Hawai’ian Roots Reggae Band Azato Drops Two New Conscious Singles

Hawai’i-based roots reggae band Azato’s latest offering takes the form of two fresh singles that fall squarely in the tradition of soulful and spirited roots reggae. Collaborating with Kumar from the group Raging Fyah, Ism and a Schizm decries racism, and promotes love and unity with its gentle storytelling structure. The late chant of “mash down racism” floats over a laidback, heavily swung rootical groove, complete with expressive saxophone riffs, organ chucks and subtle but rich vocal harmonies.

Come My Way is a sunny, swinging roots reggae experience, sung at a casual walking pace with two special guests: repeat collaborator Aisea Taimani and Riya Davis. Both tracks praise Jah and speak to the Rastafarian values that are the beating spiritual heart of roots reggae music. The fact that such deep, sincere roots Reggae vibes and messages are coming from Honolulu, thousands of miles from Jamaica, speaks volumes for Roots Reggae’s global reach and influence. With a subtle American-meets-Hawai’ian-meets-Jamaican sound, this group should appeal to people drawn to the works of Big Mountain, Iya Terra or the most famous proponents of roots reggae: Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Both of these new Azato singles are plushly recorded but not over-produced. They sound like they were recorded live in a sumptuous studio environment, and drip with soul, warmth and authenticity. Azato’s sound is undoubtedly influenced by founding member Brady “Azuto” Giusta’s lifelong interest in reggae and “world” music. Born and raised in San Diego, he focused on playing percussion and keyboards as a youth, before studying world music at university and performing for ten years with Elijah Emanuel & the Revelations. During that time, he had the pleasure of opening for many touring stars of reggae music, including Damien Marley, Rita Marley, Israel Vibration, Toots and the Maytals, Burning Spear, Culture, Sister Carol, Ras Michael, UB40, The Wailers, Lucky Dube, Pato Banton, Barrington Levy, Michael Rose, The Itals, Cultura Profetica, The Gladiators, Bunny Wailer, Morgan Heritage, Steel Pulse and many more.

Azato’s first 13-track solo album dropped in 2018, entitled Love is the Conqueror. Collaborations on tracks by Future Kynn in 2023 and Aisea Taimani and Minor Islands in 2024 followed, before his run of four singles of his own penmanship this year.

Ism and a Schizm and Come My Way were both preceded by When We Gonna Start? and Bridges Not Walls, together establishing a consistent, uplifting and conscious lyrical approach to his music and message. Azato draws inspiration from his life in Hawai’i and his work supporting “at risk” youth there and in San Diego and the struggles of marginalised and disadvantaged people. His lyrics promote healthy, respectful attitudes, peaceful living, Rastafarian spirituality and universal principles of love, peace and unity. Unabashedly rootsman, expressed in music that is both nourishing and satisfying, Azato’s catalog is available to purchase on Bandcamp, and listen to on YouTube and streaming platforms.