| It's About Time (Inherent, 2007) Irie Time is a veteran band from Houston, Texas with a mix of African and American members who've released six albums (including this one) over the past decade-plus. As the soothing deep blue album cover implies, their brand of reggae is relaxed and jazzy...smooth jazzy. It's About Time is a light and unapologetically poppy fusion of lovers rock and jazz whose charm and craftsmanship overcomes the potential for cheese. This is breezy, easy-listening music that may bore those seeking an edgier roots sound but may be just right for curling up with your significant other in front of a fire (hopefully in a fireplace). The dubs in particular showcase Irie Time's keen musicianship (and hides the sometimes-spotty lead vocals), flexing the jazzy flair that makes them stand out from most other reggae acts. The instrumentals, mixed at reggae fave Lion and Fox Studios by Jim Fox (who knows a thing or two about dubs), actually often outshine the vocal tracks -- as on "Wheel Dub," "On the Right Dub," and the Latin-flavored "Won't You Dub" -- and generally aren't the type of lazy dubs that seem to just play the same music with the same opening and the same inflections, just minus the vocals; they add some real improvisational flair. Overall, nothing amongst the five vocals tracks and five dubs on It's About Time will knock your socks off, but based on the instrumentals alone, I'd like to hear a full-length jazzy dub album from Irie Time in the future. Check 'em out at www.irietime.com. |
| Track Listing 1. You Changed My Life 2. A New Leaf 3. New Leaf Dub 4. Won't You See 5. Wheel 6. Wheel Dub 7. On the Right Track 8. On the Right Dub 9. Won't You Dub 10. You Changed My Dub |
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