On Jamaica's north coast lies St. Ann's Parish, where music and rebellion are elemental and incarnate (as exemplified by native sons Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley). At its highest point sits the hilltop village of Steertown... more », where lime trees grow and devout Rastafarian musicians congregate when the moon is full to chant sacred praises to the drummed trance rhythms of the Nyabinghi sect, to which the seven Wingless Angels belong. When Keith Richards became a Jamaican resident years ago, he met and befriended the Angels through member Justin Hinds, the ska pioneer, and the Stones' immortal began a spiritual and musical jam with the group that has crystallized into this unique recording of primal drumbeats and haunted Wesleyan hymns. In this CD is found both root and nectar of reggae, the hypnotic footsteps of Rasta, and the echoes of Garvey and Marley. And Richards's playing is delicate, like fine lace. --Alan Greenberg« less
On Jamaica's north coast lies St. Ann's Parish, where music and rebellion are elemental and incarnate (as exemplified by native sons Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley). At its highest point sits the hilltop village of Steertown, where lime trees grow and devout Rastafarian musicians congregate when the moon is full to chant sacred praises to the drummed trance rhythms of the Nyabinghi sect, to which the seven Wingless Angels belong. When Keith Richards became a Jamaican resident years ago, he met and befriended the Angels through member Justin Hinds, the ska pioneer, and the Stones' immortal began a spiritual and musical jam with the group that has crystallized into this unique recording of primal drumbeats and haunted Wesleyan hymns. In this CD is found both root and nectar of reggae, the hypnotic footsteps of Rasta, and the echoes of Garvey and Marley. And Richards's playing is delicate, like fine lace. --Alan Greenberg
Vanessa T. from FORT OGDEN, FL Reviewed on 11/24/2006...
True island music. Keith Richards followed their sound into the hills of Jamacia. These guys are the real deal. Their subjects are true to their lives. The sound is crisp and real.
CD Reviews
Relaxing in Jamaica Mon
bluelena | Pittsburgh, PA | 01/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thanks to Keith Richards for sharing the beauty of this deeply moving music. The drumming/singing/chanting on this cd is wonderful. It's a great Sunday morning cd...use it whenever you want to relax!"
The purest of reggae
bluelena | 10/23/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A labour of love courtesy Keith Richards, who has known these musicians for twenty-five years. Highly spiritual and hypnotic singing/drumming/chanting, with Keith providing his typical taste and understatement in support."
Wingless angels fly high
Riccardo Pelizzo | baltimore, maryland USA | 01/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"the wingless angels project is one of the most intersting things Keith Richards has done without the Stones-- the other things include jamming with Aretha Franklin, shooting a documentary on Chuck Berry, doing 2 solo albumswith the Expensive Winos (plus one live record).
Keith has been involved in the project in many ways. The songs were recorded at Keith's house in Jamaica, Keith produced the record, Keith found a name for the band (Wingless Angels because they do not fly, but they sing like Angels), Keith did the illustration for the record and Keith played in the record.
After the songs were recorded in Jamaica - where only the voices and the drums were recorded - Keith added very beautiful bass lines that make the bass sound like an organ, added nice guitar lines and in a couple of songs played some piano chords. When he brought the record to the Wingless Angels, they thought he had made some magic. Which is true.
The record is really magic. It's very intense, it's hypnotic. The drums beat slow like a slow beating heart and the music really gets under your skin.
There are 16 songs and I think it's impossible to say which one is better as they are all great. It's a record that really gets under your skin"
Organic
David Bradley | Sterling, VA USA | 04/24/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Though the tempo is virtually unchanged throughout this LP, and the bass drum is the lead instrument--two methods American listeners are not used to hearing--this album is still effective. This is religious, though not quite church, music. It feels more authentically Jamaican then anything else I have ever heard, thanks in part to Richard and Rob Fraboni's production, which leaves crickets, peepers, and band conversation in place between the tunes."
After Your hooked You can't live without it.
David Bradley | 05/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this recording it makes Me feel rich to be surrounded by such a relaxing,peaceful sound!If You buy this one You should be happy."