Naya Rockers, in association with Floki Studios (Iceland), proudly present Higher Education, an 11-track benefit LP uniting some of the most respected names in reggae, ska, dub, and New Orleans R&B. Recorded across 15 studios in five countries and featuring Grammy-winning artists, engineers, and musicians, the album was created to support youth music education at Kingston, Jamaica’s historic Alpha School of Music.
Backed by the powerhouse 10-piece Naya Rockers band—featuring reggae legends like Earl “Chinna” Smith (Rolling Stone’s list of 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time), members of The Skatalites, John Brown’s Body, and Slightly Stoopid—Higher Education is as much a cultural statement as it is a musical milestone.
From the opening track “Come With Us” by Clinton Fearon to the reflective closer “Thanks Dub” from Mad Professor, Higher Education is a journey through roots, rhythm, and global collaboration.
Track Highlights
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Ivan Neville’s (son of Aaron Neville) title track “Higher Education”
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Sister Nancy’s powerful “Teach The Youths”
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Hector “Roots” Lewis’ soulful “Thanks”
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Stephen Marley’s uplifting “The Right Path”
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Mad Professor’s bass-heavy “Dub With Us”
Side B continues the flow with Mike Love’s “Long Way Down,” Angelo Moore & The Tamlins’ unifying “The Brotherhood,” Queen Omega’s empowering “Words of Wisdom,” Micah Shemaiah’s meditative “Same Lessons to Learn,” and Mad Professor’s closing dub excursion.
Hector “Roots” Lewis, part of Jamaica’s next generation of reggae torchbearers, brings unique depth to “Thanks.” Born into music as the son of singer Barbara Jones, Hector is a Grammy-nominated musician, educator, and actor, who portrayed Carlton Barrett in the 2024 film Bob Marley: One Love. His contribution embodies the bridge between reggae’s foundation and its vibrant future.
The album was mixed by Stephen Stewart (Bob Marley, Third World, Steel Pulse) and Naya Rockers founder Nathan Sabanayagam at the legendary Tuff Gong Studio and Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica. Its creation was a truly international effort: 15 studios, 15 engineers, 10 featured artists, and a global network of musicians came together to make a record the old-fashioned way—with soul, precision, and purpose.
About Naya Records & Naya Rockers
Founded by drummer/producer Nathan Sabanayagam in 2009, Naya Records bridges reggae’s past, present, and future with releases from icons like Johnny Clarke, Mad Professor, and Clinton Fearon, as well as next-generation voices. The Naya Rockers are its beating heart, a riddim collective that has worked with many of reggae’s architects, ensuring the genre’s deepest legacies are preserved through new music.
About Alpha School of Music
The Alpha School of Music in Kingston, Jamaica provides tertiary-level training to young men and women passionate about careers in music and entertainment. Established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880, Alpha began as an orphanage before introducing music education in 1892. Since then, it has nurtured some of Jamaica’s most legendary musicians, including jazz innovators Dizzy Reece and Joe Harriott, ska pioneers Don Drummond and Lester Sterling, and reggae icons Johnny Osbourne, Yellowman, and Leroy Smart.
Often called a “dream factory” (NPR) for “legendary musicians” (Jamaica Gleaner), Alpha offers at-risk youth up to six years of free training, with 25% of students attending on scholarship. With modern facilities and diverse programs, Alpha remains at the heart of Jamaica’s music legacy—making Higher Education a fitting tribute.
About Floki Studios
Directed by Wade Koeman, Iceland’s Floki Studios is dedicated to producing music with uncompromising sonic standards. Partnering with Naya Rockers on Higher Education, Floki sought not only to create exceptional music but to generate lasting impact through the Alpha School of Music.
Higher Education will be released worldwide on September 12, 2025, across streaming platforms and as an exclusive vinyl edition. Vinyl pre-orders are available now at shop.flokistudios.com, and fans can pre-save the digital album here: orcd.co/higher-education.
