The record comes out October 25th, so hurry over to the Easy Star Records Store to pre-order your copy today.

CAS HALEY KICKS OFF TOUR WITH FREE SHOW

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000
Cas Haley is gearing up for his upcoming tour with Trevor Hall and warming up with a free show at WTMD's First Thursdays in West Mt Vernon Park, Baltimore.

Cas will be on the road with Trevor Hall for all of October before heading out with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and fellow Easy Star artists The Green for most of November.

Come out and hear some of your favorite Cas Haley songs and experience some of his new material for the first as he plays songs from his new Christmas EP "Gifts to Give. The EP comes out digitally on November 8, but Cas will be selling physical copies at his shows beginning Oct 14.

EASY STAR ALL-STARS ROCKING EUROPE

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000
The All-Stars recently started another European tour and it is proving to be a show you won't want to miss. After some incredible shows in Paris, Laval, and Nancy, they are continuing their European conquest with 2 more shows in France before playing for 5 nights in Italy.

Come out and watch them performing with long time collaborator Ruff Scott, who was the first deejay the band had for live shows in 2003. He’s not returned for some time with the band. This is the All-Stars’ last trip to Europe for the year, so be sure to catch them while you have a chance.

For tour information check their tour page here
or you can see them here:

October 14, 2011
L'Obsevatoire
12 allée des Petits Pain
Cergy Pontoise, France

October 15, 2011
L' Echonova
1 Rue Léon Griffon 56890 Saint-Ave
Vannes, France

October 18, 2011
Victoria Campus
Via L.De Nadia, 4
Vittorio Veneto (TV), Italy

October 19, 2011
Teatro Le Serre
Tiziano Lanza 31
Grugliasco, Italy

October 20, 2011
Atlantico (ex Palacisalfa)
271/d, 00144, Via dell'Oceano Atlantico
Rome, Italy

October 21, 2011
Estragon Club
Bologna, Italy

October 22, 2011
Bloom
Via Curiel, 39, 20040
Mezzago, Milan, Italy

THE GREEN'S WAYS & MEANS OUT NOW

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000
You can now get the new album by The Green! Ways & Means is now in stores and available at iTunes and Amazon. We at Easy Star are very proud of this band and this record, so please check it out and support them and the label.

A couple early raves:

"The Green are completely different to how you may expect reggae music to sound....The Green have revolutionized the reggae genre and made it exciting for the first time in a long time." - Altsounds

"What they've emerged with is a great, highly listenable record that's as contemporary as Rebelution or Easy Star All-Stars, yet which harkens back to the sweet harmonies of classic Jamaican artists like The Heptones." – The Santa Barbara Independent

"No matter what; you'll be feeling the vibe to this mature masterpiece." – Earmilk

"You don't have to be from Jamaica to make righteous reggae music, as these rising stars of the genre prove. They're from Hawaii and they're really shaking things up with their youth-infused rootsy reggae sound." – Sacramento Bee

"The Green's latest effort points to a band growing into their newfound success quite comfortably, as they've tweaked their sound to be sharper, more focused, and certainly a bit more ferocious." – The Pier

"They set you up for an incredible melodic journey before making you beg yourself to put the album on repeat." – The Dubside

THE GREEN DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000
Hawaii’s rising reggae band The Green has debuted at #1 on The Billboard Reggae and iTunes Reggae charts with the release of their new album Ways & Means (officially released October 25 on Easy Star Records). The critically-acclaimed album has also debuted impressively on other Billboard charts including #6 on the Heatseekers Chart, #1 on the Regional Pacific New Artist Chart, and #94 on the Top 200 Digital albums, amongst others.

"With its #1 debut on the reggae charts, Ways & Means is picking up right where The Green left off with their first album. It is exciting to see how much they are accomplishing in such a short period of time, and we know there is much more to come,” says Easy Star Records co-founder Eric Smith.

The band shows no signs of slowing down and is midway through their extensive US tour with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (Easy Star label mate Cas Haley joins the lineup on November 3rd).

CAS HALEY'S GIFTS TO GIVE EP RELEASED

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000
It's time to get the holiday season started a couple weeks early with the release of Cas Haley's 5-song EP, Gifts To Give. Built around an original Christmas tune that Cas wrote this past summer and fleshed out with four fantastic arrangements of modern Christmas classics, it's a perfect little record to have around the house this season, and maybe even stuff some stockings with.

"Iconic Christmas classics are made personal by Cas' inherent singing abilities and warm guitar strumming. The music is charming, sweet, and carefree without straying too far from the original compositions." - Inside World Music

"...delightfully offbeat and spreads some holiday cheer." - Midwest Record

Order it here:

iTunes
Amazon

Don't miss Cas on tour right now with The Green and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad.

A TASTE OF HAWAII IN VIDEO BY THE GREEN

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000
The official music video for the song "Love & Affection" is now available! Get a taste of Hawaii and the neighborhood where the Green lives and makes their incredible music. Directed by //Kneeon on location, this one was shot in late September, just before the band left on their tour. You can see this, along with plenty of other Green clips at The Green's youtube channel. Or just watch it below!

Don't forget to pick up the album WAYS & MEANS!

READ THE NEW BLOG EASY STAR NOW

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000
We've started a brand new blog to update you on all things Easy Star, as well as give some inside scoops and news. The first installment can be seen here. Start following it so you can find out right away when we post new updates.

THE GREEN BEGIN MASSIVE MAINLAND TOUR

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000
2011 was another breakthrough year for the Hawaiian reggae band The Green. Their sophomore album Ways & Means (released on Easy Star Records) impressively stayed at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart for 4 straight weeks in a row, while receiving high profile press exposure in Billboard, NPR, National Geographic, Huffington Post, and more. They were also awarded “Artist of the Year” by The DubSide and their album was nominated for “Album of the Year” at The Pier. The band relentlessly toured throughout the year winning new fans and regional press accolades night after night. After a brief stint home with welcoming sold-out shows, The Green is ready to embark on another extensive North American tour kicking off in February.
The Green’s upcoming 39-city mainland tour sees the band share the stage with fellow leading reggae artists Rebelution and SOJA. The majority of the tour dates are alongside Rebelution for their “Peace of Mind Tour.” Rebelution are currently riding high with a #13 debut on the Billboard Top 200 and The Green are proud to support their highly anticipated tour. All three of these acts continue to push the “homegrown reggae” scene forward and confirm NPR’s recent story highlighting on the growing popularity of “Non-Jamaican Reggae.”
For tour dates click here
Buy a copy of Ways & Means here

THE BLACK SEEDS RETURN TO AMERICA

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000
We’re very excited to announce that The Black Seeds will be returning to North America in April for the release of their new studio album Dust And Dirt through Easy Star Records.
They’ve spent the past two years working on the album in their Wellington studio and now can't wait for you to hear it!
More details about the release will be announced shortly, including the release date and first single.
CLICK HERE TOUR DATES & TICKETING DETAILS.

LATEST EASY STAR NOW BLOG

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000
Former Easy Star Intern Spencer Dukoff has made another post in his blog Easy Star Now. Follow this link to get fresh news about what's going on with your favorite Easy Star artists.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE EASY STAR NOW BLOG

NEW ALBUM, NEW TOUR FROM THE BLACK SEEDS

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000
New Zealand reggae-soul heavyweights The Black Seeds return with their highly-anticipated new studio album Dust And Dirt, set for release in North America on April 10th through the trailblazing label Easy Star Records. Dust And Dirt is the fifth studio album from the Wellington-based multi-platinum selling group whose unique brand of reggae-funk fusion has seen their fan base spread around the world in recent years. Easy Star will also be re-issuing The Black Seeds' celebrated back catalog on the same day, with two of the titles (On The Sun and Into The Dojo) seeing their first-ever physical release on the continent.

The band is following up on their critically acclaimed 2009 album Solid Ground, which was hailed as "...a damn fine record...thick, bottom-heavy, and melodic" by The Huffington Post and "...the forefront of reggae today and tomorrow" by JamBase. The album debuted in the top 15 on the Billboard Reggae Chart and also spent 8 consecutive weeks in the 'Top 10' of CMJ's World Music Chart, and five weeks in the overall 'CMJ Top 200.'

Dust And Dirt comes off the back of a two-year creative process, which saw the band approaching song writing and recording duties in new ways.

"Working in our own studio gave us the freedom to get the best out of ourselves over a longer period of time, and to trial new techniques and tones with our own Mike Fabulous at the controls," says singer/guitarist Barnaby Weir.

Dust And Dirt introduces new sounds and styles not heard on the previous releases whilst still retaining the trademark Black Seeds sound the band has become so known for. "Cracks In Our Crown," "Loose Cartilage," and "The Bend" all take the experiments with funk begun on Solid Ground in even further directions. "Don’t Turn Around" finds the band doing a fresh take on a disco-boogie jam full of old school funk and plenty of bouncy playfulness. The opener "Out Of Light" sounds different from anything the band has tried before, tipping into an almost psychedelic pop sound, while roots gems like "Love Me Now" and the title track remind listeners that The Black Seeds are still one of the finest classic reggae bands in the business. "Pippy Pip," the bubbly, upbeat first single, which the band built by layering over a demo that had such a cool vibe that they never re-recorded the original parts, will be available for a limited time as a free download from www.theblackseeds.com starting February 27th. All of these new styles are brought into the mix in a natural way, without forcing sounds, letting the songs be mini-experiments that organically evolved. In all, Dust And Dirt’s 13-tracks are testament to a band at the top of their game, reveling in their newfound creative freedom.

Formed in 1998 and led by the soulful vocals of Barnaby Weir and Daniel Weetman, The Black Seeds' sound is a boundary-crossing fusion of dub, funk, afro-beat and soul, mixed with vintage reggae. As songwriters, importance is placed on maintaining their own original interpretations in their music and staying true to their own local culture and values – from the landscapes and coastlines of New Zealand and the South Pacific, to the urban communities of Wellington city.

Onstage, the band's ability to connect with its audience has seen The Black Seeds gain a reputation for their dynamic and supremely danceable eight-piece live shows. Effortlessly gliding between big-beat funk and deep roots-reggae, the raw energy of The Black Seeds' live show is infectious and has gotten them regular performances at many of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand’s biggest music festivals. With their upcoming North American tour kicking off in April, The Black Seeds are ready to keep building their profile and performing in front of new audiences. Don’t miss them in a city near you!

"We are really psyched to be working with The Black Seeds again, both on Dust And Dirt and their back catalog. They are a perfect Easy Star band: they have a deep understanding and feel for the roots and foundation of reggae, while relentlessly pushing their music in new soulful, funky and progressive directions - and they put on an amazing live show!" states Easy Star co-founder Lem Oppenheimer. "We can’t wait for their NY show, which will be our first chance to see them in person in two years."

DOWNLOAD 1ST SINGLE FROM THE BLACK SEEDS

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000
The Black Seeds have made the first single from their upcoming new album Dust And Dirt available for free download to fans at their website. The bouncy track is an amazing intro to a fantastic album, so please check it out while you can! Dust And Dirt comes out April 10, along with the band's back catalog titles.

THE GREEN ON HAWAII FIVE-0

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000
The hit CBS television show Hawaii Five-0 prominently used "Love & Affection" from The Green's Ways & Means album at the start of their episode on Monday, February 27. Unfortunately for the male portion of the band's fan base, the song was used while actor Scott Caan was in a pool, as opposed to his often-bikini-clad co-star Grace Park. This was the first official use of the band's music in a tv show, movie, or commercial, so we are excited to see them taking this step! You can see the episode (#50) here. The song comes on after the opening credits.

PRE-ORDER THE BLACK SEEDS' DUST AND DIRT

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000
The upcoming release from The Black Seeds can be pre-ordered now, via the band's website. You can get it in CD, digital download, or even 180 gram gatefold vinyl editions, along with a shirt, and even a collector's package that includes everything signed. The record comes out in North America on April 10, along with INTO THE DOJO, ON THE SUN, and the rest of the band's celebrated back catalog.

DUST AND DIRT RELEASED TODAY

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000
The brand new fifth studio album by The Black Seeds is now available! Look for it at fine record stores or get it at iTunes, Amazon or the Easy Star store. Easy Star is also reissuing most of The Black Seeds' celebrated back catalog today as well, including physical versions of INTO THE DOJO and ON THE SUN, plus digital for those as well as the band's first album KEEP ON PUSHING and THE BLACK SEEDS LIVE: VOL. 1.

You can listen to DUST AND DIRT in full this week on AOL Spinner.

Other iTunes links for back catalog:

Into the Dojo
http://bit.ly/IntotheDojo_iTunes

Keep On Pushing
http://bit.ly/KeepOnPushing_iTunes

On The Sun
http://bit.ly/OnTheSun_iTunes

The Black Seeds Live: Vol 1
http://bit.ly/LiveVolume1_iTunes

CAS HALEY NEEDS YOUR HELP FOR NEXT ALBUM

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000
Cas Haley is asking his fans and friends to help him begin recording his next record in July. Working with Pledge Music, Cas is offering fans a chance to get an inside look at the whole process, from demos to rehearsals to recording, while helping to raise funds to actually make it happen.

By donating, you will get access to a wide range of exclusives, from signed CDs to signed ukuleles, from a lifetime guest list pass to dinner with Cas or guitar lessons from him, and much more.

Plus, you will get access to posts he will be doing along the way - demos, snippets of songs he is working on, video of rehearsals, from inside the studio, and more. He is trying to keep his career and musical vision in his own hands, but he can’t do it without your help.

Check out this link for more information:
Cas Haley on Pledge Music

LIMITED VINYL RELEASE OF WAYS & MEANS 4/21/12

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000
There will be a limited edition release of a green-vinyl LP version of WAYS & MEANS by The Green coming out Saturday, April 21, for Record Store Day. There were only 1000 copies printed, so hustle to get one. A partial list of participating stores that have ordered copies is below. You can always check in with your local participating Record Store Day indie store and if they don't have it, ask them to order it for you. The record will eventually be available in a broader release in a few weeks, but it'll be first come first serve until it runs out.

Participating Stores:

Amoeba Records (San Francisco, CA)
Rasputin (Bay Area, CA)
Dimple Records (multiple California locations)
J & R (New York)
Waterloo (Austin, TX)
Street Light (various California locations)
Music Millenium (Portland, OR)
Silver Platters (locations around Seattle, WA)
Sonic Boom (Seattle, WA)
Hot Poop (Walla Walla, WA)
Easy Street (Seattle, WA)
B-Side Music (Seattle, WA)
Zia Records (Arizona)
Independent Records (Colorado)
Fingerprints (Long Beach, CA)
Boo Boo Records (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Cactus (Houston, TX)
Record Archive (Rochester, NY)
and many more!

ESA TRIBUTE ALBUM RELEASE, CONTEST

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Easy Star All-Stars are releasing a new tribute album on August 28, 2012. Can you guess which album they will cover? Visit the ESA website at easystarallstars.net, where you can vote on which album you think the Easy Star All-Stars will cover. Just by voting, you will get three free downloads, and by sharing from the website on Facebook and Twitter, you can get three more. Voting will be open until the final day, but to be eligible for the grand prize (including the entire Easy Star Records catalog), vote online by June 1st. The full details on the album, including pre-order and fall tour dates, will be revealed on June 12th along with the cover art.

EASY STAR'S THRILLAH COMING AUGUST 28

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000
Let the record be revealed! Easy Star's Thrillah can be pre-ordered now! You can also listen to the first single "Billie Jean" for the next week until June 19 (and download it for free). Check the Fall Tour dates in US and UK. More dates will be announced soon. Check out the teaser video for the record here.

Following up on the hugely successful reggae tribute albums of Dub Side of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006) and Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009) comes the reggae adaptation of the greatest selling record of all time – Michael Jackson's Thriller. The album, titled Easy Star's Thrillah will be released August 28, 2012 (a day before the 53rd anniversary of Jackson's birth). Easy Star's Thrillah brings back several of the reggae stars from previous albums, such as vocalists Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Steel Pulse, Luciano, Mojo Morgan (Morgan Heritage), alongside the diverse playing of guests Yossi Fine (David Bowie, Lou Reed, Stanley Jordan), Joe Tomino (Dub Trio/Matisyahu), Andy Farag (Umphrey's McGee), and horn tracks courtesy of Israel's highly-acclaimed funk/hip-hop band Hadag Nachash. The album will be preceded by the July 10th digital release of the Billie Jean EP, which includes two album tracks, along with non-album remixes and a dub version.

In selecting Thriller, Easy Star Records co-founder Lem Oppenheimer says, "We've always tackled the greats - The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Radiohead - but while we wanted to take on another huge album, we also wanted to blaze new trails. In Thriller we found those new trails in a number of firsts for the series: the first album by an American artist, the first non-concept album, the first R&B/soul record, as well as the first release from the 80s."

"For me, I was most excited for Thriller," says producer/arranger/guitarist Michael Goldwasser. "I was always more of an R&B/soul and reggae kid growing up and I have an intense personal connection to Michael Jackson's music." As usual, the process initially involved Goldwasser spending a few months on arranging the songs. "Writing the arrangements for this album was a cool challenge. I didn't have to try to make non-dance music into dance music as on our previous albums because the original Thriller is so danceable already, but I needed to find ways to make each song groove in a different way from the original version. I didn't want any of the arrangements to be obvious in that regard." In the end, Goldwasser's arrangements are some of the most interesting in his career.

Now that the hard work in the studio is done, the band is looking forward to bringing this music on the road, adding some dance/pop songs to their already varied sets. The band's live show, which was nominated for a UK Festy Award in 2009, already features tracks from the band's previous three tribute albums, along with original material. An extensive fall tour of the US and UK is already set up (US dates listed below), with more to come over the next year. As the original Thriller album comes up on its 30-year anniversary in November, what better way to celebrate this timeless album than to catch the Easy Star All-Stars perform their reggae-infused versions of this pop masterpiece.

THE SKINTS ADDED TO FOUR UK ESA SHOWS

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000
We are very excited to announce the teaming up of London's fast-rising reggae/ska band The Skints with Easy Star All-Stars on their fall tour. The Skints will be on four of the shows at the start of tour – Reading, Kendal, New Brighton and York – while the last 10 shows will have Laid Blak lending support. Both The Skints and Laid Blak are coming on strong in the UK scene and we are excited to be pairing new blood with Easy Star All-Stars on this run.

Check out The Skints' latest video for "Rise Up" here and their first single, "Ratatat," here. Check out Laid Blak's "Red" video here.

For more details on the UK tour and links to buy tickets, go here.

BILLIE JEAN EP AVAILABLE NOW

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming release on August 28, 2012, of Easy Star's Thrillah, Easy Star Records is excited to release the digital-only Billie Jean EP via iTunes including two tracks off the album: "Billie Jean" featuring Luciano and "Human Nature" featuring Cas Haley. The EP also features two non-album "Billie Jean" remixes from Mister Vibes and Sounduo and an exclusive dub version of "Billie Jean," mixed by producer Michael Goldwasser, along with Joe Tomino (Dub Trio/Matisyahu).

Luciano's stunning vocal performance on "Billie Jean" is his third collaboration with Easy Star, having also sung "With A Little Help From My Friends" on Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band and co-written the early original single "Hopes On High" with Michael G for Easy Star Vol. 2: Dancehall Culture. Guest vocalist Cas Haley also has a rich history with the Easy Star All-Stars, from multiple tours together to appearing on their 2011 album First Light. The two join up again for three upcoming tour dates (8/10 @ The Festival of Gnarnia, 9/7 @ High Noon Saloon, 9/8 @ Shangri-La Festival).

On the two remixes, Israeli dub artist Mister Vibes strips down his version with twisting melodica lines and spaced-out effects, while dubstep, glitch, and electronic fans will gravitate toward the Sounduo remix. Sounduo is the post-dub, audio/visual live performance project of Miami's William Mills and Zach Morillo.

Go to the Easy Star All-Stars website to help us spread the word about the EP. If 1500 fans share info about the release via Facebook, it will free up the non-album track "Human Nature Dub" for download!

R.I.P. SLUGGY RANKS

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000
We are very sad to hear of the passing of another member of the Easy Star family, Andrew Gregory, known to most as Sluggy Ranks. He was killed in an auto accident in Kingston, JA on July 29th. Sluggy appeared on our very first album, Easy Star Volume One, with the stand out cut, "Ethiopia," and he was known to many more of our fans from his vital contribution to Dub Side of the Moon - lead vocals on the first song on the album, "Breathe." We send our condolences to his family, friends and fans worldwide. We will miss him.

JBB IN DUB EP OUT SEPTEMBER 18

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000
It's been four years since groundbreaking reggae band John Brown's Body last put out a record, 2008's Amplify, which debuted at number one on Billboard's Reggae Chart. The wait for new music is over, as the octet will release an EP of mostly instrumental dub, JBB In Dub, on September 18th. Two days later the band kicks off their fall U.S. tour at One Pelham East in Newport, RI. The four-week tour will span the Northeast, the West Coast, and Colorado.

Once again working with their longtime label Easy Star Records, John Brown's Body has focused this latest release on dubs that reflect both their foundations in classic reggae drum and bass-style music and their usual progressive approaches to the genre. JBB In Dub features six dubs, plus "The Grass," featuring vocals from front man Elliot Martin. The songs were mixed in Boston by former JBB engineer and current 10 Ft. Ganja Plant member Craig "Dub Fader" Welsch (State Radio, The Aggrolites) at his studio.

The band has posted the song "Wellington" for free download on their Facebook page, so fans can get a taste of the new music.

Quote from drummer Tommy Benedetti:
"This will be the first time we have brought some of the heavy dub explorations of our live show into a studio setting. We put together a set of brand new songs, classic JBB dubs that have never been recorded, and a new version of our fan-favorite "The Grass." After seven full-length albums, this EP represents a unique sound for us, and we can't wait for people to dig into it!"

When it was released, Amplify was praised by All Music Guide as having "some of the most gorgeous melodies in all of modern reggae music." It was followed by a remix EP, Re-Amplify (2009), while the band continued their usual heavy touring schedule. In the past four years, JBB completed first-ever tours of New Zealand, the UK, and Europe. Based in Boston, Ithaca and Brooklyn, NY, the eight-piece band has already begun recording a new full-length studio album, slated for release in 2013.

For a full list of tour dates, visit JBB's website.

NEW SINGLE FROM THE GREEN OUT SEPT 11

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000
Latest news from Green camp, straight from the band's mouth:
Family, we're stoked to announce that we've got a brand new single "Liar" coming out September 11! This is our first new release since our 2011 album Ways & Means. We recorded "Liar" with Christian Mochizuki (Kanye West/Jay-Z) at Island Sound Studio in Honolulu, HI. Matt Honda (who mixed some of our previous album) handled additional production and mixing.

We're also dropping a remix of "Love & Affection" by producer Billy Van as part of the "Liar" release. Mixing elements of dubstep and electro, this remix is just a taste of what's to come when Billy Van joins us for the west coast leg of our fall tour! "Liar" and "Love & Affection (Billy Van Remix)" will be digitally released by Easy Star Records on September 11. See you all soon! Aloha

So there you have it, a busy month indeed for us at Easy Star. Check out The Green on tour this fall.

JBB IN DUB DIGITAL EP OUT NOW

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000
JBB In Dub, the 7 track digital EP featuring John Brown's Body's first new music in four years, is out today. Get it at iTunes or Amazon now.

The Boston Globe said it was filled with "brain-tweaking, body-rocking tracks" and that "JBB In Dub highlights the way John Brown's Body spices its reggae with the sort of experimentation that is common in groove-rock or jazz." Angelica Music says "With JBB In Dub the group proves that years of hard touring has tightened them into a sheer reggae force."

Speaking of touring, be sure to check out the band's upcoming schedule, kicking off this week, with plenty of dates around the country where you can help them celebrate this release.

20-TRACK VERSION OF DUST AND DIRT OUT NOV 19

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000
The Black Seeds will release a 20-track deluxe version of their latest album Dust And Dirt, on November 19th on Easy Star Records. This special release features seven additional bonus tracks.

Having just won the award for "Best Roots Album" at the 2012 New Zealand Music Awards, Dust And Dirt was originally released in April where it debuted at #1 on the New Zealand album charts and topped the iTunes reggae charts in North America and Europe.

The 20-Track Deluxe Version includes the extended speaker-shuddering "Daddy Vad" remix of "Wide Open" by DJ Vadim, a trademark smoked-up dub re-working of "Dust And Dirt" by UK producer Prince Fatty, and the new unreleased track "Toon-A-Loon." The Seeds go back to their roots with dub versions of three more album tracks, and an extended DJ Edit of "Don't Turn Around." Also just released is the brand new music video for “Love Me Now” – the latest single from the album.

ALL-STARS KICK OFF TOUR IN MEXICO

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000
The Easy Star All-Stars begin their last run of the year tonight in Cholula, Mexico, kicking off a tour that will also take them to Guatemala (for the first time) and Brazil. The time in Brazil features 7 shows, including stops in Porto Alegre, Brasilia, Curitiba, Florianopolis and Recife, as well as the major cities Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The band's shows will continue to emphasize the release of EASY STAR'S THRILLAH, as well as cuts from all of the past tribute albums. Check the tour dates page for the latest details.

EASY STAR ARTISTS NAB PIER AWARD NOMS

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000
A number of Easy Star recording artists were nominated for 2012 Pier Awards! Fans can vote until Dec 13 at The Pier, the popular website focused on the US reggae scene. Easy Star All-Stars were nominated for Artist of the Year, alongside Slightly Stoopid, Groundation, SOJA and former touring mates Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad. The Green and John Brown's Body were both nominated for Live Artist of the Year (a tough choice for sure and we can't pick among our own bands!). The Black Seeds' DUST AND DIRT was nominated for Album of the Year. Please go vote for Easy Star artists while you can!

FREE REMIX ON THE GREEN'S WEBSITE

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000
Fans can get a free remix of the song "Decisions" via The Green's website. The remix is from Germany's Jr. Blender and features a nice roots sound. The song is getting play on Island 98.5 in Hawaii, along with other stations there, and you can get it for free!

TWO DUB SIDE LIVE PLAYS IN FEBRUARY

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000
To kick off celebrating the 10th anniversary of the release of DUB SIDE OF THE MOON, The Easy Star All-Stars will be playing two shows in Colorado in February, which will include full plays of the groundbreaking album (along with plenty of other tribute hits and original material as well). The first show is at one of the band's favorite spots, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, in Denver on Valentine's Day, Feb 14. The second show is two days later, in a free show at 3 PM, sponsored by Bud Light, at Snowmass Base Village in Aspen.

THE GREEN RETURNS TO THE ROAD

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000
The Green's Final Chapter of their Liars and Lovers Tour starts today in California with special guest New Kingston! After successfully returning from New Zealand's Raggamuffin Festival, The Green is ready to perform some awesome shows in CA, NV, UT, CO, ID, and WA! The tour features 23 dates, including stops in San Luis Obispo, Sacramento, Tacoma, Aspen, Spokane, and many more that you can check out on the band's website. To get a good idea of The Green's performance live, check out a new video of their fall 2012 tour here. Also, feel free to share something with the band: Post a photo of you with your "The Green" shirt on their facebook page and it will be added to their "Your Green Shirts" album!

ESA AND JBB JOIN FORCES IN BKLYN 4/19

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000
Two years ago, Easy Star All-Stars and John Brown’s Body united for a sold out and very memorable 4/20 show at the Highline Ballroom in New York. Now the two bands are joining up again, this time to countdown to 4/20 with a special co-bill on April 19 at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The two bands have a great history of playing shows together, including tours on the west coast and in the UK, so there’s always good vibes in the house when they team up. It’s an early show, with doors opening at 6 PM, and show starting by 8 PM, so plan accordingly. The perfect way to kick off your 4/20 weekend!

NEW JBB ALBUM COMING APRIL 16

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000
We are excited to announce that the first new full-length studio album from John Brown's Body is due for release on Easy Star April 16!

As reggae music continues to reach new heights in America, John Brown’s Body (JBB) has been there from the beginning, constantly pushing and evolving the U.S. reggae scene through explosive live shows and critically-acclaimed recordings. Their new album, Kings And Queens, out April 16th on Easy Star Records, is no exception. Kings And Queens is the band’s most ambitious release to date, encompassing the entire history of the band’s sound and legacy. Lead vocalist Elliot Martin reaches new levels of songwriting by striking the fine balance between classic JBB roots and a fresh new JBB sound. A perfect example is the track "Old John Brown,” available for FREE download on the band’s Facebook page.

After releasing their exceptional and (mostly) instrumental JBB In Dub EP late in 2012, the band is already back with their eighth studio album, and first full-length since 2008’s chart-topping (#1 Billboard Reggae) Amplify. Kings And Queens features twelve new songs that are dripping in their signature “Future Roots” sound influenced by British Reggae (Aswad, Steel Pulse), roots classics (Burning Spear, Alpha Blondy), dub experimentation (Scientist, King Tubby, Sly & Robbie), and modern electronica. The results are a thicker, heavier style than most modern reggae.

Over the past five years, the Boston/Ithaca/Brooklyn-based octet has toured throughout Europe, New Zealand, and of course the U.S. performing at notable festivals Bear Creek, Gathering of the Vibes, Jam Cruise, and Wakarusa and with acts including Galactic, Groundation, and label mates The Black Seeds and Easy Star All-Stars. This road warrior-like behavior has lent its influence in the studio by capturing the infectious energy of a JBB show throughout Kings And Queens.

Easy Star Records, one of the leading reggae labels in the world, has been working with JBB since 2004. Easy Star co-founder Lem Oppenheimer enthusiastically states, “JBB has been a large part of our roster for a long time, because it’s rare to find a relationship where both label and artist have the same drive to be progressive and push each other forward. JBB and Easy Star are like family.”

In the age of fickle trends and gone tomorrow music, John Brown’s Body provides refreshing integrity and longevity. Don’t miss what All Music Guide calls, “some of the most gorgeous melodies in all of modern reggae music,” when JBB tours this spring to celebrate their new release.

ESA PLAY PERU AND ARGENTINA IN MARCH

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000
After a successful trip to South America this past December, Easy Star All-Stars are returning to play two shows in Peru and Argentina. This will mark the fourth time the band has played in Buenos Aires (March 24), but only the first ever show in Lima, Peru (March 22). Check the band's tour page for more info on the shows.

GREEN ANNOUNCES TAKE ME ON TOUR

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000
The Green has just announced the 'Take Me On Tour' with special guests The Expanders! They will be playing shows up the west coast in California, Oregon, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. Along the way they will play some of the biggest festivals in the country, including the California Roots Festival, Wakarusa Festival (in Ozark, AR), Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Reggae in the Desert, and Rockin Roots Festival.

The Green also has new merchandise, which can be purchased here. Send a photo of you with your The Green shirt on and they’ll add it to the Your Green Shirts album! Post your photo on their Facebook wall and tag "The Green" in your photo, or Tweet your photo to @TheGreen808, or email it to thegreen808@gmail.com.

THE PIER HAS JBB SONG FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000
Building up further anticipation for the release next week of John Brown's Body's new record KINGS AND QUEENS, leading US reggae website The Pier is featuring the track "Dust Bowl" as their MP3 Leak of the Week. Click here to download the track.

The Pier also ran a 4-star review of the record, check it here. They say that KINGS AND QUEENS "...is a bold attempt to reclaim the band’s rightful position atop the progressive-reggae throne," among many other strong praises.

CAS HALEY'S "LA SI DAH" OUT MAY 28

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000
Cas Haley's third studio album, LA SI DAH, is set to come out May 28 on Easy Star! When Cas Haley set out to make the follow-up to his successful 2010 release Connection, one thing drove him in the writing and planning for the sessions. "I kept thinking," says the Paris, TX-based singer/songwriter, “if I died tomorrow, and my kids had only one musical statement through which to know me, what would I want that record to be?” The resulting record, La Si Dah, is packed with what makes Cas Haley who he is: personal lyrics, musical diversity, outstanding musicianship and authenticity. Adding to this unique vibe is the manner in which the recording sessions were financed; working with the crowd-sourcing website Pledge Music, Haley was able to raise money through his fans (many of whom are thanked in the record).

La Si Dah was produced by Haley himself, with consultation on the recording by his good friend, the Grammy-Award Winning Producer/Engineer Rob Fraboni, best known for his work with Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones. When it came to the recording process, the above principles driving Cas led him to aim for a more authentic sound, in line with the honesty and integrity he tries to live by in his daily life. As Cas so passionately states, “Being in a world so heavily influenced by commercialism and the expectations of perfection paired with the technology and tools to synthesize that perfection, in my opinion, has zapped the very essence out of the majority of music today. The last two years I have been searching for the solution to this problem. With the guidance of my great friend and mentor Rob Fraboni, this album is my attempt to find the spirit of music.” La Si Dah’s pure sound and vibe was accomplished by using the recording techniques of Rob Fraboni. “The first thing we did was take away all elements of separation. All the instruments and most of the vocals were recorded in the same room at the same time with no isolation and no headphones. Fraboni is from the day when capturing the sound of the performance was the goal versus manipulating them,” Haley enthusiastically adds.

The 13 tracks on La Si Dah continue Cas’s ability to mine his own personal narrative for poignant and catchy songs. First single “La Dah,” came from a dream Cas had about his grandmother, where she helped him to forgive his father for things he had never done for Cas. “Wait For Me,” a powerful ballad, reads like a personal love letter to his wife from the road. “Let Her Go,” a slow burner steeped in old R&B, came out of a weekend spent with his father, jamming together and discussing his parents’ marriage. The nyabinghi-drum inflected “Tally Tally” grew from ongoing conversations with his manager, where the two of them had to come to terms with their own personality differences to further Cas’s career goals. Just as important to the record are three instrumentals (“Jackson,” “Capricorn,” “Trash Day”) that help show off Cas’s natural abilities as a musician, since the focus on him is most often squarely on his powerful voice.

Check out a stream of the first single, "La Dah" here:

KINGS AND QUEENS OUT TODAY

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000
The new album by John Brown's Body - KINGS AND QUEENS - is available now on CD and digital download, with the LP version coming May 28. You can get the download via iTunes or Amazon or the CD at the Easy Star Web Store. A few early quotes from critics:

"What a glorious record. Beautiful, heartening, and well deserved for this hard working band. It's great to see reggae gain footing, and it's great to see the revolutionists continue to burn walls and build bridges…I could talk about this record forever. Just go get it." – Angelica Music

"Go back to Kings and Queens for a second or even third listen and you’ll discover the poetry JBB delivers with rhythmic aplomb…" – Pop-Break

“Their new album Kings and Queens is fit for royalty.” –That Music Mag

“Kings And Queens is incredibly catchy and the musicianship is top notch.” – Pop Stereo Reviews

KINGS AND QUEENS HITS #1 ON BILLBOARD!

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000
John Brown’s Body’s Kings And Queens has debuted at #1 on the Billboard and iTunes Reggae charts. Kings And Queens (released April 16, 2013 on Easy Star Records) is the band’s eighth studio album and most ambitious release to date, encompassing the entire history of the band’s sound and legacy. The album debuted impressively on other Billboard charts including #23 on the Heatseekers Chart, #4 on Northeast New Artist Chart, and #188 on the Top 200 Digital albums, amongst others. The album mirrors the success of 2008’s album Amplify, which also debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts, outselling that album’s first week.

“With “Kings and Queens,” John Brown’s Body delivered once again, demonstrating the diversity that is “American Reggae” and pushing musical boundaries in ways very few bands are capable. The progressive and refreshing mix of sounds has “Kings and Queens” poised to top the reggae charts,making the album one of reggae’s best in 2013.” – The Pier

PRE-ORDER LA SI DAH BY CAS HALEY

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000
You can now pre-order the upcoming release by Cas Haley, LA SI DAH, at the Easy Star Store. The record comes out May 28. Orders will ship the friday before. All orders will get a free download of the album on release day. The first 150 discs ordered will be signed by Cas! You can also order a brand new shirt (for men or women) with your disc, and add in either CONNECTION or GIFTS TO GIVE or both at half price.