Tarrus Riley 'Contagious' Review

"The reason I called it 'Contagious' is because I would like everyone to catch it.....I represent reggae, live music, and I want everyone to catch on to its positive, good vibes." That's what Mr. Riley himself said in reference to the title of his third and latest album 'Contagious'. What an appropriate title for this collection of tunes from Tarrus. Listeners will definitely 'catch' what Mr. Riley was hoping to infect them with. An trus' me now: No one will be looking to cure themselves of this contagion. Only Tarrus himself will be able to come up with an album that's more infectious.
The album opens with the telling 'Living the Life of a Gun', a denunciation of gun violence in Jamaica over a booming one-drop riddim. Tarrus truly has a flow like no other and he shows it off here.

On the title track 'Love's Contagious' he makes Marley's 'Coming in from the Cold' riddim all his own with a dynamic melody and beautiful hook. 'Some'in a go roun'...love's contagious. Some'in a go roun'...it's the sweetest sickness... I don't need to be cured.' No doctor or pharmacist necessary. Yes, indeed. Pure Niceness!
The album is packed with BoomTunes. 'Superman' and 'Human Nature' are better than the originals. (Aren't reggae covers always?!) Tarrus really puts his heart and voice into the tracks. The production is flawless. 'Young Hearts' is a nice throw-back, lover's rock song. The Shane Brown produced 'Start A New' is a soulful outcry for battered women to get out of abusive relationships. 'Don't Judge', 'Soul Mate', 'Stop Watch', and 'Why So Much Wickedness?' are classic reggae anthems over earth shattering, bass-forward, one-drop riddims.
As 'She's Royal' was the signature piece on Parables, 'Good Girl Gone Bad' will be the same for Contagious. Tarrus' blistering deejaying will give any dancehall artist, past or present, a run for their money. He and Konshens go together like ackee and saltfish. Anytime the opening words 'Blak Soil Russian' blast from a soundsystem they will, no doubt, be followed with shouts of 'Forward!' for many years to come. Pull up dat!! Hitch it up my selecta!
'Contagious' is a truly WICKED album. It is a MUST HAVE for everyone's collection. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better reggae album. Tarrus Riley is definitely one of the most innovative and creative reggae musicians to come along in many years. He is quickly establishing himself as the voice of a generation. With the brilliant 'Contagious' he has proven, yet again, that he is here to stay.

-DaddyMatty

Track Listing:

1. Living the Life of a Gun
2. I-Sight
3. Love's Contagious
4. Human Nature
5. Soul Mate
6. Superman
7. Young Hearts
8. Start A New
9. S-Craving
10. Why So Much Wickedness?
11. Let Peace Reign featuring Etana and Duane Stephenson
12. Don't Judge
13. King Selassie
14. Stop Watch
15. Herbs Promotion featuring Demarco and Vybz Kartel
16. Good Girl Gone Bad featuring Konshens
17. Mankind
18. It Will Come

Rebelution Set to Release 'Bright Side of Life'

Santa Barbara-based reggae band Rebelution announced that their long awaited sophomore full-length album “Bright Side of Life” will be released in stores nationwide and digital worldwide on August 4, 2009.

The album follows up their award winning debut album “Courage to Grow,” which garnered mass downloads and radio play on monster radio stations such as San Francisco’s Live 105 where their single “Safe and Sound” was played on heavy rotation, with spins on San Diego’s 91X, and Los Angeles’ KROQ.

The album was also selected as iTunes Editor’s Choice for Best Reggae Album of 2007, and has been in the top 10 iTunes Reggae album sales since its release two years ago. In addition, “Courage to Grow” remained in the Billboard Top 10 Reggae Chart for 36 weeks, and peaked at #4.
Now for the summer of 2009, the band is ready to unleash 12 new signature tracks blending their cohesive mix of reggae, rock, and hip-hop influences in a calliope awash of front man Eric Rachmany’s Santana-esque guitar flurries, Marley D. Williams’ solid and attacking bass lines, the psychedelic and tasteful piano, keyboard and Hammond b-3 styling of Rory Carey and the jazz rock fusion of Wesley Finley’s finesse drumming and percussion.
Of the new album, Rebelution shares, "After the positive response from fans and critics for 'Courage to Grow' and touring in support of it for the last few years, we are glad to finally reveal our new material to the fans who have waited so patiently. We've played many of the new songs live, but the recorded versions will have that 'studio magic' from all the time we've put into them, and there are surprise songs that people haven't heard yet.”
The release of “Bright Side of Life” marks the first release under Rebelution’s newly founded record label, 87 Music in association with Controlled Substance Sound Labs and Silverback Music, the California based music collective, which is also home to artists Slightly Stoopid and Pepper, and their respective artist imprints. The band notes that their second album will show their growth in maturity musically, with a more polished sound with flares of new styles that fans and future fans have yet to hear.

Look for the Album Review Soon Come.

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