Wow we are already through May! The year flying by, the summer is heating up, and the music is really rolling strong. This month there is almost too much new music to discuss. In the reggae scene be sure to check out these 9 excellent new releases.
Outside the reggae rock genre, great acts like Incubus
, My Morning Jacket
, and Tech N9ne
all have new records out this month. If there are any albums we missed, drop them in the comments below or on our Facebook or Twitter.
Check out the Album Releases from prior months:
May 2015 Album Releases
Fortunate Youth – Don’t Think Twice
Release Date: May 5th
Hailing from the South Bay region of Los Angeles, the 6-piece band Fortunate Youth has ascended quickly in the reggae world. Having released two EP’s, 2010’s Up-Lifted
and 2014’s Dub Collections, Vol. 1
, as well as two full-length albums, Irie State of Mind
and It’s All a Jam
, the band is now well known for a catalog of music that smoothly combinies roots-reggae influences with a collection of other worldly sounds, fusing styles to create a unique sound of their own.
As mentioned in The Pier’s 2015 Most Anticipated Albums feature, this month Fortunate Youth has scheduled the release of their 3rd studio album. Composed of 12 tracks Don’t Think Twice was independently produced the while the tracking and recording out of 17th Street Recording Studio as well as cuttin’ up some things at Castaway Studios in Santa Barbara, California.
Read our review of the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Don’t Think Twice on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Ethan Tucker – Misunderstood
Release Date: May 5th
Also mentioned inside our 2015 Most Anticipated Albums feature was Olympia, Washington born singer-songwriter Ethan Tucker, who released his third studio album Misunderstood via Stoopid Records.
Ethan Tucker is known for mixing his own original blend of Soul, Folk, Reggae and R&B, a blend that has made its way onto his new album that dropped May 5th. Touted as being Ethan’s first “real” studio LP, this 11 track record follows previous self-released albums, Take Me to the Mountains in 2007 and Lost Between
in 2010 serving as a jump-start towards his musical career. Produced by Mario C. (Beastie Boys, Jack Johnson, Slightly Stoopid), the album also features a special guest appearance by Michael Franti with leading single, “Crazy Tonight”.
When we previously interviewed Tucker, he explained that his new album has the full band and its also got some really mellow acoustic stuff. It’s definitely got more going on then the first record. It’s not just me and the guitar, it’s other musicians.
Ethan continued on by saying:
I did some collaboration with Michael Franti, he helped me out and produced some of it. Most of it is just me really. I wrote the guitar and some of the piano parts. It’s really just my songs that I wrote and hiring really good musicians to come in and play their parts, too.
Read more about the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Misunderstood on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
The Late Ones – RevelateEP
Release Date: May 5th
The Late Ones based out of Laie, Hawaii and Los Angeles, CA, bring the roots inspired reggae of the islands and the west coast style of hip-hop together for a blend of sound they can call their own. On stage, they performed a blend of reggae with Hip-Hop and 3-Part harmonies, rich with soul and R&B. Similar to The Green only The Late Ones carry more of a hip-hop influence to their sound.
This Month we’re excited to hear that the group finally released their debut EP. A recording that’s strong replica of the energy and soul you hear when listening to them perform live. In late 2014, The Late Ones recorded their debut EP at Sea Major Seven Studio in Honolulu, HI with engineer Noah Cronin and producers Lapana Ieriko and Klandon Fetaui. Revelate was released on May 5, 2015 via all online distribution outlets featuring 6 brand new songs.
You can pick up Revelate on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Revival – Guidance
Release Date: May 12th
Via Roots Musician Records, San Diego, California’s roots reggae band Revival are stoked to announce the release of their third album. Titled Guidance, the record became available on all digital outlets on Tuesday May 12th. Based in roots reggae, Guidance also features elements of the band’s SoCal upbringing heard in its rock influenced vocals and slightly distorted electric guitar solos. Revival’s strong rhythm section is accented perfectly by bouncing keys, fiyah horns, percussive electric guitar and traditional bubble organ. Lyrics inspired by faith, love, political oppression and the daily struggles of life are expressed by the band’s two lead vocalists as well as a few guests, including roots reggae legend, Triston Palma.
Producer E.N Young lends his bass-heavy, reverb drenched signature sound and mastery of phased out delays to complete the album’s soundscape. Although Revival’s eight members come from a variety of musical and cultural backgrounds, they’re bonded by their commitment to play conscious music with a message of enlightenment.
You can pick up Guidance on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Giant Guerilla Dub Squad – Bright Days
Release Date: May 18th
As mentioned inside our 2015 Most Anticipated Albums, Rochester, NY’s big ol’ Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad released Bright Days on May 18th via Easy Star Records. The 9-track Americana album includes a guest feature by G. Love who contributed some Harp on the track “Humboldt County Gold,” a long with Eric Robertson who performs Mandolin on a few tracks with “Atabey,” “Good To You,” and “War Machine,” while Milt Reder, the studio owner, plays guitar on ALL the tracks.
These are “Major perks for a Panda Record” vocalist-bassist James Searl tells The Pier. “When Milt plugged in his guitar and began to play, we realized that the session was serious and special.”
The album was recorded at Rear Window Studio in Brookline, MA with Craig Welsch (one of the key players in 10 Ft. Ganja Plant). Just after the band recorded their 2014 Pier Award Nominated album STEADY, Craig said Okay, I’m pressing record on the tape machine. GO!
A day or two later and Bright Days was recorded.
Here’s what James Searl had to say back in December when describing the mindset that perfectly accompanies this album: You know those lucid moments that come at 5 AM when you have been up all night and the Christmas lights are on and it seems like you have all the time in the world to reflect on life and give thanks for the wonder that is existence? This album is that.
Bright Days has been released on 180-gram black vinyl, along with a 180-gram black vinyl version of their 2014 release, Steady.
Read more about the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Bright Days on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Allen Stone – Radius
Release Date: May 26th
Chewelah, Washington’s Singer/songwriter Allen Stone releases his third full-length album this month. His first record for Capitol Records, this release marks the follow-up to the 28-year-old’s 2001 self-released and self-titled
sophomore effort.
On Radius Stone proves himself deeply devoted to making uncompromisingly soulful music that transcends all pop convention.
Recorded in collaboration with Swedish soul singer/songwriter/phenom Magnus Tingsek, these 14 tracks capture the warm energy of that creative connection and transport the listener to a higher and more exalted plane.
Fusing everything from soul-pop and organic folk-rock to old school R&B and Parliament-inspired funk, Radius is composed from several dozen songs developed through almost 2 years of constant writing and refining. The name Radius is a reflection of both the record’s musical scope and intimacy. The radius is that line extending from the center of the circle to its exterior,
explains Stone. Continuing in a lot of ways this album is about getting out things deep inside whether it’s love or insecurity or joy or frustration about things going on today.
You can pick up Radius on Amazon now, by clicking HERE!
Joggo – Conscious Love
Release Date: May 14th
Joggo born as Jurgen Orville Seedorf in Amsterdam, introduced himself to the reggae scene in 2008 after the release off the mixtape Beware. Now 7 years later it’s time for his second album Conscious Love. Released the 14th of May, his second LP is the latest release from the Dutch-Surinamese reggae artist. Featuring 17-tracks including an intro and outro, the record delivers a mix of conscious roots tracks and a bit of lover’s Rock.
You can pick up Conscious Love on Amazon by clicking HERE!
Various Artists – Monterey or Bust, Vol. 2
Release Date: May 19th
After providing the physical sound-track to California Roots Festival in 2014, Rebel Sound Records is back with Vol. 2 of Monterey Or Bust. The compilation includes a good mix and a great starting point to anyone first discovering some of the beloved depth within the reggae-rock genre.
Dropped on May 19th, composed of 15 tracks from 15 different artist and bands, this excellent compilation even features several tracks featuring even more of the scenes favorite artists. Included are tracks from E.N Young, Leilani Wolfgramm, Fortunate Youth, John Brown’s Body, Ras MG feat. Slightly Stoopid , Common Kings, Inna Vision, Tatanka, Gonzo, Clear Conscience, KBong, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, True Press, Sun-Dried Vibes and Animo Cruz
You can pick up Monterey or Bust Vol. 2 on itunes now, by clicking HERE.
Alaine Laughton- Ten Of Hearts
Release Date: May 26th
Recorded in Nairobi, Kenya at Herbal Records and out via Juke Boxx Productions Zojak World Wide, Kingston based artist Alaine Laughton has just released 14 tracks packaged as a record titled Ten Of Hearts. This release features collaborations with Tarrus Riley, J BOOG, Dre Island, Dexta Daps and Daniel “Churchill” Ndambuki aka Mwalimu King’ang’i.
You can pick up Ten Of Hearts on iTunes now, by clicking HERE.
Article By: Aaron Solomon