Well, 2014 is almost over. As the year winds down, take a second from all the holiday chaos, a reprieve from repetitive holiday anthems and enjoy a some better music, with any of the new music delivered this December.
Featured this month are 12 new releases. Records from artists based all over the globe, from both up up-and-coming talents to true legends. These could be records that are the perfect gift for yourself or anyone else appreciative of good jams.
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:
December 2014 Album Releases
Gyptian – Gyptian Roots & Culture Style EP
Release Date: December 2nd
This month, Gyptian has a another new record releasing this year. Titled Gyptian Roots & Culture Style the record was released via Flava McGregor Records on December 2nd. This latest release features 8 tracks of which feature One Drop Style, Duane Stephenson, Barrington Levy, Jah Cure and more.
You can pick up Gyptian Roots & Culture Style on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Spice – So Mi Like It EP
Release Date: December 2nd
Throughout 2014 Spice, the ‘princess of Dancehall’ has released a string of music videos featuring her new singles. Now the Jamaican Dance-hall artist has compiled those tracks, dropping her highly anticipated debut EP titled, So Mi Like It. Released only digitally via VP Records. This EP showcases 5 tracks as she works with infamous producer Supa Dups.
You can pick up So Mi Like It on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Taiwan MC – Disko Dub EP
Release Date: December 2nd
Fusing Reggae, Jungle, Hip-Hop and Electro, out of Paris, France comes the artist known as Taiwan MC. On December 8th the artist released his second EP via Chinese Man Records titled Disko Dub. The record is available on CD and vinyl, but is most easily accessible digitally. Check out these track on the Taiwan MC Youtube page.
You can pick up Disko Dub on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Steppa Style – See The World
Release Date: December 8th
This December delivers Russian Reggae with a new release from Steppa Style, one of the first Reggae, Dancehall and Jungle English-artist in Russia. Titled See the World and released on Irish Moss Records, the album includes plenty of collaborations among its 18 tracks. Included are tracks with artists Skarra Mucci, Kris Kelli, Solo Banton and Deadly Hunta. Only available physically in several counties, check out this digital release on the Steppa Style Soundcloud page and You can pick up See The World on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Fiction 20 Down – Live at the Hadabee
Release Date: December 9th
Following the 2013 release of their Where’s The Levity!?, Alt rock/hip-hop band Fiction 20 Down has just released a complete live album. After performing a live, intimate and invite-only studio performance for select die-hard fans, F20D independently released the recoding from the concert as a live album titled, Live at the Hadabee. The album includes longtime fan favorites as well one brand-new song, and two covers, including “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” by Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg.
Read more about the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Live at the Hadabee on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Midnite – Ride Tru
Release Date: December 9th
Ride Tru released December 9th is Midnite’s ninth album with I-Grade Records. This release is also the second this year for Midnite following early 2014’s Beauty for Ashes, recently named one of iTunes Reggae Album of the Year. A Zion I Kings production, recorded back in September at St. Croix’s Aqua Sounds Studio and produced and engineered by Laurent Tippy Alfred, Ride Tru entered at #4 on the Billboard Reggae Charts. Composed of 13 tracks, the record features the singles “Credited”, “Restore” and “To Ge Da.”
You can pick up Ride Tru on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Fat Freddy’s Drop – Itunes Sessions
Release Date: December 12th
Earlier this November, just back from a trip to Tokyo, Fat Freddy’s Drop hit Roundhead Studio in Auckland, New Zealand to record six tracks. Later in the month the band surprised fans announcing the Fat Freddy’s Drop Itunes Sessions would be released world-wide on December 12th. According to DJ FItchie, “The premise behind this iTunes Session at Roundhouse Studio was to replicate a completely live jam, to perform these tunes as if we’re at a gig. it’s truthful and it’s the real deal and it’s us. I think we smashed it!” The session features the band’s new single “Slings and Arrows” along with “Russia,” “Blackbird,” “Dark Days,” “This Room” (The Wandering Eye Reprise ReRub) as well as a brand new deep Techno-Jazz jam, “Cortina Motors MK1.”
Watch the session’s trailer here.
You can pick up the Itunes Sessions on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Reel Big Fish – Happy Skalidays EP
Release Date: December 15th
Southern California Ska band Reel Big Fish released their first holiday album called Happy Skalidays on December 15th. The EP features some original tracks along with a Reel Big Fish twist on some of our favorite holiday classics such as “Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer”. Fans can preview that track along with several others on the band’s Youtube Page. Available only through digital download and not available on CD or vinyl, check out 6 tracks that according to the band “your grandmother and drunk uncle will love skanking to at this year’s family gathering.”
Read more about the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Happy Skalidays EP on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Coral Thief – Colorado Roots
Release Date: December 16th
After touring around the left end of the nation this past fall, Coral Thief is closing out 2014 having released Colorado Roots on December 16th. Starting production over a year ago, the group’s first full-length album came in on #5 on the iTunes Reggae charts. Recorded at Rock Solid Studios in Salt Lake City, UT, the record is made up of 13 tracks including “Hypnotizer” featuring Stranger Band.
You can pick up Colorado Roots on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Sly & Robbie – Dubrising
Release Date: December 16th
Sly & Robbie are back once again with a new dub album. Titled Dubrising, the duo worked with the legendary Paul “Groucho” Smykle, the same “sound wizard” who mixed Sly & Robbie’s “Raiders of the Lost Dub” and “Dub Experience” and Black Uhuru’s “Dub Factor.” Before this project, Groucho had not worked with Sly & Robbie in nearly 30 years! After talking it over with the duo, Groucho picked 12 tracks from sessions with Horace Andy, Chezidek, Bunny Rugs and Khalifa produced with Sly & Robbie between 2006 and 2012. The album was then mixed, in an analog fashion, live on a soundboard without any link to Protools. Originally released in November only on vinyl to complete the project’s “artistic and sonic standpoint”, this month, the 8 track record is now available digitally. Watch the record’s trailer here.
You can pick up Dubrising on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Shaggy – Out Of Many, One Music XL Edition
Release Date: December 16th
Grammy award winner and Diamond selling artist, Shaggy, originally released the 13 tracks of Out of Many, One Music back in September of 2013 via his own Ranch Entertainment. The album gave fans an opportunity to journey with Shaggy and a few of his friends as the artists pay tribute to the culture and one of the many gifts given to the world from the island of Jamaica, Reggae. Recorded in New York and Jamaica, and co Produced with Lenky Marsden, DJ Sting International and the legendary Jamaican rhythm duo, Sly & Robbie, for Out of Many, One Music Shaggy collaborated, with Ne-yo, Beres Hammond, Konshens, Taurus Riley, Coco Tea, Joe, Morgan Heritage, Tessanne Chin, Chronixx, Jimmy Cozier and Damian Marley!
Now Ranch Entertainment has re-released Out of Many, One Music as Out of Many, One Music XL Edition. The Grammy Nominated XL Edition is available on all digital outlets. The new release features four new singles, including “Night Flight,” which features Supercat and Maxi Priest.
You can pick up Out Of Many, One Music XL Edition on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Ghetto Youths Intl. – Set Up Shop Vol. 2
Release Date: December 23rd
There’s a brand new Compilation, the second in it’s volume, with the Ghetto Youth International’s Set Up Shop. On Dec 23rd, 2014, primarily produced by the Grammy-winning brothers, Stephen & Damian Marley, their label will release their new 15 track compilation album following the February 2013 release of the first volume, which peaked #1 on the U.S. Billboard Reggae Album chart. Set Up Shop Vol. 2 features Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Julian Marley, Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis, Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Cham and more.
Read more about the album by clicking HERE!
You can pick up Set Up Shop Vol. 2 on iTunes now, by clicking HERE!
Article By: Aaron Solomon