This year has delivered a ton of new music, but this month our iPods really filled up quick! Releases from veteran artists, and several up-and-coming groups. These new tunes cover the spread of funk reggae and dub, from some of the best talents touring today. Be sure to check out these 15 new release that dropped throughout April.
Also this month, the event known as Record Store Day also helped to bring in new releases. Every year the event produces a ton of limited releases from so many beloved artists in every genre, including a few excellent tracks from the best in several of The Pier’s favorite musical genres. Check out our pick of 9 Record Store Day releases HERE.
If there are any albums we missed, drop them in the comments below or on our Facebook or Twitter.
Check out the Album Releases from prior months:
April 2015 Album Releases
Oogee Wawa – More Sand Than Money
Release Date: April 3rd
From Long Island, New York comes Oogee Wawa, an Alternative Reggae Hip-hop fusion band who dropped their new album More Sand Than Money on April 3rd followed by a digital release on April 28th via Rebel-Sound Records. Oogee Wawa’s new album More Sand Than Money is the groups second full length release following their 19 track and 2012 debut of Ride The Waves. More Sand Than Money is 12 total songs that takes a more personal look into the journey and struggle of the touring musicians. Fusing elements of reggae, rock and hip-hop, speaking on their new album, guitarist & vocalist JP explains, I woke up one day and realized how pointless it can be to just be so down and out… So I took control of my life by doing all the things I put off for so long and finally got myself out of a bad place mentally.
Read our Album Review and Star Rating of the album by clicking HERE.
You can pick up More Sand Than Money on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Xavier Rudd & The United Nations – Nanna
Release Date: April 6th
In the past, Australia’s Xavier Rudd’s onstage one-man-band rig included a half-dozen guitar choices, three didgeridoos and various styles of native drum. Beginning this summer, Rudd will venture down his next path, another adventure adding to an already extensive musical career. Playing as front man to Xavier Rudd & The United Nations, a band of international musicians with diverse musical influences has come together for the new album, Nanna. His 8th studio record and the first reggae record from multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd, Nanna is the real deal, a record that could easily stand-up to a Groundation record or any other veteran roots artist. Mixed by living legend Errol Brown at the Tuff Gong Studios, made of 13 tracks this record was released via Salt.X Records. Nanna was originally released in most markets on March 17th, now the first record from Xavier Rudd and his new band, The United Nations’Nanna is available everywhere as of April 6th.
You can pick up Nanna on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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John Brown’s Body – Kings and Queens In Dub
Release Date: April 7th
On April 16th, 2013, John Brown’s Body released Kings and Queens, a 12 track album via Easy Star Records that was met with very high praise. Now, almost 2 years to the date of it’s release, JBB has released Kings and Queens In Dub as the group has dub versions of every song from Kings And Queens, from a variety of producers from both inside the group & out. The line-up of Dub Producers for Kings And Queens In Dub include Dubmatix, Dub Fader (of 10 Ft. Ganja Plant), Ticklah, Dennis Bovell (UK Dub Legend), Yesking (from the UK), Lord Echo (aka Mike Fabulous, guitarist of The Black Seeds), Michael Goldwasser (Easy Star All-Stars), former band member Nate ‘Silas’ Ricardson and Jay Spaker.
The overall project was mainly overseen by JBB’s hornsman Drew Sayers, working with Easy Star’s Eric Smith & Lem Oppenheimer, with input from the rest of the band. Most of the tracks were dubbed over the past half-year. Here’s what Drew Sayers had to say about the new album, the band has long wanted to do a project like this – reinterpret an entire album into dub versions. Kings And Queens seemed like a perfect fit musically, and we were fortunate enough to get some of the most legendary and inspiring producers in the game to be involved. I think this album encapsulates who we are as a group: our foundation is firmly rooted in the classics and we sought inspiration from albums like Gregory Isaac’s ‘Slum In Dub’ and Aswad’s New Chapter of Dub. But we never look in only one direction and I think what you will hear in this album is a devotion to originality and independence.
Read more about the album by clicking HERE.
Read our review of the album by clicking HERE.
You can pick up Kings and Queens In Dub on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Blues Traveler – Blow Up The Moon
Release Date: April 7th
Your eyes do not deceive you, Blues Traveler, the blues-rock band with the sweetest harmonica solos since Little Walter, released a new album titled Blow Up The Moon. Out on Loud & Proud Records, this album marks the first release from the band since 2012s Suzie Cracks The Whip, and features a diverse roster of collaborators including Thompson Square, Plain White T’s, Jewel, Secondhand Serenade, Jared “Dirty J” Watson, Rome Ramirez, and more. With such a wide array of artists, the album is sure to appeal to fans from nearly every genre of music.
The Dirty Heads and Rome Ramirez are actually featured on two separate songs by Blues Traveler. In addition to “Castaway” the other one is “Vagabond Blues”; both of which were produced by Rome. Here’s what Watson said in a statement to Yahoo Music about working with Blues Traveler: “It was a really laid back session. It felt very comfortable. All the dudes made us feel at home and we got along really well, so it made it easier for the creative process to flow. The coolest part for me was being able to put our twist on such a recognizable sound as Blues Traveler’s.”
You can pick up Blow Up The Moon on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Gov’t Mule – Dub Side of the Mule
Release Date: April 7th
After playing together for 20 years, the group of Veteran Rock musicians known as Gov’t Mule have never played the same show twice. With a deep catalog of originals and the ability to draw countless cuts from other band’s beloved repertoire, the Gov’t Mule experience can change night to night. Often times during shows musicians will sit-in on a couple tracks or the band may even play a themed set a with a special guest.
One experience of note was created back in 2006. For a New Years Eve show in New York City at the infamous Beacon Theatre, Gov’t Mule treated fans to a performance that featured three-plus hours of music. Played that night was several sets of Mule standards and covers, including a 1-hour reggae set featuring Toots Hibbert, the legendary founder of Toots & The Maytals, as well as a finale with special appearances by Gregg Allman & Friends and John Popper of Blues Traveler. As many are, the show was recorded and canned. But now, all 34 tracks have been remixed and mastered!
Following December’s release of Dark Side of the Mule
, and the recent release of Sco-Mule
, the group’s live collaboration with guitarist John Scofield and just preceding the release of Stoned Side of the Mule
, a Gov’t Mule set of Rolling Stones covers, this next addition to the bands 20th anniversary archival series focuses on the night’s unique pairing, spotlighting the band’s work with reggae, aptly titled Dub Side of the Mule.
Read more about the album by clicking HERE.
You can pick up Dub Side of the Mule on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
Alborosie meets King Jammy – Dub of Thrones
Release Date: April 14th
VP Records/Greensleeves is happy to announce the April 14th, 2015 worldwide release of Alborosie Meets King Jammy – Dub Of Thrones, a historic pairing of one of Jamaica’s most pivotal dub legends King Jammy with the modern day Italian-born dub master Alborosie. The album includes a fully illustrated package by Tony McDermott, Greensleeves Records’ go-to artist for almost four decades known for his iconic cartoon imagery depicting Jamaican music. Mixed by Alborosie at his Shengen Studio and King Jammy at his studio in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, this old-school meets new-school clash delivers an authentic dub reggae listening experience. With speaker shaking, neighbor waking and no-prisoner taking bass, this is designed to be played at high volume for maximum effect. The mostly instrumental collection will be available on CD, limited edition vinyl and digitally.
You can pick up Dub of Thrones on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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RAC – Self-Titled
Release Date: April 14th
An early pioneer of the more heavily punk influenced “Desert Reggae” RAC is one of the few bands we follow that’s been around long enough to have had a MySpace music page. Out of Phoenix, Arizona this surf-punk-reggae group is no strangers to the Reggae-Rock community. This year the group has released their 3rd studio album. A self-titled release, the record includes a total of 14 songs available on CD, vinyl or most digital outlets.
Read our review of the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up RAC on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Various artist – Country Bus Riddim
Release Date: April 14th
This April, from Chimney Records comes a compilation titled Country Bus Riddim. Composed of a total of 15 tracks, this new album features a different artists on every track. Included are tracks from Dean Fraser, I Octane, J Boog, Tarrus Riley, and a handful of other excellent talent. Look for Country Bus Riddim on most digital outlets.
You can pick up Country Bus Riddim on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Turkuaz – StereochromeEP
Release Date: April 14th
A powerful 9-piece funk-army based out of Brooklyn, New York, Turkuaz has dropped their newest release, an EP titled Stereochrome. Spending a few days, in the band’s own Galaxy Smith Studios, for this EP the band took an all-analog approach, recording these 4 tracks on vintage gear and using a half-inch to capture the sound. Stereochrome is both a reverent homage to the past and a look over the horizon at the dawning of a new day. The tracks are all in their own ways tributes to some of Turkuaz’s favorite recording artists, from The Beatles to Ray Charles and The Band to James Brown, all of whom have had a profound influence on the Brooklyn Powerfunk sound that Turkuaz fans know today. Stereochrome opens a portal to the future of the Powerfunk sound, a future that will be defined by the Fall release of Turkuaz’s next full-length record: Digitonium.
You can pick up Stereochrome on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Black Bottom Lighters – 2 or 2000
Release Date: April 18th
Black Bottom Lighters is a self-described Desert Reggae group of six individuals that call Glendale, Arizona, their home. This particular musical journey started in 2010, and has since seen quite a level of success that many bands should envy and strive for. Having released their first EP in 2012, fans have since then been clamoring for new material. The day has finally come, and the band has just released their first full-length album, just in time for summer. The upcoming album ought to show off who BBL is, considering that the band went through the recording process three times to get to a finished product. After recording with Out Loud Audio and Pyramix, BBL found that neither conveyed the sound that the desert reggae six-piece sought. The group eventually settled on working with Full Well Recording Studio, recoding a total of 13 tracks for this release.
Read our review of the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up 2 or 2000 on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Keller Williams – Vape
Release Date: April 20th
April 20th marked the release of Keller Williams‘ newest album, Vape, the 20th official album issued by Williams. Recorded and mixed at Wally Cleaver’s Recording Studio in William’s home town of Fredericksburg VA, for this record Williams was backed by a talented variety of fellow musicians including Samson Grisman (bass), John Kadlecik (guitar), Ronnie McCoury (mandolin), Rob McCoury (banjo), Alan Bartram (bass) and Jason Carter (fiddle). The record is described by Williams as, “High pressured life shot through my favorite original songs in a low pressured atmosphere… Out comes a highly concentrated music that can be heated up and inhaled through your ears. Vape.
This 10 track independent release is available through both Williams’ official website and other digital outlets. Check out the record over on the band’s Soundcloud page.
You can pick up Vape on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Spred The Dub – Coming Home Drunk
Release Date: April 20th
Celebrating 7 years as a band, this month Florida’s six piece reggae-ska group Spred The Dub is happy to release their new album Coming Home Drunk on 4/20. The group’s second album, Coming Home Drunk features 11 tracks, packaged in artwork by the lead graphic designer for Santa Cruz skateboards Cody Melick (@pitchgrim). Unique to the modern reggae movement, Spred the Dub committed to stay authentic, meticulously recording the album live, onto two-inch tape reels, at Blackwood Productions. By doing so, the listener experiences an amazing sound quality, uncommon, nostalgic, and a welcome change.
You can pick up Coming Home Drunk on CD Baby now, by clicking HERE.
Morgan Heritage – Strictly Roots
Release Date: April 21st
On April 20th, The Royal Family of Reggae Morgan Heritage released their most recent studio effort, an album titled Strictly Roots on their own Cool To Be Conscious (CTBC) label. Morgan Heritage are no strangers to the reggae-music scene as Strictly Roots will be as a family ran group’s 17th official release in 21 years. The new album includes 13 total tracks fusing reggae and dancehall with a slew of guest appearances that include Chronixx, Jemere Morgan, Jo Mersa Marley, J Boog, Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, Bobby Lee of SOJA and more. Among the heavyweight co-producers with Morgan Heritage on Strictly Roots include Don Chandler, Seani B, Shane C. Brown, Jason ‘J-Vibe’ Farmer, Matthieu Bost,Jeremie Dessus, guitarist Andrew Simpson and DJ Fras.
Read more about the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Strictly Roots on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Pimps Of Joytime – Jukestone Paradise
Release Date: April 21st
After several years in production Pimps Of Joytime new album, Jukestone Paradise, dropped April 21st on Write Home Records. For their third studio album the quintet inspired by their diverse range of their influences, created an original sound that grooves across 10 new songs. Jukestone Paradise includes guest appearances from New Orleans legend Ivan Neville and Rubblebucket’s Alex Toth.
Jukestone Paradise captures the culmination of recording and touring for the past two years. The album was recorded between their heavy touring schedules at Vibromonk Studios and at the studio of the band’s lead vocals/guitar Brian J’s in Brooklyn. While POJ continues to deliver the funk all across the nation, and this latest release spotlights their sound, while showcasing the group’s dedication they have put in to spread the funk. Finally capturing all their hard work, Brian J describes Jukestone Paradise as a futuristic juke joint, blending familiar funk/soul overtones with futuristic production values… Jukestone Paradise is the most focused and evolved piece of work we’ve done to date, both musically and sonically.
Check out the record over on the band’s Soundcloud page https://soundcloud.com/the-pimps-of-joytime/sets/jukestone-paradise
You can pick up Jukestone Paradise on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Savi Fernandez Band – From My Heart
Release Date: April 28th
Following 2012’s Sweet Butterfly, this month Florida’s Savi Fernandez Band will release their second studio record, From my Heart. Recorded at Sunray Recording Studiosin Orlando, Florida From my Heart is composed if 12 tracks, featuring sounds full of roots reggae fused with a touch of funk, rock, and jam. There is even a little dash of Latin flavor. While most of the songs on the record are tunes the band has been playing live for a while, the group was finally able to to capture the music and refine the sounds so everyone can enjoy these jams outside of the band’s impressive live performances. As Fernandez explains, my mission in life with sharing my art is to hopefully make some kind of positive impact, even if its just one person I will truly feel blessed.
You can pick up From My Heart on Amazon now, by clicking HERE
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Article By: Aaron Solomon
