An Interview with Al-Khemetic
A fresh EP release from Al-Khemetic delivers a roots reggae approach with all the bells and muscles you could possibly want. This is a record that exudes a warm and welcoming aesthetic from start to finish, with classic horns, guitars, and more, along with those rhythms that just make you want to move.
One of the things that really hits hardest about this release is the sheer fact that it's so positive. This is one of the more spirited records I've heard in a long time, and the lyrics really push that to the limit.
This record is about everything from finding yourself to having a good time, and plenty in between. The way that the artist puts the energy out there is absolutely incredible.
It's a release that's riddled with character, which is one of the things you end up holding on to the most throughout it all.
This is absolutely classic-style reggae, so if you're a fan of the genre, this record is 100% for you.
The release kicks off with a track called "Remind Them", which is basically a reminder to make sure you let people know that the love is there. The doors open, you can come on in, and you're welcome.
It's a complete invite, and not just a standard one either. This reminds you to have fun while you're alive. There's a line that says, "If you can walk, you can dance." I absolutely love that.
This is what I mean when I say spirited. This is an uplifting record that makes you feel good when listening to it.
"Know Your Essence" digs even deeper into consciousness, self-awareness, and personality. This track has a little bit of spirituality flowing through it, and that's not a new thing for the genre whatsoever.
However, Al-Khemetic spins it in a way that sort of connects with you.
One of the most beautiful things about this record is the fact that the instrumentation is so lush and full-bodied. There's never a dull moment. The whole thing is danceable and absolutely makes you want to move your body, and it's packed with color and feels totally refreshing.
This is not a release that you want to skip around on. You want to listen to the entire thing from start to finish in one shot.
If you do that first thing in the morning, it puts you in an amazing headspace, and you can totally take on whatever's coming at you in the day with a more positive aesthetic.
The energy level, which I mentioned once a little earlier, is absolutely a key element to why the record has the flow that it does.
The energy is not over the top, but rather super well-balanced so that you can actually feed into it as it opens up.
The whole thing does give the vibe of watching a live performance. Some of that has to do with the energy between the players and the band. You can hear that synergy happening throughout the entire release.
It's also about how they're able to capture that energy on record so well. If they can capture it like this while recording, then seeing them live must be amazing.
Perhaps they recorded the record live, on the floor. I wasn't there, of course, so I'm not sure, but it definitely gives that feeling.
The songs have an amazing way of putting you there, in the moment with them.
The record is riddled with outstanding piano work, keeping that rhythm alive, and all kinds of tones and textures coming from different instruments, both natural and electric, giving off this robust atmosphere that you just get pulled right into.
Not only do I suggest listening to the entire record from start to finish, but I suggest doing it with headphones on.
There are songs on this that are total sing-alongs. You'll find yourself singing along with certain choruses by the last go-around, and there are plenty of hooks, not just from those choruses.
This is something I've missed in all different kinds of music for ages. Instrumental hooks.
I'm super happy to hear these kinds of hooks happening throughout this release, as I feel like that's an important aspect of reggae music in general.
It's about vivaciousness, color, spirit, and, of course, love.
Records like this are all about connection, and it is portrayed perfectly here.
As a matter of fact, the record is called Love Is the Medicine.
And that is 100% correct. This is an album that reminds us of that. It reminds us that we can be one, in a sense. We can connect with each other and live a life filled with love. This is the best way to be fulfilled, but it's up to us to do it.
No one is going to set that path for us except for ourselves.
Al-Khemetic portrays all of this with an almost elegant reggae approach that wrapped itself around you and keeps you right where it wants to.
So, without further ado, absolutely listen to this record.
Dive into the EP now, and like I said before, do it with headphones on. It's one of the best ways to soak in all of the brilliant tones and textures that are coming at you.
See what this does for you.
Interview: Al-Khemetic on Love Is the Medicine, Roots Reggae, and the Power of Music
With Love Is the Medicine, Al-Khemetic delivers a warm and soulful roots reggae record rooted in perseverance, spirituality, and the healing power of music. Recorded in Eugene, Oregon, between dialysis sessions and hospital stays, the album represents a deeply personal journey and a longtime aspiration to create a full-length roots reggae release.
We caught up with Al-Khemetic to talk about the inspiration behind the album, his musical influences, the recording process, and what listeners can expect from this powerful collection of songs.
1. Where did this release come from, and what is it all about from your perspective?
Love Is the Medicine was forged in the athanor of alchemy — pressure, pain, devotion, and perseverance turned into something golden. I recorded it in Eugene, Oregon, between dialysis sessions and hospital stays, and it's been my longtime aspiration to make a full-length roots reggae album, in the tradition of the masters who showed us music could be more than entertainment — it could be medicine.
2. This had such a rich and warm roots-style reggae approach! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
The great roots masters — Bunny Wailer, Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Culture, Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown, Israel Vibration, Kiddus I, Mighty Diamonds, and The Maytones — the ones who used music to uplift the people and awaken consciousness. That spirit is also carried by the featured artists on this record: Dezarie and Dre-Z Melodi, and everyone in my musical family.
3. You are not only singing but also playing some guitar, percussion, and more, correct? What are you performing on the record?
Yes — lead vocals, rhythm guitar and ukulele, percussion and binghi drums alongside Michael Leslie, and backing vocals. Around me I had a beautiful band: Michael Leslie on keys and co-production, David "Jah David" Goldfine on bass, Roberto "Lone Ark" Sanchez on drums, Okiel McIntyre on horns, Zoe Brown on flute, and Shimshai Cook on banjolele for "Integrity."
4. This was recorded in Oregon, right? What brought you to that studio?
Yes, at Light Code Records in Eugene. Michael Leslie runs the studio and co-produced the record with me — he's also my brother in this whole journey. Eugene is home, and the sessions happened in whatever windows of wellness opened up between treatments.
5. How long have you been writing music, and how did it all start for you as an artist?
I've been creating music since the early '90s. I was born in Denver and raised in Long Beach, California, and music has been offered upon the altar of the sacred heart of humanity ever since — moving from hip-hop into roots reggae, world music, kirtan, and conscious expression.
6. Did it take you a long time to finish this record?
It came together in under a year's time — this one was recorded in fragments between dialysis sessions and hospital stays, so the album carries those gaps inside it. That's part of why it feels the way it does.
7. Did you sit in on the mixing aspect of it all?
Michael Leslie was at the desk — he recorded and mixed the record, and we built the sound together as co-producers. I was in the room for the important decisions, shaping the vision of every track.
8. Are you performing live right now?
Right now my focus is on my health, the kidney transplant journey, and getting this album out into the world on September 25th. I may do small, intimate offerings locally in the meantime. Live performance will come — the music is medicine, and I intend to bring it to the people.
9. What would you say people can expect from this record?
Messages of love, liberation, perseverance, spiritual awakening, and collective upliftment — chanted over earth-shaking bass lines, deep one-drop rhythms, and heavenly horn arrangements. Eight tracks of healing vibration. And stay tuned for the upcoming vinyl release, which will include some nice dubs of a few tracks and never-before-heard bonus tracks.
10. Before we go, what would you like to express to fans or listeners?
Love is the medicine. If this album reaches your heart, support the journey — stream it, share it, and if you feel moved, the music also lives as part of my kidney transplant fundraiser. I'm still here, I'm still creating, and I'm grateful for every ear and every heart.
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