Reggae
Nashville Babylon 4 May, 2020
On this week's Nashville Babylon Mark brings the show from his home in Wairarapa and features a tribute to the late John Prine, a birthday tune for James Brown, lockdown classics courtesy of Hank… Audio
Songwriter Ria Hall "upholding the mana of Aotearoa reggae"
Singer and songwriter Ria Hall (Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga) has just released a new album Manawa Wera, inspired by classic 1970s reggae & soul and addressing the current social… Video, Audio
Music soothes the savage beast
It’s not just humans who can benefit from a well-chosen tune. Research shows classical music, soft rock and reggae have an impact in reducing anxiety in dogs, which is nothing to be sniffed at. Video, Audio
Herbs: Songs of Freedom
It's been 40 years since the formation of one of our most iconic bands. HERBS: Songs of Freedom is a new film, looking at the creation and success of the pioneering pacific reggae band, that had its… Video, Audio
Christoph El’ Truento goes back to his roots with new record
Christoph El' Truento is perhaps best known as the beat-making brains behind hip hop outfit @Peace, as well as lending his skills to the likes of Homebrew and Avantdale Bowling Club - to name a few. Audio
Reggae in New Zealand
Despite originating in Jamaica, New Zealanders took to reggae music when it arrived on our shores. Gareth Shute of the AudioCulture website is with us to talk about the genre and it's influence on New… Audio
Common Unity: Marley’s Aotearoa legacy 40 years on
February 6th is significant to many Kiwis for another reason - the birthday of the undisputed superstar of reggae Bob Marley. His one and only visit 40 years ago had a lasting impact on New Zealand… Video, Audio
Nashville Babylon 7 January, 2019
Listen to Nashville Babylon's annual reggae special featuring classics from Desmond Dekker, the Gladiators, Don Drummond, Junior Murvin and Lee 'Scratch' Perry. There's also live music from the… Audio
Music Feature: Reggae on the edge
Reggae is well entrenched in our music culture. Jamaica is still the spiritual home of it but reggae has created new musical traditions all over the world, including in Aotearoa. Audio
Nashville Babylon 13 August, 2018
On this week's show Mark spins a heady mix of country, soul and rock 'n'roll from the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Larry Jon Wilson, Esther Phillips and Chuck Prophet. There's also new music from Dawn… Audio
Nashville Babylon 25 June, 2018
On this week's show Mark spins new music from Mazzy Star, more from Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore's latest, sounds from the swamps courtesy of Buckwheat Zydeco plus favourites from the Band and Bap… Audio
Nashville Babylon 11 June, 2018
This week plays cosmic country from Gram Parsons, Americana from Richmond Fontaine, spins a new track from Joshua Hedley and goes back in time with Grand Drive's debut single from 1998. Audio
Live Session: Katchafire on their new album Legacy
Katchafire bring the full band to perform songs new and old to celebrate their fifth album Legacy, sharing stories of world travel, family ties and the official genrefication of South Pacific roots… Video, Audio
Nashville Babylon 14 May, 2018 W
On this week's show Mark plays new tracks from Bernie Griffin and Holly Golightly, classics from Bob Dylan and Aaron Neville plus favourites from Stretch, John Martyn and Delroy Wilson. Audio
Aotearoa reggae musician Carl Perkins dead at 59
Reggae musician Carl Perkins has died, aged 59. He was a member of pioneering Aotearoa reggae group Herbs, and for the last decade he played in House Of Shem, alongside his sons Te Omeka and Isaiah.
…Nashville Babylon 30 April, 2018
On this week's show Mark plays a track from Kiwi bluesman Darren Watson's new album, an RNZ exclusive courtesy of Nadia Reid, country classics by Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris plus Americana from… Audio
Adrian Sherwood on why reggae took over the world
Founder of English dub label On-U Sound and champion of global bass culture Adrian Sherwood shares his theories on the universal appeal of reggae music. Video, Audio
Caribbean king Jimmy Cliff on why we love reggae, man
Jimmy Cliff is one of the key figures in reggae, along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. He's performing in New Zealand on March 31st – the day before his 70th birthday. He spoke to Wallace Chapman… Audio
Nashville Babylon 12 February, 2018
On this week's show Mark drops classic cuts from Neil Young and Ry Cooder, spins a live track from Joni Mitchell and unveils new music from UK band Bennett, Wilson, Poole. There's also tunes from Dave… Audio
Colon Man by Equiknoxx Music
Nick Bollinger explores the sound worlds of Jamaican electronic duo Equiknoxx Music. Audio