Hempress Sativa and Paolo Baldini DubFiles Unite for New Album Woman

Hempress Sativa and Paolo Baldini DubFiles have delivered what may be her most focused album yet. Woman, released March 20, 2026 on La Tempesta Dub, marks a reunion between the two that Reggae Vibes called "a full-circle kind of project" — and the music backs that up.

The Italian group of musicians behind it "keeps everything rooted and tight, giving space for her voice to lead across nine tracks, plus a few spoken pieces that tie it all together." That ensemble, based out of Pordenone, Italy, includes 14 credited players across bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, and synthesizers. Federico "Tich" Gava on keyboards and guitarist Matteo Da Ros appear on the most tracks of any instrumentalists, while mastering was handled by Giovanni Versari at La Maestà Studio in Monza, Italy. All lyrics were written by Kerida Shushana Johnson Mattis.

The two guest features pull from opposite ends of the African diaspora and deliver contrasting textures. Ivoirian artist Tiken Jah Fakoly joins Hempress Sativa on "Rastaman A Chant," bringing conscious energy in both French and Dyula over a one drop riddim. Then Trinidadian Jalifa jumps in on "Ganja Spliff," switching the pace with a more uptempo feel, her rough delivery adding grit that balances the track well.

When Hempress Sativa carries a track alone, she doesn't need the company. The title track is described as "an empowering opener that might take a couple spins to fully sink in, but then it sticks," while "Judgement" and "Too Much Gunshot" hit quicker, both rooted in that familiar sound. Throughout it all, Baldini's touch in the mix is clear: full of echo and delay.

Reggae Vibes called the album "spiritually grounded, politically sharp, and vocally commanding," blending "deep dub textures with messages of empowerment, resistance, and Rastafari consciousness," and named it one of her most cohesive and compelling works to date.

One exception in the credits is worth noting: "Marching Outta Babylon" was written by Martin Rothert and Matthias Reulecke, arranged by Paolo Baldini, making it the sole track on the album not composed within the Hempress Sativa and Baldini DubFiles camp. Cover photography was handled by Sakshi Kumar, with insert photos by Mimina Di Muro, hand lettering by Matteo Anselmo, and artwork and design by Andrea Sifuentes. Booking and management is through Django Music.

Woman is available now on Bandcamp, Discogs, and streaming platforms via La Tempesta Dub.