Battle-Ska Galactica – 21 June 2008, Wellington
The New Zealand Ska scene has grown a lot in the last couple of years. Acts like The Managers and The Yoots have really come to the fore with their infectious rudy grooves and this year saw the…
Vital Sounds Hi-Fi
This Friday 27 June sees the country's first custom built reggae sound system launched at Bar Bodega - Vital Sounds Hi-Fi - run by long-time reggae selector, DJ Manray. NiceUp spoke to Manray about…
Roy G and the Bivinators – For the People
If ever an irie selector needed something with a little jazz-matazz flavour to uplift a serious, roots-heavy floor, here it is. Maz Herman has composed and produced a delightfully summery-scented EP…
Ooklah the Moc meets Koko – Struggling Soldier
This is a review that I have been keen to write for a long time. But 'nuff spliff can affect your motivation levels so its been a while coming. I spent much of last year living in Hawai'i on a…
House of Shem – Keep Rising
This is the long-awaited debut from Wanganui based reggae group House of Shem. The band's strength is their phenomenal tightness and precision playing combined with the sweetness of their vocal…
Sizzla and The Firehouse Crew – 23 May, Munich, Germany
My wife and I arrived in Munich two months prior to this gig. Unfortunately I overlooked how hard it is to settle into a new city, in a new country. All the while we have been waiting for the ship…
DJ K-Note – Dutty Bass Vol. 2
DJ K-Note's mission statement for this mix was 'to broaden the boundaries' and 'include a bit of mainstream music' with reggae/dancehall links. The result is a well rounded and nostalgic journey…
Dubwize presents Snypa Levi – The Sojourner
A sojourner, do you know what that means? A pilgrim soldier like me, operating as an MC...I'm just a a stranger here, this place is not my home to stay. - The Sojourner Snypa Levi: Californian…
Jnr Ranks Top Ten – June 2008
Jnr Ranks is a DJ/Producer from the Capital city with a dread reputation. Having grown up in and around some of the key players in the early Wellington and Porirua reggae scenes he developed a taste…
Musically Mad Australasian Premier Screening
When: Thursday 7 August Where: The NZ Film Archive (cnr of Taranaki & Ghuznee Streets), Wellington, 7pm start Featuring: Guest speakers Ingrid Leary (British Council director) and DJ Danny Lemon…
Sound the Alarm
When: Friday 30 May 2008 Where: Good Luck Bar - Basement, 126 Cuba Mall, Wellington Featuring: Art Official, Jnr Ranks, Selecta KB & Don Luchito Price: $5 on the door Come to Good Luck Bar for…
Dubwize Sound
2008 has already been a landmark year for Christchurch-based group, Dubwize. This May, four years after the release of their previous two albums, To The Control Tower (2001) and Reality Chant…