Conscious Development (Resination Music, 2006)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Based in San Luis Obispo, California and nine pieces strong, Resination has a punchy reggae sound with some funk, jazz, and dancehall leanings. Their arrangements are tight and tough and their use of both male and female lead vocals reminds me a bit of another fine California reggae band, Soul Majestic. Don't get caught up in comparisons, though. Resination's sound is very much their own, with stop-and-start riddims, instrumental passages highlighting the skills of the players and lyrics that make the album title more of a mission statement. Though the flow is hampered at times by overly rockish guitar solos and abrupt jumps into dancehall vocals that can feel forced, the strength and integrity of the songs keep it all first rate. The opening title track is deserving of anthem status, clear-headed declarations like "NaturalForm," "Color of Your Skin" and "Lion Strong" burn deep and the concluding "Lullaby" (a song which could indeed serve that very purpose) is shiveringly beautiful.

-Tom Orr