The Hip-Hop Reggae fused band from the Netherlands known as Postmen recently released a 7-track album, Royals. I came across them reading the review on World A Reggae, so I had to check them out.  They formed back in 1993 by Anonymous Mis and G-Boah and were influenced by Kool G Rap, Eric B & Rakim, Burning Spear and Bob Marley. They adapted their name from Burning Spear’s song “African Postmen.” Their debut single “Cocktail” entered the Dutch Top 20 charts and they have been popular there and throughout Europe ever since. Both Jamaican music and rap had established itself as dominate in youth culture in the Netherlands in the early and mid-90’s. As Anonymous Mis explained in an interview; “What I like about reggae is the positive vibe. It’s more peaceful and far less fashion-conscious than Hip-Hop. So our raps should radiate a sense of peace and unity. At the end of the day, we like to provide entertainment and education.”

I popped in Royals on and I have to say, I really like their groove and flow.  Some good stuff, I am a little surprised I have never heard anything from them before since they have been around for such a long time.  The album starts off with the title track, “Royals.” This song grabbed me right away, good beat and a good chorus.  Made me want to keep listening, the style in this makes me think of another artist, but I just can’t put my finger on it. Next is “Headscratcher” another solid tune, with a nice rap flow and beat.  My head starting to bob up and down. “This Is It” is next and has a little different flow than the first two, but another solid tune. A little more Hip-Hop/R&B flow to this one.  We get a reggae vibe next with “Leaving,” with a sweet reggae beat and flow but a real nice rap. I keep thinking, who do they remind me of, I just can’t figure it out. Next is “Rob N Steal,” a more Hip-Hop rhythm and lyrical flow.  I like how they mix this up, getting a sweet reggae feel and a little harder Hip-Hop vibration. They bring us to “Denied King,” a little more of an R&B feel with a skilled rap throughout, but with a slight reggae vibe going on in the background.  They finish this off with “Without A Plan,” a song that takes me back to the 90’s with the flow of the lyrics and the hard beat.  It then hit me, I get a Spearhead vibe from them, the 1997 Spearhead album Chocolate Supa Highway, the beats, the lyrics, the flow of the rap and the reggae vibe. I can also get their influences of Rakim, Burning Spear, Bob Marley and Kool G Rap, you can see where that all came together, but to me I really get that 90’s Spearhead vibe. This is an album worth a listen to if you are a Hip-Hop and reggae fan, especially those 90’s grooves. A nice production, sweet rhythms and beats and a nice mix between the rapping and singing. 

One Love - Todd