Sweet and Potent Island Raggae
The pulsing bass pumps of opener Recession sets such a potent start for this fine album that infuses
its Jamaican via Hawaii and Las Vegas reggae sounds within occasional rap and
the most glorious vocal harmonies, especially live where I came across them just
over a week ago at the Fremont Experience, LV.
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| from band Facebook page |
This song is tinged with irony in its Island Reggae beauty
as it is clearly dated [content-wise] when exhorting Obama to sort things out
politically, that hope – I trust achieved in many ways – now replaced with the
darker prospects of Trump.
Second Temptations
is even more rap-reggae in its musicality – making-you-move-when-listening-so –
and then comes the stunner on the album, third Jah Soldier with its opening looped sax and that wonderful reggae
bass walking us through its joyous Marley-esque rhythms.
The band is
Justin: Vocals – Guitar (and other
instruments); Wa’ahila-(Iz): Vocals – Ukulele; Brent: Drums; PochoMon-(Ryan):
Vocals – (plays every instrument); Juan: Bass, and Miguel:
Keyboards
Do look out YouTube clips to see and hear the band
live, especially the sweet ukulele playing. On record, just rack up the volume
to get a similar sense of their presence. There and/or on the album, check out
the sweet harmonies on Love Me For Me
and the gentle reggae rhythms that caress on Sky Down [and the harmonies again]. Fine band; fine album.
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