Courtney Melody has never really been an artist that I paid too much attention to…until now. I’m not sure how, but I mostly skipped over releases by this artist until this, his most recent album, ‘Serious Business’. This album was good enough to warrant hunting down any other releases I could find by him. I think in the past I only associated Courtney with the RnB’ish or Lovers style of reggae, which I am very particular about what I do and don’t get down with. Usually if tracks are too ‘whiney’ or ballad’esque, I won’t be able to appreciate them. Anyway, this album definitely has it’s share of slower tracks and lovers jams, but overall, it’s a good album. Some tracks, including the title track (’Serious Business’), ‘Sensimilla’, and ‘Gideon Soldier’ are some of the standout chunes that make this release recomendable.
permalink

   
Banda de Guadalajara, fundada a mediados del 2001. Desde entonces ha actuado en diversos festivales, así como en los circuitos de bares locales. Entre el 2004 y 2005 graban su primer álbum, Vibra el Árbol, producido de manera independiente. Este álbum es una buena muestra del estilo propio que este grupo mexicano ha desarrollado, con una particular mezcla de reggae, afrobeat, ska, y ritmos latinos, consiguiendo un bite roots con personalidad.
permalink

Note :

Not to be confused with the vapid, homogenous and much more popular (at least among less savvy European consumers -- the same ones that probably gave David Hasselhof some caricature of a singing career) work of the Blonde Dutchwoman also named "Anouk", the Anouk of "Automatik Kalamity" is from France, of Arab descent, sings in three languages, and has concocted an original blend of dub reggae, ska and electronica that dazzles as much with its basic instrumentation as it does with originality and clever lyrics. Many Lee Perry samples, of course, but one cannot do a decent reggae album without these. And the roots-ska feel of "Dog Day Afternoon" (Un Apres-Midi De Chien) are particularly amazing. I saw a video for this song on MTV Europe in a Swiss Hotel at three in the morning, and fell in love instantly. If you like Reggae, buy it! If you think French is a romantic language, buy it! It's good music to smooch to.
permalink

Note :