You open the door and throw your backpack onto the ramshackle floor in a space you like to call your dorm room. After fighting the sandman and the battles of Aristotle’s Republic in philosophy class, all you want to do is pop in you favorite CD-Dave Matthews, the Dixie Chicks or Bob Marley. In your own little world, you relax while letting the music lull you into a state of noworries.
The Reggae Cowboys newest collaboration, Rock Steady Rodeo fits this mold perfectly. Crossing over nearly every musical genre, it combines rustic rock, mellow blues and soulful R&B with electrifying jamming’ jazz to create an intriguing collection of reggae music at its very finest.
The dusty ballads flow over the rhythmic Jamaican beat to ease your mind throughout the entire CD. It creates a Bob Marley-type, no-worry attitude on track numbers one through three, beginning with their title track, “Reggae Rodeo.” In contrast, track four, “Lighten Up,” features an energetic upbeat vocal rendition reminiscent to that of 311. Through their name and songs, it is easy to understand that Reggae Cowboys have an ulterior motive in their music, unlike many other up-and-coming bands.
The Cowboys derived their name from their interest in the old, western African-American cowboys who did not get credit where it was due. As a matter of fact-nearly one out of every seven cowboys was black. Certain tracks in this album reflect these stories of these unknown cowboys of the American West.
In addition to the innovative Western themes heard in “Lighten Up” and “Geronimo,” other songs further display the group’s many facets of their style. Although the entire CD is jam-packed with feel-good energy, the album’s sixth song, “Road Show,” intensifies a humorous element. The rhythm comes through in the “clippity-clop-clop” lyrics that ride right out of your speakers.
So if you are still relaxing in that same old, grungy chair, this CD will surely capture your state and make you want to bob up and down to its funky beat.
Such a compilation of styles can only be created by bands with members of several different cultural backgrounds. The Reggae Cowboys hail from the Caribbean islands, from Dominica to Antigua and Jamaica.
Intending on high international hopes, the band released their album in Brazil. Additionally, they will try their hand at the American counterpart of their heritage as they tour the United States.
Fortunately, they will be making a stop in St. Louis. The Reggae Cowboys will perform at Blueberry Hill with the Murder City Players on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 9:30 p.m. B
