The Lions

"... 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!"
- Dustygroove
"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.