Zoolook is pleased to announce the release of Dread & Alive #5 for February 6, 2010, Bob Marley’s birthday and the same month as Reggae Month in Jamaica and Black History Month in Canada and the USA.
Dread & Alive is the first superhero comic book with a Jamaican as the protagonist. Created and written by Nicholas Da Silva, the story follows Drew McIntosh and his heroic exploits in the urban landscape of San Francisco and rural Jamaica after being empowered by a sacred amulet created by the Jamaican Maroons.
Summary: Dread and Alive #5
It’s been 24 hours since Drew encountered Gryphon and his men and now things are about to heat up. The nefarious poacher and his boys have return to the Haight-Ashbury carrying a mysterious cargo disguised in a convoy of vans. Sensing something sinister about their arrival, Drew follows them from above while officers Paz and Williams do their best to give pursuit from the ground. Don’t miss what follows as Drew catches up with Gryphon and his men and ultimately discovers the real reason behind his presence in the bay area.
Dread and Alive is available in the USA, Europe and Japan.
Inspired by the comic book, The Lost Tapes is a musical journey spanning reggae, dancehall, electronic, dub and soulful roots to accompany Dread and Alive’s epic fantasy storyline. Unreleased tunes and iconic hits from living legends (current Grammy nominee Buju Banton, past Grammy winner Beenie Man, Mr Vegas, Cocoa Tea) and the hot names of the now generation (Crookers, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Poirier, Courtney John) make The Lost Tapes V5 a musical embodiment of Dread & Alive creativity and fantasy.
1. Glen Washington – “All The Love” featuring Jhaytea
2. Courtney John – “Love Is”
3. Soulo – “Breeze”
4. Dynamq – “Reggae Feeling”
5. Natural Black – “Forgiveness”
6. Bill Blast – “Long Story”
7. Cocoa Tea – “Dem Start The War Again”
8. Louie Culture – “Jah Is The Way Out”
9. Yvad – “Higher Meditation”
10. Dubmatix – “Mousetrap Dub” featuring Eek A Mouse
11. Ginjah – “Walking Store”
12. Jahdan Blakkamoore – “All Comes Back To One”
13. Deh Deh – “Would A Know”
14. Mr Vegas – “Mi Believe”
15. Beenie Man – “Hardest Way”
16. Crookers – “Arena” featuring Poirier and Face T
17. Buju Banton – “See Dem A Come Deh”
The story behind the music.
1. Glen Washington – “All The Love” featuring Jhaytea
Raw, husky vocals have placed Glen Washington in the upper echelon of Jamaican lovers reggae singers. This previously unreleased recording showcases all the experience, and All The Love, Glen Washington has to offer in a cool combination with Jhaytea’s rhymes.
2. Courtney John – “Love Is”
Three out of every four reggae songs recorded in Jamaica are supposedly love songs and Courtney John is doing his part to make sure they are excellent love songs. Courtney John’s “Love Is” stands out as a link between the future and the roots of reggae music.
Either a soul artist with roots in reggae or a reggae artist steeped in soul, Gregory ‘Soulo’ Lyons doesn’t need to worry. “Breeze”, a previously unreleased track from Naya Records, is like a breath of fresh air coming out of your speakers.
4. Dynamq – “Reggae Feeling”
Reggae music’s so-called ‘golden era’ of the early 1970s saw the music take off worldwide. On “Reggae Feeling”, Sudan’s very own Dynamq conjures up that wonderful period of ‘when dance was nice’.
5. Natural Black – “Forgiveness”
A native of Guyana, Natural Black built a reputation for himself after moving to Jamaica and becoming once of the leading cultural voices of the new millennium. Whether for love or for personal reasons, “Forgiveness” is a timeless tune sung in a hard to resist style.
6. Bill Blast – “Long Story”
Jamaican culture is an oral culture and spoken word as well as dub poetry have always been important to Jamaican popular music. The story behind “Long Story” is therefore much too long for this space but if a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a song has to be worth at least as much. Just listen…
7. Cocoa Tea – “Dem Start The War Again”
A voice sweet as honey and always with his finger on the pulse of social commentary, Cocoa Tea is an all-rounder as they say ‘back a yard’ in Jamaica. “Dem Start The War Again” combines both Cocoa Tea’s skillful lyrical relevance and magnetic vocals.
8. Louie Culture – “Jah Is The Way Out”
Louie Culture’s dancehall tunes are considered crucial for any reggae sound system seeking glory in the dancehall today. A cultural artist first and foremost, Louie Culture’s “Jah Is The Way Out” is a gem of a roots reggae anthem for collectors and sound systems alike.
9. Yvad – “Higher Meditation”
Another previously unreleased tune brought to light by Dread & Alive’s The Lost Tapes, Yvad’s “Higher Meditation” is so full of dread and so alive with roots rock reggae, dub vibes and Yvad’s on point lyrics it is ready to burst. Dread and Alive indeed.
10. Dubmatix – “Mousetrap Dub” featuring Eek A Mouse
Stretching the limits of vocal creativity has made Eek A Mouse one of Jamaica’s most well-known reggae ambassadors. Stretching the limits of sound has been Dubmatix’ specialty of late and here Dubmatix creates a musical trap Eek A Mouse just couldn’t resist.
11. Ginjah – “Walking Store”
Planted firmly in reality, Ginjah recorded “Walking Store” on behalf of street vendors whose works and wares are at the center of everyday life in Jamaica. Ginjah’s driving vocals and the groovy bass line mean this tune is sure to be well received by the market.
12. Jahdan Blakkamoore – “All Comes Back To One”
A symbol of the melting pot of world music, Jahdan’s style is nothing short of inspired. With one foot in Hip Hop and one in reggae, “All Comes Back To One” demonstrates the unique link between Jahdan’s native Caribbean roots and his adopted New York City.
13. Deh Deh – “Would A Know”
‘Deh Deh’ in the language of Jamaican Patois signifies being present in the here and now. Recording duo Deh Deh draws the listener in with a reggae ballad based on crossover beats to critically reflect on the here and now. It’s the right music for right now.
14. Mr Vegas – “Mi Believe”
Considered among the top international reggae artists for over a decade, Mr Vegas shows no signs of slowing down. His signature seductive style combined with Kirkledove’s boogie-woogie-ish reggae riddim will make believers out of everyone.
15. Beenie Man – “Hardest Way”
No one has been in the game longer than Beenie Man (he got his first hit at age 10). On “Hardest Way”, recorded on Truckback’s rock reggae Springblade Riddim, Beenie makes it easy for us to understand why.
16. Crookers – “Arena” featuring Poirier and Face T
Reggae music hasn’t only been pushing boundaries, it has also been crossing them. Italy-based DJ-production duo Crookers here link up with Montreal’s reggae DJ-production-artist team in Poirier and Face T for a one-of-a-kind hit in any language.
17. Buju Banton – “See Dem A Come Deh”
A living legend in Jamaican music, Buju Banton is at his best weaving together bubbly, bassy riddims in his inimitable gruff and edgy style. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, “See Dem A Come Deh”, an Arrows Records production, is audible proof.
iTunes Bonus Track: Crookers – “Arena” featuring Poirier and Face T (Warbox Radio Edit)
Crookers enjoyed the “Arena” project featuring Poirier and Face T so much they decided it was worth repeating… with a twist. Legendary UK remixer Ashley Beedle was asked to step in and the Warbox Radio Edit is the dubby dance floor result which we include as an exclusive iTunes bonus track.
