Category Archives: Caribbean Fusion Music

Alt- Pop, Caribbean, Caribbean Fusion Music, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Tropical, Tropical Indie

Cassia ‘Out of Her Mind’

Macclesfield trio Cassia have released their new single ‘Out of Her Mind’. Following on from their most recent single ‘Sink’, ‘Out of Her Mind’ is the second track to be taken from their forthcoming Movers and Shapers EP. The band which consists of members Rob Ellis (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Lou Cotterill (Bass, Vocals) and Jacob Leff (Drums, Vocals) have enjoyed a summer which saw the band play to crowds up and down the country and as far afield as Germany and the Netherlands while taking in festivals such as Y-Not, The Great Escape and Reading & Leeds.

‘Out of Her Mind’ is a tropical luscious burst of fine musicianship. There is no denying these are talented chaps. Laid back sunny vibes ooze through the track- so smooth and effortlessly it’s all sunshine and good times. With a sprightly fruity hop on bass, hazy zesty squirts of guitar and a rich textured shuffle and shaky rhythm it’s the perfect refreshing tropical cocktail. It is instantly catchy with a calypso- esque reggae hue melted on their irresistibly delicious indie pop melody. Cassia have their sound pinned down and boy is it sublime. Ellis’ vocals glide from a velvety coo to a cheery and catchy falsetto wail effortlessly while the intricate guitar lines weave a path of delight in your brain. It doesn’t matter if it’s dull and raining Cassia bring the sweltering sun and exotic tropical good times with every danceable tune. It’s well-crafted and so good. This trio are definitely one of my favourite bands at the moment.

Stream ‘Out of Her Mind’ below

 


Alt- Pop, Caribbean, Caribbean Fusion Music, Indie, New Music, Tropical, Tropical Indie, Tropical Soul

Holly Holden ‘Run’

Holly Holden has released the video for the lead track ‘Run’ off her brand new EP ‘Tropical Soul’ due for release in April. Aside from her solo project Holly is also a member of all female vocal group Deep Throat Choir who are signed to Bella Union and were recently featured and performed on BBC 4 Radio ‘Loose Ends’ with Clive Anderson, as well as a live session with Lauren Laverne on BBC 6 Music. Her sound has been shaped by many years of travel and collaboration in Latin America and the Caribbean – Cuba, Ecuador, Colombia, Dominican Republic. It fuses ‘tropical’ rhythms like reggae, rocksteady, salsa, bolero and cumbia with soulful, RnB, pop vocal melodies.
‘Run’ is beaming tropical soul that was made for laid back hazy days in the sun accompanied by the fruitiest chilled cocktail drink you can find. Smothered in exotic tones and driven with reggae beats and zesty guitar jabs it exudes warmth and luminosity. With a bitter sweet infectious soul pop melody and lyrical depth that holds upbeat yet melancholic vibes, its a richly textured lush escape to that tropical desert island in your mind. A balmy guitar solo sweetens the track soothing and delicious like a thick syrup while the beat bops along maintaining that sun kissed elasticity and vitality. Holly Holden gives us our tropical summer escape palm tress and all.
Watch the video for ‘Run’ below

Alt- Pop, Caribbean Fusion Music, Indie, New Music, Tropical, Tropical Indie

BOKITO ‘Better At Getting Worse’

London-Irish ‘tropical indie’ sensations BOKITO have released their belting debut single ‘Better At Getting Worse’ on Lost In The Manor Records. Peddling an uproarious blend of rock, soca, funk and roots, London-based five-piece Bokito consisting of members Moses (vocals), Jody (bass), Joe (guitar), Tom (drums) and Sam (keys/percussion) have coined a phrase for their unique genre mashup: tropical indie. With edgy grooves and unforgettable hooks BOKITO radiate sun-baked carnival vibes.

‘Better At Getting Worse’ is an infectious glowing ball that increases in brightness and luminosity as the track progresses. Beginning with a quirky swirling organ-and-guitar refrain soaring across an angular calypso rhythm, its instantly likeable. This unusual fusion is fresh and immensely thrilling. The affluent percussion will summon up the inner dance goblin in even the most reluctant person.Building into an absolutely astral chorus this track bounces with intense spirit and explosive energy. Its tribal bridge sets your soul on fire with a sun soaked heatwave of delight. Moses brings a splash of rousing Celtic spirit with his extraordinary vibrant and charismatic vocals. Its the stuff dancing is made for.

The track was produced by Bradley Spencer and Alex Beitzke in London’s Fish Tank studios, and mastered by legendary Grammy-nominated engineer Greg Calbi. ‘Better At Getting Worse’ is something of a cautionary insight to the male psyche. Frontman Moses explains:

“The song is primarily aimed at men and their own handling of their emotions… and how useless most of them are at it. But we men are talented at one thing, which is suppressing everything and moulding it into a smile.”
You can catch BOKITO live at
11th February – The Stags Head, Hoxton, London
5th April – The Lock Tavern, Camden, London
28th April – Whelans, Dublin, Ireland
20th May – The Great Escape @ Queens Hotel, Brighton
Stream ‘Better At Getting Worse’ below

Alt- Pop, Caribbean, Caribbean Fusion Music, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

The Curious Incident ‘Behaviour Saviour’

The Curious Incident are a pop/rock band with a Caribbean Twist. Based in London they have released their new single ‘Behaviour Saviour’. Kairo (Vocals, Guitar), from South Africa and Diaz (Drums, Sampling), from Indonesia found their way to England via The Netherlands and promise to make music that will “make land-lovers surf.” The band will be releasing a new single every month for the next 3 months as part of their aptly named plan – “3 Songs, 3 Months”.
‘Behaviour Saviour’ is the first instalment, an appetisingly charming slice of Caribbean-tinged indie-pop. Like being caressed by a warm, tropical breeze, The Curious Incident present us with a chirpy bouncy track coated in smooth energetic vibrancy and sun soaked wholesomeness. Soft smooth vocals glide with silky fluid textures. The deep backing vocals contrast adding a variety of textures and qualities to the track. Rich rebounding percussion and sweet tones on guitar keep the track quirky and refreshing like a cool drink on a hot day. Its a vivid floppy delight to indulge in.
You can download ‘Behaviour Saviour’ and donate whatever you think it is worth via the DONATE button here http://www.thecuriousincident.com/. Any donations will go to helping release the next few singles.
Stream ‘Behaviour Saviour’ below

Caribbean Fusion Music, Feel Good Music, Indie, New Music

The Curious Incident

 

The Curious Incident are a pop/rock band with a Caribbean Twist. This four- piece based in London released their EP ‘ Penny Lonesome’ in 2015 full of bright upbeat songs.They experiment with a variety of genres but the Caribbean influence is prominent throughout.
On my first listen to this band two songs in particular stood out for me the first is ‘Money’ it is an energetic song with a bouncy rhythm and is cleverly written about the universal theme money, or lack of. They use the lyrics of some of the modern artists Aloe Blacc and Sam Smith ‘Aleo Blacc He told me that ,He needs just a dollar to get by’ its a fun track with a Bob Marley feel mixed with a bit of Vampire Weekend. With added ‘la la la la’ parts and ‘hey hey’ shouts that make this song easy to sing along to after just one listen.
‘Diane’ was the second song I loved, about a cheeky youthful flirtation its a smooth easy to listen to pop track with steady foot tapping rhythm. ‘The Hunt’ follows with a more electronic sound while still holding their Caribbean style and pop bounce.
‘Penny Lonesome’ is a delightful EP and I’m glad I received a message to have a listen to this talented band as they show serious talent by fusing amazing genres together and making it sound so blissful.
They are set to play a few gigs this spring you can catch them at The Cellar (Finborough Arms) – London on 26 th March if your around go see them you wont regret it!
Stream ‘Money’ and ‘Diane’ Below