| Review of Aswad vs. The Rhythm Riders by Aswad | |
| Artist: Aswad | |
| Album title: Aswad vs. The Rhythm Riders | |
| Release year: 2006 | |
| Label: Paras Group International / Liaison Music / Liaison Records Dist. | |
| Genre: Reggae | |
| Rating: 8 out of 10 | |
| Track listing: | |
| Rudeboy | |
| City Lock | |
| Dubbit | |
| This Sound | |
| Give Me a Sign | |
| Under Palm Trees | |
| Monotic | |
| Come with the Love | |
| African Children '06 | |
| Keep It Raw | |
| Natural Progression | |
| Survive | |
| Review: For more than three decades now, Aswad have persisted as one of England's most popular and consistent reggae acts. To a significant degree, the group's staying power can be attributed to its principled flexibility: without ever losing touch with its reggae roots, the band has effectively incorporated dancehall, techno, pop, and R&B elements into its sound, gradually creating a smart and complex hybrid sound that appeals to a wide variety of listeners. This album, on which Aswad collaborate with British techno duo the Rhythm Riders (Danny Briottet and Tim Bran), is a classic example of Aswad's approach. Everywhere is fusion and experimentation -- the zippy and slightly jungly Come with the Love, a sort of soca-house update of the band's early classic African Children, the dreamy, almost ambient Under Palm Trees -- but nowhere does this sound like anything other than an Aswad album. What the Rhythm Riders bring is a particular warmth and funkiness, along with an electro edge that nicely complements Aswad's natural tendency toward slick modern roots reggae. Guests include DJs Brother Culture, Soloman (who delivers a fine speed rap on Come with the Love), and Sweetie Irie. Very, very nice. | |