Dub Free Or Die Vol. 1
BMB, 2021
8/10
Listen to Dub Free Or Die Vol. 1
The reggae rockers Roots Of Creation, i.e. Brett Wilson (guitar, vocals), Tal Pearson (keyboards, melodica), Andrew Riordan (sax, harmony vocals, drum programming, production, key, melodica), Chris Regan (bass, sticky guitar) and Alex Brander (drums, percussion) are in the company of many guests here, as they bring us 16 tracks of dub influenced sounds from their very energetic and diverse vision.
“Are You My Uber” gets the listen off to a great start with much atmosphere, glowing horns and Dub friendly percussion that grooves with plenty of warmth, and “Kamp Kaniff Elixir Dub” follows with a calmer but no less impactful climate of soulful, dreamy song craft that’s as memorable as it is unique.
Further along, their version of “Seven Nation Army” embraces bright brass and buzzing guitars that make for an alluring, spacey take on the thumping rocker, while “Mammoth” charges ahead with a busy and thick display of classic and prog-rock influences. “White Noise Rain For Sleeping Roots Babies” then, interestingly enough, is just the soothing sounds of rain for 2+ minutes.
Vocals become more prominent late in the album, where “Soulshine” provides a platform for Jesse Wagner’s expressive pipes and Morgan Keating and Kaylea Verville’s cozy harmony vocals amid the flowing sax from Riordan, and another version of “Seven Nation Army”, this time done reggae style, appears with Hayley Jane’s stunning voice guiding the psychedelic nods, lively brass and thick guitar.
Fans of ska, dub and reggae certainly won’t be disappointed here, and the subtle nods to many versions of rock means those with an affinity for guitar music can get on board, too, as Roots Of Creation further cement themselves as some of today’s most exciting reggae inspired rock.
Travels well with: The Expanders- Old Time Something Come Back Again, Vol. 2; John Brown’s Body- Fireflies