CD Review: Christos DC's 'Long Road'

Christos DC
Long Road
Honest Music

Washington DC-native, Christos DC, releases a new album steeped in Jamaican reggae, R&B, and urban grooves that are ready to excite listeners seeking for something more. The new fourteen-track release features some down-tempo grooves, jazzy bass-lines, and hip-hop inspired elements for a truly contemporary recording. Christos DC's varied instrumental accompaniment and laid-back vocals provides a rich musical product that should win over everyone that listens to it. The groove-induced hooks of "Lovely Lady," "Just Talk To Me," "Another Day," and many others, solidifies Christos DC's mark on the musical world in a very positive light. The vocals are akin to Jack Johnson and John Mayer with more of a reggae voice throughout. At any rate, Long Road is a great musical journey that begins and ends with Christos DC. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Keznamdi's 'Bridging The Gap'

Keznamdi
Bridging The Gap
Higher Intelligence

Jamaican-based Keznamdi brings us a reggae-inflected album of six new songs on his latest release, Bridging The Gap. There are spacious, pop hooks, and R&B-tinged tunes with some jazzy, urban beats that are still reggae-based, but there enough grooves and arrangements that span several genres. The music is interrelated and rather free-flowing overall. "Darkness" contains a little reggae, hip-hop, jazz, pop, and electronic elements that are engaging and memorable. "I Don't Wanna" opens with a little reggae guitar work and island vocals that are laid-back and enticing. "Is This Love" begins with a little shout-out and some hip-hop hooks with swishy percussion and back-up vocals. "Just Vibe" is a more urban tune with lush guitar hooks and typical reggae beats. The final track, "The Weekend Oohs," opens with some spacious washes and twinkling piano sounds with an electronica-based groove. Overall, Keznamdi succeeds with an intriguing and unforgettable set of songs that should satisfy reggae fans, as well as contemporary Jamaican music aficionados. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Tarrus Riley's 'Mecoustic'

Tarrus Riley
Mecoustic
Soulbeats

Tarrus Riley is a Jamaican-American Rastafarian singer based in Bronx, NY. His style is easy-going reggae music with a soulful attitude and slight pop focus. The scintillating rhythms are smooth, infectious, and easy to listen to. The use of strings, guitars, horns, keyboards, and bass combine with bluesy and powerful vocals with accompanying backup voices representing a slight gospel edge. The English vocals contain a Jamaican presence that is always pleasant and relaxing. The militaristic march style of "She's Royal" is a heartfelt track all the way through. The piano sounds of "Eye Sight" are slightly jazzy, but Tarrus' vocals remind us we are in reggae territory. The typical staccato reggae beats are not particularly evident throughout the album. The poppy "Paradise" tune is a bright mix of sax, guitars, percussion, and backup vocals. Still, reggae fans will love the accessibility of all the songs no matter what their background or preference may be. Mecoustic is not about egos or selfishness; it's about music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Dave Cirino's 'Dragon Theory'

Dave Cirino
Dragon Theory

Based in New Jersey, Dave Cirino incorporates a plethora of hip hop, dance, rap, electronica, and alternative leanings from a host of urban influences. Dave's Jamaican and Puerto Rican background adds another aspect of creative cultural attributes that primarily draws upon a refreshing foundation of ingenuity. The music is not Latin-esque or reggae-based, for that matter. Instead, Dragon Theory is a spacey, electronica, and hip hop-focused album of groovy beats and intelligent lyrics delivered in a smooth vocal style with assorted backup vocals and percussive rhythms. The echoing vocals of "Time Travel" include a female voice and dance-laden arrangements with hard-hitting vocals and electronic embellishments. Dave's rap is faster than on other tracks. At any rate, the song is urban, contemporary, and fresh. "First Kiss" opens with a few shout-outs before the song merges into a sauntering hip hop set of grooves with piano and electronic accompaniment with some percussion. "Phantom" is a scratchy tune with a heavy, dance-beat and fast rapping. "Blue" is a laid-back, soul track with slower raps and sultry grooves. All in all, sixteen tracks round out the album. Some of the tracks contain similar musical elements, but that is not particularly bad here. Each track contains enough rap, hip hop, and alternative elements to make it worthwhile. If you are looking for rock, pop, Latin, or jazz music, then you have to look elsewhere. Dragon Theory is more than a theory...it's a fact. ~ Matthew Forss