Liam Bailey’s “Mercy Tree” willfully calls out racism in the true spirit of resistance reggae. Bailey, who spent his childhood in Nottingham, England, tapped into his memories of “all the cliche racism that happens when people started mixing up in the ’80s in England” to write “Mercy Tree.” The stately horns, Bailey’s voice, and the foot-stomping drum are fused together into a modern-day protest song. Leon Michels of the El Michels Affair produced the single that demands equality and reparations. “Mercy Tree” is the third single from Bailey’s forthcoming Zero Grace album, which is scheduled to arrive in February.  “Mercy Tree” is the third single from the album and an example of the kind of honesty the album title suggests. Bailey is singing with pure intention and no apologies for his truth. “Mercy Tree” should go down as one of reggae’s rebel classics.  

Liam Bailey’s Ekundayo just arrived after a prelude of singles in previous months. Baily’s new album is a warm excursion of R&B and reggae. Leon Michaels, who worked previously with Baily on their song “When Will They Learn/I’m Gonna Miss You,” produced Ekundayo. The title means “sorrow becomes joy” in Yoruba, which is mostly spoken in West Africa. The heavy Jamaican influences are what Michael admits were deliberate because  “This is the record we always wanted to make.” The music is the result of Bailey’s struggles to be an authentic artist through the years. His time on a major label after being discovered by the late Amy Winehouse were difficult because of the restrictions he experienced working with mainstream producers. If anything Ekundayo is an artistic reckoning that has taken him back to the roots of his creativity. 

Liam Bailey’s “Champion” is remixed with Black Thought adding another layer to the singer’s single from his upcoming Ekundayo album. The fourth single to emerge beforehand is all about the chasing of a new love interest. Black Thought’s words settle in nicely with the reggae rhythm and Bailey’s vocals. The Yoruban album title describes the transformation of sorrow into joy which Bailey feels is the essence of his new music. Ekundayo is Bailey’s first release for Big Crown Records and comes out on November 13th.  

Liam Bailey’s “Angel Dust” is a reggae blast about a difficult love. It is the fourth single to appear from Bailey’s forthcoming Ekundayo album. The steady and serene reggae beat lessens the disappointment of a soon to be gone relationship. Leon Michels of the El Michels Affair produced the song and gave it a vintage but digital sound at the same time. Ekundayo will come out on November 13th. 

            Ekundayo Tracklisting