MARCHING to the reggae beat are a dub roots band called Urban Lions, who have Pewsey singer and bass player Phil Brady in their ranks.

Phil has his own label, Lionheart Records, and he recently linked up with Matt Martin the dub producer from Conscious Youth.

Matt recorded, mixed, mastered and added his own magic to the Urban Lions’ trilogy.

His inspiration can be heard on See Me Rise, Forward To The Sound and Together Mighty along with art work and photographs by Phil’s partner and band photographer Siobhan Boyle.

The musicians are currently in the recording studio working on their debut album, which will be released on Lionheart Records later this year.

They will be popping up at various summer festivals this season including Somerset Reggae on Saturday, July 14 at Caryford Hall, Castle Cary, and the Scallywag Party on Sunday, July 22 at the Field Good Bar in Bath.

Joining Phil in the band are: Ben Dumpleton on drums, Jack Davies on lead guitar, Chopper “Skanks” Johnson on rhythm guitar, Tomek Kaźmierski on keyboards, Anna Cogswell on sax, Stuart “Stu” Harbut on trombone, Dr Bird on trumpet and Graeme Goodwin on percussion.

The musicians were originally the house band for Donette Forte, the roots pioneer, before going independent two years ago. That same year the Urban Lions scooped a record deal with Amsterdam based label Earth Work Records (Jah Works) to record their first EP.

Last year the band grew, with the addition of a full horn section. they also have their own sound system, called Lionheart Vibration.

Tickets to the Somerset Reggae Festival are £16.27 from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/somerset-reggae-fest-tickets-39795927691 and The Scally Wag Party £32.93 – £65.27 from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scallywag-party-tickets-44249273769