David Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 are back with their first release since their 2018 album, The Giver. The new seven inch single "The Frog” — Hillyard’s reinterpretation of João Donato’s "A Rã” — is the first glimpse at the group’s upcoming album, Plague Doctor, which is due out this summer. The single, like the album it precedes, blends the Rocksteady 7’s signature sound, which combines elements of American jazz and Jamaican influences, with classic Brazilian rhythms and themes. The Rocksteady 7 features some of the best players in the current ska/reggae scene, including members of NYC ska staples The Slackers and percussionist Larry McDonald (Toots & The Maytals, Gil Scott-Heron. Lee “Scratch” Perry). Fittingly, “The Frog” comes on green color vinyl, with the full track split between two sides. Includes digital download of both tracks.
David Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 have been blending their unique mix of Jamaican music and jazz for over twenty years. Band leader David Hillyard (The Slackers, Hepcat) has assembled a rotating team of expert players for both studio sessions and live shows, featuring such recurring members as Larry McDonald (Carlos Malcolm, Lee Scratch Perry, Toots & the Maytals), Eddie Ocampo, Vic Ruggiero (The Slackers), and more. Playtime features vocal performances from Hepcat crooners Alex Desert and Greg Lee.
Playtime is group's first official record, originally released in 1999 by Hellcat Records. This lively mix of American jazz, world music, and roots is pressed on cream color vinyl.
TRACKLIST: A1 Sidney's March A2 Hillyard Street A3 The Fool A4 Father And Son A5 Playtime A6 Angry Lady B1 Ugly Man Blues B2 Norwegian Wood B3 Skavez B4 Peace
This red color vinyl edition of United Front is limited to just 200 copies. The vinyl comes with a download card containing all of the tracks from the LP in addition to three bonus tracks, which were included on the original 2002 CD release. David Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 formed in New York in 1992. Their self-described "Jamaican Jazz" sound combines ska, rocksteady and reggae with extended jazz improvisation, intricate melodies, and complex harmonies. The group incorporates many diverse elements of world music with rocksteady rhythms, including ska, jazz, calypso, as well as Afrobeat and American jazz influences.
Track Listing: Side A 1. Song of the United Front 2. Duppy Conqueror 3. Come and Get Me 4. Old Days
Side B 1. Baby 2. Love is Something 3. Far East 4. Another You
Bonus Download Tracks Hillyard Street 2002 Blues for Dumas Percussion Procession
David Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 are back with their first LP since their 2018 album, The Giver. The new album, "Plague Doctor," blends the Rocksteady 7’s signature sound, which combines elements of American jazz and Jamaican influences, with classic Brazilian rhythms and themes. The Rocksteady 7 features some of the best players in the current ska and reggae scene, including members of NYC ska staples The Slackers and percussionist Larry McDonald (Toots & The Maytals, Gil Scott-Heron. Lee “Scratch” Perry). Includes digital download of the album.
TRACKLIST A1 Plague Doctor Theme (Hillyard / McDonald) A2 Closer to My Heart (Hillyard) A3 Maracatu Atômico (J. Mautner / N. Jacobina) A4 The Frog (A Rã) (J. Donato) A5 Amanha No Voltaria (F. Machado/F. Tirelli) A6 Chove Chuva (J. Ben) B1 Wide Pacific Ocean (Hillyard) B2 Dedicada (A. Verocai) B3 Was I Made For These Times (Hillyard) B4 Plague Doctor (Hillyard / McDonald) B5 Come Back Better (Hillyard)