Spring is only heating up as we get closer to Summer and if it doesn’t feel like the year is going by fast enough for you, then there’s plenty of new releases for the month of May to last you the rest of the year as we take a look at some great new albums to be released this month.
For the month of May we take a look at 9 different albums we should all be excited about acquiring. Tis the season for new music and while there are a lot of great singles coming out this month, such as Sublime With Rome’s Panic coming out May 10th, we kept our focus on actual album releases, and not so much singles. Plus there’s enough music here to keep you occupied till Sublime With Rome releases their new album Yours Truly on July 12th.
May 2011 Album Releases
Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
Release Date: May 3rd, 2011
Beastie Boys finally Released their long awaited new album Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2 on May 3rd via Capitol Records. This will be the Beastie Boys first non-instrumental album in 7 years. Recently nominated into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Beastie Boys previously had plans to release Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 in 2009 but plans changed after Adam MCA Yauch announced that he was diagnosed with cancer. So don’t feel confused if you felt you missed the release of Part 1. They have just decided to release Part 2, first on May 3rd but Part 2 will also include parts from Part 1. Confused? Safe to say it sounds like theres a whole lot more Beastie Boys to come! This release features guest appearances by Nas & Santigold on this 16 track album.
Beastie boys went on to say “Since the dawn of time, and perhaps even before, there was a silent order who were tasked with a mission. They held their secret tightly. On may 3rd the HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART TWO will be unleashed on the general public. Hold fast ye heathens. You can pick this album up anywhere where albums are sold. Go Enjoy!
HB Surround Sound – Back To Reality EP
Release Date: May 3rd, 2011
HB Surround Sound has returned after a 6 year absence for the release of their new EP appropriately titled Back To Reality. The 5 track EP won rave reviews from our very own Chris Castro in an Album Review that included 4/5 star rating. Chris described the EP as the “New soundtrack to your wildest funky reggae parties.” HB Surround Sound describes their fresh new sound as “Super tight SKA/REGGAE/ROCK in the vain of Operation Ivy, Rancid, The Clash and The Specials. True RudeBoys 4 Life.” If your on the fence about picking up this EP, then let me tell you its FREE for the whole Month of May EXCLUSIVELY at The Pier.
You can freely download this album inside our MP3 Massive section by clicking HERE
Lee “Scratch” Perry – Rise Again
Release Date: May 10th, 2011
At the age of 75, Dub legend, Lee “Scratch” Perry will release his new album Rise Again on May 10 via MOD Technologies. The 11 track album, Rise Again, is a guest-heavy affair, with legendary NYC-based producer Bill Laswell’s (Motörhead, Herbie Hancock) on the mix boards and a slew of guest appearances that include TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, who’s featured on the track Higher Level, P-Funk’s Bernie Worrell, Sly and Robbie’s Sly Dunbar and backing musicians for the likes of Tricky, Wu-Tang, Matisyahu and Shakira, among others.
Top Shelf – The Sound
Release Date: May 10th
Top Shelf is set to release their Sophomore album titled The Sound. The album includes guest appearances courtesy of cootdog of Mystic Roots, Zion Thompson of The Green, Gina Marie Lo Monaco & Energy Alchemist. The album is produced by Jim Fox, cootdog, Timmin Murray as well as Top Shelf. They worked out of Russian River Records in Ukiah, CA & Lion Fox Recording Studios in D.C.
With 16 total tracks, here is what singer/guitarist Carter Lane told The Pier about the new release..
“We are excited to finally be releasing the album we have forever wanted to create! It’s been such a pleasurable and unique experience for us here at the Top Shelf camp! Musically we’ve got our hands in everything this time, fresh rock, new reggae, nice pop, a little dubstep for the kids and of course positive lyrics for all! From working in our hometown with Mystic Roots leader cootdog to mixing in Washington D.C. with the legendary Jim Fox, Im not quite sure how the process could have been more epic! The result is THE SOUND and its bound to resonate with the masses! Get ready for some fresh new rock reggae!” – Carter Lane
Rootdown – Tidal Wave
Release Date: May 17th 2011
The new ROOTDOWN record Tidal Wave features ten songs produced by Grammy-winning producer Christopher Stevens (TobyMAC, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood). The band has shown significant growth and maturity since their last release Summer of Love in 2009 (which debuted in the top ten on the iTunes reggae charts).
During the past two years they have been working on Tidal Wave. Many of their favorite songs have come from their live shows. The 10 track album includes song such as Good Day, Golden & HB.
“We ran out of material and made up the song on the spot. After a year of playing some of these songs live we figured out what works and connects with the audience,’ said front man Paul Wright about the song HB. Their song Golden was written during a sound check in Montana. “We drove fifteen hours in a blizzard to play at this college. When we arrived we were greeted by fifteen people and a sound system consisting of car speakers. Nevertheless, it was where one of our favorite songs was created, so I guess it was worth the drive.”
Josh Heinrichs – Jah Roots
Release Date: May 17th 2011
It’s official, on Tuesday May 17th Josh Heinrichs will be releasing his new album Jah Roots. This release is a collection of his favorite songs from all 5 albums he wrote while in the band, Jah Roots. The songs will all be redone in an acoustic driven style and will feature a full band or multiple instruments on most tracks. The album will contain 12 tracks and will cost only $1.99 when its digitally released Tuesday May 17, 2011.
GroundScore – Speed Kills
Release Date: May 17th 2011
GroundScore returned to the Magpie Cage studios in Baltinmore, MD to work with legendary producer J. Robbins (Clutch, Jawbox, Government Issue, Against Me!) on their second album titled Speed Kills which will be released May 17th. The group employed some archaic reocrdings techniques to make this album by using a 1980’s 2” tape machine that gives the bottom end of the record a much warmer sound. The album contains 17 tracks & varies on everything from punk rock to reggae.
Stephen Marley – Revelation Pt 1: The Root of Life
Release Date: – May 24th, 2011
7-time Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, Stephen Marley, is set to release his third solo album, titled Revelation Pt 1: The Root of Life. The album will be released on Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal Republic and the album will be released on May 24, 2011. Conceived as a two part project, THE ROOT OF LIFE will be followed by the release of REVELATION PT 2: THE FRUIT OF LIFE, due in fall of 2011, which will feature an array of styles that have emanated from reggae’s core.
With 2 seperate releases scheduled for this year, Stephen Marley’s first release with Revelation Pt 1: The Root of Life features an all star cast of guest appearances including Damian & Ziggy Marley, Capleton, Spragga Benz, Buju Banton, Wale & The Cast of Fela, plus Melanie Fiona.
The first single, Jah Army, features Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Buju Banton spitting formidable, career-defining verses over a thunderous one-drop rhythm with lyrics to rally the troops. “Whether it’s in the music or our life, get it together man, the Gideon is on,” declares Stephen Marley.
Chino – Self-Titled
Release Date: May 24th, 2011
Jamaican reggae dancehall artist Daniel “Chino” McGregor will release his debut self-titled album on May 24, 2011 on the VP Records imprint. The highly-anticipated studio effort from one of reggae’s dynasties, Chino being the son of reggae icon Freddie McGregor and brother of acclaimed producer Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, composes a new formula in reggae and dancehall music.
A fusion of reggae, dancehall, pop, alternative rock, world and other global influences connect for 15 tracks of potential classics for the budding star. With Stephen McGregor at the helm of production for the entire album recorded at their family-owned Big Ship studio, Chino houses already popular anthems such as From Mawnin’ (Never Change), Pon Your Head, and the collaboration with Stephen, Protected. It also features new selections such as the current singles from the album, I Am” and Seal The Link (Leaving).”