| Youth Rebellion (Tribal Seeds, 2005) Reggae Books Reggae Posters Reggae Concert Reggae Album *GUEST REVIEW* Tribal Seeds is a new reggae band coming out of California. They have a roots sound that makes me think about what Israel Vibration's live instrumentation on "Unconquered People" would have sounded like if the recording quality had been better. It is clear and colorful, but for some reason is still a little monotonous and stale. That's not to say that it's not catchy or groovy, but it lacks any sort of personality. "Youths of the World" reinvents Gregory Isaacs' "Night Nurse" riddim and does so to good effect. On the title track, the singer's best performance, you get a sense that he's a natural, but the sound is dry despite some meditative phrasing. Overall the music is rhythmic and the band is good, and I wouldn't be surprised if they really steal the show at live concerts, but they sort of sound like just another tight roots act on this album. - Trammell Scruggs |
| Track Listing 1. Rider 2. Youth of the World 3. Creator 4. Youth Rebellion 5. Beautyful Mysterious 6. Warrior 7. Tribal Seeds 8. Rasta, Refuse It 9. Fire 10. Dark Angel 11. Youth Rebellion Dub |
Tribal Seeds (Tribal Seeds Music, 2007)
*GUEST
REVIEW*
I caught this San Diego-based band at a recent free outdoor concert down by the beach (always a good thing), and they had a crowd of Sunday afternoon sun worshippers, picnickers, kids, older folks and people who looked like they'd come straight from church caught up in the vibes alongside the more obvious reggae fans. Goes to show how infectious good reggae music can be. Tribal Seeds are both good and infectious, managing to be so without softening the sound or the message. True to the botanical implications of their name, they go for the roots. Lead singer Steven Rene Jacobo has a moderately Marley-ish vocal quality and an urgency that reminds me of Steel Pulse's David Hinds (now that I think of it, he sounds kind of like African reggae singer Majek Fashek as well). He's the group's lyricist also, showing via the likes of "Creator," "Rasta, Refuse It" and "Jah Stone" that he's got a lot more than earthly things on his mind. Musically, the group is tight and unified, with lead guitarist Marc Munoz tearing off some sharp solos that help give the overall sound a discernible Latino edge befitting the heritage of most of Tribal Seeds' members. Though familiar reggae themes abound, some of the songs ("Rider," "Dolls Dancing," "Dark Angel") go for a decidedly abstract feel that keeps predictability at bay and merits close listening apart from just letting the exceptional riddims (some of which bring to mind peak-era Roots Radics) carry you away. Impressive stuff, enough so that if I have to pay to see these guys next time, I gladly will.
- Tom Orr
| Track Listing 1. Youth Rebellion 2. Rider 3. Dawn of Time 4. Creator 5. Dolls Dancing 6. Beautiful Mysterious 7. Roman Leader 8. Island Girl 9. Warrior 10. Rasta, Refuse It 11. Tulasi 12. Lost Paradise 13. Jah Stone 14. Sun n' Water 15. Dark Angel |
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