Listen to Your Heart (PaRa, 2006)

*GUEST REVIEW*
The phrase Paddy Rasta may recall Sinead O'Connor's reggae project or Ri Ra's toasts on the Ghetto Priest debut. However, a Granite City- based band have now stolen the moniker for their exclusive use. Their first gig was supporting The Skatalities, but this belies their roots roots. The five- piece have a produced a reasonable debut that's not gritty, tough, or noisy. It's roots reggae with a heady Guinness paunch. More Celtic Connections than Riverdancing Pan Pipers. The Irish charm and wit is obvious throughout the album, with snippets of African roots. However, the lyrics get a little preachy after a while, and the fusion works better live.

- ragudave