Dust and Dirt - the New Album by The Black Seeds
Published in the Groove Guide April 2012
Wellington’s The Black Seeds are one of the best, long serving reggae-funk-fusion collectives in the country. Their conscious lyrics and modern grooves reflect a soulful ambiance. A move from Newtown’s “Surgery” to their own space in Mt Cook has brought some new inspirations. There’s still a few staple dance hall numbers, notably “Settle Down,” “Rusted Story,” and the title track but its numbers like the down-tempo leanings of “Out Of Light,” with its more subdued undertow and a psychedelic edge, that’s made me sit up and take notice. Also grabbing my attention are the very nice funky lounge tunes including the quirky single “Pippy Pip”, which is also downright infectious – especially live! And finally worth noting are the soul tappers “Gabriel’s Strut Club,” and “Loose Cartilage”. As with all their releases, the story on wax is only half the tale – I’d thoroughly recommend catching them live when they tour next month to get the full picture.
freshthinking 