Bob's Bar (Adam Atterby Musikproduktion, 2005)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Ah, Sweden- the home of roots reggae. No? Well, I don't know how many reggae bands actually call that country home, but at least one of them is getting it right. Comparable in sound to some of the better reggae outfits that hail from the U.S., England or other non-Jamaican locales, Urban Tribe put forth a hook-filled, genuine sound on Bob's Bar, their first album. The title comes from the name of a reggae-oriented bar that graced a beach in Thailand before being destroyed by last year's tsunami. Proceeds from the sale of the album will be used to help rebuild the place, the story of which is movingly recounted by lead singer Adam Atterby in the liner notes. A worthy cause, but the music here makes it even more so. It's a nearly perfect blend of roots riddims and subtle pop touches, laid down by a skilled bunch that graces the songs with bright harmonies, punctuating horns, bits of lead guitar and keyboard soloing, deejay toasts and a drums and bass foundation that holds it all together. The band has its head on straight lyrically as well, edifying the human spirit on such songs as "We Say No" and "Better Than This," exhalting the Almighty on "I Believe in You," putting both George W. Bush and the KKK into proper goofball context with "Bump Dem," and grooving through purely celebratory pieces like the title track and "Chant Them Down." It's all very familiar reggae territory, and so what? The sounds at this bar are warm, timely, inviting and well worth bellying up to.

- Tom Orr