Summer is over!
It gets dark earlier.
The days are getting colder.
Winter is approaching, bringing with it depression and a longing for warmth and brightness.
While THE BEATDOWN can't bring brightness — the light CD hasn't been invented yet — they can provide warmth and prevent depression from even arising. How do they do that?
Well, with the coolest and dirtiest roots reggae in a long time.
Even the first song takes you on a journey to Jamaica, where it’s warm, where at least in the illusion everything is relaxed, cool, and laid-back. It's the sound that transports you to a long-gone era. A time when Bob Marley was still alive and the Caribbean island was the place that made music history. The sound also strongly reminds me of the soundtrack of the film “Rum Diary” with Johnny Depp. Although it takes place in Puerto Rico, the sound is similar and the vibe is certainly the same.
If I didn't know that THE BEATDOWN recorded their songs only recently, I would say someone is playing me an old record. The album doesn't just sound old school; it is old school!
Reggae of the old school, rocksteady, offbeat in its early stages, and a sound that is just cool. The band doesn't need to shy away from comparisons with The Aggrolites.
Interestingly, the band comes from Canada, a country not known for its Caribbean warmth. If they can record something like “Walkin´Proud” there, by the way live (the whole band records together and not instrument by instrument)
in the studio, then I can't even imagine what would happen if the band ever wandered into the Caribbean, to Jamaica.
With “Walkin´Proud,” not only the content is right, but also the packaging. Lovingly designed like old reggae records, the digipack comes with a booklet.
Perfectly fitting, wonderfully old school.
THE BEATDOWN stirs up more than just a little dust with this 13-song strong CD; they cause a stampede. The elephant on the cover already hints at it.
THE BEATDOWN plays away the winter with ease and brings warmth and relaxation to every cabin. A truly great achievement by the Canadians!
Thanks to Destiny Records from Berlin-Kreuzberg for this wonderful discovery!
P.S.: The band will soon be on a European tour! Don't miss it!
