Nobody planned this conversation. I certainly didn’t, and the guys from The Aggrolites didn’t expect it either. Sometimes, however, fate knows better what RudeMaker readers need. After the dirty reggae legends’ show in Cottbus in November 2019, it decided that they had to read about “Reggae Now!”, marinating records and the best skinhead reggae in the world.
During the pandemic, the artists are not bored at all. They write new songs, broadcast their shows in limited line-ups on social media, or, like Mr. T-Bone, support the needy with their music.
Plenty of stars play at Freedom Sounds Festival, but usualy the artists listed slightly lower on the event poster cause my heart to beat faster. That was the case with Jesse Wagner & The Badasonics. After a great gig we had an opportunity to talk a little – listen or read the interview.
In May I’ve already shared with you my optimistic predictions about new Aggrolites album. Two tracks presented before the premiere allowed me to rub my hands with glee and to prepare my player for some intensive work. The physical record arrived just today, but the truth is I’ve already had it memorized.
To say that Freedom Sounds is a great festival is not enough. Before we tell you exactly what happened during the memorable last weekend of April in Cologne, Magdalena prepared her Top 5.
It’s only few days left till 7th edition of Freedom Sounds Festival. We’ve written many times that this is probably our favourite recurring event in ska, rocksteady and reggae rythms. Spring indoors festival in Cologne, Germany has definitely earned this name. We’ve been there three times already and each time it was simply perfect. The bar is set very high but this year’s lineup allows to expect new record results.
In USA attitude to Jamaican music depends on which coast you live on (or perhaps on how much sun you get during the year). In California musical nerds strip away Treasure Isle and Studio One music to recreate it perfectly. In New York musicians write great songs by intuition or trial & error. From connecting both these worlds Reggae Workers Of The World emerged. Alongside Jesse Wagner from The Agrrolites and Vic Ruggiero from The Slackers there’s also Nico Léonard from The Moon Invaders throwing in his two euro-cents. Their second album “R.W.W. II” was released in May by Nico’s label, Badasonic Records. For this occasion they went touring in Europe.
