“Reggae Got Soul” is a traditional reggae riddim album with a number of artists each voicing unique mix-downs of the same rhythm track. The beat is based on a Casio CZ101 bassline, reminiscent of 1980’s digital dancehall, laid over thuggy hip hop drums and punctuated with various skanks and FX. Produced by Peter Wade and Jason Poras at WonderSound Studios NYC with some feature guests recorded in Jamaica and Italy.
A number of new up-and-coming artists are featured on “Reggae Got Soul,” alongside classic DJ’s and singers including the legendary Sugar Minott, and iTunes 2008 #1 artist, Jahdan Blakkamoore. Other features include rapper Izza Kizza (Timbaland, Missy Elliot), NYC’s notorious 77-Klash, and Jamaica’s gravel-voiced DJ Lion. A number of American top-of-the-pop hit songwriters also lent their voices, including Andrea Martin (Leona Lewis, Monica, En Vogue), Shelene Thomas (Nas, Santana, Tan-Yah Records) and Michelle Lynn Bell (Mary J Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Lynn & Wade LLP, Miley Cyrus). Also look for hard cuts by New York rude-boy King Django and Philly’s master of gangster chat, Stamma Ramma.
If you don’t believe us, check out this review at The Fader.
WonderSound’s “Reggae Got Soul” is now available worldwide!
Artist and professional songwriter Shelene Thomas has got one of the best voices out there. Voicing incredible tunes “I Don’t Wanna Leave You”, and the smash duet “Can You (give me what I need)” with Andrew Bell for Phillip Smart’s Tan-Yah label established her on the New York reggae scene as a force to be reckoned with.
A queen of reggae styles, Shelene says “I love Reggae. I love Jamaica though I haven’t been. Somebody take me please!”
As a songwriter, you can find Shelene Thomas’ name on albums from: Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Tyrese, Music Soul Child, Santana and Nas, for whom she wrote and recorded the hook for “Oochie Wally”.
Shelene’s version of the “Reggae Got Soul” Riddim “It’s You (featuring Roaring Lion)” was the riddim’s first recording and set the stage for the stack of wicked tunes to come.