Following the announcement of their signing with celebrated label Easy Star Records, reggae-dub four-piece The Skints are excited to reveal to their highly anticipated third album, FM, due for release on 9th March.

Set on the hottest day in the city on record at imaginary London pirate radio station The Big FM / Frequency Murderation, 103.Skints, the album is inspired by a time when the young band used to drive around in guitarist Josh Waters Rudge’s car, tuning in to the radio and trying to find new music.

Pulling from various influences ingrained in the group while growing up listening to a number of different styles and sounds, FM is The Skints’ fitting tribute to the radio culture they love as music fans. Progressing through the bubbling sound of grime and garage to summertime sound system reggae, roots, dancehall, traditional rocksteady, Motown soul and punk, the East London-based group takes listeners on a whistle-stop tour of the capital’s underground culture in their latest venture.

With Prince Fatty back in the producer’s chair adding his signature take on the genre, the album also features a host of exciting guests including reggae legends Tippa Irie and Horseman, grime MC Rival (all playing alter-ego roles as the station's DJs), and even a surprise vocal cameo by comedian Rufus Hound.

Having finished 2014 in style, taking to the road on the Ja?germeister Music Tour alongside Me First and The Gimme Gimmes and performing at London’s historic Brixton Academy in the process, 2015 promises to be another heavy year for the four- piece. With a headline tour of the UK, France, the Netherlands and Germany confirmed for April, including a date at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, plus the band's debut USA venture booked for May, The Skints show no signs of slowing down upon the release of FM, for which further details are soon to be unveiled.

New Kingston’s Kingston City has impressively debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart. Kingston City (released January 27, 2015 on Easy Star Records) is the band’s third studio album and their first release to claim the #1 spot on the Billboard Reggae chart. The album is also their first release on the leading US reggae label Easy Star Records. The family group, which features three brothers (Stephen, Courtney Jr., and Tahir) and their father, create what Top Shelf Reggae calls, “…a genuine body of work that displays an incredible vocal range, candid lyrics and impressive instrumentals. It gives the listener the sort of meaningful connection and escape that every piece of music should provide.”

“With its #1 debut on the reggae chart, Kingston City solidifies New Kingston’s place with the reggae elite. Their hard work, prolific touring, and positive community continue to give the band momentum in 2015,” says Easy Star CEO Eric Smith. He adds, “Furthermore it’s thrilling to see a fast rising New York band who embodies the perfect balance of old and new reggae sensibilities.”

The new record includes 12 songs and guest appearances by members of Tribal Seeds, Hawaiian singer-songwriter Kimie Miner, Sister Carol, The Wailing Souls, and the late, great reggae legend Sugar Minott. The band is currently on tour (which includes select dates with Common Kings and Through the Roots) showcasing songs from the new album and back catalog. Press accolades for Kingston City have been pouring in from a diversity of national and international media outlets.

New Kingston - Can't Stop A Man -from New Kingston's new album Kingston City out January 27, 2015 on Easy Star Records.

Music video by New Kingston performing Can't Stop A Man (Lyric Video). (P) 2015 Easy Star Records.

Following the success of this summer's Easy Star Records mix, we're back with the Easy Star Records Winter Mix 2014 curated by Dub Architect! Featuring Easy Star Records' artists of past and present including some exclusive previously unreleased tracks and sneak peaks from 2015 releases!