Celebration

Like many of their Oceanic compatriots, ever since their 2013 debut California-based quartet Common Kings have managed to craft a distinctly Pacific brand of reggae, which is true to their own diverse backgrounds. With all but one member being first-generation American, the band is made up of a Samoan-born Hawaiian lead guitarist, a Fiji-born bassist, a Hawaii-raised Samoan rhythm guitarist, and an LA-born Tongan drummer.

But their Polynesian roots don’t completely mask their obvious affection for both the original Jamaican reggae style and inner-city American hip-hop. ‘Do My Thing’ combines well-known James Brown and Bob Marley riffs with a bass-heavy rap from Jamaican artist Royal Blu, while other album guests include Jamaican star Kabaka Pyramid & Spanish rapper Spreadlof (‘Came Up’), American-Samoan reggae singer J Boog (‘Raggamuffin’) and Australian-Maori dancehall toaster Sammy J fronting Oahu (Hawaii) band The Green on ‘Queen Majesty’.

While the band’s 2017 album Lost in Paradise was nominated for a Grammy as Best Reggae Album, a couple of these new tracks veer a little too close to mainstream pop for comfort. But ‘Celebration (One Shot)’ best sums up the group’s positive Pacific attitude, and makes this release well worth a listen and a dancing skank.