http://connectsavannah.com/news/article/101766/
John Brown's Body
Connect Savannah
02.09.10
By Bill DeYoung
Energy remains the key word for this veteran reggae/rock outfit, fronted by dreadlocked vocalist Elliot Martin. Although the New York-based octet has been near the forefront of contemporary, rock and R&B-infused reggae for more than a decade, the music has begun to veer into more experimental arrangements utilizing Dub rhythms, electronic grooves and a bigger world-music vision ("more Massive Attack than Marley," said the New York Daily News).
A result of this, no doubt, is that the band's most recent album, Amplify, entered the Billboard reggae chart in the top position.
It very nearly didn't turn out that way. In 2006, just six months after he was diagnosed with cancer, bassist Scott Palmer died. As a result, three members of the band departed, leaving Martin, longtime drummer Tommy Benedetti and the others to carry on as best they could with new players.
"After making three records, we were feeling the need to push ourselves musically and sonically," Benedetti told an interviewer recently. "Today we call our sound ‘future roots.' We embrace a more modern, more rounded approach to our sound. Throughout all these changes though, there is a common thread that I believe is unique to the JBB sound."
Benedetti also bemoans the fact that many people think "you have to be from Jamaica to play reggae. Some of my favorite reggae these days isn't coming from Jamaica... it's Alborosie from Italy, Midnite from St. Croix, Gentleman from Germany...
"Also, that reggae is just beach-time and fruity drink music. Some of my favorite stuff is the heavy, conscious, minor key tunes. Oddly enough, some of the dark dub stuff makes me think of Armageddon, not the beach." Listen & learn: www.johnbrownsbody.com.
With Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Live Wire Music Hall, 307 W. River St. $12 advance, $15 day of show.
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