SHINER MASSIVE SOUNDSYSTEM
Shiner Massive Soundsystem (Slash/BiggMassive)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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There was Soundsystem - Kim Swain, Dionne Wilson and Lickshot Bellamy - a trio of singers who had teamed up to work with dancehall masters Buju Banton and Bounty Killer. There was Shiner Massive, the punk rappers whose music paid its own respect to classic reggae. There was Brooklyn, the hometown and meeting ground for both crews. And now there's Shiner Massive Soundsystem, with their feet on Clarkson Avenue, their hearts in Kingston and their new album ready to take its place in your player.

Whether it's old school reggae, their own new school compositions, or a reach all the way back to San Francisco psychedelia, Shiner Massive Soundsystem reflect a street level authenticity and a tangible affection for their music that will catch up your head, your heart and almost certainly your feet. Me, I just bounce all over the room every time I put it on, and I've put it on a lot of times since it showed up at my house. I imagine it will be just as popular at your house.

You'll have to turn off the CD once in a while, though, so you can plug in the bonus DVD that follows the girls around the streets and stages of Brooklyn as they freestyle and high style their way through six more songs, including killer takes of the Bob Marley classics "Trenchtown Rock" and "War" that you won't find on the audio edition.

It's a great collection of sights and sounds from a great new band, and a perfect way to kick of the revival of a great label, Slash (now Slash/Biggmassive) Records.

Track List:

Here We Come * Shantytown * Roach Killer * Rapture * One Draw * Ghosttown * Uptown Top Ranking * Make Me Nice * Police & Thieves * White Rabbit * I And I Survive

Bonus DVD: Trenchtown Rock * Here We Come * Shantytown * Roach Killer * Police & Thieves * War

© 2003 - Shaun Dale