The Lone Ark Riddim Force

Lone Ark Riddim Force are the musicians playing alongside Roberto Sánchez/Lone Ark for studio works and live shows. It is formed by great musicians from Santander y Bilbao mainly.

Although they´ve been recording from late 90´s at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio, these musicians started playing live shows together as Lone Ark/Lone ark Riddim Force in 2004. Since then the band also backed many artists, such as Earl 16, Kiddus I & Earl Chinna Smith, Horace Martin, Linval Thompson, Alpheus...

Listen Linval Thompson backed by Lone Ark Riddim Force, at La Concha Reggae Vibes Festival  2011, Cantabria. 

Firstly we will introduce you the live band, that is also taking part in almost every studio work. The next list includes the musicians you see on stage for Lone Ark live shows and for Lone Ark Riddim Force when backing artists.

Iñigo "Drummie" Elexpuru: Drums.

Founder of Akatz, ska-rockstedy band from Bilbao. He is playing with Roberto since 1999 and taked part in Loud & Lone and the Sound Dealers and Lone Ark from the begining, always on drums. He is the drummer of almost all the studio works by Loner Ark (Riddims released on 10" like No Competition and albums like Loud & Lone - Showcase Vol I and II, Lone Ark - Countryside, Lone Ark - Oil & Water, Earl Zero - And God Said To Man or Alpheus - From Creation). He also taked part on other producer´s works at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio like Pirate´s Choice label.

Rubén "Ape" Diez: Bass.

Founder of Super Ape, a roots reggae band from Santander that released two works: Reel I, Ten Months and a Day and Evolution. Rubén played drums and leaded the Super Ape band. He also has recorded some amazing drums takes at the studio: like Children of the Ghetto on the album Loud and Lone - Better Collie 98-01. He carries bass duties in all the Lone Ark live shows since 2004.

Roberto "Jah Riddim" Bartolomé: Guitar.

Founder of Ambassadors in the early 90´s, roots-reggae band from Bilbao. Started playing with Roberto in 1998 under the name of "Vibes All-Stars", band that bringed together "Loud & Lone" and Ambassadors. He was also an important part of Loud & Lone and the Sound Dealers and is taking part of Lone Ark from its beginigs. At the studio he is who creates the most amazing cutting guitars at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio.

Gorka Fernández: Trumpet, trombone and keyboards.

Gorka is part of Lone Ark from its beginings. He started playing reggae with Jahsta band from Zaragoza during the second half of the 90´s. He plays trumpet and keyboards in the live shows. At A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio he records the trumpet (and most of the times trombone too) for all Lone Ark projects, as well as for other bands and producers. He apears in almost all the releases recorded at A-Lone alongside bands/artists like Lone Ark, Super Ape, Jahsta, Txilum, Pablo Molina, Earl Zero, Alpheus or labels like A-Lone, Pirates Choice, Roots & Fyah, Bless, etc...

Jaime C.: Tenor Sax.

Great musician from Santander, takes part in Lone Ark from the beginings of the band, where he also started playing reggae. As well as Gorka Fernández, Jaime records tenor sax in all the studio works for Lone Ark and also for the rest of producers and bands working at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio.

Aratz Diez: Trombone.

One of the most brilliant musicians in the north of Spain reggae and funk music scene. He is part of Akatz from its beginings. He also takes part in Lone Ark, Cherry Boppers or BDF. At the studio he records trombone in almost every Lone Ark works, as well as in other bands and producers recordings.

Saioa Jorrín: Alto Sax y Flute.

Musician from Bilbao. Started playing with Lone Ark in 2006. Since then she takes part in all live and recording sessions playing alto sax and flute.

Carlos "Brown-Charlee" García: Backing Voclas.

Singer from Santander. Carlos was the lead voice and founder of Super Ape alongside Rubén Diez. He was part of Loud and Lone and The Sound Dealers and started singing for Lone Ark from its beginings. At the studio he has been recording backing vocals in many of the works at A-Lone Ark Muzik for bands like Jahsta or Akatz and for producers/labels like BDF or Pirate´s Choice. He was also the lead singer in almost every track on Reel I and Evolution, the two released albums by Super Ape.

Ferrán "Pappa Cruz" Cocera: Backing Voclas and Percussion.

Musician and singer from Sabadell, started working with Lone Ark in 2010. His first solo tune as lead singer soon will be released on A-Lone Productions label. At the studio he has taked part in different recording sessions as backing vocalist.

Dubby Ambassah´: Percussion

Musician and producer from Bilbao, is part of Lone Ark from its beginings. Founder of the bands Ambassadors, Vibes All-Stars and Dub Generation, and of the labels Pirate´s Choice and Crucial Ruler. He has also been touring and recording with BDF. From 1998 he´s in charge of all percussions at the A-Lone Ark Muzik studio, recording for his own labels, for Lone Ark/A-Lone and also for many other producers/labels like Heartical or Roots&Fyah, and bands like Loud & Lone, Txilum or Gobeo Bay.

Roberto Sánchez: Lead Vocals, Keyboards and Melodica

Founder of Lone Ark, Loud and Lone, Lone Watti, Better Collie, Vibes All-Stars, has played/singed at the studio and in live shows for BDF, Dub Generation, Super Ape, Beat Vendors, Ranking Soldiers, Txilum, Black Star Liners, Jahsta, South Fire, Chalwa, 12 Tribu and many other bands and producers. He owns the A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio in Cueto (Santander-Spain) and the label A-Lone Productions. He is the lead vocalist and plays keyboards in the Lone Ark live shows, he also records drums, bass, guitar, organ and piano at the studio.

Other musicians that collaborates and appears as part of Lone Ark Riddim Force in different records:

Gustavo Salvador: Drums.

Drummer from Miranda de Ebro, is part of the Gobeo Bay band (a.k.a. Arawak from Vitoria) and Critical band. Gustavo was also the drummer for Dubby Ambassah´ Dub Generation band. Also played for the spanish reggae band Potato. He has recorded for A-Lone/Lone Ark since 2005, recording drums for albums such as Earl Zero And God Said To Man and Lone Ark Oil and Water. Also recorded differente riddims for artists such as Linval Thompson, Rod Taylor or Kenny Knotts.

Genis Trani: Drums.

Excellent music and producer from Barcelona. He runs the label and studio Reggae Land, alongside Marcus S. and is who directs the backing band Black Star Liners. One of the best reggae drummers in Spain, wether live or at the studio.

Sly Dunbar: Drums.

Nothing else could be said about this musician, a real guide-light, creator of styles and patterns. Aggrovators, Revolutionaries, Sly & Robbie + Taxi gang.......

Danny "Danno" Rowe: Drums.

Solid drummer from Jamaica. Has backed many artists such as Jackie Mittoo. Played for BDF between 2000 and 2004 as well as Roberto Sánchez and Borja Juanco. During those days Iñaki/BDF arranged a recording session with Danny at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio. Many of the cuts recorded at that session can be heard in the first Lone Ark release Countryside. Tunes like The Park, Cool and Calm or Artificial Life.

Carlos "Piti" Blazquez: Bass.

Funder of Kanabis from Abetxuko (Vitoria), one of the first roots reggae bands in Spain, where he played the bass and was the lead singer in different song. He has recorded different tunes for A-Lone with his unique magic touch on the bass, and always in lethal combination alongside drummer Gustavo Salvador. He was also the bass player for Gobeo Bay (Arawak) and Dub Generation (band created by Dubby Ambassah´). As well as Gustavo, Piti has also played for Potato reggae band.

Iñaki Yarritu: Bass and Keyboards.

Brilliant producer and musician from Bilbao. Founder of BDF (Basque Dub Foundation), has collaborated with Lone Ark and Loud and Lone in live shows and studio sessions. He has toured Europe backing artists such as The Heptones with his band BDF, he has also recorded and played for different bands, labels and producers in UK and Europe. He also produced different riddims for Sergio Marigomez from Heartical label in Paris, and also produced the three BDF albums: Sustraidun Roots, BDF Meets Loud & Lone and Roots Melodies.

Josu Santamaría: Guitar.

Musician from Bilbao, he plays guitar in Akatz and is a real ska and rocksteady lover. Josu is our own Lyn Taitt. His first rocksteady/ska bands were Hojarraska and The Cyprinidians (from Bermeo). He was one of the most important musicians when recording Alpheus From Creation album, with his unique guitar style. He is also the lead guitar when Lone Ark Riddim force is backing Alpheus.