Easy Star’s Thrillah by the Easy Star All-Stars has debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae and iTunes Reggae charts. Easy Star’s Thrillah (released August 28 on Easy Star Records) is the Easy Star All-Stars’ reggae adaptation of the greatest selling record of all time – Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The album debuted impressively on other Billboard charts including #11 on the Heatseekers Chart, #69 on the Indie Store Chart, and #121 on the Top 200 Digital albums, amongst others. The album follows in the footsteps of the ESA line of groundbreaking reggae tribute albums including Dub Side of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006) and Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009).
“With its #1 debut on the reggae charts, the Easy Star All-Stars continue to push forward the emerging US reggae scene with new material that appeals to a broad fanbase,” says Easy Star Records co-founder Lem Oppenheimer.
The band kicks off their extensive North American tour this week with Easy Star label mate Cas Haley on September 7 and then is joined by Passafire for the rest of the dates on the first leg of the tour, which goes west through Colorado and California. Press accolades for the new album have been pouring in from an assorted range of media outlets across numerous countries.
“Covering a song in a different genre can be gimmicky, as is the case with this Brooklyn reggae outfit’s take on Michael Jackson’s classic (from “Easy Star’s Thrillah,” an all-covers album). Here however, it just happens to be a good gimmick, put over a spongy groove and dancehall giant Luciano’s simmering, committed vocal.” – New York Post
“Thrillah is an imaginative tribute, and hands down, ESAS’ best album since 2003’s stellar Dub Side of the Moon.” – Relix
“…diverse, fun, and very welcome return to form…There’s plenty of life left in this formula.” – All Music Guide
“…this homage is tasteful and eloquent, avoiding modern reggae’s trappings….Amassing 21 musicians and recorded in five countries, this truly global endeavor honors the King of Pop in an entirely unforeseen way.” – The Huffington Post
“…the album continues the group’s streak as one of the most innovative cover groups out.” – FUSE
“Thrillah is so fun and danceable that you might be missing the slick arrangements and songwriting for the overall feel. But the All-Stars are talented musicians mixed and produced super well. This album sounds excellent.” – Angelica Music
“The Easy Star All-Stars, fronted by the diversely talented Michael Goldwasser, have approached the adaptations on Easy Star’s Thrillah with a healthy mix of caution and experimentation…the group does an expert job at applying its reggae twist without sacrificing any of the telltale characteristics of a classic Jackson hit.” – UTNE Reader
Easy Star’s Thrillah – North American Tour Dates:
Sep 07 – Madison, WI @ High Noon – w/Cas Haley
Sep 08 – Clarks Grove, MN @ Shangri-La Festival at Harmony Park
Sep 09 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s – w/Passafire
Sep 10 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater – w/Passafire
Sep 12 – Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theater – w/Passafire
Sep 13 – Boulder, CO @ Fox Theater – w/Passafire
Sep 14 – Denver, CO @ Cervante’s Masterpiece Ballroom – w/Passafire
Sep 15 – Aspen, CO @ Belly Up – w/Passafire
Sep 16 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge – w/Passafire
Sep 18 – Santa Barbara, CA @ SoHo – w/Passafire
Sep 19 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern – w/Passafire
Sep 20 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre – w/Passafire
Sep 21 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s – w/Passafire
Sep 22 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst – w/Passafire
Oct 04 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza – w/The Aggrolites, Passafire
Oct 05 – Baltimore, MD @ Sound Stage – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 06 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 07 – Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 09 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 10 – Toledo, OH @ Mickey Finns – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 11 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 12 – Waterloo, ON @ Starlight – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 13 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 14 – Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 16 – Boston, MA @ Paradise – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 17 – Stowe, VT @ Rusty Nail – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 19 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater – w/The Aggrolites
Oct 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Blockley – w/The Aggrolites