For those not in the know, Chalwa is based out of Asheville, NC and plays original High Country Reggae.

The band consists of a diverse all-star line-up of local musicians from bands such as the Asheville Horns, Hope Massive, Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Biodesiel, and the Everydays.

After hitting the scene in 2006, Chalwa toured throughout the southeast US and Jamaica. The band has shared the stage with reggae greats such as: Midnite, Groundation, The Meditations, Bambu Station, SOJA, Pato Banton, and many more.

Chalwa - Dennis Berndt: Guitar and Vocals; Dustin Brown: Bass Bernard Carman: Keys and Vocals; Tim Marsh: Guitar and Vocals; Nethali Percival: Percussion and Melodica; Joshua Lyn: Drums and Dub Machine; and Evan Ackerman: Guitar - released it's first, and self-titled CD in 2009 and was voted one of the top World Music, Reggae bands by the MountainXress in 2010. In support of their CD the band performed a live set on-air interview on WNCW, along with radio air play on Dubatomic Particles and Local Color.

In 2014 Chalwa released their second CD, Cool Mountains on Pinnacle Records, and now here in 2018, they have just released their incredible third album, Concentration Time.

1. 'The Journey'
2. 'Roots'
3. 'Concentration Time'
4. 'Can You See'
5. 'Fire'
6. 'Life Goes On'
7. 'Staring At The Sun'
8. 'Sisters of the Moon'
9. 'Beating of the Drum'
10. 'BassBalls'

The beautiful, gently-rhythmic hipsway of 'The Journey (featuring JP Furnas and Greg Hollowell) is a rather delightful way to kick off any morning, and that's backed seamlessly by both the sounds of an old-school vinyl being ignited for 'Roots' (Aaron "Woody" Wood and Mike Rhodes) and then the floating Caribbean vibe of the title track 'Concentration Time (once again, featuring JP Furnes and Greg Hollowell).

The lush, soulful orchestrations of 'Cab You See from JP Furnas is a real beauty of a stand alone track here, and that's backed by the sterner 'Fire,' and as thunder sounds above our heads, the foot-tappin' 'Life Goes On' follows close behind.

'Staring At The Sun' builds into another real gem of a Caribbean-flavored track and that's followed by some shoulder-dippin' musical beats in 'Sisters of the Moon featuring Mike Rhodes.

The album the rounds out with some wavy guitar work from Evan Ackerman on 'Beating of the Drum,' and, after an old-timey radio announcer does his thing, then comes the instrumental 'BassBalls' (featuring Nik Hope on drums).

Chalwa @ Facebook!