Customer Reviews

Sounding a Mosaic

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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"

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?

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.

To start, there isn't a band making such heartfelt, intricate music as these three Canadians. In fact, their three-album repertoire, embellished tremendously by 2007's "Street Gospels," is as moving and legitimate as the first albums by the Clash. That says a great deal, but not enough about what Bedouin Soundclash has added to the international culture. It reminds me of a Haitian friend who grew up listening to Bob Marley without ever understanding the words; he just felt the rhythm and power manifested in the sound and knew it was crucial. This too is crucial music, and does not fear shifting styles throughout the recordings.
From the tender "12:59 Lullaby" to the psychedelic "Jealousy," Jay Malinowski injects the voice of a renegade rasta into the reggae, ska, calypso and rock music laid down by bassist Eon Sinclair and drummer Pat Pengelly. They have now added backup singers, as well as Darryl Jenifer of Bad Brains fame to make the circuit complete. "Jeb Rand" and "Criminal" are outstanding tracks on "Sounding a Mosaic," but you really need to hear "Sailin' On," a Soundclash-Bad Brains joint venture available only on one of their singles. The Japanese version of "Mosaic" includes a great cover of U2's "New Years Day." This band must be appreciated for its body of work, including "Root Fire," a tribe of tight songs previously only available in Canada. This is civil, conscious and progressive rebel music surfing atop the chaos of radio nonsense, sure to reach the promised land before long. The secret is out. Buy the music, share it with your friends and ignite the revolution.

The soundclash has come a long way from their debut album "Rootfire" which was more soft rock driven then "Sounding A Mosaic". Thats not to say that it wasn't dripping with reggae though... Because it was. Anyway, im excited to see what they bring to the table on their next album "Street Gospels" which is due to come out late 2005 or early 2006. I'm excited to see if the album incorporates more of what the name suggests... gospel. For the time being they will be engaged in Vans Warped Tour. Also, at music.yahoo.com Bedouin has been selected for yahoo musics "Who's Next" user's choice against three other bands so.... do your part and vote as many times as you want. If they win the will do a yahoo exclusive interview and they will record a live preformance.

This is overall an amazing album. I purchased it a while ago after hearing When A Night Feels My Song on the radio. I was blown away by the consistency of the album. Every song is a hit single.

ALL RATINGS OUT OF 5

WANFMS - 5/5 what do you expect? Can never get tiresome
Shelter - 3/5 probably my least favourite song on the album
living in jungles - 3.5/5 solid song
money worries - 4/5 vernon buckley is a mad man
gyasi went home - 4/5 just go home gyasi
shadow of a man - 3.5/5 great rythym
jeb rand - 4.5/5 great vocals
criminal - 3.5/5 set up song for later
murder on the midnight wire 5/5 - my favourite song on the album
music my rock - 6/5 cancel that this is my favourite song
rude boy don't cry 4/5 - the album is almost over but don't cry
immigrant workforce - 4.5/5 good solid song
nothing to say - ending off strong

the rest of the songs are remixes so i wont review those. This is summer music at its best.
PEACE

Buy this album. This could be Bedouin at their best. The hard hitting dub/reggae/rock is really all time.
Just do it.
And go see them live before they get too acoustic money making "stand alone" style. Their live set kills.
Travis

What happens when you combine Folk, Pop and Reggae? You end up with Bedouin Soundclash. All of the songs have catchy hooks and choruses, so there is never really a "dead spot" on the CD.
If you are a fan of the old style Reggae, then this might just be a group for you.

i had bought this cd because i really liked a song on it. i had heard a couple other songs from other cd's and thought it would be a safe bet. it turns out this cd is very midiocre. there is one really kool song, but the rest just don't seem to evolve into anything interesting. the music becomes very 2 dimensional and lacks any real depth to it. i wish i had listened to this more thoroughly before purchasing. i wouldn't recommend this....

I think bedouin soundclash is areally good band compared to other bands. Any who doesn't agree sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!