Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band : reggae re-imagining of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
By bandweblogs on Jan 20, 2009 in Albums, Bands, New Releases, Press Releases | Tags: Easy Star All Stars, Luciano, Michael Goldwasser, Michael Rose, Steel Pulse, The Beatles, U Roy
Following the widespread critical and commercial success of 2003's 'Dub Side of the Moon' and 2006's 'Radiodread', Easy Star Records announces the Easy Star All-Stars' complete reggae re-imagining of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Easy Star All-Stars on amazon.com
Easy Star All-Stars on amazon.co.uk
The album, titled 'Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band', is set for release April 14, 2009 on Easy Star Records and features guest vocals from an impressive list of reggae, dancehall and dub greats including Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Luciano, U Roy, Bunny Rugs (Third World), Ranking Roger (English Beat), Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul, Max Romeo and The Mighty Diamonds.
The first single, "With A Little Help From My Friends", featuring Luciano, will be released as an iTunes exclusive February 10. It will be paired with a b-side dub version featuring the legendary U Roy.
'Dub Side of the Moon', (Easy Star's reggae tribute to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon) is one of the most successful reggae albums of the 21st century and spent over five years on Billboard's Top Reggae Chart. Mojo selected the record as the second greatest cover album of all time.
'Radiodread', which tackled Radiohead's OK Computer, spent over 18 months on Billboard's Top Reggae Chart and earned praise from Radiohead themselves.
Of the decision to infuse reggae into the Beatles classic, producer Michael Goldwasser says "We've focused on re-envisioning concept albums as reggae and it's really important that the source material works as a whole and is not just a collection of songs. So, what better to take on next than the mother of all concept albums?"
Goldwasser is once more the musical mastermind behind this album, having arranged and produced the music, assembled the musicians and guest artists and played guitar throughout. Goldwasser is joined by Victor Rice (bass), Victor "Ticklah" Axelrod (keyboards) and Patrick Dougher & Eddie Ocampo (drums, percussion). Members of the touring version of the Easy Star All-Stars also contribute, including Ras I Ray, Jenny Hill, Buford O'Sullivan, Ivan Katz, Kirsty Rock, Tamar-kali, Junior Jazz and Menny More. In addition to producing six albums for Easy Star, Goldwasser has produced albums for Corey Harris, Hatikva 6 and others, and has had compositions featured in the motion pictures Failure To Launch and Woody Allen's Cassandra's Dream.
For over a decade, Easy Star Records has been a trendsetting independent reggae label. 'Dub Side of the Moon' and 'Radiodread' form the backbone of a catalogue that includes progressive albums from John Brown's Body and Easy Star All-Stars keyboardist Ticklah, reissues of classic material from Sugar Minott and Linval Thompson and new recordings from reggae legends The Meditations and Sister Carol.
"They made a smashing success out of their cover of Dark Side of the Moon..." - Pitchfork
"The All-Stars have tackled Radiohead's OK Computer, and the result is again impressive." - Rolling Stone
Easy Star Records Official Website
Easy Star MySpace
More Music: myspace.com/JennyMayMusic
Jenny May / Band Weblogs on Twitter
Search for music: Amazon.com | amazon.co.uk
More blog entries:
- Matisyahu Festival of Light shows in NYC featuring Brett Dennen, Asher Roth, Little Jackie, more
- Mikey Murka releases debut solo album In The Name Of Love
- Computer vs. Banjo debut
- Willie Nelson to release 'American Classic' - duets w/ Norah Jones, Diana Krall
- Levi Roots sells his Reggae Reggae Sauce to the Dragons
« New Villager releases Rich Doors 7" on twosyllable records
Illumina Records and Promotions - searching for performers in Pittsburgh, PA »
1 Comment(s)
By Samira on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
This Album is going to be AWESOME! i interned with Easy Star last summer and was lucky to watch some of the recordings!!! DonĀ“t forget to download the exclusive Single Release in February!!!