Roger Rivas
Roger Thomas Rivas (born July 19, 1981) is an American musician, writer, and record producer from Los Angeles, California.
Roger Rivas | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Luna, New Mexico |
| Genres | Reggae, rocksteady, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Keyboardist, writer, producer, engineer |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Rivas Recordings |
| Associated acts | The Aggrolites, The Bullets, The Brothers Of Reggae, Long Beach Dub AllStars |
He is the owner of the label Rivas Recordings. Rivas plays organ/piano for serval Los Angeles reggae based bands including The Aggrolites , The Bullets, and The Brothers Of Reggae. His music and writing draws upon elements of reggae, rocksteady, soul, funk and East L.A Oldies. Rivas plays organs ranging from the traditional Hammond B3 to vintage combo organs of the 1960s and 1970s. He has recorded and performed with many legendary Jamaican artists including Alton Ellis, Prince Buster, Derrick Morgan, Leonard Dillon, Fully Fullwood, and Everton Blender, as well as contemporary artists Tim Armstrong and Slightly Stoopid.
Rivas also has his own label Rivas Recordings on which he releases heavy reggae and soul. He has also created his own podcast/radio show "The Rocksteady Souldies Show".
History
Rivas is one of the founding members of Los Angeles reggae band The Aggrolites. His albums with The Aggrolites include Dirty Reggae (2003), The Aggrolites (album) (2006), Reggae Hit L.A. (2007), IV (The Aggrolites album) (2009), Rugged Road (2011) and Unleashed Live Vol.1 (2012). The Aggrolites collaborated with Rancid front man Tim Armstrong to produce A Poet's Life. In 2010, he assembled The Bullets/Los Bullets, a project aimed at producing 1960s style reggae mixed with vintage Los Angeles soul. That same year The Bullets released their only album to date "Sweet Misery".
Rivas Recordings
In the summer of 2012 Rivas created his own label "Rivas Records" as an outlet for his own material. He records and produces all the content that comes from this label out of his own studio based in Los Angeles, CA. Releases included the vinyl 45 singles "First Attack/Sabor A Mi" and "Running Hot/Easy Does It" as well as the full-length albums "Aumtumn Breeze" & "Last Goodbye".
Discography
Singles
- First Attack/Sabor A Mi (Rivas Records, 2012)
- Running Hot/Easy Does It (Rivas Records, 2013)
Albums
- The Aggrolites - Dirty Reggae (Axe Records, 2003)
- The Aggrolites - The Aggrolites (album) (Hellcat Records, 2006)
- Tim Armstrong - A Poet's Life (2007)
- The Aggrolites - Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat Records, 2007)
- Everton Blender - Kingman (Heartbeat Records, 2009)
- The Aggrolites - IV (The Aggrolites album) (Hellcat Records, 2009)
- Roger Rivas - Organ Versions Vol.1 (Rivas Records, 2010)
- The Bullets - Sweet Misery (Jump Up Records, 2010)
- The Aggrolites - Rugged Road (Young Cub, 2011)
- The Expanders - Self-Titled (Broken Complex, 2011)
- The Aggrolites - Unleashed Live Vol.1 (2012)
- Roger Rivas - Organ Versions Vol.2 (Rivas Records, 2012)
- 10ft Ganja Plant - Deadly Shots Vol.2 (Roir Records, 2012)
- Dub Club - Foundation Come Again (Stones Throw Records, 2013)
- Dub Club - Signs & Wonders in Dub (Stones Throw Records, 2013)
- Dub Club - Bubble Dub (Stones Throw Records, 2013)
- Roger Rivas - Autumn Breeze (Rivas Records, 2013)
- Dub Club - Meaning Of Dub (Stones Throw Records, 2014)
- Roger Rivas & The Brothers Of Reggae - Last Goodbye (Rivas Records, 2014)