CD Of The Week: NEWTOWN ROCKSTEADY – Goin' Steady

Comprised of highly active members of Wellington’s vibrant music scene, Newtown Rocksteady has a great depth of experience to call upon. Its members are involved in numerous other groups including The Nudge, Brockaflowersaurus-rex, Roy G and the Bivinators, Fly My Pretties, Bella Cajon, Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band and Zirigidum to name a few. The band has its roots firmly embedded in the traditions of Jamaican rocksteady, ska and reggae music and is further nourished by its connection with its community. Hailing from the Wellington suburb of Newtown, ‘Rocksteady’ as it is known to many of its fans, began its existence playing at community events and stonking house parties; as such the band is well-versed in the art of getting bodies on the dance floor.

‘Goin’ Steady’ was recorded at the Boardroom, an offshoot of Wellington’s legendary recording studio, The Surgery in February and March of this year. Recorded live and mixed collaboratively by band members and engineer, Ryan Prebble, it documents the band’s already well-developed live sound. The EP’s title pays homage to the growth of the group, over the last three or four years, into a solid unit and one which looks set to keep rocking steady.

Put together thirteen close friends and experienced musicians in a moodily-lit underground bunker with an array of classic microphones and other venerable gear as well as enough brass to keep your grandmother polishing for days on end and you set the stage for a fine musical collaboration. Add to this a lack of time restraints and this band’s vast experience performing live together and you see the context in which this album was recorded. From light, up-tempo rocksteady riddims to dark and stormy dub/reggae grooves this album is both history lesson and natural progression.

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