Soul Syndicate, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Aggrovators, Revolutionaries, Studio 1/Brentford Road All-Stars, Lee Perry's Black Ark, Channel 1, Randy's, Mulatu, Hugh Masekela, Jackie Mittoo, Jack Ruby and the Black Disciples, Piero Umiliani, Morricone, John Barry, etc.
"Musical discs from the flick of my wrist to make you jump and twist! (As I would say)" -- DIRTY HARRY
"... lean and crunchy old-school grooves that sound like they could have been recorded and mixed at Dynamic Studios or the Black Ark in the early 1970s."
- All Music Guide
"One of the best blends of global funky elements we've ever heard...Great stuff all around, and a record that's almost more funkily exciting than all those old Jamaican platters you've sorted through trying to get a sound like this!"
- Dustygroove
"Jah-breakingly good stuff."
- OC Weekly
"Jungle Struttin’ is closer in spirit to the deep groove of Sound Dimension than most of what’s come off the island since."
- Now Magazine (Canada)
"...the Lions authentically reproduce and infuse these 11 tracks of classic Studio One and Black Ark reggae with fresh musical twists."
- Exclaim! (Canada)
"Get ready to get your skank on with the Lions' new LP...With an admirable cast of musicians, the Lions are sure to make an impression on reggae enthusiasts."
- Vapors
"The L.A. collective emerges with an outstandingly distilled, urban sound that mines dub reggae in a vintage yet completely fresh way by tastefully blending it with soul and funk."
- Orlando Weekly
"...cohesive, rhythmic, and cinematic–hardly cheesy modern reggae, and definitely worth a listen."
- XLR8R
THE LIONS is the result of an impromptu recording session including members
of Breakestra, Connie Price and the Keystones, Rhythm Roots All-Stars, Orgone, Sound
Directions, Plant Life, Poetics and Macy Gray (to name a few). They gathered together
at Orgone's Killion Studios in Los Angeles to lay down some jamaican
inspiried tracks. The grooves created that day went beyond the Reggae
spectrum combining JA riddims and dub mixing mastery with the global sounds
of Ethiopia, Colombia, and Africa.
One of the many gems includes a Rock-Steady, horn heavy version of Lyn
Collins' THINK, arranged by Todd Simon (Quantic Soul Orchestra, Antibalas,
Sound Directions, Keystones, etc.) which features guest vocalists Noelle
Scaggs (The Rebirth) and Black Shakespeare (I & I Sound System). Dan Ubick
aka Connie Price, contributes with a vocal version of his classic Roots
instrumental SWEET SOUL MUSIC featuring guest vocalists Alex Desert and
Deston Berry from HEPCAT.
THE LIONS are an example of the ever-growing musical family found in Los
Angeles. Beleive it or not, but there is a vibe to be found in the spread
out, artificial, Hollywoodland of LA. Many of the LIONS met through the LA
staple rare groove outfit BREAKESTRA and have stayed within many projects
together throughout the past 10 years.
I bought the last album on a recommendation and then got to see you last weekend at SNWMF - you ROCKED IT!!! Where can I find a recording of Gonna Get Ya? It sounded soooo sweet. Hope to see you up in in NorCal again - Slim's perhaps? Nuff respect!!
CALIBUR
ENT. IN ASSOCIATION WITH MAROON RIDDIMZ PRESENTS SHUTAH’S INTENSIFIED MIXTAPE
HOSTED BY RINGO FROM CHINESE ASSASSIN AND MIXED BY NICKO REBEL FROM GLADIATOR
SOUND.