New Kind of World By Top Shelf

 

New Kind of World

By

Top Shelf

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Fortunately for me I have spent time in Jamaica, at the birthplace of the all mighty Bob Marley and in the land where music is the one constant that the country can rely on, here Top Shelf have produced a vibrant new Reggae based album that has elements of both Rap and Ska contained within, and it is a most compelling release indeed.

The culture of Reggae music as said to me whilst in Montego Bay by a fellow musician was “Mon you have to feel the vibe, feel the rhythm, and be heavy on the bass” thankfully all that and more can be found on New Kind of World by Top Shelf, especially the opening piece Wake the Lion, a pulsating opening with all the aforementioned styles and traits found within.

This 12 track album is literally a summer compilation of smooth vibrancy, especially like beach hits such as The Solution and the classic Rock Steady, the start is so Marley it’s delightful, then the happy dance styled motifs kick in with a full flourishing production, and some craft fully clever guitar by Korey Ross.

The more brass and piano based offerings like Omw give us a tempting juxtaposition of tone, while songs like Sunshine State (feat. CootDog & EMCEE RADIOACTIVE) is exceptional in its party styled elements, and then offerings like Bumpy Ride will fill that desire for a little more undeniable rhythm and bass, the vocals and styling here are breath taking from Carter Lane, add to that the mixture of a classy symbiosis of minor and major refrains, and you have my favourite track off the album.

The project is concluded by the final gift of the piece Struggle; once more a perfect vibe can be felt and touched, while the total essence of Reggae music is saluted in the most respectful of ways, and of course is simply the best way with which to leave the album.

A big salute must also go to the champions of tone, the band itself Top Shelf, with sublime and classy presentations and performances by Carter Lane on superb lead vocals, Korey Ross lead guitarist, and the lord of cool string touches, the king of the engine room Chad Goodin on bass, his crisp and rhythmic partner Drew Nicoll the drummer, let’s hear it for Gabriel Winter keyboards, Phillip Goldie on the sultry sax, and of course we must not forget Achilles Poloynis gifting us some almighty trombone.

So one must give up the respect for New Kind of World by Top Shelf, this album must be without doubt one of the best releases this summer and an album that should be spun more times that a spiders web this August. If you wish to fill your life with some very cool reggae vibes this season, then you really must avail yourselves with a copy of New Kind of World by Top Shelf as soon as you can, then hit the beach, crank open a Red Stripe and enjoy!