Despite all the craziness going on in the world, this time of year – the period leading up to December 25th – usually conjures up feelings of warmth and a desire to be with loved ones. This is true regardless if you celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas or National Pumpkin Pie Day (yes, such a day does exist).

That end of year, happy holiday vibe, can be heard and felt on Nyabinghi Christmas, a sixteen-track album produced by Dean Fraser and Tad A. Dawkins Jnr. The project was initially shared a couple years ago, but because of its theme, it is appropriately re-shared annually weeks before yuletide.

Nyabinghi is a subsect of the Rastafarian movement. That said, Nyabinghi Christmas is an instrumental album that features a collection of traditional Christmas carols, redone by saxophonist extraordinaire Dean Fraser, exclusively for Tad’s Record Inc.Fraser, who is a multi-award winning Jamaican music legend, offers his interpretation of songs like Felice Navidad, Deck The Halls, Long Time Ago, Do You Hear What I Hear, and many more noels that we’re all accustomed to.

Persons who have not yet heard the record may assume that because both Fraser and Dawkins are top-tier reggae creators, Nyabinghi Christmas is a reggae album; but that is not the case. Although some songs are obviously influenced by reggae, the more dominant sounds on the LP – apart from the obvious woodwind instruments – are the African drums (nyabinghi drums).

Nyabinghi Christmas is soothing, refreshing and enjoyable; it is the perfect gift for Christmas. Executive Producers are Tad A. Dawkins and Tad A. Dawkins Jnr.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “NYABINGHI CHRISTMAS”

In two weeks the 11th annual Reggae On The Mountain Festival will take place at Live Oak Camp in Santa Barbara, California. The exact dates are November 18, 19 and 20.

Confirmed performers are: Ziggy Marley, Steel Pulse, Ky-Mani Marley, Barrington Levy, Don Carlos, Yellowman, Hempress Sativa, Prezident Brown, Marlon Asher, Pato Banton and many more. Get additional information on the event’s official website: reggaeonthemountain-dot-com.

Next week; on Friday, November 11th, the latest single from the Big Feet Records camp will go live on all streaming platforms. The song is Nah Sleep, a radical reggae tune performed by Rastafarian roots artist Lutan Fyah. On this one Lutan writes and sings in parables as he issues a warning to listeners, reminding them that “Jah busy but him nah sleep.” 

Producer and label owner Josh Harris, who was determined to collaborate with Lutan Fyah on the track, is very pleased with the outcome. Harris played both bass and keyboard, while Santa Davis played drums and Jallanzo added lead guitar. Veteran vocalist Nikki Burt harmonized the song before it was mixed and mastered by Tommi Tikkenen and Earle Holder, respectively. 

Big Feet Records‘ most recent release – Protection by Junior Kelly – received well over 10,000 streams in its first week. Harris and his team are hoping that this new single by Lutan Fyah will surpass that. Save the date: Friday, November 11th!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “PROTECTION” BY JUNIOR KELLY