available October 30 everywhere
GET IN THE SPIRIT ON OCTOBER 30TH: THE MORE SPIRITUAL IS A 7-TRACK COLLECTION IN THE SPIRIT OF JUNJO LAWES’ LEGENDARY GANJA SMUGGLING RIDDIM CREATED BY GREEN LION
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Green Lion and Soul of the Lion Records are pleased to present the More Spiritual Riddim, a Green Lion production based around Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes’ legendary Ganja Smuggling riddim first released in 1981. Set to release October 30th and thirty-one years after the original, Green Lion’s infectious combination of timeless percussive dub and foundation dancehall vibes projects a seductive, up-to-the-time invitation to move your feet to the beat when you feel the spirit. “We Run England” (click for the reviews and to preview), performed by Mr Williamz and the first song from the More Spiritual riddim released as a single, demonstrates the full production’s worldwide appeal with critical acclaim from England to the Caribbean to Europe and the USA (“Playful, genuinely funny and most important of all musically dynamite too.” musiclikedirt.com). Here, the sum total of the More Spiritual riddim is greater than its individual parts in featuring Europe’s most respected vocalists. In addition to two contributions from Mr Williamz, the More Spiritual also features deejays YT (UK) and Million Stylez (Sweden) as well as the internationally touring veteran Jamaican wordsmith, Perfect, and the leader of Jamaica’s roots reggae/hip hop new school, Kabaka Pyramid. Nambo (trombone) and Everton Gayle (saxophone) are not lyricists but their subtle message urging you to get in the conscious groove is heard loud and clear from Jamaica’s most respected instrumentalists. Indeed, up to the artwork hand painted by Dan Buller (Heavyweight Art Installation), Green Lion’s production once again leaves absolutely nothing to chance.
Preview “We Run England”
by GreenLionCrew
The stage for the More Spiritual Riddim was set by the Mr Williamz single “We Run England” which first took the UK by storm (“If you were in any doubt about who runs the country check this one. Madd thing.” September 2012/Clash Music) before being embraced by urban and world music fans internationally and is currently climbing the Hot-N-Fresh chart at Reggae-Vibes.com and in rotation from New York to Kingston. Mr Williamz is no stranger to the spotlight though. The 2008 BBC Artiste of the Year was also a selection on Greensleeves’ 2009 release The Biggest Reggae Anthems along with YT and Million Stylez, each of whom provide standout contributions on the More Spiritual riddim. Although known for extolling the physical on his breakout hit “Miss Fatty”, Million Stylez goes beyond the physical to offer the he title track, “More Spiritual” and a compelling plea to others to join him. YT is a loyal soldier in the cause with “Save The Children” making a real case for the vulnerable in society.
Kabaka Pyramid, a voice many consider the future of Jamaican conscious reggae music, shows a clear comfort with spitting a thoughtful poetic flow and a knack for those catchy hooks required of any cross over hit. Here, Kabaka’s looks forward on “New Year” to a “new year new style we a drop the bomb pon di whole ah babylon dem organization”. For Perfect, the More Spiritual puts him in an herbalist mood. “Don’t Be Afraid” has anthem written all over it for anyone looking to feel that ital spirit for which reggae music is known worldwide. Indeed, Mr Williamz must have got the message early. Either that or his first recording was so good Mr Williamz found it worth repeating. “Herbzman” is Mr Williamz’ second contribution on the More Spiritual Riddim. Finally, don’t miss Green Lion’s version with Nambo and Everton holding down the horn section. From beginning to end the More Spiritual is real reggae music for 2012. Paying homage to the past and looking straight to the future, the More Spiritual connects with the spirit of dancehall reggae while forward one song at a time.
Track list:
1. Mr Williamz – We Run England (preview and reviews)
2. Million Stylez – More Spiritual
3. Kabaka Pyramid – New Year
4. Perfect – Don’t Be Afraid
5. YT – Save Di Children
6. Mr Williamz – Herbzman
7. Green Lion Feat Nambo & Everton – More Spiritual Version
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About the artists:
Mr Williamz
Born in Jamaica and grown in England, Williamz burst onto the reggae scene in 2008 with his debut single “Babylon in Helicopter” (Produced by Necessary Mayhem) which reached No1 in the U.S singles charts, No2 in the German reggae charts and charted No 15 in the German reggae charts. The same year Mr.Williamz was honored by the BBC as the UK Artiste of the Year. He has since released follow up with singles such as “No Cigarette” (The Biggest Reggae Anthems 2009 /Greensleeves CD), “Real General” which reached No 1 in Japan and the most recent “We Run England” (Green Lion/Soul of the Lion).
Million Stylez
After making the finals of the “Big Break” contest arranged by Jamaica’s Irie FM radio station and Red Stripe beer (and the first non-Jamaican to participate) the Swede Million Stylez rode his international pop hit “Miss Fatty” (15M views on YouTube) to worldwide fame. Recent tunes with Gentleman (Germany) and Busy Signal (Jamaica) showcase the equally important conscious side of Million Stylez
Kabaka Pyramid
Keron “Kabaka Pyramid” Salmon is a multi-talented artist and producer coming straight from the streets of Kingston, Jamaica with a unique musical style blending the lyric flow of hip hop, with the energy and melody of reggae and dancehall. As heard on the internationally acclaimed mixtape ‘Rebel Music’, Kabaka’s fresh approach and conscious message have attracted attention by many looking for who will lead the next generation of Jamaican music.
Perfect
The St Ann’s Bay, Jamaica native is one of the music’s most innovative lyricists with a penchant for experimentation having dabbled in rock, rap and blues as well as being hailed as the future of reggae and dancehall music. He’s also one of the most prolific with 10 albums and mixtapes to his credit released in partnership with production houses from Jamaica, to France to Germany.
YT
His first major 7” of note was the massive ‘England Story’ (a version of Baby Cham’s ‘Ghetto Story’) featured on the album Straight Outta Britain throughout which YT demonstrates a firm grasp of Patois as well a knack for adapting contemporary Jamaican styles with his own artistic vision.
Green Lion
Zeke Stern, aka Green Lion, is a deejay, producer and radio host based in New England USA as well as co-founder (with Dana ‘Chai’ Knowles) of the Green Lion Crew sound system. Prior to the More Spiritual release, Stern’s credits include the underground crossover hit “Come Down” performed by Collie Buddz included on the Playback EP as well as the groundbreaking We Run England Mixtape recorded by Mr Williamz.
