Free Love & Fighting Steel City Rhythm
Album info
Album-Release:
2016
HRA-Release:
01.06.2016
Album including Album cover
- 1Beautiful Haze04:39
- 2Pennies and Pounds06:16
- 3This Life05:37
- 4Never Stop06:52
- 5Countdown to Zero10:51
- 6Lost Along the Way04:41
- 7Price We Pay06:40
- 8My Eyes Never Sleep06:36
Info for Free Love & Fighting
Sheffield’s finest eight-piece reggae rock group bring a fresh batch of wholesome grooves, punchy lyrics and good vibes with Free Love and Fighting.
The South Yorkshire octet waste no time, jumping straight into the offbeat rhythm you’re expecting. Shades of old school influence take hold on 'This Life', which has a classic reggae feel. Johnny Osbourne and Jimmy Cliff resonate throughout this banging opener, which is never a bad way to start.
'Never Stop' eases us in with tingly, Chili Peppers guitar tones. This is a track that really shows the group off as musicians, each member locking in perfectly to deliver a stellar groove.
The overtly political message of 'Pennies and Pounds' rings out as one of the strongest tracks here. The infectious tones and powerful lyrics - “Roll up another government vision / To bring your country down to the ground” - hark back to the social commentary of The Wailers on a poignant and important track.
The sounds of a smoky jazz club introduce 'Price We Pay', something with a totally different sound but which complements the rest of the release well. It lends itself to the rest of the songs as a refreshing addition, as the upbeat ska horns give us a feel of The Specials.
Steel City Rhythm offer a solid group of tunes here, all well produced and very well written. Free Love and Fighting provides something different and is hugely crucial to the diversity of the Sheffield music scene. Bravo.
Serving up a very tasty platter of brass driven Reggae, Ska & Dub goodness and overflowing with expertly crafted, uplifting tunes,this excellent release looks set to propel the 8 piece combo from local to national & indeed international recognition!' (Do the Dog Music, UK)
'Wholesome grooves, punchy lyrics and good vibes ... Steel City Rhythm offer a solid group of tunes here, all well produced and very well written. Free Love and Fighting provides something different and is hugely crucial to the diversity of the Sheffield music scene.' - Now Then Magazine (UK)
'Rather nice indeed!' (Rodigan, BBC1xtra)
'The group build upon solid foundations of dub and reggae, and add their own flare of hip-hop and funk with an assured confidence … Free Love And Fighting will make a solid and enjoyable addition to any dub playlist … listening to this album will help you feel like summer has arrived already!' (The Punk Archive, UK)
Ben Lydiat, vocals
Carl „on fire“ Watkins, guitar
Carl Dulson, bass
Danny Greasley, drums
Sarah Reaney, tenor saxophone
Tom Wood, trumpet
Stevie D, vocals
Joe Wood, piano, organ, melodica, congas
Steel City Rhythm
Formed in late summer 2013 Steel City Rhythm are a Sheffield based 8 piece, playing a unique blend of up-tempo, politically conscious reggae fusion music. Mixing blazing brass lines and soaring vocals over hard Hip-Hop beats, heavy Dub breaks and rhythmic Funk grooves, The Steel City Rhythm sound is infectious and designed to get people on their feet and moving. Since their creation Steel City Rhythm have been storming stages across the UK with their trademark high-octane shows, guaranteed to leave audiences sweaty and satisfied!
Sharing the stage with awesome international acts such as Slamboree, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Gentlemen’s Dub Club, The Newtown Kings and Dreadzone to name but a few, Steel City Rhythm have also made high profile appearances at major festivals such as Sheffield's Tramlines festival, Boomtown Fair, Alchemy and a two year running headline show at underground favourite Northern Green Gathering. Fast becoming favourites of the festival and party circuit Steel City Rhythm released their debut album 'Free Love and Fighting' in early 2016 to critical acclaim, receiving airtime around the world including on BBC1xtra courtesy of David Rodigan himself!
With appearances at Kaya Festival, Tramlines, Ynot, One Love and BoomTown Fair confirmed for 2016, as well as support slots with UB40, Steel City Rhythm are definitely ones to watch this festival season!
This album contains no booklet.