Sledgehammer (77 Jefferson, 2007)

I'll be the first to admit that I don't usually care for reggae-rock hybrids. I tend to find that the noisy electric aggression nullifies the organic soothingness of reggae. However, Sledgehammer, the debut album from Kansas City quartet 77 Jefferson, is about as good a reggae-rock fusion as I've heard. Its cohesive sound comes partly from the fact that the band doesn't go the loud, brash punk route that a lot of reggae hybrid groups favor. Rather, they go with the natural laid-back flow of reggae and add a similarly easygoing light rock vibe, something akin to the tropical energy of Jack Johnson. It's intriguing that they can capture a "beach vibe," coming from about as far from the ocean as possible in the US. Each track presents a tasty blend of styles, from the dub offering "Mike's Wicked Dub" to the folky, acoustic "Once Again" and "Reggae LP" to the straightforward roots reggae of "Catch and Release" to the pre-digital dancehall jam (with a hip-hop twist) "Youthman" to "Starboard Remix," a spacy mix of jazz and dub. Mellow reggae-rock hybrids like "Same As Before" and the slinky "Show and Low" form the bulk of the album, though, and only on "Out of the Ground" does the rock side threaten to overpower the reggae. Lead singer Joel Castillo's heartfelt vocals propel the tunes with a nasal yet soulful tone, offset by occasional echoes and distortion effects that give it all a modern flair. It's rare that you can say that any album, regardless of genre, has a fresh, unique sound, but Slegehammer is such an album. Ironically, it doesn't hit you hard like a sledgehammer, but rather flows over you like a cool breeze. Hear for yourself at www.myspace.com/77jefferson or cdbaby.com.