Back to those warmer summer days.
In the steadily darkening days, when grey and lonely clouds and cold rain threaten to dull our moods, we all need a little sunshine, a light reminder of summer to lighten our moods and hold us out till those brighter days roll back around. Enter Bedouin Soundclash, an all male trio hailing from Kingston Ontario. With their feel good sound, you would easily mistake them for residents of the streets of Kingston Jamaica; the band's sound is a unique one that mixes the laid-back mood of reggae and soul with the abrasive, defiance of punk. Pulling influences from all corners of the music spectrum and conjuring up nostalgic echoes from the sounds of 'The Wailers', 'The Police' and 'The Clash', Bedouin Soundclash will provide those whimsical moments of summer memories, guaranteed to brighten your mood whatever the weather.
'When The Night Feels My Song' is a gentle samba based number that has all the funk and romanticism of 'Stand By Me' looped into the rhythm. The music builds up colour with gentle addition of percussion and bass all adding different rhythms to the music keeping it busy and lively while the introduction of subtle guitar and bass rhythms adds an almost ska-punk influence to the mix and gives an otherwise laid back tune a little edge. 'Shelter' starts off with a well-executed call and response pattern between the guitar and bass rhythms, adding a real pace and sense of life to the music. The call and response often repeats itself throughout the song lending a catchy and repetitive hook for the listener to become addicted to, eventually the song weaves itself into your head and you can't help but sing along to the carefree and spirited mood of the bluesy melody and laid back pace of the song.
'Living in Jungles' has a sinister mood carried within its bass and rhythm lines, one that bears more resemblance to the punk edge that Bedouin Soundclash lends themselves to occasionally. Bearing an almost dancey feel to the music, the rhythm increases and decreases in pace with quite some speed and often without warning, giving the song a real shifty and sinister feel. It is addictively catchy and bears all the characteristics of reggae but mixed ingeniously with the obvious defiance and confidence of the sound of punk. Short and snappy with fast rhythm and life pouring out of it at all corners of the music spectrum, 'Living In Jungles' will not fail to get your bodies moving and the blood singing, the bass lines alone have the power to move even the most timid of dancers!
'Money Worries' is pure reggae through and through. From the slow and soulful harmonising of the mournful vocalising to the low and repetitive laid-back beats of the bass line, the reggae influence just shines on through, making light of an otherwise depressing mood. Featuring Vernon Maytone, whose distinctive mellow voice rises above the laid back and smoky band, 'Money Worries' works hard to tell life as it is and describes the importance and affect of money on our lives in a gentle and relaxed tone that somehow makes light of the situation while never losing focus on the seriousness and damage money can inflict on our lives. This song is probably the most influenced and inspired track on the album and will most certainly become a highlight in time. 'Sounding a Mosaic' is a wonderful album for those extremely warm and relaxed lazy days, a wonderful accompaniment to an ice cold drink and a relaxed read on the beach or in your garden. For those who miss the sounds and feel of summer, this album will be the perfect winter pick-up and will cheer up even the darkest of days. But, this album also covers darker aspects of the culture of reggae that cannot be overlooked, despite the feel good attitude to the music and should be listened to in depth. A little light of genius that is sure to go far, it has been a while since a band with so many different influences from different world music styles has shown so much promise.