New Music: Cultural Traditions Vol. 1 by Scratch Rugarchy | 2025

March 28, 2025

Cultural Traditions Vol. 1 – Various Artists

Scratch Rugarchy’s Cultural Traditions Compilation Album is a perfect antidote to the current numbness and denseness that is permeating society today. It is a project that is rooted in affirmation of self-love, self-sufficiency, pride and a sense of belonging. A project long time in the making at the Underworld Basement headquarters where the riddim was cooked with live instrumentation. A patient man when it comes to his craft, no rush whatsoever. He describes himself as a Revolutionary Planetary Reggae Activist and impatient with people who do not know thyself. He once described himself as the Julius Malema of Reggae. You see where his mindset is?

Likewise, he assembled the finest from the pool of Reggae and Dancehall and introduces us to some voices that we are not familiar with. The likes of Joseph Makelen (founder of Dread King Reggae Band in CT) who delivers a soulful song Ingoma with such control and precision. Bighead coming delivers a prayerfull song Hlala Nam with familiar local gospel ish vibe. Black Bee and Bongo Tea voices compliments the beat so well, heavy and steady with tracks Ikhaya and Asibemunye respectively.

Then in comes the heavy weights, the SAMA Trio, Black Dillinger, Skeleton Blazer and Bongo Riot. BooM! Black Dillinger and Skeleton Blazer teamed up on the track Everyday. Real Reggae Souljahs. Rastaman who nah deal with powder. They are truly in their form and element on this one. Bongo Riot comes back to deliver the poor man’s prayer with the sentimental track Ndayo yami.

The Rugarchy then brought the no nonsense staunch Pan Africanist Jahnett Tafari back to the fore to deliver Ndiyabulela Qamata; Nice, laid back matured vibes. Then he pulled in his long time passe Jah Kongo who is consistent in the theme of the unification of Africans with the track Afreeka Unite. Blaq Supreme shines brilliantly in the self retrospective song Steppin In, which is appropriately placed as the opening track of the compilation. The Rugarchy then closes with Dey Don’t Care. What he often laments about, but on the track his frustration is contained and restrained nicely. Perfect to closse off the compilation.

To put the final touch, he enlisted the musical Doctor Ras Terry who did the final Mix and Mastering at King Dread Studios.

Cultural Traditions’ compilation embodies the cultural norms that we have grown up with, rooted in spirituality and self consciousness. Another one for the Classic Reggae Collection. An Essential Compilation. It would be such a pleasure to know who did the backing vocals, because them sisters angelic voices brought a midas touch to the project.