Album Alert (6.30) | Chronixx Taps His Dad, Chicago Orchestra & More on Debut Album Chronology
“Evolution,” “uprising,” “continuation” and “Rastafari” are words used by the 24-year-old singer-songwriter Chronixx. These identifiers embody every nuance of his long-awaited debut Chronology, available June 30, 2017 on his label Soul Circle (Virgin/Universal distribution). They tell the story of a young Jamaican music prodigy whose conscious views of the world continue the legacy of reggae’s forebearers, yet also blazes a new path for traditional and non-traditional listeners. Since 2012, Chronixx has organically built that devoted fanbase, turning industry heads as one of Jamaica’s fastest, most-promising talents to represent the iconic Caribbean island to a global audience.
From Chronixx’s 2013 breakthrough anthem “Smile Jamaica” (produced by Silly Walks Discotheque)—that put him on the map—to his 2017 self-produced, dancehall-styled single “Likes,” these songs are a guide to the progression of Chronixx as a well-rounded artist on Chronology. His palette for rhythm is limitless, choosing an array of colors to paint vivid pictures. He walks you through the neighborhood that raised him on “Spanish Town Rockin” and pays respect to the women in his life on “Majesty” – both tracks also featured on his 2016 mixtape Roots & Chalice by Federation Sound. On “Ghetto Paradise” (produced by Phillip “Winta” James whose credits include Damian Marley & Protoje), Chronixx expresses the bittersweet realities of Jamaica, a juxtaposition of the island’s beautiful aesthetic and the darkness, poverty and strife that lies within. He declares humanity’s indomitable spirit on “I Can,” produced by Parisian production duo Picard Brothers (credits include Major Lazer, Ellie Goulding, Kehlani). Worries drift away on “Skankin Sweet,” the album’s “richly textured one drop groove” (Billboard). The album’s one and only guest feature is reserved for his father, Jamaican reggae vocalist Chronicle on “Big Bad Sound.” The song hails up all the generals from his father to Haile Selassie who helped shape him musically and spiritually. It is a true example of the art form’s continuation coming full circle.
Thoughtful lyricism aside, one of Chronology’s greatest attributes is its layered production. The album’s rich instrumentation allows the messages to digest into a soulful depth. Chronixx co-produced the entire album with a diverse all-star cast spanning the globe. Repping Jamaica, his touring band Zincfence Redemption along with the island’s renowned musicians Llamar ‘Riff Raff’ Brown, Dean Fraser, Stephen McGregor (amongst many others) all contributed to the album. Across the map, British drum & bass band Rudimental, London-based Utters and NYC’s Federation Sound round out this dynamic product. For tracks “Country Boy” and “Christina,” Chronixx recruited iconic American blues guitarist Donald Kinsey, known for his recording and touring history with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Also a Chicago string orchestra arranged by Matt Jones adds dimension to songs like “Legend,” “Tell Me More” and “Black Is Beautiful.”
Chronology was recorded in studios in Brooklyn, Kingston, London and Chicago, mixed at Miami’s Circle House Studios and at NYC’s Manhattan Center.
In support of Chronology, he will continue to tour Europe, North America and Japan throughout the summer. He will also join Ms. Lauryn Hill and Nas on their Fall 2017 Powernomics tour. See full tour dates here www.chronixxmusic.com.
About Chronixx
Born Jamar Rolando McNaughton on October 10, 1992 in Jamaica’s second largest city Spanish Town, Chronixx was musically nurtured from an early age by his father, dancehall artist Chronicle. Under the wing of his paternal music mentor, he grew up surrounded by the likes of Burro Banton and Gregory Isaacs. With a youthful conscious voice carrying the wisdom of generations of reggae singers before him, Chronixx quickly stood out. In 2014, his music propelled him into international stardom. His Dread & Terrible project, featuring hits like “Here Comes Trouble” and “Captureland,” immediately topped the Billboard (U.S.) Reggae chart. That year, he was lauded by the likes of NPR, VOGUE, Vice & The New Yorker as the leader of reggae’s new roots generation and landed performances on major stages including his national TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and NYC’s Central Park Summerstage. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger celebrated his birthday by sitting stageside for Chronixx’s set in Central Park. He continued to chart unprecedented territory for a young independent Jamaican artist, reaching festival audiences at Governer’s Ball (2015), Glastonbury (2015), Coachella (2016) & Austin City Limits (2016). In Spring 2017, Chronixx returned to Fallon, was selected as the face for adidas Originals’ Spezial SS17 campaign, headlined his biggest 44-city North American tour date, sold out more venues across United Kingdom and made his British national TV debut on Later with Jools Holland.
Chronology Track Listing:
1. Spanish Town Rocking
2. Big Bad Sound featuring Chronicle
3. Skankin Sweet
4. Ghetto Paradise
5. Country Boy
6. Smile Jamaica
7. I Can
8. Selassie Children
9. Black is Beautiful
10. Majesty
11. Loneliness
12. Likes
13. Tell Me Now
14. Legend
15. Christina
16. I Know Love [Bonus Track]
