Reality Chant presents Kings Highway

3rd May 2010 @ 9:45pm

Media Release 3 May 2010

Reality Chant presents: Kings Highway, Various Artists.
Release date: 07/06/10
Label: Reality Chant Productions
Distribution: Border Music

When producer Gabriel 'Messenjah' Calcott began work on the riddims featured on the Kings Highway LP he had no idea who would come knocking at his door. Artists such as Luciano, Lutan Fyah, Natty King, Jah Mason and other internationally renowned reggae artists jumped at the opportunity to be involved with the Kings Highway project, due to the calibre of the production and the conscious message that has become a trademark of the Reality Chant sound. 

To say it is unusual for artists of this calibre to work on a project produced here in Aotearoa is an under-statement - the involvement of some of the world's top reggae artists is testament to Reality Chant's production standard and is the culmination of many years work.

Reality Chant Productions is a New Zealand based record label that had its beginnings with the popular soundsystem Dubwize. Spearheaded by Messenjah, Dubwize released Dubwize Meets Confucious: To the Control Tower in 2002. The album featured production work by Messenjah and long-time collaborator Confucius with vocal contributions from local MC Little Jah and the irrepressible Dubwize front-man, David Snypa Levi.

The follow-up album Reality Chant saw Dubwize expand its horizons with an international line-up of vocal talent; Iyah Fari from Zimbabwe, Caribbean native Raggadon and of course, David 'Snypa' Levi. The next release was David Levi's solo album, The Sojourner, which featured the single, Country Living.

From this single the Country Living riddim was born and alongside the original album version, featured versions from internationally renowned Jamaican vocalists, Luciano, Mikey General, Jah Mason, Chrisinti and Ginjah. The Country Living riddim hit big in New Zealand and overseas and was released digitally through Soundquake and on 7" vinyl through One Love International, quickly selling out. 

The Kings Highway LP brings together some of the best Country Living versions with fresh, unheard riddims. Recorded across the US, UK, Jamaica and at Dubwize HQ in Sumner, Christchurch, Kings Highway is held together by the unique Reality Chant Sound - a sound that is now being sought after by artists such as Louie Culture, Hi Kee and Natty King for their own LPs. Natty King himself appears alongside David Levi on the storming title track of the album and on the huge tune, Fyah Bed.

Other versions on the Fyah Bed riddim include contributions from Hi Kee and Chrisinti while the Nah Bow Down riddim also promises to be a dancehall scorcher with versions from Jah Mason and a huge tune from Lutan Fyah. Up and coming artist Zareb also unleashes the fire on the anthem I Call On Jah - the inspiration for the name of the riddim. The I Call riddim is a heavy hitter also featuring a true reality chant from Raggadon.

Country Living versions and the singles on the Fyah Bed riddim from Hi Kee and Natty King are available digitally as a sneak preview.  All DJs and reggae lovers need to be on the look out for the Kings Highway release as it promises to be one of the most innovative productions to ever leave Australasian shores and contains some of the biggest riddims worldwide for 2010.    

More info:
www.myspace.com/realitychant
www.myspace.com/nattyking
www.myspace.com/hikeemusic 
www.mp3.soundquake.com
www.niceup.org.nz  

« back to the news

Webdesign and development by Tama Pugsley