L.A.B VI debuts at Number 1 in top 40 L.A.B have four new entries on the Hot NZ Chart this week, including three #1’s. New Zealand music powerhouse L.A.B make history with #1 album and record-breaking chart domination despite stiff competition from Taylor Swift, Sza and Kayne.

L.A.B VI arrives after an almost two year-long period of writing, recording, tweaking & finessing what is their strongest album to date.

Soul singer Drew Dean is from St. Kitts & Nevis and has released two albums, two EPs, and several singles. His style merges R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, and reggae with major influences from The Fugees, D'Angelo, and Bob Marley. Drew creates inspiring music that draws from his personal experiences and spiritual background.

The cinematic track features Sanoi's uniquely crafted a drum groove with subtle layers of found sounds well suited for the dancefloor.

Welsh-Jamaican singer and media personality Aleighcia Scott releases her landmark debut album Windrush Baby, produced by sound system and production legend RoryStoneLove.  Windrush Baby went straight to number one, pipping UB40, Bob Marley and Gyptian to the top spot. Over half a decade in the making, Windrush Baby is a lovingly sculpted, deeply personal project that celebrates the JA-to-UK heritage of both Aleighcia and Rory, taking a musical journey from the blues dances and shubeens of Cardiff and London to the modern age.

Produced by sound system legend RoryStoneLove, In My Shoes is a bouncy, horn-driven reflection on irresistible attraction – that recalls the ska-to-rocksteady transition of the early to mid-1960s. It’s particularly fitting as the third single from Aleighcia and Rory’s exciting, imminent album Windrush Baby, because it pays tribute to the music that soundtracked Britain’s first Caribbean communities’ lives.

Experimental and prolific singer songwriter Paul Fox releases his new album Standing Tall, on June 16th. It’s an ambitious, socially conscious work, packed with guest collaborations sourced from across the globe. From his beginnings in UK sound system Roots Reggae, Fox has become a genre-fluid artist, while staying true to his ethical and musical roots. Standing Tall moves seamlessly between reggae, dancehall, rock, pop, rap and other styles. It’s the continuation of a journey that began four years ago.

Macka B was working on a project with Jazzwad, and one of the tracks was a tribute to Jah Shaka, written while he was alive and intended to be a living tribute.  Sadly Jah Shaka passed away before their song was finished. Jazzwad and Macka B decided to complete the piece posthumously as a tribute.

The Equator’s latest single, Hippopotamus, revisits Desmond Dekker’s song originally recorded with the Birmingham band for his Stiff Records album back 1980 and captures the energy of The Equators’ live shows.

Paul Fox releases new single A Better Tomorrow – featuring guest vocals from Jamaican singer Ann Ominous. It’s a conscious yet hopeful song, encouraging humanity to consider the world we are leaving for the people who come after us.

ALL-STAR REGGAE ARTISTS RAYVON, LUCIANO AND SUGAR BEAR UNITE FOR EPIC NEW SINGLE ‘PEACE, LOVE & UNDERSTANDING’ Inspiring new release encourages a better understanding of the human experience Multi-platinum recording artist Rayvon has teamed up with the reigning ‘King of Conscious Reggae’ Luciano and international dancehall artist Sugar Bear.

UK singer-songwriter and producer Paul Fox announces his forthcoming album and shows his versatility with new single, World We Living In. He’s teamed up with rising Jamaican singer FireVerse for a propulsive, socially-aware, conscious dancehall track, addressing social injustices across the globe.

Soulful reggae powerhouse Aleighcia Scott drops Do You, the long awaited first single from her forthcoming album with legendary producer Rory Stonelove, Windrush Baby. Supported by a David Rodigan BBC Radio 1xtra world premiere and a Reggaeville video premiere, the new single went straight to number one on the Itunes Reggae Single Chart.

Off the back of this new single the band will head out for three headline shows at home, before heading abroad for tours in Australia, the USA, Europe & the UK throughout 2023. L.A.B will perform at the O2 Forum Kentish Town on Thursday 12 October 2023

L.A.B Take Home Four 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards Including the Three Big Ones! Repeating their 2021 haul, L.A.B has secured their spot in award history as the major winner at the Aotearoa Music Awards for the second year running. Their success story continues, with the group taking home Album of The Year for L.A.B V, Single of the Year for ‘Mr Reggae’, Best Group and Best Roots Artist. L.A.B are now the first band in New Zealand music history to win all four awards in two consecutive years, and are only the second act to ever win Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Group in back-to-back years.

L.A.B IN DUB has been lovingly crafted by Baldini at his Alambic Conspiracy Studio in San Foca, Italy. Each dub has been created live in the studio, with Baldini working live on the stems of each track. These new versions are all created in one take with no overdubs or edits, creating entirely new versions.

UK roots reggae singer and producer Paul Fox focuses on the horrors of war and displacement for his track Warzone Part Two – Refugees. Taken from Fox's current album, Same Blood, Warzone Part Two revisits a topic he first examined on a track of the same name in 1993.

Glass Fish is inspired by memories of prized retro ornaments from Sunday afternoons spent with friends and their families' living rooms, it’s a warm and gentle swim through the hidden waters of the soul. Brazilian guitarist João Erbertta’s woozy slide guitar melts into Idris Rahman and Robin Hopcraft’s brass – blown softly and carefully as glass. Glass Fish/Glass Fish Dub are out today digitally with limited 7" vinyl available via Bandcamp and Soothsayers’ website.

Following last week's win at the Maori Music Awards, New Zealand Roots Band, L.A.B release their 2nd single, Fashion Dread Dub, from the forthcoming album, L.A.B in DUB, a collaboration with Italian sonic visionary Paolo Baldini and legendary dub label, Echo Beach. L.A.B are a multi-award winning and platinum selling band, they play a seamless mix of reggae, rock, blues, electronica and funk. Their last album, L.A.B V enjoyed 20 million streams on Spotify as well as more than 10,000 radio spins worldwide from over 100 stations including the BBC. L.A.B are selling out stadiums across the Pacific and heading to the UK in 2023.

Eclectic New Zealand reggae-influenced band L.A.B have teamed up with Italian producer engineer Paolo Baldini for their new single Shadows Dub. It’s the first release from their forthcoming full-length project L.A.B In Dub – where Baldini reshapes choice cuts from the band’s back catalogue in dubbed out style.

Veteran UK roots reggae singer Paul Fox and legendary UK dancehall deejay Apache Indian have joined forces for the song Same Blood. The title track from Fox's current album, Same Blood is a call for unity in these fragmented times, reminding us that inside, we are all one.

L.A.B win best record at the Rolling Stone New Zealand Awards. The first-ever edition of the awards saw the band taking home Best Record for the chart-topping album L.A.B V. The band took home the award over fellow nominees including BENEE, Aldous Harding & Crowded House. 

The Hempolics gear up for their forthcoming album with the release of single ‘One Law Fi Dem’, a team-up with soundsystem veteran Macka B. The collaboration captures a tale of the time, indeed a tale of the ages, as Macka B spits “One law fi dem, One law fi you, Do as I say but no do as I do”.

L.A.B return with two live renditions of ‘Proud Man’ & ‘Mr Reggae’ taken from their album L.A.B V. Filmed & recorded live at Massey Studios, Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts, the live rendition of the tracks showcase L.A.B’s electric live sound which has seen them sell out multiple events & tours across Aotearoa & Australia. Following on from multiple number one singles & albums, alongside a growing list of platinum sales & awards across New Zealand & Australia, this is the band's first ever release featuring a small collection of live tracks.

London collective Soothsayers have teamed up for an exciting new project with New York-born, São Paulo-based producer-engineer-bassist, Victor Rice, and some of Brazil’s top musicians. The result is ‘Last Days’, the powerful new single from their forthcoming album together – ‘Soothsayers Meets Victor Rice and Friends’.

Humble but prodigiously talented singer/multi-instrumentalist Beneil Miller releases his new song ‘Spread Your Wings’. It’s a serene and breezy meditation on the importance of finding your own path, set to a cool, soulful jazzy reggae beat. Miller’s rich, wide-ranging voice and easy-going message are the perfect remedy to these stressful times.

After many hours of fun and games in the studio, My Boyz Beatz proudly presents a massive Macka B track, ‘The Youth Are Being Hypnotised’. The track inspires us to be our best selves reminding us that despite all the surrounding influences, there is infinite potential within us all. GT’s production has expertly lifted the track to higher levels, putting together a band of master musicians including members of Steel Pulse, Selwyn Brown (keyboards) and Amlak Tafari (bass) alongside Gary Moore (guitar), James Crosdale (synth’s) and David Skins (drums)

The growth of the Jamaican recording industry… Records have played an integral part in the history of Jamaican music and the importance of making records, as opposed to making music, can never be overstated. These are the stories, told through first-hand accounts wherever possible, of the men and women… manufacturers, musicians, singers, deejays, arrangers and record producers… who made the records and who made the sound of reggae available worldwide.

Black Country Beats celebrates the diverse musical genres that emerged from the Black Country between the 1970s and 2000s. It spotlights a selection of iconic artists whose styles were influenced by the unique heritage of the region and by the social and political change that happened here during their formative years.

Red A Red Music Group and Maroon Productions present an exciting rebirth of a foundation riddim: The Generation Gap. This era-spanning project features some of Jamaica’s greatest musicians, with vocal cuts by veterans Mutabaruka and Lutan Fyah, as well as emerging talents Imeru Tafari and Autarchii. Co-produced by Jermaine Joseph, Linton Hinds Jr and Donovan Joseph, the Generation Gap Riddim takes us back in time and provides a clear look to the future. The riddim is an up-tempo reimagining of the 1983 classic, ‘2000 Years’, originally recorded by the harmony group Time Unlimited. True to the Generation Gap concept, two of the co-producers are father and son. Original Time Unlimited lead singer Donovan Joseph hands the mantle to his son Jermaine ‘Autarchii’ Joseph, who reinterprets his father’s ‘2000 Years’ on the riddim. Further continuity is added by the presence of legendary guitarist Earl Chinna Smith - whose High Times band played the original cut.

Globally, more countries are beginning to take notice of L.A.B. The past months have seen radio airplay across stations such as BBC Radio 1xtra & 6 Music, Jazz FM & Reggae.fr (France’s largest reggae radio station), plus glowing reviews in Vive Le Rock! & Blues & Soul Magazine. ‘Real Ones’ is set to show off a different side of the L.A.B sound as the world starts to listen.

Hearing this soulful release it’s difficult to believe that Beneil Miller was “not considering singing as an option” but “was more into piano… listening to Monty Alexander and Michel Camilo”. Beneil Miller’s music transcends categorisation and transports us all to kinder, calmer places… and there’s much more to follow.

Macka B has the ability to take any topic and turn it into a song.  My wife can answer my phone is no exception.  Macka B always brings a positive message to any given situation always dealing with reality.  Produced by one of Jamaica's top producers,  Top Secret Music, the track is set over a heavy pulsating reggae rhythm mixed in true Jamaican style with an authentic 70's feel.

Tannoi’s 1985 smash hit ‘Worries And Troubles’, recorded for Greensleeves UK Bubblers imprint has been chosen by the Tate Britain as the soundtrack to Between The Islands, the recently opened acclaimed exhibition that traces over 70 years of Caribbean art.

The band have been awarded Single Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Group & Best Roots Artist, adding to the two awarded in 2020. L.A.B are the first act since Lorde in 2017 to win both Single & Album Of The Year in the same year, and are the first Independent act since Scribe in 2003 to win Single Of The Year. This adds to the three Waiata Māori Music Awards won earlier this year. 

L.A.B return with their new album, L.A.B V, their fifth in five years. Following on from a string of albums & singles that have reached number one at home in New Zealand, L.A.B V features a band continuing to experiment with multiple genres, while staying true to the L.A.B sound. The album sees the band combining their eclectic sound into a compelling journey that moves across reggae, soul, funk & blues.

Following on from multiple number one singles and albums, alongside a growing list of platinum sales and awards across New Zealand and Australia, L.A.B return with the new single, ‘Mr Reggae’, inspired by jam sessions at their hometown beaches, the track captures the feeling of summertime in New Zealand.

Aleighcia Scott celebrates her second consecutive release day number one on Apple's UK Reggae single chart with her new single, "Cry".  It was a thrilling race to the top of the chart, Aleighcia's Release Day Reasonings live from Jamaica via her social platforms providing the impetus to catapult her to the number one chart position ahead of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" and Koffee's "West Indies."

“Free your Mind” is an acoustic remake of the Joe Higgs' classic “Let Us Do Something/Journey To Freedom”.  The sound evokes the spirit of Stairway To Heaven mixed with Simon and Garfunkel. Macka B always delivers music with a message.

Whilst touring in Bogota, Colombia with El Gran Latido, Kibir La Amlak recorded Iber Jose Gomez, a renowned Marimba player from the Colombian Pacific Coast. Together they created this genre bending piece of music 'Mother of Song (Queen Marimba)'. A blend of Afro-Colombian melody with a UK style digi-dub drum and bassline.