Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad - Slow Down -2005-
(Reggae, Roots, Dub)

From: New York
Website: http://www.myspace.com/giantpandadub

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad(GPGDS) is a high energy reggae act from Rochester, NY. Their sound is a mix of roots reggae and experimental dub. I have yet to see them, but from what I have read they are an explosive live act. The band describes themselves as "a fully growing independent unit of friends, family, & truth seekers - committed to connecting great people with great music." GPGDS has a real positive vibe that can simultaneously calm you as well as keep happily groovin'. If you get the chance to see them live, take it, but for now take a listen to some nice roots & dub.


GPGDS - Buffalo


GPGDS - Burkina Faso


GPGDS - Conspire


GPGDS - Sunshine Dub (Bonus Track)

Ben Harper & Relentless7 - White Lies For Dark Times -2009-
(Rock, Blues)

From: California
Website: http://www.benharper.com/

I knew Ben Harper had some rock in him, but Damn. He has dropped backing band The Innocent Criminals and picked up Relentless7 and there has been quite a change. That change is a full blown rock, blues album. Ben Harper jams with a fuzzed up slide guitar throughout the album and Relentless7 keeps the pace. There are a couple of Harper's familiar slow tempo neo-roots tracks, but they are always welcome. Ben Harper & Relentless7 have put out a raw, unrelenting, and cohesive album. It may not measure up to some of his classic earlier works, but it is fun. Have a listen to the new Ben Harper


Ben Harper & Relentless7 - Number With No Name


Ben Harper & Relentless7 - Shimmer & Shine


Ben Harper & Relentless7 - Lay There & Hate Me


Ben Harper & Relentless7 - Skin Thin

Mat McHugh - Sereratista! - 2008-
(Acoustic, Reggae, Jazz)

From: Australia
Website: http://www.matmchugh.com/

Usually the frontman for the great Australian band The Beautiful Girls, Mat McHugh decided to put out a solo album that will greatly appeal to those fans of earlier more acoustic TBG. This album is not all that different from the TBG, but it seems to be uniquely him. The Black Bird is his backup band for the disc and they sound great, adding their subtle touches to each song. The songs on this disc are mostly all sparse acoustic songs with hints of rock, jazz, and reggae. Every track is great and the album flows greatl. This is a very playful yet dark melodic album. A truly awesome LP that I think everyone that likes music can appreciate. This is just the beginning for for this gifted musician so get listening. Viva! The Willful Left Turn!


Mat McHugh - Lonliness


Mat McHugh - It Isn't Me


Mat McHugh - Fall To Pieces


Mat McHugh - The Bottle


Mat McHugh - Darling, This Scene Must End


Mat McHugh - Under The Landslide (Live on MTV OZ)

The White Buffalo - Hogtied Revisited -2009-
(Rock, Acoustic)

Website: http://www.thewhitebuffalo.com/

If you don't know about this guy yet, you need to. The White Buffalo is a legend in the making. He makes music that is somewhere in between Jack Johnson, Johnny Cash and Eddie Vedder. But he is a rarity. His voice hits you like a ton of bricks, and the songwriting is top notch. This album is a complete re-record of 'Hogtied Like A Rodeo' with a couple of new tracks as well. The new versions of the old cuts are outstanding and 'Damned' one of the new tracks is a standout. Take a listen now so you can say I used to listen to The Buffalo way back when before he was huge.


The White Buffalo - Damned


The White Buffalo - Today is Tommorrow


The White Buffalo - The Story


The White Buffalo - I Believe


The White Buffalo - Wrong

Xavier Rudd - Good Spirits -2005-
(Roots, Rock, Folk, Acoustic)

From: Australia
Website: http://www.xavierrudd.com/

After seeing Xavier Rudd again last night I have to post his amazing live album so that everyone can get a taste of what it is like to see this ARTIST in person. The unearthly sounds of Xav's Didgeridoo and brilliant slide guitar work in a live environment are as good as it gets. If you get a chance to see him don't miss it!


Xavier Rudd - Yirra Kurl


Xavier Rudd - Let Me Be


Xavier Rudd - Green Spandex


Xavier Rudd - Solace


Xavier Rudd - G.B.A.

Stephen Marley - Mind Control Acoustic -2008-
(Reggae, Acoustic)

From: Jamaica
Website: http://web.stephenmarleymusic.com/index.jsp

This album was a very nice find for me. It is very tough to find however. iTunes is the only place I have found this very chill relaxing version of 'Mind Control'. Brings back memories of acoustic Bob Marley. His kids are doing a very good job of carrying on the name. Get this album if you can and sit back, relax and enjoy.


Stephen Marley - Mind Control


Stephen Marley - The Mission feat. Damian Marley


Stephen Marley - Hey Baby

Playing For Change - Songs Around The World -2009-
(Reggae, Soul, World, Blues, Jazz)

From: Everywhere
Website: http://www.playingforchange.com/

Playing For Change is simply AMAZING!
Utilizing innovative mobile audio/video techniques, Playing for Change (PFC) records musicians outdoors in cities and townships worldwide. They've traveled from post-Katrina New Orleans to post-apartheid South Africa, from the remote beauty of the Himalayas to the religious diversity of Jerusalem. Their talents are captured in myriad environments: under the sun and beneath the streetlights... in public parks, plazas and promenades... in doorways, on cobblestone streets, amid hilly pueblos. Their performances are subsequently combined in allowing them to collaborate - albeit separated by hundreds, or even thousands, of miles.
"The act of playing music with people of different cultures, religions, economics and politics is a powerful statement. It shows that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Music has the power to break down the walls between cultures, to raise the level of human understanding." ~ Mark Johnson, founder, Playing for Change


Playing For Change - Stand By Me


Playing For Change - War/No More Trouble


Playing For Change - Chanda Mamma

Tribal Seeds - The Harvest -2009-
(Reggae, Roots, Rock)

From: San Diego, CA
Website: http://tribalseeds.net/

This young band from San Diego has been putting out some of the best and catchiest reggae i've heard in awhile. This is spiritually driven, fun, infectious music with no filler tracks on the disc. With heavy influence from Bob Marley, Steel Pulse, and Midnite this group brings a refreshing rock vibe to roots style reggae music. Tribal Seeds could very well sweep the nation. Take a listen.


Tribal Seeds - The Garden


Tribal Seeds - All I Know


Tribal Seeds - Stillness Of Night


Tribal Seeds - 144,000


Tribal Seeds - The Harvest

Rootdown - EP -2007
(Reggae, Rock, Pop)

From: Eugene, OR
Website: http://www.rootdownsound.com/onelove/

Just stumbled upon these guys and are very pleasantly surprised. They call themselves a mix of The Beastie Boys and The Beach Boys, but to me they have hints of more recent bands Dispatch and Rx Bandits. Throw in some damn fine reggae rhythms and you have some very good tunes. They come to us from Oregon and have a new E.P. coming out in July. I think this is definitely a band to watch. You can download these songs for free on their website.


Rootdown - Don't Walk Away


Rootdown - Pick Up Yourself


Rootdown - Real Love


Rootdown - Roots

Fat Freddy's Drop - Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW -2009-
(Dub, Roots, Reggae, Jazz, Soul)

This is New Zealand's premier Dub band. The kings of groovy head bobbin' hip shakin' good times are back with a new group of songs that will have you chilling in no time. Their last album "Based On A True Story" was a fabulous collection of Dub gems but they have done it again on 'Boondigga'. Huge basslines, smooth soulful vocals and great beats are what your in store for here, so sit back relax or dance if you want, but let Fat Freddy take you away. G


Fat Freddy's Drop - Boondigga


Fat Freddy's Drop - The Raft


Fat Freddy's Drop - Pull The Catch


Fat Freddy's Drop - The Camel

State Radio - Year Of The Crow
(Rock, Reggae, Alternative)

In this one man's opinion this is the album of the year. Chetro, formerly of independent sensation Dispatch leads State Radio through a louder, more brash and unapologetic set of songs than ever before. Chad along with Chuck Fay and Mad Dog have created a sound that is somewhere between Rage Against The Machine and Bob Marley. Incredible but True. State Radio does not just create songs, they create stories that captivate and amaze and inform you. They have a new LP dropping this summer. I hope you truly enjoy. G


State Radio - Story of Benjamin Darling , Pt.1


State Radio - C.I.A.


State Radio - Fight No More


State Radio - Sudan

The Beautiful Girls - Ziggurats
(Acoustic, Reggae, Rock, Pop, Jazz)

The Beautiful Girls, led by frontman Mat McHugh are a band that just about anyone who likes music can enjoy. Amazing musicianship and catchy tunes and vocals. They started out as mostly acoustic, switched over to a little reggae on ‘We’re Already Gone’ and now have ventured into something entirely different - Rock. 'Ziggurats' is at one time The Beautiful Girls we know mixed with vintage Police and Midnight Oil. It is a new sound from this great Australian band, but it seems everything they do turns out great.



The Beautiful Girls - Sir, Your Fashion Has The Cold Heart Of A Killer


The Beautiful Girls - Bring Me Your Cup


The Beautiful Girls - Spanish Town

Custom Kings - Where do they go? & Merchant Songs EP
(Folk, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Acoustic)

First discovered these guys on my trip to OZ a couple of years ago from a tour guide and have thanked my lucky stars since. These first two EP's by the Custom Kings are outstanding. There is a song for every mood you could be in. Their music is such a mixture of genres. You could say they are a mix of everyone between Jack Johnson, G. Love, Jose Gonzalez, etc. These boys have a truly refreshing sound that you don't find in the music world very often. They have a new album out "At Sea" and there is a side project as well "Joe Neptune". But I thought i would start you at the beginning. Enjoy.

"If any band can be claiming to be reinvigorating rootsy, reggae flavoured pop it's the Custom Kings" Rolling Stone

Custom Kings - Spin My Thread


Custom Kings - Rose Pickles


Custom Kings - Golden Winged Ships


Custom Kings - Number 1


Custom Kings - Takin' Aim


Custom Kings - Up Late (off new album 'At Sea')

Xavier Rudd - Dark Shades Of Blue
(Roots/Folk/Rock)

Xavier Rudd is one of those really rare musicians. He can sing songs that tear at your heart and then blow your mind with a rocking and groovy beat that gets you moving like never before. Dark Shades Of Blue is a darker, heavier record than his previous, but it grabs you and does not let go. Xavier does it all and he surprises us once again with his ability to transform the world around us with his music.



Xavier Rudd - Secrets


Xavier Rudd - Guku


Xavier Rudd - Up In Flames


Xavier Rudd - Home

Mishka - Above The Bones
(Reggae, Acoustic)

Mishka has just put out one of the chillest reggae albums in recent memory. It transports you to another place. A place of peace and tranquility and relaxation. Amazing music.



Mishka - Higher Heights


Mishka - Above The Bones


Mishka - Coastline Journey


Mishka - Long Road

The John Butler Trio - Grand National
(Roots/Jam/Folk/Rock)

John Butler, Shannon Birchall and Michael Barker simply create magic for our ears and minds to enjoy. They are to me a life changing experience. Heartfelt lyrics, amazing solos and goose bumps is what you'll get with JBT. Roots band, protest band, jam band, groove band . . . Whatever you label them as they have put out an album of sharp focus and wide variety that matches and surpasses monumental expectations.


John Butler Trio - Better Than


John Butler Trio - Daniella


The Beautiful Girls - Used To Get High


John Butler Trio - Groovin' Slowly