SWEDISH CONNECTION: THE TIGHTERS COOK UP TASTY ROOTSY TREAT
Valence’s The Tighters are back, and this time they’ve crossed borders to deliver rootsy gold. Their sumptuous new project, Swedish Connection, unites three heavyweight voices from Sweden’s reggae scene: Papa Dee, Efia Abu, and Dan I Locks, each voicing original riddims drawn from the band’s 2025 album Lovely Love.
The project is a classic Jamaican showcase in format: vocal cuts paired with dub versions, presented with warmth and intention. It feels both timeless and contemporary.
Papa Dee has been a cornerstone of Scandinavian reggae since the early 1990s, helping build the region’s scene into something the world pays attention to. All three are Swedish reggae icons, each bringing their own distinct voice.
THE TIGHTERS HAVE CROSSED BORDERS TO DELIVER ROOTSY GOLD
Efia Abu draws from roots reggae, soul, jazz, and folk, shaped by a heritage spanning northern Skåne and Ghana’s Ashanti Region. Dan I Locks rounds out the trio with his trademark militant delivery, honed over decades on the international circuit as a founding member of Deng Deng Hifi sound system.
Behind the desk, legendary producer Roberto Sánchez mixed and dubbed the project at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio in Spain. Dr Charty then mastered it at Bat Records Studio in France, running it through a classic Studer A80 MKL tape machine. Its authentic analogue warmth shows.
Grand Arbre’s painted cover art, a striking reimagining of the original Lovely Love artwork, completes a release that feels considered from start to finish. Press play.
SWEDISH CONNECTION TRACKLIST
1. Always – Papa Dee, The Tighters
2. Ex-Spell (Babylon Will Fall) – Efia Abu, The Tighters
3. Back Then – Dan I Locks, The Tighters
4. Always Dub – Roberto Sánchez, Papa Dee, The Tighters
5. Ex-Spell Dub – Roberto Sánchez, Efia Abu, The Tighters
6. Back Then Dub – Roberto Sánchez, Dan I Locks, The Tighters
ABOUT THE TIGHTERS
French roots reggae band The Tighters build their sound release by release, rooted in Jamaican tradition but shaped by a warm European sensibility. Their debut LP Differently, mixed by Roberto Sánchez, pairs original cuts with dub versions to powerful effect.
They’ve collaborated with Jah Myhrakle, Keith & Tex, and Joe Pilgrim. Festival slots alongside Luciano and Collie Buddz confirm a band steadily finding their moment.
