/davin-michael-stedman

Davin Michael Steadman "Free Your Mind" ft Anthony Red Rose, Sly & Robbie, Lenkey Marsden
 Sly and Robbie are two iconic, innovating musicians that have changed music over and over throughout the years, influencing and even creating the initial groves for genres like reggae, dancehall, hip hop and pop.   Along the way they have played together on over two hundred thousand songs in genres way beyond reggae.  Besides almost every reggae singer you can name or think of they have produced for Mick Jagger, Gwen Stefoni, Bob Dylan, Michael Franti, Paul McCartney and Britney Spears are a few of the others on that list. 

The debut single "Free Your Mind" by Davin Michael Steadman is no exception. It mixes the best of Steadman's acoustic/vocal introspection, Sly Dunbar's pop-infused dancehall beats, Robbie Shakespeare's thundering rock solid bass, and the smooth chanting of Jamaican dancehall pioneer Anthony Red Rose.  Lenky Marsden added a litte more flavor to it. Lenky is most known for his production of some if Sean Paul's biggest hits as well as being a producer and band member of Buju Banton's. 

Executively produced by Bluejay Hankins (aka DJ Sticky) "Free your mind" is a song that has a chance at topping more than just one chart.

 
The music of City Streets has a definitive roots reggae feel. Yet the vocal performance evokes Old Soul, echoing something that was sung in a field long ago. Yet contextually this is a tail that touches on young men decrying corruption in the City of Kingston and the World.  Mark Wonder and Micah Shemaiah smoothly and seamlessly trade lines over one of Sick Donkey Records' finest Riddims in their respectable catalog of Roots Reggae and Dancehall. 
 
City Streets is built upon the 21 Gun Riddim produced by label founder, Bluejay Hankins aka DJ Sticky. To forge the 21 Gun riddim from strong roots, Bluejay brought together members of Stephen Marley's band including Squidly Cole(drums/keys) and Rica Newell(harmony vocals). The house band also included Seattle's multi instrumentalist Stingshark(bass) and living legend Earl "Chinna" Smith on guitar. The result is a musical bed destined to provide the basis of many more message songs to come.   
 
 

Essential I "Coconut Water"

Single & Video 

Dubtonic Kru "Everlasting Love"
(single, video & dub mix)

Click image to purchase the single.

Essential I once again teams with Sebastian Thunder & Alin Dread (the Hard Ears/Unknown SoulJahs) out of Stuttgart, Germany in a smooth, sweet, fresh, roots infused lovers style that is perfect for the summertime, or a tropical vacation any time of the year. "Coconut Water" speaks to the beautiful empress who is "sweeter than papaya, mango, passionfruit and guava..." and assures her that "pure organic love is naturally the best..." This one is sweet!  Click HERE to purchase the song.  HERE to listen.  Or HERE to watch the music video
Dubtonic Kru comes with an instant reggae classic, creating EVERLASTING LOVE from the ground up in association with SICK DONKEY RECORDS. The song was recorded one afternoon in Seattle and represents the true ensemble vibe with lead vocalist Kamau and guitarist Jallanzo trading vocals, Jubba on harmonies and drums, while bassie Stone drives the message, and Luke builds keyboard sounds that echo American R&B of the early 1980's. The groove is definitively reggae one-drop with lyrics steeped in metaphysical potency that will have you singing along with the message of universal, unconditional, agape love from the Creator. Check out the video here:   Listen to the song here and  the dub mix here: