I liked it better when I thought it was called Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band, but it’s not. Here comes the latest reggae tribute from the group that brought you Radiodread and The Dub Side of the Moon. Released in April of this year, Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band is exactly what its title infers – a dubbed out tribute to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper. Appropriately, there are some really fantastic, in-depth reviews of this record – it’s a pretty good record that in theory, probably should’ve sucked. I like reggae and Sgt. Pepper is my favorite Beatles album but at first the 2 together did not seem like a good idea. Kinda like some random dude asking if you like reggae, and then inviting you to come see one of the 20 million local Bob Marley cover bands play some shitty reggae night at a beer & wine bar in the middle of the week. (Not necessarily bad, but defintely not good, either.)
I’m glad I listened to it though, because it fucking rules. Highlights:
- Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds is a good example of the album’s official purpose – “a reggae re-imagining” of the classic Beatles album. The reggae version of this track sounds like what I can only imagine that a circus would feel like if you were stuck in a K hole or had been up all night doing whip its. Or both. Together. At the same time. And you have no money and you’re like 800 miles from home and it’s like 95 degrees in the tent. But you’re irie. Hah.
- She’s Leaving Home features some chick named Kirsty Rock on vocals. Never heard of her, but she has a really sexy voice. She sounds like she’d probably be a sultry, caramel-colored, hourglass-shaped, vegas lounge singer. I figured she probably wasn’t, and I was right. This is what she looks like:
Other tracks on the album feature Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), U Roy, Bunny Rugs (Third World), Ranking Roger (English Beat), Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul, Max Romeo and The Mighty Diamond, and ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ gets a little help from Luciano. Read the whole press release on the official site and download my 3 favorite tracks right here.
DOWNLOADS:
Easy Star Allstars – With A Little Help From My Friends
Easy Star Allstars (feat Kirsty Rock) – She’s Leaving Home
Easy Star Allstars – Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Easy Star Allstars are currently on tour and will be for what looks like all eternity, but if you dig it and you’re anywhere near the LA/OC area, check ‘em out on September 26 at the ‘Flights & Sounds of Summer’ series helt at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine for FREE. Click here for event details. In the meantime, buy the record.
