Search - Bedouin Soundclash :: Sounding a Mosaic

Put This In Your Soundsystem

Joshua M. Fischer | Georgia, USA | 08/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."