Ekolu’s Groovy Reggae Music

Ekolu is a Grammy-nominated three-piece reggae band from Maui, Hawaii. The band’s sound is a mix of traditional Hawaiian music, reggae, and rock.

Introduction

Ekolu is a Hawaiian Reggae band from Maui, Hawaii. The band was started in 2001 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Brandon Perea, who is of Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, and French descent. The band’s name comes from the Hawaiian word for “three,” which is a reference to the three members of the band.

Ekolu’s music is a mix of reggae, Hawaiian, and pop influences. The band has released six albums: Ekolu (2002), Mea’ole (2004), E Pili Mai (2006), Haleakala Sunrise (2008), For the People (2010), and Garden Isle (2012). Ekolu has toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada, and has also performed in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Ekolu’s latest album, Garden Isle, was released in 2012 and peaked at #1 on the iTunes Reggae Chart. The album features the single “All I Need,” which was featured in an episode of the television show Hawaii Five-0.

What is Reggae Music?

Reggae music is a style of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term “reggae” is derived from the word “raggedy”, which describes the way the rhythm of the music sounds. Reggae is a Jamaican style of music that was popularized by Bob Marley, a singer and songwriter who helped make it famous worldwide. Reggae music is often characterized by its slow tempo, its focus on bass and drums, and its use of syncopated rhythms.

The History of Reggae Music

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae encompasses a variety of musical styles including ska, rocksteady, dub and dancehall. Reggae is often characterized by a heavy bass sound and beats that are syncopated, or off-beat.

Reggae has its roots in mento, a Jamaican folk music style that can be traced back to the early 20th century. Mento incorporates elements of European and African music, and it was popularized in the 1950s by artists like Lord Fly and The Jamaicaqs. Ska, the first major style of reggae, emerged in the early 1960s. Ska was heavily influenced by mento and Calypso, as well as American jazz and rhythm & blues. The popularity of ska quickly spread beyond Jamaica, with bands like The Skatalites gaining international fame.

In the late 1960s, rocksteady emerged as a slower, more romantic version of ska. Rocksteady was made popular by artists like Alton Ellis and Ken Boothe. By the 1970s, reggae had become the most popular form of music in Jamaica. This was largely due to the success of Bob Marley & The Wailers, who helped bring reggae to a worldwide audience. Marley’s unique blend of reggae, ska and rocksteady became known as “roots reggae” or “ conscious reggae” due to its focus on social and political issues.

The Different Types of Reggae Music

While reggae music is often thought of as a single genre, there is actually quite a bit of variety within the style. This can be attributed to the fact that reggae developed from a number of different musical genres, including ska, rocksteady, and dub. As a result, there are several different types of reggae music, each with its own unique sound.

One of the most popular types of reggae music is known as ska. Ska is characterized by its up-tempo beat and horn-based instrumentation. It was one of the earliest forms of reggae, emerging in Jamaica in the 1950s.

Another popular type of reggae music is rocksteady. Rocksteady emerged in Jamaica in the late 1960s and is characterized by its slower, more relaxed tempo. This type of reggae is often cited as being the predecessor to modern day reggae.

Dub is another type of reggae that has become quite popular in recent years. Dub was originally created in the 1970s and is characterized by its use of electronic effects and mixing techniques. This type of reggae often features heavily distorted bass lines and drums.

Finally,there is roots reggae, which is considered to be the most traditional form of the genre. Roots reggae generally features conscious or religious lyrics and has a slower tempo than other types of reggae.

The Reggae Music Scene Today

The reggae music scene has changed a lot in recent years. With the rise of digital music and the internet, reggae artists have had to adapt to the new landscape.

One of the biggest changes has been the way that music is distributed. In the past, reggae artists would release their music on vinyl Records and CDs. These days, however, most reggae musicians release their music digitally, through online stores such as iTunes and Amazon.

Another big change has been the way that live shows are promoted. In the past, word-of-mouth was the primary way that people found out about reggae shows. These days, however, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are increasingly being used to promote reggae shows.

Despite these changes, however, one thing remains constant: Reggae is still one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

Conclusion

Reggae music has the ability to touch people of all ages and from all walks of life. It is a genre that is full of energy and positivity, and it is easy to see why so many people enjoy listening to it. If you are looking for a new style of music to explore, then reggae could be the perfect option for you.