The Far East puts a New York spin on the lover’s rock sound

By Jessica Lipsky

How do you take a distinctly U.K. sound and make it feel just like it sprang up from the streets of New York? Brooklyn’s The Far East, a five-piece reggae band operating at the nexus of lovers rock and rocksteady, does just that, buoyed by the sweet vocals of Maddie Ruthless. Their debut LP, “New York is For Lovers,” is both contemporary and nostalgic—a reggae dream that you won’t want to wake up from.

Released through local powerhouse label Names You Can Trust in December 2020, “New York Is For Lovers” sold out in just three days. The 12-inch vinyl single was lauded among collectors and DJs for its unique take on lovers rock—a softer, romantic subgenre of reggae popularized in the U.K. during the mid ‘70s. Lovers rock had legs, influencing multiple generations of reggae fans across continents, setting the tone for arguably the best film in Steve McQueen’s recent “Small Axe” series, and inspiring the name of a popular Bed-Stuy bar.

“I don’t think people understand that lovers rock had a sound in New York as well,” said Ruthless, a New Orleans native who came of age fascinated by reggae records, received a master class in the genre while working at Domino Sound record store, and curated a reggae DJ night in NoLa. “Obviously it’s a British sound, but with Wackies [a recording studio and label] and some of the R&B-meets-dancehall that happened in New York in the ‘80s, I feel like we had our own lovers rock vibe that I think people should know about.”

The Far East (named, in part, for singer Barry Brown’s 1982 album for the Channel One label) are the next link in that NYC lovers rock chain, and have been a staple in the city’s reggae scene since 2014. Evolving from a rocksteady group called The Forthrights, The Far East have since released multiple singles, toured with legendary two tone band The Specials, and supported groups such as The Wailers, Lee “Scratch” Perry and The Frightnrs, as well as producer Scientist (who dubbed the band live in Brooklyn). Ruthless’ unique vocals—a high register that falls between Gwen Stefani and Stevie Nicks—have been featured in multiple records, including those by local ska-reggae heroes The Slackers.

In developing their six-song LP, the band—Mike Sarason (keys, vocals), Matt Burdi (drums), Chris Philippone (bass) and Matt Kursmark (guitar)—drew upon albums such as the Dennis Bovell-produced compilation “Brown Sugar” and tapped their reggae community for inspiration. Ruthless cites singers Milton Henry, Screechy Dan, Uzimon, Jonny Go Figure, and the late Dan “Brukky” Klein as integral to her growth as a singer – a semi-rare position in a scene with many instrumental groups and more DJs than bands.

The result is nothing if not heavy. “New York Is For Lovers” opens with a synthy cover of Jennifer Lara’s classic “I’m In Love” (a single, also pressed by NYCT, quickly sold out), following with a slew of killer lovelorn soulful originals such as “Keep You In Mind,” “Separation” and a rollicking love letter to New York titled “NYC Dream.” Recorded before the pandemic at Hive Mind Studios and released into a world without live music, Lovers was coveted for its dreamy and often sentimental lyrics, as well as particular production.

“They really wanted to get the lovers rock sound which is a very U.K., year- specific style. It really has that sound but, it’s such a New York sounding record at the same time. It can play next to the lovers rock classics, but it can also fit in with roots, and sounds like some of the stuff on the Wackies label,” said Channel Tubes head Brett Tubin, who produced “Lovers.” “To me, that band only exists in New York. Maddie is clearly not from New York and has her own slant on the way she sings and the way she writes, but the production is a very New York, rough sounding thing.”

Whether you like it rough or lovers rock sweet, The Far East have something for you. They’ll perform “New York Is For Lovers” and other singles, as well as reggae classics, at Mama Tried (787 3rd Avenue) on August 12. The performance will be their first since March 2020 and will be a fitting family reunion for New York reggae lovers.