http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_ent.htm?StoryID=89062
JBB's 'future roots' will rock Recher
Frederick News-Post
4-17-09
By Lauren LaRocca
All bands evolve to some extent, but John Brown's Body has reinvented itself more than average, from a primarily roots reggae outfit to a more progressive, dub-laced act that calls its music "future roots." The band's gear shifting came with the loss of bassist Scott Palmer, who passed away in 2006, and then the departure of singer and chief songwriter Kevin Kinsella. (It was Kinsella who named the band, which is a reference to the abolitionist John Brown, "body" in the sense of his following.)
Original member Elliot Martin stepped up as the group's primary writer and lead singer, and has taken the group into its next era.
"He's a pretty prolific writer," JBB drummer Tommy Benedetti said of Martin.
Benedetti said the band, which formed in 1996, was already shifting -- and members were considering splitting -- before Palmer died.
Now JBB has "an edgier, maybe a darker kind of vibe," Benedetti said. "Elliot has always been tapped into that kind of thing. ... He has a pretty solid vision."
Their most recent music is denser, with thicker textures and heavier lyrical content, though they've "never been into grab-a-fruity-drink-and-sit-on-the-beach reggae," Benedetti said.
Their shows still have a strong roots vibe (a horn section is pretty "roots"), though they don't play any of Kinsella's songs, which were mostly in the vein of traditional reggae.
They'll play the Recher Theatre tonight with SOJA, a reggae group based out of Arlington, Va.
JBB's most recent studio album, "Amplify," debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Reggae Chart and made iTunes "Best of 2008" list.
"Re-Amplify," released in March, features several DJs' takes on JBB tracks and debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard charts.
"We've wanted to do a remix record for many years," Benedetti said. "I was super psyched to hear what everyone had done."
The album includes Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, Tommie Sunshine, GoldieLocks, Dubmatix, Wrongtom, as well as Blue King Brown, who will open for JBB at several spring shows.
"Someone else's interpretations ... really can't be wrong," Benedetti said.
"It's a treat for the fans and a treat for us. I think it has merit."
What: John Brown's Body with SOJA
When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 17
Where: Recher Theatre, 512 York Road, Towson
Tickets: $20
Information: 410-337-7178; www.rechertheatre.com
www.johnbrownsbody.com
www.myspace.com/johnbrownsbody
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