Sentémonos (Gomba Music, 2003)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Puerto Rico's Gomba Jahbari's 2003 debut is an exciting example of the recent revitalization in roots. Unlike artists out of Saint Croix, though, they are not really doing anything explicitly new. All stock dub sounds are present, as are nyabinghi drumming and the ever-recognizable reggae rhythm. They never leave the reggae genre, so it's really hard to isolate what is so different about them. It would seem that a band whose sound uses tons of reverb and delay would sound muddled, but Sentémonos never does. The sounds melt in the incredible grooves with a clarity rarely found. Their singer's style is similar to Burning Spear, but he doesn't sound like he imitates him; he just has a great voice for it, rivaling even Midnite's Vaughn Benjamin . The voice, though, is often buried back in the mix, with the instrumentation taking primacy. The bass is always locked in the pocket, hitting all the punches that matter while avoiding minimalism and overplaying. If something does stick out as particularly inventive, it's the keys; using reggae as well as salsa and R&B rolls and flourishes, it is exciting, melodic and chill. There really isn't a weak point in the band: their musicianship and song writing are of the highest caliber. Gomba Jahbari is solid reggae with a penchant for sounding fresh and unique.

- Trammell Scruggs