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Urban Regeneration (Jet Star, 2001) Perhaps the most exciting debut of 2001, Urban Regeneration is a throwback to good ol' fashioned roots reggae, with soothing harmonies, live instruments, and positive, righteous messages. Imagine the shock, then, to find out that this quartet is not only British, but they're also teenagers! (Well, technically one is 20 years old.) With confidence, wisdom, and musical proficiency beyond their years, these prodigies have managed to put out a remarkably well-rounded package, produced by London's hot Cave Team. Listening to Rasites for the first time, you're likely to compare their sound to Morgan Heritage -- indeed, their live-instrument roots and smooth vocals are rather similar -- but they could also draw favorable comparisons to the classic vocal groups of the '70s, in particular the Mighty Diamonds. Lead singer Kashta Tafari's buttery voice echoes Donald Shaw on tracks like "Crazy Lazy," "Live Consciously," and the remake of "Danger in Your Eyes" (a Paragons tune that the Mighty Diamonds also covered). Tackling classics like "Danger" and Freddie McKay's "Picture On the Wall" seems ambitious, but it's evidence of the group's devotion to the classic roots style, and the Rasites actually do an extraordinary job, particularly on "Picture," where they create perhaps the best cover of that oft-remade song I've ever heard. Compared to Morgan Heritage, the Rasites seem to focus a bit more on the old school values of live, original music and multi-part harmonies. Yet on the other hand, they occasionally throw in a distinctly modern DJ chat or (sadly) MC rap (Brits + rap = ick), betraying their youth. While no single track on Urban Regeneration stands out as earth-shattering ("Live Consciously" coming closest), the album is solid from start to finish. Fresh tracks like "Disaster," "Live Up," "High Grade," "Universal Love," and more make this one of the best batches of roots reggae to come out of the UK since the hey days of Aswad, Steel Pulse, and Misty In Roots. |
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