JOHN BROWN'S BODY
Spirits All Around Us (Shanachie)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Fans of conscious roots reggae have seen one after another of their idols either succumb to the hazards of life on the margins of Jamaican politics and culture or move on to the synthesized dance hall styles that typify contemporary reggae. Happily, they can still find solace in the riddims of a group from the northeast United States.

If you're a roots reggae fan, John Brown's Body does reggae right. There's plenty of danceable grooves on their latest Shanachie release, but those grooves accompany socially and spiritually consious messages rather than falling into the trend toward slackness that has become the fallback for too many performers that seem to have run out of things to say. JBB has plenty to say, and they say it beautifully, with a solid rhythm section, a tight three piece horn unit and the inspiring vocals of Kevin Kinsella and Elliot Martin.

John Brown's Body is frequently lauded as the best American reggae band. I haven't heard a better one, and, in their style, you'd be hard pressed to find much better in the islands, either. They may sing about "picking up a good vibe" themselves, but they offer plenty of the same to all who will listen.

Track List:

Feel * 33 RPM * Eyes Of The Maker * Traveling Man * Original Man * Good Vibes * 2 Bulls * Garden Tree * Win Them * Instrument * Peace In The Valley * Ambrosia * Forward Always * Time To Move On

© 2002 - Shaun Dale