A Coventry-based radio station and resident, one thing you learn from an early age is the brilliance and history of the synonymous musical genre 2-tone. A genre that merged sounds from Jamaican Ska and reggae, it connected the city during the late 70s and saw the birth of Coventry’s and 2-tones biggest artists, The Specials.

Forming 41 years after The Specials in 2018. The Reseters, a Seoul-based Boss Reggae band, debuted to recreate the sound of 1969 reggae. Known by many in the scene as one of the genre’s most successful years and the birth of Reggae music and culture outside of Jamaica into the UK.

Led by vocalist Kim Jang Hyup, the artists have taken large inspiration from British Reggae and Punk music. The band identifies as a Ska and Reggae, similar to the 2-Tone style formed in the 70s. The Reseters are Korea’s leading and only Boss Reggae band in Korea. 

The band have honed their musical talent by performing hundreds of gigs at clubs, bars and venues. They established themselves quickly as major players in the Korean indie scene. Performing alongside various acts, they have amassed a varying fanbase of fans across Korea. 

Building upon this success, the Reggae band made their official debut through the form of their debut EP, Give Me a Blue Beat. Working alongside the legendary indie record label Eastern Standards Sounds, a Seoul-based record label known for links in the Korean independent music scene and across Asia. 

Together, the two have constructed an 10-track album, taking inspiration from 1969, recording each song using vintage 1960s music equipment and a tape-to-tape reel. The EP features a range of collaborations and features from musicians from across the label and the Korean reggae scene, each providing help through engineering and additional instrumentals. The album itself is a well-crafted homage to a bygone era of 60s music with a modern twist, recorded and mastered in studios across Korea.

The album has a few standouts, such as “Boots Stomping” a classic reggae tone that uses a great mixture of drumming. Reminiscent of the sound that can be found in marching bands. The repetition of the lyrics ‘Boots stomping’ provides a ska vibe. “Mr Bomb,” a song inspired by ‘a friend who emigrated to another country,’ as admitted in a recent interview with Uniteasia. The song focuses on providing a classic reggae beat with a few clever vocals added.

The album also features a title song and music video in the form of “Walk With Me” where The Reseters channel theory 60s reggae style. It is the first time the band unleashed their full vocal ability, whilst the instrumental brings an essence of 2-tones with a modern twist through the unique vocals of The Reseters. The music video shows this with the contrast of vintage outfits. The additional mixture of modern and vintage camera equipment shows the band’s creativity and playfulness, which they attempt to achieve with every song.

With their official album showcase on September 16, The Reseters is only getting more popular. Now, with the additional help of Eastern Standards Sounds and the range of potential artists to collaborate alongside. The future of this band and genre looks bright, and we only hope that it gets the time and recognition it deserves.

What is your favourite song from The Reseters? Let us know on Social Media either on X or Instagram or in the comments below.