by Derek Beres – Global Rhythm
JOHN BROWN'S BODY
Spirits All Around Us
Shanachie
The fact one of the best reggae albums this year comes out of Ithaca, New York, only holds testament to the lasting power of Jamaica's top export. The irony is it takes a band thousands of miles removed to create an extremely innovative, soulful recording laden with eclectic influences as gospel, blues, and harmonic rock. Spirits All Around Us, John Brown Body's fourth release, is by the far their most patient and enjoyable, concerned more with what's not there than what is. A boisterous live outfit with energy levels well beyond saccharin, upbeat tracks like "Feel " and the bass bubbly "Garden Tree" branch well from tradition. Their ability to turn melancholy into joy is evident on "Traveling Man" and "Two Bulls, " co-vocalist Kevin Kinsella's grainy lyrics touching Jah and earth simultaneously. When the other wordsmith, Elliot Martin, jumps ahead with "Original Man" and the rhythmic swing of "33 RPM," another dimension opens: A swirling chasm of irie tones and spirit, not only all around but within.
