Ballyhoo! Super Happy Fun Money tour review

On August 7, 2014, Ballyhoo! stopped by the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California for their Super Happy Fun Money Tour. On Point Promotions hosted the line-up which also included Bumpin’ Uglies from Maryland, and San Diego band Project out of Bounds. Top Shelf Reggae made it in time to check out the latter […]

Clear Conscience’s ‘Captain’ hoists the dub flag

Clear Conscience, a band out of the San Francisco Bay, is well known for their laid-back vibing style and their recent release “Captain” is no exception to the dub rule. The six-song EP is of the trippy and tranquil variety, leaving no reggae stone unturned. The album starts out heavy on the reverb in a track […]

Arise Roots ‘Love and War’ album review

Arise Roots is a five piece band from Los Angeles, California. It’s been a while since we heard true reggae vibes produced in modern reggae music from California. Sure, many bands specialize in their craft, but the vibes Arise Roots brings in their music is mesmerizing, and we can’t help but think how it is […]

Slightly Stoopid’s Summer Sessions tour review

Slightly Stoopid's Summer Session Tour featured Stephen Marley, NOFX, Cypress Hill, and G. Love & Special Sauce. At the Sleeptrain Amphitheater in Chula Vista, California, instead of Cypress Hill and G. Love, fans got The Expanders from Los Angeles, California. Not that Top Shelf Reggae can complain since we are fond of this roots-inspired band. […]

‘Red’ is the new Irie

Gonzo, a musician bouncing around the reggae-rock scene, has put his Red album out into circulation. With this sophomore album comes irie vibes and a Rhythm-and-Blues sound we haven’t heard in a while! Sure, Gonzo is known as the “Sade of Reggae” and it appears he is keeping up his key sound with roots inspired […]

77 Jefferson ‘Let Me Know’ EP review

In five short tracks, any listener of 77 Jefferson’s new EP will feel like they just experienced the projection of a great relationship The Midwest isn’t an area particularly known for manufacturing notable reggae music, especially not of the island or California reggae variety. However, the 77 Jefferson boys out of Kansas City, Missouri like […]

SM Familia CD release party

They definitely brought the dub to OB that night, and even Maxi Priest joined in to sing a song with them While Top Shelf Reggae was checking out Maxi Priest at Winston’s Beach Club in Ocean Beach, San Diego, it was also reggae night at Club Kingston, a night dedicated to showcasing local reggae music! […]

KBong’s Hopes and Dreams album review

Kevin Bong, aka. “KBong” is a Hawaiian born and San Diego native, multi-instrumental artist who is well known for his ‘key’ role in Stick Figure.  Kbong’s first ever full solo studio album dropped June 17th, 2014 titled Hopes and Dreams which is now fully available on iTunes and Amazon. KBong has built up an significant […]

An evening with No Kings

No Kings is a band based out of San Diego, California that keeps rockabilly in the reggae-rock scene- particularly with bass provided by Garrison Cyr, and vocals sung by Matt Cook. Top Shelf Reggae had a chance to check out this local band for Reggae Sunday Night at a club called U-31 in the North […]

Sun-Dried Vibes ‘Back2Square1’ album review

Sun-Dried Vibes is a band from South Carolina bringing modern reggae-rock music to the East Coast. They recently released their sophomore album titled, Back2Square1 in which Top Shelf Reggae had an opportunity to check out what kind of vibes this band is bringing from the East Coast to any coast! The guitar definitely sways their […]

The Green with The Movement: Belly Up Tavern

The Green, from Hawai’i, came to the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California along with The Movement, a band from the East Coast. Both Hirie and The Movement were supporting The Green for a California Tour which started in Redway and ended near the San Diego coastal area. After just performing at the Cali’ […]

‘Representing’ album review from Tribal Seeds

True to their roots and sound, California-based Tribal Seeds’ fourth full-length release, Representing is doing just that.  With an array of cameos from some of the most prominent artists in reggae music today as well as featured verses from their own members, this self-produced, 12-track flagship of modern reggae music helps to bring a refreshing […]

‘Oakland Loves You’ album review from Midnight Raid

2014 is turning out to be a big year for many artists in terms of album releases, touring, and the overall magnitude of forward momentum. This is very much the case with Oakland’s own Midnight Raid, which released their very first full length studio album this year titled Oakland Loves You. Midnight Raid describes their […]

A night with The Aggrolites

Los Angeles could not have bred a better mix of ska, soul and old-school funk – all wrapped together to make a premier “dirty reggae” genre – better than The Aggrolites, who graced San Diego with their presence recently at Solana Beach’s Belly Up Tavern. Knowing that the L.A. conglomeration is a good twelve years […]

Bad Neighborz self-titled album review

Busting out of the northern suburbs of San Diego County, Bad Neighborz keeps the good vibes heavy and the subject matter light on their new album, all in favor of the ever-sought after sweet and sunny California lifestyle! In impressive top-quality packaging, this CD is worth its weight – for each song has such uplifting […]