The Steppas ‘To You From We’ album review

Less than two years since their first self titled EP release, the latest and first full length album from the five man Hawaiian crew, The Steppas, dropped last week titled To You From We. Like any other exceptional album review, we put the latest studio album from The Steppas under a sizable microscope and examine […]

Countdown to the 5th annual California Roots Festival 2014

  The fifth annual California Roots Music and Arts Festival is happening in Monterey, California for the entire Memorial Day weekend, and it is sure to draw attention with its phenomenal lineup, artsy environment, and getaways at nearby hotels, camping sites, and neighborhood cities. With all days sold-out last year, this Cali’ Roots Fest, as […]

Oogee Wawa & Arise Roots bringing sweet reggae to San Diego, CA

On Thursday, March 20th in Ocean Beach, San Diego, two bands played at Gallagher’s Pub for reggae night- Oogee Wawa from Long Island, NY, and Arise Roots from Los Angeles, CA. Oogee Wawa plays reggae-rock music with hints of hip-hop, while Arise Roots plays straight roots reggae music! Oogee Wawa had a familiar, Sublime sound, […]

Getting crazy for The Stircrazies

The Stircrazies are a four-member band with a bass player, guitar vocalist, drummer, and percussionist coming together to create a punk-rock reggae band that will undeniably grab your attention! The band played at a recent show at 710 Beach Club in San Diego, California, and is expected to play at the California Roots Music and […]

A pre-show interview with Ease Up

Top Shelf Reggae sits down with San Diego based Ease Up during their Buds & Brews Tour to talk about their history along with the new self titled album. We caught up with Ease Up in San Francisco, CA in their tour van parked outside of Grant & Green Saloon just before their amazing performance. […]

Through the Roots “Spring Rising” tour about to blossom

the reggae trifecta goes full-force, yet full-circle The arrival of spring brings with it an air of regeneration, and California-based reggae sensation Through The Roots has resurrected by jumping on the perverbial, as well as literal, bandwagon in their Spring Rising tour – branching out across the north and southwest at the close of April! With […]

Winter Blackout 2014 with The Expendables, Stick Figure and Seedless

The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables The Expendables Seedless Seedless Seedless Seedless Seedless Stick Figure Stick Figure Stick Figure KBong KBong There are many things that people will tell you to experience in-person in order to fully appreciate. Take our word […]

Sono Vero bringing good vibes to Pacific Beach, CA

Sono Vero had high energy, and a great sound On Friday, March 14th in Pacific Beach, California, a band came down from Los Angeles to play at a beach club called Seven-Ten. Though the band has members that aren’t of legal drinking age, the 7-piece band was able to get on stage and bring their […]

Forbes sits down with Matisyahu

After making a name for himself as a bearded, orthodox Jewish, reggae-infused singer-rapper, Matisyahu chopped off his facial hair and reinvented himself. He tells Forbes editor Zack O’Malley Greenburg how the evolution affected his music and his marketability following his show at SXSW.

Free Spring Sampler 2014 album

The incredibly talented keyboardist and melodica player from Tribal Seeds, E.N Young, is generously giving away a Spring Sampler pack from the various albums on his record label. Formed in 2010 and currently holding an impressive list of musicians like Gonzo, Skanks Roots Project, HIRIE and Inna Vision, the record label Roots Musician Records focuses […]

True Press ‘Anything is Possible’ album review

“Bring people together, rise up, unite and enjoy life!” is the simple, yet compelling message coming from the six piece progressive reggae band straight out of Southern California. True Press has had a rough uprising in their hometown, “borrowing” electricity from their neighbor’s home to power the jam sessions that took place in an abandoned […]

Synrgy delivers smooth reggae vibes to Southern California

Synrgy had great energy that night Synrgy, a band originally from Arizona but now calls Arcata, California home, played in Encinitas, California on Saturday, March 8th at a restaurant-bar called Mr. Peabody’s. Synrgy is on a mini-tour along the Western part of the United States since every year the band tries to get out and […]

Spring into the 11th annual Summer Meltdown April 26, 2014

The city of Santa Clarita is once again transforming their sleepy, Southern California town into a reggae extravaganza for its 11th Annual Autism Awareness, Art, and Music Festival – known simply as the Summer Meltdown! The festival took roots from Canyon High School's “Yes I Can” student program and alumni, who, eleven years ago, came […]

Alborosie and Gentleman: Journey to Jah

Alborosie, the Italian born, and now Kingston resident has collaborated with German reggae artist Gentlemen to produce a wonderful title track for the upcoming documentary Journey to Jah, which is a “tale of the seeking and finding of a spiritual home in a foreign culture…” For more information about the documentary, please do visit the […]

Livermore Reggae Nights with Thrive and Hirie

Situated roughly an hour east of San Francisco, the quiet town of Livermore, California, best known for its outlet malls and modestly amazing wineries, sits a humble little building that rests on the outskirts of an outdoor mall in a mostly quiet residential neighborhood. The Pine Street Bar may look seemingly like your old and […]