KATCHAFIRE – ON THE ROAD AGAIN
New Zealand has been renowned for sometime now for the high quality of ‘Aotearoa’ reggae music that comes out of there, almost to the extent now that reggae is seen as the chief musical export. Groups like Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds and of course Salmonella Dub have not only produced quality music but they’ve also pioneered a new genre of the form, one which incorporates elements of jazz, soul and R&B. Katchafire have been one such band that have been doing it for a long time and their latest offering On The Road Again doesn’t disappoint. In fact the album title seems apt considering that since they came from humble beginnings in the late 1990s starting as a Bob Marley tribute band, they’ve managed to build a reputation on producing feel good music and they’ve continued the trend again producing upbeat soulful reggae tunes so smooth that at times it feels as though you’re listening to the album on cloud nine. The album’s got dubbed out drum fills, throbbing bass and the impeccable vocal harmonies speak of living your dreams, rising up against adversity and of course one love. A timely ray of sunshine just in time for summer.
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