Brooklyn-based band SUNDUB has officially dropped their debut album! Since formulating their smooth sound in 2013, these east coast reggae soldiers have been committed to spreading the good vibrations embedded in roots and Jamaican ska music to the masses, evident in their inaugural Burden of Love album. Available as of today on all digital outlets, Burden […]
Category Archives: Top Shelf Reggae
Being at Bayfest San Diego | Top Shelf Reggae
There's nothing like a family reunion. Now imagine one without any family drama, surrounded by endless familiar faces on a beautiful day sprawled across the breathtaking lawns of San Diego's Embarcadero Marina Park North, with the monumental Coronado Speedway looming in the distance, boats passing by on the water and the palatial highrises of the […]
Last chance to attend Rancid’s Bash Festival | Top Shelf Reggae
In February of 2019, Rancid announced their plans for The Bash Fest 2019, a craft beer and punk rock festival reaching some of the biggest cities for punk rock in the United States, including Phoenix, Tuscon, Englishtown, Boise, Tacoma, San Jose and, finally, Sacramento. The Bash Fest lineup will make your rebellious teenage heart skip […]
The Cali Roots X-perience | Top Shelf Reggae
In 2014, I attended the 5th Annual California Roots Festival for the first time when I was still in high school. The only person I knew there was my best friend who I went with and my mom who drove us. After three days at the festival, we left with a ton of new friends […]
Protoje interviews at California Roots 10 | Top Shelf Reggae
The leader of the reggae revival movement himself, Protoje, sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose following his California Roots 10 performance in Monterey, California. After dropping a single and about to hit the road with Rebelution, Protoje chats what inspires his music, what he's currently binge-watching and more. For more Protoje or […]
WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Inna Vision “Survivor” | Top Shelf Reggae
Hawaiian rap-meets-reggae artist Inna Vision is hyping up his latest single “Survivor” off his Best Yet: Celebrating A Decade Of Vision album with a raw video showcasing a day in the life. The track off Roots Musician Records features a soulfully smooth saxophone throughout, jazzy keys across the bridge, a wailing guitar outro and lyrics […]
Collie Buddz ‘Hybrid’ album review | Top Shelf Reggae
That sweet, smooth, sexy voice is back! With two years between albums and after months of teasing excited fans by dropping singles, Bermudian reggae singer Collie Buddz has finally released his tantalizing third full-length album Hybrid on May 24th. The follow-up to his 2017 Good Life, this self-produced, written and recorded 10-track album is a […]
BeachLife Fest 2019: Day Three | Top Shelf Reggae
BeachLife Festival Day Three in Redondo Beach, California kept the good times flowing to all, with The Hollow Legs opening up the Riptide side stage for the final day. Two days down and another weather-blessed day on the sandy shores of Redondo to go, as attendees filed in early for Venice and Chris Pierce on […]
Iration at Indianapolis’ Egyptian Room | Top Shelf Reggae
Iration brought paradise to the Indianapolis' Egyptian Room of the Old National Centre on May 16th with a jamming set list that got everyone feeling the good vibes — complete with palm trees! Live From Paradise is the tour you need to catch his summer if you want to have a night in complete musical […]
Steel Pulse drops first album in 15 years, ‘Mass Manipulation’ | Top Shelf Reggae
Birmingham, England roots-reggae legendary band Steel Pulse has done it again! 15 years since their last album, forming founder David Hinds and the group have given fans Mass Manipulation, a 17-track record that will, for sure, be a front runner for a GRAMMY nod this year. The band has produced 12 albums since their formation […]
BeachLife Fest 2019: Day Two | Top Shelf Reggae
Day Two BeachLife Festival was upon Redondo Beach: one exciting day in the books, capped by Grateful Dead icon Bob Weir, and another yet to come for this first year fest. Saturday on the ocean brought with it perfect weather on May 4th, 2019. Attendees lined the entrance fence as opening band Latchkey Kid serenated […]
WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Ras Teo x Lone Ark “Down In The Garrison” | Top Shelf Reggae
Ras Teo brings his humanitarian efforts to the forefront in his new track “Down In The Garrison” off his Ten Thousand Lions album and featuring the likes of Lone Ark. The duo felt called to action after witnessing the struggles of the Caribbean streets, a situation that doesn't seem to be improving any time soon. “Down […]
HIRIE at Newport Dunes | Top Shelf Reggae
With the pink and orange sherbet California sun setting on the sparkling bay in Newport Beach, HIRIE took to the stage for a fun-filled family evening of reggae on the beach. Families and groups of friends took to the VIP areas, the picnic benches and sand to grab a spot to enjoy the show. Excited […]
Steel Pulse sits down with Top Shelf Music | Top Shelf Reggae
Steel Pulse members David Hinds and Selwyn Brown sit down with Top Shelf Music journalist Keela Sweeney following their Day One BeachLife Festival performance in Redondo Beach, California. With their long-awaited Mass Manipulation album out as of May 17th, Steel Pulse chats about the inspiration behind the album that took 15 years in the making […]
Back To The Beach Fest: Day Two | Top Shelf Reggae
Fans returned to the Back To The Beach Festival on Sunday, April 28th, excited for another day of music and family fun. Kids were off making sand castles as punk rock and ska fans made their way to the stage to check out the music. Back To The Beach Fest remains the rockin' ska-centric epitome […]
Locos por Juana ft. Freddie McGregor “Dont Tell Me No” | Top Shelf Reggae
Earlier this month, the GRAMMY nominated bilingual band Locos Por Juana blessed the internet with brand new raging music video for their new song “Don't Tell Me No” featuring the living legend reggae artist Freddie McGragor. With upbeat and feel good lyrics, LPJ’s new song does not disappoint. “Don't Tell Me No” is the second […]
Getting to know Root Shock | Top Shelf Reggae
Root Shock is making WAVES from coast to coast. The band formed in 2012 when bassist Bill Eppel and singer Jessica Brown joined forces; their energy surged right from the beginning, as they quickly started to create material. After collaborating and creating their first songs, the two founders were joined by guitarist/singer Phil Grajko. Root […]
Art Garfunkel at LA’s Saban Theatre | Top Shelf Reggae
The voice of an angel, the musings of a man well-traveled and the familiar songs of multiple generations filled the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills as Art Garfunkel entertained a full house on May 9th. Over the next 90-minute set, Garfunkel took the audience back in time on a magical, musical and lyrical storytelling journey. […]
Sitting down with Save Ferris’ Monique Powell | Top Shelf Reggae
Save Ferris frontwoman Monique Powell is anything but conventional. And, after 24 successful years making exceptional ska music, she has solidified herself in the ska hall of fame if there ever was one. So, when I had the chance to sit down and chat with Monique shortly following her Day One Back To The Beach Fest […]
BeachLife Fest 2019: Day One | Top Shelf Reggae
Redondo Beach was taken by storm May 3rd-5th as the hottest new festival hit the beachfront sands! That's right, the inaugural BeachLife Festival was in full swing by noon Friday, with perfect weather, plenty of space to roam around, a stage on the sand, some of the biggest beach names on the ballad and a […]
Surf’s up, buns out at the first ever BeachLife Festival | Top Shelf Reggae
BeachLife Festival’s inaugural weekend spanned May 3rd-5th, 2019 and was as cool as the California breeze with an organic, laid back atmosphere, a stacked lineup and weather like you couldn't imagine. Redondo Beach’s seaside lagoon location was primo for catching rays, indulging in delicious food, making friends and, obviously, dancing like there’s no tomorrow. The […]
KROQ’s 2nd Annual Back To The Beach Festival | Top Shelf Reggae
The cool, cloudy southern California morning didn’t stop fans from packing the Huntington Beach sand for the 2nd Annual Back To The Beach Festival, presented by KROQ. With awesome food vendors, pop-up shops and play areas for kids and adults, everyone was having a blast! There were sand games, oversized beach chairs and a mechanical […]
LIVE STREAM: BeachLife Festival 2019 | Top Shelf Reggae
Enjoy BeachLife Festival 2019 in the comfort of your home! Tune in May 3rd through 5th to catch sets by Bob Weir & The Wolf Brothers, The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Willie Nelson, Slightly Stoopid, Jason Mraz, Steel Pulse and so many more! Top Shelf Music has your back and big ups to Livelist for […]
Celebrating 420 with Slightly Stoopid at the Hard Rock Las Vegas | Top Shelf Reggae
Slightly Stoopid, Common Kings and Fortunate Youth… I don’t think you could come up with a better lineup for a 420 show in Las Vegas! Stoopidheads and Fortunate Fools congregated in Vegas to celebrate the stoner holiday and see their favorite bands. It was amazing seeing so many friends from around the country come together in […]
Lissie at LA’s Largo at The Coronet | Top Shelf Reggae
A small, quaint theater with crushed red velvet curtains, soft white lights, a rustic upright piano, a mic stand, a stool and a glass of red wine. The intimate venue of Largo at The Coronet in Los Angeles was the perfect place for Lissie to kick off her When I’m Alone: The Piano Retrospective Tour. […]
Austin City Limits 2019 announced | Top Shelf Reggae
Now that Coachella weekends one and two have passed, it's time to fast forward to fall — fall in Texas, specifically. There are some bucketlist fests on everyone's radar and Austin City Limits (ACL) continues to reign supreme (next to Bonneroo and Lolla, of course). ACL might not be as old as its aforementioned predecessors, […]
A talk with BeachLife band Tomorrows Bad Seeds | Top Shelf Reggae
The turnover rate for bands in the reggae-rock scene is unfortunate. Over the past few decades since the genre got popularized, bands have risen to the tippy top (cough, Stoopid, Reb) as others dissipated faster than vape smoke, rendering themseles a minor blip on the reggae-rock radar. RIP to all those fallen soldiers. You did […]
Reggae Rise Up Florida 2019: Day Two | Top Shelf Reggae
Artikal Sound System started Reggae Rise Up Florida Day Two Saturday, March 16th. They had the most vibrantly colorful, artistic energy and were full of intrigue. The tribe has a very distinct look, sound and approach. Next up on the same SMKFLWR stage was Serenation was serving up some sauce. The Florida natives were far […]
Superorganism at San Diego’s Music Box | Top Shelf Reggae
Tuesday night following an almighty Coachella, 420 and Easter weekend can render a lot of people of out commission, especially in southern California. All that said, San Diego Superorganism fans weren't about the hibernation, rolling into The Music Box in droves to attend the most tripped out band on the scene aside from The Flaming […]
Watch Sol Seed’s new video “Shades of Green” | Top Shelf Reggae
Voted Eugene Weekly’s “Best Band of Eugene” five years straight, the Oregon reggae-fusion group Sol Seed brings the message of their new single “Shades of Green” to life in their new Sugarshack produced music video released this week. The clip mixes an energetic live performance by the band, with footage of the stark contrasts of city […]
Sabroso Taco Fest 2019: Day Two | Top Shelf Reggae
Day Two of Sabroso Taco Fest in Dana Point, California started off rocking right off the bat with Plague Vendor and Face to Face, in between Lucha Libre wrestling matches and mosh pits. The fest sponsored by Gringo Bandito hot sauce was packed with people, eager to see who would win the weekend's 'Best Taco' […]
WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Soulfiya “Bush Doctor” ft. El Dusty | Top Shelf Reggae
Riverside, California might not be the first place you look to find legitimate reggae. Yet, Riverside rising star Soulfiya is about to leave his mark on the reggae genre with his Bush Doctor EP, coming to all digital outlets as of tomorrow! Tomorrow being April 20th, what better day to launch a musical tribute to […]