Rian Basilio and The Roosters is a 9-piece roots reggae group that blends funk, jazz, dub and soul, while calling Waikoloa Village, Hawai’i home. On August 7th, they released their latest album Birds of Paradise, a record that was 3.5 years in the making. In light of this release, The Pier is giving away their new song “Sweet Mary”, featuring Marlon Asher, for FREE this week only….
You can download Rian Basilio & The Roosters new single “Sweet Mary” (ft. Marlon Asher) for FREE on our home page under the MP3 Leak of the Week on the right hand column! This Download will only be available until Saturday, Aug 22nd, 2015.
Rian Basilio & The Roosters – “Sweet Mary” (ft. Marlon Asher) – Download HERE
“Sweet Mary” Background:
Rian Basilio and the Roosters have spent close to 4 years working on Birds of Paradise, their new album dawning 15 brand-new-tracks coming in at 1 hour and 13minutes. In the 4 years this album took to come together, close to 25 different musicians played parts split up amongst 4 different producers in addition to many family and friends of the band. “It is much more to us than just the next album to us,” says Rian Basilio.
Some of the stand-out guest appearances on this new release include Karim Israel of Arise Roots on “Wicked Man”, Isaac Tuli on “More Than Friends”, Troy Fernandez of Ka’au Crater Boys plays ukulele on “The Aloha Way” and “Aurora Fades”, Tex Nakamura plays harmonica on “Sweet City Woman” and Marlon “Ganja Farmer” Asher on “Sweet Mary”.
With giving away “Sweet Mary” away as this week’s Mp3 Leak of the Week, Rian Basilio shared that: “We have been backing Marlon Asher when he plays in the US for a couple years now. So it was only fitting that we got him to be on a track with us for the new album. I mean he’s the Ganja Farmer, how could we not have him on our ganja track. He kills it too! The whole track came together so effortlessly. In my opinion its one of the baddest songs on the album.”
The whole album was produced and released independently, recording the bulk of the albums tracks inside their home-studio while also branching out and working with producers Fully Fullwood on “Wicked Man” and Lew Richards from 17th St. Recording Studios on “Everything I Am”.
“It was really important to me to show young up and coming bands that if you work hard enough and educate yourself on your craft,” explains Rian. “It is well within your grasp now days to write, record and release a professional level album on your own without the need for outside help. Every song on the album is a personal story to me. Whether its about love or the inability to deal with the economic or social struggles of life, each verse and chorus is true to life and experiences I have gone through or are working through.”
When asked to discuss the sound and style of the album, Rian continued on explaining “We really wanted to showcase the diversity of Reggae music and show new fans that it doesn’t all sound the same and that Reggae can be a great bridge to connect many different genres of music and many different types of people. We wanted to make an album that both, old school and new school reggae fans, could enjoy and respect. Reggae music is so much more than smoking weed and wearing red, yellow, and green. Reggae, among many other things, is a lifestyle, a culture and a living organism that is constantly growing and evolving. Staying on the forefront of that evolution while paying as much respect as possible to where it comes from is our goal. The physical manifestation of human experience and emotion through music. That is the song which a ‘Bird of Paradise’ sings.”
You can pick up Rian Basilio and The Roosters new album Birds of Paradise on iTunes by clicking HERE!
Rian Basilio & The Roosters Background:
Rian Basilio and The Roosters are an electrifying group based in Southern California intent on spreading their unique blend of Reggae, Dub, Blues, Soul, Rock and R&B to the masses. Since forming in 2011, they have quickly gained a following across the southwestern US and Hawaii. Their 10-track debut self-titled album including the hit single “Long Road to Zion” received heavy radio rotation in HI, CA and NV after being released back in July 2011. 4 years later and the 9 piece power-house has released their sophomore release, Birds of Paradise on August 7th, 2015.
Rian Basilio and the Roosters Tour Dates
Rian Basilio & The Roosters Links:
Rian Basilio & The Roosters Website
Rian Basilio & The Roosters Facebook
Huge thanks again to Rian Basilio & The Roosters for allowing us to share their new single “Sweet Mary” (ft. Marlon Asher) to post up for FREE download. Free music is a privilege that we’re grateful for and we appreciate the work these artists do! Please feel free to download this song for FREE and spread the awareness to your friends!
Enjoy the FREE track on the homepage!
Article By: Mike Patti
Watch: Rian Basilio and the Roosters Presents ‘Birds of Paradise’ EPK
Watch: Rian Basilio and the Roosters – “Everything I Am”
