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Album Details

• Artist: Bedouin Soundclash
• Album: Sounding A Mosaic
• Label: Stomp
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2004-11-17

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The words leak out....."Where has your soul gone to?" Perhaps spiraling downward with the beats and bland rhythms of predictable current Billboard 200 successes. Maybe its time for such successes like Spears, 50 cent and company to make room for Bedouin Soundclash. Kept far from Best Buy end cap displays, and MTV News infomercials, "Sounding A Mosaic" is the sophomore effort ('Root Fire' 2001 also on Stomp Records) that avoids a little more than the inevitable sophomore jinx. "Sounding A Mosaic" avoids the musical calamity and boredom that our mainstream charts and ears have learned to cope with.

Like burying yourself independently, out in the dunes of individuality, Sounding A Mosaic interlocks an insane amount of different blends and genres of music for one campfire (song) at a time.

\Bed"ou*in\
An Arab of any of the nomadic tribes of the Arabian, Syrian, Nubian, or Sahara deserts.
www.dictionary.com

Since the commercialization of Reggae music, there have been few artists that have embodied the vibe necessary for the relaxed genre. While Bedouin Soundclash does sound like its predecessors Sublime, The Police and more similarly Bob Marley, it seems Pat Pengelly (drums), Jay Malinowski (vocals/guitar), and Eon Sinclair (bass) may just be a new breed. With an understanding of Reggae Rock, a clean diversity in Neo/Soul and a pinch of Punk/Hip Hop energy, Bedouin Soundclash are peaking at crossroads the aforementioned legends did not manage to gaze.

For instance track one "When The Night Feels My Song", also their lead video, has a pleasantly full and professional feel. Though the formula used here wont win any technical prizes or raise any fundamentalist eyebrows, the music will remedy any depressive thoughts and energies inside your soul. Track four "Money Worries" featuring the soothing esophagus of one Vernon Maytone (The Maytones), is the perfect tiki bar tune. Produced by Daryl Jennifer, largely known for his work with Punk gods Bad Brains, this September 2004 release was not just a flow of beats.

Jennifer seemingly brought in to create a rougher pasture through influence, these mid 20's Canadian fellows have their own fair share of convictions and worldly opinions. These convictions may have lead to the choosing of Jennifer. If you're looking for a musical example, Track 13 "Nothing To Say" is the prime proof of a punk producer's hands at work. A drum consistent with the cultural sounds of many punk past, and present. A yelping call always brings out the real in me. "Nothing to Say ...He Had Nothing to Say..", repeatedly and in your face.

Inexplicable is the positive, energetic flow through track 11 "Rude Boy Don't Cry". It takes a special kind of melody to get my body writhing inside of a tune. The last two tracks may be the real treats of the project for those with a remix appetite. Tracks 14, and 15 are re-dubbed versions of "Money Worries", and "Rude Boy". "Rude boy", in particular is a cradler to those who find the Drum and Bass world tantalizing.

This disc is currently setting my car and home CD players on fire. With "Sounding A Mosaic", you have the calm without the storm. Pick up this top five album of the year (2004).

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