The Lions – This Generation (Album)

“You can’t roll a spliff on no MP3. Sound is much better on 33. Even nicer is the 12inch sound, the top is heavy and the bottom’s round…”

This is how the chorus of the title track of The Lions‘ debut This Generation sounds! Already hitting #2 on Billboard’s Reggae chart, they are Stones Throw’s first reggae signing.

The Lions is a band that draws together an all-star cast of LA’s elite reggae and soul forerunners: Members of the legendary ska band Hepcat, Deston Berry and Alex Désert, form half of the vocal team. The other half is the sweet falsetto of Malik Moore and DJ stylings of Black Shakespeare, the charismatic cousin of Robbie Shakespeare (of Sly & Robbie fame) and co-runner of the i&i Sound System, a customised ice cream van bringing bass to the streets of the west coast.

Other members include guitarist Dan Ubick, formerly of Breakestra, Macy Gray co-writer and collaborator Dave Wilder on bass, plus musicians who have played with the likes of De La Soul, Barrington Levy, Beck, Raphael Saadiq, Big Daddy Kane and Black Eyed Peas.

“All the guys in The Lions grew up on classic Jamaican records so since we began we have wanted to give our records that same edge and roughness that we grew up hearing on LPs by The Upsetters, Soul Syndicate, The Rockers Band and Roots Radics. The rhythm section was all recorded to tape, the Hammond buzzed a little, fuses blew and good mistakes were left in.  We basically made the dusty reggae soul LP WE have been wanting to hear for years.” – Dan Ubick (producer)

Out now on Stones Throw

Extra special: This Generation is being released on vinyl in the form of a 45 box set containing the 12 tracks from the album plus non-album dub versions. Grab it here!

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