The Lions

"Musical discs from the flick of my wrist to make you jump and twist! (As I would say)" -- DIRTY HARRY



"Dubby funk from The Lions -- a group you might know from their previous Ubiquity outing, stepping out here on their own label! "This Generation" begins with some massively echoey drums, and mixes in some great organ too -- a perfect backdrop for the tune's sweetly soulful vocals, which glide along gently in the mix! "New Girl" has a great late 60s rocksteady swing -- classic Kingston, recreated wonderfully with bubbling organ and sweet-stepping basslines -- given a soulful sax line to round out its instrumental groove!"
- Dusty Groove
". lean and crunchy old-school grooves that sound like they could have been recorded and mixed at Dynamic Studios or the Black Ark in the early 1970s."
- All Music Guide
"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!"
- Dusty Groove
"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)
"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
THE LIONS is the result of an impromptu recording session including 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). They gathered together
at Orgone's Killion Studios in Los Angeles to lay down some jamaican
inspiried tracks. The grooves created that day went beyond the Reggae
spectrum combining JA riddims and dub mixing mastery with the global sounds
of Ethiopia, Colombia, and Africa.
One of the many gems includes a Rock-Steady, horn heavy version of Lyn
Collins' THINK, arranged by Todd Simon (Quantic Soul Orchestra, Antibalas,
Sound Directions, Keystones, etc.) which features guest vocalists Noelle
Scaggs (The Rebirth) and Black Shakespeare (I & I Sound System). Dan Ubick
aka Connie Price, contributes with a vocal version of his classic Roots
instrumental SWEET SOUL MUSIC featuring guest vocalists Alex Desert and
Deston Berry from HEPCAT.
THE LIONS are an example of the ever-growing musical family found in Los
Angeles. Beleive it or not, but there is a vibe to be found in the spread
out, artificial, Hollywoodland of LA. Many of THE LIONS met through the LA
staple rare groove outfit BREAKESTRA and have stayed within many projects
together throughout the past 10 years.
Their live set transcends any particular genre but is best described as a healthy mix of vocal and dub tracks, balancing classic reggae and soul cuts as well as new originals. THE LIONS have showcased their talents at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Sunset Junction, El Rey Theatre, The Roxy, Belly Up, Slims and The Echoplex, and have supported the likes of ANTIBALAS, FAT FREDDY'S DROP, THE AGGROLITES, BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH and OOKLAH THE MOC. They were also the backing band on two occasions for reggae legends The Heptones. A dream come true!
Popular Los Angeles radio stations KCRW, 98.7FM, KPFK and KXLU are all supporters of THE LIONS.
THE LIONS are now releasing songs on their own LIONS BREAD label -- including THIS GENERATION featuring Malik Moore and Black Shakespeare in a singer/DJ combination, and the laid back instrumental NEW GIRL, featuring James King on saxophone.