East Los Angeles—a unique neighborhood where the cultures of Mexican-American Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Caribbean immigrants, and Jamaicans intersect. This incredibly cool album is the culmination of the rich experiences Joey Quiñones gained in East LA while working on this project.
Before forming Thee Sinseers, he served as a backing band member for Jamaican ska and dancehall artists touring Southern California—a period he describes as years spent learning while being yelled at by every Jamaican artist who had released a record. (He describes that period as “reggae college” (reggae university? cram school? dojo?). It’s brilliant.) He says that from those formative years onward, rocksteady and roots reggae have influenced all of his music ever since.
Every track is highly recommended—from the dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth doo-wop “There Must Be Something” to the sweet soul of “One More Night” and the Latin number “Bolsita”—but for this sample, I’ve selected three tracks with a rocksteady and reggae vibe. Be sure to check out the tracklist and give them a listen! A true masterpiece. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)