Easy Star All-Stars

{{Short description|American reggae band}} {{BLP sources|date=November 2013}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Easy Star All-Stars | image = | image_size =  | landscape = yes | caption = Easy Star All-Stars Press in 2025 | alias = | origin = Jamaica/United States | genre = Reggae, ska, dub | years_active = 1997–present | label = Easy Star | website = {{URL|easystarallstars.net}} | current_members = * Michael Goldwasser * Ticklah * Patrick Dougher * Victor Rice | past_members = }}

'''Easy Star All-Stars''' is a reggae collective founded in 1997 by Michael Goldwasser, Eric Smith, Lem Oppenheimer and Remy Gerstein of New York City-based Easy Star Records.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://easystar.com/about-me/|title=About Me|website=Easystar.com}}</ref> The band is known for its reinterpretations of classic albums in reggae style. Their first album, released in 2003, was ''Dub Side of the Moon,'' an interpretation of Pink Floyd's 1973 album ''Dark Side of the Moon.'' This was followed by ''Radiodread'' (2006), an interpretation of Radiohead's 1997 album ''OK Computer;'' ''Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band'' (2009), an interpretation of the Beatles' 1967 album ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band''; and ''Easy Star's Thrillah'' (2012), an interpretation of Michael Jackson's 1982 album ''Thriller''.<ref name="CCL" /> In 2023, they released their eighth studio album, ''Ziggy Stardub'', a reggae re-imagining of David Bowie's 1972 album ''The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust.''

== History == Originally formed as a studio band for Easy Star Records' earliest recordings, Easy Star All-Stars existed mostly as a studio entity until the release of their first album in 2003.<ref name=":0" /> Although they have produced several original releases, they are best known for covering popular albums in a reggae and dub style and have released six cover albums to date.<ref name="CCL">Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2013) "[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Adding-their-all-star-touch_15444490 Adding their all-star touch]", ''Jamaica Observer'', November 15, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013</ref>

=== 2003–2006: Easy Star All-Stars' early releases === left|upright=.80|thumb|Album cover of Easy Star All-Stars first release ''Dub Side of the Moon'' In February 2003, Easy Star All-Stars released a cover album of Pink Floyd's ''The Dark Side of the Moon'' entitled ''Dub Side of the Moon'', a complete reggae reinterpretation of the Pink Floyd album. ''Dub Side of the Moon'' has remained on the ''Billboard'' Reggae Charts since its release in 2003.<ref name="easystar.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.easystar.com/artists/show/3 |title=Easy Star All-Stars | Easy Star |access-date=2012-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205123928/http://www.easystar.com/artists/show/3 |archive-date=2012-02-05 }}</ref> It features instructions on how to synchronize the record with ''The Wizard of Oz'', referencing the audiovisual pairing sometimes referred to as ''Dark Side of the Rainbow''.

''Dub Side of the Moon'' was followed by the 2006 release of ''Radiodread'', a reimagining of Radiohead's album ''OK Computer''. At a 2006 Radiohead concert, Thom Yorke praised Toots & The Maytals version of "Let Down" on ''Radiodread''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2006-06-04-radiohead_x.htm|title=Radiohead: A ticket worth the effort - USATODAY.com|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com}}</ref> Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood has also praised the cover version, calling it "truly astounding."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantstep.net/releases/1072 |title=GIANT STEP™ | Release - Radiodread by Easy Star All-Stars |access-date=2014-07-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219003131/http://www.giantstep.net/releases/1072 |archive-date=2012-02-19 }}</ref>

=== 2008–2009 === In March 2008, Easy Star All-Stars released ''Until that Day'', an EP consisting of original material except for "Dubbing Up the Walls", a cover of the Radiohead song "Climbing Up the Walls."<ref name="CCL" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.easystar.com/latestnews.html|title=E A S Y S T A R * R E C O R D S|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224001544/http://www.easystar.com/latestnews.html|archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref> On 5 April 2011, they released their first original album entitled ''First Light''.<ref name="CCL" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.easystar.com/bulletins/show/146 |title=FIRST LIGHT RELEASE DAY IN NORTH AMERICA | Easy Star |access-date=2011-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410230617/http://www.easystar.com/bulletins/show/146 |archive-date=2011-04-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On January 13, 2009 the Easy Star All-Stars posted a statement on their website that they had completed their next album, a reworking of ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'' by the Beatles, titled ''Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band'', which was released on April 14, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.easystar.com/releases/show/22 |title=Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band | Easy Star |access-date=2017-01-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223191208/http://www.easystar.com/releases/show/22 |archive-date=2014-02-23 }}</ref> However, it was exclusively released on imeem a day prior. Reviews have been favourable. Sydney street press ''Music Feeds'' rated the album 10/10.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/album/easy-star-all-stars-easy-stars-lonely-hearts-dub-band/|title=Easy Star All Stars - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band|date=April 7, 2009|website=Music Feeds}}</ref> ''Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band'' cracked the ''Billboard'' Top 200 twice, making it the first reggae album to do so in over two years.<ref name="easystar.com"/>

Victor Axelrod {{aka}} Ticklah compiled a dub version of a song by the Iowa reggae band Public Property on an upcoming album ''Work to Do'', set for release in July 2009.

Michael Goldwasser compiled a dub version of the song "Turn & Run" by Umphrey's McGee.

=== 2010–2016 === In October 2010, the Easy Star All-Stars released ''Dubber Side of the Moon'', featuring bass-heavy remixes of ''Dub Side of the Moon'' by Dubmatix, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, Groove Corporation, Dubphonic, Alchemist, Dreadzone, Kalbata, Adrian Sherwood & Jazzwad, Victor Rice, Border Crossing, Mad Professor, Michael G. & Easy Star All-Stars, and J. Viewz.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.easystar.com/releases/show/27 |title=Dubber Side of the Moon | Easy Star |access-date=2010-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105140140/http://www.easystar.com/releases/show/27 |archive-date=2012-01-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On August 28, 2012, the Easy Star All-Stars released ''Thrillah'', a reimagining of Michael Jackson's album ''Thriller''. On September 16, 2014, the Easy Star All-Stars released a special anniversary re-issue of ''Dub Side of the Moon,'' their 2003 album reinterpreting ''Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://easystar.com/releases/dub-side-of-the-moon-special-anniversary-edition/|title=Dub Side of the Moon: Special Anniversary Edition|website=Easy Star Records|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref> On August 12, 2016, the Easy Star All-Stars rereleased their 2006 album ''Radiodread''; the rerelease contains a bonus track featuring Morgan Heritage covering Radiohead's song "High and Dry" from their 1995 album ''The Bends''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dubmassive.org/en/13014/easy-star-stars-radiodread-re-issue/|title=Easy Star All-Stars "Radiodread" re-issue|last=Yarecki|website=Dub Massive|date=12 August 2016|access-date= April 29, 2019}}</ref>

=== 2017–present: Recent years === In recent years, Easy Star All-Stars' producer Michael Goldwasser has worked on a handful of reggae remixes with chart-topping artists, including the tracks "Have It All" by Jason Mraz, "I Like That" by Janelle Monáe, "Heat" by Kelly Clarkson, "Orange Trees" by MARINA, and "90s Kids" by Jax.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://easystar.com/michael-goldwasser-and-easy-star-all-stars-remix-of-kelly-clarksons-heat/|title=Michael Goldwasser and Easy Star All-Stars' Remix of Kelly Clarkson's "Heat"|last=easystar|date=2019-01-04|website=Easy Star Records|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref>

On April 21, 2023, the Easy Star All-Stars released ''Ziggy Stardub'', a reggae recasting of David Bowie's ''The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=easystar |date=2023-04-19 |title=EASY STAR ALL-STARS RELEASE ZIGGY STARDUB TRIBUTE ALBUM |url=http://easystar.com/easy-star-all-stars-release-ziggy-stardub-tribute-album/ |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=Easy Star Records |language=en-US}}</ref> The album garnered positive reviews, and earned an article with ''Billboard''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meschino |first=Patricia |date=2023-04-20 |title=‘Ziggy Stardub’: Inside the Reggae Recast of David Bowie’s Glam Rock Classic |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/ziggy-stardub-reggae-david-bowie-ziggy-stardust-album-1235310797/ |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> On August 23, 2025, they performed at the 30th edition of the Rototom Sunsplash in Benicàssim, Spain.

==Current line-up== Listed in the order and as they appear in the liner notes accompanying ''Dub Side of the Moon'': * Michael Goldwasser (producer/arranger, guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion) * Victor Axelrod * Patrick Dougher * Victor Rice

The core of the touring line-up has remained largely intact since 2003.<ref name="easystar.com"/> The rotating roster includes:

* Buford O'Sullivan (trombone, vocals) * Horace James (keyboards) * Ivan Katz (Ive-09) (drums, percussion) * Jenny Hill (saxophone, flute) * Joanne Williams (vocals, percussion) * Ras Droppa (bass, vocals, live musical director) * JonnyGoFigure (guitar, vocals) * Andrew McIntyre (guitar, vocals)

==Discography== *''Dub Side of the Moon'' (2003) *''Radiodread'' (2006) *''Until that Day'' EP (2008) *''Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band'' (2009) *''Dubber Side of the Moon'' (2010) *''First Light'' (2011) *''Easy Star's Thrillah'' (2012) *''Ziggy Stardub'' (2023)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Easy Star All-Stars}} *[http://www.easystar.com/ Easy Star Records] *[http://www.myspace.com/easystar Myspace Blog] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090715173619/http://www.dailymusicguide.com/Reviews/easy-star-all-stars-koko-camden.aspx Easy Star All-Stars, Camden Koko (28/04/2009) Live Review at DailyMusicGuide.com]

Easy Star All-Stars|Cover band musical groups Category:Jamaican reggae musical groups Category:Easy Star Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1997 Category:American dub musical groups Category:Jamaican dub musical groups