http://www.dancingmood.net/musicaloccup ... hotropikal :
Redstar 73 is certainly making a name for themselves. If you don’t know the Spanish label already… you really should get to. Their second new release this summer is another solid album full of grooving riddims. Contratempo’s Psychotropikal is 9 tracks of soulful reggae to keep your summer rolling along.
The album starts off with “Funky Reggae Tonight” and draws you in with the song’s pumping organ, tight horns, and simple catchy lyrics. After the high energy introduction “Push Push” is a ska number with great drum accents to a steady mid tempo tune. The trumpet solo is a highight of the song that blends it together nicely.
“Love Da Reggae Music” is a song that has some Aggrolites influence in the guitar work. The horns accent the lyrics perfectly, and the organ keeps the song grooving. The opening guitar lick of “Sweet Darling” makes you question if the band is about to go into a cover of “Liquidator”. That aside “Sweet Darling” is a slower yet high energy early reggae sounding number where the organ really shines.
“El Fuego Y A La Palabra” is a roots heavy song with dub effects. The horns take charge again and the singer mixes English and Spanish chants to give the song a “dready” feel. “Itaca” slows down the space for some great harmonies and more Spanglish. There is an excellent 8 minute dub of this song at the end of the album, and the band does a great job of filling in the space. Using femal vocals and a melodica to dub this tune out.
One of my favorite tunes on the album is “Dragon and Lion” it has a rocker’s beat that gives it a roots feel, heavy on the bass and heavy on the organ. “Perdido” is another cool number with a laid back feel. The song has Spanish lyrics, and the organ work will get you swaying your hips with the beat. “Diferente” is another roots heavy song that has the guitar chopping and the organ grooving out deep licks that keep you bobbing your head.
Overall, the album is a good mix of early and roots reggae with some ska and rocksteady undertones. What stands out though is the tight horns and the organ work. If your a fan of great organ work this album for you. Spain has been putting out alot of great reggae music recently and you can thank Jan from Redstar 73 for helping to spread the sound across the globe.
Check out the band:
http://www.myspace.com/contratemposka
Buy the Album:
http://www.redstar73.com
