Biography
Rocksteady@8, a supergroup formed in 1999 by members of Magadog, Strangeways and Amandla Tunesmith, specializes in the sound of classic Jamaican music, from late-'60s ska and rocksteady to the brand of roots reggae popular during the '70s.
The eight-piece band, whose members have a special fondness for the recordings helmed by famed Studio One producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and Treasure Island producer Duke Reid, plays originals rooted in that style, and additionally puts their own special spin on favorites from the "golden era" of Jamaican roots music along with original blazing Afro-Caribbean and funk hybrids. Rocksteady@8, led by singer-composer Jason Nwagbaraocha and drummer Jonathan Priest, also includes Brian Zink on guitar, bassist Joe Grady, keyboardist John Richardson and an array of horn players.
"It's so refreshing and wonderful to know that a band is so committed and so talented and so able to play and so in love with the roots of rocksteady," says Cheryl Mogul, a WMNF DJ and devotee of Jamaican music. "It's great to hear the music of Sir Coxsone Dodd done so well and so sweetly. It's just a true art form that these guys are doing. It's just wonderful."
The octet has opened for Toots and the Maytals, Justin Hinds, Burning Spear, Eek-A-Mouse and Jimmy Cliff.
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