THE APPETIZERS – Make It Reggay
“Make It Reggay” the explosive new single from The Appetizers kicks off the band’s powerful comeback and serves as the first single from their highly anticipated second studio album, Keep Your Step, set for release in Spring 2026 on limited-edition LP, CD, and digital formats. In addition to the digital release, the single will also be available as a limited-edition 7” vinyl (300 copies WW), out on February 6, 2026.
This track started as a rough sketch back in the band’s early days, an idea they kept coming back to, refining and shaping until it finally clicked. From the very first bars, a strong funk imprint emerges, rooted in Afro-American culture and the rhythmic language of 60s Black music. A tight, driving groove leads the way, locking in with sharp songwriting, fat rounded basslines, punchy guitar stabs, and an instrumental interplay that feels organic.
The title, a nod to the godfather of soul James Brown, speaks to the deep DNA connection between funk and Jamaican music, two worlds that have always fed off each other at reggae’s core. The choice to use the original spelling “Reggay”, as coined by Toots & The Maytals in the late ’60s, is a deliberate homage to the genre’s pioneering era and its raw expressive purity.
The single comes with an official video: hop in and hit the road with us as we follow the band on their trip to deliver their freshly pressed vinyl. From listening to the record in the car to the thrill of sharing new music with the world, the video shows all the excitement, friendship, and passion behind the journey. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
The video was directed and shot by Lucia Fontana, with color grading by Marcello Ruvidotti. Both are based in Milan.
Director and Cinematographer: Lucia Fontana
Grip: Daniele De Piccoli
Color: Marcello Ruvidotti
Special thanks:
Backabush SoundSystem
Luca Specchio
Bar Casotto
The Appetizers are a rock steady and early reggae band born in Milan in 2020, brought together by a crew of musicians who’ve been deep in the Italian and international reggae scene for years. Different paths, shared vision: recreating that vintage Caribbean and American sound with authenticity, respect, and a forward-thinking edge.
Drawing inspiration from Jamaica’s golden era, channeling the soul of Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis, the early Wailers and The Upsetters. The Appetizers carry forward the essence of bass culture with a pure, fully organic approach.
Their debut album Listen Up! (2022), released via Belgian imprint Badasonic Records (home to The Slackers, The Aggrolites, David Hillyard and Victor Rice), featured ten original tracks and a dub cut by Victor Rice. Distributed across Europe, the UK, the US and Japan, it quickly earned international recognition among reggae connoisseurs and selectors worldwide.
Following extensive touring, including shows with The Slackers, Black Uhuru, Skip Marley and more, the band returned to the studio to record “Keep Your Step”, their second album produced by Killer Groove Records. Here the band expands its musical language, weaving together the spirit of historic Jamaican labels like Studio One and Treasure Isle with ’60s funk, arriving at a warm, organic and timeless sound: soul, Jamaican roots and modern sensibility in perfect balance. Their lyrics speak to heartbreak, social issues, and reflections on life and music, performed with dedication and respect for tradition, while always pushing forward.
If you’re into The Skatalites, The Ethiopians, and those classic Caribbean rhythms, this one’s for you.
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