Steppin Razor
Exton, Pennsylvania, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2005 | SELF
Music
Press
Steppin Razor dabbles in funk, roots rock and reggae to create an interesting, well-executed debut album.
Philadelphia-based Steppin Razor formed from the ashes of a Bob Marley tribute band that had dissolved in 2005. Johnny Myers and Mark Patterson decided to form a new band; they joined up with Ben Bean and James Hoy to further pursue their passion for making reggae music. They have played many shows throughout the Northeast in the meantime, and have set their sights on a larger touring schedule in the year to come. Their shows incorporate a mixture of reggae classics and their own originals. After several years refining and enhancing their sound with weekly Wednesday night shows and a host of performances in various venues across the Northeast, the band resolved to record an album of reggae originals. The resulting 2009 package, “Gold In Rule” signifies the next step in this band’s emergence, as they present an inspired collection of reggae originals with this recording.
The album begins with “Overstanding,” as Myers’ voice complements James Hoy’s expressive guitar quite nicely. “Gold In Rule” saunters along with smooth lyrics, a nicely layered groove, as yearning guitar colors the later measures of the song. There is a definite political and/or humanistic awareness in these first songs, as those overtones then segue into the smooth pro-cannabis awareness of “Jah Herb.” Myers’ keyboard playing gains prominence as the song lopes along, extolling the virtues of “Jah Herb” and meditation. The unusually named “Dankzegging” features a spiritual message of “Thanksgiving” for those small pleasures that we may overlook or not fully appreciate. The song seems to have a mildly sardonic tone at times, encouraging one to praise the “sand” if one is trapped in the desert. There is a carefree, light-hearted quality to this song that contrasts significantly with the previous tracks.
“Human” strikes with a strong anti-racist statement, claiming there is no “black man, white man, brown man…only HuMan!” Crystalline guitar complements the inspired message at the core of this song, as Ben Bean’s bass playing keeps things honest and forward-moving. The opening notes of “Guidance” feature rollicking bass lines, Myers’ trademark vocal skills, and accentuation from Hoy’s guitar. Ben Bean also contributes nice backup vocals for this track, and his voice contributes an entirely different quality than Myers’. “Coming Home” begins with an energetic funk groove before ambling into more traditional reggae waters. This song is punctuated by nice interplay between keyboards and guitar and features energetic vocals that close the album with an optimistic flourish.
When listening to this album, I am impressed by the quality of the songwriting, the excellent playing and vocal arrangements, and the inspired social message at the core of many of these songs. Johnny Myers contributes excellent vocals, interesting keyboards and melodica, and is supplemented ably by his band mates. The varying vocal deliveries of Myers and bassist Ben Bean create an interesting synergy on the album. The playing of Mark Patterson and James Hoy also contribute to make a sonically interesting package that dabbles in funk and roots rock in creating socially conscious reggae. The rhythms at the core of this album are well-constructed and well-executed. With plans in order for a second album, Steppin Razor has positioned themselves for more shows and wider-reaching audiences in the years to come.
- by J. Evan Wade - Home Grown Music Network
... on their debut album Gold in Rule, the references to ganja, spliff, and societal ills are plentiful, but so then are the sincere dedications to the true art of reggae.
http://www.muzikreviews.com/reviews.php?ID=602 - musikreviews.com
There’s something special about a guitar solo that’s so perfect it moves you, or the subtle nuances of a singer that you can’t explain, but you just know they’ve got it! The same holds true for a band that plays a specific genre, and when it comes to Reggae, Steppin Razor has got it! Rich rasta tones blended with smooth vocals and a drummer so dialed in that if he were on stage alone with his set, you could name the tune. Wether it’s the punchy pop of Rebel Music, or the easy flow of Love The Life You Live, Steppin Razor plays in a way that is true to the genre, yet unique to the band. - http://web.illish.us/
Discography
2009 - Gold In Rule
Gold In Rule, the first musical snap shot of Steppin’ Razor, is a collection of roots, rock, and dancehall inspired Reggae riddims, woven together with socially and spiritually conscious lyrics, dynamic solos, and uplifting vocal harmonies. Years of study and hundreds of hours of rehearsals and performances have been captured in their studio, and are presented in the West Chester, PA based quartet's debut CD. In an attempt to recreate the true essence of “roots music,” the entire record was done in house, and is a tribute to anyone who can appreciate the virtues of dedication and hard work.
2012 - ...Against the Current
Following up their 2009 debut, Gold in Rule, Steppin Razor proudly presents a stronger, more textured and mature album. …Against the Current is a collection of twelve songs composed and adapted over several years, each band member contributing his own trademark songwriting to this diverse exhibition of conscious reggae innovation. While the band's non-reggae influences are perhaps more evident on this follow-up effort, Steppin Razor's loyalty to genuine roots-rock-reggae remains undeniable. These authentic yet original riddims underlie uplifting messages of hope and conviction for a world desperately in need of both, especially in the music industry.
Photos
Bio
Steppin Razor brings original, conscious roots-rock-reggae to the masses of the 21st Century, who not only seek an escape from the monotony, but rather are inspired by positive vibrations. This music is for those who crave something new, but familiar; revolutionary, yet classic. Their 2009 debut CD, Gold in Rule, astonished listeners with its authenticity, originality, and production quality, despite being homemade and produced on a low budget. With their follow-up album, …Against the Current, the band returns with a refreshing and uplifting collection of songs that the worldwide reggae community would do well to embrace.
Beginning in 2005 as a reggae tribute band, Steppin Razor is well-versed in the roots of the genre, and their mastery of traditional riddims has captivated audiences at beach bars and festivals for several years. But since 2008, their current four-member format has thrived on original compositions, songs that speak to perennial struggles and universal joys as experienced by four down-to-earth musicians from the Philadelphia area. A weekly reggae night in West Chester, PA, earned the band a loyal base of fans who follow the music to the Jersey shore every summer, to the heart of Philadelphia on cold winter nights, and everywhere in between. Although they have never catered their songwriting to the ever-growing pop-reggae audiences, Steppin Razor is both humbled and inspired by the continued enthusiasm with which their music is received, wherever it be heard.
Veterans of the Atlantic City casino beach bar stages and college town bars, Steppin Razor are no strangers, however, to the celebrated venues of Philadelphia. The Legendary Dobbs, the North Star Bar, Grape Street, the Khyber, the Pontiac Grille, World Cafe Live, and The Blockley Pourhouse are among the venues that have hosted this new and exciting incarnation of reggae. They have shared stages with foundation artists such as Toots & the Maytals and Barrington Levy, and contemporary reggae stars like John Brown's Body and Cherine Anderson. They have brought their crucial sounds to Arts Fest in State College, Musikfest in Bethlehem, Turkshead Music Festival in West Chester, and a number of events that benefit worthy causes while promoting a healthy appreciation for the arts. While eager to share positive vibrations with audiences in new territories, Steppin Razor hopes to see the continued success of local venues, such as The Note in West Chester, and promises to make lasting musical contributions in the years to come.
As …Against the Current arrives in early 2012, Steppin Razor hopes that the album's message of perseverance and righteousness will invigorate music scenes in Philadelphia and beyond. Artists and critics alike will find inspiration in these recordings, songs which carry a different but equally energetic vibration in live performances. And with even newer material in the not-too-distant future, the band hopes you will continue to join them in support of positivity and quality reggae music.
Band Members
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