Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad’s new album builds on the band’s proven formula, though at times it’s disconnected from reggae’s rich legacy.
Reggae
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The Forest Dwellers’ debut album ‘Open Road’ fuses reggae-rock with ’90s grit
On “Open Road,” The Forest Dwellers play with the boundaries of the reggae-rock genre to create a technically mature, successful debut album.
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Big Logic & the Truth Serum colors outside the genre lines with new singles
Since COVID-19 began, Justin Gurnsey and his band have released seven new singles, ranging from rock and reggae to folk and country.
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Album review: ‘Majestics MMXX’
On their new album, The Majestics show their willingness to venture outside traditional reggae and roll with the punches thrown by COVID-19.
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Track review: ‘We Gonna Get Through’
The Medicinals’ new single “We Gonna Get Through” use lush, roots-reggae textures and tones to promote community optimism and resilience.
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SINGER-SONGWRITER | Joe Kaplan
Joe Kaplan is best known around these parts as the guitarist for the reggae-rock outfit Personal Blend, and as the frontman for the folk-leaning reggae band The Forest Dwellers. But on Thursday, he’ll be playing solo as part of the singer-songwriter showcase series at The Daily Refresher. In this more intimate acoustic context, Kaplan’s crafty […]
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Prominent regional bands to make GrassRoots Festival debuts
The 2019 Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance is assembling a formidable lineup of bands familiar to GrassRoots audiences as well as groups that have, surprisingly, never played the festival before.
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Album review: ‘Ride’
Personal Blend “Ride” Self-released personalblend.bandcamp.com I thought I knew what I was getting into when the guitar kicked off Rochester band Personal Blend’s new EP, “Ride.” It hinted at a poppy, straight-ahead, guitar-driven party, but 45 seconds later the whole band deconstructs into a reggae groove. It’s a groove that’s shallow at first, but swimming […]
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Album review: ‘Science’
The Majestics “Science” Self-released facebook.com/majesticsreggae Pure reggae, not the simile that the jamsters toy with or what the punks add with too much cream and sugar, but the straight-ahead, relaxed, one-drop of The Majestics on its new LP record, “Science” — that’s what I want, man. This Rochester band has been a giant on the […]
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ALBUM REVIEW: “Groovin’ Saloonatics”
Groovin’ Saloonatics “Groovin’ Saloonatics” Self-released facebook.com/groovinsaloonatics I wasn’t there when Groovin’ Saloonatics recorded this CD at Green Room Studios, but the band sounds stoned. The band’s new CD is a laid back outing for what looks to me like an all-star collaboration. Cats like Mick Sarubbi, Don “Anonymous” Blair, and Ricky Dodge, to name a […]
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ALBUM REVIEW: “Make It Better”
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad “Make It Better” Rootfire Cooperative livepanda.com If there was ever any question where Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad fits in the roots reggae food chain, the band’s new 10-cut album, “Make It Better,” makes it abundantly clear: the top, baby. The Rochester band returns to its trademark deep-dish roots after […]
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The Majestics are back
It’s not that The Majestics don’t care; it’s just that stardom and the magnetic allure of its trappings don’t matter anymore. The legendary Rochester reggae band no longer chases the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The band abides. And after a lengthy hiatus, The Majestics are back, Jack. Ron Stackman (guitar […]
