More Than Music.

Available June 18, 2013 courtesy of Zion High Productions

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I Grade Records is set to release the Songbird Riddim album – the first installment of the Zion I Kings Riddim Series. The Songbird Riddim – to be released worldwide on 5/21 – features a massive lineup of 16 conscious reggae artists from the Virgin Islands, Jamaica and the US. The Songbird Riddim also provides a sneak peak at Lutan Fyah’s forthcoming LP for I Grade Records (Summer/Fall 2013)
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Songbird Riddim by I Grade Records

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Highlighting the riddim are several of the brightest lights in the respected VI roots reggae movement, including Midnite, Pressure, Niyorah, Ras Batch, Danny I and Junior P. Also featured are three of Jamaica’s finest: Lutan Fyah, Glen Washington, and buzz-worthy newcomer, Jah9. Brooklyn’s very own (by way of Guyana), Jahdan Blakkamoore, is represented, hot off of the heels of his collaborations with Snoop Dogg or Snoop Lion, in this case, for hisReincarnated album. Guitar maestro Tuff Lion’s emotive playing is on display with an instrumental version that conjures the feel of his seminal album for I Grade Records, Ten Strings (2008).

Zion I Kings is a production collective of three producers/labels: Zion High Productions, I Grade Records, and Lustre Kings Productions. On the Songbird Riddim, Tippy I of I Grade and Jah David of Zion High crafted the soulful and melodic composition with an excellent line up of instrumentalists, including Craig Taylor (drummer for Julian Marley), Tuff Lion, Steve Katz of St. Croix andJazzique of Nevis. Balboa Becker and Daniel Casares of Celebrity Hornzprovide the unforgettable and soulful horn playing. Zion I Kings has several “Riddims Series” releases planned, including the upcoming Jah Warriah Riddim – to be released on Zion High Productions summer 2013.

Some standout tracks on the Songbird include Lutan Fyah’s self-esteem anthem, “She’s Got Soul” – which will also be the first single off of his upcoming album on I Grade Records, Music Never Dies, set for a summer 2013 release.Pressure Buss Pipe, who also has an album in the works with I Grade Records, brings an emotive tribute to the resiliency of his people with “The Rain.” Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite sends forth a powerful lyrical and vocal missive with “A New Overstanding”. St. Thomas’ native son, Niyorah, delivers an epic anti-war anthem with “War is Not the Answer” while Jamaica’s female ‘songbird’, Jah9, offers a stirring look at current-day “Tension” felt by the millions of people under the siege and pressure in the present time.

Tracklisting:

1. She’s Got Soul – Lutan Fyah
2. The Rain – Pressure
3. So Beautiful – Ras Batch
4. I Know – Danny I
5. Bumpy Ride – Glen Washington
6. War is Not the Answer – NiyoRah
7. Best in Life – Jahdan Blakkamoore
8. A New Overstanding – Midnite
9. Tension – Jah9
10. Times Ah Get Hard – Junior P
11. The Power of Love – Misael
12. Don’t Let Go – Shay
13. Holding onto Freedom – Dushane
14. JAH Preserve – Reemah
15. Call on JAH Name – Duane Stephenson
16. Birds of Praise – Tuff Lion

Contact:
Laurent Alfred
I Grade Records
Email: igraderecords@gmail.com
Tel: 646.226.1738

Joshua Chamberlain
Soul of the Lion Music
Email: soulofthelionmusic [at] gmail [dot] com
Tel. 876.440.5560

This is gourmet reggae: Original Yard Food, the new album from General Jah Mikey set to release May 14 is made with simply the finest musical ingredients.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL RELEASE AND LINK TO AUDIO PREVIEW.

Commanding seductive control over the music and the message, General Jah Mikey serves up a nourishing roots reggae release on his new album, Original Yard Food, produced by critically acclaimed Zion High Productions (6 months on Reggae Vibes Top 50 Album Chart with Glen Washington’s ‘Masterpiece’ 2012 album) and set to be released May 14 on the ZHP label. For those hungry for real reggae music, Original Yard Food showcases that authentic conscious roots sound, a powerful intersection between breezy lyrics and edgy riddim selections built by the Zion I Kings production team—Tippy I (I Grade Records), Jah D (Zion High Productions) and Moon (Lustre Kings)—or, on the other hand, hardcore message music matched by signature instrumental riffs played by Jamaica’s living legends like Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith (guitar), Dean Fraser (sax) and Nambo (trombone). The thirteen tracks on Original Yard Food include up to the time reggae one-drop riddims, electrifying deejay segments, dub breakdowns and even jazzy explorations. And here, General Jah Mikey’s husky tenor adds yet another layer of cool and deadly vibes producing a subtly sweet listening experience even on the most hard hitting reality tunes. Original Yard Food will be in stores and available via fine e-tailers everywhere courtesy of Independent Distribution Collective. For additional promotional materials please contact Joshua Chamberlain at soulofthelionmusic@gmail.com.