Island reggae goddess Anuhea has been making major waves in the music industry for 10 solid years and the swell of her success isn't crashing down any time soon. With award nominations piling up for 2019, as well as a greatest hits compilation album and several mainland excursions, it's safe to say Anuhea is one […]
Category Archives: Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae Rise Up Florida 2019: Day One | Top Shelf Reggae
Friday, March 15th began the Reggae Rise Up Florida 2019 weekend. It was sunny, warm and had a palpable excitement in the air. First up, Xperimento brought the island dance vibes on the SMKFLWR stage, about a 10-minute walk from the main Rise Up Stage. Following up the addictive melodies were local in Guerrilla Panic. Four […]
Sabroso Taco Fest 2019: Day One | Top Shelf Reggae
Holy Guacamole! Sabroso has been so successful over the years that the 6th Annual Sabroso Taco Festival turned into a two-day festival for 2019! This is 'nacho average' festival. Craft beer, ciders, tacos, Lucha Libre AND punk rock music! Gringo Bandito is the official sponsor for Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival. Dexter Holland, […]
Trevor Hall at The Observatory OC | Top Shelf Reggae
It was a warm spring night as Trevor Hall’s villagers packed The Observatory in Santa Ana, California on Saturday April 6th for the magical final night of the Moon/Sun west coast tour. Hall brought his mix of Sanskrit chants, rock-reggae and folk-roots with his messages of love and healing. The sold-out crowd loudly sang along, […]
Bumpin Uglies ‘Buzz’ EP review | Top Shelf Reggae
No time to stop in all aspects. Bumpin Uglies is a plethora of different music, yet they are for sure a fusion of reggae, punk and ska. Formed a little over a decade ago in Annapolis, this funky foursome has paved a dusty tour van path across the country since the band's formation in 2008. The […]
San Diego Bayfest to bring reggae to Waterfront Park | Top Shelf Reggae
San Diego at the beginning of summer is a beautiful sight. Combine that with the biggest reggae-rock band in the business celebrating their success in their hometown and you have the makings of an epic summer kickoff party! Every time Slightly Stoopid has a hometown show, the whole city comes together; now compound that with […]
Tribal Theory turns up the heat in “Midnight Getaway” single | Top Shelf Reggae
Well-balanced, genre-hopping bands are the best. Bringing a little hip hop, a little reggae and a little of everything else in between, San Diego band Tribal Theory pleases almost everyone, standing as a staple paving the way to the future of music. No exaggeration, Tribal Theory is the real deal. After the band's formation in […]
No Kings shines with ‘Steady Yourself’ EP | Top Shelf Reggae
Ocean Beach band No Kings is back in action with Steady Yourself, a brand new four-track EP! No Kings hit the ground running since their start in 2013, rolling out three recorded releases in three years. By 2015, the band pumped the brakes, slowing their roll to bring out the best in their music and […]
Attending Reggae Rise Up Florida 2019 | Top Shelf Reggae
Some people embark on trips and adventures alone or with family members. For some of us, a vacation is usually traveling for live music. I had far too many bags packed, yet was ready to set out on my short two-hour journey from southwest Florida to stunning St. Petersburg. Planes landing, parking garages filling, normally quaint […]
Stephen Marley at LA’s The Roxy Theatre | Top Shelf Reggae
On Tuesday evening of March 26th in The Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood), there was barely room to breathe. The audience was waiting anxiously for eight-time GRAMMY-winner Stephen Marley to begin the show. It was sold out and the crowd was absolutely excited. As soon as the performance started, they were immersed in an astonishing atmosphere. […]
The Green ‘Black & White’ album review | Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae rock is defined by a handful of bands who have paved the way for the genre to grow into what it is today. Rebelution. Pepper. Iration. Of course, Slightly Stoopid. Yet, the breadwinners of the island reggae movement is undisputably The Green, surfacing in 2010 and not going under any time soon. Pepper traverses both […]
Sensi Trails talks new single “Just Livin’” feat. KBong | Top Shelf Reggae
Sensi Trails' new single “Just Livin'” is now streaming on all digital platforms! Six months ago, I met with the band to cover their journey from North Carolina to California. Since then, they have had so many positive experiences to share with us, including working with KBong and producer E.N Young of Imperial Sound Studios. Get […]
KAABOO Cayman 2019: Day Two | Top Shelf Reggae
The Caribbean sun radiated high in the sky as Saturday morning brunch began at the VIP Bask area of KAABOO Cayman 2019. VIP guests were promised an exclusive KAABOO kick-off party Thursday night before the inaugural fest opened its gates the following day; extreme weather had other plans. Not to worry! VIP patrons received an […]
The B Foundation & Kyle Smith at Slidebar | Top Shelf Reggae
There was no better way to celebrate the first sun-filled Sunday in southern California than to hang with Kyle Smith and The B Foundation! Fans packed the patio at The Slidebar Rock 'n Roll Kitchen in Fullerton to soak up the smooth sounds and groove to the rocking rhythms. Fans shouted requests of their favorite […]
Th3rd Coast Roots releases “Lovers Rock” single | Top Shelf Reggae
In our previous interview with Th3rd Coast Roots, we discussed new music to be released and it is with great pleasure that we announce their latest single, “Lovers Rock” — now available for download! Th3rd Coast Roots could not be happier to share this dynamic new single with their fans. “Lovers Rock”, with its pop-style lyrical […]
KAABOO Del Mar 2019 lineup revealed | Top Shelf Reggae
KAABOO has turned into quite a franchise for 2019, following a successful sold out KAABOO Cayman in February and with an inaugural KAABOO Texas lingering in the near future at the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium this May. These sister fests wouldn't have been conceived without KAABOO taking place four festive and favored years at San […]
WORLD PREMIERE: Ione Angeles “Walk Away” feat. Jah-Know Wright | Top Shelf Reggae
Rebel Sound Records and Top Shelf proudly present the latest music video from roots-reggae chanteuse Ione Angeles! The track entitled “Walk Away” is off of Angeles' Inna Word album and features the talents of Jah-Know Wright. Now equipped with a music video, Ione Angeles traverses a picturesque shoreline as she preaches salvation to all. Ione Angeles […]
Special Blend at Fullerton’s Slidebar | Top Shelf Reggae
On Sunday February 17th, Special Blend headlined the Reggae Sunday show at the Slidebar Rock n' Roll Kitchen with support from The Good Tones. Special Blend came on to close the night with their signature fun and energetic show… The Good Tones came on first and their high energy combined with great stage presence got […]
Sabroso Craft Beer & Taco Fest to hit Dana Point | Top Shelf Reggae
There are few things better than tacos, beer and punk rock music… let alone an event celebrating all three. Hitting three U.S. cities in April comes Sabroso Craft Beer & Taco Fest, bound to hit the sandy shores of Doheny State Beach of Dana Point this upcoming April 6th and 7th. Unlike the latter two […]
KAABOO Cayman 2019: Day One | Top Shelf Reggae
Friday, February 15th might've been the day after Valentine's Day for some, but for those arriving or living on Grand Cayman island in the Caribbean, it was officially Day One of the premiere KAABOO Cayman Festival. Following in the footsteps of its sister festival, KAABOO Del Mar in San Diego, KAABOO Cayman brought culture to […]
Clint Stevens drops “First Place” single ahead of debut album | Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae-funk band Clint Stevens is gearing up to drop their debut full-length album, offering fans of the Arizona band a taste ahead of time with their lead single “First Place”. A retrospective reggae-rock anthem centering around a relationship gone wrong, “First Place” is danceable, yet dark track — a yin and a yang. But, this seven-piece […]
Twiddle & Iya Terra at The Troubadour | Top Shelf Reggae
Iya Terra and Twiddle hit The Troubadour for their first show starting off a two month tour on Friday, March 1st, hitting the north western states right now. I'm sure you’ve been to a show before where the feeling in the air is magical; that is how it was on this particular evening. These two […]
9 Mile Roots drop new remix “When In Rome” | Top Shelf Reggae
Baltimore’s own 9 Mile Roots released today a remix featuring Passafire’s lead singer Ted Bowne—and Top Shelf has the premiere for you to start off your weekend. “When in Rome” is a full remix of their song “Sun” from their most recent LP, ReEvolve. The original track was impactful enough, but the remix takes the […]
A moment with Mike Love at One Love Cali Reggae Fest | Top Shelf Reggae
One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2019 brought a new era of reggae musicians, all bringing back the true roots sound! One such talented artist was the amazing and eccentric Hawaiian native Mike Love. Back in May of 2018, I attended the Trevor Hall show at The Observatory Theatre in Santa Ana; opening for him was […]
Death by Dub’s second single “Birth of Giants” | Top Shelf Reggae
You know a track is a good one when you've spent the last 10 minutes swaying your head uncontrollably, soaking up the rhythms and hitting the repeat button once the track is over. From the very first seconds to the ultimate finale, there’s nothing except positivity and good feelings conveyed from the recording studio to […]
Arizona Roots 2019: Day Two | Top Shelf Reggae
Day two of the inaugural Arizona Roots Festival began warmer than the frigid day before, leading to less people huddled around the provided outdoor heaters at the Rawhide Events Center in Chandler, AZ. Local bands got the good vibes up again after a night's hiatus before LA up-and-comers Iya Terra took the main stage by […]
One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2019: Day Three | Top Shelf Reggae
After two days of festive fun, eager fans raced through the gates in the rain on Sunday to get to carch HIRIE in action. The Orange County boys of The Simpkin Project followed on the side stage as New Zealand Reggae star Sammy Johnson followed main stage. After two days of festive fun, eager fans […]
The exceptional KAABOO Cayman experience | Top Shelf Reggae
Boarding a plane to an island adventure is one thing; knowing your Caribbean vacation includes the first annual KAABOO Cayman is quite another. Following four successful years in San Diego's luxurious Del Mar Fairgrounds, the KAABOO crew decided to branch out of their SoCal bubble, advertising sister festivals on Grand Cayman island and inside the […]
One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2019: Day Two | Top Shelf Reggae
Returning to the rain-drenched fields of the Queen Mary Events Park for Day Two of the One Love Cali Reggae Festival, fans watched as Analea Brown kicked off the day on the SMKFLWR Stage, while The Holdup set off the KOI CBD Stage for another day of roots, rock and reggae. Up next on the […]
WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: One Culture “Take Control” | Top Shelf Reggae
East coast self-proclaimed “progressive roots” reggae band on the rise, One Culture, celebrates new music as of today! The latest single, “Take Control” featuring Tony Brand of Cultivated Mind, follows in the band's known activist agenda with a clear call to action: let's take back the planet after centuries of destruction and “build a better […]
The full experience of One Love Cali Reggae Festival 2019 | Top Shelf Reggae
With the statuesque Queen Mary, the glistening Pacific Ocean and the stunning Long Beach skyline as the festival back drop, sold out crowds packed the cold and wet Queen Mary Events Park on Friday February 8th for Day One of the 4th Annual One Love Cali Reggae Festival. LA-based Arise Roots kicked the day off […]
Twiddle & Iya Terra headed to LA’s The Troubadour | Top Shelf Reggae
If you happen to be in the vicinity of West Hollywood on March 1st, do yourself a solid and head on over to one of LA's most iconic venues, The Troubadour, to catch what is sure to be an EPIC show by the four-piece band, Twiddle, and the boys of Iya Terra. The Troubador, built […]