Released through Ineffable Music Group, Royal Grove is the latest album from Cleveland reggae rock funk band Tropidelic. They just keep getting better and better with each year and album, they put out some fun and uplifting music and they are one of the best bands to see live; they bring so much energy and positivity to the stage! “I'm a firm believer in the idea that we make ourselves happy, although it’s not always easy to do,” says lead singer Matthew Roads in a press release. “As far as my input on Royal Grove went, I wanted everything on this record to have positive energy.” Trop will be hosting their annual Everwild Music Festival in Thornville, OH August 1-3 and will be performing all three nights.  Everwild will also feature artists such as Stick Figure, Rebelution, the Movement, SOJA, Arise Roots and Dale and the ZDubs. And after Everwild look for them to tour starting in mid-August to support their album release. This is a must-see tour!

The album starts off with “Affirmations” with Tobyraps, this has a nice groove and flow to it, this is a song (this is kinda a theme for me with this album) that could work years ago, all the way trough to now. A short song to get us started off on this positive journey.  “Ease Up” is next up and one of my favorite tracks. The lyrics and vocals are great and the groove is so sweet. I could have listened to this song in my younger days, it takes me back to the late 80’s or early 90’s with the flow, but again has a nice modern vibe as well. Next up is a song with Rittz, “Same Hat.” It is Trop’s signature groove that is a Midwest cowboy groove (someone mentioned this and had to used it to describe the song). It is just a fun song with Rittz, you can really groove to this. Another one of my favorites, “Movie Star” featuring The Pharcyde is next.  I love how Trop and The Pharcyde work together, it would be nice hearing them do more together, maybe even an album, it would be dope. This song again takes me back to my college days listening to The Pharcyde. I am loving how their music and vibe has an older feel to it but yet it works so well now as well.  It’s hard to pull that off and so consistently. This tune blends lyrical verses with a smooth chorus, thoroughly heightened with Tropidelic’s sweet horn play.

They take us to “Humble” with Palmer Squares joining them. Palmer Squares has a real nice flow in this, while not one of my favorites on the album, I think Trop fans my like this one. One of the best songs and the most reggae-esque songs on the album featuring Iration and The Elovaters is “Floating.” I love this song, not just because it is the most reggae sounding song, but you get elements of all three groups in this song.  This song could be on an Iration album, The Elovaters album or on Trop’s, this collaboration works so well, mixing all three of their styles perfectly. Collabs don’t always work, or usually tend to just take on the sound of one of the bands, but this is amazing how you get that vibe and flow from all three. Another great song, “LaLa” is up next, this is a through and through Tropidelic sound and groove. Such and upbeat and positive song, if you don’t want to get up and dance to this, something may be wrong with you…..at least bob your head around!

“Ride” is up next, another awesome chilled out vibe on this one. Love this song, makes you want to hop in the car with the top down, cruising through town with the wind in your hair. The lyrics just flow through the song matching the chill melody and tune of the song. We head over to “Grove,” another chilled out slow flow with some nice lyrics. Not feeling this one as much as “Ride” but still a rhythmic flow. We finish off the journey with “Crossover.” Another slower jam to finish this album off, kind of winds us down with a few songs to make us relax and think and be positive. This is a great album, these guys are absolutely killing it right now and I cannot wait to see them on tour. This is an album that hits on so many genres, so if you like reggae, hip hop, soul, rock, R&B, and not just those genres in the modern day, they have old skool vibes flowing right along in these songs. So much talent in these guys, such a great album.

One Love – Todd Judd