Sounding a Mosaic

Bedouin Soundclash | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 7, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Stomp Records
• ASIN: B0002CHLGW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,119 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Exclaim

"Incredible mixes of dub, reggae and jazz, which tempt the listener with songwriting skills and strong playing..."

Product Description

Bedouin Soundclash combines modern urban sounds with classic reggae fundamentals. The band formed in early 2000 when Eon Sinclair (bass) met Jay Malinowski (vocals/guitar) at university. Their casual conversation about dub music inspired an informal session covering classic reggae standards. The two decided to play again the next night, asking Brett Dunlop (djembe) to come out. The later addition of Pat Pengelly (drums) filled out their sound, and Bedouin Soundclash was born. Since their inception, Bedouin Soundclash has gained a large and loyal fan base. They have established themselves as one of Kingston’s premier bands, opening for The Pocket Dwellers and David Usher. Their unique yet accessible sound has become widely popular amongst the college circuit. Their debut album, Root Fire, received much critical praise. The album held the number one position on Queen’s University radio CFRC for several weeks and still continues to chart. Sounding A Mosaic was produced by Daryl Jennifer of the legendary Bad Brains and features a remake of "Money Worries" (by the Maytones) featuring Mr. Vernon "Maytone" Buckley himself. If that weren’t enough, there are also two superb remixes by E-Clair and the world-renowned Paul Lazare (Gotan Project). Sweet, smooth, soulful and honest, Sounding A Mosaic is set to become an instant reggae favorite.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just like a mosaic: Simple when you look close but beautiful and complex as a whole, June 22, 2005

By 

Moontezuma (Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sounding a Mosaic (Audio CD)

It's as simple as this: one beautiful voice, one single guitar playing hypnotic reggae clean riffs, one inspired bass line (the album is produced by Bad Brains bass player Darryl Jennifer) and drums that you can't almost notice on some songs that almost seem like some acoustic roots reggae and have much more importance on drum and bass tracks giving a refreshing beat to this album.

BSC doesn't fall in the temptation of adding extra instruments or effects to make their album sound more eclectic, they stick to the ingredients above giving us the impression that they are talented and they don't need any cheap trick to make it more obvious.

They are great song writers: each song as its own story, the lyrics are wise, and as for the music, they manage to change the beat at the perfect moment, bring a catchy chorus so you don't get bored and find yourself listening to the whole CD begging for more.

I personnaly regret that the 2 remix songs don't bring much and somehow betray the global feeling of the album.

In addition to this album I would suggest Root Fire which is as solid as this one, not to be considered as a prequel to Sounding a Mosaic but as another beautiful "mosaïc" which confirms that these guys have their own style. If you don't know him, I would also suggest Patrice early albums :"Ancient Spirit" & "Lions EP"

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bedouin Soundclash delivers!!!, June 10, 2004

By 

Kyle (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sounding a Mosaic (Audio CD)

The fellas from Bedouin Soundclash produce a sonic amalgam composed of equal parts rhythm, melody, and lyrical genius on their new album. They effectively deliver a series of lyrically rich tracks which satisfy their fans' ravenous musical appetite. Their sweet melodies leave once-starved listeners satisfied and searching for more of their "musical crack rock". Pengelly delivers delicious drum beats with a maturity and discipline reminiscent of a tibetan monk. Sinclair's thumping bass confronts the most passive listener and says "rise to the occasion or prepare for a hearty serving of sonic subordination, okay?". Finally, Malinowski's smooth vocals provide a lyrical adhesive like no other. In short, this album will knock you on your arse, place you in a musical chokehold, and then force you to confront many prevalent social issues. Are you ready?

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funky Kingston, September 15, 2005

By 

Roy Pearl (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sounding a Mosaic (Audio CD)

Kingston, Jamaica? No, mon, that'd be Kingston Ontario. As in Canada. As in wind chill, blizzards, and block heaters. And trust me, when Toots Hibbert sang about a "Funky Kingston" there was nobody getting the two towns mixed up. Yet as unlikely as it may seem - especially given the fact that Bedouin Soundclash played among all the trendy screamo bands on this summer's Warped tour - these Canuck kids do the reggae like they stepped straight outta Trenchtown.

"Sounding A Mosaic" was produced by Darryl Jennifer (of DC hardcore legends the Bad Brains), and he does an ace job of maintaining that sense of lazy space featured in all great reggae. Everything bobs, slinks, and hops with an unhurried, heavy-lidded pace, perfect for power-lounging on a tropical beach (or, given their citizenship, maybe a particularly muggy kitchen). Singer Jay Malinowski's voice resembles Bob Marley, but the band lays down grooves more similar to the reggae-lite of Jimmy Cliff, with a few overtones of dub and an appropriately distant element of Two-Tone ska. For extra cred, they do a version of the Maytones' "Money Worries" that features Vernon Maytone himself on vocals. Not that they needed the help, as the lead-off single "When The Night Feels My Song" is so feel-good melodic that Johnny Nash probably would've eaten his own head just to have it as a followup to "I Can See Clearly Now."

So it's Funky Kingstons now. As in two of them. As in who'da thunk? I guess it was inevitable that there'd be some pleasant trickle-down effect of rampant globalization.