Album Review: Lone Ark meets The 18th Parallel - Showcase Vol. 2. (Fruits Records)

 

Lone Ark meets The 18th Parallel - Showcase Vol. 2. (Fruits Records)

The Swiss modern roots reggae label, Fruits Records, always spoils me by sending  their latest releases digitally, classical pre-released style.  So here it is: the new Showcase Vol. 2, due out on October 2, featuring the vocals and mixing of Roberto Sanchez, who lives in the village of Cueto in Cantabria, northern Spain, and with Mathias  straight from the bass sorcery of the Geneva-based label.

The Swiss label’s house band, The 18th Parallel, once again digs deep into the heavyweight roots sound of the ’70s and ’80s, while the dub mixing and vocals were again handled jointly by Roberto Sanchez and Mathias Liengme. And if we look at the lyrical content and vocal delivery, it really feels like listening to Steel Pulse or the original lineup of Black Uhuru. Only this time, they pull you out of the machine-driven reality of the AI-controlled 21st century for 45 minutes with this modern roots classic LP.

The 12-track album contains six vocal versions and six dub cuts. The themes are conscious throughout. Ammunition deals with activism, while Man Kill A Man addresses the absurdity of still wrapping wars and conflicts in the cloak of religion in the modern world. Then there is Money, a new reggae anthem against capitalism, which takes on an entirely different mood in the context of the current anti-eviction protests in Spain. In Morning Blessings, the artist sings about the blessings of everyday life.

The dub versions bring the album’s rich instrumentation even further to the forefront. The flute and horn lines, harmonizing with the pulse of the bass, hit with a seriously heavyweight, old-school steppers feel and squeeze you deep into the comfort of your armchair.

The 24-track, 2-inch tape recording technology also gives this material a distinctly human quality in today’s digital world. And when you listen to it, you know this wasn’t made with Suno.

The thing is, I don’t even think twice anymore when I see an email from Mathias at Fruits Records. I already know I’m going to read it because I know it’s going to make my day start a little better.

So go check it out on streaming, or pre-order it on Bandcamp, or drop us an email at afrosoulsoundpromotion@gmail.com if you’d like to get the album on vinyl.

It’s worth it!