The Lions
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The Lions

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Press


"Press Cuts On The Lions CD:"

"One of the best blends of global funky elements we've ever heard...Great stuff all around, and a record that's almost more funkily exciting than all those old Jamaican platters you've sorted through trying to get a sound like this!"

- Dustygroove

"Get ready to get your skank on with the Lions' new LP...With an admirable cast of musicians, the Lions are sure to make an impression on reggae enthusiasts."

- Vapors


"The L.A. collective emerges with an outstandingly distilled, urban sound that mines dub reggae in a vintage yet completely fresh way by tastefully blending it with soul and funk."

- Orlando Weekly

"...cohesive, rhythmic, and cinematic–hardly cheesy modern reggae, and definitely worth a listen."

- XLR8R

"Jah-breakingly good stuff."


- OC Weekly



"Jungle Struttin’ is closer in spirit to the deep groove of Sound Dimension than most of what’s come off the island since."


- Now Magazine (Canada)



"...the Lions authentically reproduce and infuse these 11 tracks of classic Studio One and Black Ark reggae with fresh musical twists."


- Exclaim! (Canada)


- Ubiquity


"Press Cuts On The Lions CD:"

"One of the best blends of global funky elements we've ever heard...Great stuff all around, and a record that's almost more funkily exciting than all those old Jamaican platters you've sorted through trying to get a sound like this!"

- Dustygroove

"Get ready to get your skank on with the Lions' new LP...With an admirable cast of musicians, the Lions are sure to make an impression on reggae enthusiasts."

- Vapors


"The L.A. collective emerges with an outstandingly distilled, urban sound that mines dub reggae in a vintage yet completely fresh way by tastefully blending it with soul and funk."

- Orlando Weekly

"...cohesive, rhythmic, and cinematic–hardly cheesy modern reggae, and definitely worth a listen."

- XLR8R

"Jah-breakingly good stuff."


- OC Weekly



"Jungle Struttin’ is closer in spirit to the deep groove of Sound Dimension than most of what’s come off the island since."


- Now Magazine (Canada)



"...the Lions authentically reproduce and infuse these 11 tracks of classic Studio One and Black Ark reggae with fresh musical twists."


- Exclaim! (Canada)


- Ubiquity


"The Lions - Biography"

The LIONS is a unique Jamaican-inspired
outfit, the result of an impromptu recording
session by members of Breakestra, Connie
Price and the Keystones, Rhythm Roots
All-Stars, Orgone, Sound Directions, Plant
Life, Poetics and Macy Gray (to name a few). Gathering at Orgone's Killion Studios, in Los Angeles during the Fall of 2006, they created grooves that went beyond the Reggae spectrum by combining new and traditional rhythms, and dub mixing mastery with the global sounds of Ethiopia, Colombia and Africa. The Lions also added a healthy dose of American-style soul, jazz, and funk to create an album that’s both a nod to the funky exploits of reggae acts like Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and Boris Gardner, and a mash of contemporary sound
stylings. The Lions are an example of the ever-growing musical family found in Los Angeles. There is a heavyweight positive-vibe to be found in the expansive, sometimes artificial, Hollywood-flavored land of Los Angeles. Many of the members of the Lions met through the LA staple rare groove outfit Breakestra and have played in many projects together over the past decade.
Reggae is a tough genre for a new ensemble act, like the Lions, to dive head-first into and pull off with unquestionable authenticity. This is perhaps especially true when, as with the Lions, the majority of the players are so entrenched in the funk scene. But the band did so by paying a huge amount of respect, and by tapping
into a mass collective base of education and experience. “I had studied my fair share of Jamaican music by the time opened up for the Skatalites (on my 21st birthday!) Soon after, I became one of the hornsmen for the Soul Syndicate (aka Techniques All-Stars; created the Bam-Bam riddim; worked with Yabby You) backing up all of my favorites: Leroy Sibbles from the Heptones, Derrick Morgan,
Cedric Brooks,” explains Simon.
“Some members of the Lions and I have also
backed up such legends as Alton Ellis and Barrington Levy. I have always been a fan of Jamaican-inspired music - from 2 Tone to the remix stylings of King Tubby and Lee Perry,” he adds. “None of us feel like we’re experts though,” says bandmate Dan Ubick. “Reggae constantly teaches me things and humbles us. You think you know something then you hear some track you've never heard and it just floors you. I've been listening to things like the Wailers for 20+ years now and I still hear new things in those songs. It's deep music.”



- Ubiquity


"The Lions - Biography"

The LIONS is a unique Jamaican-inspired
outfit, the result of an impromptu recording
session by members of Breakestra, Connie
Price and the Keystones, Rhythm Roots
All-Stars, Orgone, Sound Directions, Plant
Life, Poetics and Macy Gray (to name a few). Gathering at Orgone's Killion Studios, in Los Angeles during the Fall of 2006, they created grooves that went beyond the Reggae spectrum by combining new and traditional rhythms, and dub mixing mastery with the global sounds of Ethiopia, Colombia and Africa. The Lions also added a healthy dose of American-style soul, jazz, and funk to create an album that’s both a nod to the funky exploits of reggae acts like Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and Boris Gardner, and a mash of contemporary sound
stylings. The Lions are an example of the ever-growing musical family found in Los Angeles. There is a heavyweight positive-vibe to be found in the expansive, sometimes artificial, Hollywood-flavored land of Los Angeles. Many of the members of the Lions met through the LA staple rare groove outfit Breakestra and have played in many projects together over the past decade.
Reggae is a tough genre for a new ensemble act, like the Lions, to dive head-first into and pull off with unquestionable authenticity. This is perhaps especially true when, as with the Lions, the majority of the players are so entrenched in the funk scene. But the band did so by paying a huge amount of respect, and by tapping
into a mass collective base of education and experience. “I had studied my fair share of Jamaican music by the time opened up for the Skatalites (on my 21st birthday!) Soon after, I became one of the hornsmen for the Soul Syndicate (aka Techniques All-Stars; created the Bam-Bam riddim; worked with Yabby You) backing up all of my favorites: Leroy Sibbles from the Heptones, Derrick Morgan,
Cedric Brooks,” explains Simon.
“Some members of the Lions and I have also
backed up such legends as Alton Ellis and Barrington Levy. I have always been a fan of Jamaican-inspired music - from 2 Tone to the remix stylings of King Tubby and Lee Perry,” he adds. “None of us feel like we’re experts though,” says bandmate Dan Ubick. “Reggae constantly teaches me things and humbles us. You think you know something then you hear some track you've never heard and it just floors you. I've been listening to things like the Wailers for 20+ years now and I still hear new things in those songs. It's deep music.”



- Ubiquity


Discography

THE LIONS /
JUNGLE STRUTTIN' (CD/LP)

THE LIONS /
JUNGLE STRUTTIN' b/w
ETHIO-STEPPERS (WILDERSTYLE DUB) 7''
SOLD OUT

http://www.ubiquityrecords.com

"THE LIONS are of the best blends of global funky elements we've ever heard...Great stuff all around, and a record that's almost more funkily exciting than all those old Jamaican platters you've sorted through trying to get a sound like this!"
- Dustygroove

Photos

Bio

The Lions, is a unique Jamacian – inspired outfit, out of LA’s vibrant music scene, featuring members of: Breakestra, Connie Price & The Keystones, Rhythm Roots All - Stars, Orgone,
& Sound Directions, Reggae Rhythm N’ Dub Techniques mash with the sound of Ethiopia, Africa, Colombia, and a heavy dose of Soul, Jazz and Funk.

Gathering at Orgone's Killion Studios, in Los Angeles during the Fall of 2006, they created grooves that went beyond the Reggae spectrum by combining new and traditional rhythms, and dub mixing mastery with the global sounds of Ethiopia, Colombia and Africa. The Lions also added a healthy dose of American-style soul, jazz, and funk to create an album that’s both a nod to the funky exploits of reggae acts like Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and Boris Gardner, and a mash of contemporary sound
stylings. The Lions are an example of the ever-growing musical family found in Los Angeles. There is a heavyweight positive-vibe to be found in the expansive, sometimes artificial, Hollywood-flavored land of Los Angeles. Many of the members of the Lions met through the LA staple rare groove outfit Breakestra and have played in many projects together over the past decade.
Reggae is a tough genre for a new ensemble act, like the Lions, to dive head-first into and pull off with unquestionable authenticity. This is perhaps especially true when, as with the Lions, the majority of the players are so entrenched in the funk scene. But the band did so by paying a huge amount of respect, and by tapping
into a mass collective base of education and experience. “I had studied my fair share of Jamaican music by the time opened up for the Skatalites (on my 21st birthday!) Soon after, I became one of the hornsmen for the Soul Syndicate (aka Techniques All-Stars; created the Bam-Bam riddim; worked with Yabby You) backing up all of my favorites: Leroy Sibbles from the Heptones, Derrick Morgan,
Cedric Brooks,” explains Simon.

“Some members of the Lions and I have also
backed up such legends as Alton Ellis and Barrington Levy. I have always been a fan of Jamaican-inspired music - from 2 Tone to the remix stylings of King Tubby and Lee Perry,” he adds. “None of us feel like we’re experts though,” says bandmate Dan Ubick. “Reggae constantly teaches me things and humbles us. You think you know something then you hear some track you've never heard and it just floors you. I've been listening to things like the Wailers for 20+ years now and I still hear new things in those songs. It's deep music.”