Review: Soul Sugar meets Dub Shepherds - When The Music Plays ft. Jolly Joseph (Gee Recordings)

Leaving their 'Super Freak' behind them, reggae super stars Soul Sugar meets Dub Shepherds get lovers with 'When The Music Plays'!

We had good warning that the collaboration of Soul Sugar (aka Guillaume Méténier) and Dub Shepherds (aka Jolly Joseph, Doctor Chaty and Jahno) with the incredible singles, 'Give Me Your Love (Love Song)' (see review HERE) and 'Disco Jack' (see review HERE) and following the success of their 'Blue House Rockin' album (see review HERE) the Rick James classic dirty funk, 'Super Freak' (see review HERE) backed with a dub version.

'When The Music Plays' is a soulful, uplifting reggae tune celebrating the healing power of music. With its infectious groove, warm melodies and heartfelt vocals from Jolly Joseph, the song reminds us how music can lift our spirits, ease our worries, and bring joy into our lives. A laid-back rhythm section provides the foundation for a colorful interplay of organ, piano, guitar, clavinet and Mini Moog, bringing together the warmth of vintage reggae and the soulful spirit of Soul Sugar and Dub Shepherds. Mixed by Dub Shepherds at Bat Records Studio using their vintage 24-track tape setup, the track also comes with a deep, spacious dub version, taking the groove into more experimental territory. 

And it that's not enough, here's some original reggae, rude boy skankin' recorded by Lee “Scratch” Perry & The Upsetters in 1973 as featured on the legendary 'Double Seven' album, 'Jungle Lion' is a reggae classic built upon the groove of Al Green’s 'Love and Happiness'.

Soul Sugar and Dub Shepherds revisit this timeless track with their signature analog touch. Recorded live in the studio with all four musicians playing together in the same room, the track captures the raw energy, warmth and spontaneity of an authentic session. Driven by a hypnotic, repetitive groove, the original horn arrangements are recreated entirely on Hammond organ. Featured on 'Disco Reggae Vol. 7', curated by Charles Maurice, out November 20, 2026, on Stix Records / Favorite Recordings (vinyl & digital). Both tracks also appear on the forthcoming album Blue House Rockin’ Vol. 2, out January 15, 2027, on Gee Recordings (vinyl & digital).

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: When the music plays | Gee Recordings

Artist:  Soul Sugar meets Dub Shepherds
Title: When The Music Plays ft. Jolly Joseph 
Release date: 13th November, 2025
Label: Gee Recordings
Catalog Number:  TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp