Dec 12th, 2008 · Montreal-based singer-songwriter Chris Velan played in many bands throughout his youth before forming a reggae group with his two brothers in 1998. Now a solo artist, he has two solo albums under his belt, and has honed his sound into a reggae-influenced, socially conscious brand of folk music. Velan recently performed live on Mountain Stage in anticipation of his upcoming third album, Solidago.
Nov 7th, 2008 · Combining wide-ranging influences like reggae and roots music into an electric/acoustic hybrid, the Drew Emmitt Band recently performed on Mountain Stage in an appearance recorded at the Morgantown, W.Va., campus of WVU. The band played music from Emmitt's latest album, this year's Long Road.
Oct 27th, 2008 · Esau Mwamwaya isn't a well-known name in the music world, but if the growing hype is any indication, it may soon be. The singer and percussionist from Malawi is slowly but surely rising from obscurity with his mixture of reggae, pop and the traditional music of his homeland.
Oct 23rd, 2008 · Reggae yoga provides a cultural workout, and the fitness routine may just be the next big thing. Yoga and dance instructor Hemalayaa discusses this new way of exercising that involves ethnic music, and Anne Harrison, who teaches "reggae yoga," discusses her the techniques.
Oct 14th, 2008 · In recent months, Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Mutlu has begun to attract a national audience for his marketable blend of soul, reggae, hip-hop and Brazilian jazz. Hear a session recorded by WXPN.
Oct 8th, 2008 · On his new album A Town Called Addis, British music producer "Dub Colossus" - also known as Nick Page - blends roots and instrumental reggae with traditional Ethiopian music. The project was born out of a long musical journey Page took through Ethiopia two years ago. Critic Sarah Bardeen has a review.
Sep 22nd, 2008 · Reggae music has gone a lot of places over the years, from minimalist dub to culture-warring dancehall. Almost forty years on, Spear still hews to the reggae basics: a deep, easy groove, the brassy R&B flavorings, and a mystical take on history. His new CD is Jah is Real.
Sep 3rd, 2008 · Reggaeton is the biggest-selling genre of Latin music. Its blend of hip-hop, reggae and Latin rhythms has been criticized as simplistic, violent and misogynistic. But some are praising it for celebrating "blackness," something rarely heard in Latin America.