Roots of Creation ‘Livin Free’ album review

To some of us here at Top Shelf Reggae, there is something sweet and unique when it comes to the mixing of reggae and rock music. Not only does the infamous skank of reggae seem to overtake our listening ears, but the rock music appears to pump the adrenaline in our body! Well, that is […]

The Olés: New tour, new video

Santa Barbara locals, The Olés, are a reggae rock band that has been working hard creating and celebrating music for the past four years. However, The Olés are so much more than just a reggae rock band. They also have influences of hip-hop, funk, and blues. The kind of music you put on while cruising […]

The Steppas release new single “We All”

During the majority of 2014 and 2015, The Steppas spent most of their time on the road touring the United States with Tribal Seeds, Fortunate Youth, The Skints, Through the Roots, The Supervillains and Inna Vision.   It’s been roughly three years since Hawaiian roots reggae rock band The Steppas last released an album, and […]

E.N Young’s ‘Call On Me’ album review

E.N Young is an artist among the reggae-rock scene who seems to cherish both the American lifestyle, and the honor of Rastafarian reggae music. With his dreads hanging low, and often times freely on stage with his full-time band, Tribal Seeds, E.N Young is obviously a musician before anything else. His chosen genre is reggae […]

Akae Beka premieres sophomore LP ‘Portals’

Since the late 1980s, Caribbean-based Rastafarian Vaughn Benjamin has been producing roots reggae to promote spiritual enlightenment. Vaughn’s music career began when he teamed up with his brother Ron to form the band Midnite – a rootsy project, centering around one love and equality for all of Jah’s people. In recent years, however, Vaughn branched […]

The Movement ‘Golden’ album review

South Carolina based band The Movement’s latest album, Golden, is a monument of modern reggae and showcases the prowess and potential of the ensemble. The album which is set to be released on April 8th, 2016 features something for just about everyone, with songs like “Rescue” and “Fair Warning,” The Movement has clearly mastered the art […]

The Slackers’ new self-titled LP is slammin’

Since their formation in 1991, The Slackers have been a quintessential band in the ever-growing genre-bending trend of mixing Jamaican styles with American flair. The band out of Brooklyn has toured around the world, boasting at least 100 shows per year since 1997 – the year they released their second full-length album Red Light off […]

Premiere: Sway Jah Vu “Happy Ever After”

Five piece Florida alt-reggae band Sway Jah Vu are gearing up to release a new EP titled In the Company of Wolves on March 29th, 2016. In advance of the release, Top Shelf Reggae is excited to bring you an exclusive first listen to a new track from the album, “Happy Ever After.” “You can […]

Dankrupt’s Dos Toros will grab you by the horns

Almost exactly one year ago, the Los Angeles County band Dankrupt released their debut EP titled Moonlight which had notes of Latin, funk, ska, hip hop as well as obvious hints from their influences Sublime, 311, Jack Johnson and Iration can all be heard distinctly.  the band sways harder on the rock side of their […]

Album premiere: Natty Nation ‘Divine Spark’

The brand new album titled Divine Spark from Wisconsin based Natty Nation is a merging of styles; blending golden-era rock with funky reggae grooves, soul elements, and heavy guitar riffs. Natty Nation has developed a sound that is an audio representation of their deep spirituality. A match that sounds as good on the final product […]

Haitian roots artist Wesli releases “ImmiGrand Deluxe”

Haiti, a beautiful island of the Caribbean, has been plagued with problems – both of political and social construction – for far too long. The people of Haiti have grown accustom to suffering and frustration, with little voice left after being rendered silent for such a long period of time. Like many other islands that […]

The Movement announces new album

We are pleased to announce the release of The Movement’s newest album titled, Golden, due out on April 8th, 2016. This will also be the first release on the Rootfire Cooperative, a not-for-profit record label that is owned and managed by artists and strongly promotes the reggae, roots, and dub genres. The Movement is currently […]

Mighty Mystic ‘The Art of Balance’ album review

Mighty Mystic took the world by storm in 2006 after achieving international stardom from the hit song “Riding on the Clouds.” However, it wasn’t until four years later that the release of his first album Wake up the World rocked the genre. Wake up the World boasted several standouts, such as “Revolution,” “Riding on the […]

‘Love Herb & Reggae’ album coming from Taj Weekes

Caribbean Rastafarian singer and songwriter Taj Weekes has recently announced the release date of his upcoming fifth studio album Love Herb & Reggae off Jatta Records, to hit all digital outlets February 12th, 2016. As a poet and a humanitarian, Weekes has always catered his music to the struggle of mankind versus oppression – whether […]

Super Hi-Fi introduces 2nd Christmas dub album

The Brooklyn-based reggae and world band Super Hi-Fi is sharing seasonal joy once again in their second consecutive Christmas LP, Yule Analog Vol. II. After their formation in 2010, the four-member ensemble has busted several releases, mostly via Electric Cowbell Records. Their inaugural LP Dub to the Bone in 2012 was named “Reggae Album of […]