Johnny Reggae Rub Fundation have shown with their latest release what Boss Reggae is and what the sound can do. For me, it's a new sound that brings fresh energy to the scene and one that we will surely hear more of.
MASONS ARMS is now a part of this "more".
The band was founded back in 1995, but has only now committed to this sound known as Boss Reggae.
Anyone who has listened to the sound of Johnny Reggae Rub Fundation will immediately find parallels with MASONS ARMS. So if you don't like the sound, you can stop reading here because it's probably not for you.
Anyone who can appreciate the sound or even likes it—yes, such people do exist—can now continue reading comfortably.
The band from Cologne, which is also where Johnny Reggae Rub Fundation comes from, is currently performing as a five-piece, with two guitars, bass, drums, and organ. They create a very relaxed, deep sound bed in which one can feel very comfortable. It comes out of the speakers very groovy, with a deep, precise but never aggressive bass. Technically, this is at quite a high level. More reggae than ska, but after all, the music style is called Boss Reggae, not Boss Ska.
MASONS ARMS have committed to writing lyrics in German early on. This is quite a daring endeavor, as there are hardly any bands from Germany in the ska and reggae scene that write in German. That it can work is well known, especially after the success of Seeed. It definitely works; the lyrics are mostly well-written and do not shy away from political statements. With the songs "Zeit zu gehen" and "Buntes Land," clear positions are taken.
However, the sum of the individual parts—the (retro) sound, the reggae beat, and the style of singing or positioning in the song—doesn't quite fit together. At least, I find it not always successful. Whether it's due to the German lyrics or the singing itself, I can't say for sure. However, "Von Vorn" doesn't really grab me. Which is a shame because, as mentioned, the sound is really nice (as we Berliners say).
Overall, it's not bad, but you have to like it.
Maybe listen beforehand and then decide.
