March 2015 Album Releases

March 2015 Album Releases

It’s officially spring, a time when the weather warms and the flowers bloom. Some people may start hitting the beach or spend more time outside. Some may even do a little spring-cleaning. But if you’re like us, no matter what activity you choose to do in this beautiful season, you’ll need a lot of great music to listen to as you do it. Luckily, March has delivered droves of new tunes.

Aside form the quantity, what’s really nice about the new releases this month is the variety. In the mainstream you may have heard plenty of discussion about new records. There has been plenty of talking about the surprise release of To Pimp a Butterfly from hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar. Tons of people are excited for Strangers to Ourselves, the new record from Modest Mouse‘s return. Or, how about all the buzz about Australian folk rocker, Courtney Barnett, and her debut record releasing this month?

These all aren’t bad, but as for records you may not have heard about, this month we have 10 great new release worth checking out. Included below are a couple EPs from underground favorites, up and coming bands, and an excellent showing from UK reggae bands.

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:

  • January 2015 Album Releases
  • February 2015 Album Releases
  • March 2015 Album Releases

    Na’an Stop – From The Deep
    Release Date: March 5th
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    For the past few years the Boulder 5-piece known as Na’an Stop has worked non-stop crafting their original fusion of reggae, rock, ska and hip-hop. Together, the young musicians blend a sound that has allowed the band to play support to the full spectrum of reggae-rock headliners that travels through the region.

    Their debut release, an EP titled It’s All In The Cheese hit playlists in 2013. Now as the band continues to expand their regional and national presence, this month Na’an Stop has officially released their first full-length record, From The Deep. Made up of 12 tracks, the album was produced with the help of Colorado’s Scanhope Sound, and UI Sound Studios. After locally releasing physical copies earlier this year, From The Deep is now available to the world on most digital outlets. Preview a few tracks on the band’s Soundcloud page.

    You can pick up From The Deep on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    TreeHouse! – Lifted
    Release Date: March 10th
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    A trio based out of Myrtle Beach, TreeHouse! has been jamming up and down the east coast since 2010. After five years, the band has worked up to a tour schedule composed of hundreds of shows a year, including playing support to many of the scene’s nationally touring acts. With two albums out on iTunes, in 2015 TreeHouse! continues on with the release of their third independent record. Titled Lifted, the project is made up of 12 tracks which were recorded and mixed in Charleston, South Carolina, by Wolfgang Zimmerman. The record was mastered by the infamous Jason ‘Jocko’ Randall, at More Sound Studio in Syracuse, New York.

    Lifted features a balance of the band’s older styles with a range of newer influences. For this album the band dug into their stock pile of songs, recording some favored older live jams. Full of texture featuring sounds of saxophone, trumpet, keys, didgeridoo and percussion, TreeHouse! invites fans to sit back and get ‘Lifted.’

    You can pick up Lifted on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    Protoje – Ancient Future
    Release Date: March 10th
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    At a time when organic Jamaican reggae music strives to make a resurgence amongst the stiff competition of the American progressive reggae rock scene, Protoje emerges with a brand new record. One of the most anticipated, and most authentic records released recently, this modern mix of reggae is truly deserving of its oxymoronic title.

    Protoje has been gaining momentum throughout the world with the quality of his music and the energy of his live performances. A quality that is showcased in Protoje’s Ancient Future, released March 10th, on In.Digg.Nation Collective and Overstand Entertainment Labels. Produced by Winta James, Protoje’s third studio album includes 11 songs, kicking off with “Protection” featuring Mortimer in addition to an appearance throughout the record by Chronixx, Sevana, Jesse Royal, and Kabaka Pyramid. Ancient Future is now available to the world on most digital outlets. Preview a few tracks on the band’s Soundcloud page.

    You can pick up Ancient Future on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    The Skints – FM
    Release Date: March 10th
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    If you’re not familiar with The Skints, their press release summed it up the best by describing the East London-based group, as mixing “Jamaican styles with pop hooks, grimey raps, filthy bass lines and a punk-rock work ethic”. On March 10th, East-London’s reggae-rock quartet, The Skints released their new studio album titled FM via Easy Star Records. A record that has done quite well for itself, as the band hit number 5 in the US Billboard Reggae Charts without even having played in the US.

    Titled as a tribute to the radio culture that The Skints love as music fans, this record is one of the most well done records released this year. From the concept of the project, all the way to the production, everything about this record is top notch! Recorded in a London studio for FM The Skints reunited with Prince Fatty, to once again help produce their record. Made up of 15 tracks, all played on ‘pirate radio station 103.Skints,’ FM features guest appearances by reggae legends Tippa Irie and Horseman, alongside grime MC Rival. FM is available physically on CD and vinyl as well as on all digital outlets.

    Read more about the album by clicking Here.

    Read our review the album by clicking Here.

    You can pick up FM on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    Capital Letters – Wolverhampton
    Release Date: March 23rd
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    Developing in the distinctive 70’s British roots reggae scene, now following their reformation, and the release of an EP back in 2013, Capital Letters are back with their first all new album in 30 years. Recorded in Noel Browne’s UK Studio, Wolverhampton released March 23rd via Sugar Shack Records. An imprint of Bristol Archive Records and Reggae Archive Records, the label was re-branded in 2012 to focus on releasing new British Reggae Music. Featuring 14 songs and 2 dub versions of the leading track ”Jah Music”, the record is available digitally as well as physically in CD and limited Vinyl formats. Preview a few tracks on the band’s Soundcloud page.

    You can pick up Wolverhampton on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    Steel Pulse – Handsworth Revolution (Deluxe Edition)
    Release Date: March 23rd
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    In 2015 the legendary reggae originators, Steel Pulse are celebrating their 40th year together. In honor of the milestone the band is re-releasing a deluxe edition of the group’s first record. Widely acclaimed as a classic, Handsworth Revolution not only established Birmingham-based Steel Pulse as one of reggae’s most talented and original groups, it also proved beyond doubt that the UK could produce roots music of the highest quality. Available through Piccadilly Records the release of this deluxe 2-CD set with the original 8 tracks is augmented by 22 incredible bonus tracks. Beautifully packaged and released to coincide with the band’s 2015 tour schedule, this 30 track release is an essential acquisition any Steel Pulse fan and those simply wishing to discover why Handsworth Revolution is still so revered, some 37 years after its original release.

    You can pick up Handsworth Revolution (Deluxe Edition) now, by clicking Here.

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    Passafire – Interval EP
    Release Date: March 24th
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    Following 2013’s release of their fifth full-length studio record,Vines, in 2014 Passafire spent the year touring in support of that album. The band also spent time later in 2014 writing and recording new music at their own studio in Savannah, Georgia as well as once again returning to Texas’ Sonic Ranch Studios.

    New songs started to make appearances in Passafire sets last fall and throughout their recent winter tour. Now after being road-tested and fan-approved, 4 tracks have been produced for Passafire’s sixth studio release. Titled Interval, this release is the band’s first EP and is their first release to be categorized as ‘Alternative.’ Interval features the rocker “Wheels of Steel,” followed by “Finding Me”, “Out of Sight” and finally the catchy tune “Bobber”, a song fronted by bassist and vocalist Will Kubley. The record hit stores on March 24th, the band’s second release on Easy Star Records. This new EP is available on all digital outlets.

    This month Passafire has also made available a release that contains 4 remixed tracks from Vines. Titled Vines – The Drastics Remixes for this project, Chicago’s, The Drastics put their flavoring on “Right Thing,” “Souvenir,” and “Night Comes Easy”. Pick up these FREE downloads over on the Passafire Bandcamp page.

    Read more about Interval by clicking Here.

    You can pick up Interval on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    Lion D – Heartical Soul
    Release Date: March 24th
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    Following the release of 3 albums and an EP over the past five years, this month Italy’s Lion D’s latest record is now available world-wide. Titled Heartical Soul and out on Bizzarri Records these tracks were recorded and produced by Alborosie in his Shengen Studios. Among the 13 tracks, included in the record are an intro track, a dub version of the album’s third track “Ruff Inna Town”, as well as tracks featuring Alborosie, Kenmar and Ken Booth. Heartical Soul can be found on all digital outlets

    You can pick up Heartical Soul on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    Jahdan Blakkamoore – Order of Distinction
    Release Date: March 24th
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    Known for his superb songwriting skills and ability to cross over genres, Jahdan Blakkamoore has carved out his niche in the music industry. This month, Jahdan will release his third solo album Order of Distinction, the long awaited follow up to his 2010 release, Babylon Nightmare. Released March 24th through Lustre Kings Productions, Order of Distinction was recorded around his home town of Brooklyn, New York. This record contains 14 tracks produced by Paper Stars and the prolific modern roots production team, Zion I Kings. Other special guests include Lutan Fyah Lady Leshurr & Melodic Yoza Kabaka Pyramid Pressure Busspipe Illuminati Congo.

    You can pick up Order of Distinction on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    Trevor Hall – Unpack Your Memories EP
    Release Date: March 27th
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    Following his 6th studio record, 2014’s Chapter of the Forest, Trevor Hall’s latest release, and second EP is titled Unpack Your Memories. Released on Vanguard Records, the EP, composed of 5 tracks is said to include Trevor Hall’s most personal songs.

    Here’s how Hall explained the EP: “Unpack Your Memories is a collection of songs that have been in my ‘vault’ for a long time now,” continuing, “some just didn’t make the other albums and some were just too intimate to share at the time. Now they are ready to breathe and be shared with others. The name of the album says everything… These are all songs that have become memories for me. I am reaching into my bag and unpacking them – unpacking their meaning, the memory of where I was when I wrote them, and the feelings that they brought me so many years ago. As the saying goes, ‘You never meet the same river twice.’ Every time I hear these songs, they teach me something new or offer me the gift of a new perspective. There are many other songs that are still in my vault, but I felt these were the most important to share at this time. The songs all came up together like the roots of a tree, and have taken form in the EP.”

    Read more about the album by clicking Here.

    You can pick up Unpack Your Memories on Amazon now, by clicking Here!

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    Article By: Aaron Solomon