Reload!

With more than 700 gigs since 1998, at the four corner of France, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, the Reunion island, Mayotte, the 100 Grammes de Têtes stand as one of the most solid reference on the french ska-jazz-reggae scene. They have shared the stage with the Skatalites, Emir Kusturica and the No Smoking Orchestra, The Wailers, U-Roy, The Congos, Toots and The Maytals, Zebda, Massilia Sound System, Tryo, Mickey 3D... Following their encounter with Laurel Aitken in 2001, they also joined him for some forty concerts.

After the "Trafic d'influences" concept-album, released in 2003, melting-pot of various covers and collaborations, the catalan ambiancers come back with a fourth album. "Reload !" has thoroughly been prepared since spring 2005 at Studio Eddima (Toulouse), shows a better quality compared to their previous home made "roots" recordings. Boosted by a very present brass and keyboard section as well as a new drummer, these 15 tracks offer a spicy menu cooked with their good old recipe : ska and original reggae, mixed with jazz, songs and world music, even approaching dub, jungle, electro-jazz or 60's soul.

Throughout the album the Perpignan-based combo distill perfectly crafted references ; a perfect "tribute to Black music", in the sixties style "Play It Cool", ska-rock "Pilules", 70's reggae "But Why ?", a Coltrane cover "Good Impression" (soul-funk 70's) and ska-jazz, ska and maloya "Manapany" (the video fior this track was shot during their last tour in the Réunion island and is included as video bonus track on the album. "Destructure Dub" or "Panic" illustrate the attraction of the 100 G. for dub and fiddling with sounds. The other notable collaboration of the album is the instrumental "Embouteillage" which features on three tracks of the album the Perpignan Jazz Orchestra Big Band with their 16 brass instruments.

"Reload !", is what a sound-system MC shouts to his selecta so that he stops and relaunches a track played. Reggae also use it for backing bands. A powerful way to attract the audiences' attention, put the pressure to the top and kick it loud. Here is what happens with this new record by the 100 G., here both going back to their roots and continuing to open their musicality beyond limits.