“Brothers” opens Manifesto, released 15 October by Ras Dave (David Andrews), the Los Angeles–based roots artist. Written, composed, and produced by Andrews, it sets the tone for an album built on truth, unity, and spiritual endurance. The track moves on a heavy one-drop rhythm, deep bassline, and clipped off-beat guitar that give his voice room to lead. Calm but firm, he repeats a simple call for brotherhood that underpins the whole record.

Low Nyabinghi drumming runs beneath the rhythm, joined for a moment by a short sitar phrase that cuts through before fading back. The production stays clear and unforced – bass prominent, snare dry, vocal bare – leaving nothing between listener and message.

Across Manifesto, Ras Dave lays out 11 songs shifting between defiance and reflection: the charge of “Red Ink”, the meditation of “Prayer to the Rebels”, the uplift of “Smile in the Storm”. “Brothers” sets the foundation for what follows: roots reggae reduced to rhythm, lyric, and purpose.

Listen to and purchase your copy of the album HERE