AMJ New Series 2020 Mixed by ROB SMITH

One stormy weekend in the autumn of 2018 AMJ went into Mwnci Studios deep in the Welsh countryside, braving driving rain, high winds, flooding and fallen trees to get there. Nice and cosy inside a great space, the band put down live 6 tracks in 2 days guided by producer Rob Smith.

With his dub goggles on Rob has been mixing this new material over the last few months. Inspired by a great sound and the energy of the performances, Rob has come through with some very special mixes.

Across this year we’ll be releasing a series of singles as we roll out the tracks. These will be (very) limited edition vinyls cut by a dub plate specialist and also on digital.

 Here come the first brace of dubs ….

AMJ LP for release on Record Store Day in France and the UK April 22nd 2017

“Whenever I see the name AMJ Collective I know I’m going to be in for something special, something different, something unique.” DAVID RODIGAN MBE  BBC 1XTRA

“Un art de dub mix époustouflant!” … “The art of the breathtaking dub mix!”
FREDERIC PEGUILLAN  TELERAMA
 
This new release continues to showcase the dynamic future-roots sound of AMJ.
Following up on their Sky Blue Love album, the AMJ Collective now deliver an eight track set called Believe. Rob Smith-RSD is at the controls once again delivering a masterful dub-scape. The album features the granddaughters of legendary Colombian artist Totó la Momposina on vocals – Oriana Melissa delivers a soulful lead on the song Believe, recorded when she was just eighteen years old. 
 
 

DEBUT ALBUM – AMJ-RSD COLLABORATION

AMJ meets RSD New album SKY BLUE LOVE
We are happy to be rolling out the debut album from the AMJ-RSD collaboration.
A 15 track journey through chapters of dub quite unlike anything you will have heard before.
The album artwork is pretty special too featuring images from Japanese photographer Ikue Uyama plus fascinating sleeve notes telling the story of dub adventurer Rob Smith.
Now released in Japan and the UK with France and other European countries to come over the summer and autumn.

“An awesome album! If you like dub and instrumental music you’re gonna love this …. it really is very special.”
DAVID RODIGAN BBC1Xtra

AMJ Meets RSD Album coming soon

Sky Blue Love

‘SKY BLUE LOVE’ is the first AMJ meets RSD album – due for release on
April 25th 2016. 15 glorious tracks on CD, and a special edition package which includes vinyl discs.
Artwork is by photographer Ikue Ujama and the cover features her photo ‘MIKAGAMI’.

New Release – Serious Signs – OUT NOW

Serious Signs Second Drop Promo Net Version RGB

AMJ-RSD new 10″ vinyl release out October 12th.

A. SERIOUS SIGNS
B. SECOND DROP

Mixed by Rob Smith
Produced by John Hollis

Masterful work from Rob Smith and two more corkers from the AMJ treasure trove ….

The deep and heavy Serious Signs features soulful performances by Seckou Keita on kora,
Michel ‘Pata’ Salazar on keyboards, Camilo Menjura on guitar and Michel Padron on trumpet.
Feel the ground move and your spirit rise!

The B is Second Drop, a fresh reworking of the first AMJ-RSD single Depth Drop, solid groove
graced with fine guitar work from Camilo Menjura and horns from Michel Padron.

“An exquisite blend of Spanish guitar, West African Kora and Jamaican dub music. AMJ Meets RSD is progressive, enchanting and melodious – a breath of fresh air in an otherwise crowded space”. Afrojamm, UK

AARV030
Astar Artes Recordings

Believe – Reviews

Whenever I see the name AMJ Collective I know I’m going to be in for something special …. something different …. something unique. This song is no exception, featuring glorious vocals from Oriana Melissa, that was the AMJ Collective and their brand new single which is entitled Believe, coming out soon on all formats, there is a lovely dub mix of that which we’ll be featuring for you in weeks to come and you’ll be hearing the song also as we roll through the summer.” Sir David Rodigan (BBC Radio 1xtra)

“A great release.” Alex (Culture Dub Radio)

“AMJ produce yet another fine example of what they do best, new roots music sounds for their latest release “Believe”. With haunting vocals from 18 year old Oriana Melissa fused with killer trumpets, percussion and fine heavy weight drum and bass resulting in a massive timeless summer tune. Brilliantly mixed by the highly acclaimed Rob Smith, I can’t recommend it enough”. Sattamann (Real Roots)

I like it a lot…. I love that warm dubby sound. I plan to feature it on my next online mix.DJ Jamie Renton, London

You can  still buy by clicking on the ‘Shop’ tab.

‘Believe’ Release

Featured

Our new single ‘Believe’ was released earlier this week, June 15th.
Featuring Oriana Melissa on lead vocals. The granddaughter of Colombian singer and Latin Grammy Award winner Totó la Momposina, recorded this track at the tender age of 18. Her honeyed vocals gracefully coat the heavyweight rhythm section of Andy Clarke and Mark Spence on drums and bass, propelled along with a superb dub-inflected mix from Rob Smith.

This is the first release that features a live 9-piece band from the collective;

Drums – Andy Clarke (JA/Eng)
Congas – Paolo Moussa (Colombia/Eng)
Bass – Mark Spence (JA/Eng)
Trumpet/Keyboard – Michel Padron (Cuba)
Lead Guitar – Owen Shiers (Wales)
Rhythm Guitar – John Hollis (Eng)
Lead Vocal – Oriana Melissa (Colombia/Eng)
Chorus – Maria del mar (Colombia/Eng)
Chorus- Camilo Menjura (Colombia)

Whenever I see the name AMJ Collective I know I’m going to be in for something special ….
something different …. something unique. This song is no exception, featuring glorious vocals
from Oriana Melissa, that was the AMJ Collective and their brand new single which is entitled
Believe, coming out soon on all formats, there is a lovely dub mix of that which we’ll be featuring
for you in weeks to come and you’ll be hearing the song also as we roll through the summer
.” Sir David Rodigan (BBC Radio 1xtra)

” A great release” Alex (Culture Dub Radio)

” AMJ produce yet another fine example of what they do best, new roots music sounds for their latest release “Believe”. With haunting vocals from 18 year old Oriana Melissa fused with killer trumpets, percussion and fine heavy weight drum and bass resulting in a massive timeless summer tune. Brilliantly mixed by the highly acclaimed Rob Smith, I can’t recommend it enough”. Sattamann (Real Roots)

You can purchase by clicking on the ‘Shop’ tab.
nana 2

Spring 2015

Owen Shiers will be teaching welsh folk songs at the much loved Tribe of Doris main event at Stanford Hall, Leicester – as part of their celebration of UK and World Heritage (Wednesday 29th July – Sunday 2nd August).

AMJ’s John Hollis has been beavering away in the studio producing Totó la Momposina’s latest album, which is due for release in June on Real World Records. Initially created 24 years ago, this is the latest offering by the Grammy Award nominee and Latin Grammy Award winner ahead of her 2015 European Tour!
…Also making an appearance on the album are two of her granddaughters – vocalists Maria and Oriana who have been laying down backing vocals -bringing a whole new meaning to Keeping it in the family!!

Our very own Camilo took the runner up prize in the ‘Musician of The Year’ category at the recent Latin UK Music Awards ceremony. It’s the UK’s fastest growing awards ceremony that recognizes the contribution of Britain’s Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American communities to the world of Music, Dance and the Arts. New releases and Summer performance dates to be announced soon!!

M&O

toto

Bristol Harbourside Festival – July 2014

The Collective were overjoyed to have been invited to play the biggest and much loved free event last summer in the South West of England, playing in front of several thousand people at the Bristol Harbourside festival, which went down a storm!!

Currently in its 44th year – the festival is long enough to fill a two-mile stretch of the historic harbour – offering; music, dance, food, circus acts and lots of children’s activities – attracting on average 250,000 visitors over the weekend, with the likes of Finely Quaye, Dub Mafia, Pee Wee Ellis, Bristol Reggae Orchestra and The Rinky Dinks.

“Thanks for playing a blinder, I was so impressed and loads of people have been asking about you guys, your Harbourside gig was one of my highlights of the weekend.” – Tony Almond, The Happy City Stage

Deep, phat bass, great sound quality ” – Norb Ski

harbourside

WOMAD Festival – July 2014

AMJ Collective joined forces with WOMAD FESTIVAL and the Malmesbury Schools Project, an annual artist residency that sees primary and secondary school students working with artists and musicians from around the world. The project included a 1-week tour of local schools, delivering an outreach performance in the surrounding villages, with lots of participation from students and teachers alike.

We were lucky to have a great group of 100 extremely talented students who made the task of preparing for the opening slot at the festival on Thursday evening that little bit easier. The show consisted of dancers; vocalists, percussionists, several guitarists, bass players and a full horn section. Half the students on-stage were from Malmesbury School with another 50 recruited from the morning sessions with the five local primary schools; Malmesbury, Brinkworth, Earl Danby, Minety, Lea & Garsdon and Crudwell.

Following the success of the opening night – AMJ Collective conducted a workshop in the ‘All Singing – All Dancing’ tent on Friday – which again, was a great success. It was a huge honour for us to be invited to teach and perform at one of the longest established cultural events in the world, clocking up more than 30 years in the game. Here’s to 30 more…

AMJ womad - kids

Previous years artists include; Pee Wee Ellis, Colores de mi Tierra, Siyaya and The Dhol Foundation to name but a few.

AMJ Collective provided a slick and solid reggae afro framework, within which the young musicians and singers expressed themselves – while the dancers hardly stopped moving throughout” – Western Daily Press