Rougher Records

Few groups have played reggae outside Jamaica as convincingly as the Blue Riddim Band from Kansas City. The members of Blue Riddim, unlike many upstart reggae musicians, are accomplished players with jazz and R&B histories.

The band members' understanding of the jazz and R&B roots of Jamaican music is a key to their ability to play it. Drawing primary influences from the foundations of Coxson Dodd's Studio One label and Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label, Blue Riddim flourished by playing the same "rock steady" rhythms that became the basis for all subsequent Jamaican music.

While other non-Jamaican reggae bands fell into the trap of trying to reproduce the polished, crossover sound of Bob Marley and The Wailers, Blue Riddim diversified itself into an outfit that could play ska, rock steady, and rockers reggae.

The group's full length album, Alive in Jamaica, documents their triumphant Jamaican debut at Sunsplash in August of 1982. Blue Riddim was the first American reggae band to play at the prestigious annual festival. The Sunsplash audience went crazy for Blue Riddim. The band's success was due to the general absence of "oldies" ska and rock steady from Jamaican stage shows and dancehall in the early 80s.

In addition, Blue Riddim was unanimously acclaimed as the best performer at Reggae Sunsplash 82, and it seemed like the sky would be the limit for the band.

Unfortunately, adversity was just around the corner. Regrettably, a farcical managerial arrangement fell apart in the mid-80s and Blue Riddim was forced to quit using its well-established name.

Despite this adversity, the Alive In Jamaica album was nominated for a Grammy in 1986 , the only American reggae band thus honored .

Having recently secured the rights to it`s name, the band has released their first recording in over 25 years. " Tribute" is a tip of the hat to the originators of rocksteady and dub. Released on October 9, 2010 on Rougher Records.

RC Dub is a 5 piece group based out of Lincoln, NE. Equipped with a bold horn section, and a plethora of vocal harmony, their special blend reggae has been a staple on the Lincoln music scene since their emergence in 2003. Originally formed by Emily Madison (aka Goldie) and Calen Olivetti, RC Dub have continued to spread their unique socially conscious music to regional and national audiences.

RC Dub’s extensive repertoire spans from the traditional rocksteady and ska of the reggae legends from Treasure Isle and Studio One, to jazz-fused original stylings of roots, dancehall and dub. Armed with such an arsenal of reggae, RC Dub plays all night until the lights come on.

Their 2005 release, “Inna State of Dubmission”, has received rave reviews from such installments as Beat Magazine, and Reggae-Reviews.com and aided the band in earning the Independent Artist Registry's title of “Top Independent Band” in 2006, along with national and international radio play. The band then toured regionally and nationally in the years that followed building up a loyal fan base as they went. In 2009 the band traveled to Jamaica, giving them further understanding of the music and culture of the island, as well as an opportunity to play there themselves and enjoy a positive response to their music.

The band has shared the stage with such acts as The Wailers, HR (of Bad Brains), Calton Coffee (of Inner Circle), Pato Banton, the Grammy Nominated Blue Riddim Band and Germany’s own Dr. Ring Ding. Releasing their new album  on "Strategy" on Rougher Records in Spring 2011, RC Dub is continuing their forward momentum and shows no signs of slowing down for 2012.